Vocabulary in Context

Strategy

The same approach as all levels, but Upper Level vocabulary is more specialised:

1. Re-read the sentence — plus the one before and after.
2. Substitute a simple word that makes sense.
3. Match to the answer choice that captures the same meaning AND tone.

Discipline-Specific Vocabulary

Passages come from science, history, social science, and literature. Words may be used in a technical sense:

• Volatile — chemistry: evaporates easily; general: unstable/unpredictable
• Organic — chemistry: carbon-based; general: natural, slow-growing
• Significant — statistics: beyond chance; general: important

Context will make the meaning clear — don't apply a default definition without checking.