UNIT 1

 

                                                                                                             A1003/UNIT1/

 

 

UNIT 1 :

Dictionary skills and Information Gathering                               and Processing skills.

 

 

UNIT 1: DICTIONARY SKILLS

 

General Objectives:

                            To use the dictionary as a reference in order to ascertain or confirm words and

                        pronunciation, meaning, spelling and grammar effectively and independently.

 

Specific Objectives: 

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. accurately locate words in the dictionary in alphabetical order
2. understand common abbreviations used in the dictionaries.
3. successfully associate sounds with phonetic symbols
4. look up words and articulate most approximate pronunciation of words based on phonetic symbols.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

              An English language dictionary tells you about English words and how to use them – when writing, reading and speaking.  Besides telling you the meaning of words and how to spell them, it can also help you with word formation, grammar, pronunciation, examples of use, and other formation about the words.

              To use the dictionary properly, you need to know how to find the information you require in it.  It is easy to do this once you understand how the dictionary works. These exercises will help you to learn how to use the dictionary and to understand the language points that you need to know.

 

INPUT

 

 

 

 

DICTIONARY REGISTER

 

The dictionary contains a great many entries, arranged in alphabetical order. Every entry begins with a headword. For all main entries this is followed by information on pronunciation,  grammar, and by one or more definitions. The definitions explain the meaning or meanings of the headword. Examples showing how the headword is used in context are also given in most cases.

              The dictionary is a useful tool in the learning of a language. As a language learner you  need to know how to maximize the use of the dictionary in order to benefit from it.

 

            The dictionary provides the following information about a word:

1. spelling
2. pronunciation (in phonetic symbols)
3. meaning(s)/definition(s)
4. part of speech or word class
5. grammar / example of use (common usage)

 

The key to the dictionary entries is given in the first few pages of the dictionary. This will help the language learner to understand and use the dictionary correctly. (Refer to your dictionary)

Thinking Aloud

Read the sentences below and try to answer the questions which follow:

 

              Spelling

1. The technicians maintain the equipment every month to prevent breakdowns.
2. Preventive (maintainance / maintenance) is carried out every month.

Which is the correct spelling? ‘Maintainance’ or ‘maintenance’?

 

              Pronunciation

1. He was not present at the meeting.
2. The manager will present the prize to the winner.

How is the word ‘present’ pronounced in the above sentences? Is it pronounced the same way?

 

              Meaning

1. The current is flowing in the opposite direction.
2. The current situation will soon change when the new boss comes.

Does the word ‘current’ in the sentences above have the same meaning?

 

              Part of Speech

1. The pistons will not move smoothly without lubrication oil.
2. The (move / movement) of the pistons will be affected if there is no lubrication oil.

Which is the difference between ‘move’ and ‘movement’? Which is the correct answer                     for question 2.

 

Grammar

1. They will (raise / rise) the price this year.
2. Prices will (raise / rise) this year.

Which is the correct answer? How did you know?

 

1. Prices depend (on / to) the quality.
2. I don’t mind (coming / to come) with you.

Which is the correct answer? How did you know?

1. They have moved a lot of new (equipments / equipment) in to the laboratory.
2. Let me give you (an / some) advice.

Which is the correct answer? How did you know?

 

You can find answers to the above questions in a good dictionary. This is what this unit is all about!

 

Activity sheet

 

Task  1

 

Rearrange these groups of words in alphabetical order.

 

1. clash           a. ____________                            3. ground       a. _____________

    clasp           b. ____________                                gullet         b. _____________

    chew           c. ____________                                gloss          c. _____________

    catch           d. ____________                                goat           d. _____________

    current        e. ____________                                 gate           e. _____________

 

2. slow           a. _____________                          4. mother        a. _____________

    show          b. _____________                             matter          b. _____________

    sample       c.  _____________                             mitten          c. _____________

    simple        d. _____________                             match           d. _____________

    stock          e. _____________                              movie           e. _____________  

 

Task  2

 

Study the following entry ‘mate’ and identify:

                                                                            

1. the headword                                                    
2. the phonetic symbols (which shows you how the word is pronounced)
3. the number of meanings the word has
4. the part of speech (How do you know?)
5. the first definition                                                   
6. the grammar of the word – is it normally used as a countable or uncountable noun?

