⒈下列 6 個動詞的共同意思是“傷害”或“破壞”：
damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar
⒉下列 6 個動詞的共同意思是“減少”：
decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle
⒊下列 6 個名詞的中心意思是“武裝叛變”：
rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, mutiny, insurrection
⒋下列 7 個名詞都含有“邊緣”之意： edge, brink, brim, rim, verge, border, margin
⒌下列 7 個名詞都含有“ 路”之意： way, road , path , route, passage, street, aveune
⒍下列 7 個形容詞都含有“著名”之意： famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, distinguished, eminent, illustrious
⒎下列 7 個形容詞都含有“快速”之意：
fast, rapid, swift, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious
⒏下列 9 個動詞含“勝過”或“克服”之意：
conquer, defeat, vanquish, overcome, beat, rout, surmount, subdue, overthrow
上述 8 組字，每組都有個中心意思。在學習詞彙時，若能將意思有關聯的字詞或習語擺在一起，通過聯想來記憶，不但輕鬆而且還很有效。必須注意的是，雖然幾個字有共同的`意思，但是每個字在句子中的用法，難免會有些差別，不可不察。
現在舉個和“laugh”(笑)有關的動詞，來說明這點。
① The President smiled(微笑) as he went past the crowd.
② His joke made us laugh(發笑).
③ The spectators jeered(嘲笑) when their team was defeated.
④ The audience roared with rage(暴笑如雷).
⑤ If you tease(揶揄) her again, she will get angry.
⑥ The pupils giggled(格格地笑) on seeing the teacher fall down.
⑦ The crowd booed(喝倒采) when the referee made a mistake.
⑧ The listeners hooted(輕蔑地叫喊) at the ignorant speaker.
⑨ Irene sat at a corner, chuckling(輕聲暗笑) to herself.
⑩The naughty girl grinned(露齒而笑) in response to her mothers question.
