Reading: Vocabulary in Context: A2 Lesson 2: Understanding Common Adjectives & Adverbs in Descriptions

Reading: Vocabulary in Context

A2 Lesson 2: Understanding Common Adjectives & Adverbs in Descriptions

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Words that Describe

In our last lesson, we practiced guessing the meaning of new words. Today, we will focus on two special types of describing words that make sentences more interesting and give us more detail.

We will learn the difference between Adjectives¹ (which describe things) and Adverbs² (which describe actions).

Part 1: Adjectives (Describe Nouns)

An adjective describes a noun (a person, place, or thing). It answers the question, "What kind?"

foundation

Kampot has many old buildings.
(What kind of buildings? Old buildings.)

set_meal

The fresh seafood is delicious.
(What kind of seafood? Fresh seafood.)

waves

The water in the river is calm today.
(What kind of water? Calm water.)

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Part 2: Adverbs (Describe Verbs)

An adverb describes a verb (an action). It usually answers the question, "How?" Many adverbs end with '-ly'.

directions_walk

The old man walks slowly.
(How does he walk? Slowly.)

hearing

The student listens carefully.
(How does she listen? Carefully.)

mic_off

Please speak quietly in the library.
(How should I speak? Quietly.)

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Part 3: Adjective vs. Adverb

Let's compare them side-by-side. Notice what word is being described.

Adjective (describes a noun)	Adverb (describes a verb)
The music is loud. ('Loud' describes the noun 'music'.)	He plays music loudly. ('Loudly' describes the verb 'plays'.)
She is a careful student. ('Careful' describes the noun 'student'.)	She studies carefully. ('Carefully' describes the verb 'studies'.)

Your Turn to Describe!

Practice Quiz: Adjective or Adverb?

Read the sentence and choose if the bold word is an Adjective or an Adverb.

1. The weather is very hot today.

Answer: Adjective (it describes the noun 'weather').

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2. The student answered the question correctly.

Answer: Adverb (it describes the verb 'answered').

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3. She wore a beautiful dress to the party.

Answer: Adjective (it describes the noun 'dress').

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Adjective (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: គុណនាម (Kun-a-niem)
   A word that describes a noun (a person, place, or thing). E.g., a big house, a red moto. ↩ back to text
2. Adverb (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: គុណកិរិយា (Kun-ke-riya)
   A word that describes a verb (an action). It often tells *how* an action is done. E.g., to walk slowly, to speak loudly. ↩ back to text
3. Description (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការពិពណ៌នា (Kaa pi-poa-ro-nie)
   Words that create a clear picture in a reader's mind. ↩ back to text

Homework Task

Complete the Descriptions!

Complete these sentences with your own ideas.

1. Choose an adjective to describe the food: "The noodle soup was _______."
2. Choose an adverb to describe an action: "My friend rides his bicycle _______."
3. Write one full sentence about the weather using an adjective. (Example: "Today is a sunny day.")

Share your sentences with your teacher.