VS 2A 2009 English Language Blog

It was pointed out (to me) that the prefix "in" does not mean "not" for the word "ingenious" (thanks Lie Wen!). Do note that some prefixes may have more than one meaning. In this case, "in" may also mean "extreme". You will have to look for contextual clues to determine which is the correct meaning.

Recap
This type of question requires you to give either a synonym or definition for the word within the context of the passage and in the same part of speech (e.g. the noun, verb or adjectival form).

The starting point for successful answering of vocab questions is a correct understanding of the text as a whole, and the gist of the specific paragraph. [You must give the contextual meaning.]

Tips
When you get words that you have no idea of their meaning, use the following tips:

1. Look for contextual clues - locate the sentence/ paragraph containing the word, look for clues relating to the word and deduce the meaning of the vocab word (e.g. from a list of synonyms, a pair of words with contrasting meaning - such as "intuition and practice")
2. Break word into prefix-root word-suffix and analyse each part - e.g., infallible= in + fail + able --- in = not, fail = to fall short of success, able = capable of---thus infallible = not capable of failing (for list of suffixes and prefixes, visit http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/prefixtext.htm).
   
   

"bite the bullet" (www.phrases.org.uk): endure pain with fortitude

"bite the bullet" (simplified meaning): to do or accept something difficult (or unpleasant) and live with it

Sentence: In the current economic crisis, we all have to bite the bullet and learn to live without unnecessary luxuries.

Origin (www.phrases.org.uk): In the days before effective anesthetics, army doctors gave soldiers bullets to bite on to help them endure pain during operations.


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"keep your nose to the grindstone" (www.phrases.org.uk): Apply yourself conscientiously to your work

Sentence: With the end-of-year exams round the corner, we have to keep our noses to the grindstone and work really hard for the next few weeks.

Oxymoron (dictionary meaning): a figure of speech by which a particular form of expression produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect

Oxymoron (simplified meaning): a set of words (e.g., phrase, idiom) that contradict each other due to their opposite meaning (i.e. the meaning of the words in the expression 'clash' or oppose each other)

Examples of oxymorons: “organised mess”, “open secret" & "to make haste slowly"

Sentence: "Although 'fuzzy' and 'logic' have opposing meanings, the term 'fuzzy logic' has become an oxymoron widely used by the scientific community."

Hi guys,

One of the ways of improving your vocabulary is to actively increase your 'word bank' by finding out the meaning of new words and making a sentence using those words.

I know that some of you already have excellent vocabulary, so, to help your classmates make those much needed deposits into their 'bank account', please post a new word each week. Include the dictionary meaning(s) of the word and a sentence that contains that word.

The rest of you should try to make up sentences using the posted words. Post your own sentences on the blog so that you have the opportunity to test your sentences. You may also comment on each other's words & sentences.

I will not make this compulsory, but I do hope that you guys will actively partcipate in this activity as it will not only help you in your comprehension skills, it'll also aid you in your free writing.


MS Koo

p.s. I'll start the ball rolling by posting one word today.

Factual Quote Inferential

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Summary Writing Guide
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