200 English Words and Their Meanings With Example Sentences for Everyday Use

Learning English vocabulary is not simply about memorising long lists of words. It is about understanding what words mean, recognising how they are used in sentences, and choosing the right expressions when speaking or writing. A learner may know the meaning of a word in isolation but still struggle to use it correctly in a conversation, school assignment, examination, or professional setting.

This guide presents 200 English words and their meanings with practical example sentences for everyday use. It is designed for beginners and intermediate English learners, including students preparing for WAEC, NECO, JAMB, GCE, NABTEB, and Post-UTME examinations. The words cover daily conversations, education, emotions, character, communication, work, health, relationships, and other familiar situations.

Each entry provides a simple definition and an example that shows how the word works in context. The lesson also explains how to distinguish words with similar meanings, avoid common vocabulary errors, build sentences naturally, and remember new expressions more effectively.

The most important principle throughout this lesson is that understanding a word means knowing more than its dictionary definition. You should also understand how the word behaves in a sentence, what other words commonly appear with it, and whether it is appropriate for the situation. For example, ask and inquire can both refer to seeking information, but they do not always sound equally natural in every conversation.

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to recognise and use the 200 words more confidently, explain their meanings, choose suitable alternatives when necessary, and apply your vocabulary knowledge to everyday communication and examination questions.

1. Understanding English Words and Their Meanings

Before learning the 200 words, it is helpful to understand what vocabulary is and how English words communicate meaning.

Vocabulary refers to the words a person understands and uses in a language. Your vocabulary includes words you can recognise when reading or listening and words you can produce when speaking or writing. These are related but different abilities. You may understand a word when someone uses it without being able to recall it quickly in conversation.

For example, you might understand the word generous when reading a story. However, if you want to describe someone who willingly shares money, food, or time, you may initially remember only a simpler word such as kind. Repeated exposure and practice can help you use generous naturally.

A word’s meaning is the idea, object, action, quality, feeling, or relationship it expresses. Some words have several meanings. The word light, for instance, can refer to illumination, something that is not heavy, or a pale colour. The surrounding words and situation help you determine which meaning is intended.

Consider these examples:

• The room has enough light for reading. Here, light means illumination.
• This bag is light. Here, light means not heavy.
• She prefers light blue clothing. Here, light describes a pale shade.

This illustrates why you should learn words in sentences rather than memorise isolated definitions. A sentence provides context, which is the surrounding information that helps a reader or listener understand what a word means.

Another important idea is that a word’s grammatical role affects how you use it. A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. A verb expresses an action, event, or state. An adjective describes a noun, while an adverb often modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

For example, success is a noun, succeed is a verb, successful is an adjective, and successfully is an adverb. These words are related, but they do not perform the same grammatical function.

• Her success encouraged the other students.
• She hopes to succeed in the examination.
• He is a successful business owner.
• They completed the project successfully.

Learning these relationships helps you construct grammatically correct sentences and answer vocabulary questions that test word forms.

Assignment 1: Understanding Vocabulary

Answer the following questions before continuing.

1. What is vocabulary?
2. Explain why a word should be learned in context.
3. Identify the noun in this sentence: Her kindness impressed the visitors.
4. Identify the verb in this sentence: The children arrived early.
5. What does light mean in the sentence, This suitcase is light?
6. Choose the adjective: success, succeed, successful, successfully.
7. Write two sentences using the word clear in different meanings.

2. Everyday Words for Daily Conversations: Words 1 to 20

These first 20 words are useful when greeting people, requesting information, describing situations, and discussing everyday activities. They are suitable for informal conversations and many ordinary formal situations.

1. Acknowledge

Meaning: To recognise, accept, or show that you have noticed something or someone.

Example: The teacher acknowledged my answer by nodding.

Explanation: Acknowledging something means showing that you recognise its existence or importance. You can acknowledge a person’s presence, a mistake, a message, or someone’s contribution.

Another example is: The manager acknowledged receipt of my application. This means the manager confirmed that the application had been received.

2. Adapt

Meaning: To change your behaviour, method, or approach to suit a new situation.

Example: New students must adapt to the school’s rules and timetable.

Explanation: Adapt is useful when discussing change and adjustment. It does not necessarily mean abandoning everything familiar. It means making the necessary changes to function effectively in different circumstances.

For example, She adapted her study plan to accommodate her new job.

3. Advise

Meaning: To recommend a course of action or give guidance.

Example: My teacher advised me to revise my notes every evening.

Explanation: Advise is a verb. It describes the act of giving advice. Notice the difference between advice, which is a noun, and advise, which is a verb.

• Correct: My mother gave me useful advice.
• Correct: My mother advised me to be patient.

4. Appreciate

Meaning: To recognise the value of something or feel grateful for it.

Example: I appreciate your help with my assignment.

Explanation: Appreciate can express gratitude, understanding, or recognition of value. It is commonly used when thanking someone.

For example, We appreciate your patience while the problem is being resolved. This expresses gratitude for someone’s willingness to wait.

5. Approach

Meaning: To move closer to someone or something, or to deal with a task in a particular way.

Example: I approached the teacher after class to ask a question.

Explanation: Approach has both a physical meaning and an abstract meaning. You can approach a person by moving towards them, or approach a problem by choosing a method for solving it.

For example, We need a different approach to this mathematics problem.

6. Arrange

Meaning: To put things in an organised order or make plans for something.

Example: Please arrange the books according to their subjects.

Explanation: Arrange can describe organising physical objects or planning an event. You can arrange a meeting, arrange transportation, or arrange documents in a particular order.

7. Attend

Meaning: To be present at an event, meeting, class, or institution.

Example: All students are expected to attend the morning assembly.

Explanation: Attend is commonly followed by the event or activity. In this sense, you generally say attend a meeting, not attend to a meeting.

However, attend to has another meaning: to deal with or give attention to something. For example, The nurse attended to the injured patient.

8. Avoid

Meaning: To stay away from something or prevent yourself from doing something.

Example: You should avoid distractions while studying.

Explanation: Avoid is often followed by a noun or an -ing verb form.

• Avoid unnecessary arguments.
• Avoid wasting time.
• Avoid driving too fast.

In standard English, avoid to waste time is not the usual construction. Use avoid wasting time.

9. Behave

Meaning: To act or conduct yourself in a particular way.

Example: The children behaved respectfully during the ceremony.

Explanation: Behave often describes how people act in social situations. It can be used positively or negatively, depending on the context.

For example, Please behave responsibly when using the laboratory equipment.

10. Belong

Meaning: To be the property of someone or to be a member of a group or place where you feel accepted.

Example: This notebook belongs to my sister.

Explanation: Belong can express ownership or membership. In the ownership sense, it is commonly followed by to.

• This pen belongs to me.
• She belongs to the debate club.

11. Borrow

Meaning: To receive or use something temporarily with the intention of returning it.

Example: May I borrow your calculator for the examination practice?

Explanation: Borrow describes receiving something temporarily. The person who gives the item lends it.

• I borrowed a book from Ada.
• Ada lent me a book.

Remember that borrowing and lending describe the same exchange from different perspectives.

12. Bother

Meaning: To disturb, trouble, or cause inconvenience to someone.

Example: I did not want to bother my neighbour late at night.

Explanation: Bother can describe an action that interrupts someone or a situation that causes concern.

For example, It does not bother me when people ask questions. Here, the speaker means that the questions do not cause annoyance.

13. Celebrate

Meaning: To mark an important event or achievement with happiness or a special activity.

Example: Our family will celebrate my graduation next month.

Explanation: People celebrate birthdays, achievements, festivals, and other important occasions. Celebration may involve a gathering, but it does not always require a party.

14. Compare

Meaning: To examine two or more things to identify similarities or differences.

Example: The teacher asked us to compare the two characters in the story.

Explanation: Compare is useful in everyday discussions and examinations. You may compare prices before buying a product or compare two arguments before reaching a conclusion.

15. Complain

Meaning: To express dissatisfaction about something considered wrong, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory.

Example: Several passengers complained about the long delay.

Explanation: A complaint communicates a problem. In formal situations, it is often helpful to explain the problem clearly and state what action would resolve it.

For example, I am writing to complain about the damaged item I received.

16. Confirm

Meaning: To establish that something is correct, true, arranged, or received.

Example: Please confirm your attendance before Friday.

Explanation: Confirm is frequently used in school, business, travel, and everyday planning. You can confirm an appointment, a booking, a date, or a piece of information.

17. Consider

Meaning: To think carefully about something before making a decision.

Example: I will consider your suggestion before choosing a course.

Explanation: Consider implies thought or evaluation. It is useful when discussing choices that require attention.

For example, Before accepting the offer, consider the cost and the time involved.

18. Continue

Meaning: To keep doing something or to resume after a pause.

Example: She continued reading after the electricity returned.

Explanation: Continue can describe an uninterrupted activity or an activity that begins again after stopping. It can be followed by an -ing form or, in many contexts, a to-infinitive.

• He continued working.
• He continued to work.

Both are correct in ordinary contexts.

19. Depend

Meaning: To be affected by or rely on someone or something.

Example: Our travel plans depend on the weather.

Explanation: Depend is commonly used with on or upon. It can describe reliance or a situation in which one thing is determined by another.

For example, You can depend on your team to complete the task.

20. Discover

Meaning: To find, learn, or become aware of something previously unknown.

Example: I discovered a useful way to organise my study notes.

Explanation: Discover often refers to finding something that was not previously known to the person. It can involve objects, facts, methods, or information.

Assignment 2: Everyday Conversations

Complete the exercises.

1. The school principal will ______ the receipt of your application.
   • A. acknowledge
   • B. borrow
   • C. bother
   • D. behave
2. I need to ______ my timetable because my classes have changed.
   • A. celebrate
   • B. adapt
   • C. complain
   • D. belong
3. Choose the correct sentence:
   • A. I borrowed my friend my book.
   • B. I borrowed a book from my friend.
   • C. I borrowed to my friend a book.
   • D. I borrowed a book my friend from.
4. Complete the sentence: Please avoid ______ time on unimportant activities.
5. What is the difference between borrow and lend?
6. Write a sentence using approach to mean a method of dealing with a problem.
7. Correct this sentence: The meeting depends of the manager’s decision.
8. Write a polite complaint about receiving a damaged school item.

3. Words for Education, Learning, and Examinations: Words 21 to 40

The next group contains words that frequently appear in classroom instructions, textbooks, examination questions, academic discussions, and study plans. Understanding them can help you interpret questions correctly and express your ideas more precisely.

21. Analyse

Meaning: To examine something carefully by separating it into parts or considering its important features.

Example: The students analysed the poem before writing their answers.

Explanation: Analysing is more than simply reading or describing something. It involves examining details and explaining how they contribute to the whole.

In an examination, a question that asks you to analyse a character may require you to explain the character’s behaviour, motives, relationships, and importance to the story.

22. Apply

Meaning: To use knowledge or a rule in a particular situation, or to make a formal request for something.

Example: You should apply the grammar rule when constructing your sentences.

Explanation: Apply has two common meanings. You can apply knowledge to solve a problem, or apply for a job, course, or scholarship.

• Apply a rule.
• Apply for admission.

The expression depends on the meaning intended.

23. Assess

Meaning: To judge or evaluate the quality, value, ability, or importance of something.

Example: The examiner assessed the students’ written responses.

Explanation: Assessment involves making a judgement based on relevant information. Teachers assess learning through tests, assignments, observations, and other activities.

24. Calculate

Meaning: To determine a number or amount using mathematics or a systematic method.

Example: Calculate the total cost of the textbooks before making payment.

Explanation: Calculate is commonly used in mathematics, science, finance, and everyday budgeting. It can also be used more generally to mean estimating something carefully.

25. Clarify

Meaning: To make an idea, instruction, or statement easier to understand.

Example: The lecturer clarified the question before the examination began.

Explanation: Clarifying removes confusion by providing additional explanation or more precise information.

For example, Could you clarify the meaning of the final instruction? is a polite request for explanation.

26. Classify

Meaning: To arrange people, objects, or ideas into groups according to shared features.

Example: The teacher asked us to classify the words into nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Explanation: Classification helps learners recognise patterns and organise information. In science, objects may be classified by their characteristics. In grammar, words can be classified according to their functions.

27. Conclude

Meaning: To bring something to an end or reach a judgement after considering information.

Example: After reviewing the evidence, the researcher concluded that the first explanation was more convincing.

Explanation: Conclude can refer to ending a discussion, article, meeting, or activity. It can also mean drawing a conclusion, which is a judgement reached from available information.

28. Define

Meaning: To explain the meaning of a word, term, idea, or concept.

Example: Define the term democracy in your own words.

Explanation: A definition identifies what something means. In an examination, a strong definition is usually clear and accurate. It should not replace the requested meaning with an unrelated example.

29. Demonstrate

Meaning: To show clearly how something works, how it is done, or why a statement is true.

Example: The instructor demonstrated how to use the laboratory equipment safely.

Explanation: Demonstration may involve a practical action, a worked example, or evidence supporting a claim. When an examination asks you to demonstrate a method, it may require you to show the steps rather than merely state the answer.

30. Describe

Meaning: To give information about the features, appearance, qualities, or nature of something.

Example: Describe the main character’s behaviour in the final chapter.

Explanation: Describing helps another person understand what something is like. A description can include appearance, actions, qualities, or relevant details.

31. Discuss

Meaning: To examine a subject in detail, often by presenting explanations, reasons, different views, or supporting examples.

Example: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online learning.

