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Vocabulary
Victoria Burrill
13+FOR
ENTRANCE EXAMS
Workbook
AN HACHETTE UK COMPANY
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Contents Introduction 4
Action vocabulary 6
Fantasy fiction vocabulary 8
Adventure fiction vocabulary 10
Crime fiction vocabulary 12
Horror and mystery fiction vocabulary 14
Show don’t tell 16
Making dialogue sing 18
Revealing character through adverbs 20
Vocabulary of emotions 22
Vocabulary of physical descriptions 24
Weather vocabulary 26
Where on earth? 28
Natural phenomena vocabulary 30
Extensive connectives 32
Vocabulary for comprehension 34
Historical fiction vocabulary 36
Science fiction vocabulary 38
Precision vocabulary 40
Vocabulary of persuasion and argument 42
Vocabulary of informing, explaining and advising 44
Formal language and vocabulary 46
Vocabulary of reviews and essays 48
Idioms 50
Shakespearean vocabulary 52
Unusual and interesting adjectives 54
Unusual and interesting verbs 56
Own your new vocabulary 58
Answers (pull-out middle section) A1
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4
Intr
oduc
tion
IntroductionBroadening, deepening and focusing your vocabularyVocabulary is the cornerstone of success in English. The ability to interpret the written word in reading comprehension tasks and to produce compositions effectively is grounded in knowing the meaning of a wide range of words and phrases. Appreciating the nuances between synonyms and the appropriateness of particular words for particular writing contexts will help to make your writing precise and sophisticated. This workbook is designed to give you, both as a reader and a writer, a better understanding of this and a wider vocabulary to work with, through activities that help you:
● learn new words
● become more aware of the different shades of meaning of similar words
● recognise appropriate opportunities for using different types of language.
Types of vocabulary:
You have both a receptive vocabulary and a productive vocabulary. The former is mostly used when you read and the latter when you write and, of course, there is a huge overlap between the two. This means that there are some words that you will be able to understand when read in context but which you may not be confident to use when you are writing or speaking. This workbook will help you to develop both aspects of your vocabulary.
As you work through the book, you will find sections on different genres of fiction, such as the language of adventure stories or crime writing, and the types of language associated with them. Bear in mind that you will need to refer to this vocabulary when you are responding to reading comprehension questions and actively use it when writing fiction. The same is true of the non-fiction genres – explaining, informing, advising, arguing and explaining: this workbook encourages you to develop vocabulary for these text types that will be useful to you as both a reader and a writer.
In terms of fiction, you will also learn new vocabulary associated with characterisation (including physical appearance and emotional qualities), dialogue and settings. This workbook also allows you to practise using vocabulary to build a picture by showing, not telling, the reader.
The language of literary essays and reviews also features in this workbook to introduce you to the specific vocabulary of this text type that occurs commonly in the exams.
Broader vocabulary skills are addressed, such as manipulating vocabulary into figurative language, using connectives for cohesion, using appropriate language to write clear and concise comprehension answers, using and understanding idioms and interpreting Shakespearean language.
In summary, this workbook will provide you with a wide range of new words, opportunities to find out their meanings and to experiment with using them in suitable contexts.
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5
Introduction
How to use this bookThis workbook is designed to be used flexibly. There is no need to work through it systematically. You can attempt chapters in an order of your choice or as you revise particular text types at school. This workbook will work well if used in conjunction with the 13+ Writing Workbook.
Each chapter offers three structured tasks: Try it out, Test yourself and Extend your skills:
At the back of this workbook you will find the ‘Own your new vocabulary’ chapter, which you can fill in with words you come across while reading, consulting a dictionary, studying or revising. It is organised alphabetically so that it is easy to find words when you refer back to it later in your revision.
After completing each chapter, use the Answers section to assess your work, making improvements based on the advice given. You could ask an adult to help you with this.
Think of this workbook as a revision tool and a support for your writing during revision. Return to a particular section before you start a practice writing task, for advice writing or science fiction writing for example, and make use of the words that are introduced to you there. The best way to acquire vocabulary permanently is to use it in context.
