Confusing word pairs PART ONE ( a short review...)- TOEIC Students and Upper level learners

Vocabulary acquisition is a challenge when learning a new language, trust me, I know. I am bilingual, fluent in Afrikaans as a second language-steadily working at Russian and attempting German as some of you may well know- yet I am well aware of the fact that vocabulary acquisition is a never-ending road...

Remembering vocabulary is always a challenge after we have have learnt new words. A simple fact.

This is an issue raised by many of my students as we study new words and phrases in class.To make matters more interesting- the situation of dealing with synonyms and homonyms can often cause confusion. In my experience- words are often confused by students, no matter the level they are on. 

Word pairs are essential- something to be taught and studied, these word pairs often appear in exams like the TOEIC.

Below, is a short review of some confusing word pairs:

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advice (noun)

recommendation

I need some advice, how can I manage my time?

advise (verb)

the act of giving a recommendation

I advise (that) you go and see her now!

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effect:

the result or influence of something- noun

I tried taking tablets for the headache but they didn't have any effect.

affect:

 to influence or produce an effect on

Health issues, like Fibromyalgia affect people in their twenties right through to those in their more senior years.

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allot

to give something, especially a share of something available, for a particular purpose:

[+ two objects] They allotted everyone a separate desk.

a lot

always two words meaning many

I have a lot of homework to correct.

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assistance (noun)

help

I need some assistance with these reports.

assistants (noun)

people who help

I need a new assistant- the one I have at the moment just isn't working out!

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complement / compliment

Complement is a noun or verb that means something that completes or makes up a whole:

The black jacket is a perfect complement to those lovely slacks.

Compliment is a noun or verb that means an expression of praise or admiration:

Students receive compliments when they do well in class.

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council / councilor / counsel / counselor

A councilor is a member of a council, which is an assembly called together for discussion or deliberation. 

A counselor is one who gives counsel, which is advice or guidance. More specifically, a counselor can be an attorney or a supervisor at camp.

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i.e. / e.g.

The abbreviation e.g. means for example (from Latin exempli gratia): 

She gives a variety of language sessions (e.g.,Art, crafts, English literature, Grammar and Exam tutorials.).

 The abbreviation i.e. means that is or in other words (from Latin id est): 

The joy of my existence (i.e., Teaching English) imbues my life with meaning.

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lend / loan

Some say that loan should only be used as a noun, lend and loan are both acceptable as verbs in standard English: “Can you lend (loan) me a dollar?” However, only lend should be used in figurative senses: “Will you lend me a hand?”/ ''lend me an ear...''

Motivation/ Inspiration to start the week- Simple Reminders :)

Good day, lovely readers- How do you do on this day of utter finesse and joviality? A a lugubrious face will not serve you well at all - keep a smile on your dial and a dash of happiness in hand... I have been pondering the topic of motivation lately...much to my surprise, I came across a lovely website- ''Simple reminders'', to which the pictures below, are credited. 

I trust that these texts will be easy to digest- a morsel of motivation on which to frugally feast...Now- I must get back to my prior engagements- undivided attention in the virtual classroom.

May you smile today. May you be blessed and bless others.

Be good to each other.

Learning through music---> Carole King and friends- Gap fill activity

When you're down and troubled

And you need some loving care

And nothing, nothing is going right

Close your eyes and think of me

And soon I will be there

To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am

I'll come running to see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there

You've got a friend

If the sky above you

Grows dark and full of clouds

And that old north wind begins to blow

Keep your head together

And call my name out loud

Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door

You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am

I'll come running to see you

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there

Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend

When people can be so cold

They'll hurt you, and desert you

And take your soul if you let them

Oh, but don't you let them

You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am

I'll come running to see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there

You've got a friend

INSTRUCTIONS:

Listen to the first part of the song and fill the blanks with the words you hear.

brighten up, call, darkest, down, fall, helping, right, troubled, wherever

When you're __________ and _________

and you need a _________ hand 

and nothing, oh nothing is going ________,

close your eyes and think of me

and soon I will be there

to _________even your ________night.

You just call out my name

and you know ___________I am

I´ll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again.

Winter, spring, summer or _________-,

all you got to do is __________

and I'll be there yeah yeah yeah

you've got a friend.

2. Before listening to the second part  match the following letters with the correct numbers- guessing based on meaning- Then, listen to it and check your answers:

a. If the sky

b. should turn dark 

c. and that old north wind 

d. keep your head 

e. and call my name 

f. soon I'll be knocking 

g. You just call 

h. and you know 

i. I´ll come running,

1.out loud now

2.above you

3.should begin to blow,

4.together

5.upon your door.

6.and full of clouds 

7.out my name

8.wherever I am

9.oh yes I will, to see you again.

READING TASK: READ ALOUD: 

Reading aloud is the foundation for literacy development. It is the single most important activity for reading success .

(Bredekamp, Copple, & Neuman, 2000)

''This song is about being there for others and being a friend for someone in need. Along with Tapestry tracks like "So Far Away" and "Home Again," it is a reflection on how friends can be just as important as family. King said the song "was as close to pure inspiration as I've ever experienced. The song wrote itself. It was written by something outside of myself, through me."

Carole King's good friend James Taylor played acoustic guitar on five songs from the album, including this one. He and Joni Mitchell also sang backup on this track. Taylor recorded his own version of the song on his album Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon, which he was recording nearby while King was working on Tapestry; Danny Kortchmar, who played guitar on King's sessions and was in her band The City, was good friends with Taylor.

Taylor's version came out as a single in April of 1971, and became a huge hit, going all the way to #1 in the US by July and hitting #4 in the UK. When Tapestry was first released, Taylor was a much bigger star than King, and in the spring of 1971, they toured together with King opening for Taylor.''- Song facts.com

      With thanks to Isabel Perez Torres  and songfacts.com- You are amazing! :)