Vocabulary Study Notes

Definition: Understanding how words are used in different contexts.
Importance: Context can change the meaning of a word (e.g., "bark" as tree covering vs. dog sound).
Techniques:
- Read varied texts to see words in different situations.
- Identify clues in sentences that indicate meaning (e.g., surrounding words, tone).

Definition: The base part of a word that carries its primary meaning.
Importance: Knowing roots can help decipher unfamiliar words.
Common Roots:
- "bio" (life) - biology, biography
- "graph" (write) - photograph, autograph
- "geo" (earth) - geography, geology

Synonyms: Words with similar meanings (e.g., "happy" - "joyful").
Antonyms: Words with opposite meanings (e.g., "happy" - "sad").
Benefits: Expanding vocabulary; enhances writing and speaking by avoiding repetition.
Techniques:
- Use a thesaurus for finding synonyms and antonyms.
- Practice using synonyms and antonyms in sentences for better retention.

Definition: The process of creating new words through various methods.
Methods:
- Derivation: Adding prefixes or suffixes (e.g., "happy" to "unhappy").
- Compounding: Combining two words (e.g., "tooth" + "brush" = "toothbrush").
- Conversion: Changing the word class without altering the form (e.g., "run" as a verb becomes "run" as a noun).

Definition: Use of words or expressions with a meaning different from the literal interpretation.
Types:
- Metaphor: Direct comparison (e.g., "Time is a thief").
- Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as" (e.g., "Brave as a lion").
- Personification: Giving human traits to non-human things (e.g., "The wind whispered").
- Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis (e.g., "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse").
Purpose: Enhances creativity, adds depth to writing, and evokes emotions.

Definition encompasses understanding how words vary in meaning based on the surrounding context.
The importance lies in the fact that context can significantly alter a word's meaning, such as "bark" referring to tree outer layer or dog vocalization.
Techniques to enhance understanding include reading diverse texts and identifying contextual clues like accompanying words and tone.

Word roots represent the foundational segment of a word that conveys its core meaning.
Importance is highlighted by the ability to decode unfamiliar terms through knowledge of their roots.
Common roots include:
- "bio" meaning life, as seen in "biology" and "biography."
- "graph" signifying writing, evident in "photograph" and "autograph."
- "geo" referring to earth, illustrated in "geography" and "geology."

Synonyms are words sharing similar meanings, for example, "happy" correlates with "joyful."
Antonyms represent opposing meanings, as displayed by "happy" contrasting with "sad."
The benefits of mastering synonyms and antonyms include an enriched vocabulary, which enhances both writing and speaking by minimizing redundancy.
Techniques for improvement involve utilizing a thesaurus and practicing the integration of synonyms and antonyms in personal sentences for optimal retention.

Word formation is the articulation of new terms through various linguistic processes.
Key methods include:
- Derivation: Involves adding prefixes or suffixes to create new words, such as transforming "happy" to "unhappy."
- Compounding: Combines two distinct words, like "tooth" and "brush" forming "toothbrush."
- Conversion: Reassigns a word's class without modifying its form, as in using "run" both as a verb and noun.

Figurative language employs expressions that diverge from literal interpretations to convey deeper meanings.
Important types include:
- Metaphor: A direct comparison, exemplified by "Time is a thief."
- Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as," e.g., "Brave as a lion."
- Personification: Assigning human characteristics to inanimate objects, such as "The wind whispered."
- Hyperbole: Intentionally exaggerated statements for effect, e.g., "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse."
The purpose of incorporating figurative language is to foster creativity, add layers to writing, and elicit emotional responses.

Austerity involves cutting government spending to address budget deficits.
Affected sectors include public services such as education and healthcare, social welfare programs, and infrastructure projects.
The key objective is reducing national debt and restoring fiscal health for sustainable economic management.

Austerity can take various forms: spending cuts, tax hikes, and structural reforms (e.g., pension and labor market changes).
Strategies vary by country, highlighted by the differences between Greece, which faced strict austerity, and Sweden, which utilized a different approach.
Effects can be short-term or long-term, influencing economic recovery and growth rates differently across nations.

Potential benefits of austerity include lower government debt levels and heightened investor confidence in financial markets.
Negative consequences encompass diminished economic growth, rising unemployment, and an increased risk of recession.
Economic theories like Keynesian advocate for increased spending during downturns, while neoclassical economics supports austerity for long-term stability.

Austerity contributes to rising poverty rates as social welfare services are cut back.
Accessibility to essential services such as healthcare and education declines, impacting vulnerable populations.
Social unrest and public discontent can increase as lower-income groups bear the brunt of budget cuts, exacerbating inequality.

Public sentiment may shift unfavorably towards government and political leaders due to dissatisfaction with austerity measures.
The rise of populist movements can occur as a response to economic hardships caused by austerity.
Political party dynamics may change, often benefiting left-wing parties, affecting long-term electoral outcomes and policy decisions.