Ultimate word success - Peterson's 2009

Introduction

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s start by exploring some frequently asked questions about learning words for standardized exams. Then, we’ll take a look at strategies for using this book to your best advantage.

Q: How is vocabulary measured on standardized exams?

A: The SAT^*, PSAT/NMSQT^*, GED, ACT^®, and TOEFL^® all test your vocabulary. For example, the SAT includes “vocabulary-in-context” questions, in which you must determine the meaning of words as used in specific sentences. If you know the meaning of every word in the question, you’ll probably get the answer right. The more words you know, the better your chances of narrowing down the choices to the correct one. In addition, standardized tests assess your vocabulary indirectly through the use of reading comprehension passages and questions. Test takers with a strong vocabulary have an advantage in answering these questions.

Q: How do the test makers choose words for the exams?

A: The test makers want to determine whether you possess a well-rounded, “educated” vocabulary—the kind of vocabulary you need to read, write, and speak effectively in college and beyond. Test-worthy words include those that any educated person might use in speaking or writing, as well as those that are quite specific to particular academic fields.

Q: What kind of words won’t be on the exam or in this book?

A: The following types of words are excluded from this book because they’re not likely to appear on a standardized test:

• Relatively common words that most high school students already know

• Highly technical words understood only by specialists or experts in certain academic fields and professions

• Non-English words that are not widely used among English speakers

• Informal jargon, slang, or colloquialisms

• Words no longer in common use

Q: Does this book include all of the words I need to know for my exam?

A: Of course not—the English language includes thousands of test-worthy words. The Oxford English Dictionary lists more than 600,000 words; German has fewer than one-third that number, French fewer than one-sixth. No matter how thoroughly you’ve prepared for the test, you will most likely encounter new and unfamiliar words on the exam.

Q: Can I learn the words I need to know by taking simulated practice tests?

A: Unfortunately, no. You’ll learn a few new words this way but not nearly enough. Simulated testing is more useful for learning test-taking “skills”—analyzing questions and developing strategies for responding to them—than for improving vocabulary.

Definitions and Phonetic Spellings in This Book

A phonetic spelling “spells out” a word just the way it sounds when spoken, without the confusing marks that you find in dictionaries. The syllable receiving primary emphasis is spelled with italics or capital letters. Here’s an example of a word with its phonetic spelling as used in this book:

ideology (eye-dee-ol-oh-jee)

You can tell that the first syllable receives the emphasis because it is written in italics.

Here’s a guide to help you properly interpret the phonetic spellings used in this book: