A word’s meaning in a passage is the one that fits its sentence. To explain it, say what it means here, then show the clue that proves it.
This lesson is part of modern-text comprehension. It prepares you for questions like the ones in explaining figurative expressions.
What is the method?
- Locate the word and read the whole sentence.
- Read one sentence before and after for clues about mood or action.
- Replace the word with a simple equivalent and test.
- Write the meaning and the clue, in one or two sentences.
Worked example: one word, two meanings
Take the word “沉重”.
Sentence A: “背着一袋米走上三楼，阿伯的脚步越来越沉重。”
Sentence B: “得知工厂要关闭，大家的心情变得沉重。”
In sentence A, the clue is “背着一袋米走上三楼”. “沉重” means heavy and slow, because of the load and tiredness. In sentence B, the clue is “得知工厂要关闭”, so “沉重” means sad and weighed down, because bad news can make the heart feel heavy.
The replace-and-test check works for both. In A, “脚步越来越慢” fits. In B, “心情变得低落” fits. Swap them and both sound wrong.
Model answer for B: “‘沉重’在这里指心情低落、难过，因为大家得知工厂要关闭，前途不明。”
A phrase example
“雨下了一整天，大家的兴致都打了折扣。”
Question: 解释“打了折扣”。
The phrase normally belongs to shopping, but here it means reduced. The clue is “雨下了一整天”, which explains why the excitement dropped. Model answer: “‘打了折扣’指兴致减少了，因为雨下了一整天，大家不能尽情玩乐。”
The mistake that costs marks
The slip is copying a dictionary entry or explaining the whole sentence.
| Answer | Problem |
|---|---|
| “‘打了折扣’就是价格变便宜。” | Wrong sense for this sentence. |
| “雨下了一整天，大家都不开心。” | Retells the sentence without explaining the phrase. |
| “指兴致减少，因为下了一整天的雨。” | Meaning in context, with the clue. |
If two meanings both seem possible, choose the one that matches the clue and the mood of the nearby sentences.
Check yourself
“听到弟弟要搬家的消息，小美的笑容凝住了。”
Explain “凝住” in context.
Answer
“凝住” means stopped suddenly and stayed fixed. The clue is “听到弟弟要搬家的消息”, which shows the news surprised or saddened her, so her smile stopped at once.
A model answer: “‘凝住’指笑容突然停住、僵在脸上，因为小美听到弟弟要搬家的消息，感到意外和难过。”
Replace-and-test: “笑容突然停住了” fits the sentence. “笑容冻成冰” would be a literal reading and does not fit, because the passage is not about temperature.
What to study next
Move on to writing short, exact answers in answering concise questions without copying irrelevant sentences. To try new words in your own writing, the Chinese composition structure planner gives you a frame. Log misses with the mistake log and paper-error review.
To practise word meanings with a teacher, see online one-to-one Chinese tuition.