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English: context

Context questions ask what a word or phrase means in the sentence where it appears. Use the surrounding words as clues rather than relying on a memorised meaning.

What is tested

  • Meaning of words with several meanings
  • Figurative phrases
  • Using the sentence around a word as evidence

Worked example

'She could no longer bear to choose.' What does 'bear' mean here?

  1. Bear can mean an animal, to carry, or to endure.
  2. 'Could no longer bear to choose' means could not stand to.
  3. Here it means endure or tolerate.

Answer: endure

Exam-day checklist

  • List the meanings you know for the word.
  • Test each one in the sentence.
  • Look for clues in the surrounding sentences.
  • Choose the meaning that fits the whole sentence.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing the most familiar meaning.
  • Ignoring the part of speech.
  • Not checking your choice in the sentence.

Try it yourself

1. 'The children were wary of the dog.' What does 'wary' mean?

Show answer

cautious

Being wary of something means being careful because you may be in danger.

2. 'Prise the lid open.' What does 'prise' mean?

Show answer

force open using a lever

To prise is to force something apart.

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Ratio and proportionPercentages, fractions and decimalsAlgebra: equations and sequencesProbabilityVerbal reasoning: codesVerbal reasoning: logic and orderingNon-verbal reasoning: sequences and matricesEnglish: inference and comprehensionArithmeticNumber and place valueFractionsDecimalsProportionNumber sequencesGeometry: angles and shapesMeasurementTimeMoneyAveragesData handlingMulti-step problemsWorded problems3D shapes: volume and surface areaCoordinates and translationsSpeed, distance and timeVenn and Carroll diagramsEnglish: grammarEnglish: spellingEnglish: punctuationEnglish: vocabularyEnglish: editing and proofreadingEnglish: comprehensionEnglish: comparing two textsEnglish: paragraph ordering and cohesionEnglish: register and purposeEnglish: deductionEnglish: sentence completionEnglish: word relationshipsEnglish: literary understandingEnglish: creative writingShuffled sentencesClauses: main, subordinate and relativeVerbal reasoning: analogiesVerbal reasoning: classificationVerbal reasoning: letter and word sequencesVerbal reasoning: word relationshipsVerbal reasoning: hidden wordsVerbal reasoning: compound wordsVerbal reasoning: letter patternsMove a letterInsert a letterAnagrams and word laddersLetter and symbol sumsNon-verbal reasoning: transformationsNon-verbal reasoning: rotationsNon-verbal reasoning: reflectionsNon-verbal reasoning: symmetryNon-verbal reasoning: spatial reasoningNon-verbal reasoning: analogiesNon-verbal reasoning: paper foldingNon-verbal reasoning: cube netsNon-verbal reasoning: odd one outPlans and elevations (3D views)Shape assemblyTime management in the examEliminating incorrect optionsIdentifying distractorsChecking your workReading questions carefullySkipping and returning to questionsWorking under pressureHandling unfamiliar questions

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