Challenger 2

I hope you have completed Challenger 1 in your vocabulary notebook.

Challenger 2
Write down 20 phrases or useful chunks that you come across through your reading. If you are not reading anything interesting, then, you will have to search actively in the magazines and newspapers.

I have just finished reading Marley and Me by John Grogran. Some useful chunks that I have collected in my journal are:

1 my perseverance paid off
2 prized possession
3 hard, unrestrained, from-the-gut sobbing
4 rambunctious, wired dog
5 I slinked around town self-consciously, convinced all eyes were on me. My ears burned imagining people talking about me.


After you have collected these chunks, try to use them in your own writing. Soon, these phrases will become a part of you.

Vocabulary Challenger 1

This week, I will be giving you a series of challenges which will help you develop your vocabulary.

Challenger 1:

Know Your Verbs

Can you name a verb for every alphabet from A - Z?

A - adopt

B - buy

C -

Alternatively, you can also play this game with your friends.

My Vocabulary Notebook

Finally, now that you have all the sections for your vocabulary book, it is time to put it into good use. Of course, the first thing to do is to always make sure your vocabulary notebook follows you to school. Everytime you learn a new word, decide which section the word should be recorded. Is it an idiom, a proverb or a new word? When you are at home, look at the notebook and see how you can add to it. Is there a synonym or antonym of a word you can check out? Can you draw a mindmap out of new word you have just learnt? Do this for three weeks in a row and you would have formed a new habit.

Useful chunks

One of the fastest way to learn English is see how good writers write. Have a special section called 'useful chunks' where you copy down interesting words and phrases each time you read the newspaper, articles from magazines or essays. These useful chunks show you how the words are used and comes in handy when you write your essays. I am not saying you should copy whole chunks into your essay. That is plagiarism. Rather, you should read those phrases and let it sink into your memory and become part of your working vocabulary.

Synonyms, antonyms and context

Thus far, we have seen a few strategies to increase our vocabulary. Another section to include in your vocabulary book or journal is synonyms, antonyms and context. Usually, whenever a student comes across a new word, they are encouraged to write down the meaning of the word. I would say that you should go beyond that. The definition of a word is only the BEGINNING level of understanding. To FULLY understand and internalize word meanings and be able to use words correctly IN CONTEXT, Learn SYNONYMS for the new words, learn ANTONYMS,and the diffferent ways the word is used.

Proverbs

Another section to include is 'Useful Lists'. Copy a list of common proverbs and their meanings in this section. This list comes in useful when you are writing an essay and you can spice up your essay with an appropriate proverb.

For example: As the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Therefore, it is important that a student takes time out to relax and enjoy.



Some common proverbs can be downloaded from www.englishclub.com/

Collocation

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Now, back to keeping a vocabulary notebook. I hope you have bought your new vocab book.

The next section to create in your notebook is collocations. Collocations refer to words that go together.
An example of a verb + noun collocation is:

Can you keep an eye on my bag while I buy something?

Now, try to complete the blanks below:

If you _______ a mistake, just erase it off.
You should _______ a chance and _____ for his help.
He ______ his temper easily when he is tired.
He should ____ more attention to his children at home.


Next, how many collocations can you list for the following verbs:

make, have, take

Example:

make amends
make an application

have an argument

take action




You can add to the list by searching online. This list of collocations are important when answering the cloze test in the exam as well as when writing your essays.