<p>I am really bad at those questions. Like if it is 3 to 5 level question, I'll get it wrong. What are some tips on getting it right? I always narrow to the last two questions.. But pick the wrong choice :(</p>
<p>Just memorize all 400 words of Direct Hits. It’s that simple.</p>
<p>Well it’s not like the word choices I don’t understand. I’m always debating between two perfectly great answers (like for example: model OR figure)</p>
<p>That sort of thing… It really has nothing to do with vocabulary… At least I don’t think so O_O</p>
<p>I have the same problem! I wish someone could reveal me the secret how to discern the better choice of the two.</p>
<p>Yeah, I have trouble too. Sometimes it’s idiom. Increasingly, I’ve just been noticing that if I completely forget about what the current word means and do it like a sentence completion, it works best. Most of the words that fit the meaning of the actual word are tricks. Also, there has to be something in the text that supports one answer of the other.</p>
<p>@kimmylouie, for example, model and figure mean two distinctly different things. A model is a 3d representation of something and a figure is generally a representative object. For something to be a model, they would have had to explain somewhere that it’s a 3d representation. And then a figure could just be a drawing or something. Idk, that problem doesn’t make too much sense.</p>
<p>Tip 1. Substitute each answer choice into the text:</p>
<p>Extremely basic example: In the summer of 1967, Warhol asked his agent to book him on a tour of Western colleges, including the University of Oregon. He planned to speak to the students about the plot development in his underground films. </p>
<p>In line 1, “book” most nearly means</p>
<p>(A) dash “asked his agent to dash him on a tour”
(B) teach “asked his agent to teach him on a tour”<br>
(C) read “asked his agent to read him on a tour”
(D) arrest “asked his agent to arrest him on a tour”<br>
(E) schedule “asked his agent to schedule him on a tour” YES</p>
<p>Tip 2: Look for synonyns for the word in question in the surrounding text:</p>
<p>Example: The most famous psychologists of the 20th century had varying views of insanity. Carl Jung was of the persuasion that every human being had a story; when this story was rejected or denied by others, derangement was the result. This theory was widely contended by others, who instead believed that such mental illness was genetic.</p>
<ol>
<li> In line 2, “persuasion” is best understood to mean</li>
</ol>
<p>(A) coercion<br>
(B) belief<br>
(C) power
(D) attraction<br>
(E) science</p>
<p>The word “theory” gives away the answer: belief</p>
<p>Tip 3: For questions with common words, do not expect the most common definition to be the answer.</p>
<p>Example: Members of the CB radio club are required to choose a handle that best describes their interests. Linda is “Lady Luck” and Tony goes by “Fish Bait.” I struggled with the task, however, unsure of how to address my fascination with insects and spiders, until… </p>
<ol>
<li> In context, “handle” (line 2) most nearly means</li>
</ol>
<p>(A) knob<br>
(B) manager<br>
(C) nickname
(D) wager<br>
(E) situation</p>
<p>Eliminate “knob” because that’s the most common definition of “handle.” The answer is (C). Note that questions with hard-level vocabulary words will usually use the most common definition, and the best way to solve these is with Tip 2.</p>
<p>Don’t look at the answers at first. Read the question, think of a good word to go in the blank, and then see if there is a synonym in the answer choices. Just something to try, although your problem is very frustrating.</p>