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Vocabulary Builder Study Notes

Word Meanings

📖Definition

Word Meanings questions ask you to choose the correct definition of a given word.

Knowledge Required

A wide reading vocabulary helps most, but roots, prefixes and word families can also give clues.

How To Answer

Think of the word in a sentence you already know.
Break the word into parts if useful, such as prefix, root and suffix.
Eliminate definitions that are the wrong tone, word type or topic.

✏️Example

Choose the correct meaning of SOLEMN. serious and thoughtful

Solution

Solemn describes a serious mood or occasion. Serious and thoughtful is the best definition.

💡Multiple Choice Tip

Distractors often contain meanings that are partly positive, partly negative or close in feeling. Choose the definition that matches the word exactly, not just the mood.

💡Tips/hints

When learning a new word, learn a short definition and a sentence together.
If you cannot define the word, decide whether it feels positive, negative or neutral, then eliminate options that do not fit.