LESSON 2 VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT

 VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
o Vocabulary refers to knowledge of word meanings. It also refers to the collection
of words that a person knows and uses. Our vocabulary is the words we
understand.
o Vocabulary development is the process of acquiring new words. The size of a
child’s vocabulary between preschool and first grade is often a strong indicator of
their reading comprehension in later grades.
o Expanding your vocabulary is a valuable skill that can enhance your
communication abilities and overall understanding of the world.

 THE IMPORTANCE OF VOCABULARY

o Why is VOCABULARY important?
 As the saying goes, “the pen is mightier than the sword,” and a vast
vocabulary can be a powerful tool in any writer's arsenal.
Developing a rich and diverse vocabulary can help you comprehend
complex texts, express your thoughts more clearly, enhance your critical
thinking and communication skills, boost your confidence and credibility
in academic and social situations and articulate your ideas with precision
and finesse.

 WAYS TO EXPAND OUR VOCABULARY

1. Read Regularly
 Reading a range of books, articles, and other materials can expose you to
new words and phrases that you may not have come across. Viewing new
words in context can help you learn about their meanings and usage.
Additionally, reading helps us to understand the nuances of language and
how words can be used in different ways.
This exposure to different styles of writing, genres, and subjects can also
expand our vocabulary and help us to become more articulate and
expressive in our own writing and speech.
2. Use Dictionary & Thesaurus
 It's a good idea to become an 'active reader' by keeping your phone or
laptop handy to search for and record new words you discover. By
regularly consulting these resources, one can expand their vocabulary and
develop a more sophisticated writing style. A dictionary provides
definitions, pronunciations, and examples of how a word is used in
context. This not only helps to clarify the meaning of a word, but also
provides insight into how it can be used in different situations. A
 thesaurus, on the other hand, provides synonyms and antonyms for a given
word, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of its meaning and
usage.
3. Play Word Games
 Playing word games like Scrabble or crossword puzzles can be a fun way
to improve vocabulary. By engaging with various word puzzles, players
are exposed to new words and challenged to think critically about their
meanings and usage. Additionally, many word games incorporate elements
of competition or reward which can incentivize players to learn and retain
new vocabulary. Furthermore, the repetitive nature of these games can
reinforce the memorization of words and their definitions. There are many
free apps available that help users learn new words and test their
knowledge.
4. Practice Writing
 Writing regularly is an effective way to improve vocabulary as it allows
for the use of a wider range of vocabulary than speaking. It also forces you
to think critically about the words you use and how they relate to each
other, and you have more time to consider and select your words carefully.
It also offers a great opportunity to practice the use of new words and
phrases to solidify your understanding of their meanings.
5. Engage in Conversation
 When we have conversations, we are exposed to various words and
phrases that we may not have heard before. By asking questions and
actively listening, we can learn new words and their meanings.
Additionally, conversations provide context for these new words, making
it easier to remember and use them in the future. Engaging in
conversations with people from different backgrounds and cultures can
also expose us to new words and phrases that we may not have otherwise
encountered.