Explanation: Discuss is broader than define or list. A discussion normally requires connected explanations. Depending on the question, it may also require comparison, evaluation, and a reasoned conclusion.

32. Evaluate

Meaning: To judge the value, effectiveness, strengths, or weaknesses of something.

Example: The committee evaluated the proposed school programme.

Explanation: Evaluation requires more than describing a subject. You consider relevant evidence and decide how effective or valuable something is.

33. Examine

Meaning: To inspect or study something carefully.

Example: Examine the passage before answering the comprehension questions.

Explanation: Examine can mean studying something closely or taking a formal test. In academic instructions, it often signals that learners should pay attention to relevant details.

34. Explain

Meaning: To make something understandable by providing reasons, details, or examples.

Example: Explain why regular reading improves vocabulary.

Explanation: An explanation answers questions such as how, why, or in what way. A complete answer normally connects the point being made with the reason supporting it.

35. Identify

Meaning: To recognise or name a particular person, thing, feature, or fact.

Example: Identify the adjective in the sentence.

Explanation: Identify usually requires a specific answer. If a question asks you to identify a verb, naming the verb may be sufficient, although additional instructions may request an explanation.

36. Illustrate

Meaning: To explain or make a point clearer by using examples, diagrams, or other demonstrations.

Example: Illustrate the difference between a noun and a verb with two sentences.

Explanation: Illustrating a point means making it easier to understand. In writing, examples often illustrate an argument or rule.

37. Interpret

Meaning: To explain the meaning or significance of something.

Example: The students interpreted the speaker’s statement in different ways.

Explanation: Interpretation involves understanding what a statement, text, action, or event means. It may require attention to context because the intended meaning is not always stated directly.

38. Justify

Meaning: To provide reasons or evidence showing that a decision, opinion, or action is reasonable.

Example: Justify your choice of the correct answer with a grammatical explanation.

Explanation: Justification requires support. Merely repeating your answer does not necessarily justify it. You should provide a reason that explains why the answer is appropriate.

39. Summarise

Meaning: To present the main points of a longer text or discussion in a shorter form.

Example: Summarise the passage in five sentences.

Explanation: A summary preserves the central ideas while removing unnecessary details. It should not change the author’s main message or introduce unrelated opinions.

40. Verify

Meaning: To check whether information, a claim, or a result is accurate.

Example: Verify the figures before submitting your report.

Explanation: Verification involves checking information against suitable evidence or a reliable method. It is useful in examinations, research, calculations, and everyday decision-making.

Understanding Examination Instruction Words

Some of these words are especially important because they tell you what kind of answer an examiner expects.

Instruction word	What you should do	Example of a suitable response
Define	Give a clear meaning	Define a noun.
Identify	Name the required item	Identify the verb in the sentence.
Describe	State relevant features	Describe the setting of the story.
Explain	Make the point understandable	Explain why the character left.
Analyse	Examine parts and relationships	Analyse the speaker’s argument.
Compare	Show similarities, and differences when relevant	Compare the two characters.
Discuss	Develop the subject in detail	Discuss the effects of pollution.
Evaluate	Judge strengths, weaknesses, or value	Evaluate the proposed solution.
Justify	Give supporting reasons or evidence	Justify your choice of answer.
Summarise	State the main points briefly	Summarise the passage.

These instructions are related, but they are not interchangeable. A learner who gives only a definition when asked to discuss a topic may provide correct information without answering the full question. Always pay attention to the instruction word and the exact subject of the question.

Assignment 3: Academic Vocabulary

1. Which word means to examine something carefully by considering its parts?
   • A. Analyse
   • B. Borrow
   • C. Celebrate
   • D. Adapt
2. Which word means to make an idea easier to understand?
   • A. Verify
   • B. Clarify
   • C. Classify
   • D. Conclude
3. Explain the difference between describe and evaluate.
4. Complete the sentence: Before submitting the report, ______ all the figures.
5. What should you normally do when an examination question asks you to justify an answer?
6. Write one sentence using illustrate correctly.
7. Correct this sentence: The teacher asked us to explain the two groups according to their shared features. Replace explain with the more appropriate word from this section.
8. Write a short paragraph discussing why students should understand examination instruction words.

4. Words for Feelings, Emotions, and Personal Qualities: Words 41 to 60

Words describing feelings and personal qualities help you communicate experiences accurately. Instead of saying that every situation is simply good, bad, or difficult, you can choose words that express more precise meanings.

An emotion is a feeling, such as happiness, sadness, anger, or fear. A personal quality is a characteristic that describes how someone tends to think or behave. Some words can describe a temporary feeling, while others describe a person’s usual behaviour.

41. Anxious

Meaning: Worried or nervous about something that may happen.

Example: I felt anxious before entering the examination hall.

Explanation: Anxiety often arises when a person is uncertain about an outcome. It may be temporary and does not automatically indicate a medical condition.

42. Brave

Meaning: Willing to face danger, difficulty, or fear.

Example: The brave student reported the dangerous electrical fault.

Explanation: Bravery does not mean a person never feels afraid. It means facing a difficult situation despite fear or risk.

43. Calm

Meaning: Peaceful and not visibly upset, excited, or agitated.

Example: She remained calm while explaining the problem.

Explanation: Calm can describe a person, a situation, a voice, or an environment. A calm response may help people think clearly during a disagreement.

44. Confident

Meaning: Believing in your ability or feeling reasonably sure about something.

Example: He felt confident after practising his presentation several times.

Explanation: Confidence can grow through preparation and experience. It does not mean being certain that you can never make a mistake.

45. Considerate

Meaning: Thoughtful about other people’s feelings, needs, or circumstances.

Example: It was considerate of her to lower her voice in the library.

Explanation: A considerate person thinks about how an action may affect others. Consideration may appear in small actions, such as waiting patiently or offering help.

46. Curious

Meaning: Eager to learn, discover, or understand something.

Example: The curious child asked how the machine worked.

Explanation: Curiosity encourages questioning and learning. It can be valuable in education because it motivates people to seek explanations rather than accept everything without thought.

47. Determined

Meaning: Firmly committed to achieving something.

Example: She was determined to improve her English vocabulary.

Explanation: Determination involves a strong intention to continue working towards a goal, even when progress is difficult.

48. Disappointed

Meaning: Unhappy because something did not meet your expectations.

Example: I was disappointed when the event was cancelled.

Explanation: Disappointment often occurs when the result differs from what someone hoped would happen. It does not necessarily mean the situation was unfair.

49. Embarrassed

Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable, ashamed, or self-conscious because of a situation.

Example: He felt embarrassed after forgetting the speaker’s name.

Explanation: Embarrassment is often associated with a perceived social mistake. The feeling may pass as the situation becomes less important.

50. Encouraged

Meaning: Given confidence, hope, or support to continue doing something.

Example: The teacher’s kind words encouraged me to keep practising.

Explanation: Encouragement can come from another person or from a positive experience. The word may also describe how someone feels after receiving support.

51. Frustrated

Meaning: Upset or discouraged because progress is blocked or something is not working as expected.

Example: I became frustrated when I could not understand the difficult passage.

Explanation: Frustration often arises when effort does not produce the expected result. Identifying the specific difficulty can help a learner choose a better strategy.

52. Generous

Meaning: Willing to give, share, or help others.

Example: Our neighbour was generous enough to share food with the family.

Explanation: Generosity may involve money, possessions, time, knowledge, or assistance. A generous person does not necessarily have great wealth.

53. Grateful

Meaning: Feeling or expressing appreciation for help, kindness, or something beneficial.

Example: I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my education.

Explanation: Grateful expresses appreciation. It is commonly followed by for when naming what someone appreciates.

• I am grateful for your support.
• I am grateful to my teacher for the guidance.

54. Honest

Meaning: Truthful and not deliberately misleading or deceiving others.

Example: The honest student admitted that he had forgotten to complete the assignment.

Explanation: Honesty concerns truthfulness. It also involves avoiding deliberate deception, although people may still make mistakes without intending to mislead.

55. Humble

Meaning: Not behaving as though you are more important or superior to others.

Example: Despite her achievements, she remained humble.

Explanation: Humility involves recognising that personal success does not make someone superior in every respect. Being humble does not require denying genuine abilities or accomplishments.

56. Impatient

Meaning: Unwilling or finding it difficult to wait calmly.

Example: The impatient passenger kept asking when the bus would arrive.

Explanation: Impatience may appear when someone wants a result immediately. The opposite is patient, which describes someone who can wait or tolerate difficulty calmly.

57. Independent

Meaning: Able to act, think, or manage certain responsibilities without depending entirely on others.

Example: She became more independent by managing her study schedule herself.

Explanation: Independence can be practical, financial, or intellectual. It does not mean refusing all help. Independent people may still seek advice when appropriate.

58. Jealous

Meaning: Feeling unhappy or threatened because of another person’s advantage, success, relationship, or attention.

Example: He felt jealous when his friend received praise for the project.

Explanation: Jealousy often involves comparison or fear of losing something valued. It differs from simply admiring another person’s achievement.

59. Patient

Meaning: Able to wait or deal with difficulties without becoming easily annoyed.

Example: A patient tutor explains difficult concepts more than once.

Explanation: Patience is valuable when learning a language because improvement requires practice. It also helps people handle delays and misunderstandings more constructively.

60. Reliable

Meaning: Able to be trusted to do what is expected or to perform consistently.

Example: She is a reliable class representative who delivers messages accurately.

Explanation: Reliability is demonstrated through consistent behaviour. A reliable person usually keeps commitments, communicates honestly, and takes responsibilities seriously.

Choosing the Right Emotion Word

Several emotion words are related but describe different experiences.

Word	Main meaning	Example
Anxious	Worried about a possible outcome	I felt anxious about the interview.
Frustrated	Upset because progress is blocked	I felt frustrated by the repeated errors.
Disappointed	Unhappy about an unsatisfactory outcome	She was disappointed by the result.
Embarrassed	Uncomfortable because of a socially awkward situation	He felt embarrassed after mispronouncing the name.
Jealous	Uneasy about another person’s advantage or a threatened relationship	She felt jealous of her colleague’s attention.
Confident	Sure of one’s ability or judgement	I felt confident after preparing carefully.

Using the precise word helps you explain what happened and why you felt a particular way. For instance, a student who cannot solve a problem may feel frustrated, while a student who receives a lower mark than expected may feel disappointed.

Assignment 4: Feelings and Qualities

1. Someone who willingly shares with others is ______.
2. Someone who can be trusted to fulfil responsibilities is ______.
3. Complete the sentence: I felt ______ because I was worried about the interview.
4. Explain the difference between embarrassed and disappointed.
5. Write a sentence using considerate.
6. Correct this sentence: I am grateful of your assistance.
7. Explain why being confident does not mean being certain that you will never make a mistake.
8. Write four sentences describing a student who is determined, patient, honest, and reliable.

5. Words for Communication and Social Relationships: Words 61 to 80

Effective communication requires more than knowing individual words. You must understand what people intend to say, respond appropriately, and select expressions that suit the relationship and situation.

The following words are useful when talking about relationships, disagreements, messages, explanations, and social behaviour.

61. Apologise

Meaning: To express regret for something wrong, hurtful, or inconvenient that you have done.

Example: I apologised to my classmate for interrupting her presentation.

Explanation: An apology acknowledges that an action caused a problem or may have hurt someone. A sincere apology usually identifies the action and expresses regret.

In American English, apologize is the common spelling. Apologise is the British spelling. Both represent the same word.

62. Argue

Meaning: To disagree with someone by giving reasons, or to present a case in favour of an idea.

Example: The students argued about the best way to solve the problem.

Explanation: Argue can describe a disagreement or a reasoned presentation of a position. It does not always mean shouting or behaving rudely.

For example, The writer argues that regular reading improves language skills describes the writer’s position.

63. Assure

Meaning: To tell someone confidently that something is true or that a particular outcome can be trusted.

Example: The teacher assured us that the instructions were clear.

Explanation: Assure commonly takes a person as its object: assure someone that something is true. It often aims to reduce doubt or worry.

64. Communicate

Meaning: To share information, ideas, feelings, or messages with others.

Example: Good students learn to communicate their ideas clearly.

Explanation: Communication can occur through speaking, writing, gestures, signs, or other methods. Effective communication depends on whether the intended message is understood.

65. Convince

Meaning: To persuade someone to believe something or agree to do something.

Example: She convinced her parents to let her join the debate club.

Explanation: Convincing involves influencing another person’s belief or decision. Reasons, evidence, and clear explanations can make an argument more persuasive.

66. Cooperate

Meaning: To work together with others towards a shared purpose.

Example: The group cooperated to complete the classroom project.

Explanation: Cooperation requires people to contribute towards a common goal. It may involve sharing tasks, exchanging ideas, and respecting agreed responsibilities.

67. Disagree

Meaning: To have a different opinion or belief from another person.

Example: I disagree with the proposal because it is too expensive.

Explanation: Disagreement is a normal part of discussion. You can disagree respectfully by explaining your reasons rather than attacking the person who holds the opposing view.

68. Discuss

Meaning: To talk or write about a subject in detail.

Example: We discussed our plans for the school holiday.

Explanation: In ordinary conversation, discussing something involves exchanging ideas or information. In academic writing, it usually requires a more developed examination of the subject.

69. Explain

Meaning: To make a message, idea, or situation easier to understand.

Example: Please explain why the meeting was postponed.

Explanation: Explanation is useful when another person lacks information or misunderstands a situation. A good explanation provides relevant details and avoids unnecessary complexity.

70. Express

Meaning: To communicate a thought, feeling, opinion, or idea.

Example: She expressed her gratitude in a short letter.

