Page 91 - Real_Reading_1

Using a dictionary .:t:.,,!_,.Endfu:G

A word in your dictionary may not be exactly the same rilsf: lkDSt/ verb (present partíciple
as its form in the text you are reading. This is because costing, pdst cost)
lf something costs a particular
the word in the text may be:
amounl of money, you have to pay
that in order to buv or do it: How
a an irregular form of a verb ending in -ed, -ing -s,
much do these shoeí cost? e lt costs 55
e.g. cosrs to send the package by airmail.

b a plural form of a noun, e.g. citizens
'i
¡:aE f i', I'stttzanl noun
someone who lives in'a oarticular
town or city: rhe citizens of Berlin

c a comparative or superlative form of an adjective, e.g. quickest
' L, r¡¡ /kwlk/ odi
doing somethiñg fast or taking only
a short t¡me: / trled to catch him but he
was too quick for me.

4 The words that are defined in the dictionary
are called
headwords. (ln the Combridge Essentiol English Dictionory, /e'rerndS/ verb (present
participle arranging, pdst arranged)
are in blue.) Sometimes
headwords a headword can have more
1 to make plans for something to
than one meaning. The first meaning in the dictionary is not happen: l've arranged a meeting w¡th
always the one you want. Read through the different meanings him.
2 to put objects in a particular order
and decide which one is correct in this context.
or position: Arrange the books
alphabetically by author.

'
5 Some words in your dictionary ' : /',rndegraontll adj,
may have more than one headword.
adv
(Small numbers after the headword will indicate this.) This is because
under the surface of the ground: an
-
the word can be used as different parts of speech for example, a animal that lives underground
noun and a verb. The part of speech of the unknown word should be
clear from the context (the words around it). UK
a system of trains that is built under
a city: the London Underground

When should I use my dictionary?
A dictionary is very useful when you are learning a foreign language. However, wnen
you are reading, do not use your dictionary
too much. Using your dictionary will interrupt
your reading and slow you down. In your own language, you don't always understand
to
the meaning of every word; it is not necessary understand everything in English either
I When you see an English word that you don't know, first try to guess the meaning
of the word from its context (the words around it). You may find another word with
a similar meaning, a word which means the opposite, or some words which actually
explain the unknown word. Only use your dictionary check your guess.
to
2 The only other time you should look a word up in your dictionary is if there are no
clues in the text and you are sure the unknown word is important.

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