MEGA Elementary Education Multi-Content Practice Test

Which word-learning strategy would best support vocabulary development after reading about mammals in a science textbook?

1. Creating a semantic feature analysis

2. Applying contextual analysis in an expository text

3. Using structural analysis to infer word meanings

4. Researching new concepts using classroom resources

The correct answer is: Creating a semantic feature analysis

Creating a semantic feature analysis is an effective word-learning strategy that promotes vocabulary development, particularly after reading about a specific topic like mammals in a science textbook. This approach allows students to understand and organize relationships between words and their meanings by identifying key attributes and characteristics in a grid format. For instance, when studying mammals, students could list various mammals and their features, such as habitat, diet, and physical traits. This method not only helps students to learn new vocabulary related to the topic of mammals but also encourages deeper comprehension and enables them to see how different terms are interconnected. The other strategies, while beneficial in their own contexts, do not focus as directly on vocabulary development related to a specific subject matter. Applying contextual analysis would involve deducing meanings from the text's context, which is useful but less targeted than evaluating the specific features through a semantic analysis. Using structural analysis to infer word meanings would analyze word parts rather than contextual relevance, while researching new concepts could broaden understanding but may not specifically enhance vocabulary retention or understanding of the key terms encountered in their reading. Thus, creating a semantic feature analysis is particularly supportive of vocabulary development after using a science textbook.