UNITS 1-13
Unit one
1. Supply a prefix: ………….imprison,………... unhelpful, ……unhindered
WORD MANIPULATION
2. Turn into a person: polisher…….. yachtsman … balloonist ……………………………
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of: a c/ c i d/ e n t,
l i /b r a/ r y,
h i n d/ r a n c e.
4. Change to nouns: bury ……burial……, modify ………modification……, suppose …… supposition….
5. Change
to
adjectives:
absence
absent
,
advantage
……advantageous…….,
error
………erroneous………..
6. Write synonyms for: puzzle .. mystery, problem , absurdity …ridiculousness….., hinder ... hamper
7. Write antonyms for: coarse …smooth, cultured, polished., loosen …tighten ., hindrance..asset
8, Give the plural of: hero …heroes…, sheep … sheep….., basis …bases………..
9. Give the feminine of: actor …actress., nephew ……niece, aviator …aviatrix
10. Delete wrong word:
A good band can create a martial spirit.
Oranges are scarce this summer.
A triumphal procession celebrated the victory
SUPPLY A PREPOSITION
SELECT THE APT WORD
1. They warned us ……against.. entering the
The secretary of the club was asked to appear
cave.
before the board of management, which was
2. He is getting used …to.. interruptions.
concerned at an evident leakage of funds. Before
3. I take pleasure ……in…arriving early.
the enquiry could take place, however, he
4. Police will look ……into... the crime.
……………., taking most of the club’s banking
5. You must look ..after… yourself.
reserves.
(absconded)
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: …… disfavour, ………unlovable, ……uninteresting
2. Turn into a person: bicycle cyclist debt…………debtor
3. Write homonyms for: queue ……cue.,
Britain …Briton
bough ……bow
4. Change to nouns: accept ………acceptance ..,
prize …prise
choose ………choice.,
allege
……allegation…
5. Change to adjectives: expedition …expeditionary; (expeditious = quick and efficient)….,
injurious…,
injury
mystery ……mysterious
6. Spell the plural of: ally ……allies……,
alley ………alleys….,
axis ………axes……
7. Write synonyms for: eerie ... weird…bizarre,.. fasten ....close, do up .. abominable ……detestable,
unpleasant
8. Write antonyms for: cheerful …sad, gloomy….,
truly …falsely.., debt …asset………
9. What is the feminine of: adventurer …adventuress.., duke …duchess., god goddess
10. Delete wrong word:
We gained access to the hospital.
I think we should accept this offer.
We ought to adjourn this meeting.
ELMINATE THE JARRING WORD
1. ardent, fervent, zealous.
2. Rigorous, stringent, strict.
3. Renowned, illustrious, eminent,
4. Diffident, timid, bashful.
5. Artifice, guile, stratagem.
Unit Two
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Smoky
Confusion
Travel
Envelope
Judg(e)ment
Woollen
Stealthily
Traveller
Christened
Enrol
Christian
Language
Travelling
Proceeded
Enrolment
Treasure
Completely
Refrigerator
Realised
Enrolled
Permission
Adjoin
Adroitness
Shovel
Dinghy
Gallop
Autumn
Parachute
Shovelled
Grease
Galloped
Agreeable
Accused
Jewel
Garage
Tunnel
Practically
Amazement
Jewellery
Schooner
Tunnelling
Opinion
Commit
Mysterious
Vehicle
Label
Photograph
Committed
Excitement
Wharves
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: ……………………. incompletely, …………..…
unrealised,
……………prejudge…. misjudge
2. Turn into a person: parachutist ………,
jeweller …………………….,
linguist
…………………………
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of: C h r i s /t i a n,
4. Change to nouns: commitment …………,
s t e a l t h /i /l y,
r e/ f r ig/ e r /a t /o r
conviction……………….., realisation …………………………
5. Change to adjectives: exciting………….…, tumultuous …………., vehicular ………………
6. Spell the plural of: journeys ……………………,
7. Write synonyms for:
bamboos …………, nuclei
stealthily …furtively, surreptitiously, slyly…,adroitness .... skilfulness, dexterity,
amazed………surprised, astonished, astounded……..
8. Write antonyms for: confusion …understanding, certainty, order……………., brittle
sturdy,………., anxious …calm, …………….
9. What is the feminine of: cockerel …chick…………,colt ……filly……….,ram ewe
10. Delete wrong word:
The conductor raised his baton.
I would advise you to accept.
It has adversely affected their morale.
SUBSTITUTE A WORD FOR
1. Refusing to obey a superior …… insubordination……rebellion,…..
2. The practice of spying ………espionage………….
3. Foretelling future events
…prediction, divination …………….
