Unit Three: Pages 45-76
Learning the Vocabulary of English
WORD FORMATION: Learning the use and meaning of words in English can be made easier, and even enjoyable, if you understand something about one way in which many English words are formed.
The stem of a word is its basic form, the fundamental element which is common to all the other forms of the word. A prefix is a form which is fixed to the beginning of a stem; a suffix is a form which is fixed to the end of a stem.
A prefix usually changes the meaning of a ward, while a suffix usually changes its part of speech.
WORD STEMS: Prefixes and suffixes are added to word stems. Sometimes a word stem can be used by itself, such as the word act or form. Most often a word stem can be used only in combination with a prefix or a suffix. Most word stems in English come from Latin and Greek. If you learn the most common of these, you will be able to analyze the meaning of many words without having to look them up in a dictionary.
GUESSING MEANING FROM CONTEXT: There are three possible ways to learn the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
1- One way is to interrupt your reading immediately and look up the word in a dictionary. This is the safest way. But this would be tiring and time-consuming.
2- Using what you know of word stems and word formation, you Context can make an intelligent guess at the meaning of a new word. Frequently this will be sufficient if you are reading fiction and do not have to understand a precise or technical meaning. Word stems, prefixes, and suffixes are like master keys. A few of them will open the doors to many meanings.
3- Another way of guessing the meaning of a word is by looking carefully at its context. Words have meaning in relation to other words and the situation in which they are used.
RECORDING THE MEANING OF WORDS: If you really want to increase your vocabulary, you will need some system of recording new words and their meanings. You will also have to review the new words regularly. There are three ways:
1. Write the new word on any convenient scrap of paper. This is not recommended. You will either lose the paper or have untidy piles of paper scattered in various places.
2. The best method is to use file cards. This is also the most difficult method because it requires continuous neatness and order. Follow these directions:
b. Write each new word you want to learn on a separate card. (Neatly, in large letters, in the upper left-hand corner of the card)
c. On the same side of the card, copy from your dictionary the word’s pronunciation, including stress marks. Also copy and label other parts of speech of the word.
d. On the opposite side of the card, write the definition (in English). Then write the sentence in which you read or heard the word.
e. Arrange your cards in alphabetical order.
f. Review regularly. Look at the word side of each card. Pronounce the word. Recite its meaning to yourself, in English. Turn the card over to check if you are right. If so, read the sentence. Try to think of another sentence or situation in which the same meaning might he used.
g. If you do nut remember the correct meaning of the word, put a small check mark on the word side of the card.
h. As you add new words to your vocabulary record, regularly review the old ones.
3. Another method is to use a notebook. It helps to rule the page three columns, the widest being at the right:
a. In the left column, print the word neatly. Copy from your dictionary the pronunciation, including stress marks. Also copy and label other parts of speech.
b. In the middle column, write the definition (in English).
c. In the right column, write the sentence in which you read or heard the word.
d. You may wish to arrange words in a roughly alphabetical way, or you may wish to group words according to the subject in which they are commonly used.
e. Review regularly. Cover the definitions and sentences with a piece of paper. Look only at the word at the left, pronounce it. Define it in English. Slide the paper over so that the definition can be seen. If you are right, uncover and read the sentence. Think of other sentences or situations in which the same meaning might be used.
f. If you do not remember the correct meaning of the word, put a small check mark next to the word in the left column. Do this each time you do not know the meaning. This check reminds you that you must make an extra effort to learn this word.
FIXING THE MEANING OF WORDS: Here are some suggestions for fixing a word in your mind:
When you look up a word in your dictionary, then copy it onto a card or into your notebook, notice the spelling carefully. Spell it aloud. Underline unexpected spelling.
As you copy the pronunciation of the word, pronounce it aloud. Be sure you use the correct stress.
Look at other forms of the word that your dictionary lists.
Notice the context in which you have read or heard the word.
Copy the one definition that best fits the meaning of the context.
Make up or copy a defining sentence.
It may help fix the word in your mind to look at the etymology of the word.
Review your vocabulary record regularly. Set aside five minutes of your study time to go through 25 words. More important try to use the new words when you speak and write.
علم انسان شناسى= Anthropology, 62
ترتیب وقوع ،ترتیب زمانى وقوع Chronological, p.63=
راهنما،اثر،نشان ،مدرک =Clue, 71
همدردى ،تسلیت ،اظهار تاسف =Condolences, 70
نتیجه منطقى ،اثر،برامد =Consequence, 64
مخالف ،تناقض ،مغایرت =Contradiction, 60
گردامدن ،دورهم جمع شدن ،جمع کردن=Convene, 62
تبعید کردن ،حمل ،اخراجDeport, 63=
فرمان ،حکم ،قانون=Edict, 60
بیرون کشیدن، استخراجExtract, 61=
غیرمعقول ،عجیب ،غریب=Extravagant, 66
تصور،افسانه ،قصه= Fiction, 65
قبلا تهیه دیدن ،پیش بینى کردن ،از پیش دانستن=Foresee, 65
فرمول بندى کردن ،تنظیم کردن=Formulate, 60
شکیبایى ،بردبارى ،ثباتFortitude, 60=
ابتدایى ،پایه اى ،اصولى ،اساسى=Fundamental, 46
مغرور،باددرسر،متکبر،والا=H aughty, 66
اتفاق ،در معرض مخاطره قرار دادن=Hazard, 72
غیر قابل درکImperceptible, 71=
شجاع ،بى باک=Intrepid, 72
حرکت دادن یا حرکت کردن ،حرکت جنگى=Maneuver, 61
رئیسه خانواده ،مادر=Matriarch, 65
واسطه ،میانجى ،دلال=Mediator, 61
حد وسط،متوسطMediocre, 61=
وابسته به پیاده روى ،مبتذل ،بیروح=Pedestrian, 69
مختصر،مفید،جامع ،صریح= Precise, 65
پیش بینى ،پیشگویى=Prediction, 60
سبب ،محرک ،برانگیزنده= Provocative, 62
الغاء کردن ،منقبض کردن ،جمع شدن=Retract, 62
مکفى ،بس ،بسنده ،کافى=Sufficient, 65
تغییر شکل یافتن ،تغییر شکل دادن=Transform, 60
ى نظیر،یکتا،یگانهUnique, 73=
کار،شغل ،کسب ،صداVocation, 61
gathered by F. Farshchian