Cambridge Learner's Dictionary with CD-ROM Third Edition

Cambridge University Press 2007

ISBN 978-0-521-68202-2

This is the third edition of this dictionary for Intermediate learners of English, and it comes with a CD-ROM. Word Partner boxes which give collocations and thesaurus boxes are new to this edition. There is also a 'New words' section at the front of the dictionary listing some fifty or so words and phrases such as 'muffin top' and 'BOGOF' ('buy one get one free' for those of you who may be wondering!).

There is a long section explaining in detail how to use the dictionary, but I question whether the average Intermediate learner would benefit greatly from this, as I feel it is not presented in a very user-friendly way. The 'Extra help' section in the middle of the dictionary includes information on areas such as modal verbs, phrasal verbs and word formation, including some exercises, and a number of pages focusing on saying the right thing in different situations, also with exercises. The coloured 'picture dictionary' at the centre section covers a range of subjects, and indicates differences in British and American English vocabulary. With the exception of the pages showing photographs of food and clothes in this section, all other pages contain illustrations rather than photographs, which I think gives a rather old-fashioned impression and which is not very eye-catching. Strangely, although exactly the same illustrations are used for the picture section of the CD-ROM, no labels are shown, so the pictures are of limited value to the learner. However, I did discover a very good feature using the illustrations by clicking on the Exercise button and then clicking again on the Picture button in this section. Here students have the opportunity to match vocabulary to appropriate parts of the illustration. I am just not sure how many people will find this function.

Generally, I was a little disappointed with the CD-ROM as I did not find it particularly easy to use. Perhaps my knowledge of CD-ROMs is lacking, but to me it was not always clear how to navigate around, and when I clicked on 'Superwrite' or 'Quickfind', the rest of the dictionary closed down and I was unable to return to the start page.

Throughout the dictionary and CD-ROM it is clear that emphasis is placed on learning vocabulary with the help of collocations and word partnerships. However, in my opinion, whilst the word entries are clearly defined, the layout and presentation of the dictionary, including the 'boxes', could be improved in order to help learners make the most of the information.

Angela Matthews Siegrist