Therefore, topic-based vocabulary teaching in classrooms should be carried out to help students acquire vocabulary and have positive attitude towards four language skills: reading, speak[r]
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SÁNG KIẾN KINH NGHIỆM
TOPIC-BASED VOCABULARY TEACHING TO STUDENTS
MAJORING IN ENGLISH Người thực hiện: HỒ THỊ THẢO TRINH Lĩnh vực nghiên cứu:
Quản lý giáo dục Phương pháp dạy học môn tiếng Anh Phương pháp giáo dục Lĩnh vực khác Có đính kèm:
(2)(3)SƠ LƯỢC LÝ LỊCH KHOA HỌC
I THÔNG TIN VỀ CÁ NHÂN
1.Họ tên: HỒ THỊ THẢO TRINH
2.Ngày tháng năm sinh: 28 tháng 11 năm 1973 3.Chức vụ:
Đảng:
Chính quyền:
4 Đơn vị công tác: Trường THPT chuyên Lương Thế Vinh II TRÌNH ĐỘ ĐÀO TẠO
◦ Trình độ: Thạc sỹ
◦ Tốt nghiệp: Victoria University
III. KINH NGHIỆM KHOA HỌC
Đã trực tiếp tham gia giảng dạy: 16 năm Sáng kiến kinh nghiệm năm gần đây:
o Using role-play to encourage students’ active participation during speaking activities at LƯƠNG THẾ VINH HIGH SCHOOL
o Teaching grammar in light of communicative language teaching
(4)SỞ GD&ĐT ĐỒNG NAI CỘNG HOÀ XÃ HỘI CHỦ NGHĨA VIỆT NAM Trường THPT chuyên Lương Thế Vinh Độc lập – Tự – Hạnh phúc
_ _
Biên Hoà, ngày 03 tháng 05 năm 2012
PHIẾU NHẬN XÉT ĐÁNH GIÁ SÁNG KIẾN KINH NGHIỆM
Năm học: 2011 – 2012
Tên chuyên đề: TOPIC-BASED VOCABULARY TEACHING TO STUDENTS MAJORING IN ENGLISH
Họ tên tác giả: HỒ THỊ THẢO TRINH Tổ: Ngoại ngữ Lĩnh vực:
Quản lý giáo dục Phương pháp dạy học môn tiếng Anh
Phương pháp giáo dục Lĩnh vực khác
1. Tính mới
- Có giải pháp hồn tồn - Có giải pháp cải tiến, đổi từ phương pháp có 2. Hiệu quả
- Hoàn toàn triển khai áp dụng tồn ngành có hiệu cao
- Có tính cải tiến đổi từ giải pháp có triển khai áp dụng tồn ngành có hiệu cao
- Hoàn toàn triển khai áp dụng đơn vị có hiệu cao
- Có tính cải tiến đổi từ giải pháp có triển khai áp dụng đơn vị có hiệu
3. Khả áp dụng
- Căn luận khoa học cho việc hoạch định đường lối sách: Tốt Khá Đạt
- Đưa giải pháp khuyến nghị có khả ứng dụng thực tiễn dễ thực dễ vào sống:
Tốt Khá Đạt
- Đã áp dụng thực tế đạt hiệu có khả áp dụng đạt hiệu phạm vi rộng:
Tốt Khá Đạt
(5)I. Introduction
Nowadays, it is widely accepted that vocabulary plays an important part in language teaching and should be at the centre of language teaching More and more researchers have realized the importance of vocabulary acquisition in second language teaching According to McCarthy (1990), without words a learner cannot communicate or read David Wilkins (cited in Thornbury, 2002), when mentioning the shift of focus from grammar as the central anchor of language teaching to the lexicon, emphasizes the importance of vocabulary acquisition as follows, “ without grammar very little can be conveyed; without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed.”
