{"id":4495,"date":"2022-03-15T14:29:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-15T14:29:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.testgeek.com\/blog\/?p=4495"},"modified":"2022-03-15T14:29:50","modified_gmt":"2022-03-15T14:29:50","slug":"how-to-study-for-act-vocabulary-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.testgeek.com\/blog\/how-to-study-for-act-vocabulary-words\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Study for ACT Vocabulary Words"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you search Google for \u201cACT Vocabulary Words,\u201d most of the results<\/a> that come up are long lists of words with definitions to study. While memorizing a bunch of definitions might make you feel <\/em>more prepared, that’s not what the ACT really tests you over. We think there\u2019s a better approach to preparing and studying for ACT vocabulary. By the time you finish reading, you\u2019ll understand how you can crush questions about ACT vocabulary words in 2022 even if you haven\u2019t picked up a single flashcard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Does the ACT Test Vocabulary? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What They Won’t Do<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Many people don\u2019t understand how the ACT actually tests vocabulary words. There is no such thing as \u201cofficial\u201d ACT vocabulary. Any list that you come across online or in a book would simply be someone\u2019s best guess. These lists might be based on what words were on the test before, or what words sound especially erudite or sagacious. See what I did there? Thank goodness for my Google dictionary and thesaurus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, the ACT knows that memorizing the definition of the word is not as important as understanding how to use it correctly. For example, you might know that the word \u201cgrandeur\u201d means \u201cawesome or impressive.” However, if you walk out of a movie and say, \u201cThat movie was pretty grandeur,\u201d you haven\u2019t used the word correctly. Also, your friends might make fun of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling Overwhelmed? Get 1-on-1 ACT Help from a Test Geek Tutor<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is why you don\u2019t see many “classic” vocabulary questions anymore. I would say these are questions from \u201cback in the day,\u201d but I don\u2019t want you to accidentally think I typed \u201cback in my day.\u201d I don\u2019t think I\u2019m old enough to use that phrase yet. I\u2019m pretty sure you have to be at least 40. Anyways, now that you know how young and hip I am, we can move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The classic vocab questions I\u2019m talking about are where you have a sentence with a word missing. Then, you have 4-5 words to choose from to best complete the sentence. These questions required you to have definitions memorized, and they are largely extinct on standardized tests these days. Don’t expect to see questions like these about ACT Vocabulary Words in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What They WILL Do<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

So, if vocabulary questions aren\u2019t formatted that way, what kinds of questions about ACT vocabulary words should you expect? According to the ACT test website, the test asks you to \u201cdetermine the meaning of context-dependent words, phrases, and statements.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key phrase here is context-dependent. <\/strong>In other words, the test won\u2019t ask you to provide a definition for a word without also giving you context to help. So, what matters more than memorizing definitions is understanding how to use context clues to help you define words. And that\u2019s what we\u2019ll cover next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Context is King<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Context turns isolated words and phrases into complete ideas, arguments, and stories. With context, it\u2019s not just about knowing the word itself, but about understanding how it fits with the surrounding words and phrases. If you try to interpret a word outside of its context, you may walk away with an inaccurate perception of what\u2019s taking place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context clues can be quite helpful when it comes to making sense of unclear words and phrases. As a matter of fact, when you\u2019re first learning how to read, this process is how you determine the meaning of unknown words. You learn most of your initial vocabulary through reading, so understanding how context clues inform your reading is key. Since you\u2019re constantly learning new words, you lean on clues from surrounding words and sentences to \u201cconnect the dots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An author can use context clues to give hints about what an unfamiliar word might mean; context clues can be direct or indirect. The trick here is knowing how to identify context clues surrounding ACT vocabulary words and use them to your advantage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are five main types of context clues. You’ll notice how these categories form the acronym IDEAS (Inference, Definition, Example, Antonym, Synonym):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inference <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is an educated guess based on other clues that are available and other implications that the passage makes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example<\/strong>: While you may have heard that this neighborhood is dirty and noisy, that canard <\/strong>isn\u2019t backed up in reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context Clue<\/strong>: There is a contrast between the first half of the sentence and the second half, seemingly between something that is \u201ctrue\u201d and something that isn\u2019t. This distinction is highlighted by the word \u201creality.