Vocabulary: Goals
Vocabulary: Goals
VOCABULARY
GOALS
1. Provide students with skills and opportunities to learn words independently.
2. To teach students the meaning of specific words.
3. To help students build word power and vocabulary for better communication.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
♦ Understand words in a variety of contexts from a variety of roots (Greek, Latin, etc.).
INTRODUCTION
The term ‘vocabulary’ is defined as ‘the body of words used in a particular language’. It is also called
‘wordstock’, ‘lexicon’, and ‘lexis’. Vocabulary consists of the words we understand when we hear or read them
and words we speak or write. However, it is ‘more than words’; it is a measure of all that a person has learnt,
experienced or felt. Vocabulary knowledge requires not only knowledge of word meaning, but it requires the
usage of words in the appropriate context and in a natural way.
Vocabulary is developed gradually and serves as a fundamental tool for communication, and acquiring
knowledge. We build vocabulary by picking up words that we read or hear and through direct instruction from
teachers or other professionals. The more words we know, the more we will be able to understand what we
hear and read. In turn, the better we will be able to say what we want to while speaking or writing. Therefore, it
can be said that learning vocabulary is an important part of learning a language.
3. Reading Vocabulary - Reading vocabulary refers to the words we recognise when we read any text. If
a person is a reader then this type of vocabulary happens to be the second largest vocabulary.
Needless to say, vocabulary grows with reading.
4. Writing Vocabulary - It represents the words we use while writing to express ourselves. Our writing
vocabulary is intensely affected by the words we can spell.
These types of vocabulary can further be categorised in two ways. The first is expressive and receptive
vocabulary. Depending on how we ‘use’ or ‘understand’ vocabulary, we can categorise word knowledge into
expressive or receptive vocabulary.
♦ The words that we use for ‘speaking’ and ‘writing’ are termed expressive vocabulary as these are
vocabularies that we use to express our thoughts and feelings.
♦ The words that we need to know to understand what we read or listen to are termed as receptive
vocabulary and refers to listening and reading vocabularies.
Alternatively, vocabulary can be divided into oral vocabulary and written vocabulary. Speaking and listening
vocabularies constitute oral vocabulary and reading and writing vocabularies constitute written vocabulary.
Oral
Vocabulary
Reading Writing
Written
Vocabulary
It has been noted that our receptive vocabulary is normally larger than our expressive vocabulary. For
Example: a child who cannot speak, write or sign can follow quite a number of instructions given in language
that he or she is used to.
Effective Ways to Build Vocabulary
Building vocabulary is a powerful way to enhance your career. It can be pleasurable and profitable investment
of both your time and effort. If you spend a few minutes a day on a regular basis to study words or to attempt
vocabulary-building exercises, there will surely be a rapid enhancement in your vocabulary skills. This in turn
will help improve your communication skills.
Needless to say, you already have an extensive vocabulary, and that with each passing day more words will be
added to it whether you work on it or not. However, you need to work consistently and with dedication if you
desire to enhance the speed of your learning. There are no short cuts or magical ways to improve your
vocabulary; but the larger your vocabulary bank, the easier it will become for you to make associations and
links between new words and the vocabulary you already possess; making it easier to remember the word and
its meaning. Thus, as your vocabulary grows so will the pace of your learning.
As you try to learn new words, it will benefit you if you are aware of the kinds of vocabulary you will encounter.
Generally speaking, you will encounter the following types:
1. Synonyms: words that have similar meanings
2. Foreign Words: words that have been borrowed from other languages
3. Connotations: words that invoke an idea or a feeling when read or heard
4. Antonyms: words that mean the opposite of other words
5. Collocations: words that are used together or form fixed relationships
6. Idioms: a group of words that have a meaning different from their literal meaning
7. Phrasal Verbs: multi- word verbs
Here are some points to remember in your quest to improve our vocabulary:
• Be aware of words. Do not avoid words that are foreign or new to you. Instead, examine them closely.
Even before you look up the meaning of the word, you should attempt to deduce its meaning from the
context. Later, you may also check the dictionary meaning of the word to verify whether your deduction
was correct. Do not be afraid if it slows down your reading initially; eventually, due to your improved
understanding and vocabulary, it will speed up your learning of other words.
• Read voraciously. Choose books, articles, etc. of your interest and read regularly. Reading is crucial
for vocabulary enhancement since it helps in finding most of the words that are important for
comprehension and expression and must be learnt.
