📖 Vocabulary & Cloze
Vocabulary is tested through Vocabulary MCQ, Vocabulary Cloze, and Comprehension Cloze in Paper 2. Together, these sections are worth about 25 marks. The key skill is using context clues to figure out the right word, rather than relying on memorisation alone.
Many students make the mistake of trying to memorise a long word list before the exam. While knowing vocabulary is important, the PSLE tests your ability to understand words in context. Even if you have never seen a word before, you can often figure out its meaning from the surrounding sentences. This chapter teaches you exactly how to do that.
Vocabulary MCQ Strategy
In the Vocabulary MCQ section (Booklet A), you are given a sentence with an underlined word and four options. You must choose the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence. This is critical — many words have multiple meanings, and the correct answer depends on the context.
5-Step Approach to Vocabulary MCQ
Read the whole sentence
Do not jump straight to the options. Read the full sentence to understand the overall meaning and tone.
Identify the part of speech
Is the underlined word a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb? The answer must be the same part of speech.
Think of your own synonym first
Before looking at the options, think of a word that could replace the underlined word. This prevents you from being tricked by distractors.
Eliminate wrong options
Cross out options that clearly do not fit the sentence. Usually you can eliminate 2 options quickly.
Substitute and check
Replace the underlined word with your chosen answer. Read the sentence again. Does it still make sense? Does the meaning stay the same?
Common Trap: Multiple Meanings
Many English words have multiple meanings. For example, "fair" can mean (1) just/equal, (2) light-skinned, (3) a carnival, or (4) weather that is fine. The PSLE loves to test words with multiple meanings. Always check which meaning fits the given sentence.
5 Types of Context Clues
Context clues are hints within the sentence or surrounding sentences that help you figure out the meaning of an unknown word. There are five main types of context clues. Learning to recognise them will dramatically improve your vocabulary score.
1. Definition Clue
The sentence directly defines or explains the unknown word, often using "means", "is", or "refers to".
Example: "A habitat, which is the natural home of an animal or plant, can be found in many forms."
The phrase "which is the natural home" directly defines habitat.
2. Synonym Clue
A word with a similar meaning appears nearby, often linked by "or", "also known as", or commas.
Example: "The diligent, or hardworking, student always completed her homework on time."
"Hardworking" is a synonym placed right after "diligent".
3. Antonym Clue
A word with the opposite meaning appears, often signalled by "but", "however", "unlike", or "instead of".
Example: "Unlike her timid brother, Sarah was bold and outgoing."
"Unlike" signals a contrast. Since Sarah is "bold", "timid" must mean the opposite — shy or fearful.
4. Example Clue
Examples are given to illustrate the meaning, often using "such as", "for example", "including", or "like".
Example: "The room was full of furniture such as tables, chairs, and bookshelves."
The examples (tables, chairs, bookshelves) show that "furniture" refers to large household items.
5. Inference Clue
You must infer the meaning from the overall situation, mood, or logic of the sentence. No direct hint is given.
Example: "After running 10 kilometres in the scorching heat, the famished runner devoured three plates of chicken rice."
Running 10km in heat + devouring food suggests extreme hunger. "Famished" = very hungry.
'The teacher commended the students for their excellent project.' What does 'commended' mean?
Key Vocabulary Strategies
Context Clues — Definition
The sentence provides the meaning of the difficult word directly, often using words like "means", "is", "refers to", or putting the definition in commas or brackets.
Context Clues — Synonym
A word with a similar meaning appears nearby in the sentence. Look for signal words like "or", "also known as", "that is", or "in other words".
Context Clues — Antonym
A word with the opposite meaning appears in the sentence, usually signalled by words like "but", "however", "unlike", "instead of", or "on the other hand".
Context Clues — Example
The sentence gives examples that help you understand the word. Look for signal phrases like "such as", "for example", "including", or "like".
Word Families
Recognise words that share the same root. If you know one word in a family, you can guess the meaning of related words. For example, "happy" is related to "happiness", "unhappy", and "happily".
Prefixes and Suffixes
Break the word into parts. Common prefixes: "un-" (not), "re-" (again), "dis-" (opposite), "mis-" (wrongly), "pre-" (before). Common suffixes: "-ful" (full of), "-less" (without), "-ness" (state of), "-able" (can be).
Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb that creates a new meaning. They are commonly tested in PSLE Vocabulary MCQ and Cloze passages. Examples: "look after" (take care of), "give up" (stop trying), "put off" (postpone).
Idioms and Common Expressions
Idioms are fixed phrases where the meaning is different from the individual words. PSLE may test commonly used idioms. Learn them in context rather than memorising lists.
