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11+ · English - Reading and Vocabulary

EP.E4 Vocabulary in Context

GL ASSESSMENT / CSSE 11+ Entrance English (GL Assessment / CSSE style) · Calculators not allowed · about 65 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

The Glasshouse at Bramwell Hall

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Fictional narrative created for 11+ vocabulary-in-context practice.

Amara had cycled past the gates of Bramwell Hall a hundred times without ever noticing the glasshouse. It stood behind a screen of overgrown laurel, its iron frame rusted to the colour of dried blood, its hundreds of small panes either missing or clouded with grime. Today, for reasons she could not quite explain, she propped her bicycle against the wall and pushed through a gap in the hedge.

The door hung from a single hinge, and it groaned in protest as she eased it open. Inside, the air was warm and green-smelling, thick with the scent of leaf mould and rain that had long since evaporated. Ferns had colonised the flagstones, their fronds unfurling in tentative spirals towards the light. A vine, ancient and sinewy, had wound itself around an ornate iron pillar and now hung in loops from the roof, as though the whole building were slowly being reclaimed by the garden it had once been built to display.

Amara moved deeper into the glasshouse, her footsteps muffled by drifts of fallen leaves. In the far corner, half hidden beneath a tangle of ivy, she spotted a wooden potting bench. Its surface was scarred and pitted, but someone had once tended it with meticulous care: brass labels, now dulled to a soft green, were still pinned in careful rows beside empty terracotta pots. A pair of secateurs lay where they had been set down, their blades brittle with rust, as though the gardener had simply stepped away for a moment and never returned.

She reached out and, with fingers that trembled slightly, lifted a small leather-bound notebook from beneath the bench. Its cover was cracked and its pages foxed with damp, yet when she opened it, careful copperplate handwriting still marched across the paper in orderly lines. It was a planting record, dated some seventy years earlier, noting the germination of orchids, the pruning of a fig tree, the coaxing of a stubborn camellia into its first bloom. The final entry, written in a hand that had grown shaky and irregular, simply read: Frost forecast. Bring in the tender ones tonight.

Amara sat back on her heels, the notebook resting in her lap. Somewhere above her, a bird had found its way in through a broken pane and was hopping along a rafter, unbothered by her presence. The glasshouse, forlorn as it looked from the lane, suddenly felt less like a ruin and more like a room that was simply waiting, patiently, for someone to notice it again. She made a resolute decision there and then: she would come back tomorrow, and the day after that, until she had worked out exactly what this strange, verdant, forgotten place deserved to become next.

Choose the option closest in meaning to each word as it is used in the source text.

(a)'propped' (paragraph 1: 'she propped her bicycle against the wall') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) rode
B) leaned something against a support
C) hid
D) repaired

(b)'groaned' (paragraph 2: 'it groaned in protest as she eased it open') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) made a low creaking sound
B) broke suddenly
C) opened quickly
D) shone brightly

(c)'muffled' (paragraph 3: 'her footsteps muffled by drifts of fallen leaves') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) made louder
B) softened or quietened
C) sped up
D) stopped completely

(d)'spotted' (paragraph 3: 'she spotted a wooden potting bench') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) cleaned
B) noticed or caught sight of
C) marked with paint
D) measured

(Total for Question 1 is 4 marks)

Choose the option closest in meaning to each word as it is used in the source text.

(a)'eased' (paragraph 2: 'as she eased it open') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) slammed
B) moved gently and carefully
C) locked
D) painted

(b)'tangle' (paragraph 3: 'half hidden beneath a tangle of ivy') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) a single, neat leaf
B) a confused, knotted mass
C) a small pot
D) a bright colour

(c)'drifts' (paragraph 3: 'muffled by drifts of fallen leaves') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) single, scattered leaves
B) piles or heaps built up by movement
C) wet puddles
D) footprints

(d)'tended' (paragraph 3: 'someone had once tended it with meticulous care') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) ignored
B) looked after or cared for
C) sold
D) photographed

(Total for Question 2 is 4 marks)

Choose the option closest in meaning to each word as it is used in the source text.

(a)'colonised' (paragraph 2: 'Ferns had colonised the flagstones') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) destroyed
B) settled in and spread across
C) avoided completely
D) painted over

(b)'sinewy' (paragraph 2: 'A vine, ancient and sinewy') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) tough and stringy or fibrous
B) soft and fluffy
C) brightly coloured
D) newly planted

(c)'meticulous' (paragraph 3: 'tended it with meticulous care') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) careless
B) occasional
C) extremely careful and precise
D) forceful

(d)'resolute' (paragraph 5: 'She made a resolute decision') is closest in meaning to:(1)

A) hesitant
B) firm and determined
C) sudden and unplanned
D) quiet

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Choose the word that could replace the underlined word in each sentence from the source text without changing its meaning.

