vocabulary (guessing word)
TRANSCRIPT
GUESSING WORD MEANINGS
When reading an article or textbook in English, many foreign students feel they must stop and look up
every unfamiliar word in a dictionary. This nray (perhaps) be a useful way of learning nerv words rvhett you are
studying lhe language, but it is ccrtainly not an efficient way of studying your own subject through the
language. Studcnis.forget that thcy oftcn meet strangc rvords when reading in their first language, but usually
continue reading successfully rvithout using a dictionary. There are several ways of doing the same thing in
English :
Using affixes to guess word meanings
Many English words arc made up of threc parts: prcfixes, stenrs and sufTixes. Prefixes are elenrents
which aro attaclrcd to thc bcginning of a word, or conlc bcforc (prc-) it. Exanrplcs arc {iorurs likc 6i- (nrcaning
'two' or 'twice') in words like biannual (nrcaniug 'trvicc a year' or 'cvery trvo years') or bilaleral (meaning
'having or involving tno sides, reciprocal, or involving trvo sides or parties equally'), and inler- (meaning
'beiween' or 'among') irr rvords hke interlay (nreaning 'to lay or put between or arnong') and inte rhde (nrcaning
'sonrething that fills tinre bctrvcen two evertts'). Stcms are the basic fomrs fronr which other rvords are
composed. Examples are mtt (nreaning 'send') urd iraci (,-r-,ea"-,ing 'pi,ill' or 'dra','.r). Thel, are used to make "vordslike ransmit, submit, lraction and retrpcl. Suffixes arc elcments rvhich are attached to the ends of stenls, orcomc afaer thenr. Exanrptes arc -er (mcaning 'thc person rt'ho') in s'ords like painter ('one who paints') and
miner (a pcrscn who rvorks in a mine digging coa[, gold, etc.') and -ize (meaning to be or make like') in rvordslike economize ('to be or nrake economical) and hypothesizc ('to make a hypothesis').
Prefixcs and suflixes are togctlrcr called afixes. Knorving the meaning of common stenrs and affixescan help you guess the meaning of unfarniliar rvords rvhcn you are rcading. We rvill look at stems in the nextsection. In this section rve rvill work on affxcs.
As rve said a nronrent ago, thcre arc trvo types of affrxcs - prcfixes and suffixes. Prefixes usuallyc!::::ge 3..,,n.r|'c rrreerrirro' qrFfixeq gencrallv alter the part of speech a rvord represents, e.g., rvhether it is a verb,a noun, an adjective or an adverb. Here are some exanrples of these processes:
PrcJixes ch u n gi n g meu n i n g
prefix
anti-
de-
trsuul nrcurtittg
against
lower, reduce,
reverse
baci, u,rong
not
escatttltlc
antinragtreticantisopticantithcsisdccarbonatedecrease
depopuiatemisbbhave
mismanagenrisundei:stand
una\vareunemplol,gdunqualified
ntcanutS
rcsistirtg uragnetism
stopping infectionco[trast of two ideas, tlrrrcriesrenlove carbon dioxide fromlessen, reduce
reduce populatiorubehave wrongly, inapp ropriatelynianage badly, dishonestlynris interpret, understand rvronglynot a\vare, not consciousnot used, not eniployedabsolute, without qualifi cations
mls-
Suf/ixes changing part of speech
examples
theorizeresuscitatcsatisfyslowlycontrivancccoincidence
suction
rvisdonrcomrnunismcapitalistresearcher
consciousucss
lcadershipmenrorabledivisibleeventfulcareless
eclectichistoricalreligiousreddish.. __ _-:-__-rusPunSrvu
part of speech
a. verb
b. adverbc- noun
d. adjective
suflix
-ize
-ate
-fy-ly-ance-ence
-tion
-donr
-isnr
-ist-er-noss
-ship-able
-ible-tu1
-less
-ic-ical-ious-ish-ivc
Suffixcs havo nrcaning, too, of coursc, as can bc sccn in tlrc list. Thus, cdihlc tllqtns'capablc of being
caten', acccssiblc mcans 'capablc of bcing rcachcd', and so on.
Recognizing affixes and knorving their usual nrcanings can bc valuable when you nreet ne\v sords. Ifyou camc across demystify, for cxanrplc, 1'ou miglrt analyzc it sorrrcthing like this. The nrysl looks like it conres'
from mystery. De- usuatly nlcans 'lo*cr' rcducc or rcvcrsc'. and the -f sholvs it is a verb. It must mean
something like'to take the m),ster),out ofl. You rvould be right. Also, you could quickly tell whether vour guess
rvas probably corrc,ct or not by sccirrg if it frttcd tlrc contcxt'
(Ise afftxcs lo guess vocubular-1'.
Studv the following lists of prefixes and strflfixes .