• Use a dictionary. The dictionary is an important tool for one who desires to improve vocabulary.
Whenever you consult a dictionary, you should circle the word you are looking up. You must also
examine the entire entry about the word. This is because the word may have more than one meaning.
Reading all the meanings will help in understanding how to use the word in different ways.
• Maintain a journal. If you note down all the new words you encounter, you can refer to the list later,
study the words and slowly include these words in your active vocabulary.
• Use new words. The more you use these words in your writing and conversations, the sooner they will
become a part of your active vocabulary.
• Engage in conversations. Simply engaging in conversations with other people can help you learn and
discover new words.
• Study new words regularly. Vocabulary building is a simple process. It involves the reviewing of
words regularly until they are fixed in one’s memory. The best way to do this is by taking some time
out in your daily schedule for vocabulary study. During this time, you can study new words i.e. look for
their meanings, find their synonyms, and root words. You must also set a goal for the number of
words you want to learn every day.
• Go back to the roots. One of the most powerful tools for learning new words and for deciphering their
meaning is studying their Latin and Greek roots. Latin and Greek elements (prefixes, roots and
suffixes) are a significant part of the English language and a great tool for learning new words.
• Attempt word puzzles and play word games. If you wish to expand your vocabulary, then playing
board games and attempting word puzzles will help you achieve your goals. Apart from improving your
critical thinking skills, they also strengthen your word knowledge.
CONNOTATIONS
Connotation is defined as an idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its
literal or primary meaning.. The strict, dictionary definition of a word is called its ‘denotation,’ i.e. the
feelings or emotions associated with it.
Example: Both ‘fat’ and ‘chubby’ have a common denotation. Both words mean ‘being overweight’,
however, most people would rather be chubby, because chubby has a positive connotation and fat has a
negative connotation.
Let us examine another example– home and house. Both words have a common denotation- a building / place
meant for human habitation. However, the word ‘home’ connotes warmth, family, love and affection, whereas
the word ‘house’ connotes only a structure of cement and concernment for inhabitation.
Importance of connotation
Connotation gives us an indication of the emotions or associations that surround a word. A word's connotations
can be either positive or negative and will depend on the context in which it is used, and to some degree, on
the reader or the listener. Therefore, understanding a word’s literal and suggestive meaning is of extreme
importance to every speaker and writer. On some occasions, you may want to use a word that carries a
negative connotation on purpose. However, there are times you want to ensure that you do not mistakenly use
a word that carries a misleading connotation.
It is of utmost importance that we choose our words with care. The choice of words can change the meaning of
the sentence significantly. For example: Describing a woman who is thin as ‘scrawny’ carries a negative
connotation; whereas describing her as ‘slender’ carries a positive connotation.
Let us examine connotations a little more closely by studying the groups of words given below:
You must have noticed that the words in each group have similar denotations; however, each word has a
different connotation.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Categorise the words from each group given below as positive, negative or neutral. The first one is
done for you as an example.
1. gaze, look steadily, stare
2. brainwash, persuade, influence one way or another
3. delayed, not on time, tardy
4. somewhat interested, nosy, curious
5. lazily, without haste, leisurely
6. ask of someone, demand, request
7. gathering, a large group, mob
8. discuss with others, debate, argue
9. observe, watch, spy
10. assertive, firmly confident, pushy
Q2. In each of the following sentences, the italicised word has a fairly neutral connotation. For each word
in italics, list two synonyms (words with similar denotations): one with a negative connotation and the
other with a positive connotation.
1. I recognised the familiar smell of my mother’s cooking.
2. Siddharth’s interest in painting has turned into a hobby.
3. Vasco was an adventurous traveller.
4. My old laptop has finally died.
5. Sneha was mildly intimidated by Gautam's assertive behavior.
Q3. Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing
approval or disapproval of the topic. Then identify the word that most suits the context.
1. This refrigerator is (expensive / overpriced) but Soham did not mind paying extra because of
the numerous useful features it has.
2. Shiv Tomar and his (cronies / employees) have controlled the management in this company
for over fourteen years now. I wish Arindham Chatterjee is elected President this time.
3. Hopefully I won’t have to share office space with Mrs. Singh. She can be very (curious / nosy).
4. Please ask Rohit to turn down the volume. It is difficult for me to concentrate with all that
(noise / music).
