Reading vocabulary

READING VOCABULARY

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, we should be able to:

o Recognize the different ways words can be derived and understood;

o Identify basic types of context clues

o Become familiar with different vocabulary acquisition techniques

A. MATCH THE LIST OF WORDS IN COLUMN A WITH THE LANGUAGE (IN COLUMN B) FROM WHICH THEY WERE BORROWED.

1.Banana2.Chalk3.Magazine4.Orange5.Poodle6.Shampoo

A.ArabicB.East IndiaC.LatinD.GermanE.PersianF. Spanish

B. CAN YOU GUESS THE WORDS THAT WERE DERIVED FORM THE FOLLOWING PERSONALITIES AND PLACES?

____________1. Nicholas Chauvin____________2. J.I. Guillotin____________3. Anton Mesmer____________4. Hamburg, Germany

____________5. Sparta, Greece

MATCH THE LIST OF WORDS IN COLUMN A WITH THE LANGUAGE (IN COLUMN B) FROM WHICH THEY WERE BORROWED.

1.Banana2.Chalk3.Magazine4.Orange5.Poodle6.Shampoo

A.ArabicB.East IndiaC.LatinD.GermanE.PersianF. Spanish

F

C

A

E

D

B

B. CAN YOU GUESS THE WORDS THAT WERE DERIVED FORM THE FOLLOWING PERSONALITIES AND PLACES?

____________1. Nicholas Chauvin____________2. J.I. Guillotin____________3. Anton Mesmer____________4. Hamburg, Germany

____________5. Sparta, Greece

ChauvinismGuillotineMesmerizedHamburgerSpartan

DIFFERENT WAYS TO UNDERSTAND WORDS

Understanding words through their structurea) Root – basic structure of the wordb) Affixes – a form added to the