4. One who dies for his faith ……martyr………….
5. Incapable of error …………infallible……………..
…flexible,
strong,
Unit Three
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Cushion
Business
Explosion
Excellent
Essential
Aborigine
Eventually
Buoy
Serious
Accompanied
Civilisation
Exhausted
Scythe
Erected
Election
Necessary
Safety
Village
Appetite
Funnel
Patience
Boundary
Stony
Athletics
Parliament
Original
Affluent
Woolly
Racquet
Parliamentary
Adventurous
Conqueror
Speech
Referee
Tremendous
Blasphemy
Disguised
Cellar
Tobacco
Successful
Centre
Receive
Balloon
Coarse
Hindrance
Prison
Whether
Surprise
Storeys
Suppose
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix:…………………..... unnecessary, ……..…………
…………….
impatience,
inessential
2. Turn into a person: parliamentarian……..,
blasphemer ……………….,
electioneer …elector..
3. Write homonyms for: cellar …seller……..,
racquet …racket…,
4. Change to nouns: exhaustion ……….,
excellence ………………….,
storeys ………stories………
strangulation
……………………………
5. Change to adjectives: explosive …….,
deceitful …………
6. Spell the plurals of: volcanos ………..,
negroes ……………………..,
7. Write synonyms for: necessary …needed, essential…..,
appetising………
agreement
banjos ………………
concord,
pact,
contract.,
accomplish……achieve…, complete…………………
8. Write antonyms for: safety …danger, peril serious …trivial, humorous, inane …,
tremendous
…small, puerile, insignificant….
9. What is the feminine of: ……………,
10. Delete wrong word:
bachelor …spinster….,
widower ……widow…
He is averse to smoking before breakfast.
We made our way across the border.
There was a narrow aisle between the desks.
SUPPLY A PREPOSITION
1. I have no influence ……..over..children.
2. Your work is different …..........from (modern usage/ USA English would use “to”)...…… mine.
3. I was impressed …by.. her efficiency.
4. This kit is appropriate ….....for……hiking.
5. The fish tasted ……of…(“like” also possible, but the meaning is different)… onions.
Punctuate the following:
I once climbed up a large rock about 40 or 50 feet high in the middle of the jungle, and, standing on the top
was a superb sambhur deer, his antlers silhouetted against the sky. When he saw me, he went off down the
rock at full speed and, when he was half-way down, he just launched himself out into space, falling with a
crash on bushes or small trees, and disappeared into the jungle. It was a magnificent sight, the great deer
with his forelegs and hind legs flat out and his antlers flat on his back catapulting himself off the rock into the
air. (from Growing-An Autobiography, by Leonard Woolf)
Unit Four
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Spacious
Accurate
Quarrel
Marvel
Control
Kennel
Accuracy
Quarrelsome
Marvellous
Controlled
Occupants
Deliberate
Quarrelled
Laughter
Controllable
Traffic
Competition
Quarrelling
Warfare
Chorus
Initial
Except
Occasion
Rebel
Exhibition
Courteous
Suspicious
Occasionally
Rebellious
Quarter
Professional
Screech
Artificial
Recess
Principal
Compliment
Intelligence
Dictionary
Sufficient
Principle
Diary
Haversack
Queue
Canvas
Delicious
Adherence
Britain
Truly
Programme
Argument
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: ………….………... discourteous, ………….…….
inaccurate, ………….. insufficient
2. Turn into a person: adherent ………,
competitor……………………….
suspect………………..,
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of : i n/ t e l l/ I /g e n c e, o c/ c a s/ I o n/ a l /l y,
q u a r/ t e r.
4. Change to nouns: deliberation………..,
artifice…………………,
impetuosity…………………………
5. Change to adjectives: complimentary…..
competitive …………….,
argumentative
6. Spell the plurals of: moneys …(for collections of money from different groups: The moneys collected from
the different forms added to a significant total)………..
buffaloes
or
buffalos………………….,
radii
7. Write synonyms for: recess…break.,
sufficient …enough, adequate., ardent
……passionate,
eager…
8. Write antonyms for: spacious …confined, small., artificial …natural…..,conservative …progressive,
radical…..
9. What is the contraction of: do not…don’t………., they are ……they’re……..,
who is …who’s
10. Delete the wrong word: This word is correct in the sentence
The sand on this beach is coarse.
.
They are all ready to leave.
Thomas Edison was an ingenious inventor.
ELMINATE THE JARRING WORD
1. Dogmatic, moderate, imperious, dictatorial.
2. Staid, sober, frivolous, sedate.
3. Despise, venerate, revere, cherish.
4. Despondent, forlorn, elated, dejected.
5. Impute, attribute, vindicate, ascribe.
Punctuate the following:
1. “There it goes,” she said, as the great liner left
the wharf.
