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Once—as a child—you were an expert, an accomplished virtuoso, at learning new words.
Today, by comparison, you are a rank and bumbling amateur.
Does this statement sound insulting?
It may be—but if you are the average adult, it is a statement that is, unfortunately, only too true.
Educational testing indicates that children of ten who have grown up in families in which English is the native language have recognition vocabularies of over twenty thousand words—
And that these same ten-year-olds have been learning new words at a rate of many hundreds a year since the age of four.
In astonishing contrast, studies show that adults who are no longer attending school increase their vocabularies at a pace slower than twenty-five to fifty words annually.
How do you assess your own vocabulary?
Is it quantitatively healthy?
Rich in over-all range?
Responsive to any situation in which you may find yourself?
Truly indicative of your intellectual potential?
More important, is it still growing at the same rapid clip as when you were a child?
Or, as with most adults, has your rate of increase dropped drastically since you left school? And if so, do you now feel that your vocabulary is somewhat limited, your verbal skills not as sharp as you would like them to be?
Let us check it out.
I challenge you to a series of tests that will measure your vocabulary range, as well as your verbal speed and responsiveness.
Here are sixty brief phrases, each containing one italicized word; it is up to you to check the closest definition of each such word. To keep your score valid, refrain, as far as possible, from wild guessing. The key will be found at the end of the test.
1.
disheveled
appearance:
(a) untidy; (b) fierce, (c) foolish, (d) peculiar, (e) unhappy
2. a
baffling
problem:
(a) difficult, (b) simple, (c) puzzling, (d) long, (e) new
3.
lenient
parent:
(a) tall, (b) not strict, (c) wise, (d) foolish, (e) severe
4.
repulsive
personality:
(a) disgusting, (b) attractive, (c) normal, (d) confused, (e) conceited
5.
audacious
attempt:
(a) useless, (b) bold, (c) foolish, (d) crazy, (e) necessary
6.
parry
a blow:
(a) ward off, (b) fear, (c) expect, (d) invite, (e) ignore
7.
prevalent
disease:
(a) dangerous, (b) catching, (c) childhood, (d) fatal, (e) widespread
8.
ominous
report:
(a) loud, (b) threatening, (c) untrue, (d) serious, (e) unpleasant
9. an
incredible
story:
(a) true, (b) interesting, (c) well-known, (d) unbelievable, (e) unknown
10. an
ophthalmologist:
(a) eye doctor, (b) skin doctor, (c) foot doctor, (d) heart doctor, (e) cancer specialist
11. will
supersede
the old law:
(a) enforce, (b) specify penalties for, (c) take the place of, (d) repeal, (e) continue
12. an
anonymous
donor:
(a) generous, (b) stingy, (c) well-known, (d) one whose name is not known, (e) reluctant
13. performed an autopsy: (a) examination of living tissue, (b) examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death, (c) process in the manufacture of optical lenses, (d) operation to cure an organic disease, (e) series of questions to determine the causes of delinquent behavior
14. an
indefatigable
worker:
(a) well-paid, (b) tired, (c) skillful, (d) tireless, (e) pleasant
15. a confirmed
atheist:
(a) bachelor, (b) disbeliever in God, (c) believer in religion, (d) believer in science, (e) priest
16. endless
loquacity:
(a) misery, (b) fantasy, (c) repetitiousness, (d) ill health, (e) talkativeness
17. a
glib
talker:
(a) smooth, (b) awkward, (c) loud, (d) friendly, (e) boring
18. an
incorrigible
optimist:
(a) happy, (b) beyond correction or reform, (c) foolish, (d) hopeful, (e) unreasonable