(a)'their fronds unfurling in tentative spirals towards the light' - tentative is closest to:(1)

A) hesitant or uncertain
B) rapid
C) enormous
D) colourful

(b)'their blades brittle with rust' - brittle is closest to:(1)

A) shiny
B) easily broken or fragile
C) heavy
D) sharp

(c)'The glasshouse, forlorn as it looked from the lane' - forlorn is closest to:(1)

A) abandoned and sad-looking
B) brightly lit
C) newly built
D) crowded

(d)'this strange, verdant, forgotten place' - verdant is closest to:(1)

A) dry and dusty
B) lush and green
C) dark and cold
D) loud and busy

(Total for Question 4 is 4 marks)

Choose the word that is most OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word, as it is used in the source text.

(a)'tended it with meticulous care' - the opposite of meticulous is:(1)

A) careful
B) careless or slapdash
C) quick
D) quiet

(b)'their blades brittle with rust' - the opposite of brittle is:(1)

A) flexible or tough
B) shiny
C) cold
D) heavy

(c)'She made a resolute decision' - the opposite of resolute is:(1)

A) confident
B) hesitant or wavering
C) loud
D) patient

(d)'this strange, verdant, forgotten place' - the opposite of verdant is:(1)

A) barren or lifeless
B) enormous
C) ancient
D) hidden

(Total for Question 5 is 4 marks)

Each sentence below is new, and does not appear in the source text. Choose the word from the source text's vocabulary that best completes each sentence.

(a)'After the frost, the pond's edge was ___ with thin ice that cracked underfoot.'(1)

A) verdant
B) brittle
C) meticulous
D) resolute

(b)'Bindweed had ___ the entire allotment within a single summer, smothering every vegetable bed.'(1)

A) colonised
B) muffled
C) tentative
D) forlorn

(c)'The abandoned cottage, its windows boarded and its garden gone to weed, looked utterly ___.'(1)

A) verdant
B) meticulous
C) forlorn
D) sinewy

(d)'New to the diving board, Tomas took a ___ step towards the edge before finally jumping.'(1)

A) resolute
B) tentative
C) brittle
D) meticulous

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

In each group of four words, three share a similar meaning and one does not belong. Identify the odd word out and explain why it does not belong.

(a)forlorn, desolate, abandoned, cheerful(2)

(b)meticulous, careless, thorough, precise(2)

(c)brittle, fragile, delicate, sturdy(2)

(d)resolute, determined, decisive, wavering(2)

(Total for Question 7 is 8 marks)

Complete each sentence below with the best word from this bank. Each word may be used once only, and not all words are needed: forlorn, resolute, meticulous, muffled, verdant, brittle, tentative.

(a)The abandoned playground, its swings rusted and silent, looked thoroughly ___.(1)

(b)Despite her nerves, Priya gave a ___ nod and stepped up to the microphone.(1)

(c)The librarian was famous for her ___ filing system, in which not a single book was ever out of place.(1)

(d)Snow had settled so thickly that every sound in the street was ___.(1)

(e)By midsummer the valley was ___, every hillside thick with ferns and moss.(1)

(Total for Question 8 is 5 marks)

Each word below has more than one meaning. State the meaning used in the source text, then give a different meaning of the same word and use it correctly in a sentence of your own.

(a)'screen' (paragraph 1: 'a screen of overgrown laurel'). In the passage this means a barrier or covering that hides something. Give a different meaning of 'screen' and use it in a sentence of your own.(2)

(b)'spotted' (paragraph 3: 'she spotted a wooden potting bench'). In the passage this means noticed or caught sight of. Give a different meaning of 'spotted' and use it in a sentence of your own.(2)

(c)'record' (paragraph 4: 'a planting record'). In the passage this means a written account kept for future reference. Give a different meaning of 'record' and use it in a sentence of your own.(2)

(Total for Question 9 is 6 marks)

Complete each analogy with the word that best fits the relationship shown. Each pair below is linked by opposite meaning.

