21世纪大学实用英语补充阅读材料.docVIP

21世纪大学实用英语补充阅读材料 Unit 1 Text C 5 Ways to Enlarge Your Vocabulary Ginger Rue Want increase your vocabulary? Here are five tried-and-true methods. 1. Pay attention to context (上下文). When you come across an unfamiliar word, try to figure out its meaning by using hints (暗示) from other words or visuals (画面). For example, when an ad for a food processor (加工器) promises that it will help you prepare “a sumptuous family breakfast, including eggs, fruit, pastries (各式糕点), and more,” you can infer (推断) that sumptuous means “lavish” (丰盛的) or “magnificent” (极好的). The words, along with the photo that may accompany the ad, can help you guess the meaning. 2. Learn a new word daily. Each day, pick a word from the dictionary and try to use it as often as possible. Realize you’ve forgotten your best friend’s birthday? Just exclaim (大声说出), “How gauche (笨拙) of me!” You’ll make much more of an impression (印象) than if you just say “thoughtless” (粗心的). 3. Associate (把……跟……联系起来) new words with people or places. One way to learn something new is to associate something you don’t know with something you do. Let’s say you learn that urbane (温文尔雅的) means “elegant” (高雅的) or “refined” (有教养的). Associate that new word with someone who is like that — perhaps your English teacher. Then, whenever you read “urbane” again, your teacher’s face will pop (突然出现) into your head, and you’ll remember the word’s meaning. 4. Listen to good vocabulary sources. Hearing words used correctly will help you learn their denotations (本义) (dictionary definitions (定义)) and connotations (转意) (implied meanings). Keep your ears open — especially to respectable sources. Listen to National Public Radio occasionally instead of pop music (流行音乐) stations. Watch TV shows that feature (由……担纲) articulate (口才好的) people discussing current events (时事) or comedies (喜剧) that use clever wordplay (俏皮话). Learn new words as you enjoy leisure (闲暇的) activities. 5. Beco