What is a good first step to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word in a passage?

• A. Use surrounding words and sentences to infer the word’s meaning, then confirm with a dictionary if needed.
• B. Look up every unfamiliar word in a dictionary before reading the sentence.
• C. Guess the meaning based on the number of syllables.
• D. Skip the word and continue.

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is using context clues to figure out an unfamiliar word. Start by examining the words around the term—look for explanations, examples, definitions, or contrasts in the same sentence or nearby sentences. These hints help you form a reasonable meaning without stopping your reading flow. If the passage still feels unclear, you can quickly check a dictionary to confirm the exact definition and note any nuances or common usage. This approach keeps you engaged with the text and builds your vocabulary over time. Relying on syllable counts isn’t reliable for meaning, and looking up every unfamiliar word or skipping it breaks comprehension, which is why using context first and then checking when needed is the best first step.