WORD POWER, Test 1

{When you come across a new word, you will do well, of course, to copy it down in a blank book and to indicate its pronunciation, with a rhyming word if necessary. And then you should write down its most common meaning and the sentence in which you first noted the word. And, finally, you should try to use the word, if it is not too difficult, in a letter or in conversation.}

But while these moves are useful, they are of secondary importance. Words learned by memory and rote are slippery eels that are apt to slide out of your mind back into the sea of forgetfulness.
The matter of first importance in vocabulary building is to have a burning intellectual curiosity about things--to develope new and wider interests. You will learn and remember words best when you are reading about a subject that absorbs you, for then you will wish to know what the writer is talking about. You learn and remember words when you want and need to know their meanings. Here is the new idea in vocabulary building, and the techniques of this book are based on this new approach.

Now you are ready for your tests. When you have finished, why not try them on one or more of your friends? It may entertain them and they will probably enjoy finding out how they stand.

RULES:
The rules for taking these tests are simple and are the same for all five.

You will notice that there are 10 key words in each test, printed in small capitals. After each key word there are four words or phrases lettered A, B, C, and D. Check the word or phrase that you think is nearest in meaning to the key word. Let's set up a sample.

COURAGEOUS--A: strong. B: cowardly. C: brave. D: cruel.

In this case you, the reader, would mark "brave" as being nearest in meaning to "courageous."

Because of the different age groups that will take these tests, no arbitrary time limit has been set. But since you want to get an honest appraisal of your vocabulary it would be unfair to yourself to take an unreasonable length of time. You either know these words or you don't, and fussing won't help. And please don't do too much guessing.

After you have finished these 5 tests turn to page 11-12 and check your results against the correct answers that are given there.

TEST 1

(1) DETRIMENTAL--A: depressing. B: increasing. C: injurious. D: complaining.

(2) SUBJUGATE--A: to substitute. B: to subdue. C: to yield. D: to battle.

(3) CHASTISE--A: to make pure. B: to punish. C: to reward. D: to pursue.

(4) TANTALIZE--A: to flatter. B: to tease or torment. C: to experiment. D: to hesitate.

(5) STANCH--A: standing on end. B: a bad odor. C: firm and steady. D: tight shut.

(6) INDICT--A: to write down. B: to charge with crime. C: to command. D: to point out.

(7) INFLEXIBLE--A: complicated. B: bending. C: tightly woven. D: firm.

(8) AUDACIOUS--A: brilliant. B: bold. C: powerful. D: frightening.

(9) EROSION--A: a bursting. B: a wearing away. C: a heavy stain. D: a slope.

(10) INCESSANT--A: uncertain. B: unceasing. C: occasional. D: irritating.

Do you have the feeling that you did fairly well with the first test? You should have, as the meanings of the first group of words are known to most literate people.

Now try the following test. These words are a little harder... (I will post Test 2 next post)