2. Bursting into the house, he shouted
menacingly, “Come out, wherever you are!”
3. Peter muttered, “I wanted ... break it anyway,”
as his father scolded him.
4. As he left the meeting, the Prime Minister
remarked, “I have never had such an
enthusiastic audience,” and he looked very
pleased.
5. “I know that it is a shock, coming so quickly
after the death of your bother,” said the
policeman, trying to be sympathetic.
6. The lecturer declared, “ Henry Fielding,
although he was a magistrate himself, had a
thoughtful sympathy for criminals and other
people with weak consciences, and this
sympathy is obvious in his novels.”
7. “Take the first turn to the right,” said the
shopkeeper, pointing in a northerly direction,
“and you can’t miss it.”
Unit Five
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Amusement
Contrary
Fiery
Gorgeous
Murmuring
Permanent
Precious
Clumsily
Autumn
Galloped
Amorphous
Exceedingly
Weird
Disease
Gypsy
Nuisance
Peasant
Terrific
Agreeable
Wharves
Caution
Cautious
Cautiously
Imitation
Recipe
Scissors
Soften
Shriek
Dinghy
Stealthily
Medicine
Sheriff
Spoonful
Temperature
Torture
Sovereign
Sovereignty
Bazaar
Vehicle
Jewellery
Anniversary
Ceremonies
Hungrily
Extravagance
Exhibit
Generous
Generosity
Pageant
Shovelled
Enrolment
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: ………ungenerous, ………………incautious, ……………..… impermanent
2. Turn into a person: torturer …………exhibitor………murmurer
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of: e x /c e e d/ i n g /l y, a n/ n i /v e r s/ a/ r y, g e n/ e r /o s/ i t/ y.
4. Change to nouns: stealthily …stealth
infer……inference…
5. Change to adjectives: ceremonial ………………
languid …languor
medicinal
…………………
extravagant…………………..
6. Spell the plurals of: tragedies ……………………oases ……………………..
corps
7. Write synonyms for:weird…strange………........arduous …difficult……….Affable friendly, ……sociable……
8. Write antonyms for: cautious …daring, bold…
precious …worthless.. Cursory
…searching, detailed….
9. What is the contraction of: it is …it’s……
you are you’re…..
we
are
…we’re……………………..
10. Delete the wrong word: This word is correct in the sentence.
What they say is all altogether absurd.
The candles were placed on the altar.
I shall imply that we want prompt delivery.
SUBSTITUTE A WORD FOR:
1. Giving false evidence on oath
……perjury………………….…….
2. Publishing malicious reports of a person …….libel………defamation………slander…….
………plaintiff………………………
3. The bringer of a law-suit
4. The person charged at law
……defendant…………………………
5. False name (concealing identity)
………alias………………………
HOW TO PUNCTUATE Commas.
The following sentences illustrate the confusion that can arise when commas are omitted. (Insert the
commas.)
1. Many, if not most, of the answers are wrong.
2. She doesn’t like me, and Sally knows why.
3. After clearing these off, the table may be used.
4. If you have seen the doctor before, you notify the girl at the desk. ( or the receptionist, who is almost
certainly an adult woman!)
5. We struggled along, the corridor being crowded.
6. As soon as they entered, the room was plunged into darkness.
7. To the young, people of forty or more often show intolerance.
8. Della’s accident was a shock, for the family had been expecting her at any moment.
9. While mother was cooking, the baby wandered away.
10. My deepest wish, to visit Alice Springs, has not been realised.
11. On November 7, Red Guards occupied the Winter Palace.
12. As I said before, you entered this argument too late to know what we are talking about.
Unit Six
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Sense
Conductor
Glamour
Particularly
Glamorous
Physical
Melodious
Amateur
Vivacious
Wiry
Orchestra
Fatigued
Absolutely
Bruise
Emperor
Jealously
Original
Eventually
Speech
Excellent
Luxury
Millionaire
Heiress
Exquisite
Weight
Trespasser
Calendar
Receipt
Conqueror
Boundary
Accommodation
Treacherous
Monotonous
Advertisement
Recommendation
Interrupted
whereabouts
Picturesque
Essential
Erected
Wholesale
Guarantee
Ambition
Ambitious
Cheque
Burglar
Lightning
Lightning
Patience
Parliamentary
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix:…misconduct, …………unoriginal, ……………uninterrupted
2. Turn into a person: parliamentarian
advertiser
guarantor
3. To three words in the lists above, ‘less’ can be added: ……senseless, speechless, weightless
4. Change to nouns: vivacious ……vivacity
interrupted ……interruption…,
fatigued …fatigue
5. Change to adjectives: sense …sensitive, sensible, senseless….luxury …luxurious…, hazardous
6. Spell the plurals of: echoes ………stimuli … hypotheses………………
7. Write synonyms for: monotonous …boring, unchanging guarantee …warranty, assurance. Bewilder
confuse, puzzle
8. Write antonyms for: fatigued …fresh, rested.
9. What is the contraction of: I am ……I’m
convex …concave
could not ……couldn’t.,
wholesale …retail
who will …who’ll.
