Conquer Words in Context Questions in the Digital SAT Test for ESL Students and Beginners
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In the SAT Reading and Writing section, you will often be asked questions about words in context. This means you need to understand how the meaning of a word changes depending on the sentence or paragraph it is in. These questions check if you can find the right meaning of a word by looking at clues from the text around it.
You do not need to memorize every English word. Instead, learn to use context clues to understand the meaning of new or unfamiliar words. This article will teach you how to identify context clues and match the correct word meaning on test day.
LESSON 5
- Learn how to answer ‘words in context’ questions
- Answer the practice questions, both set A (easier) and set B (standard)
NOTE: In this lesson we are about halfway in this course. We can now start to think of our study planning and strategies. Have a look at the digital sat format to understand your needs.
PART 1
Learn how to answer ‘words in context’ questions
In the passage there is either a space where there is a work missing, normally with a line to show you where this missing word should be. You are expected to use the ‘context’ of the surrounding words to choose the word from the options that should be in this gap.
Simple Example:
- There were only five people at the meeting today so the turnout was ________ .
- Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
- A. fantastic
- B inspiring
- C. disappointing
- D. amazing
Grammatically each answer could fit into the space in the sentence marked by the gap / line. But the context of ‘only five people’ means that the answer is C.
The next sections show:
- the format of the questions
- vocabulary lists that show
- lists of opposite meaning words – good to know
- a list of words used in SAT tests
- examples and how to answer these examples
Digital SAT Words in Context Question Format
There are two types of format for words in context DSAT questions:
1. a blank line represents where the word should appear in the passage. You choose the best option to be used in this blank position.
2. A word is underlined. You must choose the best option from the choices that means the same as this word, in this context.
For example:
- … a librarian noted that pieces by the spoken-word poet don’t lose their ______ nature when printed
- This quality was continually breaking through his punctilious manner in the shape of restlessness.
vocabulary
Digital SAT Vocabulary Lists
There are some words in context questions that have a style that gives three options with a similar meaning that is opposite to the correct answer.
Use these lists to learn digital sat vocabulary lists and meanings, and recognize opposites.
Good luck!
Examples (Students Use Context Clues)
As a young photographer in the 1950s, William Klein ______ the conventions of photography by creating images that were high contrast and included blurred and distorted elements—features generally seen as flaws. So unorthodox was Klein’s work that he had difficulty finding a publisher for his now-iconic 1956 photo book Life is Good & Good for You in New York.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A prevented
- B reviewed
- C respected
- D defied
How to answer this question
- Context: The work of William Klein was different (e.g. unorthodox, seen as flaws), so they would be against conventions.
- A you can’t prevent conventions
- B and C agree with conventions
- D is defied, this is against conventions, so therefore is the correct answer.
Osage Nation citizen Randy Tinker-Smith produced and directed the ballet Wahzhazhe, which vividly chronicles Osage history and culture. Telling Osage stories through ballet is ______ choice because two of the foremost ballet dancers of the twentieth century were Osage: sisters Maria and Marjorie Tallchief.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A an unpredictable
- B an arbitrary
- C a determined
- D a suitable
How to answer this question
- Context: The ballet dancers were Osaga meaning they match the details stated in the first sentence, so we are looking for a word like ‘appropriate’
- A & B unpredictable and arbitrary (random) is almost the opposite of the meaning
- C is not opposite, but not really the correct ‘context’
- D has the same meaning of our ‘appropriate’ guide, so it is the correct answer.
In his 1971 treatise A Theory of Justice, political philosopher John Rawls proposes a thought experiment called the “veil of ignorance,” in which individuals must design a society without knowing what their own position or social status would be within it. This construct aims to _____ personal biases and encourage the creation of a just social order by compelling participants to consider the welfare of all possible societal positions.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A entitle
- B substantiate
- C augment
- D nullify
How to answer this question
- Context: We want to remove personal biases, to take them out, remove, make them not strong.
- A, B and C make the biases stronger, so no
- D nullify is perfect, easy!
Stephen Hannock’s luminous landscape paintings are appealing to viewers but have elicited little commentary from contemporary critics, a phenomenon that may be due to the very fact that the paintings seem so ______. Many critics focus their attention on art that is cryptic or overtly challenging.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A innovative
- B accessible
- C profound
- D subversive
How to answer this question
- Context: The painting appear to many, so we are looking for something like ‘simple’. Confirmed by ‘challenging’ at the end.