Explanation: People express themselves through words, writing, facial expressions, and other forms of communication. The expression should suit the situation.

71. Forgive

Meaning: To stop holding resentment against someone for a wrong they have done.

Example: I chose to forgive my friend after we discussed the misunderstanding.

Explanation: Forgiveness does not mean pretending that the wrongdoing never occurred or automatically trusting the person again. It describes a person’s response to an offence.

72. Greet

Meaning: To welcome or acknowledge someone when meeting them.

Example: The students greeted their teacher when she entered the classroom.

Explanation: Greetings help establish a polite and friendly beginning to an interaction. The appropriate greeting depends on the relationship, time, and social setting.

73. Inform

Meaning: To give someone information about something.

Example: Please inform the class representative that the lecture has been moved.

Explanation: Inform is common in formal and professional communication. It is often followed by a person and information, or by of or about.

• Please inform us of the change.
• Please inform us about the new schedule.

74. Interrupt

Meaning: To stop someone while they are speaking or doing something, or to cause an activity to stop temporarily.

Example: It is polite to wait until the speaker finishes rather than interrupt.

Explanation: Interruptions can prevent people from completing their thoughts. However, there may be situations where an interruption is necessary, such as when an urgent safety issue arises.

75. Introduce

Meaning: To present someone to another person, or to bring a new subject or idea into a situation.

Example: The chairperson introduced the guest speaker to the audience.

Explanation: Introduce can refer to meeting people or presenting new information. In an essay, an introduction establishes the subject and prepares the reader for the discussion.

76. Mention

Meaning: To refer briefly to someone or something.

Example: She mentioned the examination date during the meeting.

Explanation: Mentioning something does not necessarily mean discussing it in detail. If you mention a problem, you refer to it, but you may not fully explain it.

77. Persuade

Meaning: To cause someone to agree or act by giving reasons, encouragement, or other forms of influence.

Example: The coach persuaded the team to continue practising.

Explanation: Persuade is similar to convince, but it often emphasises influencing someone’s decision or action. In everyday use, the meanings overlap considerably.

78. Recommend

Meaning: To suggest something because you believe it is suitable or beneficial.

Example: My teacher recommended a dictionary for my vocabulary practice.

Explanation: A recommendation expresses a judgement about what may be useful. It is not necessarily a guarantee that the suggestion will work for everyone.

79. Respect

Meaning: To show consideration for someone’s rights, feelings, opinions, or position.

Example: Students should respect one another’s opinions during a debate.

Explanation: Respect does not require agreeing with every opinion. It involves treating people fairly and considering their dignity, even when disagreements occur.

80. Suggest

Meaning: To put forward an idea, plan, or possible action for consideration.

Example: I suggest reviewing the difficult words before the test.

Explanation: Suggest is often followed by a noun, an -ing form, or a clause using a base verb after that.

• I suggest a short break.
• I suggest reviewing the notes.
• I suggest that he review the notes.

In standard English, avoid I suggest him to review the notes. Prefer I suggest that he review the notes or I advise him to review the notes.

Assignment 5: Communication Vocabulary

1. Which word means to present someone to another person?
2. Complete the sentence: Please ______ the principal about the change in timetable.
3. Explain the difference between mention and explain.
4. Choose the correct sentence:
   • A. I suggested him to study.
   • B. I suggested that he study.
   • C. I suggested he to study.
   • D. I suggested him studying to.
5. Write a respectful sentence expressing disagreement.
6. What is the difference between convince and persuade in common use?
7. Correct this sentence: She assured to me that the work was finished.
8. Write a brief dialogue in which one student apologises to another for interrupting.

6. Words for Work, Responsibility, and Achievement: Words 81 to 100

These words are valuable when discussing duties, plans, progress, performance, and professional conduct. They can also help students describe their goals and responsibilities more precisely.

81. Achieve

Meaning: To succeed in reaching a goal or producing a desired result.

Example: She worked consistently to achieve her academic goals.

Explanation: Achievement usually involves reaching an objective through effort, skill, planning, or other contributing factors. The word can describe small accomplishments as well as major successes.

82. Accomplish

Meaning: To complete something successfully, especially after effort.

Example: Our team accomplished the task before the deadline.

Explanation: Accomplish is close in meaning to achieve. Accomplish a task is especially natural when the focus is on completing the work, while achieve a goal emphasises reaching a desired result.

83. Accurate

Meaning: Correct and free from important errors.

Example: The report contains accurate information about the school programme.

Explanation: Accuracy matters in examinations, calculations, research, and communication. A statement may sound convincing but still be inaccurate if its facts are wrong.

84. Approve

Meaning: To officially accept or permit something, or to regard something favourably.

Example: The principal approved the students’ request for an extra revision session.

Explanation: Approve can describe formal permission or a positive opinion. In administrative contexts, approval may be required before an activity can proceed.

85. Assist

Meaning: To help someone perform a task or deal with a situation.

Example: The librarian assisted me in finding the correct textbook.

Explanation: Assist is a slightly more formal alternative to help. It is common in workplaces, institutions, and professional communication.

86. Assign

Meaning: To give someone a particular task, responsibility, or role.

Example: The teacher assigned each group a research topic.

Explanation: Assign often appears in educational and professional contexts. The person receiving the assignment is expected to complete the task or carry out the responsibility.

87. Benefit

Meaning: An advantage, helpful result, or positive effect.

Example: One benefit of reading daily is the opportunity to learn new words.

Explanation: Benefit can be a noun or a verb.

• Reading has a clear benefit.
• Students benefit from regular practice.

As a verb, benefit is commonly followed by from when naming the source of the advantage.

88. Challenge

Meaning: A difficult task or situation that requires effort or skill.

Example: Learning unfamiliar vocabulary can be a challenge for beginners.

Explanation: A challenge is not necessarily impossible. It is something that tests a person’s ability or requires a thoughtful response.

89. Complete

Meaning: To finish something or make it whole.

Example: Please complete the application form before submitting it.

Explanation: Complete can function as a verb or an adjective.

• Complete the assignment before Friday.
• The assignment is complete.

The meaning depends on how the word functions in the sentence.

90. Contribute

Meaning: To give time, effort, money, ideas, or other resources towards a shared purpose.

Example: Every group member contributed ideas to the presentation.

Explanation: Contribute often takes to when identifying the project or purpose receiving the contribution.

For example, She contributed to the discussion means she added something useful to it.

91. Create

Meaning: To make or produce something new.

Example: The students created a revision timetable for the examination period.

Explanation: Create can refer to producing an object, idea, plan, piece of writing, or opportunity. It is a useful word for discussing original work and problem-solving.

92. Deliver

Meaning: To take something to a destination, present something formally, or carry out a promised service.

Example: The courier delivered the package to the school office.

Explanation: Deliver has several common uses. A person may deliver a package, deliver a speech, or deliver results. Context determines the intended meaning.

93. Develop

Meaning: To grow, improve, or cause something to become more advanced.

Example: Regular practice helps learners develop stronger writing skills.

Explanation: Development can be gradual. A skill may develop through practice, feedback, and experience rather than appearing immediately.

94. Efficient

Meaning: Achieving a useful result without wasting unnecessary time, effort, or resources.

Example: A clear timetable can make revision more efficient.

Explanation: Efficiency concerns how resources are used to achieve a result. An efficient method is not necessarily the fastest in every circumstance, but it avoids unnecessary waste while meeting its purpose.

95. Establish

Meaning: To create, set up, or demonstrate something firmly.

Example: The school established a reading club for interested students.

Explanation: Establish can describe creating an organisation or system. It can also mean proving or determining a fact, as in The investigation established the cause of the problem.

96. Improve

Meaning: To make something better or become better.

Example: Reading aloud can help some learners improve their pronunciation.

Explanation: Improve may describe a change in quality, ability, condition, or performance. It often implies progress from an earlier state, although the amount of progress can vary.

97. Manage

Meaning: To control, organise, or deal with something successfully.

Example: She manages her study time carefully.

Explanation: Manage can refer to organising people, resources, tasks, money, or time. It can also mean succeeding in doing something difficult, as in He managed to finish the assignment before the deadline.

98. Organise

Meaning: To arrange things systematically or coordinate an activity.

Example: We organised our notes into separate folders.

Explanation: Organising helps people locate information and understand relationships between tasks. The American spelling is organize, while organise is common in British English. Both are accepted forms in their respective varieties.

99. Perform

Meaning: To carry out a task, activity, or duty, or to present a work of music or drama.

Example: The students performed well in the practical examination.

Explanation: Perform can describe completing a duty, doing a test, or presenting a performance. Its precise meaning depends on the context.

100. Responsible

Meaning: Having a duty to manage something or being dependable in how one behaves.

Example: A responsible student submits assignments on time.

Explanation: Responsible may describe someone who fulfils obligations or someone who is accountable for an outcome.

Notice the common pattern responsible for:

• She is responsible for organising the meeting.
• He is responsible for the equipment.

Assignment 6: Work and Achievement

1. Complete the sentence: The team worked hard to ______ its target.
2. Which word means using time and resources without unnecessary waste?
3. Write two sentences showing the different uses of benefit.
4. Correct this sentence: She is responsible of the class register.
5. Explain the difference between achieve and accomplish.
6. Use contribute in a sentence about a group assignment.
7. What does accurate mean?
8. Write a short paragraph explaining how a student can develop efficient study habits.

7. Words for Thinking, Decisions, and Problem-Solving: Words 101 to 120

Clear thinking depends partly on choosing words that express the relationship between ideas. The following vocabulary is useful when making decisions, evaluating possibilities, describing evidence, and explaining reasons.

101. Assume

Meaning: To accept something as true without having complete proof.

Example: Do not assume that every difficult question is impossible to answer.

Explanation: An assumption is an idea accepted without sufficient confirmation. Assumptions can sometimes be reasonable starting points, but they should be checked when accuracy matters.

102. Believe

Meaning: To accept something as true or feel confident that it is true.

Example: I believe that regular revision can improve examination preparation.

Explanation: Believe describes a person’s view or confidence in a statement. It does not automatically mean that the statement has been proven.

103. Choose

Meaning: To select one person, thing, or possibility from available options.

Example: Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

Explanation: Choosing involves making a selection. The best choice depends on the purpose, available information, and relevant conditions.

104. Decide

Meaning: To reach a conclusion or make a choice after consideration.

Example: We decided to revise together after school.

Explanation: Decide focuses on reaching a choice. You can decide what to do, decide between alternatives, or decide that a particular plan is suitable.

105. Doubt

Meaning: To feel uncertain about something or question whether it is true.

Example: I doubt that the bus will arrive before the rain begins.

Explanation: Doubt expresses uncertainty. It does not necessarily mean that a person knows something is false.

106. Estimate

Meaning: To make an approximate calculation or judgement when an exact answer is unavailable or unnecessary.

Example: We estimated the cost of the materials before starting the project.

Explanation: An estimate is not the same as an exact measurement. It provides a reasonable approximation based on available information.

107. Expect

Meaning: To believe that something is likely to happen or to regard something as required.

Example: I expect the teacher to return our assignments tomorrow.

Explanation: Expect can refer to anticipation or obligation. In I expect the bus soon, it expresses anticipation. In Students are expected to follow the rules, it describes a requirement.

108. Focus

Meaning: To direct attention towards a particular subject or activity.

Example: Try to focus on the speaker’s main point.

Explanation: Focus is useful when discussing attention and concentration. It can function as a noun or a verb.

• Keep your focus on the task.
• Focus on the important details.

109. Guess

Meaning: To offer an answer or opinion without being certain.

Example: I guessed the meaning of the unfamiliar word from the sentence.

Explanation: A guess may be based on little information or on clues that make one answer more likely. In language learning, context can help you make an informed guess.

110. Imagine

Meaning: To form a picture or idea in your mind.

Example: Imagine how the story would change if the main character made a different decision.

Explanation: Imagination helps people consider possibilities, understand stories, and plan future actions.

111. Infer

Meaning: To reach a conclusion from evidence or clues rather than from a statement that directly gives the answer.

Example: From the dark clouds and strong wind, we inferred that a storm might be approaching.

Explanation: An inference is a reasoned conclusion based on available information. It differs from a pure guess because it uses evidence.

112. Intend

Meaning: To plan or mean to do something.

Example: I intend to practise ten new English words every day.

Explanation: Intend describes a person’s plan or purpose. It is often followed by a to-infinitive.

• I intend to study tonight.
• She intends to apply for admission.

113. Judge

Meaning: To form an opinion or make a decision after considering information.

Example: Do not judge a person’s ability from one mistake.

Explanation: Judging can be necessary when evaluating evidence or making decisions. However, an unfair judgement may be formed without enough information.

114. Notice

Meaning: To become aware of something through observation or attention.

Example: I noticed a spelling error in the final paragraph.

Explanation: Notice often describes becoming aware of a detail that may not have been obvious at first.

115. Observe

Meaning: To watch or examine something carefully, or to follow a rule or custom.

Example: The students observed how the experiment changed after heating.

Explanation: Observe has more than one meaning. It can describe careful watching, as in a scientific experiment, or following a requirement, as in observe the safety rules.

116. Predict

Meaning: To say what you think will happen in the future based on available information.

Example: We predicted that the match would be delayed because of the rain.

Explanation: A prediction concerns a possible future event. It may be informed by evidence, but it is not guaranteed to be correct.

117. Prefer

Meaning: To like or choose one thing more than another.

Example: I prefer studying in a quiet room.

Explanation: Prefer expresses a comparative choice. Common patterns include prefer one thing to another and prefer doing one activity to another.

