A student understands ‘enormous’ but rarely uses it. This word is part of:

Concept

Vocabulary can be classified by how a learner handles words. Receptive or passive vocabulary contains words the learner recognizes and understands, whereas productive or active vocabulary contains words the learner can readily use in speaking or writing.

Application

Here, the learner understands ‘enormous’, so the word belongs to the recognized store of words. The learner rarely produces it, which places it outside the regularly used store.

Contrast

• Passive vocabulary: words understood or recognized, even if not commonly used by the learner.

• Incorrect vocabulary: not a standard category for classifying understood versus used words.

• Active vocabulary: words the learner readily uses in speaking or writing.

• Non-existent vocabulary: not a standard category in this vocabulary classification.

Result

Therefore, ‘enormous’ is part of the learner’s passive vocabulary.