- A is not simple.
- B yes, accessible means simple to access, candidate.
- C & D profound and subversive, opposite, no.
- B is our answer.
PART TWO
Words in Context SAT Practice Questions
SET A
1. US traffic signals didn’t always contain the familiar three lights (red, yellow, and green). Traffic lights only ______ red and green lights until the three-light traffic signal was developed in 1923.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A avoided
- B featured
- C appreciated
- D disregarded
2. Visual artist Gabriela Alemán states that the bold colors of comics, pop art, and Latinx culture have always fascinated her. This passion for the rich history and colors of her Latinx community translates into the ______ artworks she produces.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A unknown
- B reserved
- C definite
- D vivid
3. In the award-winning puzzle game Monument Valley, players navigate the silent princess Ida through a series of puzzles and optical illusions. The game is known for its ______ art design: beautiful, fantastical architecture and calming pastel colors that make the game both challenging and pretty to look at.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A violent
- B mundane
- C intricate
- D distracting
4. The following text is adapted from Sarah Orne Jewett’s 1896 novel The Country of the Pointed Firs. The narrator is returning to the town of Dunnet Landing.
There was something about the coast town of Dunnet which made it seem more attractive than other maritime villages of eastern Maine. Perhaps it was the simple fact of acquaintance with that neighborhood which made it so attaching, and gave such interest to the rocky shore and dark woods, and the few houses which seemed to be securely wedged and tree-nailed in among the ledges by the Landing. When one really knows a village like this, it is like becoming acquainted with a single person: the process of falling in love at first sight is as final as it is swift in such a case, but the growth of true friendship may be a lifelong affair.
As used in the text, what does the word “attaching” most nearly mean?
Choose 1 answer:
- A Endearing
- B Confiscating
- C Fastening
- D Harrowing
SET B
1. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, established in 2008 on a remote Norwegian island in the Arctic Svalbard archipelago, currently stores over one million frozen seed samples from almost every country on Earth, serving as a backup for the world’s crop diversity. Its location was chosen as _____ against potential natural or human-made disasters, with Svalbard’s permafrost and thick rock ensuring that the samples would remain frozen even without power.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A an enticement
- B a catalyst
- C a safeguard
- D an homage
2. In recent years, economic sanctions—penalties designed to alter another government’s political and/or military behavior when the behavior does not comply with international norms—have become a frequently employed tool in international policy. While effective in some cases, these measures can also have unintended consequences, such as harming civilian populations or disrupting global markets. Some critics argue that economic sanctions tend to _____ the very issues they aim to resolve: by creating economic instability and deepening animosities between nations, sanctions can actually lead to an increase in domestic support for the targeted regime, thereby emboldening them to persist with the objectionable conduct.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A redress
- B exacerbate
- C reimburse
- D commemorate
3. The following text is adapted from Nella Larsen’s 1929 novel Passing.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the park, where children played and people strolled leisurely. Irene sat on a bench, absorbed in her book. Every so often, she would glance up, her eyes scanning the crowd with a careful, almost furtive awareness. It wasn’t that she expected to see anyone in particular, but there was always a sense of vigilance about her, as if she were on guard for something unseen.
As used in the text, what does the word “furtive” most nearly mean?
Choose 1 answer:
- A Bold
- B Secretive
- C Relaxed
- D Sardonic
4. Rejecting the premise that the literary magazine Ebony and Topaz (1927) should present a unified vision of Black American identity, editor Charles S. Johnson fostered his contributors’ diverse perspectives by promoting their authorial autonomy. Johnson’s self-effacement diverged from the editorial stances of W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke, whose decisions for their publications were more ______.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Choose 1 answer:
- A ambiguous
- B dogmatic
- C proficient
- D unpretentious
Answer Words in Context Questions
Answers to set A
1
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. Traffic signals didn’t avoid only red and green lights, they had only red and green lights (until 1923).
- (Choice B, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. “Featured” means “had as a prominent attribute or aspect”, which appropriately expresses how traffic signals only had red and green lights until 1923.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. Traffic signals don’t have feelings, so it wouldn’t make sense to say that they appreciate only red and green lights.
- (Choice D, Incorrect)This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Disregarded” means “ignored”, something only living things can do. So it wouldn’t make sense to say that traffic signals disregarded only red and green lights.
2
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. Nothing in the text indicates that Alemán’s artworks are “unknown”.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Reserved” can either mean “slow to reveal emotions” or “booked”. But the clues suggest that Alemán’s artworks are boldly colorful—almost the opposite of “reserved”!