beginning, middle or end of a word to create a derivative word or inflection

Understanding words using context clues

GREEK ROOTS USED IN ENGLISH

GREEK ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE

a-, an- not, without atypical, ahistorical

acr-, acro- height, summit, tip

acrophobia, acrobat

aer-, aero- air, atmosphere aeronautics, aerosol

agr-, agri- field agriculture

amphi-

around, about, both, on both sides of, both kinds

amphibian

ant-, anti- against, opposed to, preventive

antibiotic, antibody,

anthropo-, anthro-

human anthropology


archaeo-, archeo-

ancientarcheology, archaic

arthr- , arthro- joint arthritis

astr-, astro-star, star-shaped

astronomy

aut- , auto-self; directed from within

automobile, autonomy

axi- axis axis, axiology

baro-weight, pressure

barometer

basi- at the bottom basic, basis


bibl- bookbibliography, bible

bi(o)- lifebiologist, biosphere

cata- down catastrophe

chloro- greenchlorine, chlorophyll

cine- motion cinema

cono- cone conic, conical

cris-, crit- judge crisis, critic


deca-, dec-, deka-, dek- ten decagram,

decathlon

dem- people demagogue, democracy

derm- skin hypodermic

dy- two dyad

eco- house ecology, economics

erg- work ergonomics

ethn- people, race, tribe, nation ethnic


etym(o)- true etymology

exo- outside exothermic

gastr- stomach gastric, gastroenteritis

ge(o)- earth geology

gramm- letter grammatic

graph- draw, write graphic

haem(o)- blood hemoglobin


hemi- half hemisphere

heter(o)-different, other

heterogenous

hex- six hexagon

hom(o)- same homosexual

hyp(o)- underhypo-allergenic

hyper- above, over hyperactive

hypn- sleep hypnosis


kil(o)- thousandkilogram, kilometer, kilobyte

kine- movement, motion

telekinesis, kinetic energy, kinesthetic

klept- steal kleptomania

lip(o)- fat liposuction

lith(o)- stone monolith, lithograph

log- thought, word monologue, logic,

meg- great, large megaphone


meter-, metr- measure metric, thermometer

meta- above, among, beyond metaphysics

micr(o)- small microphone, microscope

mon(o)- one monotone, monogamy

morph- form, shapemorpheme, anthropomorphic, morphology

myth- story mythic, mythology

narc- numb narcotic


naut- ship astronaut, nautical

ne(o)- new neo-natal

necr(o)- dead necrophobia, necrological

neur- nerve neurology, neurosurgeon

oct- eight octagon, October

olig- few oligarchy

op(t)- eye optical


paed-, ped childpaediatric, pedagogy

palae-, pale- ancient, old paleontology

pan- all pandemic

par(a)- beside, near parallel, parameter

path- to feel, hurt pathetic, sympathy

pent- five pentagon

peri- around perimeter, periscope


petr- rock petroglyph

phob(ia)- fear hydrophobia

phon- soundmicrophone, phonograph

phos-, phot- light photograph

plas- mould plasma, plastic

pneu- air, lung pneumonia

pol- citymetropolis, politics


poly- many polygon

pseud(o)- false pseudonym

pyro- heat, fire pyro

schem- plan schematic

soph- Wise sophist

syn-, sy-, syl-, sym- with symbol,

system

tax- arrangement, order taxonomy


tel- far, endtelephone, telescope, telegram

therm- heat thermometer

top- place topic, topography

xen- foreign xenophobia, xenocentrism

xyl- wood xylophone

-zo- animal, living being

protozoa, zoo, zoology

zyg- yoke zygote

The next slide is a partially completed table containing sample of Greek roots with their meaning and examples. Fill in the missing blanks using the available words as guide

ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE

acro- 1.___________________

acrobat

2.___________ one monomial

phon- 3. __________________

4.___________________

5.___________ 6.___________________

autograph

7.___________ empty vaccum

bio 8. __________________

9.___________________

poly 10.__________________

polygamy

ped 11.__________________

pediatrician

12.__________ judge critic

cosm order or world 13.__________________

derm 14.__________________

dermatology

15.___________ fear hydrophobia

ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE

acro- 1. Height, summit acrobat

2. mono- one monomial

phon- 3. sound 4. phonetics

5. auto 6. self autograph

7. vac- empty vaccum

bio 8. life 9. biography

poly 10. many polygamy

ped 11. child pediatrician

12. crit- judge critic

cosm order or world 13. cosmology

derm 14. skin dermatology

15. phob- fear hydrophobia

LATIN ROOTS USED IN ENGLISH

LATIN ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE

ab-, a-, abs- away abnormal, aversion

ad-, a-, ac-, af-, ag-, al-, ap-, ar-, as-, at-

movement to or toward; in addition to

adapt, affect, ascend, accept

am-, amor- love, loving amorous, amicable

ambi- both, on both sides

ambidextrous, ambivalent

anima- breath animal, animation

ann-, -enn- year, yearlyanniversary, annual, millennium

ante-, anti- before, in front of, prior to

antebellum, anticipate


aqu- wateraquarium, aquamarine

aud-, audi-hearing, listening, sound

auditorium, auditory, audio

aug-, auct- grow, increase augmentation

avi- bird aviary, aviation

ben-, bon(i)-good, well

benefit, benign, bonus

bi- twobinocular, bigamy,

brev(i)-brief, short (time)

