ISEE Lower Level Reading Comprehension Flashcards: Vocabulary In Context

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Vocabulary In Context, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for ISEE Lower Level Reading Comprehension.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the clue type: "Unlike his gregarious sister, Marco was quiet and reserved."

Answer: Contrast (antonym) clue. The word 'unlike' contrasts 'gregarious' with 'quiet and reserved,' implying outgoing sociability.

Flashcard 2: Choose the meaning of "bank" in context: "She deposited her paycheck at the bank."

Answer: A financial institution. Financial transaction context defines 'bank' as an institution for deposits and monetary services.

Flashcard 3: What should you do when a word is used figuratively rather than literally in a passage?

Answer: Interpret the implied idea, not the literal meaning. Figurative language conveys metaphorical or symbolic ideas beyond the word's direct definition.

Flashcard 4: Choose the meaning of "draft" in context: "A cold draft slipped under the door."

Answer: A current of air. Here, 'draft' denotes a breeze, as indicated by its movement and temperature in the physical setting.

Flashcard 5: Identify the clue type: "Nocturnal animals, such as owls and bats, are active at night."

Answer: Example clue. Listing 'owls and bats' as instances illustrates that 'nocturnal' refers to nighttime activity.

Flashcard 6: Which context clue type uses an example list to reveal a word's meaning?

Answer: Example clue. Specific instances or illustrations help infer the word's meaning by demonstrating its application.

Flashcard 7: Which signal word most strongly suggests contrast: " , the second plan was cheaper" (choose one: however, for example, similarly)?

Answer: However. Contrast signals like this indicate opposition to the preceding idea, highlighting differences in context.

Flashcard 8: Which signal most strongly suggests a definition is coming: "X,  , ..." (choose one: however, namely, meanwhile)?

Answer: Namely. This word introduces a clarification or specific explanation, signaling an upcoming definition or elaboration.

Flashcard 9: What should you do if a word has multiple meanings and only one fits the passage?

Answer: Select the meaning that matches the passage's situation and tone. Contextual fit ensures the selected definition aligns with the passage's content, avoiding misinterpretation.

Flashcard 10: Which part of speech should you identify first to narrow a word's meaning in context?

Answer: The word's part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, or adverb). Identifying grammatical role eliminates incompatible definitions, refining interpretation based on usage.

Flashcard 11: Which context clue type uses a restatement in different words to reveal meaning?

Answer: Restatement (paraphrase) clue. Rephrasing the word using synonyms or alternative phrasing clarifies its intended meaning in context.

Flashcard 12: Choose the meaning of "bank" in context: "The canoe drifted toward the bank of the river."

Answer: The land alongside a river. Riverside context specifies 'bank' as the shoreline, distinct from other meanings like financial.

Flashcard 13: Choose the meaning of "draft" in context: "She revised the draft before submitting the essay."

Answer: A preliminary version of writing. In writing contexts, 'draft' refers to an initial composition subject to revision before finalization.

Flashcard 14: What is the most reliable first step for finding a word's meaning as used in a passage?

Answer: Read the surrounding sentence and nearby sentences for context clues. Surrounding text provides essential clues to deduce the specific usage and meaning of unfamiliar words within the passage.

Flashcard 15: Identify the clue type: "The trail was arduous; in other words, it was difficult and tiring."

Answer: Restatement (paraphrase) clue. The phrase 'in other words' rephrases 'arduous' to convey its meaning through synonymous description.

Flashcard 16: Which context clue type uses a direct definition given in the sentence to explain a word?

Answer: Definition clue. This type directly explains the word by providing its meaning explicitly within the sentence structure.

Flashcard 17: Identify the clue type: "She was famished, so she ate two sandwiches in minutes."

Answer: Cause-and-effect clue. The result of eating quickly due to being 'famished' implies extreme hunger as the cause.

Flashcard 18: Which context clue type reveals meaning by showing the opposite using contrast words?

Answer: Contrast (antonym) clue. Opposing ideas or antonyms highlighted by words like 'but' or 'unlike' reveal the word's meaning through contrast.

Flashcard 19: Choose the meaning of "bright" in context: "The bright student solved the puzzle quickly."

Answer: Intelligent. Academic achievement context interprets 'bright' as denoting intellectual capability, not luminosity.

Flashcard 20: Choose the meaning of "yield" in context: "The driver had to yield to oncoming traffic."

Answer: To give way. Traffic rules context uses 'yield' to mean conceding right-of-way to avoid collision.

Flashcard 21: What is the best way to confirm your chosen meaning fits the passage?

Answer: Substitute it into the sentence and check that it makes sense. Replacement verifies logical coherence, confirming the meaning integrates seamlessly with the text.

Flashcard 22: What is the best approach when context gives only a general sense, not an exact definition?

Answer: Choose the closest meaning that matches the overall idea and tone. Approximating based on broader context ensures the selected meaning supports the passage's coherence.

Flashcard 23: Which context clue type reveals meaning by showing what happens because of the word?

Answer: Cause-and-effect clue. Describing outcomes or results linked to the word allows inference of its meaning based on causal relationships.

Flashcard 24: Identify the clue type: "Arid, or very dry, climates receive little rainfall."

Answer: Definition clue. The phrase 'or very dry' explicitly defines 'arid' by stating its meaning directly in the sentence.

Flashcard 25: Choose the meaning of "yield" in context: "The apple trees yield fruit each autumn."

Answer: To produce. Agricultural context employs 'yield' to indicate producing or bearing output like fruit.