19. an
ocular
problem:
(a) unexpected, (b) insoluble, (c) visual, (d) continual, (e) imaginary
20. a notorious
demagogue:
(a) rabble-rouser, (b) gambler, (c) perpetrator of financial frauds, (d) liar, (e) spendthrift
21. a
naïve
attitude:
(a) unwise, (b) hostile, (c) unsophisticated, (d) friendly, (e) contemptuous
22. living in
affluence:
(a) difficult circumstances, (b) countrified surroundings, (c) fear, (d) wealth, (e) poverty
23. in
retrospect:
(a) view of the past, (b) artistic balance, (c) anticipation, (d) admiration, (e) second thoughts
24. a
gourmet:
(a) seasoned traveler, (b) greedy eater, (c) vegetarian, (d) connoisseur of good food, (e) skillful chef
25. to
simulate
interest:
(a) pretend, (b) feel, (c) lose, (d) stir up, (e) ask for
26. a
magnanimous
action:
(a) puzzling, (b) generous, (c) foolish, (d) unnecessary, (e) wise
27. a
clandestine
meeting:
(a) prearranged, (b) hurried, (c) important, (d) secret, (e) public
28. the
apathetic
citizens:
(a) made up of separate ethnic groups, (b) keenly vigilant of their rights, (c) politically conservative, (d) indifferent, uninterested, uninvolved, (e) terrified
29. to
placate
his son:
(a) please, (b) help, (c) find a job for, (d) make arrangements for, (e) change a feeling of hostility to one of friendliness
30. to
vacillate
continually:
(a) avoid, (b) swing back and forth in indecision, (c) inject, (d) treat, (e) scold
31. a
nostalgic
feeling:
(a) nauseated, (b) homesick, (c) sharp, (d) painful, (e) delighted
32. feel
antipathy:
(a) bashfulness, (b) stage fright, (c) friendliness, (d) hostility, (e) suspense
33. be more
circumspect:
(a) restrained, (b) confident, (c) cautious, (d) honest, (e) intelligent
34. an
intrepid
fighter for human rights:
(a) fearless, (b) eloquent, (c) popular, (d) experienced, (e) famous
35.
diaphanous
material:
(a) strong, (b) sheer and gauzy, (c) colorful, (d) expensive, (e) synthetic
36. a
taciturn
host:
(a) stingy, (b) generous, (c) disinclined to conversation, (d) charming, (e) gloomy
37. to
malign
his friend:
(a) accuse, (b) help, (c) disbelieve, (d) slander, (e) introduce
38. a
congenital
deformity:
(a) hereditary, (b) crippling, (c) slight, (d) incurable, (e) occurring at or during birth
39. a definite
neurosis:
(a) plan, (b) emotional disturbance, (c) physical disease, (d) feeling of fear, (e) allergic reaction
40. made an
unequivocal
statement:
(a) hard to understand, (b) lengthy, (c) politically motivated, (d) clear and forthright, (e) supporting
41.
vicarious
enjoyment:
(a) complete, (b) unspoiled, (c) occurring from a feeling of identification with another, (d) long-continuing, (e) temporary
42.
psychogenic
ailment:
(a) incurable, (b) contagious, (c) originating in the mind, (d) intestinal, (e) imaginary
43. an
anachronous
attitude:
(a) unexplainable, (b) unreasonable, (c) belonging to a different time, (d) out of place, (e) unusual
44. her
iconoclastic
phase:
(a) artistic, (b) sneering at tradition, (c) troubled, (d) difficult, (e) religious
45. a
tyro:
(a) dominating personality, (b) beginner, (c) accomplished musician, (d) dabbler, (e) serious student
46. a
laconic
reply:
(a) immediate, (b) assured, (c) terse and meaningful, (d) unintelligible, (e) angry
47.
semantic
confusion:
(a) relating to the meaning of words, (b) pertaining to money, (c) having to do with the emotions, (d) relating to mathematics, (e) caused by inner turmoil
48.
cavalier
treatment:
(a) courteous, (b) haughty and highhanded, (c) negligent, (d) affectionate, (e) expensive
49. an
anomalous
situation:
(a) dangerous, (b) intriguing, (c) unusual, (d) pleasant (e) unhappy
50.
