1 What do you expect to find in a good dictionary? Does the dictionary you currently use give you everything you need?
2 Were the dictionary entries you looked at useful? Were the meanings and examples clear? Did you get all the information you wanted about the words? What other information about the word did you find?
3 When do you try not to use a dictionary? Why? When do you find it useful to use a dictionary?
Use of English
Word formation (suffixes)
1. Look at this example. What part of speech are the underlined words? How do you know?
Before going on stage, all I can remember is a feeling not so much of fear or nervousness, but of wonderful excitement
2. Work with a partner. Look at the words below. Do the suffixes in bold generally indicate that the word is a noun, an adjective, a verb or an adverb?
weakness
countable
alternative
frightening
rapidly
Option
successful
performance
legal
responsibility
modernise
political
enjoyment
delicious
decorative
confused
pleasant
combination
Which suffixes from Exercise 2 make
nouns from adjectives?
nouns from verbs?
verbs from adjectives?
adjectives from nouns/verbs?
adverbs from adjectives?
Make a note of two more words you know with each of the suffixes in Exercise 2. Make sure that you also write down what part of speech it is.
1 Read the title of the article. Do you think the article will be about unusual musicians, disk jockeys or music fans?
2 Read the whole article. Were you right?
3 Decide what form the word in brackets should be, then choose one of the suffixes from Exercise 2 to complete the article.
TIP! Make sure that you read the whole sentence, and look out for any plural nouns.
Making music - their way
A recent, rather unusual music documentary showcased not (1) (profession) musicians, but London buskers who were taking part in a (2) (sponsor) licensed busking scheme which now boasts 602 performers (3) (regular) playing at 31 station pitches in the capital. This was a (4) (determine) departure from the standard approach to musical documentaries, but it was the positive (5) (impress) made by the quality of the street musicians, and their (6) (intrigue) personal backgrounds, that led to the (7) (product) of the show. They are all fantastic musicians in their own right, but what they had to go through to perform is (8) (inspire).
The mother
As a mother of two daughters and a full-time history degree student, Jordene Roberts has her hands full. But despite having had no (9) (form) training, she helps to pay her bills with her dear and (10) (power) soprano voice outside the Royal Opera House. She has no agent and struggles at auditions because she is unable to read music (11) (fluent).
The city worker
For 14 years, Peter Murphy had a (12) (respect) career as an accountant before one day deciding he wanted to busk for a living. He walked out of his office, made an (13) (appear) on the streets the next day with a penny whistle and never went back to his desk. Now he plays a Celtic harp. He always wanted to be a musician, and being single and having no (14) (responsible) for others, has been
able to follow his dream. He has his own website and last year released his first CD.
The innovator
Oneof the first to have any (15) (involve) with the licensed busker scheme, Hadar Manor isnow in (16) (negotiate) for a recordingcontract. Her (17) (determine) to makeher way in the music world led her to singing in London stations. She earned enough to pay basic bills, but was happy just to be able to give(18) (perform). She was eventuallyspotted singing one of her own songs outside a tube station.
Transformation
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the word given. There is an example (0) at the beginning.
TIP! Remember that when you say things in different ways, you often have to change the form of a word, as in the example below.
Example:
0 Lena was hugely disappointed when she lost the recording contract. A
It came as a huge disappointment toLena when she lost the recording contract.
1. I'm very worried about David's forgetfulness - it's getting worse. MUCH
David's becoming and it worries me a lot.
2. People should take more responsibility for their actions. BE
People should for their actions.
3. The singer performed brilliantly and received a standing ovation. BRILLIANT
The singer gave and received a standing ovation.
4. The young woman took an active part in street busking. ENGAGED
The young woman in street.
Open cloze
TIPS!
1. Read the title, and then read the article below quickly, without trying to fill in any missing words.
2. Read the article again and write one word in pencil in each of the gaps. Most of the words are grammatical words (e.g. prepositions, adverbs, etc.) rather than vocabulary linked to the topic. If you are not sure of an answer, put as many possibilities as you think might fit. If you have no idea, then put a question mark.
3. Explain which answers you're sure about and why. Rub out any alternatives.
4. Look at any remaining gaps. Work out what type of word is missing. If you're not sure of the exact word, have a guess.
5. Finally, read the whole article again to make sure it makes complete sense with your answers in place.