What it tests
Precise word meaning and telling close synonyms apart.
In the exam: part XII, 4 tasks.
Step by step
- Read all the definitions first.
- Match the words you know for sure, then work on the rest.
- Check the word class: an adjective needs a definition that describes (able to…, not…).
- Compare close pairs carefully (brave / calm).
- The extra definition belongs to none of the words.
Watch out for
- Definitions of near-synonyms.
- A definition matching the word class but not the exact meaning.
- Using one definition twice.
Example
Calm — a) not excited, nervous or troubled b) willing to do difficult or dangerous things
a) — calm means not nervous; b) defines brave.