CHAPTER 3

VOCABULARY
GOALS
1. Provide students with skills and opportunities to learn words independently.
2. To teach students the meaning of specific words.
3. To help students build word power and vocabulary for better communication.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The learners will:

♦ Learn new words.

♦ Use new words while speaking and writing.

♦ Understand words in a variety of contexts from a variety of roots (Greek, Latin, etc.).

♦ Try to determine word meanings by analysing the textual content.

♦ Use their knowledge of a word’s roots to determine its meaning.

INTRODUCTION
The term ‘vocabulary’ is defined as ‘the body of words used in a particular language’. It is also called
‘wordstock’, ‘lexicon’, and ‘lexis’. Vocabulary consists of the words we understand when we hear or read them
and words we speak or write. However, it is ‘more than words’; it is a measure of all that a person has learnt,
experienced or felt. Vocabulary knowledge requires not only knowledge of word meaning, but it requires the
usage of words in the appropriate context and in a natural way.
Vocabulary is developed gradually and serves as a fundamental tool for communication, and acquiring
knowledge. We build vocabulary by picking up words that we read or hear and through direct instruction from
teachers or other professionals. The more words we know, the more we will be able to understand what we
hear and read. In turn, the better we will be able to say what we want to while speaking or writing. Therefore, it
can be said that learning vocabulary is an important part of learning a language.

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Why is rich vocabulary important?

Vocabulary knowledge is the heart of a language comprehension and use.
A good vocabulary helps us understand what other people are saying and what we are
reading. Unfamiliar words become holes in the text, preventing us from completely understanding what we
have read. To comprehend a text successfully we need to have sufficient word knowledge. A writer’s message
can only be understood if the reader knows the meaning of most of the words used in a text. Therefore, having
extensive knowledge of vocabulary is essential to language comprehension.
It gives us the ability to articulate clearly, what we mean: Vocabulary helps us with language production.
The more words we know the more precisely we can express ourselves. . Therefore, we have to overcome the
lack of vocabulary knowledge in order to communicate effectively.
Vocabulary knowledge boosts our ability to grasp ideas and think more logically. The greater the
number of words we know, the more we can interpret ideas from others, and express our own ideas.
Having a rich vocabulary helps us communicate in a more engaging way. Relying on one or two words to
describe an idea will be repetitive and not as persuasive, as relying on a vocabulary of 10-15 similarly
descriptive terms.
It helps us make a good impression on others. How we articulate our thoughts in words constitutes a big
part of the impression we make on others.
Which Words to Learn
As we grow older, we come across thousands of words. However, not all words have equal importance in our
lives. Then, how do we decide which words to learn? Since vocabulary knowledge is not something that can be
fully mastered, we must concentrate on learning words that are of more use to us than others. Here are some
suggestions:
♦ Words that are important to the subjects we are studying.
♦ Words that we read or hear repeatedly.
♦ Words we know we will want to use regularly.
Based on this we can say that there are three types of vocabulary words that we need to learn - basic
vocabulary, high frequency / multiple meaning vocabulary, and subject related vocabulary.
A word’s frequency of use, complexity, and meaning determines which type it will fall into.
The readers with mature vocabularies and literacy skills understand and use words from all three categories.
Types of Vocabulary
The term ‘vocabulary’ has a wide range of meanings and thus it can be divided in many different ways. Word
knowledge is often divided into the following four types: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
1. Listening Vocabulary - This type of vocabulary refers to the words we hear and comprehend. Most
adults can identify and comprehend almost 50000 words.
2. Speaking Vocabulary - This type of vocabulary refers to the words we speak. We use barely 10000
words for communication. The number of words used during speaking is far less than listening. The
reason behind this is the level of comfort in usage.

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3. Reading Vocabulary - Reading vocabulary refers to the words we recognise when we read any text. If
a person is a reader then this type of vocabulary happens to be the second largest vocabulary.
Needless to say, vocabulary grows with reading.
4. Writing Vocabulary - It represents the words we use while writing to express ourselves. Our writing
vocabulary is intensely affected by the words we can spell.
These types of vocabulary can further be categorised in two ways. The first is expressive and receptive
vocabulary. Depending on how we ‘use’ or ‘understand’ vocabulary, we can categorise word knowledge into
expressive or receptive vocabulary.
♦ The words that we use for ‘speaking’ and ‘writing’ are termed expressive vocabulary as these are
vocabularies that we use to express our thoughts and feelings.
♦ The words that we need to know to understand what we read or listen to are termed as receptive
vocabulary and refers to listening and reading vocabularies.
Alternatively, vocabulary can be divided into oral vocabulary and written vocabulary. Speaking and listening
vocabularies constitute oral vocabulary and reading and writing vocabularies constitute written vocabulary.

Oral
Vocabulary

Receptive Listening Speaking

Expressive
Vocabulary Vocabulary

Reading Writing

Written
Vocabulary

It has been noted that our receptive vocabulary is normally larger than our expressive vocabulary. For
Example: a child who cannot speak, write or sign can follow quite a number of instructions given in language
that he or she is used to.
Effective Ways to Build Vocabulary
Building vocabulary is a powerful way to enhance your career. It can be pleasurable and profitable investment
of both your time and effort. If you spend a few minutes a day on a regular basis to study words or to attempt
vocabulary-building exercises, there will surely be a rapid enhancement in your vocabulary skills. This in turn
will help improve your communication skills.

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Needless to say, you already have an extensive vocabulary, and that with each passing day more words will be
added to it whether you work on it or not. However, you need to work consistently and with dedication if you
desire to enhance the speed of your learning. There are no short cuts or magical ways to improve your
vocabulary; but the larger your vocabulary bank, the easier it will become for you to make associations and
links between new words and the vocabulary you already possess; making it easier to remember the word and
its meaning. Thus, as your vocabulary grows so will the pace of your learning.
As you try to learn new words, it will benefit you if you are aware of the kinds of vocabulary you will encounter.
Generally speaking, you will encounter the following types:
1. Synonyms: words that have similar meanings
2. Foreign Words: words that have been borrowed from other languages
3. Connotations: words that invoke an idea or a feeling when read or heard
4. Antonyms: words that mean the opposite of other words
5. Collocations: words that are used together or form fixed relationships
6. Idioms: a group of words that have a meaning different from their literal meaning
7. Phrasal Verbs: multi- word verbs
Here are some points to remember in your quest to improve our vocabulary:
• Be aware of words. Do not avoid words that are foreign or new to you. Instead, examine them closely.
Even before you look up the meaning of the word, you should attempt to deduce its meaning from the
context. Later, you may also check the dictionary meaning of the word to verify whether your deduction
was correct. Do not be afraid if it slows down your reading initially; eventually, due to your improved
understanding and vocabulary, it will speed up your learning of other words.
• Read voraciously. Choose books, articles, etc. of your interest and read regularly. Reading is crucial
for vocabulary enhancement since it helps in finding most of the words that are important for
comprehension and expression and must be learnt.
• Use a dictionary. The dictionary is an important tool for one who desires to improve vocabulary.
Whenever you consult a dictionary, you should circle the word you are looking up. You must also
examine the entire entry about the word. This is because the word may have more than one meaning.
Reading all the meanings will help in understanding how to use the word in different ways.
• Maintain a journal. If you note down all the new words you encounter, you can refer to the list later,
study the words and slowly include these words in your active vocabulary.
• Use new words. The more you use these words in your writing and conversations, the sooner they will
become a part of your active vocabulary.
• Engage in conversations. Simply engaging in conversations with other people can help you learn and
discover new words.
• Study new words regularly. Vocabulary building is a simple process. It involves the reviewing of
words regularly until they are fixed in one’s memory. The best way to do this is by taking some time
out in your daily schedule for vocabulary study. During this time, you can study new words i.e. look for

