English Vocabulary for High School: With Over 1,000 Words from Youth and Business Language. the Definitive Practical English Course for Students

2012·25.58 MB·English

E n g l i s h V o c a b u l a r y
F O R H I G H S C H O O L
With Over 1,000words from Youth and Business Language
The Definitive Practical English Course for Students
ENGLISH VOCABULARY
FOR HIGH SCHOOL
ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
ENGLISH VOCABULARY
FOR HIGH SCHOOL
With Over 1,000words from Youth
and Business Language
THE DEFINITIVE PRACTICAL ENGLISH COURSE FOR STUDENTS
Kwame Duodu Bonsu
ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
Copyright © 2012–Kwame Duodu Bonsu
All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright
laws, and may not be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system
or transmitted in any form by any means; electronic mechanical,
photocopy, recording or otherwise, for commercial gain or profit
without the prior permission of the author.
ISBN: 9780985098407
Additional copies of this book can be obtained from;
In the USA:
Kwame Duodu Bonsu
5 Irene St. Apt. 5
Lewiston, ME 04240
In Ghana:
Kwame Duodu Bonsu
P.O. Box GP 21761, Accra-Central
Tel: [phone]

[email protected]
Cover and Page Layout: Roland Bruce
[phone] | [email protected], [email protected]
Acknowledgements
Author’s Acknowledgement
Kwame Duodu Bonsu would like to thank the following for their help and participation in producing
this book:
Editorial: Following English Proofreading: Design:
Micheal Brigandi Language Apenteng Sackey, Roland K.B. Bruce,
(PhD), Tamale Teachers: Linguistic
Polytechnic; Mrs. Pricilla F. Department, Consultants:
Elizabeth A. Eames, Ribiero, Adisadel University of Ghana; Tracey O’Connor,
Associate Professor, College; Mrs. Kate Rev. Ebenezer A. El Carna Mpesum,
Bates College, USA; A. Wilberforce, Boakye-Yiadom, Kofi Karikari Appau,
Isaac Appiagyei- Wesley Girls School; Student, University Alison Brown,
Boachie, Nerderland Michael Funtror, of Science & William Appiah,
Development Holy Child Girls Technology, Ghana; Jenifer Sevice,
Organization, Accra; School; William Mary Cherie
Dr. Confidence Mitchual, Aggrey Foreword: Robinson, David L.
Sanka, University Memorial Zion High Dr. Esther O. Ofei- Zuckerman, Clara
of Science & School; Baiden Aboagye (PhD), Dankwa.
Technology, Kumasi, Tawiah, Mfantsipim Director, Institute of
Ghana; School; Kwame Local Government
Asiamah, Akosombo Studies, Ghana;
International High
School;
Assistance:
Joseph Amoah, Judith A. Owusu, Rebecca A. Nsiah, Evelyn Takrama,
Kwame Owusu Agyapong, Kwaku Amponsah Okyere, Prof. Opanin
Agyekum, Hon. Yaw Barimah, Mama Oye Anoh-Ntow, Dr. Abraham
Owusu-Dommey, Michael K. Ayinne, Anthony Badu-Peprah.

v
ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
vi
Foreword
FOREWORD TO “ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR HIGH SCHOOL:
THE DEFINITIVE PRACTICAL ENGLISH COURSE FOR STUDENTS”
I am deeply honoured by this invitation to provide a foreword for this important book “English
Vocabulary for High School: The Definitive English Course for Students” by Kwame Duodu Bonsu.
The English language has evolved over the past The colonization of America also allowed for
millennium, influenced by various cultures and adaptation of the language by speakers outside
peoples and their efforts at communications. the British Isles.
Old English benefited from the Celts and the
The publication of the Dictionary of the English
Germanic groups (Norsemen, Anglo-Saxons,
Language by Samuel Johnson in 1755 and re-
and Scandinavians). With the advent of Christi-
lated efforts sought to standardize spellings and
anity in the sixth and the seventh centuries, new
the use of words. Other events that provided
words were introduced into the language from
an impetus for change in the English language
Latin. Old English was spoken up until after the
included the industrial revolution and the crea-
Norman Conquest of the 11th Century, which
tion of the British Empire. Today, the English
introduced elements of a French dialect into the
language is spoken all over the world. It is
language (even though some authorities indicate
estimated that there are well over one (1) billion
that the use of Old English persisted till about
speakers. Several ex-British colonies contrib-
the 13th Century). By the 14th Century, English
uted new words to the English language. Also,
had become the language of politics, literature,
the social, economic, and political contexts of
and business in England.
these countries of the Commonwealth and the
Middle English developed during the period Americas have influenced the way the language
that saw the adoption of words of French and is spoken.
Norman origin largely associated with govern-
ment, religion, law, social affairs, and com- While English is more widely spoken than ever,
merce. Early Modern English (considered to there are issues that this book may help to ad-
apply to the period between the late 15th and dress. The use of the English language offers
17th Century) witnessed considerable changes, certain pleasures that may elude the modern
particularly in sounds and dialects. The 17th speakers, especially, young people for whom
Century Renaissance promoted words from English may be a second or a third language.
Latin and Greek origins; as well as from Italian, The pleasure of well spoken and the satisfac-
German, and Hebrew speakers. tion a speaker or a writer feels when they have
selected a word properly to convey what exactly
they want to communicate are immeasurable.

