Vocabulary for reading success - Dealing with unknown vocabu...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to confidently deal with unknown words in IELTS Reading passages. You will learn how to use context clues, identify word roots and affixes, and apply word-building strategies. You will also practise deciding when to check meanings and when to move on, leading to greater efficiency and improved comprehension in the IELTS exam.

IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus

For IELTS, you are required to handle unfamiliar vocabulary and understand meaning from context efficiently. For revision, focus on these syllabus points:

• Recognise and use strategies for dealing with new words in Reading texts.
• Work out the meaning of unknown vocabulary using clues from the surrounding text.
• Identify the meaning of word parts (prefixes, roots, suffixes) to infer meaning.
• Decide when to check the meaning of a word and when it is not necessary.
• Use techniques for efficient reading without being blocked by unknown words.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What is the first step you should take when you meet an unknown word in a Reading passage?
2. Give two clues from context that might help you guess the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
3. How can a prefix or suffix help you work out the meaning of a word you do not recognise?
4. Is it necessary to understand every word in an IELTS Reading passage to answer the questions correctly? Why or why not?

Introduction

Unknown words are common in IELTS Reading passages. High-level comprehension does not mean knowing every word in the text. Successful exam strategy involves dealing with unfamiliar vocabulary efficiently, using the context, and moving forward without wasting time. This article will show you how to use strategies for understanding new words and explain when to check, guess, or skip a word.

Key Term: Context Clue
A piece of information in the text that helps reveal the meaning of an unknown word by looking at surrounding sentences or ideas.

Key Term: Prefix
A syllable or syllables added to the beginning of a word that change or add to its meaning.

Key Term: Suffix
Letters or a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its form or meaning, often indicating part of speech.

Key Term: Word Root
The basic part of a word that carries its central meaning, to which prefixes and suffixes may be added.

Key Term: Skimming
The technique of quickly looking through a text to get the main idea without reading every word closely.

Reading New Words in IELTS

Focusing on Meaning, Not Single Words

Often, IELTS Reading passages are written at a high level, and candidates will encounter words that are unfamiliar. The most effective readers:

• Focus on the meaning of the whole sentence or paragraph, not single difficult words.
• Use their knowledge of grammar and surrounding context to make an educated guess.
• Move past words that are not essential for understanding the overall meaning or answering the question.

Key Term: Gist
The main idea or general meaning of a text or passage.

Using Context Clues

Unknown words can often be understood—or guessed—using information in nearby sentences. Context clues may be:

• Definitions or explanations given in the sentence.
• Contrasts, examples, or synonyms/antonyms nearby.
• The overall topic or tone of the paragraph.

Example:

“The rainfall created a deluge, causing the riverbanks to overflow.”
The word deluge is unfamiliar, but the context describes overflowing riverbanks, so deluge likely means “very heavy rain” or “flood.”

Recognising Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

Words are often made up of smaller units with clear meanings.

• Roots give a word its core meaning (e.g., “tract” in “attract” or “detract”).
• Prefixes like “un-,” “pre-,” or “mis-” change a word’s meaning (e.g., “misinform” = provide wrong information).
• Suffixes show if a word is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb (e.g., “-tion” as in “education”).

If you see an unfamiliar word, try breaking it into parts and considering what each part means.

When to Guess and When to Move On

Not every word needs to be understood. In IELTS Reading:

• Guess the meaning if the word is important for answering the question.
• If you cannot guess the meaning quickly, move on and focus on the overall sense.
• Use skimming to understand the main idea.
• If a question requires a precise word meaning (e.g., vocabulary questions), return to the text and apply context strategies.

Worked Example 1.1

Read the passage and answer the question.

Space investigation is costly, but many argue it is essential for human advancement. Throughout history, funding for scientific expeditions has often been met with public skepticism, yet these endeavours have regularly resulted in unforeseen benefits, propelling technology forward.

Question: What does the word “skepticism” most likely mean in this context?

Answer:
Skepticism refers to public doubt or hesitation. The context (“funding … met with public skepticism”) suggests some people did not believe in or trust these projects at first.

Worked Example 1.2

Read this sentence:

“Despite the teacher’s attempt to galvanize her students, most remained indifferent.”

Question: The word “galvanize” is closest in meaning to:

a) warn
b) punish
c) motivate
d) ignore

Answer:
c) motivate. The context shows the teacher wanted her students to do something, so “galvanize” means “motivate” or “stimulate.”

Worked Example 1.3

Here is a sentence from an IELTS Reading passage:

“The government introduced new regulations to mitigate pollution.”

Question: What does the word “mitigate” most likely mean?

Answer:
“Mitigate” means to make something less severe. Context: new regulations (rules) to reduce or lessen pollution.

Exam Warning

Many candidates slow down or panic when they see an unknown word. Spending too long on one word can waste time and reduce your score. Always use your context strategies and keep reading.

Revision Tip

Before the exam, practise using context to guess the meaning of words. Read a paragraph, underline unfamiliar words, and try to explain them from context without a dictionary. Check after for accuracy.

Summary

To succeed in IELTS Reading, you must deal with unknown vocabulary efficiently. Focus on the overall meaning, use context and word parts to guess meanings, and only pay close attention to words critical for answers.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Explain why you do not need to understand every word in a Reading passage.
• Use context clues (surrounding information) to guess word meanings.
• Identify how prefixes, suffixes, and word roots provide meaning clues.
• Decide when to guess, check, or move past unfamiliar words.
• Practise strategies that increase reading efficiency and accuracy.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Context Clue
• Prefix
• Suffix
• Word Root
• Skimming
• Gist