PREFIXES[;ra-, an-ab-, abs-ad-, ac-, ag-,
al-, an-, as-, at-arnbi-ante-anti-auto-bene-bi-
l\{eaningto,towardnot,without;away from
tobothbeforeagainstselfr.vell
two
Example
ashore, asideamoralabstraction
adhereambidextrousanteriorantisocialautomationbenefactorbiceps
,., :'' '
,com-,cor-cog-, col-, cor-ra-
er-ro-
rnal-meta-micro-
lnrono-rnulti-non-ob-, oc-, of-, ops-,
over-para-
Der-
downaround
together, withagainst
frompart, separatenotput intoout, frombeyondnotin,intobelowbeiween, amongintowithinbad
beyond
snrall
wrong()nc
rl)anynotagainst
surpassexcessive
beside
throughmanyafterbeforemore than
for-
back, againbackwardapartt ^lft tall
underovertogeiheracross
catastrophecircumvent
cognatecontraceptiondeferraldividedisillusionedenthralledextractextraterrestrialimpartialinvolvedinfraredinterfereintrsduceintramuralrnaladjustedmetaphysicsmicroscopemisdeedrnonogitnlyrnuititudenonentityobstructoutmaneuveroverconfidentparamedicI14rm6ai6
polyglotposthumouspremeditatedpreternaturalproceedregainretroactivesequentialsemicoion
submarine
lporv-
lno',-lpre-lpreter-lpro-
-, suc-, suf-,sug-, sup-, sur-
per-syn-, sym-, syl-, sys-rans-
superfluoussyrnboltransmuteultrasounduncertain
C
,9fi-ex-ra (o)-
tra- beyond
(
SUFFIXES
-gr,-or
Ithat forms a noun Meaning
state or qualityactivityresult of activityactionaction or process
agentstateresulting state
actioninstitutionrank, condition,domainaf[ected person
person concerned withdiminutiveperson who does
sornethinginhabitants, la.nguage
<temale forman amountstatuspertaining tonames
illlnessesclasses
ar-ts and sciences
namenames of elernentsnarres of substancesrnaterial made ofactivityresult of activitycondition or actiorrattitudeaciionconduct :
condition- -"member of a party
occupationa member of a cornmunitystate or conditionconditiondiminutivediminutiveresultslate or condition
accuracy, infancycourage
drainage
refusal, rivalassistance, dependencedisinfectant, dependentmagistrate
starvationexplorationorganizationkingdom
employee
volunteermaidenoxenastronorttcr.nL:-^^^
authoress, enchantresshandfulchildhoodPolynesian, republicandahlia, Australiaphobia,hysteriareptiliaIogic, nrusic,
aflthmetic, physics
orchid, oyranridchloride. dioxidegelatin, nrargarineroofingdrivingbuildingconrntulricutiorridealisrnbaptismheroismalcoholism
socialistcellistsocialitepuritycaptivebooklet, kitchenetrefledglinglragntenthappiness
l-ess, -tress
l-r,rl-hood
l-ian, -an
-ia
-tc, -lcs
l-ial-ia"l.l-rn, -rne
1.,",
l-,""
fi"n
I
l-i.,
I
l-:t'l-ltYl-rve
l-t",, -rtr.l-lins
l-n,."n,l-ness
Y,E
l.nn -.o
l-eryl-ship
l-.1.'l-trve
t-,
l-able, - ible
l-al,-ial,-icall-ant,-entl-"t"l-"al-.n
l-.'
-lan
-lc-ing-iie-ish
place of activityiollectivelystatus, conditionoccupationconditionstate or conditionthe results of an activitylocationendearment
reginery, militarymachineryfriendshipgangstercaptiveturyvictorylibrary, companydaddy, auntie
I
ulTix that fortns an atljective i'vieaningrl-.-.-----l^a).\drrrlrrL
valuable, sensible
crinrinal, social, musical
malignant, apParent
desolatewoodedwoolen, golden
grander
japanese
usefulGeorgian
heroicworkinginfantileSwedishfoolishyoungishpassive, attractive,sensitivehelplesschildlikefi'iendlyvirtuous, courteous.vivaciouscreamy, bony
-ive,-active,-itive '
worthyqualitykind of agent
kind of state
havingmaterialcomparative
originhaving, givingin the tradition
qualityactivityhaving the qualities
belonging tohaving the character ofsomewhathaving the quality of
.
withouthaving tlte qualities ofhaving the qualities ofhaving the quality of
rull oi
likely
Iuffix that forms a verb
2
Meaning Examole
e put in a state
past tense
becomecauseactionimitating sounds
causepresent particiPlecause
isolatewalkedmoistendeafenwander, waverchattersimpliffworkingepitomize
-er
i0,ingize )-ise in British English)
1
uffir that l-ortus:ttt i\1c:trting Eranr ple
in a nranner ofin a rnanner or directioirir: a rrrAnncr or dircction
happilvbackrvard s(s)
clocku,isc
l, circuntnavigate2, repossession3. disrespectful4. quickly5. carelessness6. desalinate7. autobiographical
(b) prejixes
8. interchangcablc9. unilatcrally10. irnpossibilitl,I l. intangibly12. underenrployncnt1 3. overestimation14. religiously
IXI,ITCISB IInstructicttt : Use inforrnation fronr thc lists
donc for you as cxanrplcs.