Traditionally, the teaching of vocabulary was mostly incidental, limited to presenting new items as they appeared in reading or sometimes listening texts This indirect teaching of vocabulary assumes that vocabulary expansion will happen through the practice of other language skills, which has been proved not enough to ensure vocabulary expansion
(6)writing, listening and speaking) will develop With this thought in mind, many researchers conducted their research dealing with vocabulary They inspired me to continue with this topic for my vocabulary teaching to students majoring in English
II. Literature review
There are two main approaches to teaching vocabulary: incidental learning often known as implicit learning and intentional learning often referred to as explicit learning (Rieder, 2002) Incidental vocabulary acquisition can be defined as a “by-product” of any language learning, whereas intentional vocabulary learning is defined as “any activity geared at committing lexical information to memory” (Hulstijn,2001 p.271) Incidental vocabulary learning could be attained by extensive reading, whereas intentional vocabulary learning could be attained by implementing a lexical syllabus based on word lists In a case study, Pigada and Schmitt (2006) indicated that vocabulary acquisition is possible from extensive reading The authors asserted that extensive reading leads to enhancement of knowledge about the spelling, meaning and grammatical behaviour of words in the text They concluded that extensive reading leads to substantial vocabulary learning, but it is not consistent across all word knowledge types (i.e., form, meaning, and use) All three word knowledge facets were enhanced in only 6% of the cases studied This seems to justify the suggestion of many researchers that incidental learning should be followed up with intentional learning (Hulstijn, Hollander and Greidanus, 1996) and explicit vocabulary teaching (Nation, 2005)
(7)academic texts The authors pointed out one of the reasons of the limited vocabulary knowledge of the students was little attention to vocabulary teaching, thus they assumed that more focused in-class vocabulary teaching would bring about positive outcomes
Another argument in vocabulary teaching is whether or not vocabulary should be taught in or out of context Qian (1996) conducted research to test which approach to vocabulary teaching is more effective in terms of retention of target words His results, as well as other research on the same subject, imply that learning words out of context results in better retention than learning words in context However, Qian concludes that both approaches should be integrated in the classroom Tozcu and Coady (2004) also conducted research with two groups of students, the treatment group studied frequent vocabulary explicitly through CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), whereas the control group studied the same vocabulary implicitly by reading texts and doing reading comprehension exercises Both groups showed gains in vocabulary acquisition However, the treatment group showed significantly greater gains There is no doubt that both methodologies need to complement each other for best results
(8)III. Aims of the research
This research aims to find answers to the following questions:
1 Is there significant vocabulary development if topic-based vocabulary is taught?
2 Is there improvement in the students’ attitude towards learning English if they are taught topic-based vocabulary?
IV. Rationale and justification of the research
Krashen (1989) believes that vocabulary is best attained through a large amount of extensive reading A learner has to be exposed to a tremendous amount of reading for incidental learning to occur, and relying only on reading would mean that it would take too long for learners to acquire the lexis needed to reach higher vocabulary thresholds (Laufer, 2003) This could be done by implementing an extensive reading program to encourage learners to read as much as possible For high school students in Vietnam, however, this seemingly couldn’t be done because they have to focus on many subjects Therefore, English vocabulary they acquire is mostly from the textbook
(9)teachers should focus more on teaching vocabulary to help them have more word knowledge, be able to use vocabulary appropriately in writing and speaking, and understand the messages more deeply from advanced reading and listening texts Especially, if they master more vocabulary, they will be more confident to participate in many examinations for good students
Through the survey, we teachers find it necessary to implement topic-based vocabulary teaching with careful compilation to help them concentrate on learning English more enthusiastically and confidently
There is no doubt that vocabulary acquisition is one of the most important needs of any ESL learners Therefore, topic-based vocabulary teaching in classrooms should be carried out to help students acquire vocabulary and have positive attitude towards four language skills: reading, speaking, listening, and writing
Previous studies have been done much valuable work in the field of vocabulary teaching The present study, which is being implemented in my class (11 English 2), aims to examine the effect of topic-based vocabulary teaching on students’ vocabulary acquisition and their attitude towards studying English
V. Methodology
V.1 - Participants
The subjects of this research are 20 students of class 11 English in Luong The Vinh high school
V.2 - Research instruments
(10)on the first day of the school year Another questionnaire is filled out on the last day of the school year to test their attitude towards studying English after a period of learning topic-based vocabulary The second is a multiple-choice vocabulary test
V.3 - Materials
20 lessons with up-to-date topics: Leisure activities, Travel and movement, News events, Places, Media and advertising, The natural world, Work, Business and money, People and relationships, Social problems, Entertainment, Government and society, Health and the body, World issues, Thinking and feeling, Technology, Quality and quantity, Education, The energy crisis, The Green revolution, Urbanisation are compiled from some sources such as Advanced Language Practice ( Michael Vince), Vocabulary for IELTS (Paulyne Cullen)…
V.4 - Procedure
a 20 students of grade 11 English are given a multiple-choice vocabulary pretest before learning topic-based vocabulary They the test for 45 minutes The contents of the test are from the sources mentioned in V.3 The first questionnaire is given out prior to the pretest and only after the subjects complete the questionnaire are they able to begin the test
b The papers are graded and are never given back to the students Any type of feedback are not provided
(11)V.5 - Results
For the pretest, there are papers got from to 8.5 marks, papers got from 6.5 to 7.5, and papers got from to Most of them showed their attitude that the teacher should teach them more vocabulary which is based on interesting topics
For the test at the end of the schoolyear, papers got 10 marks, 15 papers got from to 9.5, and paper got 7.5 All of the students felt more active in learning English and confident in participating in English tests and examinations
V.6 - Discussion
Research question 1: Is there significant vocabulary development if topic-based vocabulary is taught?
