There is no way to learn to spell except by constant application. Watch
in your reading the spelling of all words. Whenever you wish to add a
certain word to your vocabulary, master immediately the spelling as well
as the meaning of that word. Keep your dictionary handy; use it
constantly in the study of your lessons. Do not guess at the spelling of
the word. You are not likely to forget quickly the spelling of any word
which you have taken the trouble to look up.
Read your examinations over carefully before sending them in, watching
closely for any error in spelling and in punctuation. When your papers
are graded and returned you, make a list of all the words which are
misspelled and master then and there the spelling of these words. Do not
be guilty of the same error twice. Remember that correct spelling is a
mark of intelligence and scholarship and that nothing will so detract
from the influence of your written work as incorrect spelling.
While there is always a certain word which more aptly expresses our
meaning than any other, we can usually find two or more words which
express practically the same meaning.
+Words which have nearly the same meaning are called synonyms.+
It is always an interesting exercise and will add greatly to your
vocabulary to select a certain paragraph and go through it replacing
certain words with other words which have practically the same meaning.
It is this mastery of synonyms which gives the great writers and orators
their power. They do not use the same word over and over again until our
ears have grown weary of it. With their wonderful mastery of language
they are never at a loss for words in which to re-clothe their meaning.
For the first three days of this week's work in spelling we have words
and their synonyms. For the words given in the lessons for the last
three days, look up in your dictionary a suitable synonym.
+Monday+
Abundant
Plenty
Precarious
Uncertain
Behavior
Conduct
+Tuesday+
Abuse
Invective
Hateful
Odious
Praise
Applause
+Wednesday+
Sufficient
Enough
Refuge
Asylum
Achieve
Attain
+Thursday+
Insolent
Revenge
Curb
Repudiate
Censure
Regret
+Friday+
Prosperity
Subterfuge
Event
Observe
Portion
Destroy
+Saturday+
Talkative
Indolent
Profit
Volunteer
Cordial
Enormous
There are a number of nouns very similar in form, yet different in
meaning, which we very often use incorrectly.
Cross out in these sentences the incorrect word. Look them up in the
dictionary and be sure of the exact meaning:
Roger's _essay_--_assay_ won him praise.
The _assay_--_essay_ indicated the quantity of gold in the metal.
The _completion_--_completeness_ of the course entitled me to a
Diploma.
The _completion_--_completeness_ of the arrangements fills us with
hope of success.
_Confidants_--_confidence_ often betray us.
The business world is built upon _confidants_--_confidence_.
The _conscience_--_consciousness_ of a religious person is very
sensitive.
The class struggle develops class _conscience_--_consciousness_.
The strikers listened to unwise _counsel_--_council_.
The _council_--_counsel_ refused the franchise.
You knew he was a _cultured_--_cultivated_ man, the moment you met
him.
It is a highly _cultured_--_cultivated_ plant.
I asked her for the _recipe_--_receipt_ for making cake.
He gave her a _receipt_--_recipe_ for the money.
_Emigration_---_immigration_ has reduced the population of Servia.
_Emigration_--_immigration_ is flooding the United States with cheap
labor.
Edison's _discovery_--_invention_ of the storage battery was a
momentous event.
The _discovery_--_invention_ of gold in Alaska attracted the attention
of the world.
The state placed a _limitation_--_limit_ upon the sale of liquor
within certain _limits_--_limitations_.