• I prefer tea to coffee.
• She prefers reading to watching television.

118. Realise

Meaning: To become aware of or understand something.

Example: I realised that I had misunderstood the question.

Explanation: The American spelling is realize, while realise is common in British English. Both mean to become aware of something or understand it.

119. Recognise

Meaning: To identify someone or something as already known, or to acknowledge a fact or achievement.

Example: I recognised the word because I had seen it in an earlier lesson.

Explanation: Recognise can describe identifying something familiar or acknowledging its importance.

120. Reflect

Meaning: To think carefully about something, or to show an image, quality, or effect.

Example: After the examination, I reflected on the questions I found difficult.

Explanation: Reflect often describes careful thought about experiences or decisions. In another use, a person’s actions may reflect their values, meaning those actions show something about their values.

Distinguishing Similar Thinking Words

Word	Key distinction	Example
Assume	Accept something without complete proof	I assumed the office was open.
Infer	Reach a conclusion from clues	I inferred that the office was closed from the locked door.
Guess	Offer an uncertain answer	I guessed the time.
Estimate	Make an approximate calculation or judgement	I estimated the journey at forty minutes.
Predict	Say what may happen in the future	I predicted that traffic would increase.
Recognise	Identify something familiar or acknowledge it	I recognised her voice.
Realise	Become aware of or understand something	I realised I had made an error.

These distinctions are useful in comprehension passages. A question may ask what a character inferred, for example, rather than what the character was directly told. The answer must be based on clues in the passage.

Assignment 7: Thinking and Decisions

1. Which word means reaching a conclusion from evidence?
2. Complete the sentence: I ______ to practise English after dinner.
3. Explain the difference between an assumption and an inference.
4. Choose the best word: We ______ the cost because we did not have the exact figures.
   • A. estimated
   • B. recognised
   • C. intended
   • D. greeted
5. Correct this sentence: I prefer coffee than tea.
6. Write a sentence using reflect to mean think carefully.
7. Explain why a prediction is not a guarantee.
8. Read this statement: The ground was wet, people were carrying umbrellas, and dark clouds covered the sky. Write one reasonable inference and explain the clues supporting it.

8. Words for Time, Change, and Everyday Situations: Words 121 to 140

Words about time and change help people explain schedules, developments, interruptions, and outcomes. They are especially useful when telling stories, giving instructions, reporting events, and organising daily activities.

121. Advance

Meaning: To move forward, make progress, or develop further.

Example: Her reading skills advanced through regular practice.

Explanation: Advance can describe physical movement or progress towards a goal. It may also refer to an earlier payment or arrangement in other contexts, but the example here concerns improvement.

122. Arrive

Meaning: To reach a place at the end of a journey.

Example: We arrived at school before the morning assembly.

Explanation: Arrive is commonly used with at for many smaller places or events and in for cities and countries.

• We arrived at the station.
• We arrived in Lagos.
• We arrived in Nigeria.

Usage can vary with the type of location, but these are reliable common patterns.

123. Begin

Meaning: To start doing something or for something to start happening.

Example: The examination will begin at nine o’clock.

Explanation: Begin is a common alternative to start. It is often slightly more formal, although both are widely used.

124. Change

Meaning: To make or become different.

Example: The school changed the examination timetable.

Explanation: Change can be a noun or a verb. It may refer to a small adjustment, a major transformation, or the act of replacing one thing with another.

125. Delay

Meaning: To make something happen later than planned, or a period of waiting caused by lateness.

Example: Heavy rain delayed our journey.

Explanation: Delay may be a verb or a noun.

• The rain delayed us.
• We experienced a long delay.

126. End

Meaning: To finish or bring something to a conclusion.

Example: The lesson ended when the bell rang.

Explanation: End can describe the natural finish of an event or the action of bringing something to a close.

127. Eventually

Meaning: In the end, after some time or a series of events.

Example: After several attempts, she eventually solved the problem.

Explanation: Eventually highlights a final outcome that occurs after a period of waiting, effort, or change. It does not necessarily mean immediately.

128. Frequent

Meaning: Happening often or occurring repeatedly.

Example: Frequent reading can help you become more familiar with written English.

Explanation: Frequent describes how often something happens. The adverb form is frequently.

• Frequent practice helps.
• She practises frequently.

129. Immediately

Meaning: At once or without delay.

Example: Report any serious safety problem immediately.

Explanation: Immediately indicates urgency or prompt action. In some situations, it means at once; in others, it simply means without unnecessary delay.

130. Increase

Meaning: To become greater in number, size, amount, or degree, or to make something greater.

Example: The number of students in the reading club increased.

Explanation: Increase can be a noun or a verb. It describes growth in quantity or intensity.

131. Interrupt

Meaning: To stop an activity temporarily or break into a conversation or process.

Example: A power failure interrupted the lecture.

Explanation: This word can describe a person interrupting another speaker or an event interrupting an activity. The meaning depends on what is being stopped.

132. Maintain

Meaning: To keep something in good condition, continue a state, or preserve a particular level.

Example: It is important to maintain a regular study routine.

Explanation: Maintain can refer to caring for equipment, continuing a standard, or keeping something stable. It often implies ongoing effort.

133. Occur

Meaning: To happen or take place.

Example: The error occurred because the wrong figure was entered.

Explanation: Occur is common in formal and academic writing. Its noun form is occurrence.

134. Postpone

Meaning: To arrange for something to happen at a later time than originally planned.

Example: The school postponed the debate because the hall was unavailable.

Explanation: Postpone usually means deliberately changing the planned time. It is often followed by the event being delayed.

135. Prepare

Meaning: To make arrangements or get ready for something.

Example: She prepared her notes before the examination.

Explanation: Preparation may involve collecting materials, practising, planning, or organising resources. The type of preparation depends on the task.

136. Progress

Meaning: Movement towards a goal or improvement in a particular activity.

Example: The teacher noticed progress in my writing.

Explanation: Progress can be a noun or a verb, although the verb is less common in everyday American English than some alternatives.

• She made good progress.
• The project is progressing well.

137. Remain

Meaning: To continue to be in the same state or stay in a place.

Example: Please remain seated until your name is called.

Explanation: Remain can refer to a continuing condition or position. For example, The classroom remained quiet means it continued to be quiet.

138. Replace

Meaning: To put something new in the place of something else.

Example: We replaced the damaged chair with a stronger one.

Explanation: Replace is useful when discussing repairs, changes, and substitutions. The thing being replaced is the item that gives way to the new one.

139. Require

Meaning: To need something or make it necessary for someone to do something.

Example: The application requires a valid identification document.

Explanation: Require often appears in formal instructions and regulations. It can describe a practical need or a rule.

140. Temporary

Meaning: Lasting for a limited time rather than permanently.

Example: The school arranged temporary classrooms while the building was repaired.

Explanation: Temporary describes something intended or expected to last only for a period. The opposite is permanent, which means lasting or intended to last indefinitely.

Assignment 8: Time and Change

1. Complete the sentence: The meeting was ______ until the following week.
2. What does eventually mean?
3. Choose the word that means lasting for a limited time.
4. Correct this sentence: We arrived to the examination centre early.
5. Explain the difference between change and replace.
6. Write a sentence using maintain.
7. Use occur in a sentence explaining the cause of an error.
8. Write a short account of an event that was postponed and eventually took place.

9. Words for Health, Safety, and Everyday Needs: Words 141 to 160

Health and safety vocabulary helps people describe physical conditions, recognise risks, request assistance, and explain practical needs. Clear language is particularly important when giving instructions or describing a problem.

141. Active

Meaning: Engaged in activity or characterised by movement, participation, or operation.

Example: Walking regularly helps many people maintain an active lifestyle.

Explanation: Active can describe a person who participates in activities, a process that is operating, or an organisation that is functioning.

142. Avoid

Meaning: To stay away from a risk, action, or situation.

Example: Avoid touching electrical equipment with wet hands.

Explanation: In safety instructions, avoid tells someone not to do something that may cause harm or an unwanted outcome.

143. Caution

Meaning: Care taken to prevent danger or mistakes; it can also mean a warning.

Example: Use caution when walking on a wet floor.

Explanation: Caution encourages careful behaviour. A caution may be expressed as advice, a written warning, or an instruction to pay attention to possible risks.

144. Comfortable

Meaning: Physically at ease or feeling relaxed and free from discomfort.

Example: These shoes are comfortable enough for a long walk.

Explanation: Comfortable can describe physical ease or emotional ease.

• The chair is comfortable.
• I feel comfortable asking the teacher questions.

The second example refers to feeling at ease rather than physical comfort.

145. Danger

Meaning: The possibility of harm, injury, damage, or loss.

Example: The broken wire created a danger for people passing nearby.

Explanation: Danger refers to a risk or situation in which harm may occur. The word dangerous is the adjective form.

146. Emergency

Meaning: A serious, unexpected situation requiring urgent action.

Example: The school has a plan for dealing with a fire emergency.

Explanation: An emergency is more urgent than an ordinary inconvenience. It may require immediate assistance, evacuation, or other safety measures.

147. Exercise

Meaning: Physical activity that helps maintain or improve fitness; it can also mean a task designed for practice.

Example: The doctor encouraged him to exercise regularly.

Explanation: Exercise has several meanings. In education, a grammar exercise is an activity used to practise a skill. In health contexts, it often refers to physical activity.

148. Healthy

Meaning: In good physical or mental condition, or beneficial to health.

Example: A balanced diet can support a healthy lifestyle.

Explanation: Healthy can describe people, habits, food, relationships, and environments. It does not mean that a person will never become ill.

149. Injury

Meaning: Physical harm to the body.

Example: The player rested after sustaining a minor injury.

Explanation: Injury describes harm caused by an accident, activity, or other event. The severity can range from minor to serious.

150. Medicine

Meaning: A substance used to prevent, treat, or manage a health condition; it can also refer to the field of medical study and practice.

Example: The patient followed the doctor’s instructions for taking the medicine.

Explanation: Medicine has more than one meaning. In ordinary health conversations, it often refers to a substance used for treatment. Medical decisions should be guided by appropriate qualified professionals.

151. Prevent

Meaning: To stop something from happening or reduce the chance that it will happen.

Example: Washing your hands can help prevent the spread of some infections.

Explanation: Prevent focuses on stopping an unwanted event before it occurs. It does not always mean that the risk becomes impossible.

152. Recover

Meaning: To return to a normal or improved condition after illness, difficulty, or loss.

Example: She needed time to recover after the illness.

Explanation: Recover can refer to health, emotional well-being, lost property, or a previous position. Its meaning depends on the context.

153. Reduce

Meaning: To make something smaller in amount, size, number, or intensity.

Example: Turning off unused lights can reduce electricity consumption.

Explanation: Reduce describes a decrease. It does not necessarily mean eliminating something completely.

154. Regular

Meaning: Happening repeatedly according to a pattern, or following an established routine.

Example: Regular revision helps me remember difficult words.

Explanation: Regular may describe frequency, consistency, or a usual pattern. The exact meaning depends on the noun it describes.

155. Risk

Meaning: The possibility that harm, loss, or an undesirable outcome may occur.

Example: Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

Explanation: Risk concerns the possibility of a negative outcome. Risk can be reduced through appropriate precautions, although it may not always be eliminated.

156. Safe

Meaning: Protected from danger or unlikely to cause harm under the circumstances.

Example: Keep the laboratory equipment in a safe place.

Explanation: Safe can describe a place, action, object, or condition. Safety depends on circumstances, so an activity should not be described as completely risk-free without good reason.

157. Serious

Meaning: Important, severe, or requiring careful attention.

Example: The teacher treated the safety complaint as a serious matter.

Explanation: Serious can describe a problem, illness, responsibility, or person’s attitude. It does not always mean something is dangerous, but it indicates importance or severity.

158. Suffer

Meaning: To experience pain, distress, hardship, or an undesirable condition.

Example: The family suffered considerable inconvenience during the repairs.

Explanation: Suffer may refer to physical pain, emotional distress, or difficult circumstances. It should be used with an appropriate description of the experience.

159. Treatment

Meaning: Medical care given for an illness or injury, or the way someone or something is handled.

Example: The injured worker received treatment at the clinic.

Explanation: Treatment has a health-related meaning and a broader meaning. Fair treatment refers to how a person is treated, while medical treatment refers to care for a health condition.

160. Warn

Meaning: To tell someone about a possible danger or problem.

Example: The security officer warned visitors about the slippery entrance.

Explanation: A warning provides information intended to prevent harm or an unwanted outcome. It can be polite, urgent, formal, or informal depending on the situation.

Assignment 9: Health and Safety Vocabulary

1. Which word means a serious situation requiring urgent action?
2. Complete the sentence: The guard ______ us about the broken staircase.
3. Explain the difference between danger and risk.
4. Correct this sentence: The medicine helped him to recovered.
5. Write a safety instruction using avoid.
6. What does recover mean in the sentence, She recovered after the illness?
7. Use reduce in a sentence about safety.
8. Write three sentences describing sensible actions a student can take to maintain safety at school.

10. Words for Describing Objects, People, and Situations: Words 161 to 180

Descriptive words help you communicate what something looks like, how it behaves, how it feels, and what qualities it possesses. They are especially useful in descriptive essays, comprehension exercises, reports, and everyday conversation.

Many descriptive words are adjectives. An adjective describes a noun or pronoun. For example, a bright room, a careful student, and an unusual sound all contain adjectives.

161. Attractive

Meaning: Pleasing or interesting in appearance or quality.

Example: The school designed an attractive poster for its reading programme.

