Here are some interesting /findings/results/ based on testing the vocabulary size of two million people:<o:p></o:p>

•             Average native test-takers of age 8 already know 10,000 words<o:p></o:p>

•             Average native test-takers of age 4 already know 5,000 words<o:p></o:p>

•             The most common vocabulary size for foreign test-takers is 4,500 words<o:p></o:p>

•             Foreign test-takers learn 2.5 new words a day while living in an English- <o:p></o:p>

speaking country<o:p></o:p>

These are the results from www.testyourvocab.com:

http://testyourvocab.com/blog/

Keep in mind that these results are for people who volunteered to take the test. Of those who volunteered the information, the average test taker had an verbal SAT test score of 700 - about the 95th percentile of SAT test takers. The younger-aged test takers were probably also especially smart kids. Regardless, one of the most important things I learned from reading the blog was that high vocabulary goes hand in hand with lots of reading, particularly when that reading includes lots of fiction. No matter how much time you spend in conversation, you will not build your vocabulary to high levels. You must read a lot.