Transcript Language Skills for Intermediate Level

Language Skills for
Intermediate Level
Understanding Questions
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
Context Questions
This is when you are asked to explain
the meaning of a word in the text
using the other words around it as
clues.
The word CONTEXT will usually be used in
the question.
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
Show how the context helps you
understand the meaning of the word
“nocturnal”.
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
Again your answer should be a two
step process:
Step 1:
Explain the meaning of the word.
Step 2:
Show how the rest of the text makes the
meaning clear by quoting the word(s)
which provide clues.
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
For Example:
“Nocturnal” means being active by
night. The writer refers to his
preference for “moonlight2 and “dark”
which both suggest night-time
Now try the For Practice questions.
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
Question 2
“Finery” means fancy or best clothes.
The writer refers to “silk robes”, silk
is an expensive and delicate fabric
that would not be worn for everyday
use.
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
4
“conjecture” means to guess or
speculate. The writer refers to the
natives making no “pretence” of
understanding their history, and also
that they “believe” a spot is an
ancient battle-ground, meaning that
the don’t know for sure
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
6
“unpredictable” means wildly
changeable. The writer refers to his
brother being “cheerful” on a “good
day” and in a “silent depression” on
“a bad day”, both of which suggest
that his behaviour changes form day
to day
Understanding Questions 2: The
Meaning of Words
8
“benevolent” means kind or good. The
writer refers to the old lady giving
Oliver “what little she could afford
and more”, suggesting that she put
his welfare above her own