SSAT Elementary Level Reading

A friendly introduction to reading comprehension skills for the SSAT Elementary Level.

Basic Concepts

Understanding Vocabulary in Context

What Does 'Vocabulary in Context' Mean?

Sometimes you'll see a word you don't know. You can figure out what it means by looking at the words and sentences around it.

How to Figure Out Word Meanings

  • Look at the sentence before and after the word.
  • Find clues in the passage that explain what the word means.
  • Replace the word with one that makes sense.

Why This Helps

This skill makes reading easier and helps you learn new words.

Everyday Uses

When you read a sign or instructions, using context clues helps you understand new or tricky words.

Examples

  • The puppy was famished and ate quickly. 'Famished' means very hungry.

  • The plant was drooping because it lacked water. 'Lacked' means did not have.

In a Nutshell

You can guess what a word means by using the other words around it.

Understanding Vocabulary in Context - SSAT Elementary Level Reading Content | Practice Hub