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FAQ – working with Words in context /// 9
FAQ – working with Words in context
Why can’t I just learn a list of English words and the German equivalents?
It’s actually easier to learn words in a thematic context – it shows you how
the words are used and the context will also help you to understand the
meaning of some of the words. And, of course, some words cannot be directly
translated, so a context helps to clarify the meaning. In addition the texts will
provide you with important, and we hope interesting, information on these
topics.
Why are some words blue/bold and others blue/normal?
The key words and expressions are in blue/bold type. These words are then
translated into German on the right-hand side. Other key words and expressions can be easily understood as they are the same in German, or they are
explained in the English text. These are marked in blue/normal type and are
not explained on the right-hand side.
Why are some words highlighted several times within a chapter?
The key words and expressions are explained each time they occur in a new
main section. This means that you don’t have to work through all the texts in
a chapter but can pick out the sections that are most relevant for you.
By the way, the same key words and expressions sometimes occur in differ­
ent chapters. If you go to the index at the back of the book, you can see
where each word occurs.
Why is there so much additional information? Do I really have to learn it all?
We’ve included additional information to help you become even more proficient. So you’ll find warnings about small differences between the languages
that might lead to mistakes, related words, synonyms and antonyms as well
as false friends. Making connections between “old” and “new” words helps
your brain to be able to find them more easily: it’s like weaving a vocabulary
web in your head.
But how much information you actually need to learn is up to you. Vocabulary
learning is a very personal process. You need to actively work with the words
and expressions, so think about related words, synonyms, antonyms or other
information that you find useful. This will help you to learn them more effectively and so to remember how to use them.
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10 /// FAQ – working with Words in context
Should I learn all the words?
Again, it’s up to you! The texts have been specially written to include the most
important key words and expressions for the topics but you have to decide
which of them are the most useful for your purposes. Remember to make a
point of using them in your next pieces of written work or in class so that
they become part of your active vocabulary. In fact, we’re sure that once you
get started you’ll even learn more words than we could ever possibly have
included in this book!
Why is there a QR code?
So that you can listen to native speakers reading the texts and hear the key
words and expressions in context! Just scan the QR code and you can listen
to the texts in the chapter or download them. Alternatively, go to www.klett.de
and enter the 6-digit code (underneath the QR code) in the search field. You’ll
then be taken to the “Words in context – audio online” page where you can
listen to the texts or download them.
What’s the overview of topics?
The topics that are listed, e.g. “Ethical questions”, are not dealt with in one
particular chapter. You’ll find texts or passages concerning different aspects
of these topics in several chapters. To help you find the relevant sections
we’ve provided a list of where they can be found.
I’ve learnt all the words, what should I do now?
Have a rest! And, of course, make sure that you continue to actively use them!
What do the symbols and abbreviations mean?

words in the same word family
!
Careful!
fig.
figurative
=
synonym
no prep.
no preposition
≠
antonym
n pl
noun plural
FF
false friend
pl
plural
AE
American English
sing.
singular
BE
British English
sb
somebody
GB
specifically British phenomenon
sth
something
US
specifically American phenomenon usu
usually
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102 ///
9
Literature
Literature can be divided into three main categories: drama, poetry and narrative prose. These can in turn be subdivided into various genres, including:
• Drama: tragedy, comedy;
• Poetry: sonnet, epic poetry, ballad;
• Narrative prose: short story, novel, biography, autobiography.
Many great works of literature share the same universal themes: love, death,
ambition, revenge, faith, fate, hatred and deceit, to name but a few.
Talking about literature
“I love reading poetry collections as you can dip into them at will.”
“I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins from cover to cover in one
sitting – I just couldn’t put it down. It’s full of action and twists and it is really
intense. The book has been made into a film, but I’m not sure whether I want
to see it – it might spoil it!”
“Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient is one of the most moving novels
I’ve ever read. It’s set in Italy at the end of World War II and tells the story of
how four characters come together whose lives have been changed by their
experiences. The story is haunting, the language is evocative and rich.”
“The Help by Kathryn Stockett has been called a modern classic and it’s easy
to see why. There’s never a dull moment, the main characters are unforgettable and it provides thought-provoking and at the same time humorous
insights into life in Mississippi in the 1960s. Very poignant and a great read!”
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Talking about literature /// 103
drama
poetry [ˈpəʊɪtrɪ]  poem
narrative [ˈnærətɪv] prose
genre [ˈʒɑ͂ːrə]
tragedy [ˈtrædʒədɪ]  tragic
comedy [ˈkɒmədɪ]  comic
sonnet
epic poetry
ballad
novel [ˈnɒvl]  novelist [ˈnɒvəlɪst]
Drama, Schauspiel
Lyrik, Poesie
Erzählprosa
Gattung
Tragödie
Komödie
Sonnett
epische Dichtung
Ballade
Roman
to share sth
universal [ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl]
ambition [æmˈbɪʃn]  ambitious
revenge
faith
fate
hatred
deceit [dɪˈsiːt]
 to deceive sb
hier: etw. gemeinsam haben
allgemein
Ehrgeiz
Rache
Glaube
Schicksal
Hass
Betrug
jmdn. betrügen
poetry collection
to dip into sth at will
Gedichtsammlung
in etw. an beliebiger Stelle eintauchen
(z. B. in ein Gedicht)
in etw. eintauchen
beliebig (an beliebiger Stelle)


to dip into
at will
from cover to cover
in one sitting
to not be able to put sth down
twist
intense
to make sth into a film
to spoil sth ! spoilt, spoilt; BE only
von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite
auf einmal
etw. nicht aus der Hand legen können
hier: Wendung
intensiv, heftig
etw. verfilmen
etw. verderben
moving
to be set in
to tell the story of sb/sth
haunting
evocative [ɪˈvɒkətɪv]
ergreifend, bewegend
spielen in (Handlungsort)
die Geschichte von jmdm./etw. erzählen
hier: unvergesslich
atmosphärisch, heraufbeschwörend
classic
there is never a dull moment
unforgettable
to provide an insight into sth
thought-provoking
poignant [ˈpɔɪnjənt]
a great read [riːd]
Klassiker
es wird nie langweilig
unvergesslich
einen Einblick in etw. geben
nachdenklich stimmend, anregend
ergreifend
eine großartige Lektüre
(Leseerlebnis)
to come up with
sich etw. einfallen lassen
ij2wq4