Commonly Confused Words
These word pairs are frequently tested in PSLE English. Many students lose marks by confusing them. Study each pair carefully and learn the difference.
affect vs effect
affect (verb): to influence or change
effect (noun): the result or outcome
"The rain will affect the match. The effect of the rain was a cancelled match."
their vs there vs they're
their: belonging to them
there: a place (over there)
they're: they are
"They're going to their grandmother's house. It's over there."
accept vs except
accept (verb): to receive or agree to
except (preposition): excluding, other than
"I accept your apology. Everyone except Tom was there."
advice vs advise
advice (noun): a recommendation
advise (verb): to give a recommendation
"She gave me good advice. She advised me to study harder."
stationary vs stationery
stationary (adjective): not moving
stationery (noun): writing materials
"The car was stationary at the red light. I bought stationery from Popular."
principal vs principle
principal (noun): head of school; (adj): main/most important
principle (noun): a rule or belief
"The principal announced a new rule based on the principle of fairness."
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PSLE Vocabulary Word Bank
These 30 words are commonly tested in PSLE English. For each word, learn the meaning, synonyms, and how it is used in a sentence. Try to use these words in your compositions too!
elated
#1Extremely happy and excited.
Mei Ling was elated when she found out she had been chosen as the school's representative for the national spelling bee.
reluctant
#2Unwilling or hesitant to do something.
Ahmad was reluctant to present his project in front of the class because he was shy about speaking in public.
diligent
#3Hardworking and showing careful, persistent effort.
The diligent student spent two hours every evening revising her work, which was why she consistently scored well in her examinations.
famished
#4Extremely hungry.
After the three-hour cross-country run, the students were famished and rushed to the canteen to buy food.
furious
#5Extremely angry.
Father was furious when he discovered that someone had scratched his new car in the HDB car park.
meticulous
#6Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
The meticulous librarian arranged every book in perfect alphabetical order and noticed immediately when one was out of place.
apprehensive
#7Anxious or fearful that something bad will happen.
Priya felt apprehensive as she walked into the examination hall, her heart pounding with every step.
compassionate
#8Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
The compassionate teacher stayed behind after school to help the struggling student with his Mathematics homework.
astonished
#9Greatly surprised or amazed.
The audience was astonished when the quiet, shy boy delivered a powerful and confident speech at the school assembly.
persevere
#10To continue doing something despite difficulty or lack of success.
Despite failing her driving test twice, she persevered and finally passed on her third attempt.
vicinity
#11The area near or surrounding a particular place.
The police searched the vicinity of the shopping mall for the missing child.
deteriorate
#12To become progressively worse.
Grandmother's health began to deteriorate after her fall, and she needed to visit the doctor more frequently.
abundant
#13Existing in large quantities; more than enough.
Singapore has an abundant variety of food, with dishes from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Western cuisines available at most hawker centres.
peculiar
#14Strange or unusual in a way that is interesting or hard to explain.
There was a peculiar smell coming from the science laboratory, and the students exchanged worried glances.
magnificent
#15Extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive.
The magnificent fireworks display during National Day lit up the Marina Bay skyline in dazzling colours.
mischievous
#16Causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way.
The mischievous boy hid his sister's pencil case behind the sofa cushions and pretended not to know where it was.
Cloze Passage Strategy
6-Step Approach to Cloze Passages
Read the entire passage first
Do NOT fill in blanks on your first read. Get the overall meaning, topic, and tone of the passage.
Determine the part of speech needed
Is the blank a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or connector? Look at the words before and after the blank.
Look for context clues
Check the sentence and surrounding sentences for synonyms, antonyms, definitions, or examples that hint at the answer.
Consider grammar
Does the word need to be singular or plural? Past tense or present? Make sure it agrees with the subject and tense of the sentence.
Fill in confident answers first
Start with the blanks you are most sure about. This helps you understand the passage better for the harder blanks.
Re-read the completed passage
Once all blanks are filled, read the whole passage again. Does it flow smoothly? Does every sentence make sense?
Grammar Cloze vs Vocabulary Cloze
Grammar Cloze tests grammar words: articles (a/an/the), prepositions (in/on/at), conjunctions (and/but/so), pronouns (he/she/it/they), and tenses.Vocabulary Cloze tests meaning words: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs. The strategy is different for each!
Practice Cloze Passage
Fill in each blank with one suitable word.
Last Saturday, my family went to the Singapore Zoo for the first time. We were all very (1) _______ because we had been looking forward to the trip for weeks. When we arrived, we were (2) _______ by the huge crowds of visitors. Despite the long queues, my mother (3) _______ waited for thirty minutes to buy the tickets. As we walked through the entrance, a (4) _______ monkey swung down from a tree and almost grabbed my sister's ice cream. She was so (5) _______ that she dropped it on the ground. Father quickly (6) _______ her another one from the nearby stall. The (7) _______ of the trip was seeing the white tiger. We spent almost an hour just watching it (8) _______ around its enclosure. By the time we left, we were tired but (9) _______. It was truly a (10) _______ day.