Explanation: Attractive can describe physical appearance, design, ideas, or features that draw attention. It does not always refer to a person’s appearance.

162. Beautiful

Meaning: Pleasing to the senses or mind, often because of appearance, sound, or quality.

Example: We listened to a beautiful song during the ceremony.

Explanation: Beautiful can describe people, places, objects, music, writing, and experiences. What people consider beautiful may vary according to personal taste and cultural context.

163. Brief

Meaning: Short in duration or length.

Example: The teacher gave a brief explanation before the exercise.

Explanation: Brief describes something that does not take much time or space. It is useful when giving instructions to keep a message concise.

164. Bright

Meaning: Giving off much light, having a vivid colour, or showing intelligence and promise.

Example: The bright student understood the problem quickly.

Explanation: Bright can refer to light, colour, intelligence, or promise.

• The room is bright.
• She wore a bright yellow dress.
• He is a bright learner.

165. Careful

Meaning: Paying attention to avoid mistakes, damage, or danger.

Example: Be careful when copying the figures into your notebook.

Explanation: Careful describes actions performed with attention. Its adverb form is carefully.

• She is a careful writer.
• She writes carefully.

166. Clear

Meaning: Easy to understand, free from obstruction, or easy to see or hear.

Example: The teacher gave clear instructions for the assignment.

Explanation: Clear has several meanings. A clear explanation is understandable, clear water may be transparent, and a clear path has no obstruction.

167. Common

Meaning: Happening often, found frequently, or shared by many people.

Example: It is common for beginners to confuse words with similar meanings.

Explanation: Common does not necessarily mean correct or desirable. It simply indicates that something occurs frequently or is widely found.

168. Complex

Meaning: Made up of many connected parts or difficult to understand because of its structure.

Example: The students needed more time to understand the complex passage.

Explanation: Complex describes something with interconnected features. It is not always a negative word because complex problems may require careful reasoning.

169. Convenient

Meaning: Suitable for a purpose, especially because it saves time or effort.

Example: The library’s opening hours are convenient for students who attend evening classes.

Explanation: Convenience depends on a person’s circumstances. A time that is convenient for one person may be unsuitable for another.

170. Different

Meaning: Not the same as another person or thing.

Example: The two students used different methods to solve the problem.

Explanation: Different expresses a contrast. It is commonly followed by from in standard English, although usage varies across English-speaking regions.

171. Difficult

Meaning: Not easy to do, understand, or manage.

Example: The final question was difficult, but I attempted it carefully.

Explanation: Difficult describes the level of challenge. It does not mean that something is impossible.

172. Essential

Meaning: Absolutely necessary or extremely important for a particular purpose.

Example: Clear instructions are essential for completing the experiment safely.

Explanation: Essential describes something that is necessary for a purpose. It is stronger than merely useful.

173. Excellent

Meaning: Extremely good or of a very high standard.

Example: She received excellent feedback on her presentation.

Explanation: Excellent is a strong positive description. It should be used when something genuinely meets a high standard, rather than as a substitute for every ordinary positive adjective.

174. Familiar

Meaning: Known through previous experience or recognised as something encountered before.

Example: The word looked familiar because I had studied it earlier.

Explanation: Familiar often describes recognition through experience. It can also refer to something well known or commonly understood.

175. Flexible

Meaning: Able to bend without breaking, or able to change according to circumstances.

Example: A flexible study plan allows time for unexpected responsibilities.

Explanation: Flexible can be physical or abstract. A flexible schedule can be adjusted, while a flexible material can bend easily.

176. Important

Meaning: Having considerable value, significance, or influence.

Example: Understanding the question is important before writing an answer.

Explanation: Important indicates significance. The reason something is important should be clear from the context or supporting explanation.

177. Ordinary

Meaning: Normal, usual, or not especially unusual.

Example: An ordinary notebook can be useful for recording new vocabulary.

Explanation: Ordinary does not mean worthless. It simply indicates that something is usual or not exceptional.

178. Particular

Meaning: Specific or distinct from others; sometimes showing a preference for certain details.

Example: I am looking for a particular word that expresses gratitude.

Explanation: Particular helps identify one specific item or detail. In another use, a person may be particular about something, meaning they care strongly about how it is done.

179. Rare

Meaning: Uncommon or not occurring often.

Example: It is rare to find a completely unfamiliar word in every sentence of a beginner’s reading passage.

Explanation: Rare describes low frequency or limited occurrence. It does not necessarily mean unique or impossible to find.

180. Suitable

Meaning: Appropriate for a purpose, person, or situation.

Example: Choose a suitable greeting for a formal email.

Explanation: Suitability depends on the circumstances. A greeting appropriate for a close friend may not be suitable for a formal letter to an institution.

Assignment 10: Descriptive Vocabulary

1. Which word means appropriate for a particular situation?
2. Complete the sentence: The teacher’s instructions were ______ and easy to follow.
3. Explain the difference between common and ordinary.
4. Correct this sentence: This is the most suitableest answer.
5. Write a sentence using flexible to describe a schedule.
6. What does essential mean?
7. Write two sentences showing different meanings of bright.
8. Describe a classroom using at least five words from this section.

11. Words for Money, Resources, and Everyday Transactions: Words 181 to 200

Money and resource vocabulary helps people discuss purchases, costs, payments, savings, and decisions involving limited resources. These words are useful when shopping, budgeting, managing school expenses, or discussing financial responsibilities.

181. Afford

Meaning: To have enough money, time, or other resources to do or obtain something.

Example: I cannot afford a new laptop until I have saved enough money.

Explanation: Afford is commonly associated with money, but it can also refer to time or opportunity.

• We cannot afford the expense.
• I cannot afford to waste time.

182. Bargain

Meaning: Something bought for a good price, or an agreement reached through negotiation.

Example: She found a bargain at the bookshop.

Explanation: Bargain can describe a purchase that offers good value or the process of negotiating an agreement. A low price does not automatically mean an item is good quality, so value depends on more than cost alone.

183. Budget

Meaning: A plan showing how money will be received and spent.

Example: I prepared a budget for my examination expenses.

Explanation: A budget helps people plan spending and avoid committing more money than they have available. Budgets can be personal, household, organisational, or governmental.

184. Cost

Meaning: The amount of money needed to buy or produce something, or the sacrifice involved in obtaining a result.

Example: The cost of the textbooks was higher than I expected.

Explanation: Cost is commonly a noun or verb.

• The cost is too high.
• The books cost more than expected.

In financial contexts, cost refers to the amount required or spent. In a broader sense, an action may cost time or effort.

185. Debt

Meaning: Money or another obligation that someone owes.

Example: The family created a repayment plan to manage its debt.

Explanation: Debt is an amount owed to another person or organisation. Borrowing creates an obligation to repay according to the agreed terms.

186. Earn

Meaning: To receive money or another reward in return for work, services, or an achievement.

Example: She earns money by tutoring younger students.

Explanation: Earn refers to receiving something through work or merit. It differs from win, which often refers to receiving a prize or defeating others in a competition.

187. Expense

Meaning: Money spent or required for a particular purpose.

Example: Transport was the largest expense during the school trip.

Explanation: An expense is a cost incurred by a person or organisation. The plural expenses commonly refers to several categories of spending.

188. Invest

Meaning: To put money, time, or effort into something in the hope of obtaining a benefit.

Example: She invested time in improving her reading skills.

Explanation: Invest can refer to financial investment or a broader commitment of resources. The benefit may not be immediate or guaranteed.

189. Owe

Meaning: To be required to repay money or fulfil an obligation to someone.

Example: I owe my friend money for the textbooks she purchased for me.

Explanation: Owe describes an outstanding obligation. The object may be money, an item, an apology, or another duty.

190. Pay

Meaning: To give money in exchange for goods, services, or the fulfilment of an obligation.

Example: I paid the examination fee before the deadline.

Explanation: Pay has several common patterns.

• Pay for something.
• Pay someone.
• Pay a bill.
• Pay in cash.

For example, I paid for the books identifies what the money was spent on.

191. Price

Meaning: The amount of money asked or paid for a product or service.

Example: The price of the dictionary was reasonable.

Explanation: Price is the amount charged for something. It is related to cost, but the two words are not always interchangeable. A seller’s price is what the buyer is asked to pay, while the seller’s cost may refer to the amount required to obtain or produce the item.

192. Purchase

Meaning: To buy something; it can also mean an item that has been bought.

Example: We purchased the required materials from the school supplier.

Explanation: Purchase is often more formal than buy. It is common in business writing, receipts, reports, and formal transactions.

193. Receive

Meaning: To get or accept something that is given, sent, or delivered.

Example: I received confirmation of my registration by email.

Explanation: Receive describes getting something from another person or source. It is the opposite perspective of send or give in many exchanges.

194. Refund

Meaning: Money returned to someone, usually because a purchase or transaction is cancelled or does not meet agreed conditions.

Example: The shop issued a refund after the damaged item was returned.

Explanation: Refund can function as a noun or a verb.

• I requested a refund.
• The shop refunded the payment.

The availability of a refund depends on the applicable policy, agreement, or law.

195. Save

Meaning: To keep money for future use, prevent loss, or preserve something from harm.

Example: I save part of my allowance for textbooks.

Explanation: Save has several meanings. You can save money, save a file on a computer, save time through a more efficient method, or save someone from danger.

196. Spend

Meaning: To use money, time, or effort for a particular purpose.

Example: I spend thirty minutes reviewing vocabulary each evening.

Explanation: Spend commonly takes an amount of money or time and identifies what it is used for.

• Spend money on books.
• Spend time reading.
• Spend an hour studying.

197. Value

Meaning: The worth, usefulness, or importance of something; it can also mean to regard something as important.

Example: I value the advice my teacher gives me.

Explanation: Value can describe monetary worth, practical usefulness, or personal importance. Something may have considerable personal value even if its market price is low.

198. Waste

Meaning: To use something carelessly or unnecessarily, or an unwanted material that is discarded.

Example: Do not waste money on items you do not need.

Explanation: Waste can be a noun or a verb. It may refer to money, time, food, energy, or other resources that are used without a worthwhile result.

199. Worth

Meaning: Having a particular value or being deserving of a certain amount of effort or attention.

Example: This dictionary is worth buying because it explains words clearly.

Explanation: Worth can refer to financial value or usefulness. In the expression worth reading, it is followed by an -ing form.

• The book is worth reading.
• The trip was worth taking.

200. Withdraw

Meaning: To remove something from a place, account, activity, or situation.

Example: He withdrew money from his bank account to pay his fees.

Explanation: Withdraw can refer to removing money, leaving a competition, taking back a statement, or moving away from a situation. The intended meaning depends on the context.

Assignment 11: Money and Resources

1. What is a budget?
2. Complete the sentence: I cannot ______ to buy the laptop yet.
3. Explain the difference between price and cost.
4. Correct this sentence: I spent money for the books.
5. Write a sentence using refund as a verb.
6. What does owe mean?
7. Complete the sentence: This textbook is worth ______.
   • A. read
   • B. reading
   • C. to reading
   • D. reads
8. Write a short paragraph explaining how a student can save money for examination expenses.

12. How to Use English Words Correctly in Everyday Sentences

Knowing the meaning of a word is an important first step, but it is not the final step. You must also know how to place the word in a sentence, what grammatical form it requires, and which words commonly appear with it.

Understand the word’s grammatical function

Words may be related in meaning but perform different grammatical functions. Consider the following word family:

Word	Part of speech	Example
Success	Noun	Her success encouraged the class.
Succeed	Verb	She hopes to succeed in the examination.
Successful	Adjective	She is a successful student.
Successfully	Adverb	She completed the task successfully.

A word family contains words that share a base or related meaning but may differ in form and grammatical role. Learning word families allows you to expand your vocabulary without treating every related form as an entirely separate idea.

Consider the sentence He completed the work successful. The intended meaning is understandable, but the form is incorrect in standard English because successful is an adjective. The sentence needs an adverb to describe how he completed the work: He completed the work successfully.

Learn common word combinations

A collocation is a combination of words that commonly occur together. Collocations matter because grammatically possible combinations do not always sound natural in ordinary English.

For example, English speakers commonly say make a decision, take a break, pay attention, and keep a promise. A learner who memorises only individual words may choose a combination that sounds unusual.

Common combination	Example sentence
Make a decision	We need to make a decision before Friday.
Take a break	I will take a break after finishing this section.
Pay attention	Pay attention to the speaker’s instructions.
Keep a promise	She kept her promise to help us.
Reach an agreement	The two groups reached an agreement.
Solve a problem	We solved the problem together.
Give advice	My teacher gave me useful advice.
Make progress	She is making progress in English.

The best way to learn collocations is to record the whole expression alongside the meaning. Instead of writing only decision = choice, record make a decision = choose after considering the options.

Understand word patterns

Some English words are normally followed by particular grammatical forms. These patterns are important because using the correct word with the wrong structure can produce an unnatural or incorrect sentence.

Word	Common pattern	Example
Avoid	Avoid + noun or -ing form	Avoid wasting time.
Decide	Decide + to-infinitive	We decided to leave early.
Enjoy	Enjoy + noun or -ing form	I enjoy reading.
Suggest	Suggest + noun, -ing form, or suitable clause	She suggested taking a break.
Depend	Depend + on	Success may depend on preparation.
Interested	Interested + in	I am interested in language learning.
Responsible	Responsible + for	She is responsible for the report.
Prefer	Prefer one thing to another	I prefer tea to coffee.

These are common patterns, not a complete description of every possible construction. The key lesson is to learn new vocabulary together with the structures that commonly follow it.

