Study for a Vocabulary Test or Quiz

Whether you're studying a foreign language or learning new vocabulary in your native language, you may be at a loss for how to memorize all of the new vocabulary words you've been assigned. Try not to get overwhelmed because there are lots of ways to make learning vocabulary a lot easier! Depending on your unique learning style, you may prefer to learn from context, repetition, or mnemonic tricks. A combination of all of these methods might also help.

Steps

Learning from Context

1. Look up unfamiliar words. Make sure you actually understand the definitions of all of your new words. If you don't understand the words in the definitions, you won't really know the true meanings of the words, which will make it much harder to remember your vocabulary.
2. Look for examples. Even if you understand the definition of the word, you might not understand exactly how the word is used. This is why it's useful to search for sentences that contain the word.
   • Try doing a simple Google search for your word. You'll probably find lots of different sentences that use your word in different ways. Write down the ones that best help you understand how to use the word.
   • You can also try searching your word on YouTube. You may find a song that contains your word.
   • If you're having a hard time understanding the meaning of the word from its context in sentences, try performing a Google image search. You may find that the pictures that show up for your word will help you understand its meaning.
3. Learn about prefixes and suffixes. These are word parts that come at either the beginning or the end of a word. Words with common prefixes or suffixes often share similar meanings. If you learn prefixes and suffixes, sometimes it's possible to figure out what a word means, even if you're not sure at first. Here are some examples:
   • "Dis" means not, or in absence of, as in distance, disengaged, or dissolve.
   • "Mis" means negative, or bad, as in misread or misfit.
   • "Ous" means full of, as in dangerous or fabulous.
   • Less means lacking, as in mirthless or guileless.
   • Other common prefixes and suffixes include mal, mega, super, extra, equi, sub, post, ism, ness, ment, and many more.
4. Write your own sentences. Once you have a good understanding of how other people use the word, try your hand at writing some unique sentences with it. The more sentences you can write, the better.
   • Be sure you truly understand what the word means in your sentence. If you're not sure, look for more examples.
   • Don't just change a word or two in your example sentences. This exercise will be much more valuable if you think up sentences that are entirely unique.
   • Your sentences should be specific enough that the context will help you remember the definition of the word. For example, instead of just writing, "She looked dejected," write, "She looked dejected after her boyfriend broke up with her." This is even more important when you are dealing with words that may have multiple meanings.
   • Try to use the word in as many different ways as possible. For example, if it's a noun, use it in its singular and plural forms. If it's a verb, use it in present and past tense.
5. Use the words in real life. The best way to truly learn new vocabulary words is to incorporate them into your everyday speech and writing. As you are studying, try to consciously use these words in place of simpler or more common synonyms.
   • Even if you don't use the words in conversation, use them in some way. For example, you can try using your new vocabulary words to describe articles that you read in the newspaper or you can try to incorporate them into your next book report.

Learning from Repetition

1. Read through your list multiple times. Start with a list that contains your vocabulary words in one column and their definitions or translations in another column. Cover one column and read through the other word by word, trying your best to remember what's written in the covered column. The more times you do this, the more you will remember.
   • It helps to read through the list both ways. Start by reading the word and seeing if you can remember the definition. Then read the definition and see if you can remember the word.
   • If you can easily remember some of the words, consider making a separate list that contains only the words you are having a hard time with.
   • After you've done this for a while, take a break and do something that does not involve your vocabulary. Then return to your list and make sure you haven't forgotten anything.
2. Write the words down. For many people, writing down the vocabulary words and their definitions helps cement them in their memories. If this is the case for you, try writing each term and its definition several times.
3. Use flashcards. Flashcards are a quick and easy way to review your vocabulary and separate the words into different categories. You can also review them pretty much anywhere, which makes finding time to study a lot easier.
   • Reviewing your flashcards at the gym is a great way to multitask, and it takes advantage of the stimulation that occurs in your brain when you exercise.
   • For a more interactive approach, have someone else quiz you with your flashcards.
   • If you don't want to make flashcards, you can get similar benefits from online games. Search for one that already contains the words you are studying or one that allows you to input your own vocabulary.
4. Repeat the words aloud. Saying the vocabulary words out loud can help just as much as writing them down for some people. This is especially helpful if the words are difficult to pronounce. Once you become comfortable with saying the words, you will be much more likely to remember what they mean (and how to spell them).
   • It may also help to record yourself while you repeat your vocabulary words out loud.
   • You can also try explaining the words to other people. If you're confident enough to teach others your vocab words, then you should know them really well.
5. Keep the words visible. If you're really struggling to remember some of your vocabulary words, consider writing them down on sticky notes and posting them in places where you will see them all the time. This will help keep them fresh in your memory.
   • If you are studying foreign language vocabulary, try labeling items around your house with your new vocabulary.
   • If you are studying native language vocabulary or more abstract foreign language terms, just post a list of the most challenging words on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator, or in another highly visible place. Make a point of reading through the entire list every time you see it.

Using Memory Tricks

1. Draw a picture. If you have a visual memory, a simple picture can really enhance your vocabulary list or flashcards. Try drawing something that will remind you of the word's meaning. For example, you could draw a picture of a happy face next to the word "elated."
   • This may be even more effective if you try to incorporate the picture into the word somehow. For example, you could draw devil horns on the word "malevolent" to remind you that it means "evil."
2. Replace the words in a song. If you're having a hard time remembering the meaning of a word that has a much easier synonym, it may help to train your brain to associate the two. Think of song lyrics that contain the synonym and repeat them to yourself over and over using your new vocabulary word in place of its synonym. If you do this enough, you should have a very easy time remembering that the two words mean the same thing.
   • For example, if you need to remember that the word "jubilant" means "happy," try changing the words to "If You're Happy and You Know It" to "if you're jubilant and you know it, clap you hand."
3. Use mnemonic devices. A mnemonic device is simply a word or sentence that helps you remember something. When you use a mnemonic device for a vocabulary word, you should try to use the sounds in the word to remind yourself of its definition.
   • For example, if you need to remember the meaning of the word "perilous," you might decide that it sounds something like "pear is lost." Use this sentence to create a short back story that you will remember. It can be as ridiculous as you want, as long as it will lead you back to the definition of the word. Your story could be, "I was hopping across a high balance beam on one foot while holding a pear in each hand. I lost my balance, and the only way I could prevent myself from falling was to drop one of my pears." This silly story should help you remember that the meaning of "perilous" (pear is lost) is "dangerous."
   • If you can't think of a mnemonic device yourself, search for a mnemonic dictionary online. It will give you several suggestions for how to remember the meaning of your word.
4. Create associations. Another great trick to help you quickly remember your vocabulary words is to associate each word with an object or person. For example, you might assign a different vocabulary word to each item of furniture in your living room based on its appearance. You can also do this with people by assigning a word to each of your friends on Facebook based on their personalities, for example. As long as there is some kind of reason for the association, even if it's silly, this will help you quickly recall the meaning of each word.

Tips

• Stay relaxed on the day of the test or quiz and get a good night's sleep the night before.
• If you are dealing with a word that has a homonym, make sure you understand which definitions you are responsible for knowing.
• Everyone learns in a different way and at their own pace. Try multiple study methods to figure out what works best for you.
• Find a comfortable, quiet place to work without any distractions around. Don't watch TV, listen to music, or talk on the phone while studying.

Sources and Citations

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