abbreviation, brevity


camp- fieldchampion, campaign

capit-, -cipit- headcapital, chief, chef, decapitate

caps- box, case capsule

carcer- jail incarceration

carn- fleshcarnival, carnivore

cav- hollowcave, cavity, excavation

ced-, cess- goprocession, procede


cent- hundred cent, centennial

circum- around circumference

civ- citizen civil

clar- clear clarity, declaration

claud-, -clud-, claus-, -clus- close exclusion,

include

clin- bed, lean, recline

declination, inclined

cogn- know cognitive


con-, co-, col-, com-

with, together, joined

connect, compress

contra- against contrast

cre- make creation, creature

cruc(i)- crosscrucial, crucifix, crucify

de-from, away from, removing

delete, demented

dens- thick condense, density

dent- tooth dental, dentures


dict- say, speak dictation

doc-, doct- teach docile, doctor

dorm- sleepdormant, dormitory

du- two dual

duc-, duct- leadconductor, introduce

dur- harddurable, duration, endure

equ-, -iqu- even, level equal


ex-, e-, ef- from, out ofexclude, extrude, extend

exter-, extra- outer exterior

extrem- outermost, utmost extremity

fac-, -fic-, fact, -fect- make

defect, factory, manufacture

felic- happy, merry felicity

fer- carry reference, transfer

fid-, fis- faith, trust confide


firm- fix, settle confirmation

flect-, flex- bendflexor, inflection

flig-, flict- strike inflict

flor- flower floral

flu-, flux- flow fluency, influx

form- shapedeformity, formation

fort- strong fortification


frang-, -fring-, fract-, frag-

breakfracture, fragment, infringe

frater-, fratr- brother fraternity

front- foreheadconfront, frontal

ger-, gest- bear, carrydigest, gestation

grad-, -gred-, gress-

walk, step, go grade, regress

gran- graingranary, granule

grat- thank, please gratitude


grav- heavy gravity

hab-, -hib-, habit-, -hibit- have

habit, prohibition

hal-, -hel- breathe inhale

her-, hes- clingadhesive, coherent

herb- grass herbicide

honor- esteem honorable

hospit- host hospitality


hydr(o)- waterhydrogen, dehydrate, hydrophobia,

ign- fire igneous, ignition

in- (1), im- in, on invite, incur, intend

in- (2), il-, im-, ir- in, un- (negation)

illicit, impossible, irrational

infra- under infrastructure

insul- island insular, insulation

inter- among, between intermission, intervene


intra- within intrapersonal

itin- route, way itinerary

jac- (originally IAC), -ject-

cast, throweject, interject, trajectory

jung-, junct- joinconjunction, juncture

junior- younger juniority

jus-, jur, judic (originally IVS)

