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Course: 7th grade reading & vocabulary > Unit 3
Lesson 1: Building knowledgeLiving Tongues: unit vocabulary
This is a list of some noteworthy vocabulary you'll find in this unit! Some are related to the unit topic, and others are generally useful academic words.
You'll know some of the words already, and some may be new. Take some time to familiarize yourself with them all before you get started on the passages and exercises in the unit.
Word: controversial
(adjective)
(adjective)
- Definition: causing much disagreement; disputed
- Sample Sentence: My father enjoys debating anything controversial—he's always arguing that we should let dying languages fade away.
Word: dialect
(noun)
(noun)
- Definition: a form of a language that is spoken in a specific geographical area, and that has some variations in words and pronunciations
- Sample Sentence: People in Cairo speak a different dialect of Arabic than people who live in southern Egypt.
Word: fundamental
(adjective)
(adjective)
- Definition: important, basic
- Sample Sentence: Learning a language’s different verb forms is a fundamental part of understanding the language.
Word: linguistics
(noun)
(noun)
- Definition: the study of language
- Sample Sentence: In order to really understand the fate of her ancestors’ native language, Seo-Yun consulted with a professor of linguistics at a nearby university.
Word: misconception
(noun)
(noun)
- Definition: a wrong idea
- Sample Sentence: If you only live in one place your whole life, you may have the misconception that the majority of people in the world think the same way you do.
Word: plight
(noun)
(noun)
- Definition: a challenging situation, or one where someone or something suffers
- Sample Sentence: My Japanese uncle is very worried about the plight of the dying language of Ainu.
Word: remembrance
(noun)
(noun)
- Definition: the act of remembering, or memorializing, someone or something
- Sample Sentence: On my grandmother's birthday, we always sing a song in her native language in remembrance of her.
Word: signify
(verb)
(verb)
- Definition: to mean something; proclaim, indicate
- Sample Sentence: When the last native speaker of a language dies, it usually signifies the death of that language.
Word: systematic
(adjective)
(adjective)
- Definition: using a certain method or system; well-ordered
- Sample Sentence: The village elders came up with a systematic approach to teaching their native language to their grandchildren.
Word: unify
(verb)
(verb)
- Definition: bring together, unite
- Sample Sentence: Do you think sharing a language unifies and draws people closer together?
Word: viable
(adjective)
(adjective)
- Definition: capable of being done
- Sample Sentence: Eliza wanted to create a dictionary of Rapa Nui, the native language of Easter Island, but it was such an ambitious project that she wondered if it was viable.
Want to join the conversation?
Can anybody teach me how to learn this vocabulary because I want to get better. But, I have trouble sticking all of this information into my head and even if I read all of this too, I just can't seem to remember it all. For example, I read all of it right? But when I read the actual story, I say to myself: "What does this mean again? I forgot" and I just can't seem to remeber it and I forget it the second I stop reading it. I will be glad if anybody can tell me tips!(6 votes)
Hi Sabrina!, a good way to remember all of the vocabulary words would be to write down the words on one side of a note card and the definition on the other side of the card. After doing that, you can keep them next to you while you read passages. Whenever you spot an unknown word, you can flip the card over and see the definition. You can also quiz yourself over them after you write them down everyday and at the end of the week you will probably know them all! Hope this helped, have a good day and happy learning!(4 votes)
Why do we need these words(5 votes)
Yes, actually good vocabulary not only shows you are educated but will also help you understand future lessons.(4 votes)
do we really need all of these vocab words?(4 votes)
i wanna make my own language!!(4 votes)
How do you pronounce "plight"? Is it pronounced 'po-lite" or in another way?(2 votes)
Pl-ite. Like "light", but with a "p" sound at the beginning.(3 votes)
Bro I love how their like you need these words but like there ain’t no new words(2 votes)
this is crazy man(2 votes)- this is a very important message: if you are reading this you have eyes, and also you know how to read.(2 votes)
Word: controversial
(adjective)
Definition: causing much disagreement; disputed
Sample Sentence: My father enjoys debating anything controversial—he's always arguing that we should let dying languages fade away.
Word: dialect
(noun)
Definition: a form of a language that is spoken in a specific geographical area, and that has some variations in words and pronunciations
Sample Sentence: People in Cairo speak a different dialect of Arabic than people who live in southern Egypt.
Word: fundamental
(adjective)
Definition: important, basic
Sample Sentence: Learning a language’s different verb forms is a fundamental part of understanding the language.
Word: linguistics
(noun)
Definition: the study of language
Sample Sentence: In order to really understand the fate of her ancestors’ native language, Seo-Yun consulted with a professor of linguistics at a nearby university.
Word: misconception
(noun)
Definition: a wrong idea
Sample Sentence: If you only live in one place your whole life, you may have the misconception that the majority of people in the world think the same way you do.
Word: plight
(noun)
Definition: a challenging situation, or one where someone or something suffers
Sample Sentence: My Japanese uncle is very worried about the plight of the dying language of Ainu.
Word: remembrance
(noun)
Definition: the act of remembering, or memorializing, someone or something
Sample Sentence: On my grandmother's birthday, we always sing a song in her native language in remembrance of her.
Word: signify
(verb)
Definition: to mean something; proclaim, indicate
Sample Sentence: When the last native speaker of a language dies, it usually signifies the death of that language.
Word: systematic
(adjective)
Definition: using a certain method or system; well-ordered
Sample Sentence: The village elders came up with a systematic approach to teaching their native language to their grandchildren.
Word: unify
(verb)
Definition: bring together, unite
Sample Sentence: Do you think sharing a language unifies and draws people closer together?
Word: viable
(adjective)
Definition: capable of being done
Sample Sentence: Eliza wanted to create a dictionary of Rapa Nui, the native language of Easter Island, but it was such an ambitious project that she wondered if it was viable.(2 votes)
i didn't know what to do so sorry(1 vote)
still didn't understand what systematic means
any help please(1 vote)
The government is a good example of a systematic office, such as the prosses of becoming a president. It all has to be done a certain way or a certain order. There are certain rules that have to be followed and certain orders to be carried out. I hope this helped you understand a little better. 😊👌(2 votes)
