Reading exams can be tricky, so this section offers lots of tips and advice, so you'll be able to get the best mark possible in your next reading test or exam. What are you waiting for? Get reading!
Vocabulary in a text
Vocabulary in a text
Possible questions could include:
- Find the word in the text that means... (You are given a definition)
- Choose the correct definition of the word X. (You are given some definitions to choose from)
- What does X mean? (You write your own definition)
- Read the whole sentence with the word and the sentences before and after. Use the context to understand the meaning of the word.
- What is the topic of the text? Is the word related to the subject of the text?
- What part of speech is the word? Noun? Verb? Adjective? Adverb?
- Does it have a prefix? E.g. the prefixes un- , in- or dis- make a word negative, the prefix re- means ‘again’, etc.
- Does it have a suffix? The suffixes -tion, -sion or -ment are used in nouns, -ive, -able or -ful are used in adjectives, etc.
- Is the word similar to another word you know? E.g. birth is similar to birthday.
- Is the word similar to a word in your language? Circuit is similar to circuito in Spanish.
- Is there another word in the text that means the same? We often use synonyms in a text so we don’t repeat words.
- Check that your definition or answer is the same part of speech as the original word.
- When you learn a new word, write down other words in the same family, e.g. possible: possibility (n), impossible (prefix), possibly (adv).



Do you have any top tips to help others learn vocabulary outside the classroom? How do you remember new words? Do you keep a vocabulary diary?