Learning Vocabulary from Context

Learning Vocabulary from Context

The difference between the reading and study of a pencil. " To get the most out of reading, must read with a pencil ( or pen) in hand.

Try this: Get a newspaper , choose a short article, and follow these instructions :

Read the article to the end , as fast as you can, underlining the words you do not understand .

Go back and re-examine the words that was causing problems . One well known method for the realization of new words is to examine the context , namely the situation in which the word is located .

There are four different ways of learning from context :

Examples : A list of things you can give the meaning of the word

Synonyms: Another word with the same meaning is used

Preparation: We offer more information that makes the meaning of the word clear

Explanation: The word is actually explained in the article

Example :

Look at this sentence: "We knew he was crazy because he kept talking to himself and write words in the air. " "Crazy " , you can guess , is another word for " crazy " .

In this judgment , the behavior of the person that helps you understand the word . You are reading an "example" of the conduct of a person crazy .

SYNONYM :

Here's a headline from a newspaper article : " Fed bar key rate near zero"

You may not know what " bar " means. However, the first sentence of the article says in part: " The U.S. Federal Reserve cut a key rate Tuesday ... " So this synonym tells you "slash" here means "to cut " .

PREPARATION:

Perhaps you are still confused about how " bar " or "cut" is used here. The continuation of the first sentence: " The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed a key rate Tuesday to a range of zero to 0.25 percent - a cut of at least 0.75 percentage points. " Here more information has been on the "cut" . It was designed .

EXPLANATION :

If you are still not sure , the rest of the article discusses the issue , giving an explanation of the action and its cause. When finished, you should have no doubt about the meaning of the " bar " .

NOTES :

You might not be able to get the meaning of a word from context. In that case, use a dictionary . But you must use an English dictionary - English , not one bilingual .

Why? First, because it will expand its capacity to English , introducing even more words. Second, because it keeps your thoughts " , in English, " rather than switching back to their own language. And finally , because sometimes, bilingual dictionaries are just wrong.

Of course, to continue learning , write new words in a notebook , and review them often. And do not forget to use them!

PRACTICE:

Answer questions about real phrases from a newspaper . Which of the four techniques used ?

1. What "mother" and "crisis" mean in this sentence ?

" China will reduce a tax on home sales to slow a fall in the goods market that can lead the fourth largest economy in the world in the deepest recession since 1990. "

Two . What is the meaning of the " delicacies " here ?

"The delegation ... brought several hundred kinds of Taiwan delicacies , ranging from fruits and liquors and snacks for tea. "

Three . What is the meaning of "stimulating " in this sentence ?

" This rate is the key tool of the Fed to stimulate or slow the U.S. economy as it tries to balance the twin goals of economic growth and price stability . "

April . What is the meaning of "dual" in the previous sentence ?

MORE PRACTICE :

Continue this lesson by reading a newspaper, as described above !

ANSWERS TO PRACTICE:

1. Take " down" first. Can you find a synonym for "crisis" in this sentence ? I hope you realize that "deceleration " means the same as " depression. "

You should realize that depression is something wrong , something that the government wants to leave . Thus the development of the reasons for the reduction of taxes is his idea that "mother" as a verb meaning " high" .

Two . This is a case where examples are useful : " fruit and snacks and tea liquor . " These are very tasty food , and that is the meaning of " delicacies " .

Three . Do you know what the opposite of a synonym is ? Is a " antonym " . So here , if you do not know what it means to "stimulate" means , realize that it is the opposite of "slow down" and get the meaning: " acceleration " .

Four . The development will help here , since there are two goals "dual" must mean "two."

This lesson is © 2012 by James Baquet . You may share this work freely. Teachers can use in the classroom as long as students are told the source ( URL ) . You may not publish this material and sell it. Please write if you have any questions about "fair use" .