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their meanings, find their synonyms, and root words. You must also set a goal for the number of
words you want to learn every day.
• Go back to the roots. One of the most powerful tools for learning new words and for deciphering their
meaning is studying their Latin and Greek roots. Latin and Greek elements (prefixes, roots and
suffixes) are a significant part of the English language and a great tool for learning new words.
• Attempt word puzzles and play word games. If you wish to expand your vocabulary, then playing
board games and attempting word puzzles will help you achieve your goals. Apart from improving your
critical thinking skills, they also strengthen your word knowledge.

CONNOTATIONS
Connotation is defined as an idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its
literal or primary meaning.. The strict, dictionary definition of a word is called its ‘denotation,’ i.e. the
feelings or emotions associated with it.
Example: Both ‘fat’ and ‘chubby’ have a common denotation. Both words mean ‘being overweight’,
however, most people would rather be chubby, because chubby has a positive connotation and fat has a
negative connotation.
Let us examine another example– home and house. Both words have a common denotation- a building / place
meant for human habitation. However, the word ‘home’ connotes warmth, family, love and affection, whereas
the word ‘house’ connotes only a structure of cement and concernment for inhabitation.
Importance of connotation
Connotation gives us an indication of the emotions or associations that surround a word. A word's connotations
can be either positive or negative and will depend on the context in which it is used, and to some degree, on
the reader or the listener. Therefore, understanding a word’s literal and suggestive meaning is of extreme
importance to every speaker and writer. On some occasions, you may want to use a word that carries a
negative connotation on purpose. However, there are times you want to ensure that you do not mistakenly use
a word that carries a misleading connotation.
It is of utmost importance that we choose our words with care. The choice of words can change the meaning of
the sentence significantly. For example: Describing a woman who is thin as ‘scrawny’ carries a negative
connotation; whereas describing her as ‘slender’ carries a positive connotation.
Let us examine connotations a little more closely by studying the groups of words given below:

Group Word Tone/Undertone Meaning /Connotation

1 Verbose Negative Containing more words than necessary
Eloquent Positive Vividly or movingly expressive
2 Stench Negative A bad odour or scent
Aroma Positive A pleasant or savoury smell
3 Cheap Negative A person who hates to spend money.
Thrifty Positive A person who is very careful with money.

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4 Young Neutral A person who is of a young age.

Youthful Positive A person who may not be young, but has all
the good qualities of youth.
Childish Negative A person who behaves like a child in a
negative way.
5 Proud Neutral To have self-respect
Confident Positive To believe in your own abilities
Conceited Negative To be too proud of your abilities. To view
yourself too highly.
6 Headstrong Negative Willful and determined; not easily restrained:
impatient when given advice or suggestions
Determined Positive Possessing or displaying a firm resolve.
7 Scrawny Negative Exceptionally thin and meager in body or
size.
Slender Positive Gracefully thin or slight.
8 Crippled Negative Flawed or imperfect
Disabled Neutral Impaired or limited by a physical, mental,
cognitive, or developmental condition

You must have noticed that the words in each group have similar denotations; however, each word has a
different connotation.

PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Categorise the words from each group given below as positive, negative or neutral. The first one is
done for you as an example.
1. gaze, look steadily, stare
2. brainwash, persuade, influence one way or another
3. delayed, not on time, tardy
4. somewhat interested, nosy, curious
5. lazily, without haste, leisurely
6. ask of someone, demand, request
7. gathering, a large group, mob
8. discuss with others, debate, argue
9. observe, watch, spy
10. assertive, firmly confident, pushy

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Positive Connotation Denotation Negative Connotation

1 gaze look steadily Stare
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Q2. In each of the following sentences, the italicised word has a fairly neutral connotation. For each word
in italics, list two synonyms (words with similar denotations): one with a negative connotation and the
other with a positive connotation.
1. I recognised the familiar smell of my mother’s cooking.
2. Siddharth’s interest in painting has turned into a hobby.
3. Vasco was an adventurous traveller.
4. My old laptop has finally died.
5. Sneha was mildly intimidated by Gautam's assertive behavior.
Q3. Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing
approval or disapproval of the topic. Then identify the word that most suits the context.
1. This refrigerator is (expensive / overpriced) but Soham did not mind paying extra because of
the numerous useful features it has.
2. Shiv Tomar and his (cronies / employees) have controlled the management in this company
for over fourteen years now. I wish Arindham Chatterjee is elected President this time.
3. Hopefully I won’t have to share office space with Mrs. Singh. She can be very (curious / nosy).
4. Please ask Rohit to turn down the volume. It is difficult for me to concentrate with all that
(noise / music).
5. Mr. Nair had better be wary of his new neighbor, Ms. Banerjee; she is a (crafty / clever) one.
6. I have great respect for your brother who is rather (reserved, antisocial) and dignified.
7. My friend can’t stand her mother – in – law who is very (thrifty / miserly); she has a lot of
money but refuses to help others.
8. The new saleswoman tends to be (enthusiastic, pushy) while dealing with customers. She is
scaring them away.

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You should know!