Teaching English is a hard job, but teaching English to gifted students is a harder one Teachers endlessly study, try to find many ways to teach them effectively and create inspiration among those students Gifted students can generally communicate well, having learnt all the basic structures of the language However, they need to broaden their vocabulary to express themselves more clearly and appropriately in a wide range of situations Designing topic-based vocabulary lessons clearly contributes to enriching their vocabulary, which later helps them take part in other skills more actively For my gifted students, their ability to use words correctly is being more and more improved
Research question 2: Is there improvement in the students’ attitude towards learning English if they are taught topic-based vocabulary?
(12)enthusiastic Concerning students’ participation and attitudes in the classes, it is proved that students’ motivation rises when they get engaged in every activity during the classes That is to say, they become active participants in the whole process.The reason for increased motivation is that they learn vocabulay based on interesting topics, helping them pay more attention to the use of words in right contexts and remember vocabulary more easily What is more, the fact that they are given the opportunity to more practice tests about vocabulary that they have learnt is an effective way to keep them more confident of learning English and participating in the exams for gifted students
VI. Conclusion
(13)REFERENCES
1 Decarrico, J S (2001) Reading for academic purposes: Guidelines for the ESL/EFL teacher In M Celce-Murcia (Ed.), Teaching English as a second or foreign language (3rd ed., pp 285-299) Boston: Heinle & Heinle
2 Hulstijn, J.H (2001) Intentional and incidental second language vocabulary learning: a reappraisal of elaboration, rehearsal and automaticity In Robinson, Peter (ed.) Cognition and second language instruction Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 258-287
3 Hulstijn, J., Hollander, M., & Greidanus, T (1996) Incidental vocabulary learning by advanced foreign language students: The influence of marginal glosses, dictionary use, and reoccurrence of unknown words The Modern Language Journal, 80, 327-339
4 Hunt, A., & Beglar, D (2005) A framework for developing EFL reading vocabulary Reading in a Foreign Language, 171 (1).
5 Krashen, S (1989) We acquire vocabulary and spelling by reading: Additional evidence for the input hypothesis The Modern Language Journal, 73, 440-464. Laufer, B (2003) Vocabulary acquisition in a second language: Do learners really
acquire most vocabulary by reading? Canadian Modern Language Review 59(4), 565-585
7 Lewis, M (1993) The Lexical Approach Hove, UK: Language Teaching Publications
8 McCarthy, M (1990) Vocabulary Oxford: Oxford University Press
9 Nation, I.S.P (2005) Teaching vocabulary The Asian EFL Journal Quarterly, 7(3), 47-54 Retrieved October 23, 2006, from http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/September_2005_EBook_editions.pdf
10 Nurweni, A., & Read, J (1999) The English vocabulary knowledge of Indonesian university students English for Specific Purposes, 18, 161-175.
11 Pigada, M., & Schmitt, N (2006) Vocabulary acquisition from extensive reading: A case study Reading in a Foreign Language, 18(1).
12 Qian, D.D (1996) ESL vocabulary acquisition: Contextualization and decontextualization The Canadian Modern Language Review, 53, 120-142.