posthumous
child:
(a) cranky, (b) brilliant, (c) physically weak, (d) illegitimate, (e) born after the death of the father
51. feels
enervated:
(a) full of ambition, (b) full of strength, (c) completely exhausted, (d) troubled, (e) full of renewed energy
52. shows
perspicacity:
(a) sincerity, (b) mental keenness, (c) love, (d) faithfulness, (e) longing
53. an unpopular
martinet:
(a) candidate, (b) supervisor, (c) strict disciplinarian, (d) military leader, (e) discourteous snob
54.
gregarious
person:
(a) outwardly calm, (b) very sociable, (c) completely untrustworthy, (d) vicious, (e) self-effacing and timid
55. generally
phlegmatic:
(a) smug, self-satisfied, (b) easily pleased, (c) nervous, high-strung, (d) emotionally unresponsive, (e) lacking in social graces
56. an
inveterate
gambler:
(a) impoverished, (b) successful, (c) habitual, (d) occasional, (e) superstitious
57. an
egregious
error:
(a) outstandingly bad, (b) slight, (c) irreparable, (d) unnecessary, (e) deliberate
58.
cacophony
of a large city:
(a) political administration, (b) crowded living conditions, (c) cultural advantages, (d) unpleasant noises, harsh sounds, (e) busy traffic
59. a
prurient
adolescent:
(a) tall and gangling, (b) sexually longing, (c) clumsy, awkward, (d) sexually attractive, (e) soft-spoken
60.
uxorious
husband:
(a) henpecked, (b) suspicious, (c) guilty of infidelity, (d) fondly and foolishly doting on his wife, (e) tightfisted, penny-pinching
KEY: 1–a, 2–c, 3–b, 4–a, 5–b, 6–a, 7–e, 8–b, 9–d, 10–a, 11–c, 12–d, 13–b, 14–d, 15–b, 16–e, 17–a, 18–b, 19–c, 20–a, 21–c, 22–d, 23–a, 24–d, 25–a, 26–b, 27–d, 28–d, 29–e, 30–b, 31–b, 32–d, 33–c, 34–a, 35–b, 36–c, 37–d, 38–e, 39–b, 40–d, 41–c, 42–c, 43–c, 44–b, 45–b, 46–c, 47–a, 48–b, 49–c, 50–e, 51–c, 52–b, 53–c, 54–b, 55–d, 56–c, 57–a, 58–d, 59–b, 60–d
Your score (one point for each correct choice): ____________
The Meaning of Your Score:
| 0–11: | below average |
| 12–35: | average |
| 36–48: | above average |
| 49–54: | excellent |
| 55–60: | superior |
This is a timed test.
In no more than three minutes (time yourself, or have someone time you), decide whether the word in column B is the same (or approximately the same ) in meaning as the word in column A; opposite (or approximately opposite ) in meaning; or whether the two words are merely different.
Circle S for same , O for opposite , and D for different.
You will not have time to dawdle or think too long, so go as fast as you can.
| COLUMN A | COLUMN B | |||
| 1. sweet | sour | S | O | D |
| 2. crazy | insane | S | O | D |
| 3. stout | fat | S | O | D |
| 4. big | angry | S | O | D |
| 5. danger | peril | S | O | D |
| 6. help | hinder | S | O | D |
| 7. splendid | magnificent | S | O | D |
| 8. love | hate | S | O | D |
| 9. stand | rise | S | O | D |
| 10. furious | violent | S | O | D |
| 11. tree | apple | S | O | D |
| 12. doubtful | certain | S | O | D |
| 13. handsome | ugly | S | O | D |
| 14. begin | start | S | O | D |
| 15. strange | familiar | S | O | D |
| 16. male | female | S | O | D |
| 17. powerful | weak | S | O | D |
| 18. beyond | under | S | O | D |
| 19. live | die | S | O | D |
| 20. go | get | S | O | D |
| 21. return | replace | S | O | D |
| 22. growl | weep | S | O | D |
| 23. open | close | S | O | D |
| 24. nest | home | S | O | D |
| 25. chair | table | S | O | D |
| 26. want | desire | S | O | D |
| 27. can | container | S | O | D |
| 28. idle | working | S | O | D |
| 29. rich | luxurious | S | O | D |
| 30. building | structure | S | O | D |
This is also a timed test.
