1.6 Vocabulary - Contextual Meaning of Words

 Contextual Meaning of Words

The word 'contextual' means depending on the context , i.e. The surrounding words, phrases and paragraph of the writing.

Most words and expressions have more than one meaning. contexts such words are called Homonyms.

1. We went to the yearly fair and had a wonderful time. ( Fair - funfair ) 2. Is it fair that she gets the best of everything? ( Fair - right or just ) 3. The day was fair, so we went for a picnic. ( Fair - clear, without rain cloud aur snow) 4. She was a pretty girl with a fair complexion. ( Fair light - light coloured skin)

e.g. Fair

Sometimes expressions too can have different meanings for what the individual word imply. These are called Idioms.

e.g.

At a stone ' s throw

His house was at a stone's throw from his office. ( It means his house was at a short distance from his office; not that one could throw a stone

---

1. Choose the contextual meaning of the underlined word:

Please pack some warm clothes for your forthcoming trip.

(1) to wind up or complete something

(2) fill a bag with clothes and other items

(3) something you carry on your back

(4) a group of wolves

Explanation : In this context, where travel is mentioned, 'pack' means to fill a bag with clothes, etc. Hence option (2) is the answer.

2. Choose the contextual meaning of the underlined expression:

I will fight tooth and nail if they try to take my ideas.

(1) bite and scratch

(2) injure their teeth and nails

(3) with every available means

(4) fight with the teeth and nails

Explanation: In the context, the correct option is 3. Hence option (3) is the answer

3. Fill in the blank with the correct contextual meaning:

A thief----------the house last night.

(1) broke up (2) broke into (3) broke down (4) bring up

  4. Write the contextual meaning of the underlined words : (2017)

She looked at the pearls and immediately said that they were not real.

(1) to continue (2) to examine carefully (3) to seek information (4) to come to an end

  5. Choose one alternative for the following: (2018)

Raman was illiterate. He did not get a good job. It became very difficult for him to make both ends meet.

(1) to live within one's income

(2) to live with family

(3) to live with friends

(4) to live without income