Word Knowledge
What the questions test
Word Knowledge measures vocabulary in a short context. Most items ask for the closest meaning of an underlined word; others test a word used in an uncommon sense. Study prefixes, roots, and suffixes, but also practice replacing the target word with each answer choice and rereading the sentence. The correct choice must fit both the meaning and the grammar of the sentence.
Traps
- The familiar-meaning trap. "The committee tabled the motion" means postponed, not "put on a table."
- Antonyms and related words. A choice may be the opposite of the target or merely associated with it.
- Part-of-speech mismatch. If the target is a verb, an adjective choice is usually wrong.
- Connotation. "Stubborn" and "resolute" share a meaning but differ in tone; context decides.
- Sound-alikes. Do not confuse "eminent" (famous) with "imminent" (about to happen).
Worked example
"The scientist's conclusion was tentative, pending further trials." What does tentative mean? Replace it: "The conclusion was temporary or uncertain." A choice such as "final" is an antonym; "careful" is related but does not capture the provisional sense. The best answer is "provisional."
Rule of thumb
Use the substitution test: put each answer choice into the sentence in place of the target word. The one that preserves the sentence's logic and tone is correct.