Vocabulary in Context
These questions ask what a word means as it is used in a specific sentence, a hallmark of the Digital SAT's 'words in context' items. The surrounding sentence, not a memorized definition alone, points to the answer. Precise reading beats guessing based on how a word sounds.
Let the Sentence Define the Word
Use nearby clues to decide the intended meaning, since many words carry more than one sense. A reply described as 'just two words' signals that 'terse' means brief. Test your choice by substituting it back into the sentence to confirm it fits.
Rule Out Opposites and Distractors
Wrong choices often include an antonym or a word that fits the topic but not the meaning. If a wetland has shrunk 'to a fraction of its former size,' choices like 'expanded' can be eliminated at once. Narrow the field before selecting the best fit.