Learning Outcomes
After reading this article, you will be able to accurately determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary in IELTS Reading texts using word formation and context clues. You will understand how prefixes, suffixes, and root words signal word meaning, and you will develop strategies for deducing meaning using context sentences. You will be prepared to apply these skills directly to answering IELTS question types that require understanding and using new vocabulary.
IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus
For IELTS, you are expected to demonstrate precise vocabulary skills, including the ability to identify, analyze, and infer the meaning of unknown words based on their form and their context in reading passages. For revision, focus on these syllabus points:
- Recognize common prefixes, suffixes, and root words to predict word meaning.
- Use structural clues (word formation, part of speech) to assist with meaning.
- Use sentence and surrounding context clues to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- Identify vocabulary questions requiring context clue deduction.
- Apply word formation and context cues to improve overall reading comprehension and to select the correct answers to IELTS Reading questions.
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.
- What is the meaning of the prefix "un-" in the word "unfriendly"?
- If you encounter an unfamiliar word in a Reading passage, what is the first thing you should do to try to guess its meaning?
- In the sentence "The scientist was meticulous in her research," how could you use context clues to understand the meaning of "meticulous"?
- What does the suffix "-less" mean in the word "hopeless"?
Introduction
Vocabulary is central to reading with understanding on IELTS. Many passages contain words you may not know. Effective IELTS readers use two main skills: spotting word parts (word formation), and using clues in the surrounding sentences (context clues). Both can help you work out the meaning quickly, which is critical when answering questions about vocabulary in the Reading sections.
Key Term: Word Formation
The process of building or changing words using prefixes, suffixes, and roots, which can give important hints about their meaning and function.Key Term: Context Clue
Phrases or sentences near an unfamiliar word that help you guess its meaning by providing explanation, synonyms, examples, or contrast.
Recognizing Word Formation Clues
Many words on IELTS use common building blocks—prefixes (before the word), suffixes (after), and roots. Recognizing them can help you guess a word’s general meaning or correct function.
Key Term: Prefix
A group of letters placed at the beginning of a word to change its meaning (e.g., "impossible" – "im-" meaning "not").Key Term: Suffix
A group of letters added at the end of a word to signal part of speech or meaning (e.g., "careful" – "-ful" meaning "full of").
Prefixes often reverse or change meaning. For example, “dis-”, “un-”, and “in-” can make opposites (“unhappy” = not happy). Suffixes indicate the word’s role, such as “-ness” for nouns (“happiness”) or “-ly” for adverbs (“quickly”).
Understanding common roots (the core meaning part) also gives you a tool for predicting unknown words (e.g., "bio" = life, "graph" = writing).
Using Context Clues in Sentences
Even if you do not know a word, you can often guess its meaning by reading the whole sentence or the sentences nearby. Writers usually give hints through:
- Synonyms or definitions within the sentence.
- Examples to make the word clearer.
- Contrasts (using "but," "however," "although") to show the opposite meaning.
- General topic or atmosphere of the passage.
Practice reading the sentence with the unknown word, as well as the one before and after, to gather all available clues.
Connecting Word Formation and Context for IELTS Success
On IELTS, vocabulary questions frequently ask about the meaning of a word in the passage or test your understanding indirectly through True/False or summary tasks. You may be given a sentence and must pick the closest meaning of a word, or you must guess the word’s meaning through examples or contrasts.
Combining word formation and context clues maximizes accuracy and prevents you from making mistakes when you encounter words you don’t know.
Worked Example 1.1
During the early 20th century, rapid urbanization led to significant changes in living conditions. Many families, unable to afford comfortable accommodation, resided in cramped apartments with poor sanitation. Despite these hardships, communities often developed a remarkable tenacity; neighbors would frequently cooperate to improve their shared circumstances.
Question: In the passage above, what does the word "tenacity" most likely mean?
Answer:
"Tenacity" most likely means the ability to recover or cope with difficulties. This is clear because it describes communities dealing with "hardships" but still cooperating and improving their situation, pointing to their ability to deal with hard times.
Worked Example 1.2
The archaeologist carefully examined the artifact, noting that it was crafted with unparalleled precision. Unlike the other items from the site, this one was in pristine condition, sparkling as if it had just been unearthed.
Question: What does the word "pristine" mean as used in the passage?
a) common
b) authentic
c) original
d) perfectly clean or new
Answer:
d) perfectly clean or new
Explanation: "Pristine" is used in contrast with the other items and "sparkling as if it had just been unearthed." The context emphasizes its undamaged, clean, and new appearance.
Worked Example 1.3
The student was dissatisfied with her exam score. Although she had devoted numerous hours to revision, the outcome was disappointing. Nonetheless, she resolved to improve her performance in future tasks.
Question: The word "dissatisfied" most nearly means:
a) unprepared
b) not happy
c) exhausted
d) unaware
Answer:
b) not happy
Explanation: "Dissatisfied" is connected to being unhappy about her exam score, especially since she worked hard but was disappointed by the result.
Exam Warning
A common mistake is to assume that a word always means what it looks like, even when the context contradicts this. Always check how the word is used in the sentence and look for direct clues nearby before answering.
Revision Tip
When you don’t know a word, check for synonyms, explanations (e.g., “that is,” or “in other words”), or examples given immediately before or after it.
Summary
To tackle vocabulary issues on IELTS Reading, break down unknown words by their structure—prefix, root, suffix—then look for explanations, examples, or contrasts in the text to deduce their meaning. Use both strategies together for best results.
Key Point Checklist
This article has covered the following key knowledge points:
- Identify word formation clues, including prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
- Use context clues from sentences and surrounding text to infer meaning.
- Recognize vocabulary questions that test your ability to deduce meaning.
- Apply both word and context clues to choose correct answers on IELTS Reading tasks.
- Avoid guessing without checking surrounding clues and word structure.
Key Terms and Concepts
- Word Formation
- Context Clue
- Prefix
- Suffix