SGSchoolKaki
Loading...
Chapter 5 of 8

📖 Vocabulary & Cloze

5 min+15 XP

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

1
Read the whole sentence

Do not jump straight to the options. Read the full sentence to understand the overall meaning and tone.

2
Identify the part of speech

Is the underlined word a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb? The answer must be the same part of speech.

3
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.

4
Eliminate wrong options

Cross out options that clearly do not fit the sentence. Usually you can eliminate 2 options quickly.

5
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.

🎯Key Takeaway
For vocabulary questions, always read the surrounding sentences for context clues. Learn the 5 types of context clues. Study commonly confused word pairs. For cloze passages, read the whole passage first, determine the part of speech needed, then fill in answers. Learn word families (noun/verb/adjective/adverb forms) to handle Grammar Cloze questions. Know common idioms, phrasal verbs, and their meanings. Build vocabulary through regular reading — aim for 3-5 new words per day.

What the full chapter covers

  • Vocabulary MCQ Strategy

  • 5-Step Approach to Vocabulary MCQ

  • Common Trap: Multiple Meanings

  • 5 Types of Context Clues

  • Key Vocabulary Strategies

  • Commonly Confused Words

  • PSLE Vocabulary Word Bank

  • Cloze Passage Strategy

  • 6-Step Approach to Cloze Passages

  • Grammar Cloze vs Vocabulary Cloze

  • Practice Cloze Passage

  • Common Idioms and Phrases in PSLE

  • Word Families: Learn Multiple Forms at Once

  • Grammar Cloze Tip: Identify the Part of Speech Needed

  • Commonly Tested Phrasal Verbs

  • Build Vocabulary Through Reading

Read the full chapter free

The rest of this chapter is for signed-in students and parents. It takes 30 seconds.

Sign up FREE to keep reading→
Read every chapter of every study guide
Save your progress and XP
Free account, no credit card needed
Already have an account? Sign In