Vocabulary Strategies for Standardized Test Practice
Understanding denotation and connotation, utilizing context clues effectively, and deciphering words with multiple meanings are crucial strategies for mastering vocabulary in preparation for standardized tests. This guide provides detailed explanations and examples to enhance your vocabulary skills.
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Standardized Test Practice Vocabulary Strategies
Denotation and Connotation A word s denotation is its actual, literal meaning. It is the meaning you would find if you looked the word up in a dictionary. A word s connotation is the meaning associated with the word. The connotation may be more emotional, or tied to an idea or feeling about the word. Connotations can be positive, negative, or neutral.
Denotation and Connotation Example: The words skinny, scrawny, slender, and slim all mean approximately the same thing. Denotation? Connotation? scrawny slender slim skinny
Technique 1Context Clues 1. Words or phrases within the text and near the word in question can help you figure out the meaning of unknown words. The most commonly used context clues techniques are as follows: Words that clarify are often set off by commas and will use a synonym as a context clue Example: Authors, unless they are trying to be erudite, or knowledgeable, want readers to understand their writing. In the above sentence, the word erudite means knowledgeable. Notice that the meaning is explicitly stated and set off by commas.
Context Clues Continued Sometimes antonyms , or opposites, are used for clarity. Example: The librarian was perturbed when the student s cell phone rang. He would have been happier if the student had silenced her phone prior to entering the library. By using a phrase in which the opposite is shown, the reader can predict the meaning of perturbed as being unhappy. Sometimes, authors restate the unfamiliar word using phrases like in other words or such as followed by an explanation. This provides extra information. Example: The teacher was unpredictable; in other words, he was always changing his mind. Example: Ocean predators, such as sharks and barracudas, feed on smaller fish.
Technique 2Words with Multiple Meanings Many words have multiple meanings, but the first step in deciding which meaning of a word is being used is to figure out the word s part of speech - if the word is being used as a noun, verb, or adjective in a particular sentence. Second, you should look at the context in which the word is used. Example: The captain told the sailor to mop the deck. In this sentence is deck referring to a collection of cards, to knock someone off his feet, or the upper floor or platform of a ship? Part of Speech and Context Clue: In this sentence, the word deck is a noun; therefore your answer must be a noun. The word captain is used which implies a ship; therefore, the upper platform of a ship is your best answer.
Test Tactics Here is an example of a test item you might see. Practice what you just learned. President Calvin Coolidge was known as a man of few words. Once at a dinner party, a guest told him she had made a bet that she could make Coolidge say more than three words. Coolidge s succinct reply was: You lose. What does the word succinct mean as used in the excerpt? a. Honest and direct b. Funny and entertaining c. Short and to the point d. Off topic The text also states that he was a man of FEW WORDS which provides additional information about Coolidge as a clue. The fact that she bet she could make him say more than three words is also a clue, especially since he only spoke two words in reply. Succinct is an adjective. It modifies the noun reply.
What does the word succinct mean as used in the excerpt? a. Honest and direct b. Funny and entertaining c. Short and to the point d. Strange and off the subject
Synonym and Antonym Test Items May Ask Which pair of words from the passage is most similar in meaning? (for synonym) and Which pair of words from the passage is most opposite in meaning? (for antonym) For this type of question, go back to the passage and find each word; use context clues to figure out the meaning; use this knowledge to choose the correct answer. Example: Which pair of words from the passage is most opposite in meaning? a. Help, assist b. Invent, create c. Reveal, conceal d. Thwart, prevent
Use what you know, the context clues, and the question stem to choose the correct answer. Example: Which pair of words from the passage is most opposite in meaning? a. Help, assist (synonyms) b. Invent, create (synonyms) c. Reveal, conceal (antonyms) d. Thwart, prevent (If the sentence from the passage read He never did anything to thwart his father s success, you could infer that thwart might mean prevent.)
Sometimes test items ask you to analyze words and phrases. They will look like the following: Read the following sentence from the passage. What does the sentence below tell the reader about Alexandra? Alexandra never wore makeup, seeing no need to gild the lily as she conceitedly put it. a. She believes she is very beautiful. b. She feels embarrassed by her looks. c. She prefers to look plain and natural. d. She hates to spend money on herself.
Lets Analyze That By Looking at the Phrases in Red Alexandra never wore makeup, seeing no need to gild the lily as she conceitedly put it. Even if you are uncertain of the phrase gild the lily, the reader can infer that it means to add extra or to add an adornment. Since she wore no makeup and since she is conceited, the reader can infer that she thinks she is beautiful. a. She believes she is very beautiful. b. She feels embarrassed by her looks. c. She prefers to look plain and natural. d. She hates to spend money on herself.
Test Tactics This is a question that might assess your understanding of multiple-meaning words. Read the sentence from the passage. In which of the following sentences does state have the same meaning as used in the sentence below. After competing in the demolition derby, Derek s car was in a terrible state. a. The rescuers asked the lost girl to state her name. b. The puzzling ending left moviegoers in a state of confusion. c. The company moved its main plant to another state. d. The state law was slightly different from the federal one.
What is the part of speech of state as it is used? What words help you understand the meaning? Underline them. After competing in the demolition derby, Derek s car was in a terrible state. a. The rescuers asked the lost girl to state her name. b. The puzzling ending left moviegoers in a state of confusion. c. The company moved its main plant to another state. d. The state law was slightly different from the federal one. Both demolition and terrible help the reader. State is a noun meaning condition. The article a and the adjective terrible indicate that in this sentence, state is a condition. a. b. c. and d. State refers to a nation or territory. Also in d, state is an adjective. State is an infinitive, not a noun. State refers to a condition of the mind.
Peyton Manning article That did not prevent his season from ending with the fairy-tale finish of a 24-10 Super Bowl victory over the Carolina Panthers. The author uses the term fairy-tale to suggest that the game was: A. Too good to be true B. Not played fairly C. Not very interesting D. Too much like a cartoon
That did not prevent his season from ending with the fairy-tale finish of a 24-10 Super Bowl victory over the Carolina Panthers. The author uses the term fairy-tale to suggest that the game was: A. Too good to be true B. Not played fairly C. Not very interesting D. Too much like a cartoon
Paint Pals Part A How do the girls personalities help shape the plot of Paint Pals ? A. Their cheerful natures allow them to make it through a terrible day. B. Their love of children helps them do a great job taking care of the toddlers C. Their overconfidence ruins what should have been a fun learning experience D. Their inexperience prevents them from knowing what to expect from the toddlers.
Answer How do the girls personalities help shape the plot of Paint Pals ? A. Their cheerful natures allow them to make it through a terrible day. B. Their love of children helps them do a great job taking care of the toddlers C. Their overconfidence ruins what should have been a fun learning experience D. Their inexperience prevents them from knowing what to expect from the toddlers.
Part B What additional story element helps shape the plot? A.The setting in a preschool B. The personality of the teacher C. The setting during the early afternoon D.The personalities of the individual children
Answer What additional story element helps shape the plot? A.The setting in a preschool B. The personality of the teacher C. The setting during the early afternoon D.The personalities of the individual children
