Final answer:
The most appropriate activity for college students working on their receptive vocabulary is listening to a podcast, as it provides exposure to new words in context and mimics natural speech. Active reading of books is also beneficial for vocabulary development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Receptive vocabulary refers to the words we understand when they are used by others, which is distinct from expressive vocabulary, the words we use ourselves in speech or writing. For college students working on enhancing their receptive vocabulary, the most appropriate activity among the options given would be listening to a podcast. This activity allows students to engage with the language in a focused manner and in a context that often mirrors natural speech. Listening to podcasts can introduce students to a variety of new words and phrases within the natural context of a conversation or discourse, thus helping to solidify understanding and retention.
Reading a book is another beneficial activity for vocabulary development. While reading, students should actively engage with the text, which includes summarizing plot points, asking questions, and annotating text with notes and citations for later use. This approach transforms a passive reading session into an active reading experience that promotes better comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.
While activities such as writing a story or playing a video game can also be beneficial for language development, they tend to focus more on expressive vocabulary and cognitive skills rather than vocabulary acquisition. Therefore, for the specific aim of enhancing receptive vocabulary, listening to podcasts and actively engaging with written texts are highly recommended practices.