The SAT is a big deal for many students, as it is still a good way to show prospective colleges your academic achievements even if the test is not required for admission. Since it is an assessment of your academic abilities, it can come with a lot of anxiety and requires thorough preparation.
The SAT Words in Context practice remains one of the most complicated areas for students preparing for the test. Since your vocabulary hugely affects your scores in Reading and Writing, you should start right away to build up your skills. But how should you do that? That’s exactly what we will discuss in this post.
What Are Words in Context in the SAT Exam?
Words in Context in the digital SAT exam refers to a specific type of questions in the Craft and Structure content domain of the Reading and Writing section. These gauge your ability to understand the meaning of the given passage and vocabulary. It also measures your reasoning skills and ability to use words and phrases in context and how well you can make or spot the connections between texts that are related.
Source: The College Board
To break it down even further, most words have several meanings depending on how we use them in conversations. Sometimes, we can substitute one word for another, but some will fit better. So, this is exactly what you will be doing with some of the Words in Context questions. You will have to replace a given word with the best synonym that makes the most sense based on the context.
This section is one of the subcomponents used to determine your raw score in the new SAT. College Board doesn’t specify how many of these questions you’ll get. The only thing we know for sure is that the Craft and Structure content domain contains 13-15 questions. It is this content domain that includes Words in Context, Text Structure and Purpose, and Cross-Text Connections testing points.
SAT Words in Context Examples
Here are some Words in Context examples that give you a hint of what to expect on the test day.
Sample Context Questions in the Reading and Writing Section
In this section, all you are required to do is choose the word that fits the passage the best. Since you have multiple choices, and most of them are synonyms, you will need to identify the answer choice that has the most precise word meaning based on the context. Consider the following examples:
#1 Passage and Example Question
Source: The College Board
To know the correct answer, we have to consider the meaning of each word. The word “reinforcing” would suggest that the biophysicist made the boundaries even stronger, while “anticipating” and “epitomizing” mean expecting and idealizing, both of which do not fit in here.
The only correct answer is choice D. “Transcending” means going beyond the limits or boundaries between academic disciplines.
#2 Example Passage and Question
All you are required to do is choose the word with the same meaning, i.e., the best synonym of the given word in the passage.
Source: The College Board
What is the best word to replace “intense” based on the given context?
The word “intense” has several meanings, including “forceful,” “severe,” “concentrated,” “passionate,” etc. It’s not always possible to know all the synonyms of a word, but you can always use context clues to arrive at the correct answer, especially when looking at an unfamiliar word (more on that later).
If you put the sentence in your own words, it becomes even easier to get the correct answer. The passage predicts an increase in the number of jobs, innovations, and productivity, but this will be in fewer cities and city regions. So, the only word that makes sense in this context and can replace “intense” in the sentence is “concentrated,” which is option B.
#3 Example Passage and Question
Source: The College Board
In this case, the correct choice is A.
How so? Again, we look at the context and identify the word that not only carries the same meaning but also makes sense when used in the sentence.
The word “characteristics” in this context means “trait,” “attribute,” “feature,” etc. On the other hand, even though the word “standard” is also a synonym, it doesn’t make most sense here. The other choices, “prestige” and “accomplishment,” mean “reputation,” “fame,” and “feat” or “achievement,” respectively, none of which makes any sense when used as a replacement in the passage.
#4 Sample Passage and Question
The following passages and questions are taken from the College Board’s SAT lesson plan for teachers.
Source: Official SAT lesson plan
To answer this question correctly, you need excellent reading comprehension skills and solid vocabulary knowledge. So, the more you understand the context and the word you have to define, the easier it is to arrive at the correct answer.
First, let’s look at the sentence in the line referenced:
The passage tells us, “Emma doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor’s judgment, but directed chiefly by her own.” Now, let’s consider the given definitions of the word based on the context of the paragraph and then look at what the word “directed” means here to find out the final answer.
“Trained” means to be taught to behave or do something a certain way, and from what we have gathered so far from the passage, that’s the opposite of what Emma did. “Aimed” means to be pointed toward a goal or outcome; again, it’s not the correct answer. “Guided” means to be directed, whether by external or internal influences, while “addressed” would imply that someone talked to Emma to get her to behave a certain way.
Based on the context, “directed” means the same as option C – “guided.” She did what she wanted, guided by her own discretion, but also valued Miss Taylor’s opinions. So, the correct final answer is C.
#5 Sample Passage: Vocabulary in Context Question
The following passage is a continuation of the previous one:
Source: Official SAT lesson plan
Again, to answer the question, you need to know what the given word means in the context. So, the lines referenced tell us of Emmas’s feelings after Miss Taylor got married and moved away to be with her husband. “The want of Miss Taylor would be felt every hour of every day.”
We can easily eliminate options C and D right off the bat since neither makes sense in this case. This leaves us with options A and B. A closer look at the lines would show that Emma misses Miss Taylor because she feels the lack of her presence. So, based on the context, the word that closely matches “want” is option B – “lack.”
Keep in mind that, unlike the paper-based tests, the digital SAT now has shorter passages for Words in Context type of questions.
How to Practice Words in Context: SAT Tips
The best ways to ace your SAT Words in Context practice sessions are the following:
#1 Use Context Clues to Arrive at the Correct Answer During Practice
Practice makes perfect, so taking practice tests should be your first step. Then, use context clues during practice to arrive at the correct answer when the choices seem confusing. Context clues are the surrounding details or hints. They could be placed anywhere in the sentence with the given word, before or after it.
You can also try inserting each option and seeing which ones sound off. Eliminate those and see which of the remaining options is the same part of speech and means the same thing. Remember to choose your final answer after plugging in your choice and rereading the paragraph to see if it makes sense.
#2 Sign Up for Word of the Day
If you want to build your SAT vocabulary, consider signing up for the SAT Word of the Day. You can easily learn new words right from your phone. Don’t underestimate the difference a simple habit can make after a while. Though this app won’t replace your main study session, every little bit of unfamiliar words you learn every day does help.
#3 Read More Materials With New Words
Reading is a proven technique for learning new Words in Context for SAT tests. It doesn’t have to be boring. Find new and engaging pieces that still present some kind of challenge. This approach would sharpen your reading comprehension skills and make it easier to understand the contextual meanings of different words. You’ll also improve recallability.
#4 Make Flashcards
DIY SAT prep flashcards can be a fun way to make learning new words engaging. You can personalize your flashcards by adding images or stickers, color coding them, etc. Still, do not rely on flashcards only. The best idea is to use them as a complementary study aid.
#5 Sign Up for Private Tutoring
This option may seem expensive, but there are several affordable yet impactful online private tutoring platforms that can help you. The goal is to get the right mentorship and accountability partner, especially when you are struggling to build a consistent study habit or having trouble with vocabulary practice.
Conclusion
SAT Words in Context practice is an integral part of the SAT ritual. The more prepared you are for this section, the easier it will be. Use our tips here consistently, and you will be able to ace the test confidently.
