Reading Practice: Basic

Descriptors

Wordlist

adopted

adopted (adj)

a child who lives and grows up with adults who aren't his/her natural parents

apart

apart (adv)

not together (people or things)

board

board (v)

to get in or on a type of transport

bride

bride (n)

a woman on the day she gets married

cope

cope (v)

to manage a very difficult situation (usually used in the negative form)

cottage

cottage (n)

a house, often small, in the country

details

details (n)

more exact, specific information about something

dowry

dowry (n)

the presents or money given in some countries by a woman's family when she gets married

emigrate

emigrate (v)

to go and live in a foreign country

famine

famine (n)

a time when there isn't a lot of or enough food for people

give

give up (v)

to stop doing something, often something which has been happening for some time

getintouch

get in touch (v)

to contact someone, for example, by letter or telephone

get_to_know

get to know (v)

to find out more about something (often used to refer to people and relationships)

highest

highest (adj)

the biggest number

hugs

hug (n)

a squeeze, an embrace, a cuddle; when you hold someone or something in your arms

keep

keep an eye on someone (idm)

to watch someone carefully to make sure they are OK

kids

kids (n)

children (informal)

lateral

lateral thinking (n)

a way of thinking about something that is non-rational/non-logical

loads

loads (quantifier)

a lot of something (informal)

lookafter

look after (v)

to take care of someone or something; for example, a nurse looks after ill people

lookfor

look for (v)

to try to find something

lowest

lowest (adj)

the smallest number

maiden

maiden name (n)

a woman's name before she gets married and uses her husband's name

news

news flash (n)

a piece of news, usually very important, which interrupts TV or radio programmes

odd

odd one out (n)

one of a group of things which doesn't share a common characteristic

melt

melt (v)

to cause a solid to become a liquid; for example, the sun melts the snow

rites

rites of passage (n)

when a person's legal or social position changes; for example, from single to married or becoming a parent

search

search (v)

to try to find someone or something

surviving

surviving (adj)

still alive

tears

tears (n)

drops of liquid that come from your eyes when you're very sad (or very happy!)

thirsty

thirsty (adj)

a dry feeling in your mouth, when you need to drink something

world

worldwide (adj)

in all of the world

above

above (prep)

directly over or higher than something else; for example, "The plane is flying above the clouds"

at

at home (adv)

comfortable and relaxed in a place or situation

apply

apply (v)

to be relevant or related to something

bill

bill (n)

a piece of paper explaining how much you have to pay for a particular object or service

ceiling

ceiling (n)

the top part of a room

choice

choice (n)

when you have the possibility of selecting one of a number of things; for example, "for lunch there was a choice of meat or fish"

coal

coal (n)

a hard black mineral burned to give energy

conflicting

conflicting (adj)

in opposition to

consideration

consideration (n)

careful thought about something before making a decision

couple

couple (n)

two of something

decorate

decorate (v)

to make a place, for example a house, look nice by painting it and putting nice objects in it

energy

energy (n)

the force or power that objects or people have

entertain

entertain (v)

to keep people happy and interested; for example, "He entertained the children for hours with stories and games"

face

face (v)

to be opposite something or someone, with the front (or face) toward the other thing's or person's front (or face)

filing

filing cabinet (n)

a piece of office furniture for keeping important papers in

fill

fill (v)

to put lots of something in a place or object

floor

floor (n)

a level of a building; for example, houses often have two floors, flats often have only one

flow

flow (v)

to move steadily and continuously in a particular direction; for example, rivers often flow to the sea

freely

freely (adv)

without restriction

go

go for (v)

to choose something

hall

hall (n)

the area just inside the front door of a house or a waiting area in a building or office

harmoniously

harmoniously (adv)

when things go together well, for example, musical notes

improve

improve (v)

to make something better

large

large (adj)

very big

lovely

lovely (adj)

very nice

main

main (adj)

the most important

mins

mins (abbreviation)

minutes

move

move house (v)

to go to live in a different house

neighbour

neighbour (n)

a person who lives in the house or flat next to yours

ornament

ornament (n)

an attractive object you put in a house, for example, to make it look nice

oval

oval (adj)

a shape, like an egg

pattern

pattern (n)

the design of colours or pictures on materials like clothes, for example

reflect

reflect (v)

to send light back in the direction from which it came or to see your image in an object like a mirror

