National College Entrance Examination English (Part 1) and English (Part 2) Syllabus Vocabulary One-Stop Solution

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, scientific rigor, systematic approach, and targeted focus, have become reliable assistants for candidates taking the English (I) and English (II) exams, earning widespread praise. However, for years, a lingering regret has haunted us—lacking a good vocabulary book. As everyone knows, the vocabulary outline accompanying the textbook merely lists the 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 the candidates. After years of revisions, we have finally fulfilled our commitment. When we held this heavy volume in our hands, we couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious, eagerly awaiting the satisfaction of our teachers—the vast self-taught candidates.
The importance of memorizing vocabulary is deeply understood by every English learner, but mastering the skill of doing so is not universally possessed by all candidates. 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 secret to memorizing vocabulary? There is no shortcut to effortless learning, but there are time-saving and efficient methods. This vocabulary manual embodies the principles we have consistently followed in teaching:
1) Against rote memorization of words in isolation, emphasizing the learning of vocabulary through example sentences and context. Following this principle, we have selected typical and memorable example sentences for almost all words and phrases, complete with Chinese translations, to help candidates grasp the usage and collocations of each word without adding extra memorization burden. Unconsciously, each candidate not only masters all the outline vocabulary but also learns three to four thousand sentences, which is very helpful for practicing Chinese-to-English translation.
2) Memorizing word spelling through pronunciation rules. Words with phonetic symbols are easier to remember through pronunciation. On the publisher’s website, there will be accompanying audio materials for this book, which candidates can download for free. Through listening, shadowing, and reading, they can strengthen their vocabulary memory from multiple angles.
3) Highlighting key points and layered memorization. In this book, entries marked with an asterisk () are middle school-level vocabulary, those without any marks are within the scope of the English (I) outline, and those marked with a "2" are beyond the English (I) scope, falling under the English (II) range. The purpose is to help candidates memorize words in steps and layers, aligning with their study of the textbook’s upper and lower volumes. For candidates taking the English (II) exam, entries marked with "2" are naturally the focus of vocabulary memorization—each word must be recognized. However, for the spelling section, it is advisable to start with middle school and English (I) vocabulary.
4) Promoting memorization through practice and practice through examination. The greatest feature of this book is its strong targeting. In this sense, it is no longer just a vocabulary manual but a targeted vocabulary review book for English (I) and English (II). In addition to entries, the book includes exercises such as spelling and multiple-choice questions, listing all words that have appeared in past exam papers, making it clear which are key and which are challenging. Through memorization combined with practice and practice with examination, candidates can constantly assess their progress, seeing their improvement and gaining more motivation and ease in learning.
After introducing the book’s key features, we would also like to offer some suggestions on how to use it (specific instructions can be found on the following page). First, we deeply apologize for publishing such a thick book. To meet the diverse needs of candidates and ensure this book addresses all vocabulary-related issues, we have strived to make its content 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 upper volume of the textbook, review the middle school-level vocabulary marked with an asterisk (). This will lay a solid foundation for learning the textbook and avoid discouraging candidates by starting too difficult.
Stage 2: After completing the upper volume, dedicate a concentrated period to strengthening English (I) vocabulary, deepening your understanding, and preparing for the next stage of studying the lower volume.
Stage 3: After finishing the lower volume, focus on reviewing vocabulary outside the English (I) scope while completing the accompanying exercises to test your learning outcomes.
Stage 4: During the final review phase, revisit the vocabulary from start to finish, fill in any gaps, and cross out words and phrases you have already mastered, focusing on those that still need improvement.
By following this step-by-step approach, we believe this thick book will become your trusted companion, no longer intimidating. Thinning out the thick book is the day of success.