24 minutes
Word Meaning
Use the sentence to work out a word
- clues in nearby words
- word parts, such as un- or re-
- how the word fits the sentence
Reading the whole sentence helps you choose the right meaning of an unfamiliar word.
Read the sentence, put the word into everyday language, then choose the answer that fits.
Look for clues before and after the word. The sentence may explain it, give an example, or show an opposite idea. Word parts can help: un- often means not. Finally, try your chosen answer in the sentence and check that it still makes sense.
Easy → medium → hard
- 1easy
In ‘The compact pump fits beneath the platform,’ compact means small.
- The pump fits beneath a platform. That gives a clue about size.
- Replace compact with small. The sentence still makes sense.
- 2medium
In ‘The foreperson was reluctant to approve the untested repair,’ reluctant means unwilling.
- The repair has not been tested. That gives a reason to hesitate.
- Replace reluctant with unwilling. Eager would mean the opposite.
- 3hard
In ‘Repeated inspection mitigated the risk,’ the surrounding action makes mitigated mean reduced.
- The sentence says repeated inspection changed the risk.
- Reduced fits mitigated. Measured would describe checking the risk, not lowering it.
Practice the method, then check the explanations.
Question 1 of 2
The crew made a temporary repair that would last only until the replacement arrived. Temporary most nearly means:
Question 2 of 2
A delivery note says: ‘Unload the conduit at Bay 3. Leave the fastener bins sealed until the foreperson counts them.’ What must remain sealed?
0 of 2 answered. Answer each question to check the set.
Answer every question before checking your work.
Question 1 of 3
Because the passage was narrow, the operator advanced the load cautiously. Cautiously most nearly means:
Question 2 of 3
The supervisor's concise directions covered every required step without extra detail. Concise most nearly means:
Question 3 of 3
A log reads: ‘The pump overheated at 10:10. After the intake screen was cleared, temperature returned to normal by 10:25.’ What most directly resolved the overheating?
0 of 3 answered. Answer each question to check the set.
Watch out for this mistake.
The most familiar answer must be right. Try the answer in the sentence. It needs to fit the meaning, not just look familiar.
Apply the method to a new problem.
Question 1 of 2
After the clamp was tightened, the vibration subsided until it was barely noticeable. Subsided means:
Question 2 of 2
A notice states: ‘Crews may enter the east yard before 7:00 only through Gate C. Gate A opens at 7:00 for regular access.’ A crew arrives at 6:40. Which route follows the notice?
0 of 2 answered. Answer each question to check the set.
Keep your method as you build speed.
2 questions · aim for 72 seconds total. The stopwatch starts when you begin; you can finish even if you pass the target.