In the Reading section, how should one approach unfamiliar vocabulary?

Using context clues to infer the meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary is an effective strategy because it allows readers to make educated guesses about the words based on the surrounding text. This approach encourages active engagement with the material and helps develop comprehension skills. By analyzing the sentence structure, tone, and other words or phrases around the unfamiliar term, readers can often deduce its meaning without needing to rely heavily on external resources like dictionaries. This skill is particularly useful in timed environments, such as tests, where looking up each word can consume valuable time.

Additionally, inferring meanings using context not only aids in understanding the specific text at hand but also enhances vocabulary skills overall. By encountering unfamiliar words in context and learning to deduce their meanings from the situation in which they are used, readers can improve their ability to interpret new words in the future.

While the other approaches—ignoring unfamiliar words, asking the teacher, or looking them up—also have their merits, relying on context clues actively engages readers in the process of understanding language and promotes a more independent approach to learning.