help in vocab pleasee

[mrcool]

Hey guys, my english scores are around a B level and I really would like to increase my vocab! It is shocking, can you please list ways of how I could do this!

Thanks

[Alter]

This website is particularly useful - http://www.vocabulary.com/howitworks/

I'm sure if you're that keen on improving your vocab, there are tons of other similar websites like this that could help you out. There are also tons of lists of Quizlet that can do this, too.

[heids]

Go through essays you've written; highlight words that you repeat/are really basic, and get out the thesaurus.  (I just type in Google, 'define [the word]', and it lists synonyms which you can click on for definitions.  Or the Microsoft Word thesaurus.  Remember that synonyms rarely have exactly the same meaning... so check their definitions, and keep an eye out for seeing them elsewhere.)  Make a word-bank with lists of similar words grouped together.  Keep referring to this, especially after writing more essays - when editing, try substituting words from your word-bank just to get practise with them.

Reading more widely is of course/unfortunately the best way... but takes time.  Especially read other people's essays, and highlight/steal any words or phrases you love!

Stick up words that you think you could use heaps on your bedroom wall.  Dream about them.

[MDMA]

You don't really need an expansive vocab to do well. Throughout all of year 12 I tried to write as sophisticated and complexly as I could but in the exams just wrote naturally and scored high A+ for all three. For LA all you need is instruction words and the other two pieces just write it naturally with flow.

[mrcool]

awesome guys thanks for the help

[AngelWings]

To the OP: My English Language teacher was always advocating this.
Here's a list of things to try:

• READ! More often than not, reading the news, what you like and lengthier books will increase your vocab (try ones by Stephen King, James Patterson and Dan Brown. They tend to use uncommon words). Of course, you should check up what they mean in a dictionary as you read or jot them down for later.
• Use apps and websites available as already mentioned. There are some good games out there for this purpose. Dictionary.com has a "Word of the Day" thing going and if you've subscribed, I can't see how that couldn't be somewhat beneficial to you.
• Learn some affixes, as to understand the semantics of words (e.g. the prefix "pat-" means "father" like in "paternal").
• Try to use newly learnt words in context, such as everyday speech and essays.
• Have a few rounds of Scrabble, Boggle or other word games with family. Not only will you have bonding time, but chances are you'll learn a word or two off them. If you don't have time, try to play a verbal word game on the way to and from school with friends or family.
  
  Spoiler

  Aforementioned verbal word game
  Objective: To catch someone out of the loop.
  
  How to play: Someone begins with a simple word. The next person has 3 seconds to think of a word that is related by meaning (semantically related) to that word. Keep rotating between players and say words that are related to the previous word. Continue until someone stumbles (this could be by repeating a word that has been previously said or they take too long) and is "out", until one person is left. The remaining player is the crowned winner.
  
  Possible alterations: You may change the time limit, amount of chances (usually one, 3 if someone is significantly younger or English is their second language) and even make it harder by having to think of words beginning with the last letter, as well as a related meaning. The possibilities are endless.
  
  Rules:
  1. You can't repeat a word.
  2. It must not be the plural of another (e.g. you can't use "cloths" if "cloth" has been used) or a proper noun (no names or "Sydney Harbour Bridge").
  3. It must be directly related to the previous word.
• Crosswords are meant to be great for this. This is not my favourite, but everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Whip out a copy of The Age or Herald Sun on the weekend for some good word puzzles (or you could nicely ask for your parents' copy).
• Write for fun. Not essays, but stories or diary entries using sophisticated language. It may seem unusual, but it's actually a great past-time. You'll find yourself trying to search for words and often come across new ones. (Try Wattpad to join other writing enthusiasts.)
• If you speak another language, you often have phrases you can't translate well into English. Try to see if you can by the power of the Internet and having 5 spare minutes.

[Zeppeli]

I use Anki, it's really helped up my vocab.

http://ankisrs.net/