removal

removal men (n)

men whose job is to move furniture when a person goes to live in a different house

significant

significant (adj)

important

spirit

spirit (n)

the non-physical part of a person believed to continue to exist after death

success

success (n)

something that works well

vital

vital (adj)

very important

wood

wood (n)

the material which comes from trees

without

w/o (abbreviation) (prep)

without

appeal

appeal (n)

an attractive quality

baggy

baggy (adj)

hanging loosely on your body, such as clothing

bright

bright (adj)

with a very strong colour

casual

casual (adj)

informal; casual clothes are normally worn in informal situations, for example, at home or on holiday

checked

checked (adj)

with squares on it

denim

denim (adj)

made of denim, which is a thick cotton cloth used to make clothes, especially jeans

draw

draw (v)

[past simple=drew] to use a pen or pencil to produce a picture

embroider

embroider (v)

to sew a design onto clothes

faded

faded (adj)

without the original colour (now a lighter colour)

flared

flared (adj)

wider in one part

gold

gold digger (n)

a person who looks for gold in the ground

growing

growing (adj)

getting bigger

handbag

handbag (n)

a small bag that a woman uses

hardwearing

hard-wearing (adj)

durable, remains almost like new even if it is used often

haveashave

have a shave

to cut the hair from your face or legs, for example

loose

loose-fitting

large, not tight

manufacturer

manufacturer (n)

a company or business that makes a certain product in large quantities

mirror

mirror (n)

a flat piece of glass in which you can see yourself reflected

patterned

patterned (adj)

having designs with the same shape repeated at regular intervals

plain

plain (adj)

with no pattern or design

sailor

sailor (n)

a person who works on a ship

shrinking

shrinking (adj)

getting smaller

staying

staying power (n)

a quality of remaining popular for a long time

striped

striped (adj)

with parallel lines on

successful

successful (adj)

achieving desired results

survivor

survivor (n)

something that is still present from an earlier period, while other things from that period have disappeared

tight

tight (adj)

small and fits closely to your body, as with tight clothes

trendy

trendy (adj)

fashionable and modern (colloquial)

trousers

trousers (n)

long pants

waist

waist (n)

part of the body above the hips; part of clothing that touches the waist

adjust

adjust (v)

to change something to make it better, more comfortable, for example

a

a few (det)

a small number of something; for example, "We took a few apples on the picnic"

alternate

alternate (v)

to change regularly between two or more possibilities

bend

bend (v)

to change the shape or direction of something so that it isn't straight; for example, when you bend your elbow, your arm isn't straight

break

break (n)

a short period of time when you stop working and have a rest before starting again

chance

chance (n)

an opportunity

common

common (adj)

usual, normal

flight

flight (n)

the noun from the verb to fly

height

height (n)

the noun from the adjective high; the length of a thing from top to bottom

lethargic

lethargic (adj)

tired, without the energy to do anything

likely

likely (adv)

probable

manager

manager (n)

a job title; a manager is the person responsible for and in control of a company or business

occur

occur (v)

to happen

over

over (prep)

a preposition of place and movement; for example, "The dog ran to the wall and jumped over it"

persist

persist (v)

to continue, often for a longer period of time than you expect

sign

sign (n)

a mark or shape that has a particular meaning

surf

surf (v)

to use the Internet is often referred to as surfing the Internet

symptoms

symptoms (n)

the physical signs that someone has a particular illness; for example, the symptoms of the flu are a bad cold, a temperature and your body aches

tip

tip (n)

a piece of advice

towards

towards (prep)

in the direction of; for example, "When the bull saw me, it started running towards me"

twice

twice (adv)

two times

width

width (n)

the distance across something from one edge to the other

account

account for (v)

to cause or exaplain something; for example, if A accounts for B, then A causes or explains B

bureaucracy

bureaucracy (n)

office work, paperwork

continuously

continuously (adv)

without stopping

leisure

leisure (n)

time when you're not working

needless

needless (adj)

unnecessary

roughly

roughly (adv)

approximately

scissors

scissors (n)

an object used for cutting things, like paper, cloth, etc.

sociable

sociable (adj)

friendly; if you are being sociable, you are mixing with and talking to other people

wonder

wonder (v)

to ask yourself something; to be surprised by something

4-star

4-star (adj)

high quality; a star rating shows the quality of a hotel (a 5-star hotel is the best quality)

book

book (v)

to reserve or arrange a ticket

brochure

brochure (n)

a magazine that has information about travel in it

compass

compass (n)

an object used for finding direction; a compass has a small needle that always points in the direction of north

