Vocabulary
PART ONE. GAP FILL.
smelliness:
strong or unpleasant smell.
odours: /ˈəʊdə(r)/
a smell, especially one that is unpleasant.
E.g. a foul/musty/pungent,
etc. odour the stale
odour of cigarette smoke. (Figurative)
the odour of suspicion.
musty:
smelling damp and unpleasant because of a
lack of fresh air.
downright: used as a way of emphasizing something negative or unpleasant. Sp.
realmente. E.g. She couldn't think
of anything to say that wasn't downright rude. It's not just stupid—it's downright dangerous.
astronaut: /ˈæstrənɔːt/
sniffer: A
person who sniffs something. E.g. a glue
sniffer.
sniff: to
breathe air in through the nose in order to discover or enjoy the smell of
something.
stringent: /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ (of a law, rule, regulation, etc.) very strict and
that must be obeyed. E.g. stringent
air quality regulations. Licences
are only granted under the most stringent conditions.
cramped: a cramped room, etc.
does not have enough space for the people in it. E.g. working in cramped conditions. He lived for six months in a cold, cramped attic room.
circuit boards: /ˈsɜːkɪt/
a board that holds electrical circuits
inside a piece of electrical equipment.
mascara
/mæˈskɑːrə/
a substance that is put on eyelashes
to make them look dark and thick. E.g. waterproof
mascara. Don’t cry
or your mascara will run. I
wiped most of the mascara from under my eyes.
sealed:
to close a container tightly. E.g. The
organs are kept in sealed plastic bags.
aftertaste:
a taste (usually an unpleasant one) that stays in your
mouth after you have eaten or drunk something.
strap:
a strip of leather, cloth or other material that is used
to fasten something, keep something in place, carry something or hold onto
something. E.g. the
shoulder straps of her dress. A
watch with a leather strap.
blister:
to form blisters;
to make something form blisters. E.g.
His skin was beginning to blister.
Blister something
Her face had been blistered by the sun.
blister: (N) a
swelling on the surface of the skin that is filled with liquid and is caused,
for example, by rubbing or burning. Sp. ampolla. E.g.
These shoes have given me blisters on my
heels.
scrutiny:
careful and thorough examination. E.g. Foreign
policy has come under close scrutiny
recently. The situation is bound to come under the scrutiny of the public
health authorities.
hit
the nail on the head: to say something that
is exactly right.
abort: to end
or cause something to end before it has been completed, especially because it
is likely to fail. E.g. We had no option but
to abort the mission.
co-opt
somebody (onto/into something):
to make somebody a member of a group,
committee, etc. by the agreement of all the other members. E.g.
She was co-opted onto the board.
cheesy:
not very good or original, and without style, in a way
that is embarrassing but amusing. Sp. cursi. E.g. a
cheesy horror movie. That’s
the cheesiest chat-up line I’ve ever heard.
PART TWO.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Questions
Avidly: with a
lot of enthusiasm. Keenly E.g. She reads avidly.
Avid: very
enthusiastic about something (often a hobby). E.g. an avid reader/collector. She has taken an avid interest in the project (= she is
extremely interested in it).
Voraciously: /vəˈreɪʃəsli/ in a way
that involves wanting a lot of new information and knowledge. Avidly. E.g. Ever since
her childhood she had read voraciously.
Read something out:
to read something using your voice, especially to other
people. E.g. Shall I read this
out to you?
Relish: great
enjoyment or pleasure. E.g. She savoured the moment with obvious relish.
Timescale: the period
of time that it takes for something to happen or be completed. Sp. Período de
tiempo, plazo. E.g. What's the timescale for
the project? A tight timescale. We hope the
negotiations will be completed within a six-month timescale.
Ostracize: /ˈɒstrəsaɪz/ ostracize somebody (formal) to refuse
to let somebody be a member of a social group; to refuse to meet or talk to
somebody. E.g. He was ostracized by his colleagues for refusing to
support the strike. The regime risks being
ostracized by the international community.
on cloud nine extremely happy.
Under a cloud: if somebody is under a
cloud,
other people think that they have done something wrong and are suspicious of
them. E.g. She resigned
under a cloud. The cabinet minister left office under a cloud after a fraud
scandal. Someone stole some money
at work, and now everyone
is under a
cloud
of suspicion. Even the manager
is under a
cloud.
under the weather: (informal) if you are or feel under the weather, you
feel slightly ill/sick and not as well as usual.
in character, out of character:
typical/not typical of a person’s character. E.g. Her behaviour last night was
completely out of character.
in character (with something): in the
same style as something. E.g. The new wing of the museum was not really in
character with the rest of the building.
Understatement: the practice of making
things seem less impressive, important, serious, etc. than they really are.
E.g.