10. Delete the wrong word: Correct word is red.
He made an illusion/allusion to Shakespeare.
The lawyer sited/cited definite facts in evidence.
I counsel/council you to study it carefully.
SUPPLY A PREPOSITION
1. She is never angry …..…with children. (AT is a common usage, but not correct in formal English)
2. I thought it was evident ……from . his looks.
3. Visitors are confused ……by…. the signs.
4. He is shy ……about…… asking for help. (Not of: This is used in a sentence like “I was just shy of the $100
I needed to buy the meal. This usage is also informal English.)
5. The team conferred amongst…one another. (Here the sense is of a group conferring together.)
Unit Seven
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Mischief
Inquisitive
Mischievous
Vague
Valley
Viciously
Neighbour
Indelible
Reservoir
Mention
Trough
Epidemic
Earnest
Infectious
Shepherd
Penicillin
Traffic
Accuracy
Courteously
Suspicious
Endeavour
Pneumonia
Analysis
Analyst
Doubtful
Efficient
Efficiency
Military
Quarrel
Quarrelled
Pamphlet
Cannon
Equipment
Equipped
Barrel
Artillery
Unique
Disciple
Control
Sufficient
Antipathy
Stationary
Stationery
Ammunition
Worshipped
Cemetery
Knowledge
Knowledgeable
Quarter
occasionally
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: ………inefficient, …………… unequipped, …………undisciplined
2. Find three words in the lists above to which ‘ness’ can be added: earnestness, vagueness , uniqueness
……
3. Write the plural of: analysis …analyses….., cannon …cannon or cannons ., valley ……valleys
4. Change to nouns: sufficient …sufficiency., courteous ……courtesy,
avoid avoidance…
5. Change to adverbs: accuracy …accurately, analysis analytically…,
chronic chronically…
6. Spell the singular of: strata …stratum,
phenomena ……phenomenon .
torpedoes ……torpedo,
7. Write synonyms for: baffle …puzzle, confuse refute …..rebut, disprove, dearth …shortage, lack….
8. Write antonyms for: earnest …frivolous ,
vague …precise, .,
doubtful certain
9. What is the contraction of: they have they’ve.., have not …haven’t, will not …won’t
10. Delete the wrong word: The correct word is in red.
That gadget is a devise/device for recording bird-calls.
He is an eminent/imminent authority on the weather.
That approach has lead/led others to disaster.
ELIMINATE THE JARRING WORD
The jarring word is in red.
1. Unobtrusive, flagrant, glaring, outrageous.
2. Harass, tantalise, enliven, exasperate.
3. Fortuitous, random, accidental, planned.
4. Enrapture, captivate, repulse, enthral.
5. Industrious, slothful, diligent, assiduous.
Punctuate the following with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark:
1. Are you finished already?
2. He asked whether the class had finished.
3. What a life!
4. How exciting it is!
5. How exciting is it?
6. What will you do for a living?
7. What you will do for a living!
8. Gerry asked what you would do for a living.
9. Is he coming today?
10. Larry asked whether the holiday would be brief.
Unit Eight
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Salary
Foreign
Elaborate
Opponent
Courageous
Diagram
Wholly
Penetrate
Gorgeous
Murmuring
Licence
License
Compulsory
Squall
Propellers
Quay
Marriage
Chimneys
Weird
Spoonful
Celebrate
Kerosene
Liquor
Liquefy
Withheld
Enamel
Canoe
Canoeing
Hungrily
Sheriff
Curious
Curiosity
Benefit
Benefited
Benefiting
Beneficial
Singeing
Gauge
Sovereignty
Medicine
Commentary
ventilation
Consumption
Emergency
Fortunately
Superintendent
Eucalyptus
Fascinating
extravagance
generosity
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: impenetrable, …… unventilated, …………… unfortunately
2. Turn into a person: canoeist …………,
commentator … consumption consumer………
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of: s i n/ g e i n g, f a s /c i n /a t /i n g,
4. Change to nouns: compulsory ……compulsion
s u /p e r/ i n/ t e n/ d e n t
fascinating …fascination,
elaborate
…elaboration
5. Change to adjectives: diagram …diagrammatic
6. Spell the plurals of: larva ……larvae,
cargo …cargoes. Mosquito ……mosquitoes
7. Write synonyms for: fascinating …enthralling.,
8. Write antonyms for: elaborate …simple…,
generosity …generous audacity audacious
haphazard …random
invigorate … debilitate,
Blatant …obvious
lucid … hazy, unclear
9. Show possession: the woman’s …….… bag, the women’s …. Bags, the children’s Toys.
10. Delete the wrong word: The correct word is red
He should renew his driving licence/license.
