Dictionaries

Just a quick note about dictionaries:

I strongly recommend that all students who are studying for exams get a hold of a dictionary that has a) one or more sample sentences b) an audio pronunciation guide and c) clear definitions.

Basically the only type of dictionary that satisfies all of these requirements is the electronic dictionary. When selecting one, please check to make sure that it has all the necessary features.

If you can't get a hold of an electronic dictionary, you can go to dictionary.com to get clear definitions and pronunciation in an audio format. For good sample sentences, you can go to dictionary.cambridge.org.

Traditional dictionary books often only have sentence fragments as examples (or no sample sentences at all) and a written pronunciation guide that is too difficult for most students to understand. Although I do think it is important for students to learn to use a traditional dictionary, most compact dictionaries in this format simply do have what students these days need.