READING SKILL

1. Word Study
1.1 Identifying Contextual Definition

Sometimes a writer tells the meaning of a new word. In the following sentence, the
writer tells the meaning of word “Solar”.
Solar energy is energy from the sun
This sentence like mathematics

Solar Energy is energy from the sun

A + B = B + C
What is the meaning of “solar”?
 1. Energy
2. The sun
3. From the sun

The correct answer is 3 “from the sun”. Why 3 is correct?

EXPLANATION

A is “solar”, B is “energy”, and C is “from the sun”

The sentences says “A + B = B + C”
B and B are the same, so we can say that A = C (“ Solar” and “from the sun” are the same)
In the other words, A + B = B + C so, B = B & A = C
Here are some more ways writers tell the meaning of new words:

• Your instructor, or teacher will explain the lesson

• (The writer tell us that the meaning of “instructor” is teacher)
• The answer is in the conclusion, the last part of the story
• (The writer tell us that the meaning of “conclusion” is the last part of
the story)
• People who study the stars are called astronomers
• (The writer tell us that the meaning of “astronomers” is people who
study the stars)
• I will use diagram, pictures or drawing to explain the new machine
• (The writer tell us that the meaning of “diagram” is “picture” or
“drawings”)
Exercise 1-1-1
Directions: Here are some more sentences. Read the sentences and answer the questions. Please don’t use your
dictionary.
1. A hypothesis is a special kind of guess
What is the meaning of hypothesis?
a. Kind
b. Special
c. A special kind of guess

2. Astronomer observe, or look at the stars

What is the meaning of observe?
a. Look at
b. The stars
c. Astronomers

3. Blind people (people who cannot see) have a difficult life

What is the meaning of Blind?
a. People
b. Who cannot see
c. Difficult
4. Scientists use a special method, or way of doing things, in their work
What is the meaning of method?
a. Their work
b. Special way
c. Way of doing things

5. There are four parts, or components, in a simple stereo system

What is the meaning of component?
a. Parts
b. Simple
c. Stereo system
1.2 Identifying Parts of Speech from Suffixes

• Nouns and verbs

All languages have nouns and verbs. A noun names a person_ a place_
a thing, an idea. an action, or a feeling. In a sentence, a noun can be a
subject or an object. A verb tell what the subject is, does, or feels. Every
sentence has a verb.
EXAMPLE
 
(noun) (verb)
An astronomer (noun)
(Subject)
Observes the stars.
(verb) (object)
 There are two nouns in this sentence: "astronomers" and "stars."
"Astronomers" is the subject of the sentence. "Stars" is the object. The
verb in this sentence is -observes." It tells what the subject (an
astronomer) does. In English. some words have the same form for
nouns and verbs.

• EXAMPLE
(verb) (noun)
You must answer the questions & what is the answer?
Some words have different forms for nouns and verbs
Look at the noun and verb forms of these words:

Noun Verb
Observation Observe
Explanation explain
Conclusion conclude
Collection collect
Pollution pollute

The noun forms of these words have the same

suffix or ending. This noun all end with the suffix “-
ion”
• Exercise I- 2-1
• Directions: Look at these sentences. Is the underlined word a noun or a verb? Write or "noun” - in
the space. The first one is done .for you.
1. Good readers guess the meaning of the new word. Verb
2. Computers have many uses.
3. Scientists use a special method in their work
4. Hypothesis is a special kind of guess.
5. The diagram explains this phenomenon
6. The sun heats the water in the swimming, pool.
7. Please print your name here
8. Did you understand the explanation?
9. Can you read the small print?
10. The teacher will collect the papers at the end of the class
Agent Nouns: Some nouns are called "agent nouns." An agent noun
names a person or that does something. For example, a reader is a
person who reads, and a collector is person or thing that collects
something.
• Exercise 1-2-2
Directions: Complete these sentences. The first one is done for you
1. A reader is a person who reads
2. A teacher is a person who
3. A is a person who works
4. A writer is a person who
5. A is a person who speak
6. An opener is a thing that something
7. A calculator is a thing that arithmetic problems
8. A is a thing that synthesizes something
9. A solar is a thing that collects solar energy
10. A scanner is a thing that , or looks at,
something