Use surrounding sentences to resolve ambiguity in meaning.
Use the sentences around a word to decide which meaning fits best.
Core Idea
When a word could mean more than one thing, the surrounding sentences break the tie. The active sense is the one that fits the clue before and after it.
Understanding
When two meanings seem possible, the surrounding sentences decide. Ambiguous words are easiest to miss when one familiar meaning jumps out first.
Look for before-and-after clues: modifiers, examples, contrast words, and follow-up details. The correct answer is the meaning that still fits the sentence, the next detail, and the paragraph logic at the same time.
Step by Step
- List the plausible meanings of the word before you choose.
- Use nearby details to eliminate the meanings that no longer fit the sentence.
- Keep the meaning that matches both the immediate clue and the paragraph's logic.
Misconceptions
- Choosing a familiar meaning without checking whether later details support it.
- Ignoring descriptive clues that quietly narrow the word's sense.
- Letting a vague impression of the paragraph replace close reading of the local context.
Worked Example
Excerpt: "At first glance the brochure seemed plain. But its narrow margins and stripped-down layout showed that every extra word had been cut away on purpose."
As used in the passage, plain most nearly means:
Select an answer to see the explanation