Table Of Content

P >365 ii * J 4. i BASIC ENGLISH HE EASY WAY- r M 'j ,* 1 6 A SIMPLIFIED SELF-TUTORING GUIDE TO BASIC ENGLISH CONTENTS INCLUDE: ■ How to enrich your vo cabulary ■ Howto spell and pro nounce words correctly ■ Fundamentals- of gram mar. and correct sentence structure ■ How to write better com positions, personal and busi ness letters ■ The appreciation of prose and poetry; the use of your library ■ How to read faster and better ■ How to evaluate newspc •pers, movies, television ■ How to organize a group, conduct meetings, make speeches ■ Index, self-tests with answers List of CAMBRIDGE EASY WAY Books EW 351 Learn Arithmetic EW 352 Learn Science EW 353 Learn Driving EW 354 Learn Chemistry EW 355 Learn Biology EW 356 Learn French EW 357 Learn Mathematics EW 358 Learn Better English EW 359 Learn World History EW 360 Learn Geography EW 361 Learn Algebra EW 362 Learn Earth and Space Science EW 363 Learn United States History EW 364 Learn American History and World Backgrounds EW 365 Learn Basic English EW 366 Learn Plane Geometry EW 367 We Hold These Truths (Documentary History of the U.S.) EW 400 Introduction to Space Science L e a r n ■CD Q T P TT*TVT^i T TOXJ" H i l N L r l - i l O J n . The E a sy W a y by DONALD P. DENTON English Consultant THE CAMBRIDGE BUILDING BRONXVILLE, NEW YORK Copyright, 1959, by CAMBRIDGE BOOK COMPANY, INC. All Rights Reserved Revised, 1960 Revised, 1961 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTENTS Chapter Page 1. Vocabulary Growth .......................................................... 1 2. Fundamentals of Grammar ............................................ 40 3. Sentence Mastery .............................................................. 77 4. Correct Usage .....................................................................107 5. How Good Is Your Spelling? .........................................143 6. Punctuation and Capitalization .....................................186 7. Writing Better Compositions ...........................................210 8. The Art of letter Writing.................................................236 9. Reading and Appreciating Literature ...........................251 10. Using the Library ...............................................................282 11. Parliamentary Procedure .................................................301 12. Mass Communication .........................................................312 13. Oral English.........................................................................331 14. Understanding and Appreciating Poetry .....................336 15. Reading for Comprehension ...........................................344 Index .....................................................................................373 P R E F A C E If you’re about to take of! for a far corner of the globe where for the rest of your life you will hear and speak only Swahili, you won’t need this book. But if every day of your life you’re going to need your English in order to understand what you hear and read, and to make yourself understood, this book is for you. Language is your chief means of communication with the people around you, die most expressive way of getting your ideas, thoughts and wishes across. Many English-speaking people think they handle the language well. They learned it in school. And many are still making the same grammatical errors, spelling the same words incorrectly, over working the same cliches they were too lazy to correct ’way back. Skill with words, adeptness of sentence construction, and the extent and color of your vocabulary only come with additional study and practice. Hence this book. On your own you can add to the fluency and correctness of the English you speak and write. On your own you can solve punc tuation puzzlers; you can take the awkwardness out of your sen tence structure; you can spell and pronounce words correctly; you can develop your appreciation of what you read. Foreigners often claim that English is very difficult to learn. Many Americans sound as though they found it too tough to tackle. Let it not be said of you! The Editors Chapter 1 VOCABULARY GROWTH No one need tell us how satisfying a mature vocabulary can be. We have all admired—and envied—those who can express them selves without having to resort to: Uh ... uh ... uh ... You know what I mean . . . I can’t just express it, but you understand. . . . I know what I want to say, but 1 just can’t find the right words.... What is the word that I’m looking jor? Of course, even the best educated people have to pause for the word that clarifies. But how much less frequently than others! There is no easy way to make your vocabulary grow. It is not a plant that the rain water will keep alive. The only way you can make it grow is to work hard and to water it yourself so that new leaves will sprout and live. Here are eight important hints on how to build a vocabulary. Study these hints, then practice until you have achieved mastery over words. I 2 • VOCABULARY GROWTH -----------------A GROWING VOCABULARY----------------- Eight Steps to Word Control Here is a simple formula that will lead you to real power in word control: 1. Be determined to develop the vocabulary builder’s habits. 