Read the clues, not a word list.
Four words, one small story
Meet Meera on the morning of a community book fair. Use what she does to infer the words, then check the exact meaning.
1. Reluctant
Meera was reluctant to speak on stage. She knew her lines, but she hesitated and asked her friend to go first.
- Look for the clue: She hesitated and asked her friend to go first.
- reluctant: Unwilling or hesitant to do something.
- Reluctant ≠ unable. She knows the lines, but hesitates to speak.
2. Meticulous
Before the fair, she had been meticulous: she checked every book label twice and corrected even tiny mistakes.
- Look for the clue: She checked every label twice and corrected tiny mistakes.
- meticulous: Very careful and precise, with close attention to detail.
- Meticulous ≠ merely fast. The clue is care with details, not speed.
3. Scarce
At noon, drinking water became scarce: only two bottles remained for twenty volunteers.
- Look for the clue: Only two bottles remained for twenty volunteers.
- scarce: Available in amounts that are not enough for what is needed.
- Scarce ≠ completely absent. Some water remains, but not enough.
4. Resilient
A sudden shower spoiled their outdoor display. Meera proved resilient: she recovered from the setback, moved the books inside, and helped the fair continue.
- Look for the clue: She recovered from the setback and helped the fair continue.
- resilient: Able to recover after difficulties or setbacks.
- Resilient ≠ never upset. The key is recovering and adapting after a difficulty.
Action → clue → meaning
A context clue supports a likely meaning; it does not reveal every meaning of a word. Here we are learning the sense used in this story.
Five original practice checks
- In this story, reluctant most nearly means…
Show answer
Correct answer: B
Meera knows her lines but hesitates to speak. The clue shows reluctance, not inability.
- Which action best shows that Meera is meticulous?
Show answer
Correct answer: A
Checking every label twice shows close attention to detail.
- When water is scarce at the fair, what is true?
Show answer
Correct answer: C
Two bottles remain, so water is not absent; the supply is too small for twenty people.
- Which new situation best illustrates resilient?
Show answer
Correct answer: C
Resilience is recovering after a setback. It does not mean avoiding every problem.
- Choose the best word: An editor who checks every comma and date is ___.
Show answer
Correct answer: B
Careful checking of small details is meticulous work.
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