Jargon
Jargon is a term that is defined as the use of specific phrases and words in a particular situation, profession, or
trade. These specialised terms are used to convey hidden meanings accepted and understood in that field.
While the use of jargons is often useful or necessary for those within the group, it is usually meaningless to the
outsiders.
Jargon is sometimes wrongly confused with slang, and people often take it in the same sense but a difference
is always there.
Slang is a type of informal category of language developed within a certain community, and consists of words
or phrases whose literal meanings are different from the actual meanings. Hence, it is not understood by
people outside of that community or circle. Slang is more common in spoken language than written.
Jargon, on the other hand, is broadly associated with a subject, occupation, or business that makes use of
standard words or phrases, and frequently comprises abbreviations, such as LOC (loss of consciousness), or
TRO (temporary restraining order). However, unlike slang, its terms are developed and composed deliberately
for the convenience of a specific profession, or section of society. We can see the difference in the two
sentences given below.
List of Jargon Words
Jargon can be found in a variety of fields, from law to education to engineering. Some examples of jargon
include:
• Due diligence: refers to the research that should be done before making an important business
decision.
• AWOL: Short for "absent without leave," AWOL is military jargon used to describe a person whose
whereabouts are unknown.
• Hard copy: a physical printout of a document (as opposed to an electronic copy).
• Cache: In computing, "cache" refers to a place for short-term memory storage.
• Dek: A journalism term for a subheading, usually one or two sentences long, that provides a brief
summary of the article that follows.
• Stat: This is a term, usually used in a medical context, that means "immediately." (As in, "Call the
doctor, stat!")
• Phospholipid bilayer: This is a complex term for a layer of fat molecules surrounding a cell. A simpler
term is "cell membrane."
• Detritivore: A detritivore is an organism that feeds on detritus or dead matter. Examples of detritivores
include earthworms, sea cucumbers, and millipedes.
• Holistic: Another word for "comprehensive" or "complete," "holistic" is often used by educational
professionals in reference to curriculum that focuses on social and emotional learning in addition to
traditional lessons.
• Magic bullet: This is a term for a simple solution that solves a complex problem.

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• Best practice: In business, a ‘best practice’ is one that should be adopted because it has proven
effectiveness.
Business Jargons
• Bang for the buck - a term that means to get the most for your money
• Best practice - the best way to do something
• Core competency - basic strength of a group or company
• Due diligence - putting effort into research before making a business decision
• Drill down - to look at a problem in detail
• Low-hanging fruit - the easiest problems to fix
• Scalable - an endeavor that can be expanded without a lot of additional investment
• Sweat equity - getting a stake in the business instead of pay
• The 9-to-5 - business jargon meaning a standard workday
• Chief cook and bottle-washer - a person who holds many responsibilities

SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS

Words that have similar definitions or meanings are known as synonyms. These words can be used
interchangeably. Look at the two sentences given below:
1. The long movie bored the viewers.
2. The lengthy movie bored the viewers.
'Lengthy' replaced the word 'long.' However, the message of the sentence did not change, because 'long' and
'lengthy' are synonyms; they have similar definitions. Synonyms can generally be used interchangeably
However, it must be understood that a synonym does not always carry a meaning that is the same as the word.
In fact, no two words ever mean the same. There will be subtle differences in emphasis, suggestion or use.
Example: Take the words ‘cost’, ‘charge’ and ‘fee’. All are used to describe ‘money you pay for something’.
However, all three have different connotations / nuances:
Cost is defined as ‘the amount of money that you need to buy, make or do something’. (How much is spent by
the buyer.)
Example:
♦ The total cost of the trip was ` 10,000.
♦ You can get a new phone at the cost of ` 3,000.
♦ They protest against the high cost of living.
Charge is defined as ‘an amount of money that is asked in return for goods or services’. (How much is
requested by the seller/provider.)
♦ There is a monthly charge of ` 1000 for using the lift.

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♦ There is an admission charge at the club.

Fee is defined as ‘an amount of money that you have to pay for professional advice or services’. (the officially
set price).
♦ The lawyer charges a high fee for the services that he provides.
♦ These fees do not cover accommodation or meals.
As you can see, cost, charge and fee have similar meanings, but there are slight differences present. They can
be used differently. Therefore, it can be said that the words that are listed in a dictionary as synonyms cannot
always be interchanged in the same context.
Antonyms are defined as pairs or groups of words that are the notionally opposite (or nearly the opposite) in
meaning. Example: Brave is the antonym of coward. Like synonyms, it may be that there are numerous
antonyms for a word. Example: Evil, malicious, bad, and corrupt are all antonyms of good. There are three
types of antonyms: relational, graded and complementary.
Graded antonyms are pairs of words whose meaning do not have an equal weighting. Such word pairs are
called gradable antonyms as they do not hold an either- or relationship; instead, they have a more – less
association. Typically, they are pairs of adjectives that can be qualified by adverbs such as very, more, etc.
Example: The word ‘fair’ and its antonym ‘dark’ are gradable antonyms. Such words have grades such as
‘fairer’, ‘darker’ or ‘less dark’. If someone is not fair, he may still be not dark.
Complementary antonyms are pairs of words that are opposite in meaning and cannot be graded. With
complementary antonyms, each word has only one antonym. For example: ‘push’ is the antonym of ‘pull’.
Relational antonyms are word pairs where opposites make sense only in the context of the relationship
between the two meanings. Example: borrow and lend; teacher and student.
Quite often, an antonym can be made by adding a prefix. For example:
• likely / unlikely
• symmetrical / asymmetrical
• entity / nonentity
• decent / indecent
Advantages of knowing Synonyms and Antonyms
There are numerous advantages of knowing synonyms and antonyms. The first advantage one can identify is
that knowledge of synonyms and antonyms helps us to express ideas clearly. The selected word should
express a thought or a fact precisely.
Example: A building can be described as ‘dilapidated', but an automobile cannot as the word refers to buildings
in particular.
Understanding and using synonyms and antonyms is important for not only precise communication, but to
avoid monotony of expression as well. Repeating the same words tends to become boring and monotonous.
You should use antonyms and synonyms to reduce redundancy and retain the audience’s interest in your
writing or speech.. Remember the whole point of language is to express oneself or to send a message
effectively.

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In addition, you can develop a full understanding of an area if you learn the different synonyms and the
connotations that apply to it in speech or writing. Similarly, knowing the antonym of a word increases your
ability to understand and retain the word itself.
Given below is a list of words with their antonyms and synonyms for your reference.

Word Synonyms Antonyms

abhor (v) hate, detest, loathe love, like, admire, relish
bombastic (adj) pompous, loud, flamboyant dull, inactive, lack lustre
cacophony (adj) harsh sound, disagreeable noise euphony, pleasant sound
jovial (adj) cheerful, lively, joyous sad, morose, dull, unhappy
dirty (adj) squalid, filthy, unkempt clean, hygienic, organized
verdant (adj) lush green, grassy, flourishing infertile, barren, dry, parched
destitute (n/adj) needy, poor, incapable rich, affluent, well-off
incite (v) instigate, arouse, stimulate calm down, settle, relax, comfort,
resolve
scanty (adj) meagre, dearth, less abundant, plenty, full of
palatial (adj) grand, palace like, elegant earthly, basic, rustic, simple
illicit (adj) unlawful, illegal legal, lawful, normal, expected

facile (adj) easy, simple, straightforward difficult, complicated

PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. In the following questions choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the given word.
(a) Obliterate
a) Differ b) Suffer c) Destroy d) Forget
(b) Myriad
a) Many b) A disease c) Dramatic d) Confusion
(c) Perpetual
a) General b) Emotional c) Stubborn d) Continuous
(d) Fissure
a) Opening b) Big c) To fetch d) Excite
(e) Despot
a) Tyrant b) Storage c) Hot meal d) Against

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Q2. Select a suitable antonym for the word given in question.

