Lesson 28 Spelling
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.