Congress

Congress (n)

the elected group of politicians in the United States who are responsible for making laws

co

co-operative (adj)

people working together for something

donate

donate (v)

to give money to a charity organisation

due

due (adj)

expected, planned

equipment

equipment (n)

a set of necessary objects for a particular purpose

expedition

expedition (n)

a big organised journey

full

full board (adj)

with all meals provided

fund

fund raising (n)

collecting money for charity

gym

gym (n)

a large room with equipment for exercising the body and increasing physical strength

intention

intention (n)

a plan or purpose

itinerary

itinerary (n)

a detailed plan or route of a journey

keep-fit

keep-fit class (n)

a class in which you do physical exercises to keep in good physical condition

leukaemia

leukaemia (n)

a disease of the blood

look

look forward to (v)

to feel happy because something is going to happen

out

out of shape (adj)

in bad physical condition

raise

raise (v)

to collect together

row

row (v)

to move a boat through water by using long flat poles called oars

salt

salt (n)

a common white substance found in sea water, and which we put on food

sponsorship

sponsorship (n)

money from a business or person

tiring

tiring (adj)

something that makes you feel that you have no energy

trek

trek (n)

a long, difficult walk, usually in mountains

underprivileged

underprivileged (adj)

with less money, fewer possessions and fewer opportunities than average

wig

wig (n)

false or artificial hair to cover the head

work

work out (v)

to do physical exercise in a gym

Basque

Basque (n)

a language spoken in the north-west of Spain

colloquial

colloquial (adj)

informal, used mainly in conversation

combine

combine (v)

to put two or more things together

cool

cool (adj)

very good, fashionable (informal)

dialect

dialect (n)

a version of a language which is spoken in a particular area

disappear

disappear (v)

to go away, stop existing

Esperanto

Esperanto (n)

a language invented in 1887, which includes elements of Latin, Romance and Germanic languages

follow

follow (v)

to go after

male

male (adj)

masculine, belonging to men

the

the media (n)

television, radio, newspapers and magazines

Ministry

Ministry (n)

a government department

minority

minority (adj)

a minority language is spoken by few people

no

no point (n)

no reason

qualification

qualification (n)

an exam you need to pass to work in a particular area

research

research (n)

work that involves studying something and discovering facts about it

Romance

Romance (adj)

the Romance languages are the languages that come from Latin, such as Spanish, French, Italian, etc.

secondary

secondary school (n)

the school for students between the ages of 11 or 12 and 18

sharply

sharply (adv)

very quickly

steadily

steadily (adv)

constantly

support

support (v)

to agree with and help

survive

survive (v)

to continue to exist, although with difficulty

syllable

syllable (n)

a part of a word that is pronounced as one unit

unclear

unclear (adj)

not certain, not known

announce

announce (v)

to say something, often in a formal situation

average

average (adj)

the usual number

cheered

cheer up (v)

to become happier

chief

chief (n)

the most important person in a group

colonise

colonise (v)

to go and live somewhere nobody has lived before, and start a community there; the noun is colony

courtesy

courtesy of (prep)

when someone, often in business, organises something for you and lets you do it for free

diameter

diameter (n)

the distance across a circle

disbelief

disbelief (n)

not believing something

escargot

escargot (n)

the French word for snail

expense

expense (n)

cost; noun related to the adjective expensive

facilities

facilities (n)

things provided for a particular purpose, for example, in a hotel

fancy

fancy (v)

informal verb, which means "I'd like..." or "Would you like...?"

get

get used to (v)

to practise something new, often difficult at first, until you can do it well

gravity

gravity (n)

the force that makes things fall to, or stay on, the ground

honeymoon

honeymoon (n)

a holiday you go on after you get married

increase

increase (v)

to make or have more of something

lack

lack (n)

when there isn't very much, or enough, of something

landing

landing (n)

from the verb to land, when a plane returns to the ground again at its destination

lorry

lorry (n)

a large type of road transport, normally for moving big or heavy things; in American English: truck

lunar

lunar (adj)

related to the Moon

mask

mask (n)

an object that covers your face, for decoration or protection

nasa

NASA (n)