I shall try to elicit/illicit his reasons for acting in this way.
Defeat has damaged the moral/morale of the troops.
SUBSTITUTE A WORD FOR
1. Concerning empire or emperor:
…imperial…
2. Private ownership of firms:
capitalism
3. Final warning to a country
…ultimatum……
4. Prevent supplies reaching a country:
5. Rebellion at sea:
…blockade……
mutiny…………
Unit Nine
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Commotion
Evaporate
Exhale
Cylinder
Collision
Literature
Humour
Humorous
Ambitious
Glamorous
Disaster
Disastrous
Extremely
Leisure
Labour
Labourer
Laborious
Acquainted
Cheque
Fatigue
Parallel
Paralleled
Leveller
Levelling
Descend
Descent
Descendant
Medi(a)eval
Receipt
Calendar
Precise
Précis
Origin
Solely
Challenge
Eruption
Psalm
Official
Treacherous
Advertisement
Assimilation
Definite
Definitely
Definition
Approximately
Mountainous
Extraordinary
Acceptance
Monotonous
accommodation
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: ………..
unacquainted, ………
indefinite …….………….
2. Turn into a person: mountain …mountaineer..,
humour …humorist,
imprecise
origin
……originator.
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of: d i s /a s/ t r o u s,
l a/ b o r/ i /o u s,
4. Change to nouns: acquainted …acquaintance,
e x/ t r a /o r /d i n /a r y.
exhale ……exhalation authentic
authenticity…
5. Change to adjectives: cylinder …cylindrical., literature …literary
bestiality …bestial
6. Spell the plurals of: studio …studios…..,
erratum …errata
octopus …octopuses
7. Write synonyms for: commotion …tumult, uproar, upheaval, disaster …catastrophe, calamity…absolve.
pardon, forgive,
8. Write antonyms for: humorous …serious,
extraordinary …ordinary, mundane .
Boastful
modest,
self-deprecating…….
9. Show possession: our country’s ………flag, those countries’ Flags, Tom Jones bag. Tom Jones’ bag
10. Delete the wrong word:
The correct word is in red
I see that your/you’re ready at last.
Tell me who’s/whose going tomorrow.
The snake slid into it’s/its hole.
ORIGINS OF ENGLISH
Give three more: ……intermediary, interpret,
PREFIXES ….. Study the following:
intermarry………………..
1. CENT – hundred; as in centenary.
Give
three
more:
…century,
5. IN (TRA) (TRO) – into; as in introduce.
centurion,
centipede
three
two
more:
…intranet,
introverted,
introduction
2. PRE-before: as in prefix.
Give
Give
more:
…preamble,
6. IN, IM-not; as in insecure, impossible
prelude,
precedent..
3. DE – away from; as in deduct.
Give two more: …deduce, deny, delouse…..
4. INTER-between; as in intercede.
Give three more: …inaudible, impenetrable,
invincible
SUPPLY A PREPOSITION
1. You are responsible ……for .. the noise.
Punctuate the following:
2. He is responsible only …to… the chief.
“The humour of the Marx Brothers was wonderful,”
3. He is confident ……of.. an easy victory.
she said. “Did you see their film ‘A Night at the
4. You are deprived ……of….. all privileges.
Opera’?”
5. Your book is marred ……by.. blots.
“Yes’ on television’” he said, “but I prefer the
Beatles’ humour. Did you see ‘A Hard Day’s
Night’?”
Unit Ten
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Ascent
Ascend
Ascendancy
Ascension
Gnarled
Gnash
Savagery
Delight
Vicious
Mischievous
Abolish
Abolition
Catalogue
Resource
Casualty
Apology
Apologised
Innovation
Epidemic
Infectious
Prefer
Preference
Preferable
Preferred
Allege
Allegation
Deceit
Unnoticed
Endeavour
Vague
Conscious
Conscience
Conscientious
Innocent
Innocuous
Detention
Refer
Referred
Equipped
Efficiency
Accidentally
Bumptious
Hopefully
Collapsible
Condemn
Regrettable
Subterranean
Allegiance
Worshipped
Pamphlet
WORD MANIUPLATION
1. Supply a prefix: ………….. undeceived, …………………. unapologetic, ……. uncatalogued
2. Put three words in the lists above, ‘ful’ can be added: …………delightful; resourceful; deceitful;
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of: b u m p/ t i o u s (the p is silent), s u b/ t e r /r a n/ e/ a n, c o n/ s
c i /e n/ t i o u s
4. Change to nouns: condemnation ……
hilarious …hilarity
delude …delusion
5. Change to adjectives: affectation …affected (as in : I found his behaviour rather affected; it lacked
sincerity) bounty …bountiful
hallucination …hallucinogenic
6. Spell the plurals of: silo …silos ……..
criterion ……criteria…………… halo …Halos ……….
