當我們在學習基本語法和句法的同時，也開始學詞匯，終身不停。

學詞匯的方法很多，學習效果也不同;有些方法的效果比較好，有些則差些。

有個特別值得推薦的方法是“聯想”。例如從“party”這個字，可以聯想到其他的字，如：meeting, assembly, seminar, negotiation 等。

現在看看下列 8 組字，如何湊在一起：

⒈下列 6 個動詞的共同意思是“傷害”或“破壞”：

damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar

⒉下列 6 個動詞的共同意思是“減少”：

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle

⒊下列 6 個名詞的中心意思是“武裝叛變”：

rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, mutiny, insurrection

⒋下列 7 個名詞都含有“邊緣”之意：edge, brink, brim, rim, verge, border, margin

⒌下列 7 個名詞都含有“ 路”之意：way, road , path , route, passage, street, aveune

⒍下列 7 個形容詞都含有“著名”之意： famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, distinguished, eminent, illustrious

⒎下列 7 個形容詞都含有“快速”之意：

fast, rapid, swift, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious

⒏下列 9 個動詞含“勝過”或“克服”之意：

conquer, defeat, vanquish, overcome, beat, rout, surmount, subdue, overthrow

上述 8 組字，每組都有個中心意思。在學習詞匯時，若能將意思有關聯的字詞或習語擺在一起，通過聯想來記憶，不但輕松而且還很有效。必須注意的是，雖然幾個字有共同的意思，但是每個字在句子中的用法，難免會有些差別，不可不察。

現在舉個和“laugh”(笑)有關的動詞，來說明這點。

① The President smiled(微笑) as he went past the crowd.

② His joke made us laugh(發笑).

③ The spectators jeered(嘲笑) when their team was defeated.

④ The audience roared with rage(暴笑如雷).

⑤ If you tease(揶揄) her again, she will get angry.

⑥ The pupils giggled(格格地笑) on seeing the teacher fall down.

⑦ The crowd booed(喝倒采) when the referee made a mistake.

⑧ The listeners hooted(輕蔑地叫喊) at the ignorant speaker.

⑨ Irene sat at a corner, chuckling(輕聲暗笑) to herself.

⑩The naughty girl grinned(露齒而笑) in response to her mother’s question.