HSPT Reading

A comprehensive guide to understanding and mastering the HSPT Reading section, focusing on comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical skills.

Understanding Reading ComprehensionVocabulary in ContextIdentifying Author’s Purpose and Tone
Making Inferences and Drawing ConclusionsAnalyzing Passage StructureEvaluating Arguments and Evidence
Reading for School and HomeworkUnderstanding Instructions and DirectionsCritical Reading in Everyday Media
Skimming and Scanning TechniquesProcess of Elimination
Understanding Readin...Vocabulary in Contex...Identifying Author’s...Making Inferences an...Analyzing Passage St...Evaluating Arguments...Reading for School a...Understanding Instru...Critical Reading in ...Skimming and Scannin...Process of Eliminati...
Basic Concepts

Vocabulary in Context

Decoding Words Using Context Clues

The HSPT often asks you to figure out the meaning of a word based on how it is used in a passage. This is called using context clues.

Types of Context Clues

  • Definition: The word’s meaning is explained in the sentence.
  • Synonym/Antonym: Words with similar or opposite meanings are nearby.
  • Example: An example is given to explain the word.
  • General Sense: The overall meaning of the sentence hints at the word's meaning.

How to Practice

  • Look for signal words like "such as," "unlike," or "which means."
  • Reread the sentence or paragraph for more clues.

Examples

  • The arboreal creature, such as a monkey, lives in trees—'arboreal' means tree-dwelling.

  • The boy was elated, which is the opposite of sad, so 'elated' means very happy.

In a Nutshell

Learn to figure out unknown words by using clues from the sentence.

Key Terms

Context Clue
A hint within the surrounding text that helps define a word.
Synonym
A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
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Identifying Author’s Purpose and Tone
Vocabulary in Context - HSPT Reading Content | Practice Hub