1) Remorse
a) Split b) Jovial c) Careless d) Pity
2) Disparage
a) Eulogize b) Belittle c) Alert d) Defame
3) Vex
a) Wordy b) Verify c) Annoy d) Amused
4) Novice
a) Beginner b) Spin c) Experienced d) Absolute
5) Propriety
a) Indecency b) Charming c) Property d) Appropriate
Q3. In each sentence below, underline the word, that means the opposite of the italicised word. Also
identify meaning of the italicised word from the options given below.
1. Many people have pointed out the harmful effects that a working mother may have on the
family, yet there are many salutary effects as well.
a) Well-known b) Beneficial c) Hurtful
2. Trying to control everything your teens do can impede their growth. To advance their
development, allow them to make some decisions on their own.
a) Hamper b) Predict c) Improve
3. During their training, police officers must respond to simulated emergencies in preparation for
dealing with real ones.
a) Made-up b) Mild c) Actual
4. “I’ve seen students surreptitiously check answer sheets during exams,” said the professor.
“However, until today I never saw one openly lay out a cheat sheet on his desk.”
a) Legally b) Secretly c) Loudly
5. In formal communication, be sure to avoid ambiguous language. Clear language prevents
confusion.
a) Wordy b) Ineffective c) Unclear

ROOTS OF WORDS

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The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history is called
etymology. It determines the basic elements, earliest known use, and changes in form and meaning of a
linguistic form, tracing its transmission from one language to another. It also identifies the similarities of a
linguistic form with other languages.
In English grammar, a root is a word or word part from which other words grow, usually through the addition
of prefixes and suffixes. It is the heart of a word.
Example: The root of the word ‘running’ is ‘run’. When you strip off the affixes from words, what is left (with
slight spelling modifications) is the root.
Even though the root is the basis of a new word, it may not typically form a stand-alone word on its own. For
example, the word reject is made up of the prefix re- and the Latin root ject, which is not a stand-alone word.
Understanding the meanings of the common word roots can help us deduce the meanings of new words that
we encounter. Henceforth, by elimination technique, students can make the right selection of answer. However,
be careful as the root words can have more than one meaning. In addition, words that look similar may be
derived from different roots. So, when encounter a new word, be sure to rely on a dictionary to check
its definition.
If we wish to hone our vocabulary skills, then we must study roots. Knowledge of the root and its usage will
improve our vocabulary exponentially. If we know one root, any word with that root would be cognizant. So
typically, we do not’ have to sit and mug up the entire wordlist. The learning will happen itself!!
Given below is a detailed list of roots, its meaning and the possible words made of the root.
Roots Meaning Words Meaning of words
Aer/o Air Aeroplane Vehicle flies in air
Aerospace Air in the space
Aerate Give way to air
aerial Air related like acts, animals
Anthrop Man Anthropology Study of man
Philanthropy Love for mankind
Misanthrope Hater of mankind
Anthropomorphism Attributing human characteristics to a
God, animal, object
Arch First, prime, ruler Archbishop Head of Church
Monarch Head of state/King
Archaeology Study of the first/origin of things

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Biblio Book Bibliophile Lover of books

Bibliography List/writings of books
Bible The book (Main book)
Bio Life Biology Study of life
Biography Writings on life
Biosphere Life around us
Cent Hundred Centenary 100 years anniversary
Per cent Per hundred (%)
Century 100 years
Cide To kill Patricide To kill father
Matricide To kill mother
Fratricide To kill brother
Genocide To kill the whole race
Cracy To rule Democracy Rule of the people
Gerontocracy Rule by the old people
Aristocracy Rule by the elite
Derm Skin Dermatology Study of the skin
Pachyderm Tough skinned
Epidermal Outer layer of skin
Ego Self Egoist Pre-occupied with oneself
EgotistAlter-ego Feeling of superiority about oneself
The other self
Eu Good Eulogize To praise
Euphony Pleasant/good music
Euthanasia Mercy killing, to kill for good.
Acri- Bitter Acrimony Feelings of hatred
Acrid Bitter /foul smell
Tele Far Telephone Means of talking
Telegram Means of writing
Telepathy Feelings felt at distance
Pathos Emotion Sympathy Similar feelings
Apathy Indifferent
Antipathy Opposite feelings/hate
Ject Throw out Reject Discard
Inject Throw in
Eject Bring out

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Sect Cut out Intersect Point of crossing

Section A part
Dissect Cut out
Vis To see Vision Eye sight
Visible Can see or not
Envision See beyond
Vor Eat, Voracious Greedy
eat greedily Carnivorous Flesh eating
Devour Gulp away
Herbivorous Grass/plant eating
Sen Old Senior Experienced due to age
Senate Council of senior members
Senile Mentally unstable due to old age

Although, important roots have been discussed, this list is only for reference as there are more roots in the
English language.

PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Make new words combining the root word and one of the following prefixes. Each is used twice.
de over anti pre dis
1. ___ place
2. ___ code
3. ___ vent
4. ___ social
5. ___ obey
6. ___ act
7. ___ septic
8. ___ age
9. ___ pend
10. __ serve
Q2. Choose the correct meanings of the given root words:
1. Duo
a. one b. two c. three d. four

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3.16 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

2. Aud
a. light b. air c. sound d. water
3. Biblio
a. vehicle b. college c. school d. book
4. Ced
a. eat b. go c. sleep d. wake
5. Ego
a. other b. together c. another d. self

You should know!

Loanwords
These are words borrowed from another language and used as it is. You may use such words if your
audience understands the meaning of these foreign words.. Foreign phrases in English are often italicized so
they are easier to spot. Over the centuries, the English language has assimilated words and phrases from a
variety of other languages.
Following is the list of common foreign words that are used frequently in written as well as verbal
conversations.
Common Foreign Word Source Language Meaning
Ad hoc Latin For a particular purpose
à la carte French From the menu
Alfresco Italian Fresh air
Alma mater Latin Former school
Alter ego Latin Second self
Avant-garde French Unorthodox, experimental
Bon Appetit French Enjoy your meal
Bona voyage French Have a good journey
Bona fide French In good faith
déjà vu French Sense of having already
experienced something
corpus delecti Latin The evidence required to prove
a crime has been committed.
modus operandi Latin Method of procedure, method
of operating (commonly
abbreviated to M.O.).

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17 VOCABULARY 3.17

pro bono Latin Donated or done without

charge.
prima facie Latin At first view.
status quo Latin Existing state or condition.

