Basic Concepts
In a nutshell: Learn to use clues in the passage to figure out tricky words.
## Unlocking Word Meaning
The SSAT often asks you to figure out what a word means based on how it’s used in the passage—this is called context.
### Strategies for Success
- **Read the sentence carefully.** Look for clues before and after the word.
- **Think about the mood and situation.** Does the word sound positive or negative?
- **Replace the word.** Try swapping the word with another and see if the sentence still makes sense.
## Why It Matters
Understanding words in context helps you become a better communicator and reader, both on tests and in everyday life—like decoding a tricky text message!
### Fun Tip
- Make a list of new words you learn and use them in a sentence of your own.
Examples
- Guessing that 'elated' means 'very happy' from a sentence describing someone who just won a prize.
- Figuring out 'dreary' means 'dull or gloomy' when a character is stuck inside on a rainy day.