5. Mr. Nair had better be wary of his new neighbor, Ms. Banerjee; she is a (crafty / clever) one.
6. I have great respect for your brother who is rather (reserved, antisocial) and dignified.
7. My friend can’t stand her mother – in – law who is very (thrifty / miserly); she has a lot of
money but refuses to help others.
8. The new saleswoman tends to be (enthusiastic, pushy) while dealing with customers. She is
scaring them away.
• Best practice: In business, a ‘best practice’ is one that should be adopted because it has proven
effectiveness.
Business Jargons
• Bang for the buck - a term that means to get the most for your money
• Best practice - the best way to do something
• Core competency - basic strength of a group or company
• Due diligence - putting effort into research before making a business decision
• Drill down - to look at a problem in detail
• Low-hanging fruit - the easiest problems to fix
• Scalable - an endeavor that can be expanded without a lot of additional investment
• Sweat equity - getting a stake in the business instead of pay
• The 9-to-5 - business jargon meaning a standard workday
• Chief cook and bottle-washer - a person who holds many responsibilities
In addition, you can develop a full understanding of an area if you learn the different synonyms and the
connotations that apply to it in speech or writing. Similarly, knowing the antonym of a word increases your
ability to understand and retain the word itself.
Given below is a list of words with their antonyms and synonyms for your reference.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. In the following questions choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the given word.
(a) Obliterate
a) Differ b) Suffer c) Destroy d) Forget
(b) Myriad
a) Many b) A disease c) Dramatic d) Confusion
(c) Perpetual
a) General b) Emotional c) Stubborn d) Continuous
(d) Fissure
a) Opening b) Big c) To fetch d) Excite
(e) Despot
a) Tyrant b) Storage c) Hot meal d) Against
ROOTS OF WORDS
The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history is called
etymology. It determines the basic elements, earliest known use, and changes in form and meaning of a
linguistic form, tracing its transmission from one language to another. It also identifies the similarities of a
linguistic form with other languages.
In English grammar, a root is a word or word part from which other words grow, usually through the addition
of prefixes and suffixes. It is the heart of a word.
Example: The root of the word ‘running’ is ‘run’. When you strip off the affixes from words, what is left (with
slight spelling modifications) is the root.
Even though the root is the basis of a new word, it may not typically form a stand-alone word on its own. For
example, the word reject is made up of the prefix re- and the Latin root ject, which is not a stand-alone word.
Understanding the meanings of the common word roots can help us deduce the meanings of new words that
we encounter. Henceforth, by elimination technique, students can make the right selection of answer. However,
be careful as the root words can have more than one meaning. In addition, words that look similar may be
derived from different roots. So, when encounter a new word, be sure to rely on a dictionary to check
its definition.
If we wish to hone our vocabulary skills, then we must study roots. Knowledge of the root and its usage will
improve our vocabulary exponentially. If we know one root, any word with that root would be cognizant. So
typically, we do not’ have to sit and mug up the entire wordlist. The learning will happen itself!!
Given below is a detailed list of roots, its meaning and the possible words made of the root.
Roots Meaning Words Meaning of words
Aer/o Air Aeroplane Vehicle flies in air
Aerospace Air in the space
Aerate Give way to air
aerial Air related like acts, animals
Anthrop Man Anthropology Study of man
Philanthropy Love for mankind
Misanthrope Hater of mankind
Anthropomorphism Attributing human characteristics to a
God, animal, object
Arch First, prime, ruler Archbishop Head of Church
Monarch Head of state/King
Archaeology Study of the first/origin of things
Although, important roots have been discussed, this list is only for reference as there are more roots in the
English language.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Make new words combining the root word and one of the following prefixes. Each is used twice.
de over anti pre dis
1. ___ place
2. ___ code
3. ___ vent
4. ___ social
5. ___ obey
6. ___ act
7. ___ septic
8. ___ age
9. ___ pend
10. __ serve
Q2. Choose the correct meanings of the given root words:
1. Duo
a. one b. two c. three d. four
2. Aud
a. light b. air c. sound d. water
3. Biblio
a. vehicle b. college c. school d. book
4. Ced
a. eat b. go c. sleep d. wake
5. Ego
a. other b. together c. another d. self
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Use a prefix to find the opposite of the given words:
a. wrap
b. connect
c. behave
d. fold
e. spell
Q2. Complete the following sentences by using the appropriate form of the word given in the bracket. (Add
a prefix or a suffix)
1. The team he supported was able to win the _____________. (champion)
2. I think that you should _____________ your decision. It may not be the best thing to do.
(Consider)
3. The CEO has been responsible for many _____________ decisions. (popular)
4. His _______ comments made him disliked by the female employees. (sex)
5. ___________ of speech and belief is extremely important for the health of an individual.
