lesson
A definition must fit this use
1 · Learn
Read: 'The path was treacherous after the rain; each smooth stone shifted underfoot.' Treacherous here suggests dangerous or unreliable footing, not a person betraying a friend. Context narrows the relevant meaning.
Roots and affixes help with unfamiliar words, but dictionary senses and nearby evidence should confirm your interpretation. Record a word in a meaningful sentence rather than memorising an isolated synonym.
2 · Worked example
The shifting stones support a dangerous-path meaning. I would not replace treacherous with disloyal in this sentence because that changes its sense.
3 · Your turn
In 'a reluctant volunteer who hesitated before raising her hand', what does reluctant suggest?
Check your answer
Unwilling or hesitant; the delay before raising her hand supports that interpretation.
4 · Apply your learning
Create a vocabulary entry with pronunciation, word class, contextual meaning and your own example sentence.
Adult guidance and safety
Discuss interpretations using the words actually supplied. Give feedback on complete drafts and spoken contributions. These original short models must be accompanied by sustained whole-text study and a diverse reading programme; they do not fulfil author-in-depth or Shakespeare requirements by themselves.
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