Reading: Vocabulary in Context B2
Deducing Meaning of Less Common Vocabulary & Idioms
Listen to the reading passage here.
Before You Read 🧠
Key Concepts (Click 🔊)
This lesson is about becoming a "word detective." These are your tools.
How to Be a Word Detective 🕵️
At B2, you don't need a dictionary for every new word. You can use context clues. Here are the most common types:
The text shows the *opposite* of the word. Look for words like but, unlike, however, or while.
- "Sokha is garrulous, but his brother is quiet."
- ➡️ Deduction: `garrulous` must mean the opposite of quiet, so it means "talkative".
The whole situation gives you a "feeling" for the word's meaning.
- "The team was despondent; they sat with their heads in their hands and didn't speak after losing the final match."
- ➡️ Deduction: The situation is sad (losing, heads in hands). `Despondent` must mean "very sad" or "dejected".
The text gives examples that help you define the word. Look for such as, for instance, or including.
- "He was a true polyglot, speaking Khmer, English, French, and Chinese fluently."
- ➡️ Deduction: The examples are all languages. A `polyglot` must be "a person who speaks many languages."
You can't deduce the meaning from the *words* (e.g., "on the same page" is not about a book), but you can deduce the *intent* from the *situation*.
- "A: We need to finish this by Friday. B: Agreed. A: Good, we're on the same page."
- ➡️ Deduction: They both just agreed. "On the same page" must mean "in agreement" or "understanding each other."
Reading Practice Story
Read the story below. Pay attention to the bold words. Try to guess their meaning *before* you check the quiz or vocabulary list.
Sophea and Rithy were planning a trip to Mondulkiri. Sophea was meticulous; she had already created three spreadsheets, a budget, and a 10-page itinerary. Rithy, however, was the opposite. His only plan was to "see what happens."
"We need to book the guesthouse, Rithy," Sophea said, pointing to her list. "My interest in this trip is permanent, but your excitement seems ephemeral. Are you sure you want to go?"
Rithy laughed. "Of course! I just don't like planning. You book the guesthouse, I'll pay for the petrol. It's good that we're on the same page about the important things."
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Deduce the Meaning
Based on the reading passage, what is the most likely meaning of the bold words?
1. What does "meticulous" most likely mean?
2. What does "ephemeral" most likely mean?
3. What does the idiom "on the same page" mean?
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Meticulous
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
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Itinerary
A planned route or journey; a travel schedule.
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Ephemeral
Lasting for a very short time; short-lived.
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(to be) on the same page
To be in agreement or to have the same understanding about something.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
The "Dictionary Last" Challenge
This week, your mission is to practice being a word detective.
- Find an English news article or short story.
- As you read, find 3 words or idioms you do not know.
- Do not use a dictionary. First, write down your best guess for the meaning based *only* on the context clues (contrast, example, inference).
- After you have written your guess, you can check your answer with a dictionary. See how close you were!