(free)
6. Some TV shows are completely ____________ for children. They mustn't watch them.
(suitable)
7. The party was a _________________, everything went wrong. (disaster)
8. They had to __________________ the lion before they could catch it. (tranquil)
9. He needed to __________________ the temperature. (regular)
10. You need a _______________of motivation, organisation and revision to learn English.
(combine)
PHRASAL VERBS
A phrasal verb is a group of words that functions as a verb. It consists of a verb that is combined with a
preposition or adverb or both. The meaning of a phrasal verb is different from the meaning of its separate parts.
The particle (i.e. the preposition or adverb) can change the meaning of the verb completely. For example:
♦ pass away – die
♦ pass out – lose consciousness
♦ pass up – decline an opportunity
Phrasal verbs are used mostly in spoken English and informal texts but they are less appropriate in formal
language. If you are writing a formal document or an academic essay, try to avoid using phrasal verbs and use
more formal alternatives instead.
Phrasal verbs have to be learned because many of them are idiomatic, and you cannot deduce their meaning.
Advantages of knowing Phrasal Verbs
Spoken English is literally packed with phrasal verbs. Therefore, if you want to communicate effectively, you
must learn to use phrasal verbs. Moreover, phrasal verbs lend a distinct connotation and command while
speaking to the language making it more native-like, easy to understand.
Another advantage of knowing phrasal verbs is that you can easily substitute a string of long words with a
single phrasal verb. This will make the conversation natural and fluent. If you learn at least the most used
phrasal verbs, you will definitely increase your overall fluency and understanding.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the expression by
supplying a suitable preposition or adverb particle. Choose your answer from the options given in the
brackets.
1. All Maria’s relatives are of the opinion that she takes ___________ her grandmother. (after /
off / in)
2. The music is too loud. Could you turn ____________ the volume, please? (back / down / up)
3. Quick, get ___________ the bus or you will have to walk back home. (on / under / over)
4. We will take this issue ………………………. when we meet next week. (up / on / over)
5. I am afraid that we have run _______ of juice. Will you have coffee? ( with, out, away)
Q2. Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with suitable phrasal verbs.
(i) I thought the conference was going to be boring, but it ______________________ to be quite
useful.
(ii) He ________________ the kitchen and made some tea.
(iii) The police have been looking for him ever since he ____________________ of the prison.
(iv) We left an hour earlier but we drove so fast that we were able to _________________ with
him.
(v) The President asked the members of the Cabinet to ____________________ their letters of
resignation.
COLLOCATIONS
A collocation is a familiar grouping of words, especially words that habitually appear together and thereby
convey meaning by association. For example, we usually say 'heavy rain' and not 'strong rain' or 'big rain'. Even
though they are grammatically correct, but both 'strong rain' and 'big rain' sound completely strange. If you use
the normal collocation ('heavy rain') your English will sound a lot better and more natural.
Why do we need Collocations?
♦ Makes language interesting and natural.
♦ Helps adhere to a proper, pre-decided structure of language.
♦ Helps to articulate better.
♦ Enhances language skills.
♦ Enriches the language.
Types of Collocations
1) Noun +Noun
Examples: tea leaf, service industry, single entry, death camp, peer group, street name
2) Noun + Verb
Examples: dogs bark, water flows, bears growl, pigs grunt, paper flutters, leaves rustle
3) Adjective + Noun
Examples: high fever, burning sensation, blurred vision, sumptuous meal, dwindling prices, critical
analysis
4) Adverb+ Adjective
Examples: completely satisfied, infinitesimally small, meticulously studied
5) Verb + Adverb
Examples: performed magically, sang melodiously, read thoroughly, informed repeatedly
Business Related Collocations
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1) Try to form collocations for the given words:
a) -----------sun
b) -----------ice
c) -----------meeting
d) -----------completely
e) ------------pain
f) ---------------freedom
g) ---------------rule
h) -------------decision
i) ----------------unit
j) ----------------wind
k) --------a presentation
l) ---------an argument
m) -------- time
n) --------a meeting
o) Burst into --------
IDIOMS
An idiom is an expression that takes on a figurative meaning (when certain words are combined) which is
different from the literal meaning of the individual words.