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: the US government organisation responsible for space travel and research

orbit

orbiting (adj)

travelling around an object, like a planet (the verb and the noun are orbit)

overland

overland (adj)

by, on, or across land

poles

poles (n)

the two points at the top and bottom of a sphere

resort

resort (n)

a group of buildings - hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. - where people go on holiday

reward

reward (n)

a prize someone gives you for doing something

rise

rise (v)

to go up to; often referring to how tall something is

solar

solar panel (n)

an object that is used to convert heat from the sun into energy

spacecraft

spacecraft (n)

a type of transport used for space travel

snore

snore (v)

to make a loud noise while breathing when you sleep

sparks

sparks (n)

small, bright, pieces of fire

unmanned

unmanned (adj)

without people

vast

vast (adj)

very big

view

view (n)

things you can see from a particular place

ambition

ambition (n)

a strong desire to accomplish something

blow

blow (v)

to send out a stream of air through the mouth

emergency

emergency (n)

a difficult or dangerous situation that happens suddenly and requires immediate action

enjoyed

enjoy (v)

[past simple=enjoyed] to take pleasure in something; for example, "The party was great and everyone enjoyed it"

firewood

firewood (n)

wood that has been cut to use on a fire

forbidden

forbidden (adj)

not allowed to do something; for example, "Smoking is forbidden on all aeroplanes"

fulfil

fulfil (v)

to make something come true that you want to happen very much

guide

guide (n)

information or advice about something (usually in the form of a book)

heat

heat (v)

to make something hot, like food or drink

hid

hide (v)

[past simple=hid] to put something or someone in a place where they can't be seen or found easily

independently

independently (adv)

alone, without support or help from other people

inheritance

inheritance (n)

money or property that a person receives after someone dies

injuries

injury (n)

[plural=injuries] harm, usually physical, done to a person's body; for example, "It wasn't a serious accident and the passengers didn't suffer any injuries"

light

light (v)

to make something start burning; for example, "She decided to light the fire because it was so cold"

lost

lost (adj)

in a place where you don't know where you are or which direction to travel in

merchant

merchant (n)

a person who buys and sells things, often from a different country

repair

repair (v)

to take something that was broken and make it work correctly again

route

route (n)

a way from one place to another

rushed

rush (v)

[past simple=rush] to move quickly from one place to another

sandstorm

sandstorm (n)

a strong wind in the desert that creates big clouds of sand

set

set out (v)

to begin a journey

setsail

set sail (v)

to begin a journey by sea

signal

signal (n)

a sound or an action that has a special message or meaning

source

source (n)

the place where something begins

sudden

sudden (adj)

happening quickly and unexpectedly

anagram

anagram (n)

a puzzle in which you reorder letters to make a word; for example, werfol is an anagram of flower

beg

beg (v)

to ask someone for something you desperately want

Brahman

Brahman (n)

a Hindu of the highest caste; they are often priests

branch

branch (n)

the part of a tree that is like an arm

cage

cage (n)

a place to keep animals, for example, in a zoo

encounter

encounter (n)

a meeting, often one that isn't planned

fly

fly (v)

[past simple=flew] to move through the air, like a bird or a plane

fool

fool (n)

a silly person

furious

furious (adj)

very angry

hide

hide (v)

[past simple=hid] to put something or someone in a place where they can't be seen

horns

horns (n)

long sharp objects found on the heads of some animals, such as bulls, for example

laugh

laugh (v)

to make a sound from your throat when you're happy or when you hear a funny story, for example

lawn

lawn (n)

an area of grass that is often very well-looked-after

laws

laws (n)

the rules of a particular place or country

lies

lie (n)

something a person says that isn't true; verb: to lie

message

message (n)

news or information given from one person to another

moral

moral (n)

a good lesson or message from a story; for example, "Slow and steady wins the race"

noise

noise (n)

a sound

parrot

parrot (n)

a type of bird; some can "talk", and they are usually found in tropical areas

path

path (n)

a narrow piece of ground that people walk on to go from one place to another

pounce

pounce (v)

to jump

roar

roar (v)

to make a loud noise from the throat, as a warning (made by some animals, such as lions, for example)

shade

shade (n)

an area that isn't in direct sunlight

shake

shake one's head (v)

to move the head from side to side to indicate "no"

shelter

shelter (n)

