Vocabulary in the exam tests both word meanings and word forms (noun ↔ verb ↔ adjective ↔ adverb). Build a habit of learning words in their families.
Word families
'environmental' (adj) → 'environment' (n). 'civilization' (n) → 'civilize' (v). 'science' (n) → 'scientist' (n) / 'scientific' (adj). 'immigrant' (n) → 'immigrate' (v). 'banking' (n) → 'bank' (n/v).
Key phrasal verbs
'put off' = postpone. 'put on' = wear / increase. 'put up' = build. 'put down' = write / criticise. 'put away' = store. 'put together' = assemble.
- Tom put his books away after he'd finished his homework. (= stored them away)
'argue' — context clue
In the Peter passage: 'argue' = talk with someone who does not agree with you. (NOT 'find the answer'; that's 'figure out'.)
Tricky common words
'reckless' = without thinking of risk. 'cowardly' = without bravery. 'previously' = before / earlier. 'reminded' = made someone remember. 'ashamed' = feeling guilty. 'precious' = valuable.
Forms of speech / lecture / conversation
GM gave a speech (formal address) — not 'information' (uncountable, general), not 'lectures' (plural, an academic lecture), not 'conversations' (informal exchange).
How to study vocab efficiently
(1) Group by topic, not alphabet. (2) Always write a short example sentence. (3) Note the part of speech. (4) Mix testing — old + new — every session.