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.