Vocabulary

WHAT IS VOCABULARY?

VOCABULARY is simply the set of words known and used by a person. The more that you widen and diversify your vocabulary, the better you can understand complex ideas in textbooks and express your own thoughts clearly in both written or verbal outputs.

Common Misconceptions About Vocabulary

It's easy to fall into traps when learning new words! Let's clear up some common myths so you can study smarter.

Mistake #1: Reading is Enough!

Gaining sufficient knowledge through passive exposure is not enough. You will need to actively engage with a word that looks different for you! You may look it up, use it in a sentence, and even revisit it several times to really remember them.

Mistake #2: Memorizing Definitions is the Key

Context is everything. You need to understand a word's connotation (the feeling it suggests) and how it can be used in different situations. A memorized definition without knowing its context will not be helpful once you’re in the real world…

Mistake #3: Using Bigger Words = Smarter 🧠

Using the longest and fanciest word that you know will unfortunately not impress anyone… Being clear is a smarter move than being complex. Choose the most precise word for the context. If you’re going to use a difficult word incorrectly or awkwardly (like replacing "use" with "utilize" every time), this will just confuse your reader or listener.

Toolkit to Becoming an ACADEMIC WEAPON

Building mastery over these 30 words, and continuing to expand beyond them, you can significantly improve your performance in future academic task!

Here are relevant examples which are helpful to remember:

Let’s Practice for the CETs!

During the CETs, you won't always know the exact meaning of every word. (And that’s okay!) You may then use a small trick called context clues! These are the hints hidden in the surrounding text to figure out which would be the best fit.

Example #1: Synonym Question

Read the following scenario:

"The community organizers decided to promulgate the new sanitation rules by posting flyers on every barangay hall and sending text blasts to all the residents."

Which of the following words is the best synonym for promulgate as used in the sentence?

A. Ignore

B. Suppress

C. Announce

D. Criticize

Click for the Answer

The correct answer is C. Announce.

Look at the action. The sentence describes the organizers posting flyers and sending text blasts. These are actions used to make information public.
Relate it to the options. If the goal is to make something public, words like Ignore (A), Suppress (B), and Criticize (D) do not exactly fit the purpose of the action.
Choose the option that best fits. Promulgate means to make known or put into effect, which is best captured by Announce. The context of using common communication tools (flyers, texts) confirms this meaning.

Example #2: Antonym Question

Read the following scenario:

"The professor was worried that the rumor about the postponed midterm health break would exacerbate the students' already high stress levels right before their exams."

Which of the following words is the best antonym for exacerbate as used in the sentence?

A. Intensify

B. Alleviate

C. Develop

D. Express

Click for the Answer

The correct answer is B. Alleviate.

Look at the clues. The word is used in relation to "high stress levels." The professor is worried that the rumor will make the stress worse. This tells us that exacerbate means to make it worse or to intensify.
Find the opposite word. Since the question asks for the antonym, we need a word that means to make it better or to lessen.
Choose the option that best fits. Alleviate means to make suffering or a problem less severe. Options A, C, and D do not fit the requirement for an opposite meaning.

Example #3: Filling in the Blanks

Read the following scenario:

"Instead of simply giving a list of facts, the History professor encouraged the students to ____________ the lessons they learned from the EDSA Revolution with current political events."

Fill in the Blank:

A. Correlate

B. Obstruct

C. Delegate

D. Delineate

Click for the Answer

The correct answer is A. Correlate.

Identify the relationship. The sentence asks students to connect two different sets of information: lessons from the past (EDSA Revolution) and events in the present (current political events).
Analyze the verb. The needed verb must mean "to connect" or "to find a relationship between."
Check the options. Delegate (to assign a task) and Obstruct (to block) do not make any sense. Delineate means to describe or outline precisely. Correlate ameans to have a mutual relationship or connection. This is the best fit for connecting past and present events.

Downloadable Resources (Word Banks):

Attached below are more words for you to explore and learn. Don’t forget to have some fun while reading! 😁

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