Vocabulary in Context: Practice Set 2
Vocabulary in Context: Practice Set 2 gives further practice at working out a word's meaning from the sentence it appears in, using fresh 'closest in meaning to' style questions in the format used across GL Assessment and CSSE-style entrance papers.
Method
- Read the entire sentence surrounding the target word, not just the word itself, since the surrounding words usually control its exact meaning.
- Try replacing the word with your own guess before looking at any options, so the answer choices cannot lead you towards the wrong meaning.
- Compare your own guess to each option, choosing the one that is closest in meaning even if the wording is not identical.
- Eliminate options that are clearly the wrong word class, for example a noun offered where the sentence needs an adjective.
- Watch for connecting words such as 'but', 'yet', 'despite' or 'because', which often signal whether the target word continues or contrasts with the rest of the sentence.
- Once you have chosen an answer, reread the whole sentence with it substituted in, to check the sentence still makes complete sense.
Worked example
'Although the witness's account was vague on several points, the detective found it credible overall.' 'Credible' is closest in meaning to: A) confusing B) believable C) dishonest D) irrelevant
- Read the whole sentence: 'Although' signals a contrast between the account being 'vague on several points' and how the detective judged it overall.
- Predict a meaning: since the detective still trusted the account despite its vagueness, 'credible' probably means something like trustworthy or believable.
- Check each option against this prediction: A (confusing) does not fit 'found it... overall', which suggests a judgement of trust rather than clarity; C (dishonest) is close to the opposite of what is needed; D (irrelevant) does not fit a detective actively judging the account.
- Option B (believable) fits: a vague account can still be believable if its main details ring true, matching the sense that the detective trusted it despite the vagueness.
- Final answer: B) believable.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1'The stadium was virtually empty long before the final whistle.' 'Virtually' is closest in meaning to: A) completely B) almost entirely C) never D) occasionallyShow answer
Answer: B) almost entirely
Q2'Despite the delay, the passengers remained remarkably calm.' What relationship between the two parts of the sentence does 'despite' signal?Show answer
Answer: Contrast (the delay would normally upset people, but the passengers stayed calm anyway).
Q3'The ancient manuscript was so brittle that the librarian handled it with gloved hands.' 'Brittle' most likely describes an object that is: A) flexible and strong B) easily broken or cracked C) freshly made D) waterproofShow answer
Answer: B) easily broken or cracked
Q4'Her argument was compelling, backed by clear evidence at every stage.' 'Compelling' is closest in meaning to: A) confusing B) convincing C) short D) carelessShow answer
Answer: B) convincing
Q5'The negotiations were tense, with neither side willing to compromise.' What clue in the sentence helps you work out that 'tense' suggests stress or strain rather than calm?Show answer
Answer: The detail that 'neither side willing to compromise' shows a stand-off, which supports a stressful, strained atmosphere rather than a relaxed one.
Q6'His apology, though brief, seemed entirely sincere.' Explain how the word 'though' helps you work out that 'sincere' has a positive meaning here despite the apology being short.Show answer
Answer: 'Though' signals a contrast with 'brief', suggesting that even though the apology was short, it still had the positive quality of 'sincere', meaning genuine or heartfelt, rather than being dismissed as inadequate.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
'The old warehouse was derelict, its windows long since broken.' Explain what 'derelict' suggests about the warehouse, and identify one word or phrase in the sentence that supports your answer. (2 marks)
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'The mayor's speech was conciliatory, though critics argued it came far too late to repair the damage.' Explain the meanings of 'conciliatory' and the phrase 'far too late', and explain how the word 'though' links the two ideas. (4 marks)
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'The committee's statement was ambiguous rather than clear, leaving observers to guess at its true meaning.' Explain what this sentence suggests about the committee's statement, referring closely to the words 'ambiguous' and 'clear' in your answer. (5 marks)
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the vocabulary in context: practice set 2 worksheet pack - 25 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 19 of 11+ English Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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