Homework 2017-2018

Workbook
You can do the exercises in Units 1-20
Blog  

In this blog you will find extra material to improve your English. 
 
Fire Drill Procedure
General School Information
Bibliography C2
Unit 1         1.1        1.2         1.3       Exam folder 1
Unit 2         2.1        2.2         2.3       Writing folder 1
Unit 3         3.1        3.2         3.3       Exam folder 2
Unit 4         4.1        4.2         4.3       Writing folder 2     Revision U 1-4
Unit 5         5.1        5.2         5.3       Exam folder 3 
Unit 6         6.1        6.2         6.3       Writing folder 3
Unit 7         7.1        7.2         7.3       Exam folder 4
Unit 8         8.1        8.2         8.3       Writing folder 4     Revision U 5-8
Unit 9         9.1        9.2         9.3       Exam folder 5
Unit 10       10.1      10.2      10.3       Writing folder 5
Unit 11       11.1      11.2      11.3       Exam folder 6
Unit 12       12.1      12.2      12.3       Writing folder 6     Revision U 9-12
Unit 13       13.1      13.2      13.3       Exam folder 7
Unit 14       14.1      14.2      14.3       Writing folder 7
Unit 15       15.1      15.2      15.3       Exam folder 8
Unit 16       16.1      16.2      16.3       Writing folder 8     Revision U 13-16
Unit 17       17.1      17.2      17.3       Exam folder 9
Unit 18       18.1      18.2      18.3       Writing folder 9
Unit 19       19.1      19.2      19.3       Exam folder 10
Unit 20       20.1      20.2      20.3       Writing folder 10   Revision U 17-20

Get ready for the speaking exam
Guide 
English C2 Blog Posts  



Assignments
1. Writing and presentation: 
Personal Profile: My Life in 5 Minutes  (200 words) (deadline: 11 Oct)
Write a personal profile for your new English class  
You will find useful language here. And here: Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking
Present it to the class without reading


2. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 18 Oct).
Topic: Changes and Expectations . Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p.12. Changes. Speaking 

Objective Proficiency p 16. Expectations. Extra Speaking

3. Writing:
An essay (200 words) (deadline 30 Oct)
Write a balanced discussion ( essay ) on the following theme: "Do people always live up to our expectations? What is the right thing to do? And is it what is right always fair?" You can also get some ideas on this topic here.
You can get more information on writing essays on pages 22 &23, 56 & 57, here and here. You will find useful language, here, here , here , here  and here.   

Here you have other ideas for a balanced discussion (discursive essay):  "The internet poses one of the greatest threats to our existence"
 "The process, the necessity and the inevitability of major political, cultural, and social change". You can also get some ideas on this topic in Unit 1 and on this website
 
4. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 6 Nov).
Topic: Travel and Work. Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 16. Travel. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 17. Living In the Lap of Luxury Vs Living Rough in One Snapshot. Extra Speaking 

Objective Proficiency p 157. Immigration. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 21. Work. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 128. Work. Extra Speaking

5.1 Writing:
A review (200 words) (deadline 15 Nov)
An international magazine wants readers to contribute writing a review about a musical, opera, concert or music event they have recently been to. You can get information on writing reviews on pages 38 & 39. You can find some useful vocabulary about the topic of music here. Finally, you can find useful language for writing here. 
Here you can find useful language for reviews.
 
5.2 Writing
A 100-Word Short Story (100 words) (deadline 15 Nov)
Not a word more, not a word less: Can YOU write a 100-word short story? Enter this competition where the winner will receive £250 in book tokens.

HOW TO ENTER 

TO ENTER, send your work to shortstory@mailonsunday.co.uk. Entries must be received by midnight on Friday, November 17, 2017. Entries must run to exactly 100 words, excluding the title. The top ten stories will be published in The Mail on Sunday and the winner will receive £250 in book tokens. 