Assessing your workSome activities in this workbook have short answers and others require you to write short written extracts or even do some research of your own. Vocabulary is not often examined specifically, but it is worth a considerable number of marks within a piece of writing and, of course, without a wide vocabulary, reading comprehension passages are far harder to understand and write about.
As vocabulary is not marked separately, in the Answers marks have been allocated as a guide only to sample answers for short written tasks. These offer a useful model for the quality of vocabulary expected in exam tasks.
Action vocabulary
Act
ion
voca
bula
ry
6 7
Think carefully about the sound of words when you are choosing them, for example ‘tinkling’ water sounds gentle but ‘gushing’ or ‘pounding’ water sounds more violent.
Extend your skillsYou can use similes to help the reader understand more about how your characters behave, for example when writing about someone moving purposefully:
She stalked the streets of the city like a wolf pursuing the scent of its victim.
Write three similes using some of the verbs you researched above in Test yourself.
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Action vocabulary When you are writing a narrative, it is important to include movement and action sequences in your writing. This involves using well-chosen verbs that match the movement.
Imagine you are writing about a ballerina. He or she wouldn’t ‘stomp’, ‘march’ or ‘stagger’ because ballet involves elegant and controlled movements.
Across the stage leapt the ballerina, deftly gliding through the air as if she were weightless. Her arms embraced the air as she floated higher, finally settling on the ground feather-light.
However, a stage-hand carrying some heavy equipment would move across the stage quite differently.
He trudged across the stage, lugging his heavy burden on his back, huffing with every step. His clumpy boots thudded on the stage and the boards groaned under his weight.
By choosing your verbs carefully, you can add to the impression your reader has about the mood of the scene or the individuality of the characters you are describing.
Try it outSort these words into two categories.
traipse prance trample cruise skip lumber toddle lurch mope trek
Gesture in a friendly way Gesture in an aggressive way
beckon swipe
Look at something curiously Look at something threateningly
peek glower
Move with purpose Move aimlessly
stalk meander
Test yourselfComplete the tables opposite using a thesaurus. Find words that you haven’t used before (or don’t use often) to help broaden your vocabulary.
Moving with little effort Moving with greater effort
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Try it out: builds your confidence with a skill or concept
Test yourself: offers practice of the main skill
Extend your skills: aims towards higher skills
Tip: reminds you of key points to bear in mind for the exam
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Act
ion
voca
bula
ry
6
Action vocabulary When you are writing a narrative, it is important to include movement and action sequences in your writing. This involves using well-chosen verbs that match the movement.
Imagine you are writing about a ballerina. He or she wouldn’t ‘stomp’, ‘march’ or ‘stagger’ because ballet involves elegant and controlled movements.
Across the stage leapt the ballerina, deftly gliding through the air as if she were weightless. Her arms embraced the air as she floated higher, finally settling on the ground feather-light.
However, a stage-hand carrying some heavy equipment would move across the stage quite differently.
He trudged across the stage, lugging his heavy burden on his back, huffing with every step. His clumpy boots thudded on the stage and the boards groaned under his weight.
By choosing your verbs carefully, you can add to the impression your reader has about the mood of the scene or the individuality of the characters you are describing.
Try it outSort these words into two categories.
traipse prance trample cruise skip lumber toddle lurch mope trek
Test yourselfComplete the tables opposite using a thesaurus. Find words that you haven’t used before (or don’t use often) to help broaden your vocabulary.
Moving with little effort Moving with greater effort
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Action vocabulary
7
Think carefully about the sound of words when you are choosing them, for example ‘tinkling’ water sounds gentle but ‘gushing’ or ‘pounding’ water sounds more violent.
Extend your skillsYou can use similes to help the reader understand more about how your characters behave, for example when writing about someone moving purposefully:
She stalked the streets of the city like a wolf pursuing the scent of its victim.
Write three similes using some of the verbs you researched above in Test yourself.