In no more than three minutes (again, time yourself or have someone time you), write down as many different words as you can think of that start with the letter D.
Do not use various forms of a word, such as do, doing, does, done, doer , etc.
Space is provided for 125 words. You are not expected to reach that number, but write as fast as you can and see how many blanks you can fill in before your time is up.
KEY: Part 1: 1–O, 2–S, 3–S, 4–D, 5–S, 6–O, 7–S, 8–O, 9–S, 10–S, 11–D, 12–O, 13–O, 14–S, 15–O, 16–O, 17–O, 18–D, 19–O, 20–D, 21–S, 22–D, 23–O, 24–S, 25–D, 26–S, 27–S, 28–O, 29–S, 30–S
Part 2: Any English word starting with D is correct unless it is merely another form of a previous word on the list.
Scoring :
If you have up to 10 correct answers, credit your score with 25 points.
If you have 11–20 correct answers, credit your score with 50 points.
21–25 correct answers—75 points.
26–30 correct answers—100 points.
Your Score on Part 1 : ___
| Up to 30 words: | 25 points |
| 31–50 words: | 50 points |
| 51–70 words: | 75 points |
| 71–125 words: | 100 points |
Your Score on Part 2 : ___
On Verbal Speed: ___
The meaning of your verbal speed score:
| 50: | below average |
| 75: | average |
| 100: | above average |
| 125–150: | excellent |
| 175–200: | superior |
Write in the blank in column B a word starting with the letter P that is the same , or approximately the same , in meaning as the word given in column A.
Example: look peer_____________________________
Warning: Every answer must start with the letter P.
| A | B |
| 1. bucket | ____________ |
| 2. trousers | ____________ |
| 3. maybe | ____________ |
| 4. forgive | ____________ |
| 5. separate | ____________ |
| 6. likely | ____________ |
| 7. annoy | ____________ |
| 8. good-looking | ____________ |
| 9. picture | ____________ |
| 10. choose | ____________ |
| 11. ugly | ____________ |
| 12. go | ____________ |
| 13. dish | ____________ |
| 14. location | ____________ |
| 15. stone | ____________ |
| 16. inactive | ____________ |
| 17. fussy | ____________ |
| 18. suffering | ____________ |
| 19. castle | ____________ |
| 20. gasp | ____________ |
| 21. fear | ____________ |
| 22. twosome | ____________ |
| 23. artist | ____________ |
| 24. sheet | ____________ |
| 25. collection | ____________ |
Write in the blank in column B a word starting with the letter G that is opposite, approximately opposite , or in contrast to the word given in column A.
Example: stop go
Warning: Every answer must start with the letter G.
| A | B |
| 1. lose | ____________ |
| 2. midget | ____________ |
| 3. special | ____________ |
| 4. lady | ____________ |
| 5. take | ____________ |
| 6. moron | ____________ |
| 7. sad | ____________ |
| 8. boy | ____________ |
| 9. happy | ____________ |
| 10. plain | ____________ |
| 11. hello | ____________ |
| 12. here | ____________ |
| 13. bad | ____________ |
| 14. ugly | ____________ |
| 15. stingy | ____________ |
| 16. awkward | ____________ |
| 17. little | ____________ |
| 18. rough | ____________ |
| 19. bride | ____________ |
| 20. ripe | ____________ |
| 21. unwanting | ____________ |
| 22. unprotected | ____________ |
| 23. experienced | ____________ |
| 24. scarcity | ____________ |
| 25. unappreciative | ____________ |
KEY, Part 1: If more than one answer is given, count as correct any word you have written that is the same as any one of the answers.