(n) prefixes and sufli-rcsUrrrlcrlinc tlrc prcfixcs arrd sufflxes
to corrrplctc thc follorving tablcs. Soll)c itL.n.rs Irnvc bcerr
I5. unfortunatclv16. rcinvcstigatc17. antisocialI8. introspectivci9. interdepcndent20. retroactivelv2l . synthetic
a-vanrplas
l. antececient 2. anteroomL bicnnial 2. brnan,
I lcoautlror 2 cocxirrl-- 2
Find two exanrples for each prefix, Use your dictio,ary if necessarl,.
prelix usual meaning
L anie-2. bi-3. co-4. ex-5 hvpcr-6. in-7. intra-8. macro-9. nricro-
10. nrono-I 1. nrulti-12. post-13. pre-14. re-I < ^^_:rJ. JVltll-16. sub- t
17. traris-
abovt: tronrral cxr:r:qqi,.rc I .
before, in front oft*o, trviccrvith, togethcrfrom, out of, arvay fronr
not, rvithouiinside, rvithinlarge, Iarge-scalesnrall, snrall-scalcone, single, alonemarlyafter, behind
beforeagarniraii paniyunder, below, lorveracross, over, cllangeexcesslve,. extrenlenot
l.l.l.l.l._ 2 _t_ 2_I._ 2. _t. __ 2 ___
2._2.
lat. /-
I2l')
L.
i')
L.
2.
18. ultra-19. un-20. uni-' one I )
6
Complete the table. Us'e your dictionary rvhere neccssary. t r . ,
No. tl0lI n varlt uiljcctivc urlycrlt
I dcscription
2 hypothesize
3 theoretical
4 infonnativelvJ
5 clcOnOmy
6 libcralize
7 central
8 repeatedly
9 tolerance
l0 actrvatg
lt clear
l2 successfully
13 inclusiveness
t4 understand
l5 tight
16 justifiablv
t7 analysis I
l8 demonstrate
19 valid
20 explanatori!y,
EXEITCISE 2hstruction: Cltoosc tlrc correct fornr of cach rvord to colrl)lctc tltc scl)icucc [hat follotvs.'l'hc first has
been done for you as an exanrplc.
l. fortunate,unfortunate,fortunately, unfortunatelyThc mistake unfortunatel], meant that the expcrirncnt had to bc rcpeated
2. understand,misunderstand,understandir:g,nrisrrndcrstandingThe vagucncss of thc instnrcticns caused hinr to iris t:isk
3. sensitive.hypersensitive, se-nsitivity,hypersensitivityThe man's overreaction to innocent remarks suggested he rvas
4. include, exclucie, inclusion, exclusionCultural differences often lbad to fror:r some social events
5.mistakable,unmistakable,mistaliably'unmistakably'The two animalsl similarity of coloring makes them casily
6. model, remodei, modelled, remodelled'
The unpredicateci research findings fbrced him to
7 uniiaterai.bilateral,unilaterally,bilateraliy'
7
The ts'o countries are engaged in negottatlons
his theory
ll.
10.
rcspcct, dis rcs;:cct, rcspcctfu l, disrcspcct lrr I
Thc prcsidcrrt thrcatcrrcd rrrilitary actiorl ilthcy rcfusccl totlrc tcnus of tlrc troaty
i
social, antisobial, socially, antisocialll,Her frequent exclusion fronr group nrcctings rr,as due to lrcr bclravior.
rnonolingual, bilingual, trilingual, nru ItilinguaIA child exposcd [o trvo languages froru birtlr roughly cqually rvill grorv up
Using stcnrs and aflixcs to guess rvor.d rrrelningsWe said tltat tttany rvords cotttprisc tltrcc parl.s, prcfixes, stcnrs ar)d suffrxcs. We saici that stL.,rs arc thc
bnsic fonrrs front rvlrich othcr tt'ords arc cornPoscd. So, irreTtarcrble consists of tlrc prcfix ii.- (r.ca,i,g,not), tlreslen\ repar (fronr the verb 'rcpair'), and thc suffix -oblc (rncarring 'possible to' or pot capable of bci,g,). 1-h.,r.r'hole word, irreporable, rircrfns inrpossible to rcpair, or not capablc oFbcing rcpaircd.