7. Write synonyms for: regrettable …unfortunate; lamentable… Divulge reveal garnish ……decorate…
8. Write antonyms for: deceit …truthfulness…. indolent …active…
segregate
unite, desegregate,
unify, integrate….
9. Show possession: Bill Davis’ …….. car, the mouse’s tail, two mice’s tails. (the tails of two mice sounds
more elegant)
10. Delete the wrong word :the correct word is red
The mayor greeted the princess respectively/respectfully.
As time passed/past they grew anxious.
He was welcomed formerly/formally into the club. (He was given a formal
welcome)
ELIMINATE THE JARRING WORD
1. inhibit, restrain, stimulate, curb.
2. indispensable, requisite, superfluous, essential.
3. sardonic, scornful, approving, derisive
4. severe, lavish, profuse, abundant.
5. acknowledge, recant, retract, disclaim.
Punctuate this passage from Tolstroy’s War and
“Take that young bear in hand and finish his
Peace:
education,” he said, turning to Anna Pavlova. “He
“She is very attractive,” said Prince Andrew.
has been in my house for months(,) and this is the
“Yes,” was all Peter answered.
first time I have seen him in company. Nothing
Prince Basil shook hands with him as he passed
forms a young man like the society of clever
him.
women.”
Unit Eleven
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Mattress
Scarcity
Pedal
Conceit
Postpone
Impostor
Conceivable
Established
Foreign
Gauge
Occur
Occurred
Occurrence
Compelled
Miniature
Sphere
Emigration
Committee
Kerosene
Propellers
Councillor
Counsellor
Detach
Consistently
Hesitate
Convenience
Considerable
Occupied
Medicine
Sovereignty
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: ……… inconceivable …
Transferred
Transference
Confiscate
Indulge
Indulgence
Penniless
Sculptor
Sculpture
Benefited
Curiosity
Piteous
Organisation
Existence
Unnecessary
Accomplice
Accomplish
Accompaniment
Accompanied
Emergency
Liquor
inconsistent inconsiderable (although this is used only in the
negative: not inconsiderable He was heir to a not inconsiderable fortune.)
2. Turn into a person: emigration …emigrant….
Occupied …occupant accompanied
…accompanist
3. To three words in the lists above, ‘ment’ can be added:
postponement, establishment, detachment,
accomplishment.
4. Change to nouns: compel …compulsion..
consistent …consistency. confiscate …confiscation
5. Change to adjectives: hesitate hesitant
sphere …spherical residue ……residual…
6. Spell the plurals of : kidney …kidneys….
stimulus …stimuli ….
hippopotamus
……Hippopotamuses
7. Write synonyms for: accomplish …achieve
impostor …fake assurance …confidence
8. Write antonyms for: scarcity …abundance.
Conceit humility expansion contraction
9. Show possession: the fly’s …….. wing, the flies’ …… wings, the princess’s ….. gown
10. Delete the wrong word: The correct word is in red.
He liked to gambol/gamble at cards.
Take care or the flames will envelope/envelop you.
Why don’t you lay/lie down for a while?
ORIGINS OF ENGLISH
PREFIXES …….. Study the following:
1. RE-back, again; as in revert, retell.
Give three more: …reiterate; repossess;
reinvent
2. PRO – forward: as in propose, proceed.
Give two more: …procedure; propulsion;
proposal, process
3. DIS-apart; as in divert, dismiss (not as in
dislike).
Give two more: diverge; diverse; divulge,
dismantle
4. SUB-under; as in subnormal, submit.
Give two more: …subatomic; subordinate
5. TRANS-across, over; as in transport.
Give one more: …transatlantic; transposition;
transpose
6. TELE-far off; as in telephone.
Give two more: …telekinetic; telepathic,
television
7. CIR (CUM) – around; as in circle.
Give two more: …circumnavigate; circumvent;
circumlocution
SUBSTITUTE A WORD FOR
1. Thought out beforehand: ……premeditated…..
2. An associate in a crime: …accomplice
3. Failure to exercise due care :…negligence …..
4. Completely freed from blame: …exonerated….
5. To give up a throne: …abdicate…….
HOW TO PUNCTUATE Apostrophes.