PREFIX AND SUFFIX

A prefix is a letter or a group of letters that appears at the beginning of a word and changes the word’s
original meaning.
A suffix is a letter or a group of letters that is usually added onto the end of words, to change the way a word
fits into a sentence grammatically.
Collectively, prefixes and suffixes are known as affixes.
Prefixes and suffixes are not words in themselves. They do not make sense in a sentence if used on their own.
While studying them, we put a hyphen to denote their incompletion.
If you study prefixes and suffixes, you will become more comfortable with the language as you develop the
ability to recognise words that you were not familiar with. As discussed earlier, confidence with vocabulary goes
a long way in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Moreover, English vocabulary is enormous and is growing steadily. A majority of the new words introduced to
the language, and a great percentage of the words used to express abstract ideas, are complex words. These
words are made up of simple word parts (affixes and roots) that have their own definitions and can be
understood in context without an exact definition. By slowly and steadily studying the most prominent prefixes
and suffixes, you can acquire a vocabulary that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
Given below are lists of prefixes and suffixes with their meanings and words made using them.

Prefix Meaning Sample words

ambi-, amphi- both ambiguous, ambidextrous, amphibian,
amphitheatre
a- without atypical, apathy, aback
ante- before antecedents, antediluvian
bene- good benevolent, benediction, benign
bi- two bicycle, bicameral, biannual
circum- around circumference, circumlocution,
circumspect
di- two dichotomy, diurnal, dilemma
dys- faulty dysfunctional, dyslexia

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3.18 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

epi- on, upon, over epigram, epitaph, epidermal, epicene,

epilogue
extra-, extro- more than, beyond extra-curricular, extra-terrestrial,
extrovert, extravagant, extraordinary
intra- within intravenous, intramural, intra class
inter- across inter-house, interval, intermediate
macro- big macro economics, macrocosm, macro
level
mis- inappropriate, improper, bad misbehave, misdemeanor,
misappropriate, misnomer
mono- one monolith, monologue, monogamy,
mono acting
multi- many Mult-tasking, multi facet, multilingual,
multi-level
neo- new neo-natal, neophyte
omni- all omnipresent, omniscient, omnivorous
para- related, extension, beyond para-olympics, paragraph, paraphrase,
para- gliding
poly- many polygamy, polygon, polythene
proto- first of its kind, original protozoa, prototype, protocol
re- again, back repeat, restate, restore, rewind, reduce
semi- half, partly semi-finals, semi-conscious, semi-
circle
super- over, above normal, too much supernatural, superstar, superb
tetra- four sides tetra pack, tetragon, tetrachloride
trans- across, over, beyond limit transatlantic, transgender, transfusion,
translate
un- not, opposite unwilling, unkempt, unusual
-able, -ible can be done (verb) capable, readable, convertible
-acy, -cy office of, state of, condition (noun) infancy, privacy, agency
-age action, process (verb) pilgrimage, bondage, pilferage
-arian Person librarian, humanitarian, grammarian
-ation state of (noun) refrigeration, occupation, irritation

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19 VOCABULARY 3.19

suffix meaning sample words

-ectomy surgical removal of (verb) hysterectomy, colectomy, polypectomy
-fic making, doing, form of (adj) beatific, terrific, scientific, calorific
-iferous bearing, carrying, producing vociferous, calciferous, lactiferous
-ism beliefs, faith, doctrines (noun) theism, antagonism, regionalism,
fanaticism, heroism, baptism,
plagiarism
-ist person, one who believes in racist, theist, misogynist
-ine characterized by, pertaining to (adj) feline, supine, serpentine
-oid resembling to (adj) steroid, anthropoid, ovoid
-ose full of (adj) jocose, verbose, lactose, maltose
-logy science of, study of biology, geology, zoology, psychology,
astrology
-ly in the manner of motherly, fatherly, timely, rarely,
beautifully
-ship state of, manner (noun) friendship, censorship, hardship
-osis condition (noun) neurosis, osmosis, psychosis
-ster in the likes of (adj) monster, youngster, prankster
-tude state of (noun) attitude, altitude, gratitude
-wise by , means of clockwise, otherwise, lengthwise

PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Use a prefix to find the opposite of the given words:
a. wrap
b. connect
c. behave
d. fold
e. spell
Q2. Complete the following sentences by using the appropriate form of the word given in the bracket. (Add
a prefix or a suffix)
1. The team he supported was able to win the _____________. (champion)
2. I think that you should _____________ your decision. It may not be the best thing to do.
(Consider)

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3.20 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

3. The CEO has been responsible for many _____________ decisions. (popular)
4. His _______ comments made him disliked by the female employees. (sex)
5. ___________ of speech and belief is extremely important for the health of an individual.
(free)
6. Some TV shows are completely ____________ for children. They mustn't watch them.
(suitable)
7. The party was a _________________, everything went wrong. (disaster)
8. They had to __________________ the lion before they could catch it. (tranquil)
9. He needed to __________________ the temperature. (regular)
10. You need a _______________of motivation, organisation and revision to learn English.
(combine)

PHRASAL VERBS
A phrasal verb is a group of words that functions as a verb. It consists of a verb that is combined with a
preposition or adverb or both. The meaning of a phrasal verb is different from the meaning of its separate parts.
The particle (i.e. the preposition or adverb) can change the meaning of the verb completely. For example:
♦ pass away – die
♦ pass out – lose consciousness
♦ pass up – decline an opportunity
Phrasal verbs are used mostly in spoken English and informal texts but they are less appropriate in formal
language. If you are writing a formal document or an academic essay, try to avoid using phrasal verbs and use
more formal alternatives instead.
Phrasal verbs have to be learned because many of them are idiomatic, and you cannot deduce their meaning.
Advantages of knowing Phrasal Verbs
Spoken English is literally packed with phrasal verbs. Therefore, if you want to communicate effectively, you
must learn to use phrasal verbs. Moreover, phrasal verbs lend a distinct connotation and command while
speaking to the language making it more native-like, easy to understand.
Another advantage of knowing phrasal verbs is that you can easily substitute a string of long words with a
single phrasal verb. This will make the conversation natural and fluent. If you learn at least the most used
phrasal verbs, you will definitely increase your overall fluency and understanding.