Togcther rvith affixcs , stenls can be'r'ery useful irr helping vou guess t5e lrealirrg of u^k,or* u,ords.For exanrple, if we latorv thc follolving stenrs ancl their nrcarrings :
stamportlrydrospcct
usttul mcaningcarry\vat0rlook at, scc
We can use our knorvledge of affixes to guess thc app:'o.rinlatc rncanings of thesc words:word apltroximute mcuningtransport carry across, ovcrporter a p.erson u,ho carricshydrodynamic oprerated by rr,atcr po\\,crhydrology thc scicri'cc, Strrcll, 1e tltc car r.h's \\':ltcrsspectator sonteone vviro rvatclrcsinspect look at carcfullv , cxlirrrirrc
Using sterns and affixes in this rvay rvill not alu,ays tcli us the exact nreaning of an unknorvn rvord Itwill often help you gucss the approximate n:eanirte,, horvever. You rvill be able to see frcnr the corltext rvhcthcryour guess is correct or not, and will not have to stop to consult a dictionary if it looks right.
Use stems and aflixes to guass vocabularl,
. Many English stenls werc originallyneld pages. You have probably looked atexercises 3 and 4
Stems
Latin or Creck rvords. A listthis list before, but should
of cornnron oncs is to be found in tlrertorv study it carefully before doing
Meaning Exanrple
actambulaami, anro.
annusaquaanthropastraudibibliobiocamrced,cedc, ceed, cess-t, _- _
urrr utluS
cidcclaudodictdormductego
factferfem
fidelflexfluent, floufrac, fragfrat1lg"ganl
do
walkloveycarwate rhunrankindstarhear
booklifemeatgo, conle
time'kiil
closcsays!eep
lead
selfmake
carrywomantnlstbcnd
florvbreak
brothcrflcemarriagcbirth, racc
eartht-- - -.KIIU\^r'
Ln.r.writingstep, nlovewomal'l
activatearubulancecnanroredannualaquariumanthropomorphicastronautauditionbibliographybiography
6amivorousprecede
chronomcterhomicideclaustrophobiadictationdormitoryconductegocenticfactorytransferefFerr in r te
fidelityfelxiblesuperfluousfractu refratcrnalfugitrvcb,iganristgcnocidcgcologl,prognosisg|all1l'nar
telegrapingress
gvnccologusi
iSen
l:::6r r9J tvJ
gramgraphgress
gyn
t
I
r
te:n
rbilostterc
rctcrollo
1',d ro
lcctlatcrlingtralithoslogylunrinmanu
nragninraniamascmatrimetronmit, miss
morph
hobiahon
grass
cllcll'l)/
stickdiflurcrrt:rlikc\va tc r
tlrrorvside(onguc
stoncstud1,
lighthand
bigmadness
nralemothernleasu rc
send
formduaiirnarl'lc
alleye
fatherfeclingsfootpuslr, drivchang
lovcfearsoundcarry
Ircrbivorchostilccohcrcnccllc(crogcncor.l s
' lrorrtc.rgcncous
Itf ilp1, 1. 'ilttcrjcctiorrIatcrallingtrist icspalcolitlricbiologl,illuminaternanipulatcnragnifymcgalonraniacnrascu I i ne
rrratriarchnretricaltransmitrnctamorphicinurroriaisynonynromnipotcntopticalpatcnralsynrpathypedestrianrcptrlsivcappcndagcphilosophl'
Exa rrr gtlc
acrophobiamicrophonetransiJort
IYI c:t n irrg
Meaning Exanrple
contactteiepathyterrestrialthermostat
l ntervenediversioninvisiblecarnivorezoologist
god --
--_ _---=4 traction
draw away---- r-nonotheist
{oucht: _-,0lslancc
earthheat
colne
tu rn
see
eat
animal
llllul L
lnvn''lomnr
lo*lpater, patrr
lnathvlpedlpel, putsc
lpend
lphil
10
trXERCISE 3Instructiotr: Usc inforn'lation from the lists and 1'our dictiorrary to do eaclr part of this cxercise. Sontc
iterns have becn done for you as examples.
(a) Underline the sterls in the following rvords and rvritc tltcrrr in thc rniddle colunrn.
Then rvrite thc approxirnatc nreaning of each stcrtr itt tlte coltttutt on the right
Y,I
tv0RI) ,9'l'El,t APPROXIIYIATE MEANINGcorDoratloncol'Dusincoroorate
l. corp l. body
2 psychologypsychonretrypsychosis
2 2
J terrainterrariumterrestrial
3. aJ
4 socialistantisocialsociology
4 4.
!v.v6r 4ttr
telepathytelescope
aJ, ).
6 manufactureartifactfactory
6. 6.
1 generate '7 7, genetlc.
I i.na.tgeomorphologyisomorphic
Inrorphology
I tr ansportporterportable
biolosyethologymethodology
l0
II
I
(b)''Find out thc nreattittg of thc follorving stcrtrs. Thcn, usc your dictio,ary to rvrite trvo exa'rplcs of rvordsusing each sienr.
NO. STEM APPROXIMAI'E NIEANING EXAMPT EII ortho I. straight, regular, correct
standard
2. middle
3.
4
%
(
l. a. orthodoxb. orthogonal
2 medi 2. a.
_b.3. a.
b.
4, a.
b
J,
4
5
e
seou
tract 5. a.
b.
soli 6 sirrgle, only, alorre 6. a.
b.
