Choose the meaning a word or phrase has in this sentence.
Guide page10 of 10
A–D — Big idea
The question quotes a word or phrase from the passage and asks what it means in that specific context. The most familiar dictionary meaning is often a trap — the passage context decides.
How to identify this type
1
The stem quotes a specific word or phrase in quotation marks.
2
The question asks what the word 'most nearly means' or what the phrase 'refers to.'
3
Context (the surrounding sentences) will narrow the meaning.
Signal wording in question stems
In the context of the passage, 'X' most nearly means…The phrase '…' is used to mean…What does the author mean when they say '…'
PROVE for this question type
P — Passage only
The passage context is the only valid source. The dictionary is not.
R — Read the sentence before and after
The meaning is shaped by what comes immediately around the word.
O — Tone anchor
Decide whether the word is being used positively, negatively or neutrally — this narrows your options.
V — Swap each option
Replace the word with each option and check whether the sentence still makes sense logically and tonally.
E — Eliminate by tone or logic
If an option changes the tone or logic of the sentence, it is wrong.
Worked examples
Example 1Figurative vs literal
Passage
The inquiry cast light on the opaque practices that had developed over two decades. Several officials who had assumed their decisions would never be scrutinised were taken aback by the thoroughness of the investigation.
Question
In the context of the passage, 'cast light on' most nearly means:
A.physically illuminated
B.revealed or made clear✓ CORRECT
C.celebrated
D.questioned the legality of
Working through it
Read around the phrase
The inquiry 'cast light on opaque practices' — opaque means hidden or unclear.
Test A
'Physically illuminated' — literal interpretation of 'light.' Context is about uncovering hidden practices, not actual light.
Test B
'Revealed or made clear' — fits the idea of making opaque things visible.
Test C
'Celebrated' — the passage says officials were 'taken aback,' not that anything was praised.
Test D
'Questioned the legality' — the passage says nothing about legality.
Key evidence
“The inquiry cast light on the opaque practices that had developed over two decades.”
ANSWERB — revealed or made clear
Common trap here
Option A (physically illuminated) is the literal meaning of 'cast light.' In context it is always figurative.
Traps specific to this type
Familiar definition
The most common meaning of a word may be wrong in this specific context.
Ignoring figurative use
Words used metaphorically or idiomatically don't mean what they say literally.
Wrong tone
A replacement word with the right meaning but wrong emotion (sarcastic vs sincere) is still wrong.
Partial match
An option that matches one part of the phrase but not the whole surrounding meaning.
✓
Practice tip
The question quotes a word and asks what it most nearly means here. Remember the quick check: Context beats the most familiar dictionary meaning.