chapter-1

HOW TO TEST YOUR PRESENT

VOCABULARY

Once—as a child—you were an expert, an accomplished virtuoso, at

learning new words.

Today, by comparison, you are a rank and bumbling amateur.

Does this statement sound insulting?

It may be—but if you are the average adult, it is a statement that

is, unfortunately, only too true.

Educational testing indicates that children of ten who have grown

up in families in which English is the native language have

recognition vocabularies of over twenty thousand words—

And that these same ten-year-olds have been learning new words at a

rate of many hundreds a year since the age of four.

In astonishing contrast, studies show that adults who are no

longer attending school increase their vocabularies at a pace slower

than twenty-five to fifty words annually.

How do you assess your own vocabulary?

Is it quantitatively healthy?

Rich in over-all range?

Responsive to any situation in which you may find yourself?

Truly indicative of your intellectual potential?

A TEST OF VOCABULARY RANGE

Here are sixty brief phrases, each containing one italicized word;

it is up to you to check the closest definition of each such word. To

keep your score valid, refrain, as far as possible, from wild guessing.

The key will be found at the end of the test.

1. disheveled appearance:

(a) untidy; (b) fierce, (c) foolish, (d) peculiar, (e) unhappy

2. a baffling problem:

(a) difficult, (b) simple, (c) puzzling, (d) long, (e) new

3. lenient parent:

(a) tall, (b) not strict, (c) wise, (d) foolish, (e) severe

4. repulsive personality:

(a) disgusting, (b) attractive, (c) normal, (d) confused, (e)

conceited

5. audacious attempt:

(a) useless, (b) bold, (c) foolish, (d) crazy, (e) necessary

6. parry a blow:

(a) ward off, (b) fear, (c) expect, (d) invite, (e) ignore

7. prevalent disease:

(a) dangerous, (b) catching, (c) childhood, (d) fatal, (e)

widespread

8. ominous report:

(a) loud, (b) threatening, (c) untrue, (d) serious, (e) unpleasant

9. an incredible story:

(a) true, (b) interesting, (c) well-known, (d) unbelievable, (e)

unknown

10. an ophthalmologist:

(a) eye doctor, (b) skin doctor, (c) foot doctor, (d) heart doctor,

(e) cancer specialist

11. will supersede the old law:

(a) enforce, (b) specify penalties for, (c) take the place of, (d)

repeal, (e) continue

12. an anonymous donor:

(a) generous, (b) stingy, (c) well-known, (d) one whose name is

not known, (e) reluctant

13. performed an autopsy: (a) examination of living tissue, (b)

examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death, (c)

process in the manufacture of optical lenses, (d) operation to

cure an organic disease, (e) series of questions to determine the

causes of delinquent behavior

14. an indefatigable worker:

(a) well-paid, (b) tired, (c) skillful, (d) tireless, (e) pleasant

15. a confirmed atheist:

(a) bachelor, (b) disbeliever in God, (c) believer in religion, (d)

believer in science, (e) priest

16. endless loquacity:

(a) misery, (b) fantasy, (c) repetitiousness, (d) ill health, (e)

talkativeness

17. a glib talker:

(a) smooth, (b) awkward, (c) loud, (d) friendly, (e) boring

18. an incorrigible optimist:

(a) happy, (b) beyond correction or reform, (c) foolish, (d)

hopeful, (e) unreasonable

19. an ocular problem:

(a) unexpected, (b) insoluble, (c) visual, (d) continual, (e)

imaginary

20. a notorious demagogue:

(a) rabble-rouser, (b) gambler, (c) perpetrator of financial

frauds, (d) liar, (e) spendthrift

21. a naïve attitude:

(a) unwise, (b) hostile, (c) unsophisticated, (d) friendly, (e)

contemptuous

22. living in affluence:

(a) difficult circumstances, (b) countrified surroundings, (c) fear,

(d) wealth, (e) poverty

23. in retrospect:

(a) view of the past, (b) artistic balance, (c) anticipation, (d)

admiration, (e) second thoughts

24. a gourmet:

(a) seasoned traveler, (b) greedy eater, (c) vegetarian, (d)

connoisseur of good food, (e) skillful chef

25. to simulate interest:

(a) pretend, (b) feel, (c) lose, (d) stir up, (e) ask for

26. a magnanimous action:

(a) puzzling, (b) generous, (c) foolish, (d) unnecessary, (e) wise

27. a clandestine meeting:

(a) prearranged, (b) hurried, (c) important, (d) secret, (e) public

28. the apathetic citizens:

(a) made up of separate ethnic groups, (b) keenly vigilant of

their rights, (c) politically conservative, (d) indifferent,

uninterested, uninvolved, (e) terrified

29. to placate his son:

(a) please, (b) help, (c) find a job for, (d) make arrangements

for, (e) change a feeling of hostility to one of friendliness

30. to vacillate continually:

(a) avoid, (b) swing back and forth in indecision, (c) inject, (d)

treat, (e) scold

31. a nostalgic feeling:

(a) nauseated, (b) homesick, (c) sharp, (d) painful, (e) delighted

32. feel antipathy:

(a) bashfulness, (b) stage fright, (c) friendliness, (d) hostility, (e)

suspense

33. be more circumspect:

(a) restrained, (b) confident, (c) cautious, (d) honest, (e)

intelligent

34. an intrepid fighter for human rights:

(a) fearless, (b) eloquent, (c) popular, (d) experienced, (e)

famous

35. diaphanous material:

(a) strong, (b) sheer and gauzy, (c) colorful, (d) expensive, (e)

synthetic

36. a taciturn host:

(a) stingy, (b) generous, (c) disinclined to conversation, (d)

charming, (e) gloomy

37. to malign his friend:

(a) accuse, (b) help, (c) disbelieve, (d) slander, (e) introduce

38. a congenital deformity:

(a) hereditary, (b) crippling, (c) slight, (d) incurable, (e)

occurring at or during birth

39. a definite neurosis:

(a) plan, (b) emotional disturbance, (c) physical disease, (d)

feeling of fear, (e) allergic reaction

40. made an unequivocal statement:

(a) hard to understand, (b) lengthy, (c) politically motivated, (d)

clear and forthright, (e) supporting

41. vicarious enjoyment:

(a) complete, (b) unspoiled, (c) occurring from a feeling of

identification with another, (d) long-continuing, (e) temporary

42. psychogenic ailment:

(a) incurable, (b) contagious, (c) originating in the mind, (d)

intestinal, (e) imaginary

43. an anachronous attitude:

(a) unexplainable, (b) unreasonable, (c) belonging to a different

time, (d) out of place, (e) unusual

44. her iconoclastic phase:

(a) artistic, (b) sneering at tradition, (c) troubled, (d) difficult,

(e) religious

45. a tyro:

(a) dominating personality, (b) beginner, (c) accomplished

musician, (d) dabbler, (e) serious student

46. a laconic reply:

(a) immediate, (b) assured, (c) terse and meaningful, (d)

unintelligible, (e) angry

47. semantic confusion:

(a) relating to the meaning of words, (b) pertaining to money,

(e) caused by inner turmoil

48. cavalier treatment:

(a) courteous, (b) haughty and highhanded, (c) negligent, (d)

affectionate, (e) expensive

49. an anomalous situation:

(a) dangerous, (b) intriguing, (c) unusual, (d) pleasant (e)

unhappy

50. posthumous child:

(a) cranky, (b) brilliant, (c) physically weak, (d) illegitimate, (e)

born after the death of the father

51. feels enervated:

(a) full of ambition, (b) full of strength, (c) completely

exhausted, (d) troubled, (e) full of renewed energy

52. shows perspicacity:

(a) sincerity, (b) mental keenness, (c) love, (d) faithfulness, (e)

longing

53. an unpopular martinet:

(a) candidate, (b) supervisor, (c) strict disciplinarian, (d)

military leader, (e) discourteous snob

54. gregarious person:

(a) outwardly calm, (b) very sociable, (c) completely

untrustworthy, (d) vicious, (e) self-effacing and timid

55. generally phlegmatic:

(a) smug, self-satisfied, (b) easily pleased, (c) nervous, high-

strung, (d) emotionally unresponsive, (e) lacking in social graces

56. an inveterate gambler:

(a) impoverished, (b) successful, (c) habitual, (d) occasional, (e)

superstitious

57. an egregious error:

(a) outstandingly bad, (b) slight, (c) irreparable, (d)

unnecessary, (e) deliberate

KEY: 1–a, 2–c, 3–b, 4–a, 5–b, 6–a, 7–e, 8–b, 9–d, 10–a, 11–c, 12–d,

13–b, 14–d, 15–b, 16–e, 17–a, 18–b, 19–c, 20–a, 21–c, 22–d,

23–a, 24–d, 25–a, 26–b, 27–d, 28–d, 29–e, 30–b, 31–b, 32–d,

33–c, 34–a, 35–b, 36–c, 37–d, 38–e, 39–b, 40–d, 41–c, 42–c,

43–c, 44–b, 45–b, 46–c, 47–a, 48–b, 49–c, 50–e, 51–c, 52–b,

53–c, 54–b, 55–d, 56–c, 57–a, 58–d, 59–b, 60–d

Your score (one point for each correct choice): ____________

The Meaning of Your Score:

0–11:

below average

12–35:

average

36–48:

above average

49–54:

excellent

55–60:

superior

A TEST OF VERBAL SPEED

PART 1

This is a timed test.

In no more than three minutes (time yourself, or have someone time

you), decide whether the word in column B is the same (or

approximately the same) in meaning as the word in column A;

opposite (or approximately opposite) in meaning; or whether the two

words are merely different.

Circle S for same, O for opposite, and D for different.

You will not have time to dawdle or think too long, so go as fast

as you can.

COLUMN A

COLUMN B

1. sweet

sour

2. crazy

insane

3. stout

fat

4. big

angry

5. danger

peril

6. help

hinder

7. splendid

magnificent

8. love

hate

9. stand

rise

10. furious

violent

11. tree

apple

12. doubtful

certain

13. handsome

ugly

14. begin

start

15. strange

familiar

16. male

female

17. powerful

weak

18. beyond

under

19. live

die

20. go

get

21. return

replace

22. growl

weep

23. open

24. nest

home

25. chair

table

26. want

desire

27. can

container

28. idle

working

29. rich

luxurious

30. building

structure

PART 2

This is also a timed test.

KEY: Part 1: 1–O, 2–S, 3–S, 4–D, 5–S, 6–O, 7–S, 8–O, 9–S, 10–S, 11–

D, 12–O, 13–O, 14–S, 15–O, 16–O, 17–O, 18–D, 19–O,

20–D, 21–S, 22–D, 23–O, 24–S, 25–D, 26–S, 27–S, 28–O,

29–S, 30–S

Part 2: Any English word starting with D is correct unless it is

merely another form of a previous word on the list.

Scoring:

PART 1

If you have up to 10 correct answers, credit your score with 25

points.

If you have 11–20 correct answers, credit your score with 50 points.

21–25 correct answers—75 points.

26–30 correct answers—100 points.

Your Score on Part 1:___

PART 2

Up to 30 words:

25 points

31–50 words:

50 points

51–70 words:

75 points

71–125 words:

100 points

Your Score on Part 2: ___

A TEST OF VERBAL RESPONSIVENESS

PART 1

Write in the blank in column B a word starting with the letter P

that is the same, or approximately the same, in meaning as the word

given in column A.

Example: look peer_____________________________

Warning: Every answer must start with the letter P.

1. bucket

____________

2. trousers

____________

3. maybe

____________

4. forgive

____________

5. separate

____________

6. likely

____________

7. annoy

____________

8. good-looking

____________

9. picture

____________

10. choose

____________

11. ugly

____________

12. go

____________

13. dish

____________

14. location

____________

15. stone

____________

16. inactive

____________

17. fussy

____________

18. suffering

____________

19. castle

____________

20. gasp

____________

21. fear

____________

22. twosome

____________

23. artist

____________

24. sheet

____________

25. collection

____________

PART 2

Write in the blank in column B a word starting with the letter G

that is opposite, approximately opposite, or in contrast to the word

given in column A.

Example: stop go

Warning: Every answer must start with the letter G.

1. lose

____________

2. midget

____________

3. special

____________

4. lady

____________

5. take

____________

6. moron

____________

7. sad

____________

8. boy

____________

9. happy

____________

10. plain

____________

11. hello

____________

12. here

____________

13. bad

____________

14. ugly

____________

15. stingy

____________

16. awkward

____________

17. little

____________

18. rough

____________

19. bride

____________

20. ripe

____________

21. unwanting

____________

22. unprotected

____________

23. experienced

____________

24. scarcity

____________

25. unappreciative

____________

KEY, Part 1: If more than one answer is given, count as correct any

word you have written that is the same as any one of the

answers.

