Determine the meaning of a word/phrase in context (including multiple-meaning words).
Core Idea
When a word has multiple dictionary meanings, the surrounding sentence narrows it to exactly one — read the full context before choosing, especially when the word looks familiar.
Understanding
Many common English words carry five, ten, or even twenty dictionary entries. "Run" can mean to jog, to manage, to flow, or to extend. "Table" can mean a piece of furniture or to postpone a discussion. The SAT uses this to its advantage: it will often test a secondary or less obvious meaning of a word you think you know well.
The fix is simple but requires discipline. Ignore what you think the word usually means and focus entirely on what the passage is saying. The clues are always there — in the sentence's logic, in the words around the blank, in what the next sentence follows up with. Plug each option into the blank, reread the full context, and choose the meaning that actually fits this particular passage.
Worked Example
Art historian Cynthia Ruiz argues that the Mexican muralist movement did not simply reflect political ideals — it actively __________ them. By placing massive paintings in public buildings rather than private galleries, artists like Diego Rivera ensured that revolutionary ideas reached ordinary citizens daily.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Select an answer to see the explanation