Building a Powerful Vocabulary

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 segmentsset 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 timecarve 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
2. an audacious endeavor

c. inflexible

d. shrewd

a. foolish

b. serious
3. a latent talent

c. expensive

d. bold

a. apparent

b. valuable
4. a gaudy dress

c. present but not apparent

d. useless

a. expensive

b. deep green

c. flattering

d. showy

5. a disheveled person

a. useless

b. untidy
6. feign illness

c. miserable

d. vicious

a. suffer

b. pretend
7. an agile child

c. die from

d. enjoy

a. intelligent

b. nimble

c. neglected

d. annoying

8. a somber night

a. dismal

b. expensive
9. a prosaic event

c. lively

d. disastrous

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
12. a hiatus in the schedule

c. easy

d. old

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
16. an anonymous victim

c. laconic

d. enthusiastic

a. willing

b. known
17. a vicarious thrill

c. not known or named

d. foreign

a. incomplete

b. triumphant

c. spoiled

d. indirect

18. a languid feeling

a. nervous

b. energetic
19. vernacular language

c. fatigued

d. robust

a. ordinary

b. elevated
20. a religious icon

c. formal

d. informal

a. gesture

b. picture
21. inclement weather

c. ritual

d. structure

a. fair

b. unexpected
22. a cavalier attitude

c. foul

d. disturbing

a. pleasant

b. dramatic
23. a caustic remark

c. considerate

d. arrogant

a. wise

b. biting
24. a timely caveat

c. prudent

d. complimentary

a. bargain

b. purchase
25. an ominous situation

c. warning

d. movement

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 2. fluster 3. rigid 4. purge 5. rehabilitate 6. latent 7. gaudy 8. feign 9. cajole 10. impede
Answers to Test for an Average Vocabulary:

a. cleanse b. flashy c. confuse d. restore e. hinder f. pretend g. stiff h. coax i. hidden j. at hand

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

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 2. panacea 3. opulent 4. eschew few cure-all spare shun _____ _____ _____ _____

5. nefarious 6. incarcerate 7. ameliorate 8. candor 9. taciturn 10. verbose

Answers to Test for a Good Vocabulary:

wicked imprison make worse hypocrisy talkative wordy

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

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:

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____