vii
ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
A reader appreciates the joys of the language, The book also encourages young people to use
when a particular phrase has been aptly used; a dictionary. The book has a section “Modern
when one adds to one’s store of words and one Vocabulary” which acknowledges newer words
can be versatile in their choice. For an African, that have come into modern use from various
language well spoken, illustrated by appropri- sources as the world “modernizes”, technology
ate proverbs and phrases, is a virtue. Unfortu- and innovation move on, and new economic
nately, the modern speaker of English is often circumstances and social phenomena emerge.
constrained by their limited vocabulary, forced
This book takes advantage of modern technol-
to use the same words over and over. The need
ogy and presentation to make learning acces-
to speak English well, especially amongst high
sible. The format provides a quick illustration of
school students, cannot be overemphasized.
instances and phenomena that a particular word
Young people must have the core vocabulary
or phrase is associated with, directing the user’s
in order to be considered well-educated and
emphasis on practice rather than the traditional
to reap the benefits of effective overall com-
“school-room” (and the images of learning by
munication. This book seeks to achieving that
rote!). These examples are drawn from a wide
objective. It attempts to assist English language
range of sources and contexts, including Greek
learners to broaden or deepen their understand-
mythology, history, religion, culture, and busi-
ing of the English language. It is aimed at
ness. At each opportunity and in various places,
young people and adopts a very practical course
the reader is encouraged to form their own
work approach.
sentences.
The book provides seventeen main coursework
sections and provides the user with guidance This will be a very exciting facility to learn
on how to apply the tools it contains. It in- English with. It will provide users with the
cludes other important features such as modern luxury of illustration and application to test
vocabulary, answers to exercises, and an index. their understanding and enhance their vocabu-
The sections deal with twenty-seven main entry lary. It is a book that even those with consider-
words including reprimand and ridicule; mis- able familiarity with the English language can
behavior; change; movement; quantity; quality; benefit from, and I recommend it very highly
growth; development; decline; and noise. for those who want to extend their knowledge
of the English language and explore the joys it
The book makes available to a wider range of
offers, further.
users such time-tested resources as the format
of the Educational Testing Services of America
and the Vocabulary for College. It includes
user-friendly exercises, reviews, dictionary
studies, comprehension passages as well as an-
swers to the exercises. A user is encouraged to
understand a word, how it originated, how it can
be used, how to pronounce it, and how it can be
Thank you.
appropriately applied. Therefore, the reader will
find definitions of words, their etymologies and ESTHER ODURAA OFEI-ABOAGYE (PhD)
analogies. INSTITUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
STUDIES, GHANA
viii
Preface
My aim with this book is to assist English language learners to broaden or deepen their understanding
of English language. I have selected words that provide bases for superior articulation of English
language in any discipline. Ideally, if you are well educated, irrespective of which discipline you
specialize in, you should be able to express yourself lucidly by engaging your readers and listeners
with a stock of about 50,000words. Beside this, a student who requires English language to
communicate needs a minimum of 20,000words in order to write or speak about various topics.
Non-native speakers of English have a daunt- This pool of vocabulary features frequently
ing task of using English language for effective in tests that develop verbal abilities in many
communication. They face two main challeng- countries, and the tests are based on passages
es. First, to what extent are they able to control from books that are assigned in college for
the vocabulary? Unlike the native speakers, all subjects, since all disciplines require the
non-natives must endeavor to distinguish and ability to understand difficult texts. English
access words and phrases adequately by wading Vocabulary for High School is written to reflect
through many meanings or definitions. Sec- the above considerations.
ondly, how well are non-native speakers able to
The book contains seventeen sections of
access the ever increasing set of new words and
coursework and a special section that may
new meanings? Considering that the forma-
interest the youth, in particular, and learners of
tion of English vocabulary is based on words
English in general. A student who studies the
borrowed from other languages historically
sections thoroughly is likely to broaden his or
(French, Latin, German, Greek, and Spanish)
her scope of understanding of the meanings and
and currently (from many other languages),
definitions of English words. The coursework is
and also considering that modern vocabulary
practical and has been formatted along the lines
formation process is based on compounding and
of Educational Testing Service of the United
layering of words, it is naturally challenging
States of America. A set of vocabulary for this
for those who have to use English as a second
book has been taken from Vocabulary for Col-
language to express themselves lucidly. For
lege, which is one of the widely adopted English
these people, not only do they have to struggle
vocabulary books used around the globe. I have
to understand about 20,000words initially, they
considered that many users of the book are high
must also update their understanding of the in-
school students from many diverse countries. I
creasing new vocabulary from various sources
assume that the social and cultural orientations
of industry and society.
of these countries are evolving at a fast pace to
congeal around Western cultures. Therefore,
Uncontrollably, cultures everywhere are now
I have carefully adapted these words in order
more globalised than ever. Because English
to offer students a broader understanding and
language is the vanguard that pushes the
articulation of the language. Nonetheless, in an
globalization agenda, it is essential for non-
attempt to maintain the uniqueness of their own
natives to improve their abilities to meet the
cultures, most of the sentences in the exercises
standards of spoken and written English.

ix