Infer an unfamiliar word's meaning from what surrounds it — no dictionary, just the sentence. Definition, contrast, example and inference clues each leave a different kind of trail. Every question comes with a written breakdown of which clue was there and how to spot it.
If the word looks like one you know, it's tempting to skip the sentence. Passages plant words that resemble a common word but mean something different.
Words like however, yet and despite flip the meaning you'd otherwise expect. Skim past one and you'll pick the opposite answer confidently.
A single example in the sentence doesn't define the word's full range — check that your answer fits every clue given, not just the closest one.
Straight from the bank — one per difficulty tier. Reveal the answer to see the explanation you'd get in a real session.
Despite the team's LETHARGIC start, they finished the match with real energy. LETHARGIC most nearly means:
B — Sluggish. "Despite" signals a contrast — the team started one way and finished differently, with energy. So the start must be the opposite of energetic: sluggish. Aggressive (A) and Confident (C) don't oppose "energy" the way the sentence requires.
The critic's review was far from LAUDATORY; every paragraph found something new to criticise. LAUDATORY most nearly means:
A — Praising. "Far from" is a contrast signal, and the rest of the sentence describes constant criticism — the opposite of praise. Laudatory means full of praise, so the review being "far from" it matches only Praising. Balanced (C) is tempting but doesn't oppose "finding something new to criticise" as directly.
The negotiator's CONCILIATORY tone — soft-spoken, quick to concede small points, careful never to raise his voice — eventually won over the room. CONCILIATORY most nearly means:
B — Appeasing. The dash introduces a definition clue: everything after it — soft-spoken, conceding points, staying calm — describes behaviour aimed at reducing conflict. Appeasing matches that directly. Formal (D) fits "careful" but ignores the concession and calming behaviour the sentence emphasises.
Context clues are the one English subtopic where reading speed and vocabulary both matter equally — practice trains you to spot the clue type fast, not just guess the word.
For each question, name which clue type is present — definition, contrast, example or inference — before picking an answer. Untimed practice is where that habit sticks.
Move to timed sessions once clue-spotting is automatic. Context clues run slightly longer than antonyms since there's a full sentence to read.
Combine context clues with reading comprehension in a mock — both draw on the same first-pass reading skill.
Already have an account? Sign in →