'l son 7. 7. a.
b
8 para
con
8. beside, alongside,resembling, like
8. a.
b
9 9. together 9. a.
b.
l0 omnr l0 10. a.
b.
EXERCISE 4
Instruction : Use your knorvledge of the nreanings of stenrs and affixes to guess the meanings of theunderlined words in the sentences belotr'. Check your guesses to sce that thcy fit tire corltext pro'icled b;r tlie.---^ -a^t ,, !5t ul tlr(; sciltcllL..is.Circle the letter corrcsponding to your answcr.
l. Only one candidate is a sr.rpporter of socialized nredicine. The others prefer a syster.r-r ofprivate health insurancea. meciical care for preverrting diseases before the1, occurb. pubiiciy fittartced rneoical care for all nrenrbers of tlre corrrnrunitvc. Crugs and ntedicantcnts produced for n.lass collsurnption
2. The research is designed to discover the age at rvhich children develop nretrrlinpuesticiwarencss. It is h-vpothesizcd thar this rvill occur sonrc ycars aftcr thc beg,r,rnil.,gs of spccclrimclf.a. the ability to talk about tlreir dreanrs.b. thc ability to conrrrrunicatc
. c. consciousness of languagc
3. The prime minister tltreatened to intervene in the disputc if inciustry and tlrc trade unionscarulot resolve their diftbrences.a. make the dispute illegalb. come bctr'ecn the otlrcr t.,vo partics as a third 1;artt,nrcdiatorc. stop the dispute
12.il
4.
).
The govcnrnrerit clain,s the issue is a nroral one, transcending parti, politics.a. concerningb. going bcyond or al:ovcc. depcnding on
Tlre arti cle discusscs scvcral i n t rap51g[p plrcrronrcrra.
a. occurring rvithin tlrc rrrirrdb. cxtrascnsoryc. mysterious
Altlrough Christian ntissiortarics ltavc rvorkcd tlrcrc [or ovcr a lrurrdrcd ancl fi0r'1,crrs. thctribe is still polytlrcistic.a. givcn to rvorshipping nrany gods
b. givcn to worslrippirrg their own god
e. primitivc
7. Snrith is wcll-knorvu lor lris unortlrodox vicws orr child carc
s;
9.
a. not traditionalb. incorrectc. religious
The.opposition party accused the government of mismanagjlg the econuny.- '.^.,i^^ ir c^-- rr-a. 'lisjjig iL Lu! -LLs L/wll purposesb. hflatingc. doing or llandling it badlyBiganry has only rcccntlv bccn nraclc a crinrinal ofTcrrsc.a. stealingb. rnarrying a secord tir,e knorving a,prcvious,rarriagcs is stiil varicc. running a casino offering trn,o go,u"s for ganrbler, ,uh.,l only licensed for onc sucli garne
The strike disnrpted tlrc negotiations^ L _- rq. vr\J!rC, UlStUtOecl
b. cornpletedc. introduccd a nerv elente nt into
l0
rr nrav be possibre,: g,,r.,,, ,,,. -."Y,li:;l'lH:::iJ;,:.1;:1,^i:1,jxi,1,0,",
consider rrris se,rence :fimothy scowled rvlren lre ,nrirh. dent in t i, n.r" .nr.
ffiil'"T::"'jill,T;iHJ:J,i,x,:;;;;l ;::rilIli,i, rris,c,u car ArirroLgrr uc can,r k,,ow thc exacr
flHlT:tT:ruf LHl*?:ffi f;il,::.',H'ffi :'J:,1".::Jr,,fl :ll:i]ixJHffi ,YJ:.'lilff li.
H,H[':ays possiblc to got a cluc Io the tttcaning of a rvord fror, rrrc corrcxr Fo,. cxanrprc, co,sidcr trris
Timoihy scowlcd rvhcn hc saw Aunt Ag:rtha.Unless we lotow rvhat Tinrctirv'.s opinion of Aunt Agr.tha is, ri,c canrrot gucss tlre ,rear:irrg of ,,scorr,lecl,,
hcrc.Horvever' other sentcnces i, tlie passage nright indic^tc *,rrai riis o1;i,io,lr, ,r,J,r,.r. corrd gi'c a cruc to rhcrneaning.
",..',.|jl:Ti,i-;l:Ji: l::",:i:::::::::):i.!:l:tXi,llj;:ll:.\'7ocab,r,an ,c:,, gs,,: s: cr i, E prisi, i;:
13
(b)"Find out the nrearring of tlrc foilorving stcrns. Tirc,, usc your dictionaD, to rvritc tu,o exarnprcs of rvordsusing each siem.
NO. STEM APPROXIMAT'E N{EANING EXAMPLESI ortho I. straight, regular, correct
standard
2. rniddle
l. a. orthodoxb. orthogcinal
2 medi 2.a
_b3. a
b
3 mega 3.
44
5
seou 4. a.
b
tract 5. 5. a,
b.6 sqli 6. sirrgle, only, alonc 6. a.
b.