Find out more here

6. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 22 Nov).
Topic: Anecdotes, the animal world, and the weather and climate change. Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 24. Guess What! Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 28. Feel Hard Done By

Objective Proficiency p 24. Animals. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 24. The Weather and Climate Change. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 26. How Does the Weather Affect Your Mood? Speaking 

Objective Proficiency p 112. The Environment. Extra Speaking

7. Writing:
A Narrative: write a narrative for a school contest entitled The Story behind the Picture. Choose a photo and write a story related to the photo. The winners of this contest will win a prize (a book voucher). (Calibri 12. 200 words). Photo size: 10 x 15 cm. (Deadline 29 Nov)

8. Writing
An essay (200 words) (deadline 11 Dec) Write an essay in response to an article on ethical treatment of animals.
This is an excerpt from the article:

• Humans are superior, non-human animals are inferior. Animals were put here as the playthings of humans, for us to do with them what we want. We are able to farm them and control them, we can change their genetics and what they look like, animals have no minds of their own. We eat them, race them and catch them for sport. We even refer to undesirable human behaviour as animal. In this world you either harm or you are harmed. God gave humans the ability to harm, so we do. Animals are here for us to exploit. Maiming and injuring an animal is no different to eating it.

Write your discursive essay. (Objective Proficiency p 56). 
You will get more ideas on how to write an essay on pages 22 &23, 56 & 57  and here. You will find useful language, here, here , here , here  and here . 
You  can also get some ideas and vocabulary on this topic here

Other ideas for writing a discursive essay:
"Do we as a society take music as seriously as we should?" You can also get some ideas and vocabulary on this topic here .



9. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 18 Dec).
Topic: Crime and Punishment, feelings and emotions. Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 26. Crime and Punishment. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 28. Feelings and Emotions. Extra Speaking

10. Writing
A problem-solution essay (200 words) (deadline 10 Jan): find the details HERE. 


11. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 22 Jan).
Topic: Food and health, shopping and consumerism . Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 36. Food. Extra Vocabulary

Objective Proficiency p 36. Food. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 36. Can We Eat Our Way Out Of Climate Change? Extra Listening

Objective Proficiency p 120. Health. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 43. Just For the Lulz. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 47. Advertising and Shopping. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 76. Clothes. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 128. The Economy. Extra Speaking

12. Writing: 
A proposal (200 words) (deadline 7 Feb)
Your local English radio has started a campaign to try to improve your town. It has invited listeners to send in formal proposals on ways of improving it; these will be considered in a panel discussion on air, voted on by listeners, and the best one sent to the council.
Write your proposal identifying the main problems in your town and making formal recommendations for improving it, with reasons. You can find useful vocabulary to talk about cities here.
More information on writing proposals:
Here you can see examples of how to write proposals. 
Finally, you can find useful language for writing here. 

Another idea for a proposal: find the details here. 
 
13. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 14 Feb).
Topic: Music, art and entertainment. Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 55. Music. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 59. Art or Not Art. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 63. Art and Sight. Extra Speaking 

14. Writing: 
An article (200 words) (deadline: 21 Feb)
An English-language newspaper is inviting readers to contribute to a series of articles about globalisation. You decide to write an article explaining your personal views on this topic. 

Get some ideas here: 
Objective Proficiency p 84. Languages and Globalisation. Extra Speaking  
Objective Proficiency p 17. Living In the Lap of Luxury Vs Living Rough in One Snapshot. Extra Speaking
BBC - GCSE Bitesize: What is globalisation? 
How the World Was Won: The Americanization of Everywhere 
Simon Anholt interview: ‘There is only one global superpower: public opinion’

To see how to write articles click here and also here. You can also get some ideas on how to write articles on pages 90, 91, 158, 159, 174 & 175. Finally, you can find useful language for writing here. 
  
Another idea for writing an article. 
Find the details here.  

15. Speaking:
Make a Presentation (200 words) (deadline: Feb)  
Give a 5 minute presentation on one of the curriculum topics
Deadlines:  
30 Oct: tell your teacher the topic
Feb: give the presentation  
Useful language:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

16. Writing: 
A report (200 words) (deadline 7 Mar)
You work for a company that needs to adapt to the current market needs and trends. Your manager has asked you to write a report about how the Millennial generation is fundamentally changing our culture of consumption and what the company can do to meet their needs and be highly profitable.  You can get some ideas here.
You can get information on writing reports on pages 106 & 107. Finally, you can find useful language for writing a report here, here and here. 