Use context to select the intended meaning

Context includes the surrounding words, the subject being discussed, the relationship between speakers, and the situation in which communication occurs.

Consider the word charge:

• The shop will charge ten dollars for delivery. Here, it means ask for payment.
• The officer will charge the driver with an offence. Here, it refers to formally accusing someone.
• Please charge the phone before leaving. Here, it means supply electrical power to a battery.

The word has different meanings because the surrounding information changes. When reading a comprehension passage, examine the sentence and the wider paragraph before choosing a definition.

Select vocabulary appropriate to the situation

The same basic message can be expressed in different ways depending on the audience.

For example, when asking someone to repeat information, you could say:

• Informal: What did you say?
• Polite: Could you repeat that, please?
• More formal: Would you mind repeating the last point?

All three expressions request repetition, but they differ in tone. A polite expression is often useful when speaking to a teacher, employer, customer, or unfamiliar person.

Assignment 12: Using Words in Context

1. Complete the sentence: She completed the assignment ______.
   • A. successful
   • B. success
   • C. successfully
   • D. succeed
2. Choose the correct expression:
   • A. Do a decision
   • B. Make a decision
   • C. Build a decision
   • D. Pay a decision
3. Correct this sentence: He enjoys to read novels.
4. Write a sentence using depend on.
5. Explain why context matters when a word has several meanings.
6. Rewrite this request politely: Repeat what you said.
7. Give two common word combinations containing make.
8. Write a short paragraph using at least five words from this article correctly.

13. Common Vocabulary Mistakes English Learners Should Avoid

Vocabulary mistakes are a normal part of learning a language. They become easier to correct when learners understand the reason behind them rather than memorising isolated corrections.

Confusing advice and advise

Incorrect: My teacher gave me a useful advise.

Correct: My teacher gave me useful advice.

Reason: Advice is a noun, while advise is a verb.

Another correct sentence is: My teacher advised me to practise every day.

Corrective technique: Ask whether you are naming guidance or describing the action of giving it. If you are naming it, use advice. If you are describing the action, use advise or an appropriate form such as advised.

Confusing borrow and lend

Incorrect: Please borrow me your dictionary.

Correct: Please lend me your dictionary.

Reason: The person receiving something temporarily borrows it. The person providing it lends it.

Compare these sentences:

• I borrowed a dictionary from my friend.
• My friend lent me a dictionary.

Corrective technique: Identify who receives the item and who provides it before choosing the verb.

Using the wrong preposition

Incorrect: She is interested on English vocabulary.

Correct: She is interested in English vocabulary.

Reason: The usual standard expression is interested in. Many English words form familiar combinations with particular prepositions.

Other examples include depend on, responsible for, grateful for, and arrive at the station.

Corrective technique: Record the preposition with the word when learning a new expression.

Confusing word forms

Incorrect: He explained the lesson clear.

Correct: He explained the lesson clearly.

Reason: Clear is an adjective, while clearly is an adverb. The adverb describes how he explained the lesson.

Other related forms include careful and carefully, successful and successfully, and accurate and accurately.

Corrective technique: Ask what the word describes. If it describes a noun, an adjective may be needed. If it describes how an action is performed, an adverb may be appropriate.

Using a word that does not fit the meaning

Incorrect: I borrowed money to my brother.

Correct: I lent money to my brother.

Reason: The speaker is providing money, so lent is appropriate. If the speaker receives money from the brother, borrowed money from my brother is correct.

Corrective technique: Identify the intended meaning before selecting a word. Similar words are not interchangeable merely because they relate to the same activity.

Using unnecessarily difficult vocabulary

Problem: A learner chooses a complicated word without fully understanding its meaning.

Better approach: Choose the simplest precise word that expresses the intended message.

For example, I need help with this question is clearer than a complicated sentence that uses an unfamiliar word incorrectly.

Reason: Effective communication depends on accuracy and clarity, not on making every sentence sound advanced.

Memorising definitions without examples

Problem: A learner remembers that considerate means thoughtful but cannot use it in a sentence.

Better approach: Learn the word through a meaningful example: It was considerate of him to offer his seat to the elderly passenger.

Reason: Examples show how the word fits into a sentence and what kind of situation it describes.

Treating related words as exact synonyms

Problem: A learner assumes that frustrated, disappointed, and embarrassed all mean the same thing because they describe unpleasant feelings.

Better approach: Learn the distinction between the feelings.

• Frustrated: upset because progress is blocked.
• Disappointed: unhappy because the result falls short of expectations.
• Embarrassed: uncomfortable because of a socially awkward situation.

Reason: Related words often overlap, but they may describe different causes, experiences, or degrees of feeling.

Assignment 13: Correcting Vocabulary Mistakes

Correct each sentence and explain the reason for your correction.

1. My sister gave me a good advise.
2. Please borrow me your pen.
3. He is responsible of the equipment.
4. She completed the examination successful.
5. I prefer reading than watching television.
6. We arrived to the school late.
7. The teacher suggested us to revise the passage.
8. I am grateful of your help.
9. He spent his money for textbooks.
10. The student made a progress in pronunciation.

14. Practical Methods for Remembering New English Words

Memorising vocabulary becomes more effective when you combine understanding, repeated exposure, and active use. Reading a definition once may help you recognise a word, but repeated practice is often needed before you can use it confidently without assistance.

Learn a small group of words at a time

Instead of attempting to memorise all 200 words in one sitting, divide them into manageable groups. You might study ten words in a session, depending on how difficult they are and how much time you have.

For each word, record the spelling, meaning, grammatical role where useful, and one example sentence. Add a second sentence if the word has an important alternative meaning.

For example:

Word: Reliable

Meaning: Able to be trusted to perform consistently.

Example: My classmate is reliable because she completes the tasks assigned to her.

Personal sentence: I want to become a reliable member of my study group.

The personal sentence requires you to use the word in a situation that matters to you. This can make the meaning easier to recall later.

Use active recall

Active recall means trying to remember information without immediately looking at the answer. It is different from rereading a list while the definitions remain visible.

You can practise active recall by covering the meaning column in your vocabulary notebook and attempting to define each word. You can also read a definition and try to remember the matching word.

For example:

1. Read the word postpone.
2. Cover its definition.
3. Explain the meaning in your own words.
4. Create a sentence using the word.
5. Check your answer and correct any misunderstanding.

The effort required to retrieve information is part of the learning process. If you cannot remember a word, check its meaning and try again later rather than assuming you have failed.

Review words at intervals

Reviewing vocabulary on separate occasions helps you identify words that you have forgotten. You might review new words later the same day, the following day, several days later, and again after a longer interval.

The precise schedule can vary. What matters is that you return to older vocabulary instead of studying only new words.

A simple weekly routine could look like this:

Day	Activity
Monday	Learn ten new words and create sentences.
Tuesday	Recall Monday’s words and learn another group.
Wednesday	Review both groups and practise a short paragraph.
Thursday	Learn new words and test older ones.
Friday	Use selected words in a conversation or short composition.
Saturday	Complete a vocabulary quiz and correct mistakes.
Sunday	Review difficult words and plan the next week.

This is a sample routine, not a fixed rule. Adjust the number of words and review sessions according to your available time and progress.

Connect words by topic

Topic-based learning groups words that relate to the same situation. For example, a learner studying school vocabulary can practise analyse, define, explain, identify, and summarise together.

The words share an academic context, but each has a distinct function. Learning them together helps you compare their meanings while remembering when to use each one.

Topic groups can also support sentence writing. You might write a paragraph about preparing for an examination using prepare, focus, manage, complete, and achieve.

Read words in meaningful sentences

Reading exposes you to vocabulary in context. When you meet an unfamiliar word, first examine the sentence and paragraph to see whether the meaning becomes clear.

For example, consider this sentence:

Although the first explanation was complex, the teacher clarified it by using a familiar example.

Even if you do not know clarified, the sentence suggests that the teacher made the explanation easier to understand. The phrase by using a familiar example provides a clue.

After guessing, check whether your interpretation fits the sentence. Do not rely on context alone when an exact meaning matters, especially in examination questions.

Practise using words in speech and writing

A word becomes more useful when you can retrieve it while communicating. Try describing your day using five new words, writing a short diary entry, or explaining a school topic to a friend.

For example:

I prepared carefully for the test. Although one section was difficult, I remained calm and focused on the instructions. Eventually, I completed every question I understood.

This short passage shows how several words can work together naturally. It also creates a context in which the learner can remember their meanings.

Assignment 14: Vocabulary Learning Skills

1. Explain the difference between active recall and rereading.
2. Write a sentence using three words from the article.
3. Create a five-day vocabulary review plan.
4. Choose five words that are difficult for you and write a personal example for each.
5. Explain how context can help you understand an unfamiliar word.
6. Write a short paragraph about your study routine using at least six words from this article.

15. How to Answer Vocabulary Questions in WAEC, NECO, JAMB, GCE, NABTEB, and Post-UTME Examinations

Vocabulary questions can test definitions, synonyms, antonyms, contextual meanings, word relationships, and the appropriate use of expressions. The exact format varies by examination, subject, and question paper, so learners should follow the instructions provided for their particular test.

Understand the question before selecting an answer

Begin by identifying what the question requires. A question may ask for a synonym, an antonym, a word that completes a sentence, or the meaning of a word as used in a passage.

A synonym is a word with the same or a similar meaning as another word. An antonym is a word with an opposite or contrasting meaning. Synonyms are not always interchangeable in every sentence, and antonyms depend on the particular sense of the word.

For example, brief and short can be synonyms in the sentence The meeting was brief. However, replacing a word with a synonym may alter the tone or the exact meaning in another context.

Use context when interpreting words

Suppose a passage says:

The students were anxious because the results had not been released.

The word anxious most likely refers to worry or nervousness. The reason is supplied by the situation: the students are waiting for results and do not know the outcome.

When a question asks for the meaning of a word in context, do not select a definition simply because it is one of the word’s possible meanings. Choose the meaning that fits the sentence and passage.

Eliminate unsuitable options

In multiple-choice questions, examine the options carefully. Remove answers that clearly do not fit the sentence. Then compare the remaining choices.

For example:

The teacher asked the student to ______ the meaning of the unfamiliar expression.

A. explain
B. borrow
C. postpone
D. celebrate

Explain is the most appropriate answer because it means to make something understandable. The other options do not fit the intended meaning.

Elimination is useful, but it should support understanding rather than replace it. If two options seem similar, reread the sentence and determine which one fits the grammatical structure and intended message.

Pay attention to grammar and collocations

Some options may have related meanings, but only one may fit the sentence naturally.

For example:

She made a ______ to improve her vocabulary.

The natural expression is made a decision. A learner who focuses only on the general meaning of the options may overlook the expected word combination.

Grammar can also help identify the correct answer. If a blank requires an adverb, an adjective may be unsuitable even if its meaning appears related.

Practise explaining your choice

After answering a vocabulary question, try to explain why the chosen word fits. This habit helps you identify the distinction between the correct option and the alternatives.

For example:

The student was determined to pass the examination.

Determined is suitable because it describes a strong commitment to achieving a goal. Disappointed would describe unhappiness about an unsatisfactory result, while impatient would describe difficulty waiting calmly.

Explaining the difference helps you develop a more precise understanding of vocabulary.

Assignment 15: Examination-Style Vocabulary Practice

Choose the best answer for each question.

1. The word closest in meaning to reliable is:
   • A. trustworthy
   • B. careless
   • C. impatient
   • D. temporary
2. The opposite of increase is:
   • A. develop
   • B. reduce
   • C. establish
   • D. contribute
3. The teacher asked the students to ______ the passage in five sentences.
   • A. summarise
   • B. purchase
   • C. interrupt
   • D. borrow
4. The word brief most nearly means:
   • A. complicated
   • B. short
   • C. dangerous
   • D. attractive
5. The word closest in meaning to cautious is:
   • A. careful
   • B. careless
   • C. generous
   • D. curious
6. In the sentence The meeting was postponed until Monday, postponed means:
   • A. cancelled permanently
   • B. moved to a later time
   • C. completed successfully
   • D. shortened
7. The opposite of temporary is:
   • A. ordinary
   • B. permanent
   • C. convenient
   • D. flexible
8. Which word best completes the sentence? The committee will ______ the proposal before making a decision.
   • A. evaluate
   • B. greet
   • C. withdraw
   • D. celebrate
9. The word grateful most nearly means:
   • A. appreciative
   • B. jealous
   • C. frustrated
   • D. doubtful
10. Which word means to reach a conclusion from evidence?
    • A. infer
    • B. borrow
    • C. arrange
    • D. afford
11. The word essential means:
    • A. unnecessary
    • B. necessary
    • C. temporary
    • D. unusual
12. Which word best completes the sentence? I cannot ______ to buy the equipment at the moment.
    • A. afford
    • B. assume
    • C. arrive
    • D. acknowledge
13. The word closest in meaning to assist is:
    • A. help
    • B. delay
    • C. doubt
    • D. waste
14. Which word means to acknowledge the value of something or feel grateful for it?
    • A. appreciate
    • B. postpone
    • C. interrupt
    • D. estimate
15. The opposite of accurate is:
    • A. correct
    • B. precise
    • C. inaccurate
    • D. reliable
16. Which word best completes the sentence? The student remained ______ while waiting for the result.
    • A. calm
    • B. dangerous
    • C. expensive
    • D. complex
17. The word contribute means to:
    • A. give something towards a shared purpose
    • B. remove something from a place
    • C. delay an event
    • D. refuse to communicate
18. Which word means to put something in the place of another item?
    • A. replace
    • B. receive
    • C. reflect
    • D. recognise
19. The word convenient means:
    • A. suitable and practical
    • B. extremely dangerous
    • C. difficult to understand
    • D. uncommon
20. Which word best completes the sentence? The teacher ______ the students to review their notes before the test.
    • A. advised
    • B. advice
    • C. advisable
    • D. advising

16. Extended Practice: Using the 200 Words in Everyday Communication

Recognising individual words is useful, but everyday communication usually requires several words to work together. This section brings the vocabulary into longer situations so you can practise interpreting meanings and selecting suitable expressions.

