English · Language

Vocabulary in context 11+ practice

Work out a word’s precise meaning from its sentence and surrounding clues.

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The key idea

Understand the rule first

Read beyond the target word. Look for contrast, consequence, examples and tone, then replace the word with your proposed meaning and reread.

Worked example

‘Unlike the noisy market, the courtyard was tranquil.’ What does tranquil mean?

Unlike signals a contrast.
The market is noisy, so the courtyard is the opposite.
Tranquil therefore means calm and peaceful.

calm and peaceful

Watch for this

A common misconception

Choosing a familiar-looking option that is related to the topic but does not fit the sentence.

Reusable method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.

Question 1 of 10
Englishcore
‘Although the map looked ancient, its markings were still legible.’ What does legible mean?
- Aeasy to read
- Bbadly damaged
- Cvery colourful
- Dhistorically important
Need a hint?
What can still be done with the markings despite the map's age?
Show worked answer
Answer A: easy to read
Legible means clear enough to read.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 2 of 10
Englishcore
‘Ravi gave a concise reply, answering the question in only six words.’ What does concise mean?
- Auncertain
- Bbrief
- Crude
- Dwhispered
Need a hint?
The phrase after the comma gives an example of the word.
Show worked answer
Answer B: brief
A reply using only six words is brief and direct, so concise means brief.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 3 of 10
Englishcore
‘The puppy was wary of the unfamiliar gate and approached it one careful step at a time.’ What does wary mean?
- Aexcited
- Bconfused
- Ccautious
- Dangry
Need a hint?
Notice how the puppy approaches the gate.
Show worked answer
Answer C: cautious
Careful movement towards something unfamiliar shows caution, so wary means cautious.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 4 of 10
Englishexam-style
‘The first proposal was rejected, so the team devised an alternative plan.’ What does devised mean?
- Acopied
- Bforgot
- Ccreated
- Dcancelled
Need a hint?
What did the team need to do after the first plan failed?
Show worked answer
Answer C: created
They created another plan; devised means planned or invented.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 5 of 10
Englishexam-style
‘Mina’s explanation was plausible, but the teacher still checked the evidence.’ What does plausible mean?
- Abelievable
- Bproven false
- Cvery detailed
- Dcarelessly written
Need a hint?
The explanation is not proven, but it sounds as though it could be true.
Show worked answer
Answer A: believable
Plausible means reasonable or believable, though not necessarily proven.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 6 of 10
Englishcore
Which word is closest in meaning to ‘reluctant’?
- Aeager
- Bhesitant
- Ccareless
- Dcertain
Need a hint?
Think of someone unwilling to begin.
Show worked answer
Answer B: hesitant
Reluctant means unwilling or hesitant.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 7 of 10
Englishcore
In ‘The meticulous researcher checked every figure twice’, what does ‘meticulous’ mean?
- Aquick but inaccurate
- Beasily distracted
- Cextremely careful
- Dopenly doubtful
Need a hint?
Use the clue that every figure was checked twice.
Show worked answer
Answer C: extremely careful
Meticulous means very careful and precise.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 8 of 10
Englishcore
Which word is the best antonym of ‘scarce’?
- Arare
- Bhidden
- Ccostly
- Dabundant
Need a hint?
Scarce means in short supply.
Show worked answer
Answer D: abundant
Abundant means plentiful, the opposite of scarce.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 9 of 10
Englishexam
The path had ‘deteriorated’ after weeks of rain. Which replacement keeps the meaning?
- Aworsened
- Bwidened
- Cvanished
- Dbrightened
Need a hint?
Think about damage caused over time.
Show worked answer
Answer A: worsened
Deteriorated means became worse in condition, so ‘worsened’ is the precise replacement.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.
Question 10 of 10
Englishstretch
Which verb means ‘looked briefly’?
- Agazed
- Bglanced
- Cobserved
- Dexamined
Need a hint?
Choose the word that includes the idea of a short time.
Show worked answer
Answer B: glanced
‘Glanced’ means looked quickly or briefly; the other choices suggest longer attention.
Quick method: Replace the word with each option and reread the whole sentence.

Understand the rule first

‘Unlike the noisy market, the courtyard was tranquil.’ What does tranquil mean?

A common misconception

‘Although the map looked ancient, its markings were still legible.’ What does legible mean?

‘Ravi gave a concise reply, answering the question in only six words.’ What does concise mean?

‘The puppy was wary of the unfamiliar gate and approached it one careful step at a time.’ What does wary mean?

‘The first proposal was rejected, so the team devised an alternative plan.’ What does devised mean?

‘Mina’s explanation was plausible, but the teacher still checked the evidence.’ What does plausible mean?

Which word is closest in meaning to ‘reluctant’?

In ‘The meticulous researcher checked every figure twice’, what does ‘meticulous’ mean?

Which word is the best antonym of ‘scarce’?

The path had ‘deteriorated’ after weeks of rain. Which replacement keeps the meaning?

Which verb means ‘looked briefly’?

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