\u201d The fact that the \u201ccanard\u201d doesn\u2019t line up with reality, and the rumor shared in the first half of the sentence, is a clue that the word \u201ccanard\u201d signifies a story or rumor that isn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definition <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These are the most direct clues about a word\u2019s meaning and are often the easiest to spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example<\/strong>: \u201cJohn was apathetic<\/strong> about the conversation. He didn\u2019t seem too concerned about the decision one way or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context Clue<\/strong>: The second sentence helps you understand that the word \u201capathetic\u201d has to do with a lack of concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The author may provide evidence of a certain action taking place that clears up any confusion about what the word could mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: \u201cDavid was asked to leave the gathering because of several infractions, <\/strong>including taking flash photography and bringing in outside food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context Clue: Taking flash photography or bringing in outside food is often discouraged in certain contexts, and in this situation, led to David being asked to leave the gathering. Both are clues that the word \u201cinfraction\u201d has to do with breaking the rules or going against what was expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Without context, a word is like a stray puzzle piece that you find under your bed or in a drawer. Without the bigger picture, you can’t understand the true meaning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Antonym <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is the opposite – or antonym – of a simile. Antonyms are words that are completely different from each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: \u201cMy mother was loquacious<\/strong>, but my father was quiet and reserved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context Clue: The conjunction \u201cbut\u201d shows a contrast between the father\u2019s quiet and reserved personality, and the mother\u2019s loquacious style. Perhaps the word loquacious suggests something that contrasts being \u201cquiet and reserved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Synonym <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Synonyms are words that have the same, or nearly the same, meaning. In context, synonyms may come up as a restatement of a previous idea, or as a further explanation of an idea shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: \u201cAfter hearing about the tragedy, we all felt irate<\/strong> and displeased at the injustice taking place.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context Clue: Irate and displeased are used together, helping you see how the two words might have a similar meaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sample Questions<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So now that we\u2019ve unlocked one secret to answering vocabulary questions, let\u2019s take our IDEAS method and try it out on some real questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first thing you notice is that the phrase “plus of compensation” is placed in contrast to the phrase “minus of a handicap.” This gives us two pieces of our IDEAS method that can be considered here. “Plus” and “minus” are certainly antonyms of each other, and so it’s not unreasonable to expect that “handicap” and “compensation” may follow suit as descriptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can also use the synonym strategy because the word “compensation” is a restatement of the word “plus.” For that reason, the best answer choice will not only be quite different from the word “handicap,” but it should also have parallels with the word “plus.” By process of elimination (and for the sake of space), you’ll determine that Choice J is the best answer here. The other three choices either do not fit into the passage without significantly changing the meaning, or do not contrast well enough with “handicap” or match closely enough with the word “plus.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s look at one more question before we move on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As you gather context clues, you notice that the passage in question is talking about acupuncture. You likely know that acupuncture has to do with puncturing the skin with small needles for medical and psychological benefits. That knowledge alone helps you eliminate choice F – I might consider acupuncture, but not if it means someone is going to extract my nerves!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking a closer look, you see two words that may shed light on the best answer choice – the word “acupoints” and the word “spots.” Both words draw attention to one specific place or location. At this point, choice J seems like an awkward fit, so we narrow our possibilities down to choice G and choice H. In this case, choice H makes the most sense, because of the emphasis on the words “acupoints” and “spots.” Congratulations, you have just used the skills of example and inference!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boost Your ACT Score with Personalized 1-on-1 Tutoring<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Another Good Strategy <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The IDEAS method can help you narrow down options by locating context clues. We also want to share another tool with you that might be helpful in determining unknown definitions for ACT vocabulary words. This is a simple three-step process that you can use on any vocabulary question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll try this method out on the following question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Scientists are just now realizing how experiences after birth, rather than something innate, determine the actual wiring of the human brain.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it is used in line 30, the phrase “something innate” most nearly means:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n