- LPU MCA Semester 1
- PEL546
- Unit 6
PEL546 · Unit 6: Vocabulary and reading comprehension
Contextual vocabulary
12 practice questions · in the ETE syllabus
Key points
- Infer meaning from clues in the sentence
- Clue types: result, contrast, example, restatement
- Know common words such as lucid, frugal, candid, mitigate
- Antonyms are opposites; synonyms are similar
Contextual vocabulary means working out the meaning of an unfamiliar word from the sentence around it. Look for clues:
| Clue type | Example | Meaning found |
|---|---|---|
| Result | The explanation was lucid, so even beginners understood it. | clear |
| Contrast | He is frugal, unlike his generous brother. | careful with money |
| Example or detail | She is meticulous; she checks every figure three times. | careful about details |
| Restatement | The rainbow was ephemeral; it vanished within minutes. | short-lived |
Useful words: lucid (clear), ephemeral (short-lived), reluctant (unwilling), meticulous (very careful), frugal (careful with money), candid (honest), obsolete (out of date), ambiguous (more than one meaning), mitigate (make less severe), arduous (very difficult), verbose (wordy) and scarce (in short supply, the opposite of abundant).
Exam trap: choose the meaning the context supports, and watch for options that are synonyms of the opposite word (concise for verbose).
Try two questions
She was reluctant to speak in public, so she kept refusing every invitation. What does reluctant mean?
- Eager
- Skilled
- Famous
- Unwilling
Show the answer
D. The clue kept refusing shows she did not want to speak.
Why not A: Refusing every invitation shows she was not eager.
Why not B: The sentence does not describe her skill.
Why not C: The sentence does not mention fame.
The manager gave a candid opinion of the plan and said exactly what was wrong with it. What does candid mean?
- Honest and direct
- Secretive
- Polite but untrue
- Sweet-tasting
Show the answer
A. Saying exactly what was wrong shows a frank, honest opinion.
Why not B: Saying exactly what was wrong is not secretive.
Why not C: He said exactly what was wrong, so it was true.
Why not D: Candid is not about taste.