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Definite” means “certain” or “decided”. It wouldn’t make sense to describe artwork as “definite”.
- (Choice D, Checked, Correct)This is the best choice. “Vivid” can mean “colorful” or “bright-colored”. This definition fits the context clues about Alemán’s fascination with and passion for bold colors.
3
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Violent” means “using force to harm”. Nothing in the passage suggests that the art design is harmful. In fact, the art is described as “beautiful” and featuring “calming pastel colors”.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Mundane” means “boring”. Art that is “fantastical” and “pretty to look at” isn’t boring!
- (Choice C, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. The word “intricate” means “complex”. The description of the game’s “beautiful, fantastical architecture” that is “both challenging and pretty to look at” suggests that Monument Valley’s art design is complex.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This isn’t the best choice. This might be tempting, as “distracting” art would draw attention away from something to itself. However, the design is described as an important element of the game (one that makes it “both challenging and pretty to look at”). Based on this, the art design enhances the game, instead of distracting from it.
4
- (Choice A, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. “Endearing” means “inspiring affection or fondness”, which fits the context of the narrator’s warm feelings towards Dunnet Landing. The narrator describes the town as attractive and compares knowing it to developing a friendship.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Attaching” does have an archaic legal meaning that matches “confiscating”, but that’s not how the word is used here. Rather, the narrator is describing the emotional appeal of the town.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. While “fastening” matches a more literal definition of “attaching,” that’s not how the word is being used here: the narrator is describing an emotional connection, not a physical one.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the tone of the text. “Harrowing” means “extremely distressing”, which doesn’t match the positive, affectionate tone the narrator uses to describe Dunnet Landing.
Answers to set B
1
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This doesn’t make sense in this context. An “enticement” is something that attracts or lures. The text suggests that the remote Arctic location was chosen to protect the seeds against disasters, not to attract or lure anything.
- (Choice B, Incorrect) This doesn’t make sense in this context. A “catalyst” is something that triggers or incites an event, such as a chemical reaction. The text indicates that the location was chosen to protect against potential disasters and to keep the seeds frozen, not to trigger any kind of change.
- (Choice C, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. A “safeguard” is “a measure taken to protect something”, which fits perfectly with the idea of the location being chosen to protect the seeds in case a natural or human-made disaster knocks out the power.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This doesn’t make sense in this context. An “homage” is a special honor or respect shown to someone. While the vault’s mission is admirable, the passage doesn’t suggest its location was chosen to honor anyone.
2
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the context. In fact, it’s the opposite of what we’re looking for: “redress” means “remedy or set right”, but critics argue that sanctions make the problem worse, not better!
- (Choice B, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. “Exacerbate” means to make something that’s already bad even worse, which matches the context clues here. Critics argue that sanctions have “unintended consequences” that might make governments that already violate international norms feel even more empowered to continue violating those norms. In other words, critics claim that sanctions exacerbate or worsen the same issues they’re supposed to improve.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the context. “Reimburse” means “repay”. It wouldn’t make sense for critics of sanctions to argue that sanctions repay the issues they aim to resolve.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the context. “Commemorate” means “to honor something by remembering it”. It wouldn’t make sense for critics of sanctions to argue that sanctions remember or honor the issues they aim to resolve.
3
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This doesn’t match the context, and it also doesn’t match any definition of “furtive”. “Bold” means the ability to be brave and courageous, to take risks, which is the opposite of “furtive”.
- (Choice B, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. “Furtive” means “attempting to avoid notice or attention”. “Secretive” is a synonym for “furtive”, and it fits the context of the character’s careful, scanning glances and her sense of vigilance and being on guard.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This doesn’t match the context, and it also doesn’t match any definition of “furtive”. “Relaxed” means free from tension or anxiety, which contrasts with being furtive and vigilant in one’s awareness.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This doesn’t match the context, and it also doesn’t match any definition of “furtive”. “Sardonic” means “grimly mocking or cynical”. Nothing in the text suggests that the character is mocking or cynical—rather, the character is described as guarded and vigilant.
4
- (Choice A, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Ambiguous” means “unclear” or “open to multiple interpretations”. However, it’s actually Johnson who encouraged multiple interpretations (“diverse perspectives”). Since Du Bois and Locke are said to “diverge” from Johnson, we can assume that the views they published were not ambiguous, but instead clear and firm (a “unified vision”).