protection

smile

smile (v)

to move the corners of your mouth towards your ears when you are happy

star

star (v)

to be the most important character in a film or play

unfair

unfair (adj)

not reasonable nor fair

wingspan

wingspan (n)

the distance from the end of one wing to the end of the other

wise

wise (adj)

very intelligent

wish

wish (n)

a desire, something you want to do

worship

worship (v)

to consider someone or something to be a god and treat them in that way

yak

yak (n)

a type of semi-domestic ox found in the Himalayas and Tibet

cold

cold (n)

a very common illness that affects your nose and head and makes you sneeze

cumulative

cumulative (adj)

increasing, each time becoming more and more

defences

defences (n)

natural mechanisms your body uses to fight infections and protect itself

event

event (n)

something that happens; the events of the day are the things that happen during the day

fever

fever (n)

a high body temperature, which you sometimes get when you are ill

flu

flu (n)

a very common illness, like a bad cold, and usually with a headache and fever

headache

headache (n)

a pain in your head

hiccups

hiccups (n)

repeated short sounds in your throat, which often occur after eating or drinking too quickly

last

last (v)

to continue or exist for a period of time; for example, "The class lasts for two hours"

lower

lower (v)

to make less or weaker; if a temperature lowers, it becomes less

partner

partner (n)

the person you are married to or have a romantic relationship with

review

review (v)

to remember and think about things that have happened

rhyme

rhyme (v)

to have a similar sound; for example, red and bed

saying

saying (n)

a personal or popular statement about something

stimulate

stimulate (v)

to make something function more or better

vowel

vowel (n)

the letters a, e, i, o, u

background

background (n)

the experience and education that a person has

charity

charity (n)

an organisation that helps poor people

degree

degree (n)

a title given by a university

distance

distance (n)

a measurement of space between two places; when you study by distance, you study from your home but with materials and tutors from a school or university, for example

division

division (n)

a department or branch of a company

doctorate

doctorate (n)

a high-level university degree, typically a doctor of philosophy

exchangestudent

exchange student (n)

someone who changes places with a student in another country for a short period of study

induecourse

in due course (exp)

when the time is right

reference

reference (n)

a letter a person (usually an employer) writes about another person's (usually an employee) character, abilities, etc.

résumé

résumé (n)

a written summary of a person's work experience (American English); in British English it is usually called a curriculum vitae (CV)

position

position (n)

a job (or the possibility of one) in a company, institution, etc.

priorto

prior to (prep)

before

undertake

undertake (v)

to do (formal)

convince

convince (v)

to persuade someone that something is true or correct

device

device (n)

an instrument or object designed for a specific purpose

dial

dial (v)

to press the buttons on a telephone in order to make a call

edge

edge (n)

the border or limit of an object or place; for example, "Don't put your cup on the edge of the table - it might fall off."

embarrassed

embarrassed (adj)

feeling uncomfortable because you have done something silly or incorrect; when you are embarrassed you can sometimes go red in the face

fail

fail (v)

to stop working/functioning or to break

gift

gift (n)

something you give a person at Christmas or for their birthday, for example

grassy

grassy (adj)

covered with grass

hang

hang (v)

to be suspended from a high point

hill

hill (n)

a high area of land, smaller than a mountain

hold

hold (v)

to have or keep an object in your hands (a pen or a cup, for example)

pleased

pleased (adj)

happy or satisfied with a situation

pretend

pretend (v)

to deceive or make a situation appear to be what it is not; for example, "He pretended to listen, but really he was watching TV"

redialbutton

redial button (n)

a button on a telephone which automatically repeats and reconnects you to the last telephone number you dialled

ring

ring (v)

[past simple=rang] to make a telephone call

shepherd

shepherd (n)

someone who looks after sheep

safety

safety (n)

the absence of danger

screen

screen (n)

the part of a television or a computer that you look at

slip

slip (v)

to lose control or balance

trapped

trapped (adj)

not able to escape from a situation or place

according

according to (prep)

in the words or opinion of (someone)

antique

antique (n)

an old object

blink

blink (v)

to close and then open the eyelids very quickly

deceive

deceive (v)

to make someone think that something that is false is true or real

dilate

dilate (v)

to get bigger

disqualify

disqualify (v)

to be forced to stop participating in something, such as a race or other competition, usually for doing something against the rules

fake

fake (adj)

false - not real, not authentic

feature

feature (n)

a part of your face - your nose, mouth, ears, etc., are all features

flavouring

flavouring (n)

something that is put in food to give it a particular flavour or taste

fur

fur (n)

hair that covers an animal (cats, rabbits, bears, etc.)

