Understanding Vocabulary: Word Formation

• Vocabulary is the body of words known to a person or used in a language.

Word Formation

• Word formation is how new words are created.
• Affixation involves adding prefixes or suffixes to existing words (e.g., "un-happy," "act-ion").
• Compounding combines two or more words to create a new word (e.g., "sunflower," "textbook").
• Conversion changes a word's part of speech without changing its form (e.g., using "email" as a noun and a verb).
• Blending merges parts of two words (e.g., "smog" from "smoke" and "fog").
• Borrowing adopts words from other languages (e.g., "croissant" from French).
• Back-formation creates a new word by removing a supposed affix from an existing word (e.g., "edit" from "editor").

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms are words with similar meanings (e.g., "happy" and "joyful").
• Antonyms are words with opposite meanings (e.g., "hot" and "cold").
• Understanding synonyms helps in paraphrasing and avoiding repetition.
• Recognizing antonyms can clarify meaning through contrast.

Contextual Usage

• Words can have different meanings depending on the context.
• Context clues in a sentence or passage help determine the correct meaning of a word.
• Paying attention to surrounding words is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Etymology

• Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words.
• Knowing a word's etymology can provide insights into its meaning.
• Many English words have roots in Latin, Greek, and other languages.

Vocabulary Acquisition Strategies

• Reading widely exposes you to new words in context.
• Using flashcards helps memorize words and their definitions.
• Keeping a vocabulary journal allows you to record and review new words.
• Using mnemonics can aid in remembering difficult words.
• Engaging in conversations and discussions helps reinforce vocabulary.
• Analyzing word roots, prefixes, and suffixes enhances understanding.
• Utilizing vocabulary-building apps and websites can make learning fun and interactive.

CAT Exam Vocabulary Questions

• Understanding Contextual Usage:
  • CAT questions often test your ability to infer the meaning of a word from its context in a passage.
  • These questions require careful reading and analysis of the surrounding sentences to determine the most appropriate meaning.
• Synonyms and Antonyms:
  • Questions may ask you to identify the synonym or antonym of a given word.
  • Requires a strong vocabulary and the ability to discern subtle differences in meaning.
• Analogies:
  • Analogy questions present a pair of words and ask you to identify another pair with a similar relationship.
  • Success hinges on understanding the relationship between the original pair of words.
• Fill in the Blanks:
  • These questions require you to choose the most suitable word to complete a sentence or passage.
  • Tests your knowledge of vocabulary and your ability to understand the context.
• Idioms and Phrases:
  • Questions may test your understanding of common idioms and phrases.
  • Familiarity with idiomatic expressions is essential.
• Word Usage:
  • Questions may ask you to identify the correct usage of a word in a sentence.
  • Requires a strong understanding of grammar and vocabulary.
• Vocabulary in Reading Comprehension:
  • Reading comprehension passages often contain difficult words.
  • Understanding these words is crucial for answering the questions correctly.
• Error Identification:
  • Identifying incorrect or inappropriate word usage in a sentence.
• Sentence Completion:
  • Selecting the most fitting word or phrase to complete a sentence, maintaining its logical and grammatical coherence.
• Odd Word Out:
  • Identifying the word that doesn't belong in a group based on meaning or association.
• Word Formation/Roots:
  • Questions might test understanding of prefixes, suffixes, and root words to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar terms.