Vocabulary Dictionary and Workbook: 2,856 Words You Must Know takes all the words from Mark Phillips’ The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder and The Pinocchio Intermediate Vocabulary Builder, plus a few more, and presents them in a dictionary/workbook format. Each chapter of 12 words is followed by entertaining word games and puzzles (matching, fill in the blanks, etc.).
Special features of this unique dictionary/workbook include:
More words. Most vocabulary builders feature only about 1,000 words. Here, you’ll learn 2,856 words—almost three times as many!
Better definitions. Whereas definitions in other vocabulary builders are often skimpy (simply a synonym or two) or difficult to understand (because they include unfamiliar terms), the definitions here are more like friendly discussions. Each word is explained in a short, easy-to-read paragraph that includes the word’s exact meaning as well as, where appropriate, its connotation or implication.
Better illustrative sentences. Other vocabulary builders either don’t contain illustrative sentences or use ones that are dull and easily forgotten. The illustrative sentences here are often funny anecdotes or interesting tidbits concerning such realms as entertainment, sports, literature, history, science, music, and art. Many contain direct quotations—from historical figures and celebrities—
Word games and puzzles. Many other vocabulary builders feature only a list of words with definitions. Here, each chapter is followed by word games and puzzles (matching, fill in the blank, etc.) that test your knowledge.
Reinforcement. When the meanings of new words are simply memorized from a list, they are easily forgotten. That’s why here, the definition of each word is doubly reinforced. After you learn a word’s meaning, you see it used in context in an amusing or interesting illustrative sentence. Then, you use it to answer a question in an entertaining game or puzzle.
Author Mark Phillips has taught at Northwestern University, has worked as an editor in the publishing field for more than 30 years, and is the author of nine books. For the reference value of his numerous publications, he is profiled in Who’s Who in America.
