Painless Vocabulary (Barron's Painless) [Paperback]

Michael Greenberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764132407 | ISBN-13: 978-0764132407 | Publication Date: April 1, 2006

This addition to Barron's Painless series is focused to meet the needs of middle school and high school students. The author's friendly, informal narrative style takes the drudgery out of students' vocabulary building, which is a prerequisite for their academic achievement and future success in college and beyond. Each of 24 chapters introduces 15 new words, first placing the words in a brief essay that allows students to comprehend them in a given context. "Brain Tickler" questions that follow challenge students and help them determine whether they have gained some mastery of word usage. Sidebars appear on many pages with titles such as "Major Mistake Territory," alerting students to possible pitfalls and problems involving correct understanding of word meanings and normal usage. Each chapter concludes with an "On Your Own" section, which invites students to use the target vocabulary list within the context of their own everyday speech. Morbid. . . furtively . . . predecessor . . . infer . . . are typical examples of words students will learn to use with ease. The book's vocabulary is neither too easy nor too arcane--focusing instead on words that students should have at their command in high-school and by the time they enter college.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
Really. This won't hurt at all . . .
The thought of having to learn a lot of new words once turned brave students into cowards . . . but no more!

THE PAIN VANISHES WHEN YOU TRANSFORM VOCABULARY PROBLEMS INTO FUN--

Understand meanings of new words by seeing them used in amusing statements

Check out messages headed Major Mistakes Territory for extra help

Look for each chapter's On Your Own section and create your own clever ways to use new words

Test your learning progress with fun quizzes and "Brain Ticklers"

And take advantage of Barron's FREE Painless Vocabulary app
FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS





--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

(back cover)
PAINLESS
Vocabulary

Really. This isn’t going to hurt at all . . .

If you think that developing a large vocabulary means dreary and painful memorizing of hundreds of words, this book has good news for you. You can develop the word power that will help you achieve high grades—and enjoy yourself while you learn! Each of 20 chapters introduces 15 new words, first placing them in a brief, entertaining essay, and then discussing their meanings and the ways they can be used. “Brain Tickler” questions that follow challenge your skill at word definitions, and sidebars help you avoid vocabulary mistakes while you pick up interesting facts about word origins and usage. When you reach the end of this book you’ll discover to your delight that your vocabulary has increased many times over—and your grades have also risen. Just as important, you’ll discover that you’ve had fun learning!

For Middle School and High School Students

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764132407
• ISBN-13: 978-0764132407
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Education > Study Skills
  • #52 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Words & Language > Vocabulary
  • #66 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Study Guides

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delivers as promised!, March 27, 2009

By 

Lisa Slough (Albemarle, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painless Vocabulary (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)

I needed a vocabulary book for my high-school level children that would teach as well as keep them entertained, and this book definitely delivered. It gives words that are not common in the teenager's everyday conversations, yet explains and defines in ways they can easily understand. The words are broken down into sets of five, so the reader is not overwhelmed by learning new words. It's great for the parent who homeschools their children or anyone wanting to broaden their vocabulary. Trust me -- it's absolutely PAINLESS!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the BEST that MY MONEY CAN GET! Every high school student and school library should have one copy, September 4, 2010

By 

Cestmoi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painless Vocabulary (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)

- I'm not in school now but this book is very helpful to me. It shows me how to use 300 plus English words more accurately. What makes it unique is it makes learning these words fun and easy to remember.

- There are 20 chapters. Each begins with an essay that includes in context all 15 new words. After that, the terms will be introduced to the reader 5 at a time. The introduction will provide the user with italicized synonyms for many of the words. There's also an exercise called Brain Tickler. Here the learner has to select the right synonyms for the 5 terms he has just learned. The answers to them appear at the end of each chapter. A sidebar entitled Major Mistake Territory will alert him to certain pitfalls of the new words. At the end of each chapter, there's a section called On Your Own. Here there reader has to write an essay using all the terms he has learned.


- The explanation of the new words is easy to understand and remember because of good example. For example, the next sentence explains "ardent". I feel ardent about thin-crust pizza. But you probably feel "passionate" about something else, right? (By the way, ardent comes from the Latin "ardere," which means "to burn." If you feel ardent or passionate about something, you practically burn for it."

- The book's organization is clear, easy to the eyes due to illustrations and red print. There are illustrations on every 2 or 3 pages. Red print are used for new words and some headings.

- I have been spending 15 minutes a day to learn and practice using 5 new words. This books keeps me coming back for more. It's not like the ones I used while in school. Those made me scared of learning vocabularies because of their dry presentation.

- In short, every high school student and school library should have one copy. It's one of the BEST that MY MONEY CAN GET

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great basic tool/book to up your word power, March 7, 2009

By 

J Stehly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painless Vocabulary (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)

I teach ESL (English as a Second Language) to adults and use this book with my students. It provides the (pre-college or ESL)reader with an advanced level of words that high school students need for SAT or college, and adults need for business and college writing. The vocabulary is presented in essay form first to see its usage in real life, then the words are presented in detail in groups of five so it's not overwhelming. My students liked this book so much they actually recommended it to their friends.