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21 VOCABULARY 3.21

S.No Phrasal Verb with ‘Look’ Meaning

1. Look after To take care of
2. Look into To find out more about something in order to improve the
situation.
To investigate or examine.
3. Look out To be careful.
To avoid imminent danger.
4. Look for To search for something or someone.
5. Look through To examine something, usually quickly.
6. Look up To search for information (usually in a book)
7. Look up to To respect or admire someone.
8. Look away To turn your eyes away from someone or something that
you were looking at.
S.No Phrasal verb with ‘Bring’ Meaning
1. Bring about cause it to happen
2. Bring someone round make him conscious again
3. Bring up a) raise a child; b) cause something to be considered; c)
vomit
4. Bring down cause to be lower
5. Bring off cause to be successful; succeed in an attempt
6. Bring on lead to; help to produce
7. Bring out cause to appear clearly; publish
8. Bring in To introduce
S.No. Phrasal verb with ‘Put’ Meaning
1. Put away place an object in its proper location
2. Put back Return an object to the location where it came from.
3. Put down To write on a piece of paper
To criticize and humiliate
4. Put forth/forward To offer an idea, plan, or proposal for consideration
5. Put off To delay doing something, procrastinate
To Make a bad impression, make somebody repulsed or
disgusted

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3.22 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

6. Put on To start wearing or using

7. Put out Extinguish
Publish
Inconvenience someone
8. Put through To transfer or connect somebody on the telephone
9. Put someone up To give somebody a place to stay at your home
To encourage or persuade the person to do something
10. Put up with To tolerate; accept an annoying situation or behavior
S.No. Phrasal verb with ‘Take’ Meaning
1. Take after To resemble somebody else, usually a family member
2. Take apart To disassemble something
3. Take back To admit wrongdoing
4. Take someone in To allow someone to stay in your house
5. Take something in To observe something
6. Take off To leave the ground and fly
To become popular or successful
To leave a place quickly – colloquial
7. Take over To take control of something
8. Take up To begin a sport, hobby or a challenge
9. Take someone on Hire or employ somebody
Fight or compete against somebody
10. Take someone out Go with somebody to a restaurant or movie and pay for
their food or ticket
11. Take something out Remove something from a place
S. No Phrasal Verb Meaning
1. Bear with someone Be patient with someone
2. Be up to something To be involved in something strange, a prank
3. To change hands To go from one person to another

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23 VOCABULARY 3.23

4. To change colour To turn pale (usually when caught/ guilty)

5. To cut short To sum it all
6. To do away with something To discard something
7. To be all ears Ready to listen
8. To be all eyes Ready to watch
9. To fight tooth and nail To fight every bit
10. Fall apart Break into pieces
11. Fall back on something Rely on something during emergency
12. Get ahead To move ahead, get success
13. Get along Compatibility
14. To hold good To be true, valid
15. Hang on Wait for sometime
16. Hang together Get along (two people)
17. Knock into someone To meet someone by chance
18. In the long run In the long term
19. To leave for good Leave for ever
20. To mean business To be serious in what you say
21. Off and on Occasionally
22. Play around Fiddle with things/ Be irresponsible
23. Subject in hand Subject of discussion
22. Up to date Aware of current happenings
25. Stop over Halt in a journey
26. Bank on Depend on something
27. Get away Escape, take a break
28. Watch out Be aware, be cautious
29. Turn down Refuse
30. Wear out To get tired, unstable

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3.24 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the expression by
supplying a suitable preposition or adverb particle. Choose your answer from the options given in the
brackets.
1. All Maria’s relatives are of the opinion that she takes ___________ her grandmother. (after /
off / in)
2. The music is too loud. Could you turn ____________ the volume, please? (back / down / up)
3. Quick, get ___________ the bus or you will have to walk back home. (on / under / over)
4. We will take this issue ………………………. when we meet next week. (up / on / over)
5. I am afraid that we have run _______ of juice. Will you have coffee? ( with, out, away)
Q2. Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with suitable phrasal verbs.
(i) I thought the conference was going to be boring, but it ______________________ to be quite
useful.
(ii) He ________________ the kitchen and made some tea.
(iii) The police have been looking for him ever since he ____________________ of the prison.
(iv) We left an hour earlier but we drove so fast that we were able to _________________ with
him.
(v) The President asked the members of the Cabinet to ____________________ their letters of
resignation.

COLLOCATIONS
A collocation is a familiar grouping of words, especially words that habitually appear together and thereby
convey meaning by association. For example, we usually say 'heavy rain' and not 'strong rain' or 'big rain'. Even
though they are grammatically correct, but both 'strong rain' and 'big rain' sound completely strange. If you use
the normal collocation ('heavy rain') your English will sound a lot better and more natural.
Why do we need Collocations?
♦ Makes language interesting and natural.
♦ Helps adhere to a proper, pre-decided structure of language.
♦ Helps to articulate better.
♦ Enhances language skills.
♦ Enriches the language.

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25 VOCABULARY 3.25

Types of Collocations
1) Noun +Noun
Examples: tea leaf, service industry, single entry, death camp, peer group, street name
2) Noun + Verb
Examples: dogs bark, water flows, bears growl, pigs grunt, paper flutters, leaves rustle
3) Adjective + Noun
Examples: high fever, burning sensation, blurred vision, sumptuous meal, dwindling prices, critical
analysis
4) Adverb+ Adjective
Examples: completely satisfied, infinitesimally small, meticulously studied
5) Verb + Adverb
Examples: performed magically, sang melodiously, read thoroughly, informed repeatedly
Business Related Collocations

Make a profit/loss Sales figures

Security blanket Cease to trade
Dollar diplomacy Go bankrupt
Blank cheque Make money
Service charge Break the law
Trade route Profit margin
Draw attention to Opinion poll
Chair a meeting Excise tax
Annual turnover Cash flow

How to learn Collocations?

• Read extensively. While reading books, newspapers we come across use of collocations that show us
the proper usage
• Use different collocations. Check for few combinations. You might come up with something new!!
• Always refer to a good dictionary to look for collocations
• Club words of a category. For example, collocations related to time, distance, money etc.
• Think of various collocations possible for a given word. For example, ‘remember’: faintly remember,
vividly remember, distinctly remember, hardly remember.
• Be aware and alert; identify collocations.

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3.26 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

PRACTICE EXERCISE
1) Try to form collocations for the given words:
a) -----------sun
b) -----------ice
c) -----------meeting
d) -----------completely
e) ------------pain
f) ---------------freedom
g) ---------------rule
h) -------------decision
i) ----------------unit
j) ----------------wind
k) --------a presentation
l) ---------an argument
m) -------- time
n) --------a meeting
o) Burst into --------

IDIOMS
An idiom is an expression that takes on a figurative meaning (when certain words are combined) which is
different from the literal meaning of the individual words.
Examples: "to beat black and blue" and "a hard nut to crack". The meaning of these expressions is different
from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which they are made. Their meanings are however used
figuratively. They mean respectively "to beat very badly" and "to a very difficult problem or situation”.
Idioms add flavor and style to the language. A right idiom used in the right place not only shows the user’s
knowledge but also puts forth the thought more convincingly. The important aspect is to know the idioms, their
meanings and use them often in language. Article writing, presentations and even board room discussions
need a good command over language which can be possible with proper use of good vocabulary, idioms and
phrases.
Let us have a look at a few idioms and their meanings.

