Free Year 3 Vocabulary in context — word meanin... Practice | Skillo

Year 3 students sitting their first NAPLAN need to be confident with vocabulary in context — word meaning. Extend topic-specific and technical vocabulary and know that words can have different meanings in different contexts. Skillo has targeted practice questions for this exact skill, mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0, free and ready to go.

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What is tested: Vocabulary in context — word meaning

✓Extend topic-specific and technical vocabulary and know that words can have different meanings in different contexts.
✓Questions are based on original Australian passages
✓Text types include narrative, informative and persuasive

Sample questions

Question 1 — Easy

The scientist asked Priya to record the temperature of the water every hour. In this sentence, what does the word 'record' mean?

A) A disc used to play music

B) To write down or note information

C) The highest score ever achieved

D) To perform in front of an audience

Answer: In this scientific context, 'record' means to write down or note information, as Priya is monitoring temperature over time. Option A refers to a physical music disc, which does not fit a scientific measurement context. Option C refers to a record as a top achievement, and Option D relates to performing, neither of which is relevant here.

Question 2 — Medium

Read these two sentences. Sentence 1: The old bridge could no longer bear the weight of heavy trucks. Sentence 2: Kofi spotted a bear sleeping near the campsite. Which statement best explains how the word 'bear' is used differently across these two sentences?

A) In Sentence 1, 'bear' is an animal; in Sentence 2, 'bear' means to support a load.

B) In Sentence 1, 'bear' means to support or carry; in Sentence 2, 'bear' refers to an animal.

C) In both sentences, 'bear' means the same thing because it is spelled the same way.

D) In Sentence 1, 'bear' is a verb meaning to growl; in Sentence 2, 'bear' is a noun meaning a large mammal.

Answer: In Sentence 1, 'bear' is a verb meaning to support or carry a weight, which makes sense in the context of a bridge and heavy trucks. In Sentence 2, 'bear' is a noun referring to the large mammal spotted near a campsite. Option A reverses the two meanings. Option C incorrectly claims both uses are the same. Option D wrongly states that 'bear' in Sentence 1 means to growl.

Question 3 — Hard

The community garden project was in its final stage, and Anika's team needed to plant the seedlings in well-prepared beds. What does the word 'beds' mean in this sentence?

A) Furniture used for sleeping at night

B) Areas of soil prepared for growing plants

C) The flat bottom of a river or lake

D) Layers of rock found deep underground

Answer: Option B is correct — in a gardening context with seedlings, 'beds' means areas of soil prepared for growing plants. Option A (furniture for sleeping) is the most common meaning of 'beds' but doesn't fit a community garden.

How to use Skillo for Year 3 Reading

Select Year 3 and Reading on the home screen
Use Quick Practice — questions on vocabulary in context — word meaning will appear as part of the session
Check the Skill Breakdown on your profile to track your accuracy on vocabulary in context — word meaning specifically
Review explanations after each question to understand the reasoning behind correct answers

Skillo is free, requires no email or account details, and is built specifically for Australian students. Every question is mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0 and filtered by skill so your child practises exactly what they need.

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