- (Choice B, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. A person who is “dogmatic” believes strongly that their principles and opinions are true. Because Du Bois and Locke are implied to have one “unified vision” of Black American identity that they prioritize over the “diverse perspectives” of different writers, they can be described as dogmatic.
- (Choice C, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Proficient” means “skilled”. Du Bois and Locke are contrasted with Johnson, but nothing in the text suggests that Johnson was not skilled at making editorial decisions. Based on the text, the three editors just have different styles; they’re not necessarily more or less skilled.
- (Choice D, Incorrect) This doesn’t fit the logic of the text. “Unpretentious” means “not trying to impress others with greater skill or importance than is actually possessed”. Du Bois and Locke are contrasted with Johnson, but nothing in the text suggests that Johnson is pretentious (trying to impress others).
9 LESSONS
Digital SAT English
gain a clear understanding of the question types, structure, and strategies.
feel ready to use official SAT resources effectively because you will know what to look for and how to approach questions.
They are equipped with essential information, knowledge and strategies to confidently attempt SAT-level practice questions and eventually full tests — transforming from beginners to focused SAT learners.
FAQ: Words in Context on the Digital SAT
What are words in context on SAT?
Words in context questions on the SAT ask you to understand the meaning of a word or phrase based on how it is used in a sentence or passage. These questions test your ability to use clues from the surrounding text to choose the correct meaning.
What is an example of a word in context?
Here’s a simple example:
“Even after losing the match, she remained resigned to the result.”
In this sentence, resigned does not mean quitting a job. Based on the context, it means accepting something without complaint. The context changes the meaning of the word.
How many words in context questions are on the SAT?
There are usually 6 to 8 questions about words in context in the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section. These are spread throughout the test and focus on vocabulary, tone, and word choice.
What are vocabulary in context questions on the SAT?
Vocabulary in context questions require you to find the best meaning of a word based on how it is used in the sentence. You are often asked to replace that word with another that keeps the same meaning.
How to Answer Words in Context Questions
Words in context questions test your ability to understand the meaning of a word by looking at how it is used in the sentence. You are not being tested on dictionary definitions. Instead, the SAT checks if you can use clues from the text to find the meaning.
Follow these steps:
Read the full sentence and the one before it if needed
Try to guess the meaning of the underlined word on your own
Look at the answer choices and replace the word in the sentence
Choose the word that keeps the meaning and tone the same
Eliminate choices that change the meaning of the text
You don’t need to know the word before the test. The goal is to understand the context and select the word that fits best.
Types of Context Clues
There are different types of context clues that help students answer these questions:
Definition clues: the sentence explains the word
Synonym clues: a similar word appears nearby
Antonym clues: the sentence shows a contrast
Example clues: examples are used to explain the meaning
If you can identify the type of context, you can often guess the meaning of an unknown word.
Why Context Changes Meaning
The same word can mean different things in different situations. A word’s meaning is shaped by the sentence and the purpose of the text. That’s why you must always consider the meaning of the full sentence, not just the word alone.
For example:
She delivered a sharp response. (sharp = direct, possibly rude)
He made a sharp turn. (sharp = sudden or quick)
Understanding the context helps you find the right meaning.
Practice Tips for Students
Read often and mark any words you don’t know
Try to guess their meaning from context before using a dictionary
Practice replacing words in sample SAT questions
Look for clues in the sentence that help you match the word
Practice answering SAT-style vocabulary in context questions
This will help you build reading comprehension skills and feel more confident with unfamiliar words on test day.
Answering Words in Context Questions on the SAT
Answering a words in context question means looking carefully at the word in a text and using context clues to understand word meanings. These questions refer to how words change meaning depending on their use. The purpose of words in context questions is to check your ability to find the meaning of a new word by considering the context. Context changes everything, and a word’s meaning is shaped by context, so it is important to focus on the circumstances surrounding something when you see a word you don’t know.
Practice using context clues to understand word meanings by looking for examples and identification in the text. Context clues help you guess the word’s meaning and check your understanding of the text. Sometimes a word changes based on its position or the words around it, and context changes things, so you must carefully consider the context.
When you are looking for a word’s meaning, especially the meaning of unknown words, use context clues one step at a time. See which one fits best by reading the sentence and paragraph. Practice guessing the word before looking at answer choices. Context questions require examples, identification, and questions about how words change. This process will help you understand the text and improve your ability to answer words in context questions on the SAT.