Working out a word
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Context clues/ˈkɒntekst kluːz/ | Information in nearby words or sentences that helps a reader infer an unfamiliar word's meaning. |
| English-English dictionary/ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ ˈdɪkʃənəri/ | A dictionary that explains English words using English definitions and examples. |
| word parts/wɜːd pɑːts/ | word parts |
| part of speech/pɑːt ɒv spiːtʃ/ | A grammatical category describing a word's function, such as noun, verb, adjective or adverb. |
A contrast narrows a word’s meaning
- “The courtyard is shared, not exclusive to one group” uses the contrast to suggest that exclusive concerns restricted access. Context supports an interpretation; it does not guarantee every unfamiliar word’s meaning.
- Context clues 上下文线索 include nearby explanations, contrasts and examples. Check a guess against the whole sentence and task.
"The supply proved precarious: a single dry summer emptied the reservoir." What does precarious mean?
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The supplied fictional sentence links a dry summer with an emptied reservoir, supporting unstable or vulnerable supply rather than plentiful, costly or clean.
Select the dictionary sense
- An English-English dictionary 英英词典 may list several meanings, examples and usage labels. Select the sense that fits this sentence, rather than choosing the first or last definition automatically.
- In a craft demonstration, demonstrate can mean showing a method by doing it. The activity does not itself prove that the method represents an entire country.
Use word parts as clues
- Word parts 词根词缀 can suggest a meaning: bio- commonly relates to life and -logy to study. Prefixes and endings are clues, not rules that explain every word.
- Check the sentence too. A plausible meaning from a prefix can be wrong for this particular use.
Match each word part to its meaning.
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These are common meanings of the supplied word parts. Use them as clues and check the actual word in context.
Grammar belongs to the whole phrase
- Part of speech 词性 describes how a word functions. In “the reservoir”, reservoir is the noun; in “the large reservoir”, large is an adjective before the noun.
- A word directly after the is not necessarily a noun. Use the surrounding phrase and the dictionary entry together to check meaning and grammar.
In "the reservoir", what must reservoir be?
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Reservoir is the noun in this noun phrase. In “the large reservoir”, large follows the but is an adjective, so position after the alone is not a noun test.
Build a paragraph with limited claims
- A topic sentence can state that an exchange helps people compare methods. Supporting sentences can describe demonstrations and individual experiences; the ending should preserve that limited scope.
- Record a useful word’s meaning, part of speech and example. Dictionary usage labels or a good bilingual explanation can help with register; no tool automatically removes the need to check context.
Use context, the whole phrase and the relevant dictionary sense; keep paragraph claims within the evidence.
Usage labels and example sentences in a suitable dictionary can help you check a word’s register in context.
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A dictionary can help with usage and register. No dictionary or translation automatically settles the meaning without context.
Put the steps of dealing with an unknown word in the order that builds the skill.
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For this practice, use context and word parts to form a tentative interpretation, then check the dictionary sense and record useful usage. A necessary lookup need not always wait until a guess is made.