13 Read, J (2004) Research in reaching vocabulary Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 24, 146-161.
14 Rieder, A (2002) Implicit and explicit learning in incidental vocabulary acquisition VIEWS 12 (2), 24-39.
15 Thornbury, S (2002) How to teach vocabulary Essex: Longman
(14)APPENDIX
VOCABULARY –Leisure activities
1 Read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space.
It is now generally recognised that stress is a major (1) C of heart disease, and contributes to many other illnesses Stress is increased by (2) such as worry, overwork and lack of exercise or relaxation For it is just as important from a psychological point of (3) to relax as it is to (4) physical exercise Relaxing does not necessarily mean just lazing about and doing nothing The benefits of a weekend away or the diversion of sporting activities are considerable If you are suffering from high stress (5) , or wish to (6) after a trying day, it is generally advisable to have a change of (7) Although there are some individuals who (8) on stress, for most of us, it can lead to exhaustion, mood swings and even severe depression
1) A reason B motive C cause D purpose
2) A factors B aspects C elements D items
3) A fact B departure C view D return
4) A make B have C undergo D take
5) A rates B layers C ratios D levels
6) A hold up B wind down C draw back D peter out
7) A scene B location C sight D place
8) A bloom B prosper C thrive D flourish
2 Choose two items from the box which are used in each activity (a-h).
a) Gymnastics horse bars b) Scuba Diving c) Fishing d) Walking e) Photography f) Do-It-Yourself g) Swimming h) Cycling 3 Both options make sense Underlin e the one which forms a common collocation.
Last week well over a thousand people (1) took place in/took part in our local round-the-city 10-kilometre fun run This kind of race doesn't normally (2) appeal to me/amuse
(15)two friends who are dead keen runners and who keep going on about the (4)
beneficial/positive effects of running So I decided to run, partly for that reason and partly
to (5) earn/raise money for charity Friends and colleagues agreed to (6) sponsor/support me, and pay for each mile I completed Well, I hadn't done much training for the big event, and after two kilometres I was (7) gasping/panting for breath, so I settled down to a slow jog and resigned myself to plodding along with the (8) strugglers/stragglers at the back of the race At least I finished, and was very pleased with myself, as I didn't need to stop I timed myself with a stop-watch, and reckon I (9) crossed/arrived at the finishing line in 43 minutes - not bad for a novice The heat proved too much for a few people who'd gone off too fast for their capabilities and ended up (10) suffering from/showing exhaustion Apparently, the course was very fast, and both of my friends ran a (11)
personal best/personal record The winner (12) surpassed/broke the course record I was
actually very impressed with the whole event; the organisation was first-class, with medical volunteers (13) on duty/on standby throughout, and drinks (14) stops/stations every few kilometres of the route So now the charity of my choice is £150 the richer, and as for me, I'm well and truly bitten by the running bug I go running with my friends regularly now, and I'm actually starting to (15) catch up with/get near to them!
4 Complete each sentence with a word formed from the word in capitals. a) The new leisure centre doesn't quite come up to
my expectations
EXPECT b) There was a bare of people at the youth club HAND c) Helen's solo crossing of the Pacific was a feat REMARK d) We go to the pub before lunch on Sunday VARY e) All the runners, with the of Mark, were exhausted EXCEPT f) Our club has just purchased new sports EQUIP g) Our city has some open spaces but they are not very ACCESS h) Is it possible to between a hobby and an interest? DISTINCT i) Nowadays numbers of people are taking up
jogging
INCREASE j) Leisure habits won't change much in the future SEE
5 Read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best completes each collocation or fixed phrase.
(16)expect to become very rich This worries some people, who complain that the old Olympic ideal has been lost, but the fact is, sport has become more and more professional in the wider sense, not only requiring total dedication from (6) champions, but also expensive facilities, training and nutritional advice
1) A audience B watching C spectator D viewing 2) A associations B confederations C authorities D bodies 3) A practices B occurrences C acts D operations
4) A branch B division C wing D limb
5) A doers B players C makers D performers
6) A hopeful B aspiring C striving D wishful
6 Complete each sentence with the most appropriate word from the box.
board draw lap referee runner-up dive fan oar round whistle
a) While I was rowing across the lake I lost one oar…
b) Neither team deserved to lose and the match ended in a c) Ruth was well out in front by the end of the fifth
d) After the rugby match David was attacked by an angry e) Brian impressed everyone with his into the pool f) Our gym teacher used to make us stop by blowing a g) During the chess game Carol knocked all the pieces off the h) Our team was knocked out of the competition in the second i) During the match one of the spectators offered the his glasses j) Denise won the race and her sister was
7 Complete the spaces by finding one word which fits in all three sentences.
a) Later in the programme we have highlights of two big matches played earlier today: Ajax met Juventus while Barcelona took… on Porto
The weightlifter who allegedly .took… performance-enhancing drugs has been named today
On my doctor's advice, I took… up yoga in order to relax
b) The transfer of Mario Rossi to Manchester United has been approved by the of directors
The new pool has a slide, water chute and diving
In any game of chess, the queen is the most powerful piece on the whole
c) Right now Evans is very in confidence; she needs to start winning a few races again
(17)When you're cycling up a steep hill you will need to be in a gear d) the earth down around the roots after you've planted the flower
Jim's Dad took him out into the middle of the pool and showed him how to water
I've got my photos drying out on the kitchen floor, so whatever you do, don't on them!