(a)FORLORN is to CHEERFUL as BRITTLE is to ___.(1)

(b)VERDANT is to BARREN as RESOLUTE is to ___.(1)

(c)MUFFLED is to DEAFENING as TENTATIVE is to ___.(1)

(d)METICULOUS is to CARELESS as ORNATE is to ___.(1)

(Total for Question 10 is 4 marks)

Each word below appears in the source text and contains a prefix or root that gives a clue to its meaning. Identify the prefix or root and its meaning, then give the overall meaning of the word as used in the text.

(a)'unbothered' (paragraph 5: 'unbothered by her presence')(2)

(b)'irregular' (paragraph 4: 'a hand that had grown shaky and irregular')(2)

(c)'reclaimed' (paragraph 2: 'slowly being reclaimed by the garden')(2)

(d)'germination' (paragraph 4: 'noting the germination of orchids')(2)

(Total for Question 11 is 8 marks)

In paragraph 2, the writer describes the vine as 'ancient and sinewy'. Explain how this word choice helps the reader picture the vine, and why it is more effective than a simpler word such as 'thin' or 'long'. Support your answer with reference to the text.

(Total for Question 12 is 6 marks)

Give the word class shown for each word below, based on how the related word is used in the source text.

(a)Give the noun form of 'meticulous' (as in 'meticulous care').(1)

(b)Give the adverb form of 'resolute' (as in 'a resolute decision').(1)

(c)Give the verb form of 'germination' (as in 'the germination of orchids').(1)

(d)Give the noun form of 'verdant' (as in 'this strange, verdant, forgotten place').(1)

(Total for Question 13 is 4 marks)

Each sentence below uses a plain or vague word or phrase in place of ___. Choose the option that replaces it with the most precise word.

(a)'The garden was very ___, with weeds everywhere.'(1)

A) verdant
B) overgrown
C) meticulous
D) brittle

(b)'Grandad's hands ___ when he opened the old tin.'(1)

A) trembled slightly
B) collapsed
C) hovered
D) muffled

(c)'The old fence was ___ because it had gone dry and cracked.'(1)

A) verdant
B) brittle
C) resolute
D) tentative

(d)'She looked ___, standing by the empty playground.'(1)

A) forlorn
B) meticulous
C) sinewy
D) muffled

(Total for Question 14 is 4 marks)

None of the words below appear in the source text. Using clues in each sentence, work out what the underlined word means, and identify the words that helped you decide.

(a)'By midday the garden had fallen into a strange cacophony, as starlings, crows and a barking dog all competed to be heard at once.' What does 'cacophony' mean here, and which words helped you work it out?(2)

(b)'The kitchen after the party was left in a state of complete disarray, with plates stacked haphazardly and chairs knocked onto their sides.' What does 'disarray' mean here, and which words helped you work it out?(2)

(c)'Ravi was known for being fastidious about his handwriting, rewriting a whole page if even a single letter strayed outside the margin.' What does 'fastidious' mean here, and which words helped you work it out?(2)

(Total for Question 15 is 6 marks)

For each pair of words, identify which one is used in the way described.

(a)Which word is more formal?(1)

A) kids
B) children

(b)Which word is more formal?(1)

A) commence
B) start

(c)Which word is more informal?(1)

A) purchase
B) buy

(Total for Question 16 is 3 marks)

Choose the word that correctly completes each common word partnership (collocation).

(a)'The judges praised her ___ attention to detail.'(1)

A) meticulous
B) brittle
C) forlorn
D) tentative

(b)'After the announcement, the room fell into a ___ silence.'(1)

A) verdant
B) deafening
C) resolute
D) muffled

(c)'He gave a ___ smile, trying to hide his nerves.'(1)

A) tentative
B) meticulous
C) sinewy
D) colonised

(d)'The old warehouse had been left completely ___, its windows smashed and roof caved in.'(1)

A) verdant
B) derelict
C) meticulous
D) resolute

(Total for Question 17 is 4 marks)

Explain what each underlined idiom means in context, using evidence from the sentence to support your answer.

(a)'After failing his first two driving tests, Callum decided to turn over a new leaf and practise every single day before his third attempt.'(2)

(b)'Once Priya let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party, there was no point trying to keep it secret any longer.'(2)

(c)'With the exams finished and nothing planned for the summer, Tom found himself at a loose end for the first few days.'(2)

(Total for Question 18 is 6 marks)

Put these four words in order, from the LEAST damaged to the MOST damaged: crumbling, chipped, pristine, brittle.

(Total for Question 19 is 2 marks)

Look at the final paragraph of the source text (from 'Amara sat back on her heels' to the end). Explain how the writer creates a sense of mystery and stillness in this paragraph. In your answer, consider the writer's word choices (for example 'forlorn', 'patiently' and 'resolute'), the description of the bird, and how the mood differs from Amara's earlier discoveries.

