Context Clues
Hints in surrounding words or sentences that help readers determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
Context Clues
The manager asked employees to postpone the meeting because several workers were absent. The meeting would take place the following afternoon.
What does postpone mean?
Move to a later time
After working a twelve-hour shift without a break, the employee was fatigued. She struggled to concentrate and wanted to rest.
What does fatigued most likely mean?
Exhausted
Clue: Which revision is the MOST concise?
Original: "At this particular point in time, the office is currently closed."
A. "At this time, the office is currently closed."
B. "The office is closed at this particular time."
C. "The office is currently closed."
D. "The office is not open at this point in time."
C. "The office is currently closed."
Clue: Which sentence is MOST appropriate for a workplace email?
A. "Hey, I need that stuff you were supposed to send."
B. "Can you hurry up and send me that thing?"
C. "You still haven't sent the documents I asked for."
D. "Could you please send the requested documents when you have a chance?"
D. "Could you please send the requested documents when you have a chance?"
Clue: The employee's instructions were ambiguous. Some workers believed they should submit their reports Friday, while others thought the deadline was Monday.
Which detail BEST supports the meaning of ambiguous?
A. The workers were submitting reports.
B. The assignment involved a deadline.
C. Employees interpreted the instructions differently.
D. The reports were due at the end of the week.
C. Employees interpreted the instructions differently.
The company needed to allocate its remaining supplies carefully. Each department received a specific amount based on its needs.
What does allocate mean?
Distribute for a particular purpose
The manager was reluctant to approve the employee's request for time off. She wanted to help but worried the store would be understaffed.
What can you infer about the manager?
C. She is hesitant because of possible consequences.
Clue: Which sentence BEST eliminates unnecessary wording?
Original: "The supervisor made the decision to cancel the meeting because of the fact that several employees were absent."
A. "The supervisor made a decision about the meeting because employees were absent."
B. "The supervisor canceled the meeting because several employees were absent."
C. "The meeting was canceled due to the fact that employees were absent."
D. "Because employees were absent, the supervisor made the decision to cancel."
B. "The supervisor canceled the meeting because several employees were absent."
Clue: An employee writes, "I can't come in tomorrow because I have stuff to do."
Which revision BEST improves the professional tone without adding information?
A. "I will be unable to report to work tomorrow due to a personal obligation."
B. "I'm not coming tomorrow because something important came up."
C. "I won't be at work tomorrow, so you'll need to find someone else."
D. "I cannot work tomorrow because I have several appointments scheduled."
A. "I will be unable to report to work tomorrow due to a personal obligation."
Unlike the temporary employee who would leave after two weeks, Marcus had a permanent position at the company.
Which detail BEST helps the reader understand the meaning of temporary?
A. Marcus worked for the company.
B. The employee had a position at the company.
C. Marcus and the employee had different jobs.
D. Marcus had a permanent position.
D. Marcus had a permanent position.
Clue: The supervisor asked employees to be punctual. Everyone was expected to arrive at exactly 8:00 a.m., not a minute later.
What does punctual mean?
On time
During the inspection, the supervisor was meticulous. She examined every piece of equipment, recorded small defects, and reviewed each safety checklist twice.
Which action BEST demonstrates the same quality?
A. Completing the inspection as quickly as possible
B. Checking each item carefully for even minor problems
C. Asking someone else to complete the inspection
D. Inspecting only equipment that appears damaged
B. Checking each item carefully for even minor problems
Clue: Which revision is the clearest and MOST concise while preserving the original meaning?
Original: "Employees are required to submit their completed timesheets no later than the end of the workday on Friday."
A. "Employees should submit timesheets sometime Friday."
B. "Timesheets must be completed during the week."
C. "Employees are required to turn in paperwork by Friday."
D. "Employees must submit completed timesheets by the end of Friday's workday."
D. "Employees must submit completed timesheets by the end of Friday's workday."
Clue: A supervisor needs employees to submit updated schedules by Thursday at noon.
Which message communicates the instructions MOST effectively?
A. "Everyone needs to get their schedules in soon."
B. "Please submit your updated schedules by noon on Thursday."
C. "Updated schedules are important and should be submitted."
D. "Make sure your schedules are ready sometime this week."
B. "Please submit your updated schedules by noon on Thursday."
The manager asked employees to verify the information on the forms. Before submitting them, workers checked names, dates, and addresses for accuracy.
