Vocabulary in context

What this topic covers

Many comprehension questions ask what a word or phrase means as it is used in the passage. A word can have several dictionary meanings; the passage decides which one is right.

How to work it out

• Read the whole sentence, and the sentence before and after.
• Replace the word with each option. The correct option keeps the sentence meaningful and keeps its tone.
• Use clues: a contrast word (but, however) signals an opposite meaning; an example or explanation nearby often defines the word.
• Check the part of speech. If the word is used as a verb, the answer must work as a verb.

Common mistakes

• Picking the most common meaning of the word instead of the meaning in context.
• Choosing a word that is related to the topic but does not fit the sentence.

Practice tip

When you meet a new Bengali word, write the sentence it appeared in and guess its meaning before checking a dictionary. Over time your guesses become accurate, which is exactly the skill NCET tests.