Situation 1: Preparing for an examination

Imagine that you are preparing for an important examination. You need to organise your time, identify difficult topics, and make a practical revision plan.

You might say:

I prepared a timetable to manage my study time more efficiently. I identified the subjects that required additional attention and arranged my notes according to topic. Although some sections were complex, I remained determined to improve. I asked my teacher to clarify two difficult points and eventually developed a clearer understanding of the material.

This paragraph shows how vocabulary can describe a process. Prepared explains what you did to get ready. Manage refers to organising your time. Identified describes recognising particular subjects. Clarify means make the difficult points easier to understand, while eventually signals the result after some effort.

Notice that the words do not merely decorate the paragraph. Each one contributes a particular meaning. Replacing all of them with did, got, or good would make the description less precise.

Practice task: Write a paragraph of five to eight sentences about preparing for an examination. Use at least eight words from the article. Underline the words and explain why you chose them.

Situation 2: Solving a disagreement

Imagine that two students disagree about how to complete a group project. One wants to finish quickly, while the other wants to examine the available information more carefully.

A useful conversation might be:

Student A: I think we should complete the project today.

Student B: I understand your point, but I am concerned that we have not verified all the information.

Student A: That is a reasonable concern. How do you suggest we proceed?

Student B: I suggest that we review the figures first and then decide which sections still require attention.

Student A: I agree. We can cooperate and divide the remaining tasks.

The dialogue illustrates several words from the article. Concerned expresses worry or attention about a problem. Verify means check accuracy. Suggest introduces a possible course of action, while cooperate describes working together.

The speakers disagree without becoming insulting. This shows that communication vocabulary is not simply about knowing definitions. It also helps people express concerns, offer alternatives, and reach agreements.

Practice task: Write a dialogue between two students who disagree about a classroom responsibility. Use disagree, explain, suggest, consider, and agree where appropriate. Make sure each speaker responds to the other person’s point.

Situation 3: Making a purchase

Suppose you want to buy a dictionary, but your available money is limited. You compare the prices of two dictionaries and consider their usefulness before making a decision.

You might write:

I prepared a small budget for learning materials. One dictionary was cheaper, but I needed to consider whether it contained the information I required. I compared the prices and examined the features of both products. Eventually, I chose the dictionary that offered better value for my needs. I saved the receipt in case I needed to request assistance with the purchase.

The paragraph uses budget, consider, compare, eventually, value, and purchase. These words describe different parts of the decision-making process.

A lower price does not automatically mean that a product is the best choice. A useful decision considers price, quality, suitability, and the buyer’s needs.

Practice task: Write a short account of a purchase you might make for school. Include the words budget, price, afford, choose, and value.

Situation 4: Describing a personal goal

A student who wants to improve vocabulary might explain the goal as follows:

I intend to learn new words regularly and use them in my writing. I will focus on ten words at a time and create examples that reflect my daily experiences. When I encounter a difficult word, I will examine its context and verify the meaning. I expect this routine to help me develop greater confidence in communication.

The paragraph demonstrates how vocabulary can describe intentions and plans. Intend expresses a plan, focus directs attention, reflect describes careful thought or the showing of a quality, and verify means check accuracy.

The paragraph also demonstrates a practical principle: the words you learn should become part of your communication. Writing a definition is helpful, but using the word in a meaningful sentence provides additional practice.

Practice task: Write a paragraph explaining one personal or academic goal. Use at least six vocabulary words from the article and explain how each one contributes to your meaning.

Assignment 16: Integrated Vocabulary Practice

Complete the following activities.

1. Write a paragraph about an examination using prepare, analyse, focus, determine, complete, and improve.
2. Write a polite message to a teacher requesting clarification of a difficult instruction. Use clarify and appreciate.
3. Describe a disagreement and explain how the people involved could cooperate to solve it.
4. Write a short account of a purchase using budget, price, afford, and refund.
5. Explain the difference between assume, infer, and verify using your own examples.
6. Choose ten words from the 200-word list. For each word, write its meaning and an original sentence.
7. Write a short conversation in which one person apologises, another responds, and both agree on a solution.
8. Write a paragraph describing how you will practise English vocabulary during the next week.

17. Final Assignment: Test Your Understanding of English Words and Their Meanings

This final assignment reviews vocabulary from all the major sections. Attempt the questions before checking the answer key.

Part A: Multiple-choice questions

Choose the best answer.

1. Which word means to make an idea easier to understand?
   • A. Clarify
   • B. Withdraw
   • C. Purchase
   • D. Interrupt
2. Which word describes someone who is willing to face fear or danger?
   • A. Patient
   • B. Brave
   • C. Jealous
   • D. Temporary
3. Which word means to check whether information is accurate?
   • A. Verify
   • B. Imagine
   • C. Borrow
   • D. Celebrate
4. Which word means to work together towards a shared goal?
   • A. Cooperate
   • B. Disagree
   • C. Postpone
   • D. Withdraw
5. Which word means to make an approximate calculation?
   • A. Estimate
   • B. Apologise
   • C. Replace
   • D. Express
6. Which word describes something that happens often?
   • A. Rare
   • B. Frequent
   • C. Temporary
   • D. Brief
7. Which word means to reach a place at the end of a journey?
   • A. Arrive
   • B. Advance
   • C. Withdraw
   • D. Remain
8. Which word means to recognise the value of something or feel grateful for it?
   • A. Appreciate
   • B. Interrupt
   • C. Estimate
   • D. Delay
9. Which word means to put forward an idea for consideration?
   • A. Suggest
   • B. Suffer
   • C. Owe
   • D. Charge
10. Which word describes something that is necessary for a purpose?
    • A. Ordinary
    • B. Essential
    • C. Convenient
    • D. Familiar
11. Which word means to make something smaller in amount or degree?
    • A. Reduce
    • B. Increase
    • C. Establish
    • D. Develop
12. Which word means to reach a conclusion from evidence?
    • A. Infer
    • B. Assume
    • C. Guess
    • D. Imagine
13. Which word means to express regret for a mistake?
    • A. Apologise
    • B. Convince
    • C. Recommend
    • D. Acknowledge
14. Which word refers to money that someone is required to repay?
    • A. Refund
    • B. Debt
    • C. Budget
    • D. Bargain
15. Which word describes someone who can be trusted to fulfil responsibilities?
    • A. Reliable
    • B. Impatient
    • C. Complex
    • D. Anxious

Part B: Fill in the gaps

Choose suitable words from this list: accurate, avoid, confident, contribute, delay, efficient, grateful, improve, postpone, responsible.

16. We had to ______ the meeting until the following week.
17. The student felt ______ after practising the presentation several times.
18. Please ______ making unnecessary mistakes by checking your work.
19. The group members will ______ ideas to the project.
20. We need an ______ method that does not waste time.
21. I am ______ for your assistance.
22. The report must contain ______ information.
23. Regular practice can ______ your pronunciation.
24. The storm caused a long ______ in our journey.
25. A ______ student completes assigned tasks carefully.

Part C: Correct the sentences

Rewrite each sentence correctly.

26. She gave me a useful advise.
27. I borrowed my friend a calculator.
28. He is interested on learning English.
29. The student answered the question correct.
30. We arrived to the airport early.
31. I prefer tea than coffee.
32. The manager suggested us to wait.
33. She is responsible of organising the meeting.
34. He spent two hours to study vocabulary.
35. The shop refunded to me my money.

Part D: Explain the differences

Answer in your own words.

36. What is the difference between borrow and lend?
37. What is the difference between assume and infer?
38. What is the difference between price and budget?
39. What is the difference between frustrated and disappointed?
40. What is the difference between achieve and accomplish?

Part E: Practical writing

41. Write a paragraph of at least six sentences about a student preparing for an examination. Use at least eight words from this article.
42. Write a polite message asking a teacher to clarify an instruction you do not understand.
43. Describe a situation in which someone made a mistake, apologised, and worked with another person to solve the problem.
44. Write five sentences about managing money. Use budget, afford, save, expense, and value.
45. Choose five words from the article that you find difficult to remember. Give each word a definition, an original example sentence, and a short note about how you will remember it.

18. Answer Key With Explanations

The answers below provide explanations, not just letters. For open-ended exercises, the examples are models. Other answers may also be correct if they express the intended meaning and follow standard English grammar.

Answers to Assignment 1

1. Vocabulary is the collection of words a person understands or uses in a language.
2. Context helps you identify the intended meaning of a word and understand how it functions in a sentence.
3. Kindness is the noun. It names a quality.
4. Arrived is the verb. It describes the action or event.
5. Light means not heavy in this sentence.
6. Successful is the adjective. It describes a noun.
7. Sample answers: The instructions are clear. Here, clear means easy to understand. The water is clear. Here, it means transparent or easy to see through.

Answers to Assignment 2

1. A. Acknowledge. It means recognise or confirm that something has been noticed or received.
2. B. Adapt. It means adjust to a new situation.
3. B. I borrowed a book from my friend. The person receiving the book borrows it from the person providing it.
4. Wasting. Avoid is normally followed by a noun or an -ing form in this construction.
5. To borrow is to receive something temporarily; to lend is to provide it temporarily to another person.
6. Sample answer: We need a different approach to solving this problem. Here, approach means a method.
7. Corrected: The meeting depends on the manager’s decision. Depend is commonly followed by on.
8. Sample answer: I am writing to complain about the damaged item I received. Please let me know how it can be replaced. The message identifies the problem and requests a solution politely.

Answers to Assignment 3

1. A. Analyse. It means to examine something carefully by considering its parts.
2. B. Clarify. It means make an idea easier to understand.
3. To describe is to state relevant features or characteristics. To evaluate is to judge value, effectiveness, strengths, or weaknesses.
4. Verify. The figures should be checked for accuracy.
5. Provide relevant reasons or evidence that explain why the answer is justified.
6. Sample answer: The teacher illustrated the grammar rule with three examples.
7. Corrected: The teacher asked us to classify the two groups according to their shared features. Classify means arrange items into groups based on common characteristics.
8. Sample answer: Students should understand examination instruction words because those words indicate the kind of answer required. A question that asks learners to define a term requires a different response from one that asks them to evaluate a proposal. Understanding the instructions helps students organise their answers and avoid leaving important parts of a question unanswered.

Answers to Assignment 4

1. Generous. A generous person is willing to give or share.
2. Reliable. A reliable person can be trusted to fulfil responsibilities.
3. Anxious. The sentence describes worry about a possible outcome.
4. Embarrassment involves discomfort or self-consciousness in an awkward situation. Disappointment involves unhappiness because a result did not meet expectations.
5. Sample answer: It was considerate of him to help his neighbour carry the boxes.
6. Corrected: I am grateful for your assistance. The common expression is grateful for.
7. Confidence means believing in your ability or feeling reasonably sure. It does not guarantee a perfect outcome, because mistakes can still occur.
8. Sample answer: The determined student continued practising even when the exercises were difficult. She remained patient while learning new words. She was honest about her mistakes and asked for help when necessary. Her classmates considered her reliable because she completed her responsibilities on time.

Answers to Assignment 5

1. Introduce. It means present someone to another person.
2. Inform. Inform someone about a change or development.
3. Mention means refer briefly to something. Explain means make it understandable by providing reasons or details.
4. B. I suggested that he study. Suggest commonly takes a clause of this form in standard English.
5. Sample answer: I understand your position, but I disagree because the proposal may be too expensive.
6. Convince often emphasises bringing someone to believe something. Persuade often emphasises influencing someone to agree or act. The meanings overlap in common usage.
7. Corrected: She assured me that the work was finished. Assure normally takes the person directly, without to in this construction.
8. Sample answer:
   • Student A: I am sorry for interrupting your presentation.
   • Student B: Thank you for apologising.
   • Student A: I should have waited until you finished.
   • Student B: I appreciate that. You can ask your question now.

Answers to Assignment 6

1. Achieve. The team worked to reach its target.
2. Efficient. Efficiency involves achieving a useful result without unnecessary waste.
3. Sample answers: One benefit of reading is improved vocabulary. Here, benefit is a noun. Students benefit from regular revision. Here, benefit is a verb.
4. Corrected: She is responsible for the class register. The usual expression is responsible for.
5. Achieve often focuses on reaching a goal or result. Accomplish often focuses on completing a task successfully. The meanings overlap.
6. Sample answer: Each student contributed an idea to the group assignment.
7. Accurate means correct and free from important errors.
8. Sample answer: A student can develop efficient study habits by preparing a realistic timetable. The timetable should allocate enough time to difficult subjects and include short breaks. The student should organise notes, review important topics regularly, and avoid unnecessary distractions. Checking progress helps the student determine which methods are effective.

Answers to Assignment 7

1. Infer. It means reach a conclusion from evidence or clues.
2. Intend. The sentence expresses a plan.
3. An assumption is something accepted as true without complete proof. An inference is a conclusion drawn from available evidence.
4. A. Estimated. An estimate is an approximate calculation or judgement.
5. Corrected: I prefer coffee to tea. Prefer is commonly used with to when comparing two choices.
6. Sample answer: After the test, I reflected on the questions I had found difficult.
7. A prediction describes what may happen, but future events can change and the available evidence may be incomplete.
8. Sample answer: It may rain soon. The dark clouds, wet ground, and umbrellas suggest rainy weather, although they do not prove that rain is about to begin.

