Língua Inglesa: Polysemic Words

Esta proposta de atividade de Língua Inglesa é destinada aos estudantes do 7º ano do Ensino Fundamental – Anos Finais

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Polysemy 

Polysemy refers to the phenomenon where a single word has multiple meanings or senses, which are related in some way. This is a common feature in many languages, including English. Unlike homonyms, where two words have the same spelling or pronunciation but entirely different origins and meanings, polysemous words are connected by their meanings, often through metaphorical or extended use.

Polysemy can sometimes create confusion, but usually, the context in which the word is used clarifies its intended meaning. Here’s a list of some common polysemous words in English:

1. Bank
   • A financial institution (e.g., “I deposited money in the bank.”)
   • The side of a river (e.g., “We had a picnic on the river bank.”)
2. Book
   • A set of written or printed pages bound together (e.g., “She is reading a book.”)
   • To make a reservation (e.g., “I will book a table for dinner.”)
3. Light
   • Something that makes things visible (e.g., “The room was filled with light.”)
   • Not heavy (e.g., “This bag is light to carry.”)
4. Mouse
   • A small rodent (e.g., “I saw a mouse in the garden.”)
   • A computer device (e.g., “Use the mouse to click on the icon.”)
5. Key
   • An object used to unlock something (e.g., “I lost my house key.”)
   • Essential or important (e.g., “This is a key factor in the decision.”)
6. Foot
   • The lower part of the leg (e.g., “I hurt my foot.”)
   • The bottom of something (e.g., “The statue is at the foot of the hill.”)
7. Head
   • The part of the body above the neck (e.g., “She nodded her head.”)
   • A leader or chief (e.g., “He is the head of the company.”)
8. Spring
   • A season of the year (e.g., “Spring is my favorite season.”)
   • A coiled metal object (e.g., “The spring in the mattress is broken.”)
   • To leap or jump (e.g., “The cat will spring onto the table.”)
9. Watch
   • A device for telling time (e.g., “She looked at her watch.”)
   • To observe carefully (e.g., “Watch the children while they play.”)
10. Cold
    • A low temperature (e.g., “It is cold outside.”)
    • An illness (e.g., “I have a cold.”)

Each of these words changes meaning depending on the context, illustrating the flexible and dynamic nature of language through polysemy. Understanding polysemy helps in deciphering nuanced meanings and improving comprehension, especially in language learning or literature.

Glossary:

1. Bank – Banco
2. Book – Livro / Reservar
3. Light – Luz / Leve
4. Mouse – Rato / Mouse (dispositivo de computador)
5. Key – Chave / Fundamental
6. Foot – Pé / Base
7. Head – Cabeça / Chefe
8. Spring – Primavera / Mola / Pular
9. Watch – Relógio / Observar
10. Cold – Frio / Resfriado
11. River – Rio
12. Hill – Colina
13. Table – Mesa
14. Reservation – Reserva
15. Icon – Ícone

Leia a charge abaixo abaixo e responda as questões sobre a mesma:

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Glossary:

Want: quer

Tickets: bilhetes/ingressos

This: este

reading: leitura

QUESTION 01

Na sentença: “Do you want me to book your tickets?”, a palavra book significa

(A) fazer uma reserva.

(B) um objeto físico com páginas para ler.

(C) cancelar um plano.

(D) anotar algo.

QUESTION 02

Na sentença “ “Let me finish reading my book,” a palavra book significa 

(A) fazer uma reserva.

(B) um objeto físico com páginas para ler.

(C) cancelar um plano.

(D) anotar algo.

Leia  o texto abaixo e responda as questões sobre o mesmo:

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Glossary:

to get: pegar

fridge: geladeira

because: porque

cold: frio e/ou resfriado

hot: quente

but: mas

No way: de jeito nenhum/ de forma alguma/ nem pensar

QUESTION 03

Como a palavra cold foi usada por Bob e Momo em diferentes partes do  texto? 

QUESTION 04

Forme frases em inglês, com as seguintes palavras polissêmicas : 

(A) mouse 

A small rodent:

A computer device:

(B) Watch

A device for telling time:

To observe carefully:

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Autoria	Profª Drª Sueidy Lourencio
Formação	Letras: Português/Inglês – Doutorado em Educação
Componente Curricular	Língua Inglesa
Habilidades	(EF07LI17-A) Explorar o caráter polissêmico de palavras de acordo com o contexto de uso, para aprimorar o conhecimento linguístico
Referências	MAKAR, Barbara W. Primary Phonics. 1. ed. Chicago: Modern Curriculum Press, 2018. KOUSTAFF, Lesley. Oxford Discover. 2. ed. v. 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. FOLEY, Mike; HALL, Diane. New Total English Elementary student’s book, Essex: Pearson. Education Limited, 2011.

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