Another idea for writing a report:
You work for the tourist office in your area. Your manager has asked you to write a report in English on the places that are popular with tourists who are interested in art. You should briefly describe the most popular places. Your report should also recommend two or three improvements that would enhance the tourists' experience and explain why these would attract even more visitors. You can find useful vocabulary to talk about art here.


17. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 14 Mar).
Topic: Housing. Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 70. Digital Human: Home. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 70. Homes. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 71. City Living. Extra Speaking

18. Writing: 
Write a letter (200 words) (deadline: 21 March)
You are concerned about the food that is given to children at schools today. You decide to write a letter of complaint to the Department of Education outlining your concerns for school food today and the actions you think need to be taken by governments to ensure our children continue to get the great all round food education they need to feed themselves better in the future and to help reduce the crippling rise in obesity.
You can get more information on writing letters on pages 124 & 125. You will also find a letter writing guide here and here . You can find useful language here, here: Formal letters, here:  How to write.  and here.
You can get some ideas on the topic here: 
Objective Proficiency p 124. Tackling the Obesity Problem. Extra Listening
Objective Proficiency p 123. Sweet Tooth Gone Bad: Why 22 Teaspoons Of Sugar Per Day Is Risky. Extra Listening 
Objective Proficiency p 120. Why Calories Count. Extra Listening 
Objective Proficiency p 120. Diet and Exercise. Extra Vocabulary 
Objective Proficiency p 120.For Mind And Body: Study Finds Mediterranean Diet Boosts Both . Extra Listening  
Objective Proficiency p 120. Obesity on the Rise. Extra Listening  
Objective Proficiency p 120. Childhood Obesity. Extra Listening 
Objective Proficiency p 120. Me and My Shadow. Extra Listening 
Objective Proficiency p 120. Weight Bias at Home and School . Extra Listening

Another idea for writing a formal letter:
You have read an article that appeared on the NPR website entitled "Will We 'Fix' The Weather? Yes. Should We Fix The Weather? Hmmm". You decide to write a letter to the writer of the article, Robert Krulwich, commenting on the views expressed and giving your own opinions. Finally, you can get some ideas for your response in the comments readers have left below the article. 
 
19. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 11 Apr).
Topic:  Education; languages and globalization; science and technology. Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 79.The Educators: Daisy Christodoulou. Extra Listening and Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 79. Education. Speaking 

Objective Proficiency p 84. Languages and Globalisation. Extra Speaking 

Objective Proficiency p 90. Science and Technology. Extra Speaking.

Objective Proficiency p 109. Travel. Extra Speaking

20. Writing: 
Write a review (200 words)(deadline: 18 April)
Write a review of two books you have read this year.   Useful language. You can also find some more useful language on pages 140 and 141. (Deadlines: before 30 Oct tell your teacher the book you are going to read. In April hand in your review).  Click here for a list of readers and more instructions for this assignment. 
 
21. Speaking: write a five-minute presentation (200 words). Use this Guide. (deadline: 25 Apr).
Topic: Relationships, politics . Get your ideas here:

Speakout Advanced p 63. Monologue. Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 92. Relationships. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 96. Living Alone. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 156. Politics. Extra Speaking

Objective Proficiency p 152. Major Events and the Most Relevant People. Extra Speaking

22. Writing:
Write an article. (200 words) (deadline: 2 May)
Find the details here: Objective Proficiency p 158. Writing an Article

23. Writing:
Last assignment:
Reflection: write a letter to your teacher (150 words)(deadline 14 May)
We are approaching the end of the academic year. You decide to write a letter to your teacher giving him some feedback about the course. In your reflection you can include aspects of the course that you loved or loathed; what you found useful or useless; suggestions for the future and any other aspect you may consider worth pointing out in order to improve the teaching and learning process of this course.
You will find a letter writing guide here and here . You can find useful language here.
Formal letters.
How to write. 

