Use context clues (definition, example, contrast, restatement) to infer meaning.

Context clues come in four main forms. A definition clue directly tells you what the word means, often after a dash, colon, or phrases like "meaning" or "that is." A restatement clue says the same idea in different words nearby. A contrast clue uses signal words like "unlike," "but," "however," or "rather than" to point you toward the opposite of something stated. An example clue lists specifics that illustrate the broader concept the blank represents.

Once you train yourself to spot these patterns, many questions become almost mechanical: find the clue, identify its type, and match the answer to it. The SAT will usually provide at least one strong clue per passage — and often two. When you see a contrast word, think "opposite." When you see a colon followed by specifics, think "definition or example."