 STRATEGIES FOR EXPANDING VOCABULARY

1. CONTEXT CLUES
 Context refers to the surrounding words, sentences, or overall situation in
which a word, phrase, or text is used. It includes the information and cues
provided by the surrounding language or circumstances that help
determine the intended meaning.
 Context clues are hints or information provided in the text surrounding an
unfamiliar word that helps the reader deduce its meaning.
 Context can be found at different levels, such as sentence-level,
paragraph-level, or even the broader context of an entire text.
 SENTENCE LEVEL - Sentence-level context refers to the
immediate words, phrases, and structure surrounding a specific
word within a sentence. It includes the content of the sentence
itself, the words that come before and after the target word.
EXAMPLES:
SYNONYM CONTEXT CLUES
He should try to be magnanimous. Forgiving others and being
generous are positive character traits.
ANTONYM CONTEXT CLUES
The room was filled with noisy chatter and laughter, but outside,
the street was quiet and deserted.
 PARAGRAPH LEVEL - Paragraph-level context refers to the
information provided by the sentences within a paragraph that
surrounds a specific word or phrase.
 It considers the theme and purpose of the paragraph and how the
target word fits into the larger context.
a. Examining the Surrounding Sentences
b. Identifying Signal Words or Phrases
EXAMPLES:
The old house stood at the end of the winding road, its
weather-beaten exterior showing signs of neglect. Ivy crawled up
the cracked walls, weaving a tangled web of greenery around the
windows. Inside, the air was musty and stale, filled with the scent
of decay. Dust-covered furniture lay scattered throughout the dimly
lit rooms, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling like delicate lace.
Despite its dilapidated appearance, there was a sense of history
and mystery that clung to the walls, whispering tales of bygone
days.
 TEXT LEVEL - Text-level context refers to the broader
information and structure provided by the entire text or passage. It
involves considering the overall theme, purpose, tone, and style of
the text to interpret the meaning of specific words or phrases.
a. Understanding the Theme or Purpose
b. Connecting to Prior Knowledge
EXAMPLES:
The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary
whistling of the wind in the all but-deserted cemetery.
She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever.
What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation
was absolutely vapid.”
 2. WORD ANALYSIS
 Word analysis involves breaking down unfamiliar words into smaller
parts, such as prefixes, suffixes, and root words, to understand their
meanings.
1. PREFIXES - consist of one or more letters that are attached to the front
of the base word, altering its definition or creating a new word altogether.
EXAMPLES:
"un-" (meaning "not" or "opposite"): UNCERTAIN,
UNCOMMON
"re-" (meaning "again" or "back"): REBUILD, REVISIT
2. SUFFIXES - They are added to the end of a base word to modify its
meaning or change its grammatical function. Suffixes typically consist of
one or more letters or syllables that are attached to the end of a word.
EXAMPLES:
"-ful" (meaning "full of" or "characterized by"): BEAUTIFUL,
JOYFUL
"-ly" (meaning "in a manner of" or "characterized by"):
QUICKLY, SLOWLY
3. ROOT WORDS - also known as base words, are the core lexical units
of a language. They are the fundamental units from which other words are
derived through the addition of prefixes or suffixes. A root word carries a
central meaning and is often a standalone word that can exist
independently.
EXAMPLES:
BENE (GOOD) – BENEFICIAL
DICT (SAY) – PREDICT
AQUA (WATER) - AQUATIC

A. USE APPROPRIATE PREFIXES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS TO CREATE A NEW

WORD.
1. CEDE
2. SCRIPT
3. FIT
4. LOCATE
5. ADJUSTED
B. CONVERT THE FOLLOWING WORDS USING APPROPRIATE SUFFIXES TO FORM
A NEW WORD.
1. IMAGINE
 2. CREATIVE
3. ARTICULATE
4. INFORM
5. UTILIZE
C. CHOOSE THE LETTER THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE MEANING OF THE
UNDERLINED WORDS.
1. They gladly express their acquiescence to the new arrangements.
a. consent b. objection c. enthusiasm d. reaction
2. If you’re weary, resort to reading, an antidote to boredom.
a. Alternative b. Remedy c. Antithesis d. analogy
3. The employer has an antipathy to his manager whom he considers unfair. a. Antagonism
b. Empathy c. Agreement d. partiality
4. When his employer noticed his apathy towards his work, he reprimanded him. a.
Responsiveness b. Concern c. Anxiety d. disinterest
5. His backsliding into old vices hurts his mother. a. Retrogression b. Introspection c.
Retrospection d. reminiscence
6. A blister on his feet makes him cry. a. Scar b. Swelling c. Shrinkage d. blot
7. A car is a boon to us who commute every day. a. Blessing b. Answer c. Vehicle d.
amenity
8. Students take advantage of the boom in call center industry. a. Popularity b. Prosperity c.
Recession d. importance
9. Her laughter is a camouflage to conceal her misery. a. jubilation b. re-enactment c.
disguise d. means
10. The high cost of education requires a curb on something. a. Struggle b. Luxury c.
Restraint d. wastefulness
11. He was accused of dereliction of duty. a. Trustworthiness b. Maintenance c. Derision d.
abandonment
12. Her diffidence prevents her from accepting speaking engagements. a. Failure b. Shyness
c. Obstinacy d. indifference
13. The pressure on the couple led to the disintegration of their marriage. a. Renewal b.
Stability c. Repeal d. breakdown
14. The disparagement he made in public humiliated her. a. Speech b. Criticism c. Repartee
d. eulogy
15. The department head’s encouraging words contribute to the teacher’s effervescence. a.
Esteem b. Pride c. Confidence d. Enthusiasm
D.