Idioms Meaning Usage

Black sheep The odd one in the family The younger son is the black sheep in the
family.

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27 VOCABULARY 3.27

A bed of roses A comfortable life with all Do not expect life to be a bed of roses.
luxuries
To beat black and blue To beat very badly The public beat the thief black and blue.
To blow one’s trumpet To praise oneself a lot My friend has the habit of blowing his own
trumpet.
Kith and kin One’s relatives and friends During times of need, kith and kin are the only
help.
A hard nut to crack A difficult thing or problem The last question in the exam was a hard nut
to crack.
A cold reception Unwelcome, indifferent The guests felt bad when they got a cold
reception at the party.
Lion’s share A major part The elder son took the lion’s share of the
family wealth.
Other fish to fry Other important work to do Please be quick, I have other fish to fry.
All and sundry One and all The minister invited all and sundry to his son’s
wedding.
Spick and span Clean, neat and organized My friend’s room is always spick and span.
A square meal Complete meal The poor in our country find it difficult to get a
square meal leave alone buy luxuries.
To take French leave To take leave uninformed Gone are the days when employees could
take a French leave.
Man of straw Man of no substance Don’t believe your neighbor, he is a man of
straw.
A bolt from the blue An unexpected disaster Narendra Modi’s demonetisation is like a bolt
from the blue for those dealing in black
money.
A fair weather friend A friend only in good times I have only one true friend, the rest are all fair
weather friends.
Beat around the bush Digress from the main topic The manager does not want his team
members to beat around the bush, he wants
results!
The ball is in your court Your chance; someone else’s I told my boss that if he doesn’t pay me more
turn to make a move money, I will leave. Now, the ball is in his court
now.
Whole nine yards All of it; everything that is The mountain trail was difficult but I wanted to
possible go the whole nine yards.

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Keep something at bay To stop something that could A good way of keeping your anxieties at bay is
be a problem for you from to meditate.
getting close or getting worse
At the drop of a hat Immediately, instantly Don’t let Namrita watch those emotional
serials; she cries at the drop of a hat.
A herculean task A difficult job Convincing my mother to let me go for a night
stay is a herculean task.
Gift of gab Speaking fluently Our English teacher definitely has the gift of
gab, the listeners are in awe of his speech.

PRACTICE EXERCISE
Q1. Identify the idiom in the given sentences and determine the meaning from the context.
1. I know that the fight that they had yesterday seemed serious, but that’s just the tip of the
iceberg.
2. I called in sick all week before the summer vacation, but now I have to face the music.
3. Tara jumped on the bandwagon and got her ear pierced after all of her classmates pierced
their ears.
4. Tommy’s mother didn’t even lecture him after he came home late again; it was like beating a
dead horse.
5. When Mrs. Banerjee told the students that she was going to share the answers, they were all
ears.
6. While the boss was away, the two workers decided to shoot the breeze over a cup of coffee.
7. Dad wanted to let me off the hook, but mom said, “He made his bed. Now he has to lie in it.”
8. You knew there was no answer to this problem, yet you sent me on a wild goose chase.

PRACTICE EXERCISES
Q1. Select the correct meaning of the idioms/phrases given below.
1) Bone of contention
a) Area of agreement
b) Of least importance
c) Subject of dispute
d) To be cautious

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29 VOCABULARY 3.29

2) To rule the roost

a) To dominate
b) To like eating chicken
c) To be unsure
d) To be lazy
3) To grease the palm
a) To eat butter
b) To offer bribe
c) To swim in deep sea
d) To be in deep thought
4) Storm in a teacup
a) Crave for something
b) Drink tea often
c) Get in to quarrels
d) Make a big issue out of a small thing
5) Long for
a) Quarrel
b) Yield
c) Desire
d) Search
6) Pen and ink
a) Modern day technology
b) Extensively
c) Wastage
d) In writing
7) Take after
a) Follow someone
b) Resemble
c) Note down
d) Recover

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8) A far cry
a) Shout loudly
b) To break silence
c) Disappoint
d) Very different
9) Hobson’s choice
a) No choice at all
b) Lot of choices
c) Unanimous decision
d) To make eye contact
10) In the pink of health
a) Prolonged suffering
b) Emergency situation
c) Best of health
d) Challenging situation
Q2. Select the suitable substitute for the word in italics in the sentences given below. Ensure that the
meaning of the sentence does not change.
1) Lack of education has retarded the nation’s progress.
a) degraded b) improved c) slackened d) confined
2) The cream offers blemish free skin results.
a) oil free b) flawless c) colored d) smiling
3) The army captain was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
a) secretly b) liberally c) after death d) formally
4) The magician’s tricks mesmerized the audience.
a) provoked b)fascinated c) confused d) scared
5) Seeing the artist work with such finesse, the crowd cheered.
a) Expertise b) casually c) authority d) unwillingness
6) The match was a complete fiasco for the foreign team.
a) Shock b) Learning c) Win d) Failure
7) The demure actress has won the hearts of the public.
a) bold b) shy c) versatile d) legendary

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8) His parents were adamant about not sending their son for a two-day trip.
a) poor b) inflexible c) willing d) unfavorable
9) A sluggard would be a misfit in the Army.
a) cheat b) old c) talkative d) lazy
10) Finishing the ten-page home work in two days is a tedious job.
a) easy b) common c) tough d) boring
Q3. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable option.
1) Of the two new workers, one is experienced, while the other is a ----------.
a) renegade b) novice c) robust d) witty
2) The --------data collected is not helpful in any way to reach a conclusion.
average b) flexible c) erratic d) commendable
3) It was quite humorous to see the --------minister talk about health and fitness issues.
a) rotund b) corrupt c) angular d) quarrelsome
4) The --------rainfall in desert regions has led to a risk of famine.
a) worthy b) scanty c) expensive d) abundant
5) The sage is leading a -------- life in the mountain peaks.
a) spiritual b) boring c) graceful d) ghostly
6) --------arrangements were made for the wedding.
a) handsome b) annual c) ostentatious d) childish
7) The music played in the function was --------, lots of people were complaining about it.
a) melodious b) destructive c) confusing d) boisterous
8) To --------a secret is no less than crime than lying.
a) divulge b ) forget c) hide d) attach
9) The study of coding-decoding involves various --------clues.
a) obvious b) cryptic c) healthy d) verbose
10) The rich businessman has donated a --------amount from his savings.
a) colossal b) agrarian c) ultimate d) cowardly

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3.32 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

ANSWER KEY
Connotations
Q1.
Positive Connotation Denotation Negative Connotation
1 Gaze look steadily Stare
2 Persuade influence one way or another Brainwash
3 Delayed not on time Tardy
4 Curious somewhat interested Nosy
5 Leisurely without haste Lazily
6 Request ask of someone Demand
7 Gathering a large group Mob
8 Debate discuss with others Argue
9 Observe watch Spy
10 assertive firmly confident pushy

