You can work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word from the sentence around it. Find the clues, propose a meaning, then replace the word to test it.
This lesson closes the skills in reading and evidence. Word choice is taught further in vocabulary and accuracy.
What clues should I look for?
There are three kinds of clue. A nearby phrase may restate the meaning in simpler words. A contrast word such as “ஆனால்” may signal the opposite. The situation itself, such as a surprise or a hardship, narrows the feeling or action.
Underline the clues before choosing a meaning. Choosing first and searching second leads to guesses.
Worked example: an unexpected gift
Here is an original passage.
எதிர்பாராத பரிசைப் பார்த்ததும் அவள் திகைத்து நின்றாள்; என்ன சொல்வதென்றே அவளுக்குத் தெரியவில்லை.
In English: On seeing the unexpected gift, she stood thikaithu; she did not even know what to say.
Question. What does திகைத்து mean here?
Clue 1. எதிர்பாராத means unexpected, so she was surprised.
Clue 2. என்ன சொல்வதென்றே தெரியவில்லை means she did not know what to say, so she was lost for words.
Meaning. திகைத்து means stunned or bewildered, so she stood still and speechless from surprise.
Test. Replace the word: “she stood stunned; she did not know what to say.” The sentence stays natural.
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is to pick a meaning that sounds familiar and ignore the clues. A student may write “கோபம்” (anger) because the word seems harsh.
| Meaning chosen | Clues used | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Angry | None; chosen by sound | Unsupported |
| Delighted | Gift is pleasant | Partly fits, but she cannot speak |
| Stunned, bewildered | Unexpected gift, cannot speak | Supported by both clues |
Anger does not fit, because a gift is not a reason for anger and nothing in the passage shows it. A meaning must pass the replacement test and agree with every clue.
Check yourself
Use the clues to explain the word வறண்டு.
கடுமையான வெயிலால் வயல் வறண்டு காய்ந்து கிடந்தது; பயிர்கள் வாடத் தொடங்கின.
In English: Because of the harsh sun, the field lay varandu and baked; the crops began to wilt.
Answer
வறண்டு means dry, without water.
Clue 1: கடுமையான வெயிலால் (because of harsh sun) gives the cause of dryness. Clue 2: காய்ந்து (baked) sits beside it, and பயிர்கள் வாட (crops wilt) shows the effect of too little water.
Replace the word: “the field lay dry and baked”. It fits.
What to study next
Put all four reading skills together in the reading and evidence practice set. To see how accurate word choice affects writing, go to vocabulary and accuracy.
If you want a teacher to watch your word-meaning routine, see online one-to-one SPM Bahasa Tamil tuition.