What is meant by a "contextual vocabulary" question?

A "contextual vocabulary" question focuses on understanding a word's meaning based on the context in which it is used. This type of question requires the reader to infer the meaning from a sentence or passage, which often provides clues through surrounding words or the overall theme. By determining the meaning in context, one can grasp how the word functions within the text, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the material.

In contrast, questions about a word's origin center on etymology, which is not relevant to understanding its contextual use. Queries about antonyms test knowledge of opposing words, rather than gauging comprehension of meaning in context. Similarly, questions related to spelling focus on how a word is written, which does not provide insight into its meaning within a specific context. Therefore, the emphasis on understanding meaning through context is what distinctly characterizes a contextual vocabulary question.