The commonest use of the apostrophe is in showing possession, as in : Don’s book. We will treat this in Unit
14. Meanwhile, here are examples of the other uses of the apostrophe:
1. To indicate omission of a letter or letters, or of a figure or figures.
e.g., I’ve, he’s, don’t, it’ll, he’d, o’clock, ‘tis, am o’ shanter; I was born in ’48; a veteran of the ’14-118 war.
N.B.: usage has eliminated some apostrophes. There was a time when people wrote ‘bus, ’plane and
‘phone, for they were conscious that these were contractions of omnibus, aeroplane and telephone. Today,
we take the contractions for granted; so apostrophes are no longer required.
2. To denote plurals of letters and figures.
e.g., Dot your i’s and cross your t’s; the Depression of the 1930’s. (But the 1930s is also permissible.)
N.B: Usage appears to be determining that we shall write; the four M.P.s, the seven B.A.s. There was a
time when an apostrophe was written before the s, though no possession was involved.
Punctuate this European folk-saying, giving special attention to apostrophes, commas and question marks:
When someone is genuinely 55% right, that’s very good and there’s no use expecting more.
And if someone is 60% right, it’s wonderful; it’s great luck, and let’s thank God.
But what’s to be said about 75% right? Wise people say this is suspicious. (!)
Well, what about 100% right? Make no mistake, whoever says he’s 100% right is a fanatic, a fool, or a rascal
.(!)
Unit Twelve
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Survey
Separate
Surveyor
Separable
Umbrella
Fibre
Shrubbery
Fibrous
Tragedy
Moustache
Asphalt
Illiterate
Detergent
Pavilion
Personnel
Schedule
Literature
Laborious
Humorous
Disastrous
Ballot
Balloted
Slaughter
Budget
Suicide
Physician
Fidgety
Bulletin
Descendant
Parallel
Technical
Technician
Technique
Technology
Boycott
Sever
Severe
Colonel
Eruption
Challenge
Dilapidated
Contributor
Flannelette
Peculiarity
Venture
Venturesome
Persevere
Perseverance
Acquainted
Extraordinary
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: ……………….…… inseparable ……………… unscheduled ………….. unparalleled
2. Write antonyms for: tragedy …comedy
Peculiar …ordinary, common
Descendant
……ancestor…..
3. What is the feminine of: bachelor spinster Tragedian…comedian
Comedian …tragedian
4. Change to nouns: illiterate ……illiteracy
Frugal …frugality Separate ……separation
5. Change to adjectives: tragedy …tragic
Suicide …suicidal
technology …technological
6. Spell the plurals of: piano ……pianos
salmon ……salmon
parallel ……parallels
7. Write synonyms for: sever …cut severe …strict, harsh
schedule timetable
8. Write homonyms for: profit ……prophet
wait ……weight. Straight ……strait
9. Show possession: a hero’s ……. Welcome, a gentleman’s suit, gentlemen’s suits.
10. Delete the wrong word: The correct word is red
The Opposition Leader moved a censor/censure motion.
He paid her a gracious complement/compliment.
Pat is a good friend in times of adversary/adversity.
ORIGINS OF ENGLISH
Prefixes……. Study the following:
1. ANTI-against; as in anti-climax.
Give two more: …antioxidant, antipathy
How does antidote fit in this group?
An antidote will act against a poison.
2. ANTE – before; as in antecedent.
Give two more: antechamber, antediluvian
3. BENE – well; as in beneficial.
Give two more:
benefit; benefactor;
benediction; benevolence
4. ON (COUNTER) – against; as in counteract,
contradict.
SUPPLY A PREPOSITION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
That remark is indicative …of his attitude.
He does not admit …to……. saying that.
This does not admit ……of….. a second opinion.
You are eligible ……for….. a prize.
The firm are dispensing ……with…. his services.
HOW TO PUNCTUATE Apostrophes
Counterinsurgent;
counterproductive;
contraband
5. OB (OF) (OP) – against; as in obstruct, offend,
oppose.
Give one of each: …obstruction; obstinate,
obstacle, offensive; offender, opposition,
opposite
6. POST – after: as in postscript.
Give two more: …post-operative; post-natal
7. SE – apart, away; as in separate, seclude.
Give two more: Seclusion; separation;
segregated;
segment
Some students continually have difficulty with the sign of possession, ‘s, although a little thought about
method would soon solve the problem for all time. Take your pick from these alternative methods:
1. THE EASIEST WAY. There was no apostrophe in our language centuries ago. Possession had to be
indicated by adding –es to a noun as in a knightes armour (a knight’s armour) or a daeges work (a day’s
work). The –es was always sounded as a full syllable. Because this was slow and clumsy, the e was
gradually dropped and an apostrophe was used to mark its omission. The remaining s could thus be
joined to the previous syllable. Hence, ‘s became the sign of possession, and we can state this rule for
its use: To show possession add ‘s to singular and plural nouns, but omit the s if you get a clumsy sound
(it is then understood to be there but is not sounded). This is so simple that you might not believe that it
works. There is another, more analytical, method of reaching the same result ………..
