Daily English Vocabulary Learning Series (Part 3)

Part A: Word Roots and Affixes

11. co- means “together” and is usually placed before vowel roots

cooperation (co + operation → working together → cooperation)

coexist (co + exist → coexist)

cohere (co + here → stick together)

coincide (co + in + cide → fall together → coincide)

coordinate (co + ordin + ate → in the same order → coordinate)

12. col-, cor- before consonant roots means “together”

collaboration (col + labor + ation → working together)

collocate (col + loc + ate → place together)

colingual (col + lingu + al → same language)

collapse (col + lapse → fall together → collapse)

colleague (col + league → tied together → colleague)

collect (col + lect → choose together → collect)

correct (cor + rect → correct all → correct)

correspond (cor + respond → respond together → correspond)

corrupt (cor + rupt → break together → corrupt)

13. com-, con- means “together”

combine (com + bine → bind together → combine)

commend (com + mend → trust together → commend)

commemorate (com + memor + ate → remember together → commemorate)

comparison (com + pari + son → equal together → comparison)

compact (com + pact → pressed together → compact)

comfort (com + fort → strengthen together → comfort)

compete (com + pete → pursue together → compete)

component (com + pon + ent → things put together → component)

compress (com + press → press together → compress)

contemporary (con + tempor + ary → same time)

conclude (con + clude → close together → conclude)

confirm (con + firm → strengthen together)

condense (con + dense → make denser together)

conflict (con + flict → fight together → conflict)

confluence (con + flu + ence → flow together → confluence)

congregate (con + greg + ate → gather together → congregate)

14. contra- means “against, opposite”

contrary (contra + ary → opposite)

contradict (contra + dict → speak against → contradict)

contraband (contra + band → act against orders → contraband)

Part B: Vocabulary Images from Previous Exams for Memory Aid

snack [snæk]

[Definition] n. snack, quick meal, a portion v. to eat a snack

[Example] Usually I only have a snack at lunchtime. I usually only eat a snack at lunchtime.

cue [kju:]

[Definition] n. hint, cue, pool cue

[Example] Actors have to learn their cues (i.e., the last words of the speeches just before their own speeches) as well as their own lines. Actors must remember their cues (i.e., the last words of the speeches just before their own speeches) as well as their own lines.

soap [səup]

[Definition] n. soap

[Example] There’s no soap in the bathroom! There is no soap in the bathroom!

hygiene [ˈhaɪdʒi:n]

[Definition] n. hygiene, hygiene science

[Example] Wash regularly to ensure personal hygiene. Wash regularly to maintain personal hygiene.

tropical [-kl]

[Definition] adj. tropical, passionate

[Word Formation] [tropic + al → tropical]

[Example] a tropical climate a tropical climate.

automatically [-klɪ]

[Definition] adv. automatically, mechanically

gamble [ˈgæmbl]

[Definition] n. risk v. to gamble, speculate, take a risk

[Example] gamble at cards, on the horses, etc. gamble on cards, horses, etc.

subtle [ˈsʌtl]

[Definition] adj. sly, sensitive, subtle, fine, thin

[Example] a subtle charm, flavor, style a subtle charm, flavor, style.

chew [tʃu:]

[Definition] vt. to chew (food) v. to chew, to think carefully

[Example] Chew your food well before you swallow it. Chew your food well before swallowing.

gum [gʌm]

[Definition] n. gum, resin, rubber, rubber tree, chewing gum

[Example] The dog bared its gums at me. The dog bared its teeth at me.

vitamin [ˈvɪtəmɪn]

[Definition] n. vitamin

[Word Formation] [vit + amine → substance that sustains life]

[Example] vitamin A, B, C, etc. vitamins A, B, C, etc.

shrewd [ʃru:d]

[Definition] adj. shrewd

[Example] a shrewd financier, dealer, politician, etc. a shrewd financier, dealer, politician, etc.

habitually [-tʃuəlɪ]

[Definition] adv. habitually

[Example] Tom is habitually late for school. Tom is often late for school.

pearly

[Definition] adj. pearly, decorated with pearls

scrub [skrʌb]

[Definition] v. to scrub, to clean, to purify gas, n. scrub, scrubber, shrub, small person (or animal), adj. inferior, small, makeshift

[Example] clear the scrub and plough the land. clear the shrubs and plough the land.

crest [krest]

[Definition] n. crest, decoration on a helmet (such as feathers), top, peak, wave top, vi. to reach the top, vt. to adorn the top

[Example] the family crest, i.e., one above the family’s coat of arms. the family crest, i.e., the one above the family’s coat of arms.

beverage [ˈbevərɪdʒ]

[Definition] n. beverage

sip [sɪp]

[Example] drink one’s tea, sipping noisily. drink tea, sipping noisily.

cleanser

[Definition] n. cleaner, something that cleans, polishing powder

weekly

[Definition] adj. weekly, once a week, n. weekly newspaper, weekly report

tide [taɪd]

[Definition] n. tide, tide, trend

[Example] spring/neap (i.e., maximum/minimum) tides spring/neap (i.e., maximum/minimum) tides.

commercially [-ʃəlɪ]

[Definition] adv. commercially, in trade

viable [ˈvaɪəbl]

[Definition] adj. viable, capable of sustaining life, feasible

[Word Formation] [vi + able → capable of life]

[Related Words] survive survival survivor revive revival

[Example] a viable plan, proposition, proposal, etc. a feasible plan, proposal, suggestion, etc.

habitual [həˈbɪtʃuəl]

[Definition] adj. habitual, customary

[Word Formation] [habit habit, -ual adjective suffix → customary]

[Related Words] habit inhabit inhabitant habitat

[Example] his habitual place at the table his usual place at the table.

ruthless [ˈru:θlɪs]

[Definition] adj. ruthless, cruel

[Example] show ruthless disregard for other people’s feelings. show ruthless disregard for others’ feelings.

erupt [ɪˈrʌpt]

[Definition] vt. to erupt vi. to erupt

[Word Formation] [e- out, rupt break, “to break out” → erupt]

[Related Words] route routine abrupt bankrupt bankruptcy

[Example] It’s many years since Mount Vesuvius last erupted. It has been many years since Mount Vesuvius last erupted.

tactic [ˈtæktɪk]

[Definition] n. tactic, strategy adj. sequential, arranged

[Example] a brilliant tactic a brilliant tactic.

questionable

[Definition] adj. questionable

[Word Formation] [question question, -able capable of → questionable]

[Related Words] quest inquire inquiry acquire acquisition

unhealthy [ʌnˈhelθɪ]

[Definition] adj. unhealthy, harmful to health

[Example] an unhealthy pallor, complexion, cough. an unhealthy pallor, complexion, cough.

Part C: Paragraphs from Foreign Publications

Source: Scientific American

Some secrets to avoiding the damages of daily stress lie in the variation between people. In this study, there was wide variation in the effects on the participants. Some people experienced none at all. What accounts for this? That question has led to research in recent years on the flip side of stress, resilience. The body’s response to stress is so complicated that looking at the people who cope well with stress may give more straightforward coping strategies than working from molecular scratch.

From the differences between people, we can discover some secrets to avoid the negative effects of daily stress. In this study, there were significant differences in the results among different respondents. Some people were not affected at all. Why? This question has led to research in recent years on the counteraction of stress – psychological resilience. The body’s response to stress is so different that starting from those who cope well with stress may provide more direct methods to help solve stress than exploring at the molecular level.