When you don’t understand a word while reading, what do you do? A) Skip the word B ) Find out what it means
When you don’t understand a word while reading, what do you do?
A) Skip the word
B ) Find out what it means
118 Answers
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B
B – always pull out my phone and look it up
Since I have an e-reader I find out what it means. Just tap the word and it gives you the definition. With paper books I just read over it.
B
I use context clues. If I can’t figure it out and if it bothers me enough, I look it up.
If I can guess vaguely then a, otherwise I just google
B
B. Of course. If you love books, you love words. Can’t just “skip over” one you don’t know.
If my phone, ipad, or PC are handy I look it up right then. Otherwise, I write it on a card, often including the whole sentence..then look it up later.
B
B
B
Well, I always want to know what a word means if I encounter an unfamiliar one, but if the scene is a fast moving one or intense, and I can get enough from context clues to gain a good sense of the word, I will mark the word and place with a Post-it flag and look up later. If the word is in a slower moving scene, I’ll look it up then and there.
I read a lot of books in foreign languages so looking up every word that I don’t know is impossible. If I however encounter a certain word multiple times, then I will look it up. Usually exposure to a word multiple times throughout a story is enough for me to learn the word.
I did it exactly the same as you and still do when I read a real book. Since I have a tablet, I installed several dictionaries and i’m always surprised to discover the real, exact meaning of words I thought I knew.
B, if you can’t figure out what it means in context. Most are slang anyways that we don’t understand and are specific to the story most times.
Google!
I’ve also googled paintings.
@Elissa Same esp reading Dan Brown books 🙂
@Elissa That is an excellent idea..paintings, buildings, monuments, ect..there is an image somewhere.
@Vicki exactly!
If I’m on my kindle I’ll highlight the word and find out the definition there. If not, I’ll see if I can figure out the meaning by context and if not then I’ll just look it up.
Gotta look it up!
Find out x
Skip it. I don’t like to take time away from the story. Plus, I can usually figure it out from the context.
B
B. Drives me crazy not to know. Also pronunciation
If I can make sense of the sentence then I don’t bother.
Usually context provides good clues..but sometimes I want to see all the definitions of a word. Depends on the word, I guess.
B
B
Find out….
B
I do look it up, but I sometimes discover I’ve been pronouncing it wrong!
A. Or I try to work it out in my head.
B
I can usually infer the meaning from how it’s used, but if I can’t I’ll look it up
B
Both, although, mentally, I replace it with similar words that I do understand
B
B
Find out
If I’m reading on my Kindle, which I do that majority of the time, I’ll tap the word to get the definition. If, by some chance, I’m reading a physical book, I’ll usually just assume the meaning through context.
B.
Varies. Sometimes I look it up, especially if I can’t be sure of the context. Really Sometimes A and sometimes B.
B
B
B
B
B
Always B.
B.my kindle will tell me. When reading a book I use the dictionary beside my chair.
B. Part of the fun of reading.
Oh, I just love people that have an actual dictionary. I collect them. One of the most wonderful books written.
B
B
B
I’ve come across words that upon having read the actual definition I found that they had a slightly and on occasion a significantly different meaning from what I assumed. My mom (I am 46 and she is 65) finds it fascinating that I read the dictionary. I’ve never had the heart to tell her that I am but one of a huge tribe. (Lol) Plus, it makes me proud that she is so proud of that. My mom was 16 when she had me and had to quit school to do so. My father was a US Marine in Vietnam that chose not to participate in raising his first two daughters so they were not comfortable. My mother took me to the library constantly from a toddler (an affordable activity) and in doing so taught me to read from a very early age. She has always taken pride in that and encouraged reading in our home. Btw, my mother went back to school for her GED, graduated top of her class from hair-styling school, earned her medical assistants degree often while working two jobs and not married; she has continued a life long journey learning anything that she could – all while raising three productive members of society and working two jobs until she earned her certificates/degrees. The power and benefit of the gift of reading is incalculable and truly the greatest gift (other than my mother) that I’ve ever received. Thank you for allowing me to share my story. I admire parents that raise their children in general (I do not have children) but I’ve always had a special place in my heart for single parents.
I to read the dictionary… but my life has been some what different when compared to yours … you a very fortunate to have a loving mum and one that took interest in her childrens well being… I did really wish that I could say the same about my own mum … but I can’t… and in no way has she been like yours … she walked out when I was 3 years old and really has never in any sense of the word returned … yes I see her on occasions.. but not many… she could never understand anyone who read … and in her eyes it was such a waste of time… and still is … as for encouraging me in to doing anything … well that was and still is beyond her …. no matter want I may have wanted to do she always disapproved and still disapproves of anything I do …. sorry to say but fortunately i dont see her much and as the years go by I see less and less of her… but … I read … despite being the butt of her comments …. so pleased that your mum is the person she is … and you obviously love her … May that always be the case and may you pass on this love to some one else along the way …. xxxxx
@Louise thank you for the kind words. I am so very sorry that you did not have a similar experience. I am very proud that you have pursued your love of reading. Continue to do so, we know the gift that reading is. You must be a strong woman yourself you have been able to enjoy your life without the living support that you deserved. Have a beautiful evening and I have enjoyed our little conversation. Be well my friend and keep on reading. Much love, Tracy.
@Tracy thank you…. send much love your way…. xxxx
B
B
I have to look it up ….
B. If it’s a word I can’t pronounce , I skip it.
You can tap in to goggle words that you can’t pronounce and goggle will pronounce them for you …. just tap on the word and add ….. say …. xxxx
Look it up
B
B. Always
Look it up
First look at the context – the answer will always B there.
Have you seen the Bedsitter?
B
B
My dad was one of those where we had the encyclopedia Britannica the WHOLE SERIES, ONES FOR KIDS TOO, sorry but yeah any question asked, those damn books were the answer
Depends on the resources available.
I stop and look up information if I don’t know something or for more clarification. I love finding out new information.
B
Both. Skip it but look it up later.
LOL I always look it up.
B
Skip
It depends…
Well if the book is intresting I will look the word up if it’s not I will skip over the word
Usually B.
B
Look it up.
B
B
B
B
B. Dictionary App.
B (OCD English major!)
I skip the word
Find out.
find out – one of the easy perks of reading on an electronic device with a dictonary
B always!
B
B
B
B. Find out the meaning
I find that I can usually figure it out by it’s surrounding context. Unless it’s a foreign language.
C. Context clues ?
and i t workes all the fucking time ! LOL
@Yassir yes, it does! 😀
B
I mostly understand the hard Word by where it’s used and in what sentence but otherwise I ask mom? She knows everything ?
Look it up, I hate not knowing something.
B. I second that that’s the beauty of the kindle.
Usually I just skip the word and I mostly understand it from the sentence and the situation, but when it keeps showing up and also is important, I go and find out what it means.
Since 1997
B
B
Love my Kobo, I can immediately look it up.
Quick Bing search..yes I am a rebel
Both, it has to make sense
find out what it means…
look it up but most of the times the continuing words/sentence/phrase shape the meaning. So…