hard

hard (adj)

difficult

humanbeing

human being (n)

a person (man, woman or child)

jewellery

jewellery (n)

the collective word for things like rings, watches, bracelets and necklaces

joke

joke (n)

a short, funny story that you tell to make people laugh

leather

leather (n)

the skin of an animal like a cow, used to make jackets, shoes, etc.

liar

liar (n)

a person who doesn't tell the truth, who lies

lie

lie (v, n)

to not tell the truth; a lie (n) is what you say when you don't tell the truth

locked

locked (adj)

closed with a key

mood

mood (n)

the way you feel at a particular time; you can be in a good mood or a bad mood

race

race (n)

a competition to determine which person, animal or thing is the fastest

realise

realise (v)

to know or understand something now that was not obvious before

researcher

researcher (n)

a scientist who investigates a particular thing or area

riddle

riddle (n)

a problem that does not have an easy solution; a riddle can have an educational function or can be like a game

signature

signature (n)

your name as you write it when you sign a document or a letter, for example

smell

smell (v, n)

v: to use your nose to detect a scent (such as a flower or food cooking, for example); n: the scent that your nose detects

species

species (n)

a particular type of animal

suspect

suspect (v, n)

v: to doubt someone's reasons for doing something; n: a person who the police have concrete reasons to think could be a criminal

tan

tan (n)

(abbreviation for suntan) a brown colour that your skin becomes when you spend time in the sun

tell

tell (v)

in this context, tell means to know something because you can see, hear, smell, feel or taste that it is true

tendto

tend to (v)

to usually do something

tighten

tighten (v)

to become tight or tense

train

train (v)

to teach someone to do a particular job or activity

water

water (v)

to give water to something, usually plants (not animals or people)

whitelie

white lie (exp)

a small lie you tell someone when you don't want that person to feel bad or uncomfortable

badguy

bad guy (n)

someone who plays the role of the hero's enemy in a film

box

box office hit (n)

a film that is very successful and makes lots of money

critically-acclaimed

critically-acclaimed (adj)

given positive reviews by cinema journalists

fail2

fail (v)

to be unable to do something, or unsuccessful; for example, "I failed three times before I passed my driving test"

faithful

faithful (adj)

true; if a film is faithful to a book, this means that it doesn't make significant changes and alterations to the story and events in the book

filmbuff

film buff (n)

someone who is very interested in films and knows a lot about them

key

key (adj)

important

match

match (v)

to be equally good (when comparing two things)

moving

moving (adj)

produces a strong emotion such as sadness or compassion

ratherthan

rather than (conj)

showing a preference for doing one thing over another

remake

remake (n)

a modern version of an old film that has the same or a similar title and story

ritesofpassage

rites of passage (n)

a change from one social condition to another; for example, becoming an adult or a parent, or getting married

running

running (adj)

consecutive

advise

advise (v)

to tell someone the best thing to do in a situation

argument

argument (n)

an angry discussion

bite

bite (n)

a mark on your skin made by an insect

breakdown

break down (v)

[past simple=broke down, past participle=broken down] to stop completely and need to be repaired

breakinto

break into (v)

[past simple=broke into, past participle=broken into] to enter a house or car using force

burgle

burgle (v)

to steal something from a house

burglar

burglar (n)

a person who steals things from houses

but

but (prep)

except

cooker

cooker (n)

a machine that uses electricity or gas to cook food

freezer

freezer (n)

a machine that preserves food at very low temperatures (below 0 degrees C)

fridge

fridge (n)

a machine that keeps food and drinks cold and fresh

frozen

frozen (adj)

preserved at temperatures below 0 C

greenhouse

greenhouse (n)

a building made of glass where you can grow vegetables and plants that need protection from the weather

holidayfromhell

holiday from hell (exp)

a disastrous holiday

miss

miss (v)

to arrive late and not catch a train, bus or aeroplane, for example

runaway

run away (v)

to leave and not return (usually with no warning)

thesack

the sack (n)

notice that you have to leave your job at work (usually because your work or attitude is unsatisfactory)

sink

sink (n)

a place in the kitchen that you can fill with water, for example, to do the washing-up

smash

smash (v)

to break something into little pieces

steal

steal (v)

