Build up Your Vocabulary Exactly what do you do during a normal day? How do you spend your time? Paul T. Rankin very much wanted an answer to that question. To get it, he asked sixty-eight individuals to keep an accurate, detailed record of what they did every minute of their waking hours. When he consolidated his findings, be discovered that the average individual spent 70 percent of his waking time doing one thing only—communication. That meant reading, writing, speaking or listening. Put that evidence alongside of the research findings uncovered by the Human Engineering Laboratories. In exploring aptitudes and careers involving, among other things, data from 30, 000 vocabulary tests given yearly, they discovered that big incomes and big vocabularies go together. Vocabulary, more than any other factors yet known, predicts financial success. And it all fits. Each word you add to your vocabulary makes you a better reader, writer, speaker and listener. Furthermore, linguistic scientists are quick to point out that we actually think with words. If that is so, new words make us better thinkers as well as communicators. No wonder more words are likely to mean more money. What better reason for beginning right now to extend your vocabulary? Take reading. What exactly do you read? Common sense says you read words. Research confirms that fact. 'Vocabulary in context' contributes 39 percent to comprehension. That's more than any other factor isolated and studied—even more than intelligence. And 'word in parts' contributes more to speed of reading than any other factor—28 percent. In short, your efforts to improve vocabulary will pay off in both comprehension and speed. Suppose, as you're reading along, you come across a strange word lumtebs. Did you find yourself stopping for a closer look at lumtebs? Pardon the spelling slip. That's actually the word stumble(偶然发现). The fetters just got mixed around. Obviously you now know that strange words do slow you down—or even stop you completely. Furthermore, strange words hinder comprehension. Which is easier to understand, 'eschew garrulity' or 'avoiding talking too much'? What you need is a vital, dynamic approach to vocabulary building. Hybrid(混合种) corn combines the best qualities of several varieties to ensure maximum productivity. A hybrid approach to vocabulary should, in the same way, ensure maximum results. That's why you should use the CPD formula. Through Context When students in a college class were asked what should be done when they came across an unknown word in their reading, 84 percent said. 'Look it up in the dictionary.' If you do, however, you short-circuit the very mental processes needed to make your efforts most productive. But there's another reason. Suppose someone asks you what the word fast means. You answer. 'speedy or swift'. But does it mean that in such contexts as 'fast color', 'fast woman', or 'fast friend'? And if a horse is fast, is it securely tied or galloping(飞驰) at top speed? It could be either. It all depends. On the dictionary? No, on context—on how the word is actually used. After all, there are over twenty different meanings for fast in the dictionary. But the dictionary doesn't tell you which meaning is intended. That's why it makes such good sense to begin with context. Through Word Parts Now for the next step. Often unfamiliar words contain one or more parts, which, if, recognized, provide definite help with meaning. Suppose you read that someone 'had a predilection for reading mysteries'. The context certainly isn't too helpful. But do you see a prefix, suffix or toot that you know? Well, there's the familiar prefix pre-, meaning 'before'. Look back at the context and try inserting 'before'. Reading mysteries apparently comes 'before' other kinds of reading. Yes, a predilection—or preference—is something put '