How do you decide whether a word should enter the students’ active or passive vocabulary?

<p> We have to consider whether the word:<br> a) is essential for comprehension of context;<br> b) is commonly used;<br> c) is used in a wide variety of situations;<br> d) has more than one meaning (if so, which; if any, to teach).<br> If our answer to all these four questions is yes, then we have to make it enter the students&rsquo; active vocabulary.</p>