Our tutors often work with students preparing for for 11+ and 13+ examinations, and so we have spent a lot of time thinking of strategies for students to expand their vocabularies. A strong and broad vocabulary is the best weapon you can have in a Verbal Reasoning, Literary Analysis, Reading Comprehension, or Writing assessment; not only because of the words at your fingertips, but also the worlds of meaning these words open up.
Extracts from classic literature feature heavily in these examinations and also in overseas curriculums. Through them, we are given windows into many different historical periods. We can learn ancient morals through Aesop’s fables, find out about medieval robbers in Robin Hood, or discover secret worlds in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 20th century novel The Secret Garden. Each of these historical periods comes with unique vocabulary and contextual references.
For example, archaic words used in character names in Robin Hood could help students with profession vocabulary and feminine and masculine nouns (great for Verbal Reasoning preparation):
| Friar Tuck | = (arc.) meaning a religious brother, or medieval monk → coming from the Latin frater, or French frere for brother. |
| Maid Marion | = (arc.) meaning an unmarried girl or young woman → more recent historical maid servants who were usually unmarried. |
| Sheriff of Nottingham | = (arc.) meaning a senior officer in an English county responsible for law and order → modern day sheriffs in the US who are chief police officers. |
And in The Secret Garden, there are many wonderful adjectives used to describe the personality of the rude and sometimes unpleasant Mary Lennox. Try working out the definitions of these adjectives and using them in your creative writing.
| contrary | imperious |
| grave | solemn |
But how can you use these great works of literature to effectively increase vocabulary?
- Read attentively – don’t skip over unknown words or things you don’t understand. Pause and use your strategies for decoding complex vocabulary.
- Use a dictionary – use a dictionary to find definitions to words you are unsure of. Keep a reading dictionary to keep a track of new words and remind you to use them in your own writing.
- Read with others – find a friend to be your reading buddy and read the novel at the same time. After each chapter, test each other’s knowledge by asking comprehension questions or about the plot. Discuss the new vocabulary you have learned.
- Start with abridged versions – if you feel intimidated by the length and complexity of a classic novel, start with an abridged version levelled for your reading ability. Our sister company, i-Learner has some ideal books in our Key to Classics series (L1-2, L3-4, L5-6). Start with these to understand the plot and gradually begin to expand your vocabulary.
Our KS3 (Year 7-9) Reading Recommendations
These suggested reads become more challenging in content and vocabulary the further down the table you read.
| Year 7 suggested reads | Year 8 suggested reads | Year 9 suggested reads |
| Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White—In this endearing story, a little girl and Charlotte, a beautiful grey spider, struggle to save Wilbur the pig from being butchered. | A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens In this classic story, Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas after being visited by three ghosts. | Animal Farm by George Orwell— Politically-minded farm animals spark a revolution against their human master and establish a new government that fails because of a corrupt leader tempted by greed and power. |
| The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett— Mary moves to a huge estate to live with her mysterious uncle, his ailing son, the servants … and a secret garden. | Goodnight Mr Tom by MichelleMagorian – A young boy with a disturbed mother is sent to the English countryside during World War II to avoid the horrors of war. | Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – In this stormy, intense, introspective novel of the mid-nineteenth century, Jane Eyre is a plain, yet spirited, governess whose virtuous integrity, keen intellect, and perseverance break through class barriers to reach the man she loves. |
| The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien—This stirring adventure is a fantasy that introduces the far-wandering hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. | Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens—The tale of an orphan who runs away from his employer, is captured by thieves on the London streets and finally escapes. | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee— Two children witness the effects of racial prejudice, as their father courageously defends an innocent black man who has been accused of assaulting a white woman. |
| The Borrowers by Mary Norton – There are not many Borrowers left, as they like to live in quiet places. This is the story of the mysterious tiny people who live in old houses everywhere. | The War of the Worlds—H. G. Wells Large metal cylinders fall to earth to signal the beginning of a Martian invasion. The Martians take over London and the surrounding area, causing widespread death and destruction. A retelling of the science fiction classic. | Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck— Rough-tongued, ribald men yearn for land of their own while working on a ranch in California’s Salinas Valley. |
| Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – Alice lives an ordinary life, until the day she finds herself in the wonderful world of mad tea parties and remarkable characters. | Lord of the Flies by William Goulding—Shipwrecked English schoolboys set up their own civilisation, but savagery finally emerges. | Frankenstein by Mary Shelley— A gifted scientist attempts to break new frontiers and create human life from nothing, but has his quest driven him mad? Can he control the monster he has unleashed on the world? |