当我们在学习基本语法和句法的同时,也开始学词汇,终身不停。
学词汇的方法很多,学习效果也不同;有些方法的效果比较好,有些则差些。
有个特别值得推荐的方法是“联想”。例如从“party”这个字,可以联想到其他的字,如:meeting, assembly, seminar, negotiation1 等。
现在看看下列 8 组字,如何凑在一起:
⒈下列 6 个动词的共同意思是“伤害”或“破坏”:damage, harm, hurt, impair2, injure, mar3
⒉下列 6 个动词的共同意思是“减少”:decrease, lessen4, diminish, reduce, abate5, dwindle6
⒊下列 6 个名词的中心意思是“武装叛变”:rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, mutiny, insurrection
⒋下列 7 个名词都含有“边缘”之意: edge, brink7, brim, rim8, verge9, border, margin10
⒌下列 7 个名词都含有“ 路”之意: way, road , path , route, passage, street, aveune
⒍下列 7 个形容词都含有“著名”之意: famous, renowned12, celebrated13, noted14, distinguished15, eminent16, illustrious
⒎下列 7 个形容词都含有“快速”之意:fast, rapid, swift, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious17
⒏下列 9 个动词含“胜过”或“克服”之意:conquer, defeat, vanquish18, overcome, beat, rout11, surmount19, subdue20, overthrow21
上述 8 组字,每组都有个中心意思。在学习词汇时,若能将意思有关联的字词或习语摆在一起,通过联想来记忆,不但轻松而且还很有效。必须注意的是,虽然几个字有共同的意思,但是每个字在句子中的用法,难免会有些差别,不可不察。
现在举个和“laugh”(笑)有关的动词,来说明这点。
① The President smiled(微笑) as he went past the crowd.
② His joke made us laugh(发笑)。
③ The spectators jeered22(嘲笑) when their team was defeated.
④ The audience roared with rage(暴笑如雷)。
⑤ If you tease(揶揄) her again, she will get angry.
⑥ The pupils giggled23(格格地笑) on seeing the teacher fall down.
⑦ The crowd booed(喝倒采) when the referee24 made a mistake.
⑧ The listeners hooted25(轻蔑地叫喊) at the ignorant speaker.
⑨ Irene sat at a corner, chuckling26(轻声暗笑) to herself.
⑩The naughty girl grinned(露齿而笑) in response to her mother's question.(陈清霖)