Reading comprehension strategies and techniques - Inferring ...

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this article, you will be able to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words using contextual evidence, spot and interpret different types of context clues, and accurately answer LSAT questions that require you to determine the definition or usage of a word or phrase. You will understand and apply key methods such as synonym, contrast, and logic-based strategies specific to reading comprehension.

LSAT Syllabus

For the LSAT, you are required to understand reading comprehension texts in a manner that goes beyond basic recall. You must be capable of:

• identifying the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases using contextual evidence from the passage
• recognizing and using different types of context clues (such as synonyms, antonyms, explanations, or logic)
• determining the author's intended meaning when a word or phrase is used in an unusual or technical sense
• distinguishing between literal and figurative language use
• justifying your interpretation of a word's meaning with reference to explicit or implied information

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. A passage uses the word volatile in the context: “The researcher’s volatile notes often shifted in tone from day to day.” Based on this, what does volatile most likely mean?
   1. Dangerous
   2. Changeable
   3. Explosive
   4. Unintelligent
2. If a passage says, “The animal was docile, unlike the wild and unpredictable creatures nearby,” what does docile mean here?
   1. Hungry
   2. Aggressive
   3. Calm
   4. Noisy
3. Which context clue type is shown when a sentence includes, “Her reticence, or reluctance to speak, was unusual at the meeting”?
   1. Synonym/restate
   2. Contrast
   3. Example
   4. Inference

4. True or false? An unfamiliar word’s meaning can always be determined precisely from context on the LSAT.

Introduction

Understanding unfamiliar vocabulary is tested frequently in the LSAT Reading Comprehension section. Many passages include words that are uncommon or used in a nonstandard way. To answer related questions, you need to use clues from the sentence and surrounding text rather than rely on prior knowledge. The techniques in this article will help you infer meanings with confidence and accuracy.

Key Term: context clue
Information in the text surrounding an unfamiliar word or phrase, used to deduce the word’s meaning on the basis of how it is used.

Types of Context Clues

An unfamiliar word’s meaning may be suggested by synonyms, antonyms, explicit definitions, examples, or summary logic in the nearby text. Sometimes, more than one clue is present in the same sentence or paragraph.

Synonym or Restatement Clues

Sometimes, the author will clarify a word using a synonym or by directly restating the meaning.

Key Term: synonym clue
A context clue where a word’s meaning is indicated via a similar word in the sentence or nearby text.

Worked Example 1.1

Sentence: "The jury was unanimous, or in complete agreement, on the verdict."

Question: What does unanimous mean here?

Answer:
The phrase "or in complete agreement" shows unanimous means "in complete agreement." This is a synonym clue.

Contrast or Antonym Clues

A word’s meaning may be shown by contrasting it with an opposite or different idea.

Key Term: contrast clue
A context clue where the author uses "but," "unlike," or similar words to show a word’s meaning through opposition.

Worked Example 1.2

Sentence: "Rather than being garrulous, he was notably laconic throughout the discussion."

Question: What does laconic most likely mean in this sentence?

Answer:
The phrase "Rather than being garrulous" (very talkative) implies laconic means the opposite, so "using few words" or "concise."

Direct Definition or Appositive Clues

Occasionally, an author provides an explicit definition or explanation in the sentence using an appositive phrase.

Worked Example 1.3

Sentence: "The student’s hubris, excessive pride, led to his downfall."

Question: What does hubris mean?

Answer:
The phrase "excessive pride" directly defines the word. This is a definition/appositive clue.

Inference and Logic-Based Clues

Sometimes, meaning can only be deduced by analyzing logical relationships or broader passage context.

Key Term: inference clue
A context clue where the reader must use logic, reasoning, or passage details to infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Key Term: literal meaning
The dictionary or standard meaning of a word or phrase, as opposed to a metaphorical or figurative sense.

Key Term: figurative meaning
A non-literal use of a word or phrase to convey a meaning different from its standard or dictionary sense.

Worked Example 1.4

Sentence: "After her friend’s arrival, the previously staid party became exuberant."

Question: Infer the meaning of staid.

Answer:
Since the party became exuberant (lively) after the friend's arrival, it must have been the opposite before: staid means "serious or dull."

Revision Tip

When you see an unfamiliar word, check for restatements, contrasts, or definitions in the sentence. If none are present, look at the overall sense and logic of the sentences nearby. Do not assume the word is used in its most common meaning—interpret it as the author intends in context.

Common LSAT Tasks Involving Word Meaning

LSAT Reading Comprehension questions may ask you to:

• Select the best synonym for a word based on passage context
• Explain the meaning of a phrase as used in a specific sentence
• Identify whether a word is used literally or figuratively
• Infer the effect of replacing one word with another in a sentence

Worked Example 1.5

The passage states: "The scientist posited a counterintuitive explanation." The question asks: As used in the passage, what does 'counterintuitive' mean?

Answer:
From context, it indicates an explanation that goes against what one would expect ("counter" to "intuition”). "Unexpected" or "not as one would predict" fits.

Exam Warning

On the LSAT, a dictionary meaning is rarely enough. Always base your interpretation of a word or phrase on how it is used in the passage, not general knowledge.

Strategies for Answering "Word in Context" Questions

1. Read the sentence with the unfamiliar word carefully. Underline any clue words or phrases.
2. Check for restatement, synonym, contrast, or definition signals in the sentence or the preceding/following lines.
3. Use logic and the meaning of the whole sentence or paragraph to infer the word’s sense if no explicit clue appears.
4. Consider whether the word is used literally (standard meaning) or figuratively.
5. Eliminate answer choices that do not fit the context, even if they match the most common definition.

Worked Example 1.6

Sentence: "The legislation was a double-edged sword, benefiting some but harming others."

Question: As used here, is "double-edged sword" literal or figurative?

Answer:
It is figurative; it means the law has both positive and negative effects, not that it is an actual weapon.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Inferring word meanings is a frequent LSAT Reading Comprehension task
• Context clues include synonyms, contrasts, definitions, and logic/inference from the surrounding text
• Literal and figurative uses of words must be distinguished using context
• Systematically check for the type of clue before selecting an answer
• Always justify your answer with clear reference to the passage, not outside knowledge

Key Terms and Concepts

• context clue
• synonym clue
• contrast clue
• inference clue
• literal meaning
• figurative meaning