Which detail BEST supports the meaning of verify?
A. Workers checked names, dates, and addresses for accuracy.
B. The manager gave instructions to employees.
C. Employees completed forms before submitting them.
D. The forms contained personal information.
A. Workers checked names, dates, and addresses for accuracy.
The supervisor wanted to streamline the inventory process. Previously, workers completed three separate forms, but the new system combined them into one digital document.
Which workplace action BEST demonstrates streamlining?
Combining repeated steps to make a task more efficient
The employee's explanation was plausible. Although the supervisor could not immediately confirm the details, the explanation matched the available evidence and seemed reasonable.
What does plausible most likely mean?
D. Believable or reasonable
Which revision BEST improves clarity and conciseness without removing important information?
Original: "Due to the fact that the computer system was experiencing technical difficulties, employees were unable to access the customer records during the morning shift."
A. "Because of technical problems, employees could not access customer records during the morning shift."
B. "The computer system experienced some problems."
C. "Employees could not access records because of problems."
D. "Due to computer difficulties, records were unavailable."
A. "Because of technical problems, employees could not access customer records during the morning shift."
Clue: An employee writes, "The equipment is broken, and nobody ever fixes anything around here."
Which revision BEST maintains a professional tone while clearly communicating the concern?
A. "The equipment is broken because maintenance never does its job."
B. "I am disappointed that the equipment is still broken."
C. "The equipment remains out of service and requires maintenance before it can be used."
D. "Someone needs to fix the equipment because this is becoming ridiculous."
C. "The equipment remains out of service and requires maintenance before it can be used."
The supervisor was apprehensive about introducing the new scheduling system. Although it promised to save time, previous technology changes had caused confusion, and she worried employees might struggle to adjust.
Which detail provides the STRONGEST evidence for the meaning of apprehensive?
A. The new scheduling system promised to save time.
B. She worried employees might struggle to adjust.
C. The company was introducing new technology.
D. The scheduling system would change daily operations.
B. She worried employees might struggle to adjust.
Clue: After reviewing the financial report, the manager determined that expanding the business was not feasible. The company lacked the necessary funding and could not afford additional employees.
Which sentence uses feasible in the SAME way?
A. The employee was feasible because she completed every task.
B. The instructions were feasible because they were difficult to understand.
C. The supervisor was feasible about changing the schedule.
D. The renovation was feasible because the company had enough money and time.
D. The renovation was feasible because the company had enough money and time.
Clue: The company introduced a new policy to reduce workplace accidents. Initially, some employees were skeptical, arguing that the changes would slow production. However, after accident rates decreased and productivity remained steady, several workers acknowledged the policy's benefits.
What can be inferred about the employees' original attitudes?
A. They doubted the policy would be beneficial.
B. They believed the policy was already successful.
C. They did not understand the policy's requirements.
D. They wanted to eliminate all safety procedures.
A. They doubted the policy would be beneficial.
Clue: Which revision BEST improves the sentence while preserving the cause, action, and deadline?
Original: "In the event that employees discover any discrepancies in the inventory records, they are required to notify the supervisor immediately so that the issue can be resolved before the final report is submitted on Friday."
A. "Employees should report inventory problems before Friday."
B. "Employees must notify the supervisor of inventory problems."
C. "If employees find inventory discrepancies, they must immediately notify the supervisor so the issue can be resolved before Friday's final report."
D. "Before submitting the report Friday, employees should check inventory records and contact their supervisor."
C. "If employees find inventory discrepancies, they must immediately notify the supervisor so the issue can be resolved before Friday's final report."
Clue: A supervisor writes:
"Due to the fact that several employees have not yet completed the required safety training, we are going to need everyone who has not finished it to make sure they complete the training before they are permitted to operate the equipment."
Which revision is the MOST effective?
A. "Employees who have not completed safety training must do so before operating the equipment."
B. "Employees should complete safety training because it is important."
C. "Safety training needs to be completed by employees as soon as possible."
D. "Anyone operating equipment should consider completing the safety training first."
A. "Employees who have not completed safety training must do so before operating the equipment."