Chapter 4 – Improving Vocabulary

Opening Activity Make a quick list of five words you have heard or read recently that you do not know the meanings of. How can you find out the meanings of these words? What are the quickest and easiest ways? Now, look up the meanings of the words and try to use them in your own speaking or writing. This will be the start of your vocabulary notebook!

Learning Outcomes By the time you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to: LO1 Build your vocabulary. LO2 Study new words. LO3 Use a dictionary. LO4 Use context clues. LO5 Understand word parts.

Building Your Vocabulary Building your vocabulary is one of the most important things you can do to improve your ability to learn and succeed. Follow these guidelines to learn new words: Become a regular reader. include fig 4.1 here Keep a vocabulary notebook. Learn new words on your own. Understand how words come into our language. Know how to unlock meanings of new words.

Studying New Words To study new words, you should do the following: Keep a vocabulary notebook. Use words from notebook in a real-world context. Quiz yourself on new words. Illustrate or group words to help memory.

Using a Dictionary The dictionary is the primary reference tool for vocabulary building. Information you can find in a dictionary: Spelling Meanings Capitalization Special uses Pronunciation & Syllabication Synonyms Parts of speech Etymology Related forms Illustrations & Photographs

Using Context Clues Using context clues when reading means that you are using the words and ideas surrounding a particular word to figure out its meaning. Context clues help you to avoid skipping over difficult words, which causes you to miss information. Context clues also help you avoid constantly looking at the dictionary, which slows down your reading process.

Using Context Clues Types of Context Clues Cause-Effect Relationships Definitions in the Text Comparisons and Contrasts Words in a Series Synonyms Antonyms The Tone of the Text

Understanding Word Parts By studying the structure of a new word, you can understand its meaning. Base words – can stand alone; sometimes called roots Roots – the starting point for larger words Prefixes – come before base words and roots to form new words Suffixes – come after base words and roots to form new words For example, the word immutable combines: the prefix im, meaning not the root mut, meaning change the suffix able, meaning ability So immutable means “not capable of change.”

Closing Activity Look at the sentences below, and use context clues to define each of the italicized words. Disappointed and demoralized by the low grade, the student lacked his previous enthusiasm for chemistry, and instead, exhibited only apathy during lectures and lab. Definition: Type of context clue: His friends grew increasingly concerned when Charles began to engage in erratic, unpredictable behavior. In order to avert disaster, the motorist swerved off the road, barely missing the startled deer standing up ahead.