The Critical Thinking Co. ~ A Review

Over the past weeks my 7th grade daughter has been working her way through Vocabulary Virtuoso PSAT-SAT Book 1 from The Critical Thinking Co.. This workbook is for grades 8-12+. There is a Book 1 and a Book 2 for the PSAT-SAT. The workbook is 204 pages in length.

The following concepts are learned:

Literary:

• Idioms
• Euphemisms
• Puns
• Aphorisms
• Jargon
• Allusions
• Irony
• Theme

Rhetorical ~ The Art of Persuasion in Speech and Writing Using the Extended Simile to Write a Poem.

Historical:

• The Renaissance
• Renaissance Artists 

There are a total of 20 Vocabulary Lists. Each lesson contains 9 words. The word is given in bold print, followed by its pronunciation, then other word forms, and finally part of speech. The definition is given and a sample sentence is given.

Six activities follow for the student to complete in order to help them use each vocabulary word in context. Each vocabulary list contains a story in which the student has to insert the correct vocabulary words (missing words) within the context of the story. Other activities include:

• fill in the blank
• unscramble
• choose the best word, idiom, or phrase that defines
• complete the sentence 

The Story Challenge changes from week to week. One week it may have the student just fill in list words that would be missing from a story if you would be reading it. Another week the student may be asked to find a list word based on an idiom in context such as, "Yesterday, I asked Kara if she needed some help finishing her science research paper, and she acknowledged  my offer to help by thanking me and tighten answered, 'I have so much else to do, that I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.' said Piper."

My 7th grade daughter had no difficulty working through this workbook. She of course got things wrong but overall she did very well.

The answer key is in the back of the book for quick grading. After every 4 lessons there is a review over the four previous lessons. The reviews consist of a crossword puzzle, complete the sentence, and from a list of fictional book titles the students are to write the best word that might be used in each book.

Overall, I really thought that this workbook was good. It tackled many difficult word such as:

• egalitarian 
• euphonious 
• inchoate
• quiescent
• obsequious
• quixotic
• succinct

Like I always tell my children, there is no better way to improve your vocabulary than to immerse yourself through reading great literature. The Critical Thinking Co. does a great job coming alongside  students to help prepare them to take the PSAT and SAT. Even if your child is not studying for one of these tests this book is a great way for your child to increase their vocabulary knowledge. 

Be sure to check out all of the amazing material that The Critical Thinking Co. has to offer. By clicking the link below you will be able to read about many more products that fellow crew members reviewed. 

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