1. Recognize structures of a paragraph
1.1. Strategies to guess the meaning of words
1.1.1. Recognize Affixes:
1.1.1.1. prefixes
1.1.1.1.1. Particles that precede the root verb and define functions such as the opposite or the beginning of an action.
1.1.1.2. suffixes
1.1.1.2.1. Particles that follow the roots and can define different grammatical categories. It can be used for verbs in the progressive tense, as part of a noun indicating activity, or for an adjective describing effect.
1.1.2. Example to understand the use of prefixes and suffixes:
1.1.2.1. Analysis of the word "PREDICT" to understand the use of prefixes and suffixes. We can split it in two to find a prefix that means "before" or "in advance" and the root word "dict" which comes from the Latin "dicere" meaning "to count." Thus, we obtain the meaning “Tell in advance” or “predict.” Add a prefix UN and the suffixes, IVE+LY, to make it into another new word:
1.1.2.1.1. UN-PREDICT-IVE-LY
1.1.2.1.2. How can you guess the meaning of this new word?
1.1.3. In this way, if you understand the function of a number of common affixes and prefixes both in English and your native language, you will be able to discover the meaning of new words.