Test Taking Tips: Vocabulary

Tip 1: Look for other words in the passage that have a meaning similar to the unknown word. The passage often will give clues about the meaning of the unknown word. Example: Moe was obviously vexed; Larry had never seen him looking so annoyed with Curly. Can you think of another word that means annoyed?

What does vexed mean? A. bored B. irritated C. idiotic D. entertained

Tip 2: Look for causes and effects connected to the unknown word. Cause-and –effect relationships can sometimes give you clues to the meaning of an unknown word. Example: The amateur magician grew more and more chagrined as members of the audience yelled out the supposed secret to every trick. How do you think the behavior of the audience made the magician feel?

What does chagrined mean? Enthusiastic Frightened Confident Embarrassed

Tip 3: Look for clues showing that the unknown word fits into a category. If a word appears in a list of things or in the description of a scene, you should be able to guess its meaning by the way it fits into the “world” that contains the other items. Example: The sculptor preferred to work with pliable materials such as clay, wire, and soft metals. What characteristics do the materials listed have in common?

What does pliable mean? Lightweight Sturdy Flexible Colorful

Tip 4: Look for clues that point to the opposite meaning of the unknown word. Words such as but, despite, although, surprisingly, and not, can tell you a lot about what a word doesn’t mean. Use the information in the sentence to figure out the word’s opposite. That should give you a good hint as to what the word does mean. Example: What a shock! We had expected him to be morose, but he showed up at the party and danced until dawn, wearing a constant smile on his untroubled face. What words describe the opposite of morose?

What does morose mean? Late Sad Pleasant Odd

Tip 5: Learn common root, prefixes, and suffixes.

These four most frequent prefixes account for 97 percent of prefixed words in printed school English. PrefixMeaningKey Word dis- not, opposite of disagree in-, im-, il-, ir- not injustice, impossible re-again return un-not unfriendly

Four Common Suffixes: Suffix Meaning Usage able, ible capable ofportable - able to be carried legible - able to be read eer, er, or person who mountaineer - person who climbs mountains teacher - one who teaches advisor - person who advises ize, ise to make harmonize – make harmonious revolutionize - make revolutionary ous full of nauseous - full of nausea ludicrous - foolish