e) Unbelievable - what an amazing around! Smith has come from behind to take the gold medal!
As I'd never played this card game before, the others let me have
(18)VOCABULARY – Travel and movement
1 Read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best completes each collocation or fixed phrase.
Most big cities were built long before the heyday of the private car As a result they rarely have enough space for moving traffic or parked vehicles, and long queues of (1) .C vehicles are a common sight Indeed some cities end up being almost permanently (2) during the day Those that have a relatively free (3) of traffic at non-peak periods of the day not escape either The (4) hour of early morning or early evening can easily see traffic brought to a (5) The effects of exhaust (6) on air pollution in cities has been well documented Buses might be seen as the solution, but they move slowly because of the sheer (7) of other traffic, thus encouraging more commuters to abandon (8) transport
1) A standing B settled C stationary D static
2) A stuffed B saturated C crammed D congested
3) A flow B current C tide D flood
4) A push B rush C hasty D hurry
5) A standstill B hold-up C jam D freeze
6) A smells B odours C fumes D stinks
7) A size B volume C breadth D depth
8) A civic B mass C public D popular
2 Match each person from the box with one of the comments.
a ) I love wandering through the countryside along deserted footpaths b ) I'll bring you your drink in just a minute, madam
c ) I've been waiting all morning at this roundabout for someone to stop d ) I was just walking down the street opposite the bank when I saw it happen e ) I've spent the last half an hour looking for a spot It's hopeless
f ) I'll ring the bell for you, love, when it's time to get off
g ) The sign clearly says two hours only and you've been here all day h ) It's just impossible getting across the road here We need a subway, i ) Do you think you could go a little more slowly, I'm a bit nervous j ) This train is late every morning It has been for years
3 Complete the text with words formed from the words in capitals. The Manager
(19)London
Dear Sir or Madam,
I travelled last week on a Transworld Airbus from London Gatwick to
Copenhagen This was the (1) ….outward……journey of a holiday in Denmark, a (2) tour arranged through a company called 'Sunset' My
(3) was due to leave at 8.20 am on Tuesday 25th November, but did not in fact leave until 20.30, a delay of more than eight hours The reason given was that vital (4) work had to be carried out Although all
passengers were given a free meal, no other offer of (5) was given Such a long delay is totally 6) , and I feel justified in the
circumstances in requesting some form of financial (7) I have written to the tour (8) , who denied responsibility and advised me to write to you I look forward to hearing from you
Yours faithfully, Charles Rogers OUT PACK FLY MAINTAIN ASSIST ACCEPT COMPENSATE OPERATE
4 Both options make sense Underlin e the one which forms a common collocation.
a) We managed to complete our journey ahead of/in front of schedule.
b) On our way to York, we divided/broke our journey in Peterborough.
c) As I wasn't coming back by train, I asked for a single/simple ticket.
d) The two coaches collided/bumped, but luckily no one was injured/wounded.
e) There has been widespread public enmity/opposition to the plan for a new road.
f) My car skidded/slipped off the road and hit a tree.
g) The train was packed, and there was standing place/room only.
h) Look at that enormous goods/industrial train - it must have 20 or 30 wagons!
i) The police accused Donald of breaking the speed limit/restriction.
j) The Chairman made a brisk/flying visit to the company's new office in Brussels.