Close-up WB p 8. Personality. Listening

Questions:
standing: the position or reputation of somebody/something within a group of people or in an organization. Status. E.g. the high/low standing of politicians with the public. The contract has no legal standing.

overly:  excessively. E.g. I'm not overly fond of pasta. Earlier sales forecasts were overly optimistic.

Script:
vigilante: /ˌvɪdʒɪˈlænti/
a member of a group of people who try to prevent crime or punish criminals in their community, especially because they think the police are not doing this. E.g.  vigilantes patrolling the streets. vigilante groups. The neighbours have formed a vigilante group to keep a watch on the car park. Two vigilantes who took the law into their own hands were cleared yesterday of murder.

belittle somebody/something to make somebody or the things that somebody does seem unimportant. E.g. She felt her husband constantly belittled her achievements. By saying this, I do not mean to belittle the importance of his role.

vicious: /ˈvɪʃəs/ violent and cruel. E.g. a vicious attack. a vicious criminal. She has a vicious temper. 

work something up:  to develop or improve something with some effort. E.g. I can't work up any enthusiasm for his idea. She went for a long walk to work up an appetite.

stand up to somebody​: to resist somebody; to not accept bad treatment from somebody without complaining. E.g. It was brave of her to stand up to those bullies.

rogue: /rəʊɡ/ behaving in ways that are not expected or not normal, often in a harmful way. E.g. There have been rogue firms in the past which have ripped customers off.

prevalent: /ˈprevələnt/
prevalent (among somebody) | prevalent (in somebody/something) (formal) that exists or is very common at a particular time or in a particular place. Common, widespread. E.g.  a prevalent view These prejudices are particularly prevalent among people living in the North. The disease is even more prevalent in Latin America.

overrule: /ˌəʊvəˈruːl/
overrule somebody/something to change a decision or reject an idea from a position of greater power. Sp. rechazar. E.g.  to overrule a decision/an objection. The verdict was overruled by the Supreme Court.  

sway: 
sway somebody to persuade somebody to believe something or do something. Influence. E.g. He's easily swayed. She wasn't swayed by his good looks or his clever talk.

net something to earn an amount of money as a profit after you have paid tax on it. E.g. The sale of paintings netted £17 000. The team have negotiated a sponsorship deal which should net them £30 000 over the next nine months.  


clear-cut: /ˌklɪə ˈkʌt/
definite and easy to see or identify. E.g. There is no clear-cut answer to this question. a clear-cut distinction.

factor sth in
factor sth into sth:
to include a particular fact or situation when you are thinking about or planning something. E.g. Remember to factor in staffing costs when you are planning the project.  

tinge something (with something) to add a small amount of a particular emotion or quality to something. E.g. a look of surprise tinged with disapproval. Sadness tinged his voice.

Interesting Vocabulary for C2

venerate: /ˈvenəreɪt/ to have and show a lot of respect for somebody/something, especially somebody/something that is considered to be holy or very important. Revere. E.g.

• be venerated (as something) The monk was subsequently venerated as a saint.
• be venerated by somebody a leader venerated by generations of revolutionaries
• What teacher did you venerate? Did he make a huge difference in your life?
  

go/run like clockwork

to happen according to plan; to happen without difficulties or problems. E.g. The operation went like clockwork.

loquat:  /ˈləʊkwɒt/ Sp. níspero.

mumble: Say something indistinctly and quietly, making it difficult for others to hear. E.g. with object ‘he mumbled something she didn't catch’. with direct speech ‘‘Sorry,’ she mumbled’

realm: /relm/ A field or domain of activity or interest. E.g. ‘the realm of applied chemistry’‘an overall Labour majority is not beyond the realms of possibility.  in the realm of literature.  At the end of the speech he seemed to be moving into the realms of fantasy. beyond/within the realms of possibility: impossible/possible: E.g. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that some schools may have to cut sport altogether."Do you think he could step down?" "I think it's within the realms of possibility, yes."

rain on somebody’s parade

(North American English, informal) to spoil something for somebody
rain on (one's) parade: To ruin one's plans or temper one's excitement. E.g. I hate to rain on your parade, but I think your A in chemistry was actually a clerical error. Mom really rained on our parade by chaperoning our school dance
I hate to rain on your parade, but your plans are all wrong. She really rained on our plans.