7 son 1 7. a.
b
8 para
con
8. beside, alongside,resembling, like
8. a.
b
9 9. together 9. a.
b.
t0 omnr l0 10. a.
b.
EXERCISE 4
Instruction : Use your knorvledge of the nreanings of stenrs and affrxes to guess the meanings of theunderlined words in the sentences belou'. Check )/our gucsses to sce that tlrey fit the cortext pro,icled b;r tlie---^,a^t .
r s5L ul tll(; 5(,lltullu.JS.
Circle the letter corresporrding to your ans\\/er.
l. Only one candidate is a supporter of socialized nredicine. The others prefer a systenr ofprivate hea.lth insurancea. meciical care for preventing diseases before the1, occurb. publiciy financed rncciical care for all nrerribe,-s of the corrurrunitvc. Crugs anci nredicanrcnts produced for n.lass colls,.llnptiorr
2. The reseat'ch is designed to discover the age at which children develoo nretrrlinsuesticiwareness. It is hypothesizcd that this rvill occur sonrc ycars aftcr tho rr.g*r.ri,rgs of spceclritsclf.a. the ability to talk about their dreanrs,b. thc ability to conu.r.runicatc
. c. consciousness oflanguagc
3. The prime ministcr threatened to intervene in tlre disptrtc iFinciustry and tlrc trade unignscarmot resolve their differences.a. make the dispute illegalb. come bctr'ecn the otltcr l.,r,o partics as a tlrird l);lrtv ntcdiatorc. stop tlre dispute
12.n
.,. : EXERCISE 5' Understnnding words in context
Look at the underlincd $,ord and rvritc its mcaning ort the lirtc.
Bxnnrple :
A ctrtlass is a sltort ctrrvcd srvord'
sword .. '. ' '...:' ' '.,. '.You should rvrite "srvord" as thc ntcaning of "ctttlass" bccausc thc dcfinition of "cutlass" is included in tlrescntcncc.
USING THtr VERB "TO BE"1'hc objcct follorving thc vcrb "to b0" is frcqucntll,uscd to idcrrtil'y'tlrc subjcct.
Examlrlc:A salntott is a fislr.
Thc nrcaning of "salttton" is idclttified b1'thc rvord "fislt".
l. I-lypoxia is an illness causcd b),a dcficicncy of o)i)/gcn in tlic tissucs of thc [rodv
2. A porcupine is a large clirnbing rodent that is covercd'r,itlt sltarp spines for defense
3. The atonr is the snrallest part of a cltenrical elcntcnt that catt exist and still havc the
properties of the element.
5. A drone is a malc bee.
USING APPOSITIVESA noun or noun group which follorvs a noun and is sct off bl,conlnras is art appositivc. It idcntifics thc
noun it follows.Ex:::::p!e :
Mercury, thc silvcr-colored rretal used in tltcrr:rontctcrs, is usuall;,in a liquid I'r:nrr.'lhe nrcaning of "rrrcrcury"'is idcntificd by its appositivc, "tltc silvcr-col<.,rcd ntctal trscci in tl),inlrorilcicrs".By adding tltc rvords "rvhich is/arc" or "rvlro is/:rrc," you can tcst iItlrc rrotrrt is an apposrlivcExarnple :
A4ercury, rvhich is the silver-colorcd nrctal uscd in tlrcnronrctcrs, is usually in a Iiquidforitt
b. The goelacanth, a iarge-bodied hollow-spined frsh, rvas tlroLrgl:t tc be cxtinct untilreccntlv.
7. Pacenrakcrs, srrrall clcctrical dcviccs that stirr:ulatc tltc lrcart lr.tusclc. lravc savctl rttanv
l i ves.
8. N1any residents o'f Harvaii uscd to believe that the volcano's flarings rvere tira<les of titerr
goddcss, Pclc
9. Morse code, a systent of telcgraphic signals corttposed of Cots atid dasltcs, rvas invented
b1'Sarnuel FB N4orse.
i(t Sttrrlr int )_rllrc_lLil\'4! , tltc caiasiroplrrc c.<1tlo:;rorts tr1^ (it lt.l, :,iltr,'. ilritl itt\',.) ir jts'.'. - i ) l-',
i]l1r:iIi',rr,,If- ;)l,t]'-']ll Cl-,!;;l,llt,:: .
g
14
USING PUNCTUATIONPunctuatiol nrarks arc sonrctintcs uscd to sct offa u'ord rvhiclt is bcirtg uscd to idcntilr ilrlo(lli.rr \\'Lrrcl
Sonrc of thc puttctuation tttarks yotl nla)r scc uscd in tlris \\'ay arc.
corrlnlas trrackcts' tldashcs singlc quotation trtarks
;:arcntlrcscs ( ) dotrblc quotatiorr ntarks rr rr
Exnntllie :
In lascr printirrg, thc grmicr'thc nuutbcr ol'glli (dots pcr irrclr). thc hithcr thc: tluetit)'oItllc irtrngc
produccd.