Examples: "to beat black and blue" and "a hard nut to crack". The meaning of these expressions is different
from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which they are made. Their meanings are however used
figuratively. They mean respectively "to beat very badly" and "to a very difficult problem or situation”.
Idioms add flavor and style to the language. A right idiom used in the right place not only shows the user’s
knowledge but also puts forth the thought more convincingly. The important aspect is to know the idioms, their
meanings and use them often in language. Article writing, presentations and even board room discussions
need a good command over language which can be possible with proper use of good vocabulary, idioms and
phrases.
Let us have a look at a few idioms and their meanings.
A bed of roses A comfortable life with all Do not expect life to be a bed of roses.
luxuries
To beat black and blue To beat very badly The public beat the thief black and blue.
To blow one’s trumpet To praise oneself a lot My friend has the habit of blowing his own
trumpet.
Kith and kin One’s relatives and friends During times of need, kith and kin are the only
help.
A hard nut to crack A difficult thing or problem The last question in the exam was a hard nut
to crack.
A cold reception Unwelcome, indifferent The guests felt bad when they got a cold
reception at the party.
Lion’s share A major part The elder son took the lion’s share of the
family wealth.
Other fish to fry Other important work to do Please be quick, I have other fish to fry.
All and sundry One and all The minister invited all and sundry to his son’s
wedding.
Spick and span Clean, neat and organized My friend’s room is always spick and span.
A square meal Complete meal The poor in our country find it difficult to get a
square meal leave alone buy luxuries.
To take French leave To take leave uninformed Gone are the days when employees could
take a French leave.
Man of straw Man of no substance Don’t believe your neighbor, he is a man of
straw.
A bolt from the blue An unexpected disaster Narendra Modi’s demonetisation is like a bolt
from the blue for those dealing in black
money.
A fair weather friend A friend only in good times I have only one true friend, the rest are all fair
weather friends.
Beat around the bush Digress from the main topic The manager does not want his team
members to beat around the bush, he wants
results!
The ball is in your court Your chance; someone else’s I told my boss that if he doesn’t pay me more
turn to make a move money, I will leave. Now, the ball is in his court
now.
Whole nine yards All of it; everything that is The mountain trail was difficult but I wanted to
possible go the whole nine yards.
Keep something at bay To stop something that could A good way of keeping your anxieties at bay is
be a problem for you from to meditate.
getting close or getting worse
At the drop of a hat Immediately, instantly Don’t let Namrita watch those emotional
serials; she cries at the drop of a hat.
A herculean task A difficult job Convincing my mother to let me go for a night
stay is a herculean task.
Gift of gab Speaking fluently Our English teacher definitely has the gift of
gab, the listeners are in awe of his speech.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Identify the idiom in the given sentences and determine the meaning from the context.
1. I know that the fight that they had yesterday seemed serious, but that’s just the tip of the
iceberg.
2. I called in sick all week before the summer vacation, but now I have to face the music.
3. Tara jumped on the bandwagon and got her ear pierced after all of her classmates pierced
their ears.
4. Tommy’s mother didn’t even lecture him after he came home late again; it was like beating a
dead horse.
5. When Mrs. Banerjee told the students that she was going to share the answers, they were all
ears.
6. While the boss was away, the two workers decided to shoot the breeze over a cup of coffee.
7. Dad wanted to let me off the hook, but mom said, “He made his bed. Now he has to lie in it.”
8. You knew there was no answer to this problem, yet you sent me on a wild goose chase.
PRACTICE EXERCISES
Q1. Select the correct meaning of the idioms/phrases given below.
1) Bone of contention
a) Area of agreement
b) Of least importance
c) Subject of dispute
d) To be cautious
8) A far cry
a) Shout loudly
b) To break silence
c) Disappoint
d) Very different
9) Hobson’s choice
a) No choice at all
b) Lot of choices
c) Unanimous decision
d) To make eye contact
10) In the pink of health
a) Prolonged suffering
b) Emergency situation
c) Best of health
d) Challenging situation
Q2. Select the suitable substitute for the word in italics in the sentences given below. Ensure that the
meaning of the sentence does not change.