Q2. (Answers may vary) These are only sample answers

1. I recognised the familiar smell of my mother’s cooking.
negative connotation: stench
positive connotation: aroma
2. Siddharth’s interest in painting has turned into a hobby.
negative connotation: obsession
positive connotation: avocation
3. Vasco was an adventurous traveler.
negative connotation: foolhardy
positive connotation: courageous
4. My old laptop has finally died.
negative connotation: decrepit
positive connotation: venerable
5. Sneha was mildly intimated by Gautam’s assertive behavior.
negative connotation: bossy
positive connotation: confident

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Q.3. 1. This refrigerator is (expensive) but Soham did not mind paying extra because of the numerous
useful features it has.
2. Shiv Tomar and his (cronies) have controlled the management in this company for over
fourteen years now. I wish Arindham Chatterjee is elected President this time.
3. Hopefully I won’t have to share office space with Mrs. Singh. She can be very (nosy).
4. Please ask Rohit to turn down the volume. It is difficult for me to concentrate with all that
(noise).
5. Mr. Nair had better be wary of his new neighbor, Ms. Banerjee; she is a (crafty) one.
6. I have great respect for your brother who is rather (reserved) and dignified.
7. My friend can’t stand her mother – in – law who is very (miserly); she has a lot of money but
refuses to help others.
8. The new saleswoman tends to be (pushy) while dealing with customers. She is scaring them
away.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Q1. a. Obliterate
c) Destroy
b. Myriad
a) Many
c. Perpetual
d) Continuous
d. Fissure
a) Opening
e. Despot
a) Tyrant
Q2. 1. Remorse
b) Jovial
2. Disparage
a) Eulogize
3. Vex
d) Amused
4. Novice
c) Experienced
5. Propriety
a) Indecency

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3.34 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

Q3. 1. Many people have pointed out the harmful effects that a working mother may have on the
family, yet there are many salutary effects as well.
b. beneficial
2. Trying to control everything your teens do can impede their growth. To advance their
development, allow them to make some decisions on their own.
a. hamper
3. During their training, police officers must respond to simulated emergencies in preparation for
dealing with real ones.
a. made-up.
4. “I’ve seen students surreptitiously check answer sheets during exams,” said the professor.
“However, until today I never saw one openly lay out a cheat sheet on his desk.”
b. secretly
5. In formal communication, be sure to avoid ambiguous language. Clear language prevents
confusion.
c. unclear
Roots of Words
Q1. a. displace
b. decode
c. prevent
d. antisocial
e. disobey
f. overact
g. antiseptic
h. overage
i. depend
j. preserve
Q2. 1. Duo - b. two
2. Aud - c. sound
3. Biblio - d. book
4. Ced - b. go
5. Ego - d. self

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35 VOCABULARY 3.35

Prefixes and Suffixes

Q1. a. unwrap
b. disconnect
c. misbehave
d. unfold
e. misspell
Q2. 1. The team he supported was able to win the championship.
2. I think that you should reconsider your decision. It may not be the best thing to do.
3. The CEO has been responsible for many unpopular decisions.
4. His sexist comments made him disliked by the female employees.
5. Freedom of speech and belief is extremely important for the health of an individual.
6. Some TV shows are completely unsuitable for children. They mustn't watch them.
7. The party was disastrous, everything went wrong.
8. They had to tranquilise the lion before they could catch it.
9. He needed to regulate the temperature.
10. You need a combination of motivation, organisation and revision to learn English.
Phrasal Verbs
Q1. 1. takes after
2. turn down
3. get on
4. take up
5. run out
Q2. i. turned out
ii. came into
iii. broke out
iv. catch up
v. hand in
Collocations
Q1. Answers may vary.
a) Bright Sun, Scorching Sun
b) Break the ice

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3.36 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

c) Cordial meeting, Informal meeting

d) Read completely, understood completely
e) Unbearable pain, excruciating pain
f) Coveted freedom
g) Break the rule, Strict rules, abide by rules
h) Tough decision, momentous decision
i) Single unit, army unit
j) Blowing wind, fierce wind
k) Give a presentation
l) Counter an argument
m) Save time, spare time
n) Close a meeting, chair meeting
o) Burst into tears
Idioms
1. tip of the iceberg – only a small noticeable part of a problem, the total size of which is really much
greater
2. face the music – to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done
3. jump on the bandwagon – an activity, group, movement, etc. that has become successful or
fashionable and so attracts many new people
4. beat a dead horse – to waste effort on something when there is no chance of succeeding
5. to be all ears – to be waiting eagerly to hear about something
6. shoot the breeze – to spend time talking about things that are not important
7. a. let somebody off the hook – to relieve someone of responsibility
b. make one’s bed and lie in it too – suffer the consequences of one’s actions
8. wild goose chase – a foolish and hopeless pursuit of something unattainable
Practice Exercises
Q1. 1) Bone of contention – c) Subject of dispute
2) o rule the roost – a) to dominate
3) To grease the palm – b) to offer bribe
4) Storm in a teacup – d) make a big issue of a small thing
5) Long for – c) desire
6) Pen and ink – d) in writing
7) Take after – b) resemble

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37 VOCABULARY 3.37

8) A far cry – d) very different

9) Hobson’s choice – a) no choice at all
10) In the pink of health – c) best of health
Q2. 1) Lack of education has retarded the nation’s progress.
c) slackened
2) The cream offers blemish free skin results.
b) flawless
3) The army captain was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
c) after death
4) The magician’s tricks mesmerized the audience.
b) fascinated
5) Seeing the artist work with such finesse, the crowd cheered.
a) Expertise
6) The match was a complete fiasco for the foreign team.
d) Failure
7) The demure actress has won the hearts of the public.
b) shy
8) His parents were adamant about not sending their son for a two day trip.
b) inflexible
9) A sluggard would be a misfit in the Army.
d) lazy
10) Finishing the ten page home work in two days is a tedious job.
c) tough
Q3. 1) Of the two new workers, one is experienced, while the other is a ------------
b) novice
2) The --------data collected is not helpful in any way to reach a conclusion
c) erratic
3) It was quite humorous to see the --------minister talk about health and fitness issues
a) rotund
4) The --------rainfall in desert regions has led to a risk of famine.
b) scanty

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

3.38 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTING

5) The sage is leading a -------- life in the mountain peaks.

a) spiritual
6) --------arrangements were made for the wedding
c) ostentatious
7) The music played in the function was --------, lots of people were complaining about it.
d) boisterous
8) To --------a secret is no less than crime than lying.
a) divulge
9) The study of coding-decoding involves various --------clues
b) cryptic
10) The rich businessman has donated a --------amount from his savings
a) colossal

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