law, justicejustice, jury, judge

juven- young, youthjuvenile, rejuvenate


lab-, laps- slide, slip elapse, relapse

labi- lip bilabial, labial

labor- toilcollaboration, elaboration

lacer- tear laceration

lact- milk lactate, lactose

lamin- layer, slicelaminate, lamination

lat(i)- broad, wide latitude


later- side bilateral

laud-, laus- praise laud

lav- wash lavatory

lev- lift, lightelevator, levitation

liber- free liberation

libr- book library

lingu-language, tongue

bilingual, linguistic


linqu-, lict- leave relict, relinquish

liter- letter illiterate, literacy, literal

loc- place local, location

loqu-, locut- speak allocution, eloquent

lumin- light illumination, luminous

lun- moon lunar, lunatic

magn- great, large magnanimous, magnificent


maj- greater majesty, majority,

mal- bad, wretched, evil

malicious, malign,

mamm- breast mammal, mammary

manu- hand manual, manuscript

mar- sea marine, maritime

mater-, matr- mother matrimony, maternal

maxim- greatest maximal


medi-, -midi- middle median, medieval

ment- mind demented, mentality

merg-, mers- dip, plunge emerge, immersion

milit- soldier military, militia

mill- thousand millennium, million

min- less, smaller minority, minute

misce-, mixt- mix miscellaneous, mixture


mitt-, miss- sendintermittent, transmission

mort- deathimmortal, mortality

mov-, mot- move, motionmove, motor, momentum

mult(i)- many, muchmultitude, multiple, multiplex

mut- change mutation

narr- tell narrative

nas- nose nasal


nav- ship naval

nect-, nex- join, tie connection

noct- night nocturnal

nomin- name nomination

nov- nine November

nov- new innovation, nova

nud- naked denude, nudity


null(i)- none nullify

numer- number numeral

-nunci- announce pronunciation

nutri- nourish nutrient

ob-, os- againstobstinate, ostentatious, obstreperous

ocul- eye ocular

omni- all omnipotence


ob-, os- againstobstinate, ostentatious

ocul- eye ocular

omni- all omnipotence

oper- workopera, operation

opt- choose optional

optim- best optimum

or- mouth oral, orator


ori- Eastern orient

pac- peacepacify, pacifist

pand-, pans- spreadexpand, expansion

patr(i)- fatherpatrilocal, patriarch

ped- foot pedal

pel-, puls- drivepropeller, propulsion

pend-, pens- hang suspend


plan- flatexplanation, planar

plaud-, plaus- clap applaud

ple-, plet- fill complete

plum- feather plumage

pol- pole polar

pon-, posit- putcomponent, position, postpone

popul- people population


port- gate portal

port- carryexport, transportation

post- after, behindposterior, postscript

pre- before previous

prehend-, prend- grasp comprehend

prim- firstprimary, primitive

proxim- nearest proximity


pulmon- lung pulmonary

pulver- dust pulverize

quadr- fourquadrangle, quadrillion

quer-, -quir-, quesit-, -quisit-

search, seek inquire, query

re-, red- again, backrecede, redact

reg-, -rig-, rect- straight

erect, erection

retro-backward, behind retrospective


rupt- breakeruption, rupture

rur- country rural

sal- saltsalinity, saline

salv- save salvation

sanct- holysanctify, sanctuary

sanguin- blood sanguine

scand-, -scend-, scans-, -scens-

climb ascend


scrib-, script- write inscribe, scripture

sec-, sect-, seg- cut section,

segment

simil- group assimilate, similarity

singul- one each singular

soci- group associate, social

somn- sleep insomnia

son- sound resonance


spati- space spatial

spec-, -spic-, spect- look conspicuous,

inspection

stell- star constellation, stellar

super- above, over supersede

tang-, -ting-, tact-, tag- touch contact,

tangible

tard- slow retard, tardy

tempor- time temporary, temporal.


tend-, tens- stretchextend, extension

test- witness testimony

tot- all, whole total

trans-, tra-, tran-

acrosstranscend, transportation

ultim- farthest ultimate

ultra- beyond ultrasonic

un-, uni- oneuniform, union


urb- city urban

ut-, us- use usual, utility

vac- emptyvacancy, vacation, vacuum

vad-, vas- go evade, pervasive

ven-, vent- come advent, convention

verb- wordverbal, verbatim, verbosity

vert-, vers- turnconvert, inversion, invert, vertical


veter- oldinveterate, veteran

vi- waydeviate, obvious, via

vinc-, vict- conquerinvincible, victory

vit- life vital

viv- liverevive, survive, vivid

voc- voicevocal, vocation, provocative

volv-, volut- rollconvolution, revolve

STUDY THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND THEIR MEANING

Root

aquacisfractgregmanu

Meaning

watercut, killbreakgrouphand

Root

capductfringleg

marMeanin

g

takeleadbreak read, choose

sea

The italicized word in each sentence contains a root. Select the word that means nearly the same as the italicized/underlined word. Write the letter of the correct answer

1. The manuscript found in the monastery was written a thousand years ago.

2. Some fishermen in various parts of the island infringed on the regulation set by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

a.documentb.symbol

c. coded. signal

a.followedb.violated

c. modifiedd. obeyed

3. The aqueous portion of the land has been planted to kangkong.

a.richb.black loam

c. wateryd. useless

4. He has to be rushed to the orthopedic hospital because he has several fractured bones caused by the accident.

a.softb.broken

c. smalld. delicate

5. Certain chemicals are sprayed on plants to induce flowering.

a.delayb.stop

c. lengthend. bring on

6. It would be surprising if the countries in the Middle East would say that they abound in marine life.

a.seab.desert

c. forestd. mine

7. A literate person’s handwriting is legible. a.readableb.bold

c. educatedd. elaborate in

style8. The incision in his stomach bled when he

carried the heavy load from the car to his room.

