• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Multiple-meaning words: 'most nearly means' in context; Academic vocabulary in context (SAT/ACT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Is the proposed answer correct? The museum's director RETIRED the old exhibit to make room for new work. → withdrew from use (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: The most common meaning of the word is often a trap. Read the whole sentence.
2. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? Her argument was ___ by the data she presented, which clearly supported each claim. (strengthened) (weakened / delayed / bolstered / ignored) → bolsteredPrompt: Read the whole sentence. What does the gap need to mean? (A clue is given in brackets.)
3. As used in the sentence, the word in capitals most nearly means: The film's ending was STRIKING in its simplicity. (protesting / hitting / remarkable / violent) → remarkablePrompt: The most common meaning of the word is often a trap. Read the whole sentence.

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: High-utility SAT words (set A): corroborate, mitigate, pragmatic…. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which word matches this description? having mixed or contradictory feelings about something
• Step 1: High-utility academic words appear across SAT texts in science, history and literature.
• Step 2: ambivalent: having mixed or contradictory feelings about something
• Step 3: So the answer is: ambivalent
• Answer: ambivalent
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which word matches this description? to make a problem worse (inadvertent / exacerbate / ubiquitous / superfluous) → exacerbatePrompt: Do you know a related word or root? (corroborate ~ robust; mitigate ~ make milder)
2. Type the word (in English) that matches this description. found everywhere → ubiquitousPrompt: Do you know a related word or root? (corroborate ~ robust; mitigate ~ make milder)

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which word matches this description? more than is needed; unnecessary (disparate / tentative / superfluous / discern) → superfluousPrompt: Do you know a related word or root? (corroborate ~ robust; mitigate ~ make milder)
2. Type the word (in English) that matches this description. powerfully convincing or attention-grabbing → compellingPrompt: Do you know a related word or root? (corroborate ~ robust; mitigate ~ make milder)

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.