 

mate   /meIt/ n   1 schoolmate/roommate/workmate etc someone you study with, live with etc: My flatmate and I aren't getting on very well! see also running mate, soul mate   2 FRIEND               a) [countable] BrE informal a friend: I'm going out with my mates tonight.                 b) BrE and AustrE informal used by men as a friendly way to address a man:                             What's the time, mate?   3 ANIMAL [countable] the sexual partner of an animal   4 HUSBAND/WIFE especially AmE a word meaning your husband or wife, used especially in magazines: Does your mate snore?   5 PAIR OF OBJECTS [countable] especially AmE one of a pair of objects: I can't find the mate to my glove.   6 SAILOR [countable] a ship's officer who is one rank below the captain   7 NAVY OFFICER [countable] a US Navy petty officer   8 builder's mate/plumber's mate etc BrE someone who works with and helps a skilled worker; assistant

 

What is AmE and BrE?

 

                                                 

                                                                                          

 

In the dictionary, verbs are listed in the infinitive (or the base form of the word), nouns are listed under their singular forms and words ending in ..able, ..ion, ..ist, ..ent, ..ness or ..ry are usually found at the end of the entry. You may not find these words spelt in full.

 

 

Task  3

 

Find the headword for the following words:

 

1. bought                 ________________              6.               fashionable    ________________  
2. flew                     ________________                    7.               kindness         _______________
3. powdered            ________________                    8.               peelings         ________________
4. thrown                ________________                    9.               extremist       ________________
5. collaboration       ________________                  10.               flowery         ________________

 

 

 

PRONUNCIATION

 

The phonetic symbols show the correct pronunciation of a word. Different symbols show different sounds as shown in the Key to Phonetic Symbols. The key gives the symbol, followed by a word which gives an example of

Example:                                            phonetic transcription

– symbols which tell you how a word is pronounced

ballet /'bæleI/ n

 

[countable] a performance in which a special style of dancing and music tell a story without any speaking:

Tchaikovsky wrote several famous ballets.

 

 

How is the word ‘ballet’ pronounced? Is it pronounced with ‘t’ sound at the end of the word?

 

 

 

Task 1

Read aloud the list of words as correctly as you can without referring to the phonetic symbol guide.  

                                                                                                                                                                        mile                            urge                              zany                            bargain                            money                            umbrella            zenith                      alter                             high                           mutual                      unity                  zealous  

amend                      bid                        hour                     morgue                  pharmacy                utter                 zodiac               armour                    bide                             honour                        mystic                   psychology                        

 

Task 2

Write down the phonetic symbols for the above words as given in your dictionary and practise pronouncing them using the phonetic symbol guide.

  ʃ  i  ʌ θ Ә æ I

mile /                     /              urge  /                   /              zany /                    /              bargain              /         /              money/          /              umbrella/          /            zenith /       /              alter /         /                  high/         /                  mutual/        /              unity/          /              zealous /            /

amend /       /              bid /         /              hour  /          /              morgue/     /pharmacy/       /utter /      /          zodiac /        /              armour/                    /bide/          /                 honour /         /              mystic/         /psychology /         /            

 

 

 

Task 3

Read the following pairs of words aloud.  Note the difference in pronunciation.

 

1. live / leave                                                       6.               whose / hose
2. ship / sheep                                                                  7.               though / dough
3. bed / bad                                                                    8.               quiet / quite
4. leaf / leave                                                                    9.               tale / tail
5. bread / braid                                                                10.               shade / shed

 

 

   INPUT

 

Word stress

 

                                                   

Each section of sound which contains a vowel sound is a syllable. Every word consists of one or more syllables. In the dictionary, dots are used to divide headwords into syllables, for example :              Tech.nique

Tel.e.vi.sion

Lam.i.nate

When a word has two or more syllables, ‘stress’ markers are used. The syllable which has the main ( primary ) stress is shown with a high mark /    /, for example :

Le.ver

Tow.er

Ra.di.ate

Weaker stress is found in longer words. This secondary stress is shown with a low mark /  /, for example :                      Hor.i.zon.tal

En.cy.clo.pe.dia

Non.in.ter.fer.ence

 

 

 

 

 

 

Task 1

These words may look different, but their pronunciations may be the same. Listen to the pronunciations of these words and write (s ) if the sound is same  or ( d ) if the sound is different .