aloofness: /əˈluːfnəs/ (U) unfriendly behaviour that shows a lack of interest in other people. E.g. Her cool aloofness was seen as arrogance by some people. Being basically a shy person, I think some players mistook my shyness for aloofness.

aloof: /əˈluːf/
1. not friendly or willing to take part in things. E.g. She seemed rather aloof when in fact she was just shy.
2. not interested or involved, usually because you do not approve of what is happening. E.g. Whatever is happening in the office, she always remains aloof. She kept herself aloof from her husband's business.

apex: /ˈeɪpeks/ [usually singular] (pl. apexes)  the top or highest part of something. E.g. the apex of the roof/triangle (figurative) At 37, she'd reached the apex of her career. At the apex of his power. 

in (somebody’s/something’s) thrall, in thrall to somebody/something

(literary) controlled or strongly influenced by somebody/something. If you are in thrall to someone or something, or in the thrall of someone or something, he, she, or it has a lot of power to control you. E.g. His gaze held her in thrall. She was in thrall to her emotions. Her love for him was like a madness, and she was completely in its thrall.

at somebody’s beck and call

always ready to obey somebody’s orders. E.g. She is constantly at the beck and call of her invalid father. Don't expect to have me at your beck and call.

Chop-chop: hurry up! E.g. Chop-chop! We haven't got all day!

off the books Off the official payroll; paid in cash, without any official employment paperwork. E.g. I worked off the books in my uncle's restaurant for a few months during the summer. It's no secret that many migrant workers are kept off the books at major agricultural and construction operations around the country.

on/off the/somebody’s ˈbooks (business) included/not included in the official financial records of a company. E.g. The company falsified its accounts and kept billions of dollars in debt off the books.

Burn a hole in your pocket:

A phrase usually applied to money, suggesting that the person with the money feels the need to spend it quickly. E.g. My allowance is burning a hole in my pocket! I can't wait until school is over, so I can go buy some baseball cards! Don't let that bonus burn a hole in your pocket—save it up for something you really want.

If something unexpected costs a lot of money, you can also say 'it's burnt a hole in your pocket'. Let's hear an example.
ExampleA: My daughter is getting married next year.
B: Oh that's fantastic news.
A: Yes, it is. But I think the cost of the wedding will burn a hole in my pocket.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/thai/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-160426

statement: E.g. The police asked me to make a statement (= a written account of facts concerning a crime, used in court if legal action follows).

on the contrary

used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one. E.g. ‘It must have been terrible.’ ‘On the contrary, I enjoyed every minute.’

weedy: /ˈwiːdi/

1. (informal, disapproving) having a thin weak body.Sp. debilucho E.g. a weedy little man ‘You weedy little coward!’

2. full of or covered with weeds

offhand (disapproving) not showing much interest in somebody/something. E.g. an offhand manner. He was very offhand with me.

couch something (in something)  /kaʊtʃ/ (formal) to say or write words in a particular style or manner. E.g. The letter was deliberately couched in very vague terms. I couched my proposal in flattering terms. Sp. Formulé mi propuesta en términos halagüeños.

cluck:

1. when a chicken clucks, it makes a series of short low sounds

2. to make a short low sound with your tongue to show that you feel sorry for somebody or that you disapprove of something. E.g. The teacher clucked sympathetically at the child's story. The janitor clucked his tongue at the trail of wet footprints students were leaving on the carpet.

papery: like paper; thin and dry. E.g. papery skin. a papery complexion. 

 

Vie: /vaɪ/ to compete strongly with somebody in order to obtain or achieve something. Compete. E.g.  vie (with somebody) (for something) She was surrounded by men all vying for her attention. The boys would vie with each other to impress her. They are all vying for a place in the team. a row of restaurants vying with each other for business. vie (to do something) Screaming fans vied to get closer to their idol.

stand somebody up

(informal) to deliberately not meet somebody you have arranged to meet, especially somebody you are having a romantic relationship with. E.g. I've been stood up!