a.diseaseb.operation

c. bagd. pocket

9. A capacious work area is needed to allow worker free movement.

a.luxuriousb.modern

c. congestedd. roomy

10. Man is by nature gregarious and will always seek the joy of friendship.

a.sociableb.aggressive

c. selfishd. suspicious

The italicized word in each sentence contains a root. Select the word that means nearly the same as the italicized/underlined word. Write the letter of the correct answer

1. The manuscript found in the monastery was written a thousand years ago.

2. Some fishermen in various parts of the island infringed on the regulation set by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

a.documentb.symbol

c. coded. signal

a.followedb.violated

c. modifiedd. obeyed

3. The aqueous portion of the land has been planted to kangkong.

a.richb.black loam

c. wateryd. useless

4. He has to be rushed to the orthopedic hospital because he has several fractured bones caused by the accident.

a.softb.broken

c. smalld. delicate

5. Certain chemicals are sprayed on plants to induce flowering.

a.delayb.stop

c. lengthend. bring on

6. It would be surprising if the countries in the Middle East would say that they abound in marine life.

a.seab.desert

c. forestd. mine

7. A literate person’s handwriting is legible. a.readableb.bold

c. educatedd. elaborate in

style8. The incision in his stomach bled when he

carried the heavy load from the car to his room.

a.diseaseb.operation

c. bagd. pocket

9. A capacious work area is needed to allow worker free movement.

a.luxuriousb.modern

c. congestedd. roomy

10. Man is by nature gregarious and will always seek the joy of friendship.

a.sociableb.aggressive

c. selfishd. suspicious

AFFIXES

KINDS OF AFFIXESPrefix – an affix attached at the

beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning

Suffix – an affix occurring at the end of a word

Infix – an affix appearing in the body of a word

Circumfix – an affix made up of two separate parts which surround or attach to the root or the stem

PREFIXES

PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLES

a- also an-

not, without

atheist, anemic

a- to, towards aside, aback

in the process of, in a particular state

aglow

a- of anew

completely abashed


be- all over, all around

beset

completely bewitch, bemuse

having, covered with

bejeweled

affect with (added to nouns)

befog

cause to be (added to adjectives)

