Make sure you know what these words mean!
A broad vocabulary is crucial to ensure success at the 7+ or 8+ comprehension. However just a couple of misunderstood words in the text can lead to an unfortunate loss of marks, or worse still, a misunderstanding of the entire passage. So, aside from good quality reading on a consistent basis to help build up vocabulary, we decided to analyse all 7+ and 8+ papers in the last 5 years to see which “difficult” words kept reappearing year after year. This exercise took a healthy dose of patience and stamina but below is the fruits of our labour!
These words should be learnt as it seems 7+ / 8+ examiners are very keen to use them.
7+ Common Difficult Words
- patient / patiently
- pavement
- factory
- decorated
- to decorate
- freckle
- to shriek
- to sob
- to fetch
- enormous
- to smother
- shallow
- wretched
- to sprinkle
8+ Common Difficult Words
- potion
- tattered
- ornamented
- ivory
- velvet
- skull
- to satisfy
- to neglect
- to gaze (at)
- remote
- acre
- compound
- prey
- majestic
Even if you know the meanings, practice using them in their right context by incorporating them into a full sentence.
And remember, this exercise is great not just for comprehension, but also for creative writing and verbal reasoning.