The old man walked slowly, his _______ back bent under the weight of years. Which word fits best?
She was _______ to leave her childhood home. Which word best shows sadness about leaving?
The _______ crowd cheered wildly when Singapore scored. Which word fits?
Which is correct? 'The weather will _____ the match.'
'Despite his _____ efforts, he could not finish the race.' Which word means very hard-working?
💬Common Idioms and Phrases in PSLE
Idioms are phrases whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. They appear in comprehension passages and sometimes in vocabulary questions. Knowing these common idioms will help you understand passages better:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example in Context |
|---|---|---|
| a blessing in disguise | Something that seems bad but turns out to be good | Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise — I found $10 at the bus stop. |
| beat around the bush | To avoid talking about the main topic | Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened. |
| break the ice | To make people feel comfortable in a social situation | The teacher played a game to break the ice on the first day. |
| burning the midnight oil | Staying up late to work or study | She burned the midnight oil studying for her Science exam. |
| cry over spilt milk | To be upset about something that cannot be changed | The vase is broken. There is no use crying over spilt milk. |
| hit the nail on the head | To be exactly right about something | When she said the problem was poor teamwork, she hit the nail on the head. |
| kill two birds with one stone | To achieve two things with one action | By cycling to school, I kill two birds with one stone — exercise and transport. |
| let the cat out of the bag | To reveal a secret | Oops! I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. |
| once in a blue moon | Very rarely | We go to the cinema once in a blue moon. |
| the last straw | The final problem that makes a situation unbearable | Being late again was the last straw for the teacher. |
| turn over a new leaf | To start behaving better | After getting a bad report card, Ali decided to turn over a new leaf. |
| under the weather | Feeling unwell | I am feeling a bit under the weather today. |
🌳Word Families: Learn Multiple Forms at Once
Instead of learning words one at a time, learn the whole "word family" — the noun, verb, adjective, and adverb forms. This is especially useful for Grammar Cloze, where you need the correct form of a word:
| Noun | Verb | Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|---|---|
| beauty | beautify | beautiful | beautifully |
| success | succeed | successful | successfully |
| creation | create | creative | creatively |
| danger | endanger | dangerous | dangerously |
| happiness | — | happy | happily |
| decision | decide | decisive | decisively |
| excitement | excite | exciting / excited | excitedly |
| imagination | imagine | imaginative | imaginatively |
| strength | strengthen | strong | strongly |
| silence | silence | silent | silently |
| confidence | — | confident | confidently |
| generosity | — | generous | generously |
Grammar Cloze Tip: Identify the Part of Speech Needed
In Grammar Cloze, the blank often requires a specific form of the word. Ask yourself: Does this blank need a noun (person/thing/idea), a verb (action), an adjective (describes a noun), or an adverb (describes a verb)? The surrounding words give you clues:
• After "a/an/the" or "very" → likely needs an adjective or noun
• After a subject (He/She/It) → likely needs a verb
• After a verb → could need an adverb or noun (object)
• Before a noun → likely needs an adjective
🔗Commonly Tested Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb + preposition/adverb that create a new meaning. They frequently appear in PSLE vocabulary and cloze passages:
break down
(1) To stop working (The car broke down.) (2) To become upset (She broke down in tears.)
carry out
To do or complete something (The students carried out the experiment.)
come across
To find something by chance (I came across an old photograph.)
figure out
To understand or solve something (I finally figured out the math problem.)
give up
To stop trying (Do not give up even when things are hard.)
look forward to
To feel excited about something in the future (I am looking forward to the holidays.)
make up
(1) To invent a story (She made up an excuse.) (2) To become friends again (They made up after the fight.)
put off
To delay doing something (Do not put off your revision until the last minute.)
set up
To arrange or establish (The teachers set up the stalls for the school carnival.)
turn down
(1) To refuse (He turned down the invitation.) (2) To reduce volume (Turn down the music.)
run out of
To have no more left (We ran out of time during the exam.)
take after
To resemble a parent or relative (She takes after her mother in looks.)
Build Vocabulary Through Reading
The best way to build vocabulary is to read widely — newspapers, storybooks, and magazines. When you encounter an unfamiliar word, try to guess its meaning from context before looking it up. Write the word, its meaning, and an example sentence in a vocabulary notebook. Review it weekly. Aim to learn 3-5 new words per day — that is over 1,000 words per year!