English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Use dictionary entries
Use dictionary entries
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Efficiently locate specific entry words using alphabetical order and guide words.
Accurately interpret pronunciation guides and stress marks within dictionary entries.
Differentiate between multiple definitions and select the most appropriate meaning based on context.
Identify and understand common abbreviations for parts of speech and other grammatical information.
Recognize and utilize etymology, synonyms, and antonyms provided in dictionary entries to enhance vocabulary.
Apply dictionary information to clarify the meaning of unfamiliar words encountered in literary texts and research materials.
Ever read a sentence and thought, 'What does THAT word even mean?' 🤔 Dictionaries are your secret weapon!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to n...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Entry WordThe main word being defined, usually in bold print at the beginning of an entry.In the entry for **'benevolent'**, 'benevolent' is the entry word.
Pronunciation GuideA phonetic spelling, often enclosed in parentheses or slashes, that shows how to correctly say the entry word, including stress marks.For 'ubiquitous,' the pronunciation might be (yoo-BIK-wih-tuhs), showing where to stress the syllables.
Part of SpeechAn abbreviation (like n. for noun, v. for verb, adj. for adjective, adv. for adverb) indicating the grammatical function of the word.The entry for 'serene' might show 'adj.' indicating it's an adjective.
DefinitionThe explanation of the meaning(s) of the entry word, often numbered if there are...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Alphabetical Order & Guide Words
Dictionary entries are arranged alphabetically. Guide words at the top of each page indicate the first and last entry words on that page.
Use alphabetical order to quickly narrow down the section, then use the guide words to find the correct page. This saves time and makes locating words much faster than flipping aimlessly.
Interpreting Abbreviations and Symbols
Dictionaries use standardized abbreviations (e.g., n., v., adj., adv.) and phonetic symbols to convey information concisely.
Always refer to the dictionary's introductory pages for a key to its specific abbreviations and pronunciation symbols. Understanding these symbols is crucial for correctly interpreting parts of speech, usage, and pronunciation.
Contextual Definition...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
An entry for 'execute' includes: 1. *v.* carry out a plan; 2. *v.* produce a work of art; 3. *v.* kill someone as legal punishment. In the sentence, 'The musician will execute a complex solo,' why is using context essential to avoid a major misunderstanding?
A.Because the pronunciation of 'execute' changes depending on the definition.
B.Because definition 3 has a very different and more severe meaning than definitions 1 and 2.
C.Because only one of the definitions includes a part of speech.
D.Because the etymology of 'execute' is related to all three meanings.
Challenging
The tutorial notes that the etymology of 'ubiquitous' is related to the Latin word 'ubique', meaning 'everywhere'. How does knowing this origin act as a shortcut to understanding the word's meaning?
A.It directly provides the modern definition, making the rest of the entry unnecessary.
B.It gives a powerful clue to the core concept of the word—'being everywhere'—allowing you to infer the meaning.
C.It tells you how to use the word in a sentence by providing grammatical rules.
D.It helps you pronounce the word correctly by showing the original Latin sounds.
Challenging
A dictionary has a page with the guide words 'languid' to 'larceny'. The very next page has the guide words 'larceny' to 'laudable'. On which page would you find the entry for 'larceny', and what does this reveal about how guide words work?
A.The second page; it shows that guide words can never be the same.
B.The first page; it shows the last word on a page is always the second guide word.
C.It could be on either page; it reveals that guide word rules are not always consistent.
D.The first page; it shows that guide words represent the full range of words, inclusive of the last word.
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