Seventh Graders’ Vocabulary Mastery On Descriptive Texts

Abstract

Vocabulary is one among compulsory language elements to be learned by EFL pupils. Possessing a sufficient amount of vocabulary as well as mastering the its utilization is crucial for implementing the language well. Vocabulary mastery is not learnt through specific course at school, albeit it is generally taught integrated along with other language capabilities, for instance reading comprehension in educational process. Therefore, this study emphases on discovering the students’ vocabulary mastery on descriptive text, particularly for the seventh-graders of SMPN 25 Banjarmasin by employing quantitative method. There were 32 EFL students which choses as study sample by implementing cluster random sampling technique. A test which distributes by utilizing Google Form of fill in the blanks which consisted of 50 items was utilized as the study instrument. The result showcased that the subjects’ vocabulary mastery on descriptive texts was “poor” which was proven by the first-test and second-test mean score which were 61,31 and 61,19 respectively. The parts of speech which thought to be the most difficult by the subjects in the first and the second tests were on adverb along with adjective. Most subjects faced difficulties with the meaning, word choice, as well as word function understanding of parts of speech which made them difficult on deciding the words’ position throughout the sentences. The analyst proposed some suggestions; the teacher should provide more explanation toward their pupils regarding the correct utilization of parts of speech position and their role in the sentence, as well as the difference among noun, verb, adjective, along with adverb within the sentence by providing many examples so they can easily regulate the word within the sentence. The EFL pupils were also proposed to learn more regarding noun, verb, adjective, as well as adverb by conducting examination on the word forms and function within the sentence.