While there are some strategies to help with these questions, the most effective way to perform well is to have a strong vocabulary base. Remember, context is key — even familiar words can have different meanings depending on how they are used in the passage.
Lesson Introduction
レッスンチャプター 1
Vocabulary questions ask what a word or phrase means as used in the passage. These questions test your ability to understand meaning from context. Even if you don’t know the word, the sentences around it give clues. Focus on how the word fits into the sentence, rather than memorizing definitions.
Strategy:
- Find the word in the passage. Read the full sentence and the one before and after it. The context often shows the tone or situation that defines the word.
- Look for context clues. Identify nearby words or phrases that describe, explain, or contrast with the target word. These clues show whether the meaning is positive, negative, temporary, permanent, strong, or weak.
- Substitute each option into the sentence. Read the sentence with each answer choice. The one that keeps the sentence’s meaning natural and logical is usually correct.
- Eliminate incorrect meanings.
Remove answers that don’t fit the tone, grammar, or logic of the sentence.
- ❌ Sounds similar but changes the meaning.
- ❌ Doesn't match the passage’s situation.
- ❌ Is too general or too extreme.
- Choose the answer that matches both meaning and tone. The correct choice fits smoothly into the sentence and reflects how the author used the word, not how it’s usually defined in a dictionary.
Daily Life example (Article):
At Bloom & Co. Florists, we believe every occasion deserves a touch of nature. Our staff handcrafts bouquets using locally grown flowers whenever possible. This week’s arrangements highlight vibrant tulips and soft lavender, both known for their delicate fragrance and lasting freshness. Because the weather has been unpredictable, our outdoor greenhouse remains temporarily closed to the public while we ensure the safety of our plants. Online orders, however, continue without delay, and same-day delivery remains available across the city.
The word temporarily is closest in meaning to
- carefully
- rarely
- for a short time
- without warning
Detailed Explanation:
The sentence says the greenhouse is closed “while we ensure the safety of our plants.” This means the closure will not last forever — only for a short period. That makes “for a short time” the correct answer. The other choices don’t match the situation or meaning of the word in context.
- (A) “carefully” describes how something is done, not how long it lasts.
- (B) “rarely” means “not often,” which doesn’t fit a temporary closure.
- (D) “without warning” is unrelated to time or duration.
Therefore, (C) for a short time correctly matches how the word temporarily is used in this passage.
Academic Passage example:
Volcanic eruptions are among the most dramatic natural events on Earth, reshaping landscapes in a matter of hours. When magma rises toward the surface, pressure builds until it is violently released, ejecting ash, gas, and molten rock into the atmosphere. In many regions, these eruptions have created fertile soils that sustain agriculture for centuries, despite their destructive power.
Scientists studying ancient eruptions rely on layers of volcanic ash preserved in rock formations to reconstruct the timing of past geological activity. These deposits often contain microscopic crystals that record shifts in temperature and gas composition. By analyzing these chemical fingerprints, researchers can infer the behavior of magma before an eruption occurs.
Modern volcano monitoring systems combine satellite imagery, seismic data, and gas sensors to provide early warnings to nearby populations. When sensors detect a sudden increase in underground movement, volcanologists issue alerts about potential activity. Such systems are invaluable for protecting communities located near historically volatile mountain ranges.
The word volatile in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to
- ancient
- remote
- inactive
- unstable
Detailed Explanation:
The paragraph describes volcanoes that require “early warnings” and “alerts about potential activity.” This means these volcanoes are active and can change suddenly, which matches the meaning of “unstable.” The other choices do not make sense in this context.
- (A) “ancient” means very old — not about movement or danger.
- (B) “remote” means far away — unrelated to activity level.
- (C) “inactive” is the opposite of what the passage suggests.
The correct answer is (D) unstable because it fits the description of mountains that could erupt at any time — those that are active and unpredictable.
Tips to Remember:
- Don’t rely only on dictionary meaning — use the context around the word.
- Look for signal words nearby that show emotion, tone, or situation.
- Replace each option in the sentence to see which one makes sense naturally.
- Eliminate words that sound right but don’t fit the sentence meaning.
- The correct answer must make the sentence clear and logical within its paragraph.
This is the final section of the lesson. I'm ready to start the review exercises!
Review Exercise (1/5)
The word "discern" in the passage is closest in meaning to
回答を提出する
done 正解です！正解は「((C))」です。
clear 惜しいです。正解は((C))です。
(A) 'indicate' is incorrect because it means to point out or show something, not to recognize it by careful observation.
(B) 'apply' is incorrect because it means to use a method or idea, not to perceive or recognize a pattern.
(D) 'repeat' is incorrect because it means to say or do again, which does not match the meaning of discern in this context.
もう一度テスト
The phrase "diverse" in the passage is closest in meaning to
回答を提出する
done 正解です！正解は「((B))」です。
clear 惜しいです。正解は((B))です。
(A) 'healthiness' is incorrect because diverse describes variety, not how healthy something is.
(C) 'pure' is incorrect because purity means not mixed or not contaminated, which is unrelated to diet variety.
(D) 'stable' is incorrect because stability means not changing, while diverse emphasizes multiple different types.
もう一度テスト
The word "enigmatic" in the passage is closest in meaning to
回答を提出する
done 正解です！正解は「((B))」です。
clear 惜しいです。正解は((B))です。
(A) 'dangerous' is incorrect because the passage does not suggest the chondrules pose harm; it suggests they are hard to explain.
(C) 'interesting' is incorrect because something can be interesting without being unknown; the key idea here is uncertainty and lack of explanation.
(D) 'surprising' is incorrect because the word focuses on being puzzling/unknown, not merely unexpected.
もう一度テスト
The word "conspicuous" in the passage is closest in meaning to
回答を提出する
done 正解です！正解は「((C))」です。
clear 惜しいです。正解は((C))です。
(A) 'reliable' is incorrect because conspicuous describes visibility, not trustworthiness.
(B) 'hidden' is incorrect because it is the opposite of conspicuous; the rocks are described as standing out.
(D) 'fragile' is incorrect because the word does not describe strength or breakability; it describes how easily something can be seen.
もう一度テスト
The word "precipitated" in the passage is closest in meaning to
回答を提出する
done 正解です！正解は「((D))」です。
clear 惜しいです。正解は((D))です。
(A) 'delayed' is incorrect because precipitated means made something happen sooner, not postponed it.
(B) 'observed' is incorrect because observing means noticing, not producing an outcome.
(C) 'reversed' is incorrect because reversing means undoing or changing direction, while the passage describes the collapse triggering negative consequences.
もう一度テスト
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