(Total for Question 20 is 8 marks)

Give one synonym (a word with a similar meaning) for each word below, as it is used in the source text.

(a)'coaxing' (paragraph 4: 'the coaxing of a stubborn camellia into its first bloom')(1)

(b)'pitted' (paragraph 3: 'Its surface was scarred and pitted')(1)

(c)'irregular' (paragraph 4: 'a hand that had grown shaky and irregular')(1)

(d)'reclaimed' (paragraph 2: 'slowly being reclaimed by the garden')(1)

(Total for Question 21 is 4 marks)

None of the underlined words below appear in the source text. Use your knowledge of word roots to explain what each one means, referring to the root given.

(a)'The head teacher was praised for her benevolent approach to struggling students, always looking for ways to help rather than punish.' The root 'bene-' means 'good' or 'well'. Explain what 'benevolent' means.(2)

(b)'Some found the tour guide's constant, loquacious commentary exhausting, as he barely paused for breath between one fact and the next.' The root 'loqu-' means 'to speak'. Explain what 'loquacious' means.(2)

(c)'Despite being asked directly, Marcus remained taciturn throughout the meeting, offering only single-word answers.' The root 'tacit-' relates to silence or saying nothing. Explain what 'taciturn' means.(2)

(Total for Question 22 is 6 marks)

Mark scheme · EP.E4 Vocabulary in Context

Question 1

(a) B1 B cao
(a) Answer: B) leaned something against a support
(b) B1 A cao
(b) Answer: A) made a low creaking sound
(c) B1 B cao
(c) Answer: B) softened or quietened
(d) B1 B cao
(d) Answer: B) noticed or caught sight of

Question 2

(a) B1 B cao
(a) Answer: B) moved gently and carefully
(b) B1 B cao
(b) Answer: B) a confused, knotted mass
(c) B1 B cao
(c) Answer: B) piles or heaps built up by movement
(d) B1 B cao
(d) Answer: B) looked after or cared for

Question 3

(a) B1 B cao
(a) Answer: B) settled in and spread across
(b) B1 A cao
(b) Answer: A) tough and stringy or fibrous
(c) B1 C cao
(c) Answer: C) extremely careful and precise
(d) B1 B cao
(d) Answer: B) firm and determined

Question 4

(a) B1 A cao
(a) Answer: A) hesitant or uncertain
(b) B1 B cao
(b) Answer: B) easily broken or fragile
(c) B1 A cao
(c) Answer: A) abandoned and sad-looking
(d) B1 B cao
(d) Answer: B) lush and green

Question 5

(a) B1 B cao
(a) Answer: B) careless or slapdash
(b) B1 A cao
(b) Answer: A) flexible or tough
(c) B1 B cao
(c) Answer: B) hesitant or wavering
(d) B1 A cao
(d) Answer: A) barren or lifeless

Question 6

(a) B1 B cao
(a) Answer: B) brittle
(b) B1 A cao
(b) Answer: A) colonised
(c) B1 C cao
(c) Answer: C) forlorn
(d) B1 B cao
(d) Answer: B) tentative

Question 7

(a) B1 identifies 'cheerful' as the odd word out
(a) B1 valid reason, e.g. the other three all suggest sadness or emptiness, while cheerful means happy oe
(a) Answer: cheerful
(b) B1 identifies 'careless' as the odd word out
(b) B1 valid reason, e.g. the other three describe being careful and precise, while careless means the opposite oe
(b) Answer: careless
(c) B1 identifies 'sturdy' as the odd word out
(c) B1 valid reason, e.g. the other three describe things that break easily, while sturdy means strong and durable oe
(c) Answer: sturdy
(d) B1 identifies 'wavering' as the odd word out
(d) B1 valid reason, e.g. the other three describe being firm and sure, while wavering means hesitant or unsure oe
(d) Answer: wavering

Question 8

(a) B1 forlorn cao
(a) Answer: forlorn
(b) B1 resolute cao
(b) Answer: resolute
(c) B1 meticulous cao
(c) Answer: meticulous
(d) B1 muffled cao
(d) Answer: muffled
(e) B1 verdant cao
(e) Answer: verdant

Question 9

(a) B1 gives a genuinely different valid meaning, e.g. the flat surface of a television, computer, phone or cinema; or to test/check something oe
(a) B1 uses the alternative meaning correctly and clearly in an original sentence
(a) Answer: Alternative meaning: the flat surface on which images are shown, e.g. a television or computer screen.
(b) B1 gives a genuinely different valid meaning, e.g. covered in small marks or patches oe
(b) B1 uses the alternative meaning correctly and clearly in an original sentence
(b) Answer: Alternative meaning: covered in small marks, spots or patches.
(c) B1 gives a genuinely different valid meaning, e.g. the best-ever result in a sport or activity, or a vinyl disc used for playing music oe
(c) B1 uses the alternative meaning correctly and clearly in an original sentence
(c) Answer: Alternative meaning: the best-ever result achieved in a sport or activity.