 

salesperson: a person whose job is to sell goods, for example, in a shop/store

sales representative: (also informal sales rep, rep)  an employee of a company who travels around a particular area selling the company’s goods to shops/stores, etc.

 

till death us do part

A common phrase used in wedding ceremonies indicating that the marriage bond shall be intended to last until death. Taken from the marriage liturgy in the Anglican Communion's Book of Common Prayer, the phrase refers to the fact that marriage is seen in the Christian faith as insoluble except by the death of one of the partners. (Also worded as "till death do us part," especially in the United States.) E.g.  It was only as I said "Till death us do part" that I realized the solemnity and magnitude of our marriage to one another.

God willing.

If God wants it to happen. (An expression indicating that there is a high certainty that something will happen, so high that only God could prevent it.) E.g. John: Please try to be on time. Alice: I'll be there on time, God willing. Bob: Will I see you after your vacation? Mary: Of course, God willing.

 

out of sorts

(especially British English) ill/sick or upset. E.g. She was tired and out of sorts by the time she arrived home. Are you feeling all right? You look a bit out of sorts. He's been out of sorts since Christmas.

shenanigans: /ʃɪˈnænɪɡənz/ secret or dishonest activities that people find interesting or amusing, usually of a complicated and humorous or interesting type. E.g. More business/political shenanigans were exposed in the newspapers today. the chairman was accused of financial shenanigans.

flower bed: a piece of ground in a garden/yard or park where flowers are grown. E.g. a garden with beautifully kept flower beds.

godsend: (sg) godsend (for somebody/something) | godsend (to somebody/something) something good that happens unexpectedly and helps somebody/something when they need help. E.g. This new benefit has come as a godsend for low-income families. The proposed tax breaks will come as a godsend to low-income families.

fiddle while Rome burns ​to enjoy yourself or continue working as normal and not give any attention to something important and unpleasant that is happening that you should be taking action to prevent. E.g. Environmentalists claimed governments were fiddling while Rome burned.

snare: /sneə(r)/

1. a device used for catching small animals and birds, especially one that holds their leg so that they cannot escape. Trap. E.g.  The rabbit’s foot was caught in a snare.

2. (formal) a situation which seems attractive but is unpleasant and difficult to escape from. E.g. City life can be full of snares for young people.  

 

slick: smooth and difficult to hold or move on. Slippery. E.g. The roads were slick with rain.

nip: to give somebody/something a quick painful bite or pinch. E.g. nip something He winced as the dog nipped his ankle. nip (at something) She nipped at my arm. 

wince (at something) to suddenly make an expression with your face that shows that you are feeling pain or embarrassment. E.g. He winced as a sharp pain shot through his left leg. I still wince when I think about that stupid thing I said. He winced inwardly at her harsh tone. She switched on the light, wincing at the sudden brightness.

copious:  /ˈkəʊpiəs/ large in quantity or number; abundant; plentiful. E.g. copious (= large) amounts of water I took copious notes. She supports her theory with copious evidence. copious rainfall. a copious harvest. copious amounts of food. in his copious account books, he kept track of every cent he ever spent. After cleaning up the copious amount of blood on my body in a bathroom... The dinner was copious—we had foie gras, fresh bread, and oranges.

copiously:  /ˈkəʊpiəsli/ in large amounts. abundantly. E.g. bleeding copiously.

throng: (V)  to go somewhere or be present somewhere in large numbers. E.g. + adv./prep. The children thronged into the hall. throng to do something People are thronging to see his new play. throng something Crowds thronged the stores

throng with somebody/something/ be thronged with somebody/something

to be full of people, cars, etc. E.g. The cafes were thronging with students. The streets were thronged with people.

throng (N) a crowd of people. E.g. We pushed our way through the throng. He was met by a throng of journalists and photographers.

offset: /ˈɒfset/ to use one cost, payment or situation in order to cancel or reduce the effect of another. Counterbalance. offset something Prices have risen in order to offset the increased cost of materials. offset something against something (British English) What expenses can you offset against tax?     The gains offset the losses.