5 Read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space.
Anyone who has gone on a skiing holiday at a ski (1) ….D… of any size will be familiar with
(20)(6) of other skiers There are one or two disadvantages Your friendly helicopter pilot might just put you down in a five-metre snow (7) And freezing weather might ground your helicopter and leave you (8) in the wilderness
1) A spot B haunt C refuge D resort
2) A different B strange C far D long
3) A resembling B appearing C seeming D looking
4) A count B trust C rely D reckon
5) A occasional B sometime C incidental D irregular
6) A bunches B hordes C throngs D swarms
7) A dune B pile C mound D drift
8) A deserted B stranded C marooned D aground
6 Replace the words underline d in each sentence with a form of one of the words given It may be necessary to use a plural or a particular verb form.
a ) Ann go t of f he r hors e and picked up her riding hat
b ) As the plane wen t faste r down the runway, David began to sweat nervously c ) Without realising it, Jim drov e backward s into a lamp post d ) In thick fog, the two ships ran int o eac h othe r outside the harbour e ) Passengers who wish to ge t of f at Hove should travel in the front coach f ) Please d o u p your safety belt before we begin the journey
g ) The captain refused to pu t at ris k the safety of the crew h ) The balloon ros e u p gracefully into the summer sky
7 Complete the spaces by finding one word which fits in all three sentences.
a) It only takes one small accident to .w?fa…… up the traffic for several hours The new Atlantic airbus will … №.W…… about 700 passengers.
Like it or not, it is the train and not the car which will .w.'ff… the key to the future of domestic travel
b) Why don't you just get the goods delivered to your house, and yourself two-hour car journey into the city-centre?
By driving at 70 km/h instead of 100, you can a lot of petrol I'm trying to up for a trip to Canada, so I can't afford to buy much at the moment
(21)Because of the strike by air traffic controllers, delays are .to continue well into next week
The trains in Switzerland are so punctual you can your watch by them d) The train was delayed because of ice on the
After the accident there was a solid of cars stretching back for several miles
In a new initiative announced today, police are to take a harder on speeding motorists
(22)VOCABULARY – News events
1 Read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space.
Reports that the government is about to (1) C… the go ahead to plans for the building of a new runway at London's Gatwick airport have angered local (2) and raised fears of increased noise and exhaust pollution The (3) plans also include permission for additional night flights and will (4) the compulsory purchase of farmland, (5) the demolition of a number of private homes According to sources close to the Ministry of Transport, the government is known to be concerned by the increasing (6) of traffic at London Heathrow, where there are no plans for further runways in the foreseeable (7) Gatwick is widely (8) as a better (9) for expansion than London's third airport, Stansted, which still (10) from poor transport links A spokesperson for the Keep Gatwick Quiet association, (11) up of local people, accused the government of (12) back on promises made before the General Election 'We were told then that the airport authority had no (13) of building another runway, and we believe that the government has a duty to (14) its pledges.' Prominent figures in the government are also believed to be concerned at the news, although the Prime Minister, interviewed last night, is (15) as saying that reports were 'misleading' However, he would not give an assurance that plans for building a runway had definitely been rejected
1) A sign B make C give D approve
2) A inhabitants B dwellers C occupants D residents 3) A controversial B debatable C notorious D doubtful
4) A involve B concern C assume D need
5) A further to B as well as C moreover D what's more
6) A sum B size C volume D length
7) A years B period C time D future
8) A regarded B believed Cfelt D held
9) A potential B outlook C prospect D likelihood 10) A affects B undergoes C experiences D suffers
11) A made B set C brought D taken
12) A getting B falling C going D turning
13) A desire B intention C wish D objective
14) A bear out B count on C pull off D stand by
15) A quoted B known C thought D written
2 Both options make sense Underlin e the one which forms a common collocation.
a) The two men, disguised/transformed as security guards, overpowered staff at the bank and escaped with £150,000
b) The pilot was the one/sole survivor of the crash.
(23)d) Mr Johnson was taken to Maidstone General Hospital where his condition was described as 'critical/perilous'.
e) The government spokesperson declined to speak about/comment on the matter.
f) A woman and a man were later detained/arrested for questioning.
g) The findings/results of the committee are due for publication this week.
h) The government agreed that the problem must be removed/tackled at once.