Question 10

(a) B1 accept sturdy, tough, strong or robust oe
(a) Answer: sturdy (or tough / strong / robust)
(b) B1 accept hesitant, wavering or irresolute oe
(b) Answer: hesitant (or wavering / irresolute)
(c) B1 accept confident, bold or decisive oe
(c) Answer: confident (or bold / decisive)
(d) B1 accept plain, simple or unadorned oe
(d) Answer: plain (or simple / unadorned)

Question 11

(a) B1 identifies the prefix 'un-' as meaning 'not' oe
(a) B1 gives the overall meaning: not troubled or disturbed / calm and undisturbed oe
(a) Answer: un- = not; unbothered = not troubled/disturbed, calm and undisturbed.
(b) B1 identifies the prefix 'ir-' (a form of 'in-') as meaning 'not' oe
(b) B1 gives the overall meaning: not regular, uneven or inconsistent oe
(b) Answer: ir- = not; irregular = not regular, uneven/inconsistent handwriting.
(c) B1 identifies the prefix 're-' as meaning 'again' oe
(c) B1 gives the overall meaning: taken back or recovered again oe
(c) Answer: re- = again; reclaimed = taken back or recovered again.
(d) B1 identifies the root 'germ-' as relating to a seed or sprout oe
(d) B1 gives the overall meaning: the process of a seed beginning to grow or sprout oe
(d) Answer: germ- = seed/sprout; germination = the process of a seed beginning to grow.

Question 12

Level 1 (1-2): A simple or general comment, for example that 'sinewy' means strong, with little or no comparison to simpler words and little textual support.
Level 2 (3-4): A clear explanation of some connotations of 'sinewy' (for example toughness or a wiry texture) with some comparison to simpler words, reasonably supported by the text.
Level 3 (5-6): A perceptive, detailed explanation exploring the connotations of 'sinewy' (muscle, strength, an almost living quality) and a clear, well-supported comparison showing why 'thin' or 'long' would be weaker choices, linked precisely to the surrounding text.
Indicative content:
- 'Sinewy' suggests tendons or muscle, making the vine seem strong, tough and almost alive rather than simply plant-like
- The connotation of age and resilience fits well alongside 'ancient', suggesting the vine has endured and grown powerful over time
- 'Thin' only describes width and 'long' only describes length; neither carries any sense of strength, texture or living quality
- The word choice contributes to the idea of nature slowly overpowering the building, since a sinewy vine feels capable of gripping and pulling at the structure
- It also adds a faintly unsettling, creature-like quality that suits the eerie, half-abandoned atmosphere of the glasshouse

Question 13

(a) B1 meticulousness cao
(a) Answer: meticulousness
(b) B1 resolutely cao
(b) Answer: resolutely
(c) B1 germinate cao
(c) Answer: germinate
(d) B1 accept verdancy or verdure oe
(d) Answer: verdancy (or verdure)

Question 14

(a) B1 B cao
(a) Answer: B) overgrown
(b) B1 A cao
(b) Answer: A) trembled slightly
(c) B1 B cao
(c) Answer: B) brittle
(d) B1 A cao
(d) Answer: A) forlorn

Question 15

(a) B1 meaning: a harsh mixture of loud sounds/noise oe
(a) B1 identifies supporting clue words, e.g. starlings, crows, barking dog, competed to be heard
(a) Answer: A cacophony is a harsh mixture of loud sounds; clue words include starlings, crows, a barking dog, and 'competed to be heard'.
(b) B1 meaning: a messy, disorganised state or confusion oe
(b) B1 identifies supporting clue words, e.g. plates stacked haphazardly, chairs knocked onto their sides
(b) Answer: Disarray means a messy, disorganised state; clue words include 'plates stacked haphazardly' and 'chairs knocked onto their sides'.
(c) B1 meaning: extremely careful or particular about small details oe
(c) B1 identifies supporting clue words, e.g. rewriting a whole page, a single letter strayed outside the margin
(c) Answer: Fastidious means extremely careful and particular about small details; clue words include 'rewriting a whole page' over 'a single letter'.