1–pail, pan, 2–pants, 3–perhaps, possibly, probably, 4–

pardon, 5–part, 6–probable, possible, perhaps, 7–pester,

8–pretty, 9–photograph, painting, 10–pick, 11–plain,

12–proceed, 13–plate, platter, 14–place, 15–pebble, 16–

passive, 17–particular, picky, 18–pain, 19–palace, 20–

pant, puff, 21–panic, 22–pair, 23–painter, 24–page, 25–

pack

Part 2: If more than one answer is given, count as correct any

word you have written that is the same as any one of the

answers.

1–gain, get, garner, grab, glean, grasp, grip, 2–giant,

gigantic, great, gross, 3–general, 4–gentleman, 5–give,

6–genius, 7–glad, gleeful, gleesome, 8–girl, 9–gloomy,

glum, grieving, grumpy, 10–gaudy, grand, grandiose,

11–goodbye, 12–gone, 13–good, 14–good-looking, 15–

generous, giving, 16–graceful, 17–great, giant, gigantic,

18–gentle, 19–groom, 20–green, 21–greedy, grasping,

22-guarded, 23–green, 24–glut, gobs, 25–grateful

Scoring:

Score Parts 1 and 2 together. Write in the blank the total number

of correct responses you made: ____________

The meaning of your verbal responsiveness score:

0–10:

below average

VOCABULARY AND SUCCESS

Now you know where you stand. If you are in the below average

or average group, you must consider, seriously, whether an

inadequate vocabulary may be holding you back. (If you tested out

on the above average, excellent, or superior level, you have

doubtless already discovered the unique and far-reaching value of a

rich vocabulary, and you are eager to add still further to your

knowledge of words.)

Let us examine, briefly, some of the evidence that points to the

close relationship between vocabulary and personal, professional,

and intellectual growth.

The Human Engineering Laboratory found that the only common

characteristic of successful people in this country is an unusual

grasp of the meanings of words. The Laboratory tested the

vocabularies of thousands of people in all age groups and in all

walks of life—and discovered that those people drawing down the

highest salaries made the highest scores. Consider very thoughtfully

the explanation that the director of the Laboratory offered for the

relationship between vocabulary and success:

“Why do large vocabularies characterize executives and possibly

outstanding men and women in other fields? The final answer seems

to be that words are the instruments by means of which men and

women grasp the thoughts of others and with which they do much

of their own thinking. They are the tools of thought.”

There is other evidence.

At many universities, groups of freshmen were put into

experimental classes for the sole purpose of increasing their

knowledge of English words. These groups did better in their

sophomore, junior, and senior years than control groups of similarly

endowed students who did not receive such training.

And still more evidence:

At the University of Illinois, entering students were given a simple

twenty-nine-word vocabulary test. The results of this test could be

used, according to Professor William D. Templeman, to make an

accurate prediction of future academic success—or lack of success—

over the entire four year college course. “If a student has a superior

vocabulary,” states Professor Templeman, “it will probably follow

that he will do better work academically.”

And finally:

Educational research has discovered that your I.Q. is intimately

related to your vocabulary. Take a standard vocabulary test and

then an intelligence test—the results in both will be substantially

the same.

YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY

The more extensive your vocabulary, the better your chances for

success, other things being equal—success in attaining your

educational goals, success in moving ahead in your business or

professional career, success in achieving your intellectual potential.

And you can increase your vocabulary—faster and easier than you

may realize.

You can, in fact, accomplish a tremendous gain in less than two to

three months of concentrated effort, even if you do only one session

a day—in less time if you do two or more sessions a day.

Furthermore—

You can start improving your vocabulary immediately—and within a

few days you can be cruising along at such a rapid rate that there will be

an actual change in your thinking, in your ability to express your

thoughts, and in your powers of understanding.

Does this sound as if I am promising you the whole world in a

neat package with a pretty pink ribbon tied around it? I am. And I

am willing to make such an unqualified promise because I have seen

what happens to those of my students at New York University and at

Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California, who make sincere,

methodical efforts to learn more, many more, words.