2. ANOTHER WAY. Add ’s to singular nouns and only the apostrophe to plural nouns (a bird’s nest; three
birds’ nests). There are important exceptions to this rule:
a) ‘s is added to plural nouns that do not end in s (women’s, sheep’s, geese’s).
b) Only the apostrophe is added to singular nouns when the addition of an s gives a clumsy sound
(Jesus’ sake, Archimedes’ principle, Mr. Menzies’ speech).
Punctuate the following:
1. The Beatles’ humour is in the same tradition as the Goons’ zany capers, and the Goons owe something to
the Marx Brothers’ brand of comedy.
2. A lady’s handbag; the two ladies’ hats; a man’s world; those men’s cars; one sheep’s tail; ten sheep’s
fleeces; this ship’s funnels; both ships’ captains; John Keats’ poetry; my family’s attitude.
Unit Thirteen
SPELLING/VOCABULARY
Allot
Allotment
Allotted
Allocate
Distil
Bachelor
Lieutenant
Pensioner
Gnarled
Abolition
Fulfil
Fulfilment
Fulfilled
Professor
Sponsor
Surgeon
Lawyer
Optician
Casualty
Apology
Install
Installation
Instalment
Doctor
Supervisor
Masseur
Playwright
Satellite
Allege
Conscious
Deter
Deterred
Deterrent
Electricity
Electrician
Solicitor
Musician
Gossiped
Condemn
Collapsible
Propaganda
Bereavement
Cigarette
Ambassador
Mannequin
Chiropodist
Governor
Government
Conscience
conscientious
WORD MANIPULATION
1. Supply a prefix: unfulfilled ……… indispensable undeterred
2. Turn into a verb: abolition …abolish…..…..
apology ……apologize….. masseur ………massage…..
3. Put a stroke between the syllables of: p l a y/ w r i g h t,
i n/ s t a l l/ a /t I o n,
4. Change to nouns: allocate ……allocation…..,
inspire
e/ l e c/ t r i /c i a n.
…inspiration……,
reclaim
…reclamation…
5. Change to adjectives: optician …optical…… calamity ……calamitous… surgeon ………surgical….
6. Spell the plurals of: merino merinos……. Dingo ………dingoes… parenthesis …parentheses…..
7. Write synonyms for: demonstrate …show calamity ……disaster… outlandish ……weird…bizarre
8. Write antonyms for: dejected ……depressed, saddened, discouraged garbled …clear veracity ……deceit
9. Show possession: two girls’ ……. cases, Charles’ ……… birthday, Tom Moss’s ………. Farm.
10. Delete the wrong word: The correct word is red
He is a man of high principles /principals.
The mantle/mantel of leadership has fallen on him.
I practice/practise the piano regularly.
6. POLY, MULTI – many; as in polysyllabic,
ORIGINS OF ENGLISH
Prefixes ….. Study the following:
multiple.
1. A (N) – without; as in apathy, anonymous.
Give the meaning of polygamy, the social
Give
two
more:
…asexual;
apathetic;
wife at the same tim;
asymmetrical
2. HYPER – above; as in hyperbole.
Give two more: …hyperactive; hyperkinetic
3. MAL (E) – bad; as in malformed.
Give two more: …maladjusted, malady
4. EXTRA – beyond; as in extraordinary.
Give two more: extraterrestrial, extramural,
extracurricular
5. SEMI-half, partly; as in semi-circle.
Give
two
semiconscious
system whereby men have more than one
more:
……semiliterate,
multi-lingual:
concerning
more than
one
language, able to speak more than one
language
REVISION: Add prefixes to each of the following:
……misconduct, inconvenient, biennial,
SELECT THE APT WORD
disrespect, illegal, … intervene
For a whole week a dreadful storm lashed the
ELIMATE THE JARRING WORD
ships
The jarring word is red
……………. they found to their consternation that
1. Intrepid, dauntless, craven, valiant.
they had been deserted by the crew, all of whom
2. Fretful, placid, petulant, peevish.
had put to sea in small boats. (subsided,
3. Circumspect, prudent, careless, judicious.
diminished, waned, abated)
4. Lavish, profuse, stinted, abundant.
5. Hackneyed, trite, original, stereotyped.
carrying
the
Robinsons.
When
it