Question 16

(a) B1 B cao
(a) Answer: B) children
(b) B1 A cao
(b) Answer: A) commence
(c) B1 B cao
(c) Answer: B) buy

Question 17

(a) B1 A cao
(a) Answer: A) meticulous
(b) B1 B cao
(b) Answer: B) deafening
(c) B1 A cao
(c) Answer: A) tentative
(d) B1 B cao
(d) Answer: B) derelict

Question 18

(a) B1 meaning: to make a fresh start or change one's behaviour for the better oe
(a) B1 supporting evidence, e.g. he decided to practise every day after failing
(a) Answer: It means to make a fresh start or change your behaviour for the better; shown by Callum deciding to practise every day after his failures.
(b) B1 meaning: to accidentally reveal a secret oe
(b) B1 supporting evidence, e.g. there was no point keeping it secret any longer
(b) Answer: It means to accidentally reveal a secret; shown by there being no point keeping the party secret afterwards.
(c) B1 meaning: having nothing to do, feeling bored or without purpose oe
(c) B1 supporting evidence, e.g. nothing planned for the summer
(c) Answer: It means having nothing to do or feeling without purpose; shown by Tom having nothing planned for the summer.

Question 19

B1 correctly places 'pristine' first and 'crumbling' last
B1 correctly places 'chipped' before 'brittle' in the middle two positions
Answer: pristine, chipped, brittle, crumbling

Question 20

Level 1 (1-2): Basic or general comments with little reference to specific vocabulary and minimal explanation of effect.
Level 2 (3-4): Some relevant comments on word choice or effect, generally supported but list-like or partial, with limited exploration of mood or contrast.
Level 3 (5-6): Clear analysis of several word choices with relevant explanation of effect, showing some awareness of mood and contrast with earlier paragraphs, mostly well supported by quotation.
Level 4 (7-8): Sophisticated, well-evidenced analysis exploring multiple word choices and their connotations, with perceptive discussion of the contrast with earlier discovery and the paragraph's effect on pace, sustained and precisely supported throughout.
Indicative content:
- 'Forlorn' suggests sadness or abandonment, but this is quickly softened by the personification of the glasshouse 'waiting patiently', creating a gentle tension between decay and hope
- The unbothered bird contributes stillness, suggesting the space is calm and undisturbed, with nature at ease rather than fearful
- 'A resolute decision' signals a shift from quiet reflection to purposeful action, changing the pace at the very end of the extract
- This contrasts with the earlier paragraphs' tactile, active discovery (trembling fingers, the cracked notebook), showing a movement from curiosity towards a settled, still calm
- Soft, gentle vocabulary such as 'patiently' and 'resting' slows the reader down, mirroring the glasshouse's own suspended, waiting quality
- The juxtaposition of 'verdant' (lush, alive) and 'forgotten' (neglected) reinforces the passage's central theme of quiet renewal within apparent decay

Question 21

(a) B1 accept persuading, encouraging or gently urging oe
(a) Answer: persuading (or encouraging / gently urging)
(b) B1 accept dented, pockmarked or marked with small hollows oe
(b) Answer: pockmarked (or dented / marked with small hollows)
(c) B1 accept uneven, inconsistent or erratic oe
(c) Answer: uneven (or inconsistent / erratic)
(d) B1 accept recovered, taken back or repossessed oe
(d) Answer: recovered (or taken back / repossessed)

Question 22

(a) B1 correctly links the root 'bene-' to 'good/well'
(a) B1 accurate overall meaning: kind, well-meaning or wishing to do good oe
(a) Answer: Benevolent means kind, well-meaning, or wishing to do good, from the root 'bene-' meaning 'good/well'.
(b) B1 correctly links the root 'loqu-' to 'speak'
(b) B1 accurate overall meaning: very talkative, tending to talk a great deal oe
(b) Answer: Loquacious means very talkative, tending to talk a great deal, from the root 'loqu-' meaning 'to speak'.
(c) B1 correctly links the root 'tacit-' to silence/saying little
(c) B1 accurate overall meaning: reserved, saying very little, reluctant to speak oe
(c) Answer: Taciturn means reserved and saying very little, reluctant to speak, from the root 'tacit-' relating to silence.

Vocabulary in Context - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

EP.E4 Vocabulary in Context

The Glasshouse at Bramwell Hall

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

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