SSAT Elementary Level Reading

A friendly introduction to reading comprehension skills for the SSAT Elementary Level.

Basic Concepts

Understanding Vocabulary in Context

What Does 'In Context' Mean?

Sometimes you see a word you don’t know. You can often figure it out by looking at the words around it. This is called using context clues.

Types of Context Clues

  • Definition Clues: Sometimes the meaning is explained right in the sentence.
  • Example Clues: Examples can help you guess the meaning.
  • Restatement Clues: The word is said again in a different way.

Why Vocabulary Matters

Knowing how to figure out new words makes you a stronger reader. This is super helpful on the SSAT!

Real-World Use

You’ll use context clues every time you read instructions, signs, or even when you hear new words on TV.

Examples

  • ‘The arboretum, a place where many trees are grown, was beautiful in spring.’ You can tell 'arboretum' means a place with trees.

  • ‘She was famished after playing soccer, so she ate a big snack.’ ‘Famished’ must mean really hungry.

In a Nutshell

You can figure out new words by looking at the words and sentences around them.

Key Terms

Context
The words and sentences around a word.
Vocabulary
The words we know and use.