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SAT Reading and Writing skill page

SAT Vocabulary in Context Practice

Use the sentence around the word to choose the meaning that fits the passage.

Practice vocabulary in context in Dolphin SATPractice questions
10-16 min practice time3 questions in practice blockCraft and Structure
Practice time10-16 min
Practice questions3 questions
Best forCraft and Structure

What this tests

What to know for this SAT skill

Dolphin practice questions

Practice your skill

Question 1 of 3Easy
In the sentence "The results were striking," striking most nearly means
  1. hitting
  2. noticeable
  3. ordinary
  4. silent
Show answer and solution
Correct answerB. noticeable

Solution walkthrough

  1. In this context, striking means impressive or noticeable, not physically hitting.
Question 2 of 3Medium
In the sentence "The committee tabled the proposal," tabled most nearly means
  1. placed on furniture
  2. postponed
  3. approved
  4. translated
Show answer and solution
Correct answerB. postponed

Solution walkthrough

  1. In meeting context, tabled usually means set aside for later.
Question 3 of 3Hard
In the sentence "The author qualifies her claim," qualifies most nearly means
  1. becomes eligible
  2. limits
  3. praises
  4. repeats
Show answer and solution
Correct answerB. limits

Solution walkthrough

  1. To qualify a claim is to limit or refine it.

Avoid these traps

Common mistakes on this skill

Choosing the most familiar definition

The tested meaning is the one that fits the sentence and passage, even if it is less common.

Ignoring tone and logical direction

A word can be close in dictionary meaning but wrong for the author's attitude or the sentence's contrast.

Study plan

How to practice this skill in Dolphin

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  1. Cover the choices and predict a simple word that fits the blank or underlined term.
  2. Use nearby contrasts, examples, and cause-effect language as constraints.
  3. Substitute each remaining choice and check meaning, tone, and grammar in the full sentence.
Practice vocabulary in context in Dolphin SAT

Related practice

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Skill cluster

Keep practicing SAT Reading and Writing

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FAQ

Questions about SAT Vocabulary in Context Practice

Do I need to memorize advanced vocabulary?

Vocabulary helps, but the SAT primarily rewards using context to determine the precise meaning a word has in a passage.

What if two choices are synonyms?

Compare their connotations, tone, and grammatical fit; only one should satisfy every contextual constraint.