Answers to Assignment 8

1. Postponed. The meeting was moved to a later time.
2. Eventually means in the end, after some time or a series of events.
3. Temporary. It describes something lasting for a limited time.
4. Corrected: We arrived at the examination centre early. Arrive at is the usual pattern for this kind of location.
5. Change means make or become different. Replace means put one thing in the place of another.
6. Sample answer: We must maintain a clean classroom.
7. Sample answer: The error occurred because I entered the wrong number.
8. Sample answer: The school postponed the debate because the hall was unavailable. The organisers selected a new date and informed the students. Eventually, the debate took place on the revised date.

Answers to Assignment 9

1. Emergency. It is a serious situation requiring urgent action.
2. Warned. A warning tells someone about a possible danger or problem.
3. Danger refers to the possibility or presence of harm. Risk refers to the possibility that an undesirable outcome may occur.
4. Corrected: The medicine helped him to recover. After helped him to, use the base form recover.
5. Sample answer: Avoid running on wet stairs.
6. Recover means return to a normal or improved condition after illness or difficulty.
7. Sample answer: Clear warning signs can help reduce the risk of accidents.
8. Sample answer: Students should avoid running in crowded corridors. They should follow laboratory instructions and report damaged equipment. They should also keep emergency exits clear.

Answers to Assignment 10

1. Suitable. It means appropriate for a purpose or situation.
2. Clear. Clear instructions are easy to understand.
3. Common means happening often or being widely found. Ordinary means usual or not especially unusual. The meanings can overlap but are not identical.
4. Corrected: This is the most suitable answer. Do not add -est to an adjective that already uses most in this construction.
5. Sample answer: A flexible timetable allows students to adjust their study sessions when necessary.
6. Essential means absolutely necessary or extremely important for a purpose.
7. Sample answers: The bright lamp lit the room. Here, bright refers to strong light. She is a bright student. Here, it refers to intelligence or promise.
8. Sample answer: Our classroom is bright and comfortable. The teacher gives clear instructions, and the students use flexible study arrangements when needed. The room contains ordinary desks and essential learning materials. It is a suitable place for group discussions.

Answers to Assignment 11

1. A budget is a plan showing how money will be received and spent.
2. Afford. The sentence refers to having enough money to buy the laptop.
3. Price is the amount asked or paid for a product or service. Cost can refer to the amount needed to buy or produce something or the resources spent.
4. Corrected: I spent money on the books. The usual pattern is spend money on something.
5. Sample answer: The shop refunded my payment after the item was returned.
6. Owe means be required to repay money or fulfil an obligation.
7. B. Reading. Worth is followed by an -ing form in this construction.
8. Sample answer: A student can save money by preparing a budget for examination expenses. The budget should include transport, registration costs, and learning materials. The student can reduce unnecessary spending and save a small amount regularly. Comparing prices may help the student find suitable materials without exceeding the budget.

Answers to Assignment 12

1. C. Successfully. The adverb describes how she completed the assignment.
2. B. Make a decision. This is the standard collocation.
3. Corrected: He enjoys reading novels. Enjoy is followed by a noun or an -ing form.
4. Sample answer: Our success depends on regular practice.
5. Context provides surrounding information that helps determine which meaning of a word is intended.
6. Sample answer: Could you repeat that, please?
7. Sample answers: Make a decision and make progress.
8. Sample answer: I intend to improve my vocabulary by reading every day. I focus on a small group of words and create clear examples. I review the words regularly and verify meanings that I do not understand. This approach helps me become more confident in everyday communication.

Answers to Assignment 13

1. Corrected: My sister gave me good advice. Advice is a noun.
2. Corrected: Please lend me your pen. The speaker is asking the other person to provide the pen temporarily.
3. Corrected: He is responsible for the equipment. Responsible is commonly followed by for.
4. Corrected: She completed the examination successfully. Successfully is an adverb describing how she completed the examination.
5. Corrected: I prefer reading to watching television. Prefer commonly takes to in this comparison.
6. Corrected: We arrived at the school late. Arrive at is the usual pattern here.
7. Corrected: The teacher suggested that we revise the passage. Suggest does not normally take someone to do something in this meaning.
8. Corrected: I am grateful for your help. The usual expression is grateful for.
9. Corrected: He spent his money on textbooks. The common pattern is spend money on something.
10. Corrected: The student made progress in pronunciation. Progress is normally uncountable in this sense, so it does not usually take a.

Answers to Assignment 14

1. Active recall means trying to retrieve information from memory without immediately looking at the answer. Rereading means reviewing material by reading it again.
2. Sample answer: I intend to improve my English vocabulary.
3. Sample plan: Learn words on Monday, review them on Tuesday, use them in sentences on Wednesday, test recall on Thursday, and complete a short quiz on Friday.
4. Answers will vary. Each entry should include a suitable meaning and an original sentence.
5. Context provides clues about the intended meaning through the surrounding words and situation.
6. Sample answer: I intend to improve my vocabulary this week. I will focus on ten words a day and use each word in a sentence. I will review difficult words regularly and check my understanding through short quizzes. This routine should help me remember and use more words.

Answers to Assignment 15

1. A. Trustworthy. A reliable person or thing can be trusted.
2. B. Reduce. Reduce means make smaller in amount or degree.
3. A. Summarise. Summarise means present the main points briefly.
4. B. Short. Brief means short in length or duration.
5. A. Careful. Cautious means taking care to avoid danger or mistakes.
6. B. Moved to a later time. Postponed means arranged for a later time.
7. B. Permanent. Permanent contrasts with temporary.
8. A. Evaluate. The committee must judge the proposal before making a decision.
9. A. Appreciative. Grateful means feeling or expressing appreciation.
10. A. Infer. To infer is to reach a conclusion from evidence.
11. B. Necessary. Essential means necessary for a particular purpose.
12. A. Afford. Afford means have enough money or resources for something.
13. A. Help. Assist means help.
14. A. Appreciate. Appreciate can mean recognise value or feel grateful.
15. C. Inaccurate. Inaccurate means not correct or containing errors.
16. A. Calm. Calm describes being peaceful or not visibly upset.
17. A. Give something towards a shared purpose. Contribute means provide time, effort, money, ideas, or other resources.
18. A. Replace. Replace means put something in the place of another item.
19. A. Suitable and practical. Convenient means suitable, often because it saves time or effort.
20. A. Advised. Advised is the correct verb form. Advice is a noun, while advisable is an adjective.

Answers to Assignment 16

Answers will vary because the tasks require original writing. Check that each response uses the requested words appropriately, follows standard grammar, and communicates a clear meaning.

For example, a suitable answer to the first task might be:

I prepared a timetable for the examination. I analysed the topics and identified the areas I found difficult. I focused on those areas and determined how much time each required. After several days of revision, I completed the practice questions. I checked my mistakes and used them to improve my understanding.

This answer uses the requested vocabulary in meaningful contexts. Other sentences may be correct if they express suitable meanings and follow standard English.

Answers to the Final Assignment

Part A: Multiple-choice questions

1. A. Clarify. It means make an idea easier to understand.
2. B. Brave. Brave describes willingness to face fear or danger.
3. A. Verify. Verify means check whether information is accurate.
4. A. Cooperate. Cooperate means work together towards a shared purpose.
5. A. Estimate. Estimate means make an approximate calculation or judgement.
6. B. Frequent. Frequent means happening often.
7. A. Arrive. Arrive means reach a destination.
8. A. Appreciate. Appreciate can mean recognise value or feel grateful.
9. A. Suggest. Suggest means put forward an idea for consideration.
10. B. Essential. Essential means necessary or extremely important for a purpose.
11. A. Reduce. Reduce means make smaller in amount, size, or degree.
12. A. Infer. Infer means reach a conclusion from evidence.
13. A. Apologise. Apologise means express regret.
14. B. Debt. Debt is money or an obligation that someone owes.
15. A. Reliable. Reliable describes someone or something that can be trusted.

Part B: Fill in the gaps

16. Postpone. The meeting was moved to a later time.
17. Confident. The student felt more sure of their ability after practising.
18. Avoid. Avoid means stay away from an unwanted action or outcome.
19. Contribute. The group members will give ideas to the project.
20. Efficient. An efficient method avoids unnecessary waste of time or resources.
21. Grateful. Grateful expresses appreciation.
22. Accurate. Accurate information is correct and free from important errors.
23. Improve. Improve means make or become better.
24. Delay. A delay is a period of waiting or an interruption to the planned schedule.
25. Responsible. A responsible student fulfils assigned duties.

Part C: Correct the sentences

26. She gave me useful advice. Advice is a noun.
27. I lent my friend a calculator. The speaker provides the calculator, so lent is correct.
28. He is interested in learning English. The usual expression is interested in.
29. The student answered the question correctly. Correctly is the adverb describing how the question was answered.
30. We arrived at the airport early. Arrive at is the usual pattern for this type of location.
31. I prefer tea to coffee. Prefer is commonly followed by to in this comparison.
32. The manager suggested that we wait. Suggest normally takes a clause or an -ing form in this construction.
33. She is responsible for organising the meeting. Responsible is commonly followed by for.
34. He spent two hours studying vocabulary. Spend time is commonly followed by an -ing form.
35. The shop refunded my money. In this construction, the shop refunded the money directly to the customer. Another correct sentence is The shop gave me a refund.

Part D: Explaining the differences

36. Borrow and lend: Borrow means receive something temporarily with the intention of returning it. Lend means give something temporarily to another person. For example, I borrowed a book from Ada and Ada lent me a book describe the same exchange from different perspectives.
37. Assume and infer: Assume means accept something as true without complete proof. Infer means reach a conclusion from evidence or clues. For example, assuming the library is open without checking is different from inferring that it may be open because people are entering through the main door.
38. Price and budget: Price is the amount asked or paid for a product or service. A budget is a plan for how money will be received and spent. A budget helps you decide whether a price fits your available resources.
39. Frustrated and disappointed: Frustrated describes being upset because progress is blocked or something is not working as expected. Disappointed describes unhappiness because a result does not meet expectations.
40. Achieve and accomplish: Achieve often emphasises reaching a goal or desired result. Accomplish often emphasises completing a task successfully. For example, a student may achieve a target mark and accomplish all the tasks assigned for the day. The meanings can overlap.

Part E: Practical writing

41. Sample answer:

I prepared a timetable for the examination and organised my notes by subject. I identified the topics that required more attention and asked my teacher to clarify difficult points. I remained determined even when some questions were complex. I focused on understanding the instructions before choosing my answers. After completing each practice test, I verified my responses and corrected mistakes. This routine helped me improve my confidence and manage my study time more efficiently.

Other paragraphs are acceptable if they use at least eight words from the article correctly and address examination preparation.

42. Sample answer:

Good afternoon, Sir. I would appreciate it if you could clarify the final instruction in the assignment. I have reviewed it, but I am still uncertain about the expected response. Thank you for your time and assistance.

Other polite messages are acceptable if they clearly request clarification.

43. Sample answer:

Two students disagreed about who should prepare the group report. One student apologised for speaking rudely during the discussion. The other student agreed to explain the problem calmly. They considered different solutions and decided to divide the remaining tasks. By cooperating, they completed the report before the deadline.

Other accounts are acceptable if they show a mistake, an apology, and a cooperative solution.

44. Sample answer:

I prepare a budget for my school expenses each month. I compare prices before buying textbooks so that I do not spend more than I can afford. I save part of my allowance for important purchases. Transport is sometimes my largest expense. I try to choose materials that offer good value for the money available.

Other answers are acceptable if they use all five words correctly.

45. Answers will vary. Each entry should include a correct definition, an original example sentence, and a realistic memory technique, such as a personal association, a word family, or a short review exercise.

Conclusion: How to Build a Stronger English Vocabulary

Learning English words and their meanings is an ongoing process that involves understanding, practice, and repeated use. The 200 words in this guide provide a foundation for discussing everyday activities, schoolwork, emotions, communication, responsibility, decisions, health, descriptions, and money.

The central lesson is that vocabulary knowledge involves more than remembering definitions. You should understand what a word means, recognise its grammatical role, notice the expressions that commonly accompany it, and select it according to the situation. Words such as borrow and lend, advice and advise, and assume and infer become easier to use when you understand the distinctions between them.

For students preparing for WAEC, NECO, JAMB, GCE, NABTEB, and Post-UTME examinations, the most useful approach is to practise vocabulary in context. Pay attention to the instruction words in questions, examine the surrounding sentences, and check whether a proposed answer fits both the meaning and grammar of the passage. Do not assume that two words are interchangeable merely because they share a general meaning.

For everyday communication, aim to use words that are accurate, natural, and appropriate to your audience. You do not need to choose the most complicated word to communicate effectively. A simple word used correctly is often more valuable than an advanced word used incorrectly.

A practical routine is to learn a small group of words, write original example sentences, review earlier vocabulary, and use selected words in conversations or short paragraphs. When you encounter an unfamiliar expression, examine its context, make a reasonable interpretation, and check your understanding where necessary.

Most importantly, treat mistakes as opportunities to improve. If you confuse two words, identify the difference and practise both in separate sentences. If you forget a definition, review it and try to recall it again later. Consistent, thoughtful practice will help you turn vocabulary from a list of unfamiliar terms into a useful part of your English communication skills.