1) Lack of education has retarded the nation’s progress.
a) degraded b) improved c) slackened d) confined
2) The cream offers blemish free skin results.
a) oil free b) flawless c) colored d) smiling
3) The army captain was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
a) secretly b) liberally c) after death d) formally
4) The magician’s tricks mesmerized the audience.
a) provoked b)fascinated c) confused d) scared
5) Seeing the artist work with such finesse, the crowd cheered.
a) Expertise b) casually c) authority d) unwillingness
6) The match was a complete fiasco for the foreign team.
a) Shock b) Learning c) Win d) Failure
7) The demure actress has won the hearts of the public.
a) bold b) shy c) versatile d) legendary
8) His parents were adamant about not sending their son for a two-day trip.
a) poor b) inflexible c) willing d) unfavorable
9) A sluggard would be a misfit in the Army.
a) cheat b) old c) talkative d) lazy
10) Finishing the ten-page home work in two days is a tedious job.
a) easy b) common c) tough d) boring
Q3. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable option.
1) Of the two new workers, one is experienced, while the other is a ----------.
a) renegade b) novice c) robust d) witty
2) The --------data collected is not helpful in any way to reach a conclusion.
average b) flexible c) erratic d) commendable
3) It was quite humorous to see the --------minister talk about health and fitness issues.
a) rotund b) corrupt c) angular d) quarrelsome
4) The --------rainfall in desert regions has led to a risk of famine.
a) worthy b) scanty c) expensive d) abundant
5) The sage is leading a -------- life in the mountain peaks.
a) spiritual b) boring c) graceful d) ghostly
6) --------arrangements were made for the wedding.
a) handsome b) annual c) ostentatious d) childish
7) The music played in the function was --------, lots of people were complaining about it.
a) melodious b) destructive c) confusing d) boisterous
8) To --------a secret is no less than crime than lying.
a) divulge b ) forget c) hide d) attach
9) The study of coding-decoding involves various --------clues.
a) obvious b) cryptic c) healthy d) verbose
10) The rich businessman has donated a --------amount from his savings.
a) colossal b) agrarian c) ultimate d) cowardly
ANSWER KEY
Connotations
Q1.
Positive Connotation Denotation Negative Connotation
1 Gaze look steadily Stare
2 Persuade influence one way or another Brainwash
3 Delayed not on time Tardy
4 Curious somewhat interested Nosy
5 Leisurely without haste Lazily
6 Request ask of someone Demand
7 Gathering a large group Mob
8 Debate discuss with others Argue
9 Observe watch Spy
10 assertive firmly confident pushy
Q.3. 1. This refrigerator is (expensive) but Soham did not mind paying extra because of the numerous
useful features it has.
2. Shiv Tomar and his (cronies) have controlled the management in this company for over
fourteen years now. I wish Arindham Chatterjee is elected President this time.
3. Hopefully I won’t have to share office space with Mrs. Singh. She can be very (nosy).
4. Please ask Rohit to turn down the volume. It is difficult for me to concentrate with all that
(noise).
5. Mr. Nair had better be wary of his new neighbor, Ms. Banerjee; she is a (crafty) one.
6. I have great respect for your brother who is rather (reserved) and dignified.
7. My friend can’t stand her mother – in – law who is very (miserly); she has a lot of money but
refuses to help others.
8. The new saleswoman tends to be (pushy) while dealing with customers. She is scaring them
away.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Q1. a. Obliterate
c) Destroy
b. Myriad
a) Many
c. Perpetual
d) Continuous
d. Fissure
a) Opening
e. Despot
a) Tyrant
Q2. 1. Remorse
b) Jovial
2. Disparage
a) Eulogize
3. Vex
d) Amused
4. Novice
c) Experienced
5. Propriety
a) Indecency
Q3. 1. Many people have pointed out the harmful effects that a working mother may have on the
family, yet there are many salutary effects as well.
b. beneficial
2. Trying to control everything your teens do can impede their growth. To advance their
development, allow them to make some decisions on their own.
a. hamper
3. During their training, police officers must respond to simulated emergencies in preparation for
dealing with real ones.
a. made-up.
4. “I’ve seen students surreptitiously check answer sheets during exams,” said the professor.
“However, until today I never saw one openly lay out a cheat sheet on his desk.”
b. secretly
5. In formal communication, be sure to avoid ambiguous language. Clear language prevents
confusion.
c. unclear
Roots of Words
Q1. a. displace
b. decode
c. prevent
d. antisocial
e. disobey
f. overact
g. antiseptic
h. overage
i. depend
j. preserve
Q2. 1. Duo - b. two
2. Aud - c. sound
3. Biblio - d. book
4. Ced - b. go
5. Ego - d. self