i) We must be very careful with sensitive/difficult issues such as this, to avoid giving offence,
j) A police spokesperson admitted that detectives were baffled/upset by Mr Day's disappearance, but were hoping to come up with an explanation
3 Complete each sentence with one of the words from the box.
a) With Smith out injured, there is little … prospect …… of City reaching the next round
b) After heavy rain, during the race were hazardous
c) It is common that Douglas intends to retire at the end of the season d) Two French and two English forwards were involved in an ugly just before
half-time
e) Miss Schmidt easily secured her in the next round with a confident display of power tennis
f) The final day begins with the Australian team on the of victory g) Whether Alberto was offside is a matter of , in my view
h) I have every that Jack Wood is the man to lead our team to victory i) There is no concrete that anyone in the team has taken drugs
j) The club has disclaimed for the damage, blaming it on supporters from London
4 Complete the collocation or fixed phrase in sentences (a-j) using endings (1-10).
a) The union is drawing up6
b) The managing director said that recent events had put c) No one holds out
d) He went on to say that the company prided e) Both sides have agreed to meet on a regular f) The union has since challenged
(24)h) It is unlikely that the union will moderate
i) The management stated that the problem had been exaggerated out of j) The minister said that he put himself at the
1 basis from now on, he added
2 all proportion, and that an agreement was close a strain upon everyone employed by the company its demand for a shorter working week
5 the figures given to the press by the financial director new proposals to put to the employers
7 disposal of both sides in the dispute
8 itself on its good relations with all its employees chance to resume negotiations without delay 10 much hope for the success of the discussions
5 Replace the words underline d in each sentence with one of the collocations or fixed phrases from the box.
a ) I a m no t thinking of resigning at the moment b ) Everybody is aware that Smith has a criminal record c ) We all know what cause d the closure of the factory
d ) The report has made peopl e afrai d that others may be at risk from the disease
e ) We shall try hard, although there is no t muc h chanc e o f winning
f ) A hospital spokesperson refused to confir m that the injured man had been shot
g ) Some conservationists advocat e an immediate ban on hunting
h ) Commenting on the weekend travel chaos, the rail company attribute d thi s to a combination of snow and high winds
6 In each headline, replace the word or words underline d with one of the 'headline' words from the box.
bid clash held toll boost cleared looms set vows
(25)b) Change to school funding aims to increas e teacher numbers
c) Newspapers and union goin g to clash over pay claim
d) Man found innocent in bank robbery case
e) British attemp t to aid refugees turned down
f) Woman arreste d by police after pub shooting
g) Numbe r of peopl e kille d rises to six
h) Rail strike approaches
i) Ministers in disagreement over pay rises
7 Complete each space in the text with a word formed from the words in capitals.
Press (1) .speculation… continues over whether the Prime Minister is on the point of calling a General Election An (2) is expected shortly from government headquarters Political (3) believe that the timing of an election is crucial to the (4 of the government Michael Lee of the 'Independent' commented:
'We've had repeated (5) from the Prime Minister that no election would be called this year, but present circumstances may just cause him to change his mind.' Six months ago this would have been (6)
An election would have been (7) suicide, and would certainly have led to the (8) of the government The government was coming in for severe (9) because of its education policy It was also widely attacked for its (10) involvement in the arms export scandal, and for its (11) to address the problem of (12) But according to recent opinion polls, the electorate is impressed at the way the PM has restored party (13) and overcome the internal (14) which were threatening to rip the party apart Michael Lee comments:
(26)TEST
1. I’m not keen on control of the project to a relative newcomer
A undertaking B charging C entrusting D alloting
2. Our party chairman is great admirer of the Prime Minister
A some B very C no D not
3. I’m sure that never happened – it’s just a of your imagination
A fantasy B figment C piece D picture
4. He was unable to keep up the pace by the first three runners
A set B staged C created D led
5. I’m afraid we haven’t got a spare bed Can you with a mattress on the floor?
A make B make by C make over D make up
6. I can’t write that kind of letter unless I’m in the right of mind
A frame B way C set D turn
7. The Health Minister was in a private hospital last week
A operated B admitted C cared D treated
8. Can you the BBC World Service on your new radio?
A put on B take in C get at D pick up
9. If you in behaving in this way you will bring yourself nothing but trouble
A persist B continue C decide D react
10. Many local authorities realise there is a need to make for disables people in their housing programmes
A assistance B conditions C admittance D provision
11. Although the producer is to the reactions of his audience, he feels he must portray a “real” situation
A enthusiastic B respectful C sarcastic D sympathetic
12. They’ve sold out of tickets for the football match tonight, so we’ll just have to make of it and go to the cinema instead!