[past simple=stole, past participle=stolen] to take something that is not yours

thief

thief (n)

[plural=thieves] a person who steals things

apology

apology (n)

when you tell someone you're sorry, or say something is your fault

ban

ban (v)

to stop or prohibit someone from doing something

belt

belt (n)

a strip of leather or material you put around your waist, at the top of your trousers

brand

brand (n)

the name of a product that is sold in a shop

browse

browse (v)

to look at things in a shop, but when you are not looking for anything in particular

conditioner

conditioner (n)

a liquid you put in your hair (after the shampoo) to make it soft

courier

courier (n)

a service that delivers letters and small parcels

dentalfloss

dental floss (n)

a thread or string to clean between your teeth

drycleaner

dry cleaner (n)

a shop that cleans clothes using chemical liquids, not water

eager

eager (adj)

full of interest or desire to do something, enthusiastic

garment

garment (n)

an article of clothing, like a shirt, a jacket, a pair of trousers

grab

grab (v)

to quickly take or pick up something

groceries

groceries (n)

food items and items for the home that you buy in a shop or supermarket

hardup

hard-up (adj)

having very little money

locksmith

locksmith (n)

a person who makes and copies keys, and fits locks on doors

make

make (n)

a type of product; for example, Ford is a make of car

neighbourhood

neighbourhood (n)

the local area/small part of the town or city that you live in

painkiller

pain killer (n)

medicine you take to stop pain

pie

pie (n)

meat, fruit or vegetables cooked in pastry

sale

sale (n)

an occasion when shops sell things at less than the normal price

scarf

scarf (n)

a long piece of cloth you wear around your neck, usually to keep warm

snack

snack (n)

a small quick meal, or something you eat between meals

spendingspree

spending spree (n)

a period of time when you go shopping a lot and spend a lot of money

tie

tie (n)

a long thin piece of cloth you wear around your neck, tied with a knot at the front

weeklyshop

weekly shop (n)

an occasion when you buy all the groceries (food and things for your home) you need for the week

blowup

blow up (v)

to inflate or fill something with air; for example, you blow up a balloon

cage2

cage (n)

an enclosure made of wire or bars to keep birds or other animals in

can

can (n)

a metal container for food or drinks

cardboard

cardboard (n)

thick paper, used for making boxes

clay

clay (n)

a type of earth used to make bricks and pots

cloth

cloth (n)

material that clothes are made from

drain

drain (n)

a pipe that carries dirty water from a sink or bath

empty

empty (adj, v)

adj: with nothing in it, the opposite of full; v: to remove the contents of something

epic

epic (n, adj)

n: a book or movie with a story that is very long or tells of great events; adj: very impressive or ambitious

fairly

fairly (adv)

quite, rather, not very much; for example, "fairly big" means "quite big" or "rather big", not very big

fence

fence (n)

a low wall, usually in a garden and often made of wood or wire

firmly

firmly (adv)

strongly, or solidly, so that it doesn't move

fit

fit (v)

to be the right size or shape

fix

fix (v)

to repair something that is broken; also to join or attach one thing to another thing

fraction

fraction (n)

a small part of something

frame

frame (n)

the individual (unmoving) images on a strip of cinema film

folded

folded (adj)

the state something is in after folding it; from the verb fold, which means to turn or bend, to press one part against another part

hammer

hammer (n)

a tool with a heavy head, used for hitting nails into wood

handle

handle (n)

the part of a tool or object that you hold in your hand when you use it

hardwareshop

hardware shop (n)

a shop where you buy things for your home or garden, such as tools, nails, etc.

hollow

hollow (adj)

with an empty space inside, not solid

inflate

inflate (v)

to fill with air

join

join (v)

to bring together and connect two things

letgo

let go (v)

to release something; for example, "She let the balloon go, and it floated into the sky"

merge

merge (v)

to bring two things together so they become one

movie

movie (n)

a film

plasticine

plasticine (n)

soft material made in different colours, for children to play with and make shapes with

portable

portable (adj)

can be easily carried and moved, such as a portable TV or a portable computer

replicate

replicate (v)

to copy, to make the same

retain

retain (v)

to maintain or keep something, to not lose it

shoot

shoot (v)