 

1. principle

                  principal                                          __________

 

2. flour                           

                  flower                                                      __________

 

3. dairy

                  diary                                                      __________

  

4. though

            through                                          __________

 

5. stationary

            stationery                                          __________

 

Task 2

 

Look at the words below. Count the syllables in these words and complete the table. Your dictionary will help you if you are not sure.

 

cook                                 language                            technical                            commercial                            polytechnic                            education                            examination                            message

One syllable	Stand
Two syllables
Three syllables
Four syllables
Five syllables		Multiplication

 

 

 

 

 

 

Task 3

Some words have different stress in different contexts. Mark the main stress.

1. He is getting a divorce soon.                                          Divorce : ……………..

              He divorced his wife of thirteen years.              Divorce : .…………….

 

2. I receive a present.                                                        Present   : …………….

              He presents the speech.                                          Present                 : …………….

                           

3. Malaysia exports cars to Britain.                            Export                 : …………….

              All the exports will be accounted for.              Export    : …………….

 

Task 4

Get into groups of four. Come up with at least 10 words in your particular field of study    (common words that you have problem with). Take note of their phonetic symbols and stress markers. Share your findings with other group members in your next lesson.

 

             

Task  5

Read the passage aloud using the correct pronunciation. Write the transcription for the underlined words below.

 

Western Chemical has networked its computers to those of its customers and suppliers to capture data about sales orders and purchases. Such data are processed immediately, and inventory and other databases are updated. Videoconferencing and electronic mail services are also provided. Data generated by a chemical refinery process are captured by sensors and processed by a computer that also suggests answers to a complex refinery problem posed by an engineer.

Managerial end users receive reports on a periodic, exception, and demand basis, and use computers to interactively assess the possible results of alternative decisions. Finally, top management can access text summaries and graphics displays that identify key elements of organizational performance and compare them to industry and competitor performance.

 

                                                       (Adapted from Managerial Information System by                         )

 

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Activity 1

Rearrange these words in the alphabetical order as they would appear in the dictionary.

 

View
Search
Rattle
Apple
Judge
Costume
Precious
Bright
Hunter

 

 

Activity 2

Find the different meaning of the word “bear”.

 

1. The polar bear lives at the North pole.
2. The rambutan tree will bear fruit after three years.
3. I can’t bear his foolishness.
4. “Please bear in mind that the dateline for your assignment is next Monday”, said Pn. Ros.
5. Her insurance company will bear the costs of repairs.

 

Activity 3

Find the headword for the following words.

 

1.  bulky   ___________                                 6. manufacturer _______________

2.  clung   ___________                                  7. paneled         _______________

3.   emptiness ____________                          8. rearrangement ______________

4.   gone _____________                                 9.  stood ______________

5.   legendary _____________                        10. worshipper ______________

 

Activity 4

Write the phonetic symbols for these words.

1.   Fire         /                 /

2.   Complex /                 /

3.   Soon      /                 /

4.  Negotiate /                 /

 

Activity 5

Mark the word stress for the following words.

1.    wearisome  /                 /

2.    apprehension /                      /

3.    equivalent    /                     /

4.    passenger  /                     /

 

 

 

( FEEDBACK) SELF-ASSESSMENT

Activity 1

Rearrange these words in the alphabetical order as they would appear in the dictionary.

 

View	Apple
Search	Bright
Rattle	Costume
Apple	Hunter
Judge	Judge
Costume	Precious
Precious	Rattle
Bright	Search
Hunter	View

 

Activity 2

Find the different meaning of the word “bear”.

1. The polar bear lives at the North pole. A large heavy animal with thick fur
2. The rambutan tree will bear fruit after three years. To produce fruit.
3. I can’t bear his foolishness. To tolerate
4. “Please bear in mind that the dateline for your assignment is next Monday”, said Pn. Ros. To hold
5. Her insurance company will bear the costs of repairs. To support

Activity 3

Find the headword for the following words.

1.  bulky                bulk                                 6. manufacturer  manufacture

2.  clung                 cling                               7. paneled     panel  

3.   emptiness         empty                             8. rearrangement rearrange

4.   gone                 go                                   9.  stood  stand

5.   legendary         legend                          10. worshipper worship

 

Activity 4 & 5 please refer to the dictionary.