language skills for intermediate level understanding questions

Language Skills for Language Skills for Intermediate LevelIntermediate Level

Understanding QuestionsUnderstanding Questions

Understanding Questions 2: The Understanding Questions 2: The Meaning of WordsMeaning of Words

Context QuestionsContext Questions

This is when you are asked to explain This is when you are asked to explain the meaning of a word in the text the meaning of a word in the text using the other words around it as using the other words around it as clues.clues.

The word The word CONTEXTCONTEXT will usually be used in will usually be used in the question.the question.


Show how the context helps you Show how the context helps you

understand the meaning of the word understand the meaning of the word “nocturnal”. “nocturnal”.


Again your answer should be a two Again your answer should be a two step process:step process:

Step 1:Step 1:Explain the meaning Explain the meaning of the word. of the word.Step 2:Step 2:Show how the rest of the text makes theShow how the rest of the text makes the meaning clear by quoting the word(s) meaning clear by quoting the word(s) which provide clues.which provide clues.


For Example:For Example:

““Nocturnal” means being active by Nocturnal” means being active by night. The writer refers to his night. The writer refers to his preference for “moonlight2 and “dark” preference for “moonlight2 and “dark” which both suggest night-timewhich both suggest night-time

Now try the For Practice questions.Now try the For Practice questions.


Question 2Question 2

““Finery” means fancy or best clothes. Finery” means fancy or best clothes. The writer refers to “silk robes”, silk The writer refers to “silk robes”, silk is an expensive and delicate fabric is an expensive and delicate fabric that would not be worn for everyday that would not be worn for everyday use.use.


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““conjecture” means to guess or conjecture” means to guess or speculate. The writer refers to the speculate. The writer refers to the natives making no “pretence” of natives making no “pretence” of understanding their history, and also understanding their history, and also that they “believe” a spot is an that they “believe” a spot is an ancient battle-ground, meaning that ancient battle-ground, meaning that the don’t know for surethe don’t know for sure


66

““unpredictable” means wildly unpredictable” means wildly changeable. The writer refers to his changeable. The writer refers to his brother being “cheerful” on a “good brother being “cheerful” on a “good day” and in a “silent depression” on day” and in a “silent depression” on “a bad day”, both of which suggest “a bad day”, both of which suggest that his behaviour changes form day that his behaviour changes form day to dayto day


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““benevolent” means kind or good. The benevolent” means kind or good. The writer refers to the old lady giving writer refers to the old lady giving Oliver “what little she could afford Oliver “what little she could afford and more”, suggesting that she put and more”, suggesting that she put his welfare above her ownhis welfare above her own

language skills for intermediate level understanding questions

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