Building a Powerful Vocabulary
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Introduction
Test Your Vocabulary
Introduction
Step 1: Time
Step 2: Place
Step 3: Method
Words are the building blocks of thought. They are the means by which we understand the ideas of others and express our own opinions. It is only logical that people who know how to use words concisely and accurately find it easier to achieve their aims.
In fact, formal education has less relationship to vocabulary achievement than you might expect; people can improve their word power on their own. This section will show you how to expand and improve your vocabulary in just ten minutes a day!
Each of the following lessons is designed to take ten minutes to complete. Do one lesson a day. Work from beginning to end because the lessons build on each other. Follow these three easy steps:
Step 1: Time
Begin by setting aside a block of ten minutes a day. Don't split your time into two five-minute segments—set aside one ten-minute period every day. Consider using ten minutes in the early morning before you begin your regular activities. Or you might want to use ten minutes on the bus, subway, or train or ten minutes during a work break. Maybe right after dinner is a convenient time for you. Whatever time you select, make it your time—carve it in granite! To make your work even easier, try to set aside the same time every day. You'll be surprised at how quickly your vocabulary builds.
Step 2: Place
Now, find a place where you can work undisturbed. If you know that you have difficulty tuning out the distractions of public transportation or the office lunchroom, try to study at home. Perhaps you have the ability to completely ignore extraneous chatter or music and so can concentrate in the middle of the family room or in a crowded cafeteria. Wherever you decide to study, try to settle in the same place every day. In this way, you'll set to work more quickly, concentrate better, and succeed sooner.
Step 3: Method
Ten minutes a day is all it takes to build a powerful vocabulary. To help you get into the rhythm of working in ten-minute segments, set your alarm or kitchen timer for ten minutes. When you hear the buzzer, you'll know that you've spent ten minutes on your vocabulary. Soon you'll be able to pace yourself without the timer.
Test Your Vocabulary
How Good Is Your Vocabulary?
Test for an Average Vocabulary
Test for a Good Vocabulary
Test for an Excellent Vocabulary
How Good Is Your Vocabulary?
To see how your vocabulary measures up to that of other people, take the following tests. As you go through each test, put a check mark next to any word you don't know. After you complete each test, go back and see which of your choices proved correct. Then take a minute to study the words you missed.
The first test consists of twenty-five phrases, each containing an italicized word. Circle the correct response. This test has no time limit.
1. a lenient supervisor
a. short b. not strict c. inflexible d. shrewd
2. an audacious endeavor
a. foolish b. serious c. expensive d. bold
3. a latent talent
a. apparent b. valuable c. present but not apparent d. useless
4. a gaudy dress
a. expensive b. deep green c. flattering d. showy
5. a disheveled person
a. useless b. untidy c. miserable d. vicious
6. feign illness
a. suffer b. pretend c. die from d. enjoy
7. an agile child
a. intelligent b. nimble c. neglected d. annoying
8. a somber night
a. dismal b. expensive c. lively d. disastrous
9. a prosaic event
a. extraordinary b. irregular c. commonplace d. pretty
10. a vivacious person
a. annoying b. dismal c. vicious d. spirited
11. a baffling situation
a. puzzling b. obvious c. easy d. old
12. a hiatus in the schedule
a. continuation b. uniformity c. gap d. beginning
13. a lackluster report
a. enthusiastic b. praiseworthy c. dull d. wordy
14. a prevalent condition
a. adult b. widespread c. previous d. fatal
15. a loquacious person
a. talkative b. cutthroat c. laconic d. enthusiastic
16. an anonymous victim
a. willing b. known c. not known or named d. foreign
17. a vicarious thrill
a. incomplete b. triumphant c. spoiled d. indirect
18. a languid feeling
a. nervous b. energetic c. fatigued d. robust
19. vernacular language
a. ordinary b. elevated c. formal d. informal
20. a religious icon
a. gesture b. picture c. ritual d. structure
21. inclement weather
a. fair b. unexpected c. foul d. disturbing
22. a cavalier attitude
a. pleasant b. dramatic c. considerate d. arrogant
23. a caustic remark
a. wise b. biting c. prudent d. complimentary
24. a timely caveat
a. bargain b. purchase c. warning d. movement
25. an ominous situation
a. pleasant b. rigid c. obvious d. threatening
Answers to How Good Is Your Vocabulary?:
The following three tests evaluate whether you have an average, good, or excellent vocabulary. The tests have no time limit.
Test for an Average Vocabulary
If you have an average vocabulary, you should be able to match the two columns below correctly. Write your answer in the space provided. Nearly three quarters of the adults tested knew all these words.
1. imminent a. cleanse _____
2. fluster b. flashy _____
3. rigid c. confuse _____
4. purge d. restore _____
5. rehabilitate e. hinder _____
6. latent f. pretend _____
7. gaudy g. stiff _____
8. feign h. coax _____
9. cajole i. hidden _____
10. impede j. at hand _____
Answers to Test for an Average Vocabulary:
Test for a Good Vocabulary
Only half the adults tested got all of the following words correct. See how well you can do! Write S if the word in the second column is similar in meaning to the word in the first column or O if it is opposite.
S or O
1. myriad few _____
2. panacea cure-all _____
3. opulent spare _____
4. eschew shun _____
5. nefarious wicked _____
6. incarcerate imprison _____
7. ameliorate make worse _____
8. candor hypocrisy _____
9. taciturn talkative _____
10. verbose wordy _____
Answers to Test for a Good Vocabulary:
Test for an Excellent Vocabulary
Fewer than one quarter of the adults tested got all of the following words correct. In the space provided, write T if the definition is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. Obsequiousness is a sign of pride. _____
2. Parsimonious people are extravagant. _____
3. Recycling is an exigency of the moment. _____
4. The hawk is a predatory bird. _____
5. An aquiline nose is straight. _____
6. A covert plan is out in the open. _____
7. It is hard to explain things to an obtuse person. _____
8. Someone with catholic views is narrow-minded. _____
9. A large debt obviates financial worries. _____
10. Erudite people are well-read. _____
Answers to Test for an Excellent Vocabulary:
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