Tips for Building a Powerful Vocabulary

Introduction

Words are the building blocks of thought. They are the means by which we understand the ideas of others and express our own opinions. It is only logical that people who know how to use words concisely and accurately find it easier to achieve their aims.

In fact, formal education has less relationship to vocabulary achievement than you might expect; people can improve their word power on their own. This section will show you how to expand and improve your vocabulary in just ten minutes a day!

Each of the following lessons is designed to take ten minutes to complete. Do one lesson a day. Work from beginning to end because the lessons build on each other. Follow these three easy steps:

Step 1 : Time
Begin by setting aside a block of ten minutes a day. Don't split your time into two five-minute segments—set aside one ten-minute period every day. Consider using ten minutes in the early morning before you begin your regular activities. Or you might want to use ten minutes on the bus, subway, or train or ten minutes during a work break. Maybe right after dinner is a convenient time for you. Whatever time you select, make it your time—carve it in granite! To make your work even easier, try to set aside the same time every day. You'll be surprised at how quickly your vocabulary builds.

Step 2 : Place
Now, find a place where you can work undisturbed. If you know that you have difficulty tuning out the distractions of public transportation or the office lunchroom, try to study at home. Perhaps you have the ability to completely ignore extraneous chatter or music and so can concentrate in the middle of the family room or in a crowded cafeteria. Wherever you decide to study, try to settle in the same place every day. In this way, you'll set to work more quickly, concentrate better, and succeed sooner.

Step 3 : Method
Ten minutes a day is all it takes to build a powerful vocabulary. To help you get into the rhythm of working in ten-minute segments, set your alarm or kitchen timer for ten minutes. When you hear the buzzer, you'll know that you've spent ten minutes on your vocabulary. Soon you'll be able to pace yourself without the timer.

Test Your Vocabulary

How good is your Vocabulary?
To see how your vocabulary measures up to that of other people, take the following tests. As you go through each test, put a check mark next to any word you don't know. After you complete each test, go back and see which of your choices proved correct. Then take a minute to study the words you missed.

The first test consists of twenty-five phrases, each containing an italicized word. Circle the correct response. This test has no time limit.

         1.  a lenient  supervisor

         2.  an audacious endeavor

         4.  a gaudy dress