1–pail, pan, 2–pants, 3–perhaps, possibly, probably, 4–pardon, 5–part, 6–probable, possible, perhaps, 7–pester, 8–pretty, 9–photograph, painting, 10–pick, 11–plain, 12–proceed, 13–plate, platter, 14–place, 15–pebble, 16–passive, 17–particular, picky, 18–pain, 19–palace, 20–pant, puff, 21–panic, 22–pair, 23–painter, 24–page, 25–pack
Part 2: If more than one answer is given, count as correct any word you have written that is the same as any one of the answers.
1–gain, get, garner, grab, glean, grasp, grip, 2–giant, gigantic, great, gross, 3–general, 4–gentleman, 5–give, 6–genius, 7–glad, gleeful, gleesome, 8–girl, 9–gloomy, glum, grieving, grumpy, 10–gaudy, grand, grandiose, 11–goodbye, 12–gone, 13–good, 14–good-looking, 15–generous, giving, 16–graceful, 17–great, giant, gigantic, 18–gentle, 19–groom, 20–green, 21–greedy, grasping, 22-guarded, 23–green, 24–glut, gobs, 25–grateful
Scoring:
Score Parts 1 and 2 together. Write in the blank the total number of correct responses you made: ____________
The meaning of your verbal responsiveness score:
| 0–10: | below average |
| 11–20: | average |
| 21–30: | above average |
| 31–40: | excellent |
| 41–50: | superior |
Now you know where you stand. If you are in the below average or average group, you must consider, seriously, whether an inadequate vocabulary may be holding you back. (If you tested out on the above average, excellent, or superior level, you have doubtless already discovered the unique and far-reaching value of a rich vocabulary, and you are eager to add still further to your knowledge of words.)
Let us examine, briefly, some of the evidence that points to the close relationship between vocabulary and personal, professional, and intellectual growth.
The Human Engineering Laboratory found that the only common characteristic of successful people in this country is an unusual grasp of the meanings of words. The Laboratory tested the vocabularies of thousands of people in all age groups and in all walks of life—and discovered that those people drawing down the highest salaries made the highest scores. Consider very thoughtfully the explanation that the director of the Laboratory offered for the relationship between vocabulary and success:
“Why do large vocabularies characterize executives and possibly outstanding men and women in other fields? The final answer seems to be that words are the instruments by means of which men and women grasp the thoughts of others and with which they do much of their own thinking. They are the tools of thought.”
There is other evidence.
At many universities, groups of freshmen were put into experimental classes for the sole purpose of increasing their knowledge of English words. These groups did better in their sophomore, junior, and senior years than control groups of similarly endowed students who did not receive such training.
And still more evidence:
At the University of Illinois, entering students were given a simple twenty-nine-word vocabulary test. The results of this test could be used, according to Professor William D. Templeman, to make an accurate prediction of future academic success—or lack of success—over the entire four year college course. “If a student has a superior vocabulary,” states Professor Templeman, “it will probably follow that he will do better work academically.”
And finally:
Educational research has discovered that your I.Q. is intimately related to your vocabulary. Take a standard vocabulary test and then an intelligence test—the results in both will be substantially the same.
The more extensive your vocabulary, the better your chances for success, other things being equal—success in attaining your educational goals, success in moving ahead in your business or professional career, success in achieving your intellectual potential.
And you can increase your vocabulary—faster and easier than you may realize.
You can, in fact, accomplish a tremendous gain in less than two to three months of concentrated effort, even if you do only one session a day—in less time if you do two or more sessions a day.
Furthermore—
You can start improving your vocabulary immediately—and within a few days you can be cruising along at such a rapid rate that there will be an actual change in your thinking, in your ability to express your thoughts, and in your powers of understanding.
Does this sound as if I am promising you the whole world in a neat package with a pretty pink ribbon tied around it? I am. And I am willing to make such an unqualified promise because I have seen what happens to those of my students at New York University and at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California, who make sincere, methodical efforts to learn more, many more, words.