Start with the word
Read the word and its grammatical role: noun, verb or adjective. Think of a short meaning before comparing the choices.
Some words have more than one meaning. Choose the definition that gives a valid meaning for the grammatical role shown. A word’s spelling or the length of an answer is not enough to establish its meaning.
For example, reluctant is an adjective. Think about someone who is reluctant to speak: they hesitate or do not want to speak.
Separate nearby ideas
Reluctant means unwilling or hesitant. It does not mean unable: a person may be able to speak but still be reluctant to do so.
“Unable to remember” concerns memory. “Ready to hurry” concerns speed. Neither gives the meaning of reluctant, even if either could occur in the same situation.
Check the whole definition. An answer should state what the word means, rather than describe something loosely associated with it.
Choose a precise meaning
Consider scarce, an adjective. If clean water is scarce, there is little of it available.
Which definition below captures that meaning? The lesson uses two choices to practise the distinction; each practice question has five definitions.
Try it
What does scarce mean?
- Available only in small amounts
- Spread across many places
Show the answer
Available only in small amounts
Correct. Scarce means available only in small amounts or insufficient supply. It describes how little is available, rather than where it is spread.
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Practice Word meaning