2. Catch the unfamiliar words that you hear or read. 3. Don’t try to look up too many words at one time. There are so many that you could easily lose your determina tion to learn. 4. Start your own vocabulary list. 5. Add two new words to it each day. . 6 Write the definition and pronunciation of these words. Use the dictionary. 7. Be methodical. Spend a few minutes each day glancing at the list. . 8 Don’t rush the words. Be patient. Before long you will be using the new words in speaking and writing. How well prepared are you for the vocabulary portion of the coming examination? Let the following diagnostic test help you to find out. DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LANGUAGE OF VOCABULARY A. Match the items in Column I with the appropriate definitions in Column II. Column I Column II 1. antonyms a. words similar in meaning 2. synonyms b. unaccepted word or expression 3. in context c. words opposite in meaning 4. homonyms d. no longer in accepted use, but associated 5. colloquial with olden times 6. slang e. word or expression that is accepted in a part 7. formal of the country VOCABULARY GROWTH • 3 8. localism f. all the words in the language 9. archaic g. words that sound alike but are different in 10. obsolete meaning h. expressed in sentence or phrase i. out of date ;. correct for conversation and informal use k. modern words I. highest level of correct use B. Use each one of the following terms to identify the following items: (1) synonyms (3) slang (5) archaic (2) antonyms (4) homonyms (6) localism 1. I opine................................ 6. long-hair music............... 2. Down the hatch .: .......... 7. I reckon ............... 3. like—hate ............... 8. your—you’re ............... 4. Ye wist ............... 9. stair—stare ............... 5. school—college ............... 10. action—deed ............. How many errors did you make on this quiz? None? Fine! But if you did, make sure you understand the reason for your mistakes. Only' in this way can you avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Now let’s test your knowledge of definitions of words. C. How well would you have scored on the following, which has been taken from examinations? In each of the sentences below one word is italicized. Under- .neath the sentence is a group of five words or expressions. From these select the word or expression that has most nearly the same meaning as the italicized word and underline the one you have selected. [Example: The reports were incomplete. answered finished not finished not known unseen] 1. Perhaps you misunderstood his instructions. at least happily maybe of course surely 2. Do you think the exhibit merits an award? deserves gets lacks requires wins 3. It was a very unusual day for April. cold delightful good ordinary rare 4. A single fragrant rose decorated his desk. late-blooming rambling sweet-smelling wilted yellow 4 • VOCABULARY GROWTH 5. The glittering bead attracted the crow. bouncing colored gleaming pretty rolling 6. Jack did notice the attractive child. believe observe overlook speak to write to 7. We are too fond of the advantages of civilization. benefits changes classes powers results 8. Accidents in the home may cause injury. danger death delay grief harm 9. The Spanish explorers found great treasures for their king banks chests islands riches values 10. They prepared a great banquet for the returning general. ball feast gift hall surprise 11. We must learn to be tolerant of people different from ourselves. afraid aware careful suspicious understanding 12. His ambition inspired him to go to night school. desire to succeed fortune ignorance pride 13. The frightened child ran to embrace her mother. call escape hug scold watch 14. Actually he did not know the man. now often really suddenly then 15. The hike up Mount Marcy was strenuous. disappointing dull pleasant scenic vigorous 16. It is dangerous to pretend that you are wise. boast declare forget make believe think 17. Please mention some of your friends who might be interested. describe discourage name send telephone 18. The firm kept its surplus coats in storage. expensive extra regular useless winter 19. The president expressed his opinion. criticisms desire plan of action point of view purpose 20. The cargo arrived at the port. automobile engine freight load package train 21. John rarely knows the answer. always at once constantly frequently seldom 22. The ridiculous costume won a prize. foolish lovely masquerade practical unwanted 23. He will secure a job at the plant. get hold plan for save work on 24. We abandoned the boat a few yards from shore. boarded gave up sank slowed down tipped over 25. The collision did not disable him. affect alarm bother cripple frighten 26. The traveler carried sufficient money for the trip. counterfeit enough less too little too much