The Kaplan Method For Word Knowledge Questions

Learning Objectives

In this section, you’ll learn to:

• apply the Kaplan Method for Word Knowledge questions
• paraphrase the meaning of a word you are already familiar with

The sooner you learn and apply this method to your studies, the sooner it can help you conquer the WK subtest.

The Kaplan Method for Word Knowledge Questions

1. Step 1:Identify the word’s meaning, or apply decoding strategies to guess its meaning.
2. Step 2:Make a prediction.
3. Step 3:Look for your prediction among the answer choices, or strategically eliminate wrong answers.

Let’s see how you’d apply that to a question in which you know the meaning of the underlined word.

Question	Analysis
The unusually cold weather was an anomaly.	Step 1: Anomaly means “something unusual,” or “something that doesn’t seem to fit expectations.”
	Step 2: Make a prediction before looking at the choices: the answer choice will mean “out of the ordinary” or “unexpected.”
(A) oddity	Step 3: Correct. Oddity closely matches that prediction.
(B) ally	An ally is a friend. Incorrect.
(C) anonymity	Anonymity is the state of not being known. Incorrect.
(D) heat wave	A heat wave is not, by definition, out of the ordinary. Also, in the context of the sentence, a heat wave does not make sense. Incorrect.

Try one now on your own. Follow the method and try to make a prediction if you can.

1. Bob shows excellent judgment in his choice of friends.
   1. dispensation
   2. wisdom
   3. jurist
   4. ability

Explanation

Your prediction may have differed but should have resembled the following:

1. Step 1:Judgment, the way it’s used in this sentence, means “the ability to make good decisions.”
2. Step 2:The answer choice will mean something like “discernment,” or “good decision-making.”
3. Step 3:Only choice (B) matches that meaning: wisdom also means “the ability to make good decisions.”

You’ll notice that Step 2 requires coming up with your own paraphrase of what the answer choice will say. That can take some practice. So here’s a chance to try it on your own. Use the following list of common words to practice paraphrasing their meaning. If you don’t know what any of these words mean, first look them up in a dictionary and then write down a paraphrase in your own words. You can use casual language to describe them if you like; you don’t have to sound like a dictionary when you’re paraphrasing.

Word	Your Paraphrase
decision	__________________________________________
anxiety	__________________________________________
platform	__________________________________________
invention	__________________________________________
disgusting	__________________________________________

How easy did you find it to paraphrase the words’ meanings? It can take a while to get the hang of paraphrasing, even when you know what a word means, but it’s well worth it. Knowing what you’re looking for in the answer choices will help you zero in on the answer much more efficiently and accurately.

Your paraphrases may have varied; the following are sample answers using casual, everyday language:

Word	Your Paraphrase
decision	choice
anxiety	nervousness, fear
platform	basis, thing that something is built on
invention	something new, or a lie
disgusting	nauseating, stomach-turning

Of course, there will be times when you will not know the underlined word’s meaning. In those cases you’ll have to use decoding strategies or context to make a guess about it. Let’s begin with decoding strategies.