Outline Vocabulary All-in-One

Author: Xu Guohong et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Over the years of teaching self-taught English, we have recommended a series of excellent teaching materials to candidates, covering in-depth explanations of texts and simulated exercises. These materials, with their authority, scientificity, systematicity, and targeting, have become reliable assistants for candidates taking the English (I) and English (II) exams, earning widespread praise. However, for years, there has been a lingering regret—lacking a good vocabulary book. As everyone knows, the vocabulary outline accompanying the textbook merely lists words and phrases to be mastered, without phonetic symbols, example sentences, or any targeted guidance. Seeing candidates struggling with the outline, we felt deeply uneasy. Therefore, publishing a useful and practical self-taught vocabulary book is both our responsibility and a solemn promise to candidates. After years of revisions, we have finally fulfilled our initial commitment. When we held this heavy volume, we couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious, hoping our teachers—the vast self-taught candidates—would give it a satisfactory score.
The importance of memorizing vocabulary is deeply understood by every English learner, but not every candidate knows how to do it effectively. In teaching, we often encounter students who study diligently but struggle to memorize words, forgetting them quickly, failing to use them correctly, or unable to write them down. Is there a trick to memorizing vocabulary? There is no shortcut to effortless learning, but there are time-saving methods. This vocabulary manual reflects the principles we have consistently followed in teaching:
1) ，. According to this principle, we have selected typical and memorable example sentences for almost all words and phrases, along with Chinese translations, to help candidates understand word usage and collocations without adding extra memorization. Subconsciously, each candidate not only masters all outline vocabulary but also learns several thousand sentences, which is very helpful for practicing Chinese-to-English translation.
2) . Words with phonetic symbols are easier to remember through pronunciation. The publisher’s website will provide audio materials for this book, which candidates can download for free. Listening, shadowing, and reading will help reinforce vocabulary memory from multiple angles.
3) ，. In this book, entries marked with an asterisk are middle school-level vocabulary, those without any mark are within the English (I) outline, and those marked with 2 are beyond English (I) and fall under the English (II) scope. This helps candidates memorize words step by step and in layers, aligning with their study of textbook chapters. For candidates taking the English (II) exam, entries marked with 2 are the focus—each must be recognized. However, for spelling exercises, it’s better to start with middle school and English (I) vocabulary.
4) ，. The greatest feature of this book is its strong targeting. In this sense, it is no longer just a vocabulary manual but a targeted review book for English (I) and English (II). Besides entries, it includes exercises like spelling tests and multiple-choice questions, listing all words from past exam papers. Key and difficult words are clearly identified. By memorizing and practicing simultaneously, candidates can regularly assess their progress, making the process more motivating and effortless.
After introducing the book’s features, we also want to offer some suggestions on how to use it (see detailed instructions on the following page). First, we deeply apologize for compiling such a thick book. To meet candidates’ diverse needs and solve all vocabulary problems, we have ensured the content is comprehensive and detailed—every page reflects our dedication. Given the book’s thickness, it is best to use it in stages.
Stage 1: Before studying the first half of the textbook, review the middle school-level vocabulary marked with an asterisk to lay a solid foundation and avoid discouragement from starting too difficult.
Stage 2: After finishing the first half, dedicate a period to intensively review English (I) vocabulary to reinforce memory and prepare for the second half.
Stage 3: After completing the second half, focus on reviewing vocabulary outside English (I) and complete the accompanying exercises to test your progress.
Stage 4: During the final review phase, revisit the vocabulary from start to finish, fill in gaps, and cross out familiar words to concentrate on mastering the remaining parts.
By following this step-by-step approach, this thick book will become a trusted companion, no longer daunting. Thinning out the thick book is the mark of success.