当我们在学习基本语法和句法的同时，也开始学词汇，终身不停。

学词汇的方法很多，学习效果也不同;有些方法的效果比较好，有些则差些。

有个特别值得推荐的方法是“联想”。例如从“party”这个字，可以联想到其他的字，如：meeting, assembly, seminar, negotiation 等。

现在看看下列 8 组字，如何凑在一起：

⒈下列 6 个动词的共同意思是“伤害”或“破坏”：

damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar

⒉下列 6 个动词的共同意思是“减少”：

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle

⒊下列 6 个名词的中心意思是“武装叛变”：

rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, mutiny, insurrection

⒋下列 7 个名词都含有“边缘”之意：edge, brink, brim, rim, verge, border, margin

⒌下列 7 个名词都含有“ 路”之意：way, road , path , route, passage, street, aveune

⒍下列 7 个形容词都含有“著名”之意： famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, distinguished, eminent, illustrious

⒎下列 7 个形容词都含有“快速”之意：

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

⒏下列 9 个动词含“胜过”或“克服”之意：

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

上述 8 组字，每组都有个中心意思。在学习词汇时，若能将意思有关联的字词或习语摆在一起，通过联想来记忆，不但轻松而且还很有效。必须注意的是，虽然几个字有共同的意思，但是每个字在句子中的用法，难免会有些差别，不可不察。

现在举个和“laugh”(笑)有关的动词，来说明这点。

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

② His joke made us laugh(发笑).

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(轻蔑地叫喊) at the ignorant speaker.

⑨ Irene sat at a corner, chuckling(轻声暗笑) to herself.

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