'l'5e rucanilg of "dpi" is iclcnrificd by thc rvords in parcnthcscs, "clots pcr irtclt".
ll. Intensity -,loudpcss or softuess - dcpcncls on tlrc extcllt or ar.ttplittrclc of vibrations.
12. Tlre trse of canrcd,birds, "decovs", is tlot a new idca in hutltittg
13. If you are ectornorphic (thc slcndcr typo), you arc likcll' to bc good in such sports as
track, tennis, and baskctball.
14. A patlr to the cfiicftain's hcadquarters rvinds tltrouglt attciertt p-S[agbgb-inscriptions irt
stone.
l-5. br^l hirt"; - the use of the tape rccordcr to capturc ntcttiorics of tlrc past irt privatc
interviews - has become increasingly popular aniong professional historians.
USING IIORI'
A u,ord is sorrrctinrr:s idr:rrtifir='d l-,1,L 5;,,,1"..,r:r f:ll:'.'.'llg ih; ,,;;.1 "-;.."pxarnple :
The husky, or sled dog, of the North is a hardy breed.
'['he rtteaning of tlre r.r,ord "husky"'is identified b1,the r.i,ords "sled dog" foilorvine th. rvord "or"
lb. Altitude, or the height above sea level, is a factor that deterr:rrrres cli;nate.
17. VesDers, or evening worship, can be heard at St. Matterv's Cathedral
18. In sonre American Indian tribes, the squarv, or \\/on'lan, rvas the o\\ller of all property.
t9. Thc ccnti'al nerycus systcnr of grasslioppcrs, fi"uit flics, and otlrcr in::cts includcs both thcbrain and a chain cf sinrplcr segrncntal ganelia, or groups ol ncrvc cclls.
'tZC) Clatrstroplrobia, or tltc fcar of b-:irrg crtcloscd. is rrorc cornnton tlt'rt rt'tttr'pcol,rlc reaiizc
t5
/ ,.t' ,
usiNc ExAI\{PLESA rvord is sotttetintcs idcntifrcd by exanrples. Thesc tcnrrs otlcn introduce cxanrples:as for example such as
likc for instanccExarn;rle :
Percussion instnrments, such as dntms, cr,nbals, and tanrbourirres, rverc the preferqed instrumentsin the stud1,.
The ttteattitlg oF "Pcr.ttssiott ittstnrrrcnts" is idc.tificcl bv thc tlrrcc cxarrrplcs : ,,clrurrrs,,, ,,cyrrrbals,,,arrri"tartbourittcs.,, ur \'rrrr ' uvl
2l ' Such largc fish as grorlpcrs and tnora)'ccls rccoglrizc tlrc rvrassc as a Friencl tSat rvill helptlrcrrr.
22' Crcaturcs such as thc cantcl and thc pcngrrin arc so lriglrlv slrccializcd tSat tlrc* ca, o'lr.livc irr ccrtain arcas of thc rvorld.
23' The sand absorbs cnouglt moisture to support drouglrt-rcsistant plants suc5 as r.esquitc,as well as scvcral spccics ofgrasscs.
24' t_l"!i" paradpEela such as tents, sleeping bags cooking equipnrent can range fronrYvry !uuPls ru (lutle contplex.
25' Much can be done to halt the process of desertification. For example, an asphaltlike petroleurl canbe sprayed onto sand dunes; and seecls oftrees and shrubs can then be planted. The oil stabilizesthe sand and retains moistuire. allowing ve$etatron to become established.
USING CLAUSESAdjective clauscs sometintcs identifl rvords. The1, nps introduccd b1,the tvords:
tlrat rvltcrc rvhorvhcrr ri,hiclr u,horn ;
Exanrlllc :
Airships. u'lticlt are cigar-sha,pcd, stcerablc balloons, have nrany uses, sucir e-s filr:ring,advcrtising, arrd cntertainlrlent.
Thc rltcartirlg of "airships" is iicntificd bv tlrc adjoctivc clause "l,hich arc cigar-slrapcd, stcerable balloo,s."
26. Recent tests sho\v tliat silver sulfadiazine, rvhicli is a compound used in the treatment ofbums, can cure tlre rnost serious types of Americen sleeping sickress.
27 ' The kiva, rvhere Pueblo Indians hold their secret ceremonies, is entered by an'opening inthe root'
28. . Me&df, rvhicii is the succession of scuids, takes on nerv interest rvlren fit intr,, a rhrthnricpatto rn.
?g. NorrlcLhal tccltniqucs, thosc tlr."t clo nc- t<i1l covotcs, arc bcirrg dcvciopcd ro prorcct slrccl)and otl,:r I i.,,cstoclr
l(, -]-lt: i,) ir nrii..\ lrislt nl:r;cs c(..ircr) irr;rir li:.: Cncirc rro;d,,ra. rvlricit n.tcans 'clcsccnir:cj
lrorr r
0l6
i2.