becalm


com- also co-, col-, con-, cor-

with, jointly, completely

combat, co-driver, confide, corrode

contra- against, opposite

contraceptive

counter- opposition, opposite direction

counter-attack, counteract


de- down, away

descend, despair, depend, deduct

completely

denude,

removal, reversal

de-ice, decamp

dia- also di-

through, across

diagonal

dis- also di-

negation, removal, expulsion

disadvantage, dismount, disbud, disbar


en- also em-

put into or on engulf, enmesh

bring into the condition of

enlighten, embitter

intensification entangle, enrage

ex- also e-, ef-

out exit, exclude, expand

upward exalt

completely excruciate, exasperate

previous ex-wife


extra- outside, beyond extracurricular

hemi- half hemisphere

hyper- beyond, more than, more than normal

hypersonic, hyperactive

hypo- under hypoglacemic, hypothermia

in- also il-, im-

not, without infertile, inappropriate, impossible

also il-, im-, ir-

in, into, towards, inside

influence, influx, imbibe

PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLESinfra- below infrared,

infrastructure

inter- between, among interact, interchange

intra- inside, within intramural, intravenous

non- absence, negation non-smoker, non-alcoholic

ob- also oc-, of-, op-

blocking, against, concealing

obstruct, occult, offend, oppose

out- surpassing, exceeding

outperform

external, away from outbuilding, outboard


over- excessively, completely

overconfident, overburdened, overjoyed

upper, outer, over, above

overcoat, overcast

peri- round, about perimeterpost- after in time or

orderpostpone

pre- before in time, place, order or importance

pre-adolescent, prelude, precondition


pro- favouring, in support of

pro-African

acting for proconsul

motion forwards or away

propulsion

before in time, place or order

prologue

re- again repaint, reappraise, reawake


semi- half, partly semicircle, semi-conscious

sub- also suc-, suf-, sug-, sup-, sur-, sus-

at a lower position

submarine, subsoil

lower in rank sub-lieutenant

nearly, approximately

sub-tropical

syn- also sym-

in union, acting together

synchronize, symmetry

trans- across, beyond

transnational, transatlantic

into a different state

translate


ultra- beyond ultraviolet, ultrasonic

extreme ultramicroscopic

un- not unacceptable, unreal, unhappy, unmanned

reversal or cancellation of action or state

unplug, unmask


under-

beneath, below

underarm, undercarriage

lower in rank

undersecretary

not enough

underdeveloped

On the next slide, identify the word being described. Use the appropriate prefix for the description. Write your answer on a sheet of paper.

1.Not patient2.Wrongly understood3.Cycle again4.Having many

purposes5.Change form6.Not personal7.Determine ahead of

time8.Of many cultures9.Establish before10.Without moral

1.impatient2.misunderstood3.recycle4.multi-purpose5.transform6.impersonal7.predetermine8.multi-cultural9.pre-establish10.amoral

Answers:

SUFFIXES

SUFFIX MEANING EXAMPLES

-able, -ible capable of, worthy

agreeable, comfortable, credible

-age act of or state of salvage, bondage

-acy, -isy quality hypocrisy, piracy

-al, -eal, -ial on account of related to, action of

judicial, official arrival, refusal

-ance, -ence act or fact of doing state of

violence, dependence allowance, insurance


-ant quality of one who

defiant, expectant, reliant occupant, accountant

-er, -or agent, one who

author, baker, winner

-ed past jumped, baked

-ery a place to practice of condition of

nunnery, cannery surgery bravery


-dom state, condition of

wisdom, kingdom, martyrdom

-ent having the quality of

different, dependent, innocent

-en made of, to make

woolen, wooden, darken

-eur, -er, -or one who dictator, chauffeur, worker

IN EACH DESCRIPTION ON THE RIGHT BOX, LOOK FOR THE SUFFIX CLUE ON THE LEFT BOX. THEN WRITE THE WORD BEING DESCRIBED.

―able―en―ful―hood―ish―ity, ―ment―less―let, ― ling―ly―ness, ― ty―ology―or, ―er, ―ist―ward

1. without hope: hopeless2. in a strange manner: :3. can be washed : 4. one who plays violin: 5. made of wood: 6. like a fool: 7. in a state of being content: 8. the quality of being kind:9. the quality of being loyal: 10. filled with fear:11. in an up direction:

1. without hope: hopeless2. in a strange manner: strangely3. can be washed: washable4. one who plays violin: violinist5. made of wood: wooden6. like a fool: foolish7. in a state of being content: contentment 8. the quality of being kind: kindness9. the quality of being loyal: loyalty10. filled with fear: fearful11. in an up direction: upward

ANSWERS:

The next slide has a box of words and a Venn diagram. Write each word in the appropriate space in the diagram. If the a word has neither prefix nor suffix, write it outside the circles.

Prefix only

Both Prefix and Suffix

Suffix only

reappear appreciate nonsense goodnessundone discover childish midnightpoisonous impossible wishful disagreementdishonesty adulthood zoology recountedquite immature nonworking frequentlymisalign precooked uninformed yellowish

Prefix only Both Prefix and Suffix

Suffix only

reappear

discovermisalignundone

impossibleimmature

nonsensemidnight

poisonousadulthood

childishwishful

goodnessyellowish

dishonestyprecookednonworkinguniformed

disagreementnonworking

quite appreciate

recounted

Answers:

zoology

CONTEXT CLUES

ContextRefers to the parts of a piece of writing or speech that precede or follow a word and contribute to its full meaning.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUESDefinitionSynonymSimileExampleAppositionInferenceComparison and contrastNegationExperience clue

1. DEFINITION

This is an outright explanation of the meaning of a word by introducing and describing it within the same context.

