Vocabulary in Context

Introduction

In the FSCE 11+ exam, you will encounter unfamiliar words in the passages you read. You are not expected to know every word in advance -- but you ARE expected to be able to work out what they mean from the context. This is an important skill because it shows that you can use the clues around an unknown word to figure out its meaning.

This lesson teaches you six strategies for working out the meaning of unfamiliar words, with worked examples for each one.

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The 6 Strategies

graph TD
    A["Unknown Word"] --> B["Strategy 1: Root Words"]
    A --> C["Strategy 2: Prefixes and Suffixes"]
    A --> D["Strategy 3: Context Clues"]
    A --> E["Strategy 4: Word Class"]
    A --> F["Strategy 5: Substitution Test"]
    A --> G["Strategy 6: Elimination"]
    B --> H["Break the word into parts you recognise"]
    C --> H
    D --> I["Use the sentences around the word"]
    E --> I
    F --> J["Try replacing the word with another"]
    G --> J

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Strategy 1: Root Words

Many English words are built from a root word -- a base word that carries the core meaning. If you can spot the root word inside an unfamiliar word, you can often work out its meaning.

Example: The word "uncomfortable"

• Root word: comfort (a feeling of ease)
• un- means "not"
• -able means "able to be"
• So "uncomfortable" means "not able to be comfortable"

Example: The word "microscope"

• micro = small (from Greek)
• scope = to look or see
• So a microscope is a device for looking at small things

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Strategy 2: Prefixes and Suffixes

Prefixes are added to the beginning of words, and suffixes are added to the end. Learning common prefixes and suffixes helps you decode unfamiliar words.

Common Prefixes:

Prefix	Meaning	Example
un-	not	unhappy
re-	again	rebuild
pre-	before	preview
mis-	wrongly	misunderstand
dis-	not, opposite	disagree
over-	too much	overreact
sub-	under, below	submarine
inter-	between	international
anti-	against	antibacterial
trans-	across	transport

Common Suffixes:

Suffix	Meaning	Example
-ful	full of	hopeful
-less	without	hopeless
-ment	the result of	enjoyment
-ness	the state of	kindness
-tion / -sion	the act of	creation
-able / -ible	able to be	breakable
-ous	full of	dangerous
-ly	in the manner of	quickly
-ist	a person who	scientist
-ology	the study of	biology

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Strategy 3: Context Clues

The most powerful strategy is using the context -- the words and sentences surrounding the unknown word. Authors often provide clues to a word's meaning without realising it.

Types of context clues:

Definition clue: The text defines the word for you.

The archaeologist carefully used a trowel -- a small, flat-bladed tool -- to scrape away the earth.

Synonym clue: A word with a similar meaning appears nearby.

The politician's speech was eloquent and persuasive; her powerful words moved the entire audience. ("Powerful words" helps you understand "eloquent" means speaking well.)

Antonym clue: A word with the opposite meaning appears nearby.

Unlike her gregarious brother, who loved parties and crowds, Emma preferred to spend time alone. ("Preferred to spend time alone" is the opposite, so "gregarious" must mean sociable.)

Example clue: An example is given that illustrates the meaning.

The museum was full of artefacts -- ancient pottery, bronze tools, Roman coins, and fragments of jewellery. (The examples tell you "artefacts" means old, historical objects.)

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Strategy 4: Word Class

Working out whether the unknown word is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb can help narrow down its meaning.

The villagers looked at the newcomer with suspicion and hostility.

"Hostility" must be a noun (it follows "and" which connects it to "suspicion," also a noun). It is something negative, paired with "suspicion." This suggests it means unfriendliness or aggression.

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Strategy 5: Substitution Test

Try replacing the unknown word with a word you do know. If your sentence still makes sense, you have probably found the right meaning.

The teacher commended Sarah for her excellent essay.

Try: "The teacher praised Sarah for her excellent essay." -- Yes, this makes perfect sense. So "commended" means praised.

Try: "The teacher punished Sarah for her excellent essay." -- No, this does not make sense. So "commended" does not mean punished.

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Strategy 6: Elimination

If you are given multiple-choice options, eliminate the answers that definitely do not fit. Even if you are not sure of the right answer, removing wrong ones improves your chances.

The abandoned house was in a state of dilapidation.

Options: (A) beauty (B) disrepair (C) excitement (D) cleanliness

• The house is "abandoned," so it is unlikely to be in a state of beauty (A) or cleanliness (D). Eliminate them.
• "Excitement" (C) does not describe a physical state of a house. Eliminate it.
• That leaves (B) disrepair -- and this fits perfectly with "abandoned."

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Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

The hikers were exhausted after their arduous journey through the mountains. The steep paths, heavy rain, and freezing winds had tested them to their limits.

Question: What does "arduous" mean?

Working it out: The context tells us the journey involved "steep paths, heavy rain, and freezing winds" and that the hikers were "exhausted." These clues all point to the journey being extremely difficult.

Answer: "Arduous" means very difficult and tiring. The context clues -- the hikers being "exhausted," and the difficult conditions of "steep paths, heavy rain, and freezing winds" -- all suggest that the journey was extremely challenging and demanding.

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Worked Example 2

Mrs Henderson's benevolent nature was well known in the village. She donated to every charity, brought soup to sick neighbours, and always had a kind word for everyone she met.

Question: What does "benevolent" mean?

Working it out: The examples after the word tell us that Mrs Henderson donates to charity, helps sick neighbours, and is kind to everyone. These are all acts of generosity and kindness.