I.JSING ITEFEIII'NI'SRcfcrcnts:rrc rvords that rcfcr b:rck or fonvard to otllcr rvcrds in thc scntcncc or paragraph.
li,xarrrple :
Thc solar-porvcrcd battcrics in the ERS-l arc cxpccted to function for at least two years, cluringrvhich tinte thc satcllite rvill be able to gather rnore infonnation tlran any previou.s satellito.
Tlrc nrcarrirrg ol'"EIlS-1" is idcntificd bf its rclcrcrrt "satcllitc."
:l l. J'ltc firrntcrs r,,.r..o,,..r,tccl rbotrt tltc grorvirtg nrrrnbcr of boll rvcqrlrls. An iufcs(atiorr ofthcsc insccts could dcstrol, tl)c cotton crop ovcrrrigltt.
Al least -50 rvced'specics figlrt offcotttpctitors b1, cnritting toxins fronr their roots, leavcs,or sccds. Tlrcsc lroisons do thcir rvork in a dozcn rvays, suclr as inliibiting gcrrninatiorr ofsccds and dcstrol,ing photosynthcsis abilitics.
33. lnrllor-turrt t>l'liciuls visitirig prcsirh:rtt l{oosuvclt l'crc strrl>riscd [ly,his nrcnagcric o[1lcts.No prcvious prcsidcnt had fillcd the Whitc Housc rvith srich a varicty if anirnals.
i4
3_5 Enrnra rvas told.to put thc slrccts itr lhc han:lrcr, but she found the basket too full of soilcdclothes to f rt the sheets in. .
USING CONTP-ASTSSontetintes tlte nteanings of tvords can be understood bccar.rse tlrcl,are in contrast to rr.other r'orcl irr tlreselltel'lce. Words that indicatc a contrast are
Tlrc groonr stnrgglcd rvith lris tuxcdo. Hc rvottdcrcd rvhy hc lrad to wcar tlrcsc kinds ofclothcs to gct nrarricd.
bLrt
despiteItotvcvcr
llr contrastirr s1;itc ofirrstcacl
or'tunlike
rvhcrcas
36.
3',l
Exanrple :
l'lre bricf scencs in tllc rlloi'i(j focus on thc boy's ooint olvicr\,, i'llcreas t5e, lot:gcr scclrcsdcpicr the frt!rcr's side."Btief'sccrlcs are understood to be "slrort" sccncs bccausc tlrey are in contrast to tlre,,longor,,scenes.
The bitc of a garter snake, unrike that of the deadry cobra, is benien,
Tlrebluebonnet,theTexrssLatcflower'ffidiesinoverlyrr,,etconditions.
3S Despite proposccl cLrtbacks in fittartcial support for dorrrcstic sttrdc.ts, assisrarrce forforeign siudettts studying arrcl training in tlre United States is to be sharply i,.,creased
39' Unlike ltcr qreqarictts sistcr. Janc is a shv, urrsociablc pc.son ,.r,ho docs ,ot like to go rol)arttcs
,\l ,;1. lil,,,.r,l':,-)ll l:: .::
r:.':l),il]:;i, c lilrnclrrrari-: r te,rrst7
;: .,. , .i .. l. ' . .
. a
'' udiNc orrrDil lvoRDS rN 'ruI snNTENCE
Otlrer r.vords in u scntcrrcc call sor)rctinres hclp identify a rvord.
Exarrrlllc :
ln ordcr to silt thc ncctar rvitlr its long torrgtrr:. tlrc bcc rtrust clivc irtto thc florvcr arrd iu so
doing bccorncs dustcd witlr thc firrc pollen grairts frottt tltc artthcrs.
Wc can gucss that "ncctar" is thc substancc that bccs collcct frorn a floner becausc the bee nrust "sip ..... rvitlrits.long tongue" and "dive into the florver". We can gtrcss tltat "antltsr" is a part of the lorver because the bcegets "dustcd rvith tlrc finc pollcn grains fronr thc arrtltcrs: rvhcn it divcs irrto the florvcr.
4l . 1'lrc briglrt purple scntiart gro\vs rvild in Colorado attd bloorrts in latc sunrnrcr.
42. While blorving air into tlre lcather bag, tlrc bagpipc player produces rnelodres [:1, fingeringthe chantcrl
43. IJnfortunately, the plant's hair kill useful insccts, but this problcnr can be alleviated bycontrolling the anrount of lrair.
44. The much larger_full of the nrultidcckcd round ship allorvcd it to carrl,nrorc supplies,rnore nren, nrore gurls, and nrorc sails, all of'rvlticlr \vcrc nccossary for lorrg voyagcs ofcomrncrco and discovcry.
45. [n the third century 8.C., Ctcsibuis, thc Crcck cngirrccr and tlrcorist. first cxcrciscd his
inventive talents by nraking an adjustablc mirror and tlrcn crcating ingenious toys rvhichcould move under tlreir own powcr.
e 18