flicker:  to move with small quick movements. E.g. Her eyelids flickered as she slept. John flickered an eyelid at the sudden noise. Sp. John movió un párpado con el repentino ruido.

benchmark: something that can be measured and used as a standard that other things can be compared with. E.g. Tests at the age of seven provide a benchmark against which the child's progress at school can be measured.     By the end of the school year, all third-grade students will need to meet this benchmark. Sp.Para finales de curso, todos los alumnos de tercero tendrán que haber alcanzado este punto de referencia.

parenting: /ˈpeərəntɪŋ/ the process of caring for your child or children. E.g. good/poor parenting. parenting skills 

 

circa: /ˈsɜːkə/ (abbreviation c) (used with dates) about. approximately. E.g. born circa 150 BC. He was born circa 1600. the church was built circa 1860

 

different:
from Human beings are different from other animals. | to Their customs are very different to ours.

in parallel (with something/somebody)

with and at the same time as something/somebody else. E.g. The new degree and the existing certificate courses would run in parallel. Ann wanted to pursue her own career in parallel with her husband’s.

annihilation: /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃn/ 
1. the complete destruction of somebody/something. E.g. the annihilation of the whole human race
2. the complete defeat of somebody/something. E.g. The Brazilian needed just 82 minutes to complete the annihilation of his opponent.

paradigm: /ˈpærədaɪm/ a typical example or pattern of something.  a model of something, or a very clear and typical example of something.  Sp. paradigma E.g. a paradigm for students to copy. The war was a paradigm of the destructive side of human nature. Some of these educators are hoping to produce a change in the current cultural paradigm. 

 

ravishing: /ˈrævɪʃɪŋ/ extremely beautiful. gorgeous. E.g. a ravishing blonde. She looked absolutely ravishing in a pale blue suit.

flare-up: /ˈfleər ʌp/ [usually singular]

1. a sudden expression of angry or violent feeling.  outburst. E.g. a flare-up of tension between the two sides.

2. (of an illness) a sudden painful attack, especially after a period without any problems or pain.

3. the fact of a fire suddenly starting to burn again more strongly than before. E.g. a flare-up of the bushfires

 

dampener (on something) /ˈdæmpnə(r)/ a thing that makes something less enjoyable, successful, etc. E.g. Lily isn't letting motherhood put a dampener on her social life. The only dampener on the show was the rain at the closing ceremony. I hate to put a dampener on things but.

 

nip + adv./prep. (British English, informal) to go somewhere quickly and/or for only a short time. pop. E.g. He's just nipped out to the bank. A car nipped in (= got in quickly) ahead of me.

 

saunter: /ˈsɔːntə(r)/ (V)  + adv./prep. to walk in a slow relaxed way . Stroll. E.g. He sauntered by, looking as if he had all the time in the world. He sauntered by, looking very pleased with himself.  Adam sauntered into the room’.

saunter: /ˈsɔːntə(r)/  (N) [singular] a slow relaxed walk . Stroll. E.g. This part of the route should be an easy saunter. A quiet saunter down the road. 

think to

1. To have an inner monologue; to make a statement to oneself in one's mind, without saying it out loud. E.g. I had a moment where I thought to myself, "Why am I even working here?" I'm sure they don't think to themselves, "What if we're the bad guys?" They just don't care.

2. To have the idea to do something. E.g. I'm sorry, I didn't think to run the dishwasher before we left.

 

tail away/off

(especially British English) to become smaller or weaker. E.g. The number of tourists tails off in October. ‘But why…?’ Her voice tailed away. The letters then tailed off.

 

punch above your weight

to be or try to be more successful than others in doing something that normally requires more skill, experience, money, etc. than you have. E.g. This player seems to be able to constantly punch above his weight. He punched above his weight as the party’s foreign affairs spokesman. 

swanky: /ˈswæŋki/ fashionable and expensive in a way that is intended to impress people. E.g. a swanky new hotel.

bugbear: /ˈbʌɡbeə(r)/ a thing that annoys people and that they worry about. E.g.  Inflation is the government's main bugbear. Smoking is a particular bugbear of his. As an insomniac, my bugbear is that people always give me advice on getting to sleep.