Effective strategies and insider tips to conquer these tricky vocabulary-based questions.
As part of the new Digital SAT, the "Words in Context" question type, part of the broader "Craft and Structure" domain, is designed to assess a student's ability to understand sophisticated English words and how they're used in a given context.
A common misconception about this question type is that students only need to memorize complex English words and their definitions (see our vocabulary list). Simply memorizing words is not enough - students need to also to interpret the connotations and nuances these words or phrases acquire based on their usage in specific passages (context).
Students who frequently read and analyze English literature tend to have an easier time with "Words in Context" questions, but this kind of natural intuition can take years of reading to develop. That's why we wrote this guide - to help you tackle this tricky problem type in a reasonable timeframe.
The following text is from Charles Dickens’s 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities.
"Crush humanity out of shape once more, under similar hammers, and it will twist itself into the same tortured forms. Sow the same seed of rapacious license and oppression over again, and it will surely yield the same fruit according to its kind."
As used in the text, what does the word “rapacious” most nearly mean?
Begin by absorbing the passage. Dickens is discussing the repercussions of certain behaviors on humanity. It’s not about one event but a pattern that repeats itself due to these behaviors. Understanding this cyclical pattern is crucial to deciphering the meaning of “rapacious” in this context.
Think about the broader implications of the passage. What themes of human behavior is Dickens warning against?
In the passage, the phrase "Crush humanity out of shape once more, under similar hammers," suggests that humanity:
Reword the sentence in your mind to ensure you grasp its meaning. Consider it as, “If you plant the same seed of greedy control and cruelty, you will get the same bad outcomes.” This helps to internalize the context in which “rapacious” is used.
Try simplifying the sentence in your own words, keeping the original theme and intensity intact.
A simpler form of "Sow the same seed of rapacious license and oppression" could be:
Based on your understanding, anticipate what “rapacious” could mean. Given the themes of cruelty and predictable negative outcomes, a word denoting some type of greed or avarice could fit.
Based on the surrounding words and themes, what do you think "rapacious" signifies in this context?
Considering the text, "rapacious" likely refers to something:
Now, shift your focus to the multiple-choice answers:
A) Does "greedy" fit the theme of destructive, cyclical behavior? Yes, it’s a hallmark of the cycle of oppression and exploitation Dickens describes.
B) "Sporadic" doesn’t fit. The entire passage underscores the inevitability of outcomes based on consistent behaviors.
C) "Excessive" could seem relevant due to the context of extreme behaviors, but it’s too general. It lacks the moral bankruptcy and active voraciousness implied in the passage.
D) "Forceful" misses the mark. The text refers to a moral failing that leads to oppression, not the act of oppression itself.
Remove options that don’t make sense. “Sporadic,” “excessive,” and “forceful” don’t fully align with the contextual clues provided. They either contradict the passage’s theme or are too wide-ranging.
Cross out the least fitting options for the definition of "rapacious," given its context in the sentence.
Why is "excessive" too broad to fit the nuanced meaning of "rapacious" in this context?
Before confirming your choice, return to the passage with "greedy" in mind. Replace “rapacious” with “greedy” to see if it maintains the sentence’s integrity. It should read naturally and retain the original sentiment, highlighting the consequences of unchecked greed.
Insert your chosen answer into the passage. Does the essence of the warning about humanity’s deformation remain strong?
When replacing "rapacious" with "greedy," the tone of the passage:
Having gone through these steps, you can confidently select option A - "greedy." It’s consistent with the context, aligns with your prediction, and survives the substitution check.
Words have nuances. “Rapacious” isn’t just greedy; it’s aggressively greedy, almost violently so. This nuance aligns with the oppressive cycle Dickens warns against.
When stuck between options, substitute them into the passage. The right choice will keep the sentence’s original meaning and tone intact.
Options that seem relevant but are off in some way are there to mislead. The SAT is known for throwing these curveballs. If something doesn't seem right (even if you can't pinpoint exactly what is wrong), scrutinize each choice again and see if there are more natural answers.
The passage’s emotional tone, theme, and moral leanings are hints. They guide the interpretation of words in their context.
Second-guessing can lead you astray. If you’ve carefully considered each step, trust your final answer.
Now that you've mastered this question type, it's time to test your skills
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