Example:The cornea is the transparent outer coating of the eyeball.

2. SYNONYM

The meaning of the unknown word is understood because the ideas is repeated in familiar words.

Example:In his complete uniform and with his shining sword, the man appeared bellicose or warlike.

3. SIMILE

The words as and like are used to show an idea of comparison.

Example:The boy’s eyes glistened like the bright stars in the sky.

4. EXEMPLIFICATION

Provides an illustration, instance or model of the word.

Example:The artist engages in aesthetic activities such as writing poems about the beauty of nature and paining scenic spots.

5. APPOSITION An appositive is a descriptive word, phrase,

or clause placed beside the unknown word and is often enclosed or set off by commas.

Example:An ecologist, a scientist who specialized in the relationship between living things and their environment, is likely to have authoritative opinion on the problem of pollution versus man’s survival

6. INFERENCE To infer is to reach an opinion based on the

given facts. It involves making a conclusion as a result of reasoning.

Example:When he passed the sentry, Jose gave his forge ID card and held his breath. The guard on duty was busy talking to a friend and gave it a perfunctory glance, so Jose breathed easily again.

7. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

Uses similar or different ideas to illustrate the meaning of the target vocabulary

Example:We must recognize the true from false, the enduring from the ephemeral, the important from the trivial.

8. NEGATION

Tells the reader what the word is not

Example:The family is not formal learning institution or university but it does equip is with lessons needed to survive in life.

9. EXPERIENCE CLUE

Uses common experiences that help readers easily relate to the meaning of the word

Example:His room is a pig pen. He has not been cleaning it for several months now.

The next slide contains underlined words. Find out each of their meaning by looking at the context clues provided by the sentences. Then identify the context clue used.

1. You may reach the nadir or lowest point in your life, but don’t give up.

2. Self-hypnosis is simply using positive words to train the subconscious to replace negative thoughts.

3. Many people think that vegetating on front of a television set is relaxing. However, this lack of movement is the cause of many illnesses.

4. Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by predictable laws.

5. Lourdes is always sucking up to the boss, even in front of others. That sycophant just doesn't care what others think of her behavior.

1. You may reach the nadir or lowest point in your life, but don’t give up. (synonym)

2. Self-hypnosis is simply using positive words to train the subconscious to replace negative thoughts. (definition)

3. Many people think that vegetating on front of a television set is relaxing. However, this lack of movement is the cause of many illnesses. (comparison and contrast)

4. Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by predictable laws. (exemplification)

5. Lourdes is always sucking up to the boss, even in front of others. That sycophant just doesn't care what others think of her behavior. (experience clue)

VOCABULARY ACQUISITION TECHNIQUES

Technique #1: Divide and conquer Analyze the parts of the words – their root or stem and their affixes.

Technique #2: Use context clues When we find meaning in contest as we read texts, we learn new vocabulary without disrupting our reading process. Context is important because many words have more than one meaning.

Technique #3: Look up the meaning in the dictionary It helps us learn other information about words. However, do not overuse this technique.

Technique #4: Skip itAs long as we can understand the whole passage even without understanding the meaning of some terms, then it won’t make a lot of difference.

PRACTICE

1.Read the newspaper article then, on the worksheet, write the unfamiliar words in the first column. In the second column, write the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Then put a check on the technique that you used to understand the meaning of the word.

2.What is the overall idea of the article? What helped you arrive at that answer?

3.In reading the article, which vocabulary technique helped you the most. Explain your answer.

Villamin, Arcelli M. et.al (1995). Developmental Reading. Quezon City: Phoenix Press, Inc.

Yu, Pamela et.al. (2007). Keys to confidence and Competence in English 1. Biñan, Laguna: Trailblazer Publication.

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/prefixes.htm retrieved on May 1, 2009.

http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/~steuben/vocabularycontext.htm retrieved on May 2, 2009.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Greek_and_Latin_roots_in_English retrieved on April 20, 2009.

References:

Education

Reading vocabulary