[past simple=shot] to send an object through the air at a high speed

spin

spin (v)

[past simple=spun] to turn round and round quickly

straighten

straighten (v)

to make straight, not curved or crooked

straw

straw (n)

a thin plastic tube you use to drink from a glass or can

string

string (n)

a thin cord, often used to tie things together

torn

torn (adj)

past participle of tear; when a soft material is broken or pulled apart; for example, "My shirt is torn"

tube

tube (n)

a hollow round object; for example, a car tube is made of rubber and is inside the tyre on the wheel of a car

unblock

unblock (v)

to clean or remove an obstruction so that the water passes again; for example, you unblock a tube, a pipe or a sink

waste

waste (v)

to use inefficiently or too much of something such as water, electricity or money

wind

wind (v)

to turn a key on something several times to make it work, like a clock or watch

wire

wire (n)

a thin metal material used in electrical cables and sometimes used to make fences

antagonise

antagonise (v)

to make a person angry or make a situation worse

breakup

break up (v)

to end a relationship with someone

childish

childish (adj)

immature, not like an adult but like a child

complaint

complaint (n)

a statement to say you are unhappy or dissatisfied with a situation

confront

confront (v)

to put yourself in a position to argue or fight about a situation

co-workers

co-workers (n)

people you work with

coward

coward (n)

a person who shows fear, who is unable to face danger or difficult situations

depressed

depressed (adj)

sad and pessimistic

devastated

devastated (adj)

emotionally destroyed

disappointed

disappointed (adj)

feeling bad because something is not as good as you expected it to be

dropout

drop out (v)

to discontinue studies

envy

envy (v)

to want something that another person has got

fault

fault (n)

responsibility for a bad situation

geton

get on (v)

to like someone and have a friendly relationship with them

jealous

jealous (adj)

feeling unhappy or angry because you think someone might be more successful than you or might take their love away from you

keep

keep (v)

to do something repeatedly

lonely

lonely (adj)

feeling sad because you are alone and don't have any friends

miss2

miss (v)

to feel unhappy because someone (or something) is not with you

payback

pay back (v)

to return money to the person you borrowed it from

partner

partner (n)

a person you share something with (such as a business), or a person you are married to or have a romantic relationship with

poison

poison (n)

a dangerous substance that harms or kills living things

regret

regret (v)

to feel that something you did in the past was a bad thing to do

rollyoureyes

roll your eyes (exp)

a way of moving your eyes round to show you are bored or you think something is stupid

rude

rude (adj)

impolite, offensive

bestuckwith

be stuck with (exp)

to have something that you don't want but can't change

threat

threat (n)

something or someone that makes other people feel insecure or anxious

washingup

washing-up (n)

things that you have to wash after a meal; for example, glasses, dishes and utensils

winback

win back (v)

to regain something you lost, something that was previously yours

bluish

bluish/bluey (adj)

sort of blue or not quite blue in colour

detection

detection (n)

from the verb detect: to find out or notice something; if something "escapes detection", it isn't discovered or noticed

dismiss

dismiss (v)

to say you don't believe something someone says

extinct

extinct (adj)

no longer existing: dinosaurs are extinct

eyewitness

eyewitness (n)

someone who has seen an event (such as a crime) and can describe it

file

file (v)

to keep something (such as a report) somewhere for later reference

footprint

footprint (n)

the mark left by the foot of an animal or person

high-altitude

high-altitude (n)

high above sea level

liveon

live on (v)

to survive

reliable

reliable (adj)

something or someone you can trust or depend on

reptile

reptile (n)

the class of animals that includes snakes and lizards

sighting

sighting (n)

when something unusual or someone missing has been seen

swamp

swamp (n)

an area of wet land with plants growing in it

swoop

swoop (v)

to fly down with a sudden, smooth and curving movement

track

tracks (n)

signs an animal leaves when it goes from place to place

UFO

UFO (n)

an abbreviation for unidentified flying object - often thought to be a spaceship from another planet

vary

vary (v)

to be different from other things

whitish

whitish (adj)

sort of white or not quite white in colour

emotional

emotional (adj)

causing strong feelings

reunion

reunion (n)

a meeting with someone from your past

getdivorced

get divorced (v)

to legally end a marriage

manage

manage (v)

be able to do something that is difficult

repeatedly

repeatedly (adv)

again and again