Vocabulary and word building:
Synonyms, antonyms, homonyms,
word register, root word,
prefix, suffix, connotation,
denotation, collocation,
derivatives, compound words,
minor processes of word building: blends,
introduction to thesaurus.
Vocabulary and Word Building Concepts
- Definition : Words that have similar or nearly
the same meaning.
- Elaboration : Synonyms help expand vocabulary
by providing alternative ways to express the same idea.
- Examples :
- Happy: joyful,
content, elated
- Quick: fast, speedy,
rapid
- Definition : Words that have opposite
meanings.
- Elaboration : Understanding antonyms enhances
comprehension by highlighting contrasts in meaning.
- Examples :
- Hot: cold
- Success:
failure
- Definition : Words that sound the same or are
spelled the same but have different meanings.
- Elaboration : Homonyms can be challenging
because they require context to interpret correctly.
- Examples :
- Bark (sound a
dog makes) vs. Bark (tree covering)
- Bat (flying
mammal) vs. Bat (sports equipment)
4. Word
Register
- Definition : The level of formality or tone a
word conveys.
- Elaboration : Different situations require
different registers, ranging from formal to informal.
- Examples :
- Formal:
commence (begin), request (ask)
- Informal: start
(begin), ask (request)
5. Root
Word
- Definition : The basic part of a word that
gives it its primary meaning.
- Elaboration : Many English words are built
from Latin or Greek roots.
- Examples :
-
"Tele" (Greek root for distance): telephone, television
-
"Graph" (Greek root for writing): autograph, graphic
6. Prefix
- Definition : A syllable or word part added to
the beginning of a root word to change its meaning.
- Elaboration : Prefixes can completely alter
the meaning of a word.
- Examples :
- "Un-"
(not): unhappy, unusual
- "Re-"
(again): redo, replay
7. Suffix
- Definition : A syllable or word part added to
the end of a root word to change its meaning or grammatical function.
- Elaboration : Suffixes often change a word’s
part of speech.
- Examples :
-
"-ness" (state of being): happiness, sadness
-
"-ful" (full of): joyful, helpful
8. Connotation
- Definition : The emotional or cultural
associations attached to a word, beyond its literal meaning.
- Elaboration : Connotations can be positive,
negative, or neutral, influencing how a word is perceived.
- Examples :
-
"Cheap" (negative connotation for low cost)
-
"Affordable" (positive connotation for low cost)
9. Denotation
- Definition : The literal or dictionary
definition of a word.
- Elaboration : Denotation is straightforward
and objective, without the emotional undertones of connotation.
- Examples :
-
"Snake": a reptile (literal meaning)
-
"Home": a place where one lives (literal meaning)
10. Collocation
- Definition : Words that frequently appear
together in a specific order.
- Elaboration : Collocations are natural word
pairings in a language, making speech and writing sound more native-like.
- Examples :
- "Make a
decision" (not “do a decision”)
- "Strong
coffee" (not “powerful coffee”)
11. Derivatives
- Definition : Words formed from a base or root
word by adding prefixes or suffixes.
- Elaboration : Derivatives show how words
evolve and diversify in meaning.
- Examples :
-
"Friend": friendship, friendly
-
"Create": creation, creative
12. Compound
Words
- Definition : Words created by combining two or
more words to form a new meaning.
- Elaboration : Compound words can be written as
a single word, hyphenated, or as two words.
- Examples :
-
"Toothbrush" (closed compound)
-
"Mother-in-law" (hyphenated compound)
- "Ice
cream" (open compound)
13. Minor
Processes of Word Building: Blends
- Definition : Words formed by blending parts of
two or more words together.
- Elaboration : Blends often take the beginning
of one word and the end of another.
- Examples :
-
"Brunch" (breakfast + lunch)
-
"Smog" (smoke + fog)
14. Introduction
to Thesaurus
- Definition : A reference tool that lists
synonyms and sometimes antonyms.
- Elaboration : A thesaurus helps in expanding
vocabulary by suggesting alternative words.
- Examples : For the word "happy," a
thesaurus might suggest words like "joyful," "content," and
"gleeful."
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which of the
following is a synonym for “rapid”?
- a) Slow
- b) Steady
- c) Quick
- d) Gradual
Answer : c) Quick
2. Which of these is
an antonym for “benevolent”?
