Skill
Use Context To Determine Meanings Of Simple Words
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In the TOEFL ITP Reading Comprehension section, you will sometimes be asked to determine the meaning of a simple, everyday English word that appears in the passage. Even though these words are common, they may not be used with their primary, everyday meaning. Instead, the test often uses these words in a secondary or less common meaning.
Your task is to understand what the word means in that specific context, not what it usually means in daily conversation.
Consider how many English words have multiple meanings:
- light can mean not heavy or illumination
- face can mean a part of the body or to confront
- charge can mean to ask for payment, to rush forward, or to assign responsibility
The TOEFL ITP often tests this type of vocabulary flexibility.
How These Questions Work
A typical question might look like:
- “The word X in line Y is closest in meaning to…”
- “The word X could best be replaced by…”
To determine the correct answer, you must:
- Locate the word in the passage.
- Read the whole sentence carefully.
- Look for clues—definitions, examples, synonyms, contrasts, or overall sentence meaning.
- Determine the meaning that best fits the context.
- Choose the answer whose meaning matches how the word is used in the passage.
Remember:
Even if you know the common meaning, do not choose it unless it fits the sentence.
Illustrative Example
Sentence:
The company is taking steps to improve its performance.
Here, steps does not mean “stairs” or “footprints.” It refers to actions the company is taking. The correct meaning must fit logically in the sentence.
This is exactly the type of reasoning you need for TOEFL ITP vocabulary-in-context questions.
Key Strategy for This Skill
1. Identify the word in the passage.
Locate it quickly but make sure you read the surrounding text.
2. Ignore the word’s usual meaning.
Assume it may not be used in its everyday sense.
3. Read for clues.
Look at the sentence and nearby sentences. Ask:
- Is there a clue word?
- Is there a description?
- Is there an example?
- Does it express contrast?
4. Substitute possible meanings.
Try replacing the word with the answer choices and see which one fits smoothly.
5. Choose the meaning supported by context.
The best answer is the one that makes logical, grammatical, and semantic sense.
Exercise
Complete the following exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned:
PASSAGE 1 (Questions 1–3)
The “piece of eight” was the popular nickname for the Spanish peso, a widely used coin in the early Americas. The peso served as a common medium of exchange, especially during the era when the stores of Spanish ships were frequently seized by pirates and then circulated in various coastal towns. The nickname “piece of eight” came from the fact that the peso was equal to eight “reals” and therefore carried the number 8 stamped on its surface.
In some settlements, pesos were physically cut into smaller pieces, called bits, to make small-scale purchases easier. One of the most common sizes was one-quarter of a peso, or “two bits.” This is why the United States twenty-five-cent coin is still sometimes referred to as “two bits,” particularly in certain western regions. A traveler who hears someone say “That costs two bits” should simply take it as the stated price.
1. The word “rough” in line 1 is closest in meaning to
(A) uneven
(B) approximate
(C) dangerous
(D) heavy
2. The word “stores” in line 3 is closest in meaning to
(A) shops
(B) departments
(C) supplies
(D) markets
3. The expression “take it” in line 11 is closest in meaning to
(A) believe
(B) grab
(C) possess
(D) understand
PASSAGE 2 (Questions 4–7)
Although Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations was published in 1776, it contains ideas that continue to influence modern economic thought. His writings form the basis of what is now known as classical economics. According to this school of thought, free trade and open competition play a crucial role in promoting economic growth. Under this view, the government’s role is primarily to ensure that businesses are able to compete freely.
Smith, a Scottish thinker, lived during the period of major political change brought about by the American and French revolutions. These movements strongly emphasized ideals of liberty and independence. Smith embraced economic principles that aligned with these political values, supporting systems that allowed individuals and markets to operate with minimal restriction.
4. The word “school” in line 3 is closest in meaning to
(A) tradition of thought
(B) university
(C) classroom
(D) educational institution
5. The word “free” in line 5 is closest in meaning to
(A) inexpensive
(B) uncontrolled
(C) open to all
(D) democratic
6. The word “embraced” in line 10 is closest in meaning to
(A) hugged
(B) believed in
(C) encircled
(D) handed over
7. The word “aligned” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
(A) disagreed
(B) conflicted
(C) matched
(D) opposed
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