Study · Academic reading skillsLesson 05
Understanding Vocabulary in Context
Level B1–B2
Understanding Vocabulary in Context
Learning goals
- In this lesson, you will learn to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words from surrounding text, use examples, contrasts, explanations, and cause-and-result clues, recognise how word forms affect meaning and grammar, and choose a meaning that fits the sentence rather than the first dictionary meaning.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage once. Notice bold or unfamiliar words and how the sentences around them provide clues. Do not stop at every unknown word.
How Cities Can Reduce Food Waste
Large amounts of food are discarded by households, shops, and restaurants. Some of this waste is avoidable: it could have been prevented through better planning, storage, or decisions about portion sizes. For example, a family may buy more fresh food than it can use before the food spoils.
Food waste also places pressure on local waste systems. When discarded food decomposes in landfill, it can produce gases that contribute to climate change. In addition, throwing food away means that the water, energy, transport, and labour used to produce it have also been wasted.
Several cities are testing practical measures. Some supermarkets donate unsold food to community organisations instead of throwing it away. Other programmes teach residents how to plan meals and store food correctly. These measures are not a complete solution, but they can reduce the amount of food that is discarded.
The most effective approach may vary from one community to another. A programme that works well in a large city may be less practical in a small town with limited transport services. Local authorities therefore need to consider local conditions before deciding which measures to introduce.
1. What is the passage mainly about?Try again
1. What is the passage mainly about?
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2. In the passage, what does avoidable most likely mean?Try again
2. In the passage, what does avoidable most likely mean?
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3. What does the writer suggest about programmes to reduce waste?Try again
3. What does the writer suggest about programmes to reduce waste?
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Step 2 — Using context and word forms
What does context mean?
Context is the information around a word or expression. It includes the sentence, paragraph, topic, and relationship between ideas. You may not need to know every word to understand an unfamiliar one.
For example: The path was slippery after the rain, so walkers moved slowly and held the rail. The clues suggest that the path was difficult to walk on safely.
Use context clues
- Definition or explanation: Some waste is avoidable: it could have been prevented.
- Example: Supermarkets donate unsold food to community organisations.
- Contrast: The first plan was expensive, but the second was affordable.
- Cause and result: The floor was slippery, so people walked carefully.
- General topic: In a text about recycling, waste probably refers to unwanted material.
Context clues help you make a reasonable guess. They do not always give the exact definition, so check whether your guess fits the whole sentence.
Look at word forms
- avoid (verb) → avoidable (adjective): avoidable waste
- donate (verb) → donation (noun): a food donation
- practical (adjective) → practically (adverb): practically useful
- reduce (verb) → reduction (noun): a reduction in waste
Recognising familiar parts of a word can help, but the whole sentence still matters.
A reliable strategy
1. Read the whole sentence.
2. Read the sentence before and after it.
3. Identify the topic and relationship between ideas.
4. Look for examples, explanations, contrasts, or results.
5. Guess a meaning that fits the grammar and context.
6. Replace the word with your guess and reread the sentence.
7. If the word is important and the meaning remains unclear, check a dictionary.
You do not need to stop for every unfamiliar word. Focus first on words that are important for understanding the main point.
Strategy guide
Context clues
Use surrounding text to infer what an unfamiliar word likely means.
- Read the full sentence and the lines before and after it.
- Look for definitions, examples, contrasts, and cause-and-result links.
- Check that your guess fits the grammar and the topic of the passage.
Example: Some waste is avoidable: it could have been prevented through better planning.
Common mistake: Choosing the first dictionary meaning without checking the sentence.
Word forms
Link verbs, nouns, and adjectives to understand related vocabulary.
- Notice familiar roots and endings such as -able, -tion, and -ly.
- Confirm the part of speech fits the sentence structure.
- Reread with the related form in mind if the exact word is new.
Example: donate (verb) → donation (noun); reduce (verb) → reduction (noun).
Common mistake: Assuming two words from the same root always mean exactly the same thing.
Fit the sentence
Replace the unknown word mentally and check that the sentence still makes sense.
- Guess a synonym or short phrase that fits the slot.
- Reread the whole sentence with your guess substituted.
- Use a dictionary only when the word is central and clues are insufficient.
Example: The new system is efficient → works well without wasting time and energy.
Common mistake: Stopping for every unknown word instead of focusing on words that affect the main point.
Step 3 — Infer the meaning
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. The instructions were concise: they explained the process clearly in only a few sentences.Try again
1. The instructions were concise: they explained the process clearly in only a few sentences.
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2. The town introduced measures, including new recycling bins and public information sessions, to reduce waste.Try again
2. The town introduced measures, including new recycling bins and public information sessions, to reduce waste.
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3. The route was inaccessible because the bridge had been closed and no alternative path was available.Try again
3. The route was inaccessible because the bridge had been closed and no alternative path was available.
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4. The new system is efficient: it completes the same task using less time and energy.Try again
4. The new system is efficient: it completes the same task using less time and energy.
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5. Some of this waste is avoidable: it could have been prevented through better planning.Try again
5. Some of this waste is avoidable: it could have been prevented through better planning.
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6. A programme may be less practical in a small town with limited transport services.Try again
6. A programme may be less practical in a small town with limited transport services.
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Step 4 — Identify the clue type
Read each sentence, then choose the main context clue type.
Context clue practice
Each item below contains a bold word. Decide whether the surrounding text mainly explains, gives an example, contrasts, or shows cause and result.
1. The surface was uneven, with several raised stones and holes.Try again
1. The surface was uneven, with several raised stones and holes.
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2. Unlike the old model, which used a great deal of energy, the new device is economical.Try again
2. Unlike the old model, which used a great deal of energy, the new device is economical.
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3. The area became deserted; no people or vehicles remained there.Try again
3. The area became deserted; no people or vehicles remained there.
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4. The road was flooded, so drivers had to use another route.Try again
4. The road was flooded, so drivers had to use another route.
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5. Some waste is avoidable: it could have been prevented through better planning.Try again
5. Some waste is avoidable: it could have been prevented through better planning.
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Step 5 — Choose the meaning that fits
Read each paragraph quickly, then choose the best summary.
1. The policy is feasible because the city already has the staff and equipment needed to carry it out.Try again
1. The policy is feasible because the city already has the staff and equipment needed to carry it out.
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2. The researcher observed the behaviour without interrupting the group.Try again
2. The researcher observed the behaviour without interrupting the group.
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3. The results were inconsistent: some tests showed an increase, while others showed a decrease.Try again
3. The results were inconsistent: some tests showed an increase, while others showed a decrease.
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Step 6 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. The first proposal was costly, requiring expensive equipment and additional staff. The revised proposal was more economical because it used existing resources. Economical here most nearly means:Try again
1. The first proposal was costly, requiring expensive equipment and additional staff. The revised proposal was more economical because it used existing resources. Economical here most nearly means:
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2. Before guessing a word's meaning, you should:Try again
2. Before guessing a word's meaning, you should:
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3. A colon after an unfamiliar word often signals:Try again
3. A colon after an unfamiliar word often signals:
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4. If your guess fits one word but makes the whole sentence illogical, you should:Try again
4. If your guess fits one word but makes the whole sentence illogical, you should:
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5. Word forms such as donate and donation help because:Try again
5. Word forms such as donate and donation help because:
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