The dictionary

PRE-READING:

Look at the title and predict the main ideas of the article. Then, write down three wh-questions about the text.

Ex: What are the different uses of a dictionary?

WHILE READING:

Set a time limit to read this article. An average reader can read at the speed of 250 words per minute. Note down your reading speed regularly to check your progress.

SKIMMING:

Within the time limit, read and summarize the main ideas of the paragraphs with your own words. Do not worry about unfamiliar vocabulary.

THE DICTIONARY

A dictionary is a useful book of words and about words. It will tell you what a word means, how to pronounce it, how to use it in a sentence, and how it is spelled.

It is easy to find a word in the dictionary. All of the words are listed in alphabetical order. Two guide words are at the top of each page. The word on the left tells the first word to be found on that page. The word on the right tells the last word on the page.

There are games that can be played with the dictionary. One game to play with a friend is called "Word Race". In this game, a word is given and the players see who can find it in the dictionary first. Another game to play is the "Longest Word". Each player opens the dictionary at any page and finds the longest word on the page. Each letter in the word is worth one point. The person with the most points wins the game.

Word count: 175 words

SCANNING:

Use your notes to identify where you can find the answers to the questions you have made in the pre-reading stage.

POST-READING:

Glossary:

Pay attention to how the word is combined with other words in context. Do not learn the meaning of the word without sentences. Vietnamese should be the last resort after you have tried all the learning strategies.

• To pronounce (v.): to enunciate or articulate the sound or sounds of (a word or words) (Phát âm)

• in (alphabetical) order (coll.): the sequencing of names of items in which terms, or words are arranged in the same sequence as the letters of the alphabet (Theo thứ tự bảng chữ cái)

Exercise:

Try to complete the outline of the important points about a dictionary below. Do not look back at the article; try to complete the table from memory. When you have done as much as you can, look back at the article to check.

Discussion:

Find a study friend to play the two (2) games suggested in the text. What other games can you play using the dictionary to enrich your vocabulary?

Answers:

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).