Vocabulary: Two's Company

Many students find that one of the hardest sections of the SAT is the sentence-completion test; the only way to really study for it is to be exposed to vocabulary in context, and flashcards or lists don't truly accomplish that. This creative program in the Vocabulary series, shot in the style of NBC's popular show The Office, introduces almost 60 new words in four 12- to 13-minute episodes through humorous dramas featuring office mates Hank and Dudley. A word is shown onscreen, defined, and then illustrated in a brief vignette, after which the word is shown again and redefined within the context of the story just presented. For example, Hank “flamboyantly” asks the new office girl out, but she “sagaciously” turns him down, while in another episode, Dudley is deemed “dilatory.” Each episode's storyline is continuous, so the segments are all related, making each new word more memorable as the sequence plays out. The accompanying curriculum features plenty of exercises—such as an SAT-like sentence-completion quiz—to reinforce understanding and retention of words taught. Other titles in this series include Johnny Hightower & The Speedwalkers, Shall We Dance?, Artists & Rumor Chick, Mad Scientists & Study Partner, Imaginary Larry, and Stranded! Highly recommended. Aud: H, P. (E. Gieschen)