- a) Kind
- b) Cruel
- c) Generous
- d)
Compassionate
Answer : b) Cruel
3. Which of the
following is a homonym?
- a) Bear (animal)
and Bare (naked)
- b) Rose (flower)
and Rows (lines)
- c) Lie (untruth)
and Lie (recline)
- d) Sun (star) and
Son (child)
Answer : c) Lie (untruth) and Lie (recline)
4. What is the root
word in "transportation"?
- a) Port
- b) Trans
- c) Tion
- d) Sport
Answer : a) Port
5. Which of the
following words uses the prefix “re-”?
- a) Mislead
- b) Restart
- c) Unhappy
- d) Preview
Answer : b) Restart
6. Which word pair is
an example of collocation?
- a) Soft
coffee
- b) Strong
tea
- c) Hard
drink
- d) Powerful
food
Answer : b) Strong tea
7. Which of the
following is a compound word?
- a) Carefully
- b)
Toothbrush
- c) Runner
- d) Happiness
Answer : b) Toothbrush
8. Which of these is
an example of a blend?
- a)
Babysitter
- b) Snowflake
- c) Motel
- d) Highway
Answer : c) Motel
9. What is the
denotation of the word “rose”?
- a) Love
- b) Beauty
- c) A flower
- d) Romance
Answer : c) A flower
10. Which of these
tools would you use to find a synonym?
- a)
Dictionary
- b)
Thesaurus
- c)
Encyclopedia
- d) Grammar
Guide
Answer : b) Thesaurus
11. Which of the
following words has a positive connotation?
- a) Stubborn
- b)
Persistent
- c) Pushy
- d)
Obstinate
Answer : b) Persistent
12. Which of the
following is an example of a suffix?
- a) Pre-
- b) -less
- c) Un-
- d) Re-
Answer : b) -less
13. Which of the
following word pairs are homophones?
- a) Flour and
Flower
- b) Lead and
Lead
- c) Close and
Clothes
- d) Affect and
Effect
Answer : a) Flour and Flower
14. What does the
prefix “anti-” mean in words like “antibiotic”?
- a) Before
- b) Against
- c) In favor
of
- d) Beside
Answer : b) Against
15. Which of these
words is derived from the root word “spect,” meaning to see or watch?
- a) Spectrum
- b) Respect
- c) Inspect
- d)
Spectacle
Answer : c) Inspect
16. Which of these is
an example of a collocation?
- a) Heavy
rain
- b) Strong
soup
- c) Deep
success
- d) Hard
water
Answer : a) Heavy rain
17. Which of the
following is a derivative of the word “beauty”?
- a) Beautify
- b)
Beautician
- c)
Beautiful
- d) All of the
above
Answer : d) All of the above
18. What is the
connotation of the word “cheap” in this sentence: “The product is cheap, but it
works well”?
- a) Positive
- b) Negative
- c) Neutral
- d)
Sarcastic
Answer : b) Negative
19. Which of these
word pairs are antonyms?
- a) Big and
Large
- b) High and
Low
- c) Soft and
Gentle
- d) Laugh and
Giggle
Answer : b) High and Low
20. Which of the
following is a compound word?
- a)
Bookshelf
- b) Gorgeous
- c)
Prehistoric
- d)
Managerial
Answer : a) Bookshelf
21. Which word is
formed by blending “electronic” and “mail”?
- a) Email
- b) Emote
- c) Emulator
- d)
Electromail
Answer : a) Email
22. Which of these
words has a formal register?
- a) Fix
- b) Initiate
- c) Start
- d) Get
going
Answer : b) Initiate
23. What is the
denotation of the word “snake” in this sentence: “The snake slithered across
the path”?
- a) A deceitful
person
- b) A type of
reptile
- c) Danger or
evil
- d) A symbol of
betrayal
Answer : b) A type of reptile
24. Which of the
following is a correct use of the suffix “-ly”?
- a) Quickly
- b)
Quickness
- c) Quickest
- d)
Quickening
Answer : a) Quickly
25. Which of the
following words would most likely be found in a thesaurus entry for
"happy"?
- a) Sad
- b) Joyful
- c)
Melancholy
- d) Neutral
Answer : b) Joyful
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