A a mess B a meal C the best D a mountain
13. Some intriguing new facts to light during the course of the investigation
(27)14. The pollution problems in the town have been by mass tourism in the summer months
A exacerbated B developed C augmented D contributed
15. You really shouldn’t buy that car I know the engine is fine, but most of the bodywork has been away by rust
A eaten B dissolved C erased D crumbled
16. I’ve given up trying to make my sister see sense, and now I’m to the fact that she is going to marry Jason
A adapted B resigned C.adjusted D accepted
17. The quality papers are a different of fish from the gutter press
A pan B basket C box D kettle
18. A new of programmes on wildlife will be shown on Channel in the autumn
A episode B series C serial D sequel
19. As I boarded the train, I was suddenly by the arm and ushered towards a first-class carriage
A clutched B grabbed C caught D plucked
20. Although she has three children of her own, this 32-year-old mum has four others for the local authority
A upheld B supported C fostered D sustained
21. How could anyone have a fall from the top of that high cliff?
A survived B remained C existed D persisted
22. Thousands of children will starve to death if emergency is not received soon
A help B aid C support D save
23. There is a good it will rain as the sky is very overcast
A capability B possibility C opportunity D chance
24. By the on her face, I’d say she was absolutely furious
A view B sight C air D look
25. Mr and Mrs Thompson a baby because they couldn’t have any children of their own
A accepted B adapted C adopted D admitted
26. I promise to keep what you tell me in confidence
(28)27. When he retired he discovered that his pension only gave him enough to basic expenses
A cover B spend C fund D manage
28. They are so wealthy they can six homes without even noticing the expenses
A contain B retain C attain D maintain
29. I’ve had the car for 15 years so it was about time I rid of it
A took B got C put D pushed
30. He to have visited the United States more than a dozen times
A declares B confesses C refuses D claims
31. Citizens should the law to the best of their ability
A observe B preserve C conserve D deserve
32. If you are not here at a.m., the bus will leave without you
A concisely B sharply C punctually D accurately
33. The average of a dog is about fifteen years
A livelihood B life C lifestyle D lifespan
34. The hotel gives a to regular customers
A reservation B deposit C discount D bargain
35. On the weekend, children are admitted to the museum free of
A cost B charge C expense D fare
36. After the break-in, the company decided to security
A straighten up B clamp down C tighten up D narrow down
37. Cars and factories toxic fumes that pollute the environment
A commit B omit C emit D admit
38. They hate zoos as they believe it is cruel to keep animals
A under arrest B in captivity C behind bars D under observation
39. I’m afraid it’s been a while since I read the report – could you just my memory with a few facts?
A revive B refresh C review D renew
40. Although her proposal for the new ad campaign was a good one, it was because it was similar to one already used
A turned down B turned back C turned off D turned away
41. I'm afraid I don't have much experience in dealing with teenagers
(29)42. This new biography provides a fascinating account of the adventures of one of the most explorers
A intrepid B intricate C intramural D intimate
43. She begged to be allowed to go and her parents finally
A argoted B acquiesced C arboured D argued
44. She gave him a smile
A thatch B penance C demure D terminable
45. As usual he was dressed
A impetuously B impenitently C impeccably D impracticably
46. There was in the crowd as the winning point was scored
A jubilation B prigation C stiltation D laughter
47. The defeat was the of his career
A zenith B zephyr C nadir D shyness
48. She is almost embarrassingly to anyone in authority
A obsequious B gabardious C.indentious D preferable
49. There's a of restrictions on who can apply for benefits
A swarthy B multifarious C plethora D number
50. There was laughter from the audience at every one of his terrible jokes
A titivantic B warfarantic C sycophantic D frantic
51. The sales director said that the decline in the company's sales last month was just a
temporary A abnegation B apprention C aberration D fact
52. If teachers continue to pass students, who have little knowledge in the subjects they are studying, then the whole system of education in Poland will eventually be
A demassed B debased C debrowed D degraded
53. The house and garden had a look
A forsook B foresook C forsaken D foresaken
54. Simon has a rather manner which I find offputting
A haughty B primafity C intuitity D baggy
55. He manages to combine two strands of the English character which is conservatism with flashes of eccentricity
A innate B inmate C inscrute D inaudible
56. Example sentences help convey the of meaning of a word
(30)57. Surely the answer's obvious - or are you being deliberately
A obtrude B obtuse C obviate D obstinate
58. Her for disappearing for hours at a time is worrying her parents
A pennant B penchant C penitent D penetrate
59. Anyone with a of common sense could have seen that the plan wouldn't work
A modicum B modulum C modisem D momentum
60. Harold has a steady job, a house in a respectable neighbourhood and leads a very life
http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/September_2005_EBook_editions.pdf