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Gesture in a friendly way Gesture in an aggressive way
beckon swipe
Look at something curiously Look at something threateningly
peek glower
Move with purpose Move aimlessly
stalk meander
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8
Fant
asy
fict
ion
voca
bula
ry
Fantasy fiction vocabularyWhen you are reading or writing fantasy fiction, you will come across a range of vocabulary that is quite specific to the genre. Fantasy fiction is defined as stories that are set in imaginary worlds or lands, without references to the real world. An element of magic or the supernatural is often present.
Below you will find some examples of the type of language you might encounter or need to use in fantasy narratives. Bear in mind that a good novel will set up the features of imaginary worlds as part of the story, so these definitions may vary.
alchemist someone who has the power to change one substance into another
alethiometer a golden compass that answers questions truthfully
amulet an object that is worn to ward off evil spirits or bring good fortune
chalice a large cup or goblet
elf small and human-like creature, usually with pointed ears and with magical powers
necromancer someone who practises magic to communicate with the dead
orc evil creature similar to a goblin
sorcerer someone who practises magic, usually for evil purposes
Much of fantasy literature is based in medieval folklore. You may recognise weapons, buildings and clothing from this era when you read classic fantasy literature.
Try it outThink about fantasy fiction you have read or browse some of the suggestions below. Make a note of any other vocabulary, in addition to that provided above, that you notice or remember that is particular to this genre.
● Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
● A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. le Guin
● Eragon by Christopher Paolini
● His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
● Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
● The Wind Singer by William Nicholson
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Fantasy fiction vocabulary
Test yourselfFind and write a definition for each of the following words.
● changeling
● demon or daemon
● dwarf
● fairy or faerie
● goblin
● imp
● ogre
● pixie
● prophet
● quest
● realm
● soothsayer
● talisman
● warlock
Extend your skills Imaginary beasts are a common theme of fantasy literature. Examples include griffins (half eagle, half lion), werewolves (men who turn into wolves during a full moon), centaurs (half man, half horse), dragons and unicorns. They are usually based on a real creature but have additional powers or aspects to them. Try to create your own fantastical creature and describe it in a few sentences below.
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10
Adv
entu
re f
icti
on v
ocab
ular
y
Adventure fiction vocabularyWriting adventure stories requires a particular range of vocabulary. Your heroes and villains need to be well portrayed, journeys and quests need to be plotted and their risks highlighted for the reader.
Ask yourself some questions before you write:
● What are your hero’s best attributes? Is he/she:
• dauntless chivalrous valiant intrepid
or
• headstrong foolhardy audacious?
● What is so unpleasant about your villain? Is he/she/it:
• insidious Machiavellian conniving
or
• narcissistic conceited vainglorious?
● What is the aim of the adventure? Is it a:
• pilgrimage crusade pursuit
or is the aim
• redemption emancipation liberation?
● What are the dangers and risks of the adventure? Is it:
• perilous treacherous formidable
or
• intriguing compelling arresting?
Don’t just use these words. Support your description with the character’s actions, words, thoughts and facial expressions: ‘show don’t tell’ (see more about this on page 16).
Try it outIdentify eight of the words above for which you don’t yet know the meaning. Consult a dictionary and then write their definitions below to confirm your understanding of them.
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Adventure fiction vocabulary
Test yourselfSort the words in this box into two groups: vocabulary associated with a hero and vocabulary associated with a villain. Some words might fit both categories.
siege gallant precipice iniquitous wrathful calamity turpitude
miscreant subterfuge inveiglement unblenching hoax ruse chicanery
indomitable temerity herculean duplicity quixotic draconian
reverential stoical allegiant scrupulous infamous
Hero vocabulary Villain vocabulary
Extend your skillsThere is a handful of words that have been derived from the names of famous characters in history, mythology and literature that are used to describe characters. They are called eponymous adjectives. Note down any from the list above in the following table. Conduct some research and find three more that you could use in your writing.
Eponymous adjective Source text Meaning
quixotic Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
unrealistic and impractical/foolishly idealistic
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