Typical
English understatement. He always goes for subtlety
and understatement in his movies.
rapture: a feeling
of extreme pleasure and happiness. Delight. E.g. Charles listened with
rapture to her singing. The children gazed at her
in rapture. Never before had she known such
rapture.
Obnoxious: /əbˈnɒkʃəs/ extremely
unpleasant, especially in a way that offends people. Offensive. E.g.
obnoxious behaviour.
obnoxiousness: I am outraged at the
degree of obnoxiousness with which students are treating the new teacher.
Rant and
rave
(disapproving) to show that you are angry by shouting or complaining loudly for
a long time.
Acrimonious: /ˌækrɪˈməʊniəs/ (adj) (of an
argument, etc.) angry and full of strong bitter feelings and words. Bitter.
E.g. His parents went through an acrimonious divorce. The split-up was not
acrimonious and Adam spent time with both his mother and father.
furore /fjuˈrɔːri/
/ˈfjʊərɔː(r)/ (also furor /ˈfjʊərɔː(r)/) [singular] great anger
or excitement shown by a number of people, usually caused by a public event.
Uproar. E.g. furore (among somebody) His novel
about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. Furore (about/over
something) the recent furore over the tax
increases. Such a major policy reversal is certain to spark a furore among
conservatives. Cause,
create, provoke a furore His
choice of words created quite a furore. The furore which surrounded her
appointment as chairman. His resignation passed almost unnoticed amid the
furore of the elections. The furore about/over/surrounding the furore
over the proposed introduction of tax on fuel. The sale of the two best
players caused a furore among the fans.
zest: zest (for something) enjoyment
and enthusiasm. E.g. He had a great zest for life.
despondency: a feeling of being sad and without
much hope. E.g. a mood of despondency. Life's not
all gloom and despondency. Despondency (about/over
something) a situation of high unemployment and
despondency about the future.
Unswerving: /ʌnˈswɜːvɪŋ/ strong and
not changing or becoming weaker. Steady. Constant. Sp. Inquebrantable, a toda
prueba. E.g. unswerving loyalty/ support, etc.
to be unswervingly loyal to
sb
Sp. ser totalmente leal a algn
to hold unswervingly to one's course Sp. no apartarse ni un ápice de su rumbo
to hold unswervingly to one's course Sp. no apartarse ni un ápice de su rumbo
she
remained unswervingly loyal to him Sp. siguió
totalmente fiel a él
he
continued unswervingly on his chosen course Sp.
continuó sin vacilar por el camino que había elegido.
Enlightened:
educated, wise, open-minded.
Cantankerous: /kænˈtæŋkərəs/ bad-tempered
and always complaining. E.g. a cantankerous old man.
Transcript
Avidly: with a
lot of enthusiasm. Keenly E.g. She reads avidly.
Avid: very
enthusiastic about something (often a hobby). E.g. an avid reader/collector. She has taken an avid interest in the project (= she is
extremely interested in it).
Trepidation: great
worry or fear about something unpleasant that may happen. Sp. Inquietud. E.g. He knocked on the door with some trepidation.
Sustain: /səˈsteɪn/ sustain something to make
something continue for some time without becoming less. Maintain. E.g. a period of
sustained economic growth. A sustained attack. She managed to sustain everyone's
interest until the end of her speech. Kangaroos can
sustain high speeds over long distances.
Plough: /plaʊ/ plough (something) to dig and
turn over a field or other area of land with a plough. Sp. Arar,
labrar.
E.g.
ploughed
fields.
Selection: the process of
choosing somebody/something from a group of people or things, usually according
to a system. E.g. The final team
selection will be made tomorrow. The
random selection of numbers. Selection
criteria. The selection process.
Outset: at/from the
outset (of something) at/from the beginning of something I made it clear right from the outset
that I disapproved. You should have made that clear right at the outset.
Hooked: hooked (on something) (informal) enjoying
something very much, so that you want to do it, see it, etc. as much as
possible.
Brilliance: /ˈbrɪliəns/ the
quality of being extremely impressive, intelligent or skilful. E.g. There were flashes of brilliance from the
soloists, but generally the playing and singing lacked sparkle. The technical brilliance of his
later films. Academic brilliance.
Doomed: doom somebody/something (to something) doom somebody/something to do something to make
somebody/something certain to fail, suffer, die, etc. Sp. Condenado al fracas. E.g. The plan was doomed to failure. The marriage
was doomed
from the start.
Havoc: /ˈhævək/ a situation
in which there is a lot of damage, destruction or confusion. Sp. Devastación,
confusion, caos. E.g. The floods caused havoc
throughout the area. Continuing strikes are beginning
to play
havoc with the national economy. These insects
can wreak
havoc on
crops.
Poignant: /ˈpɔɪnjənt/ having a
strong effect on your feelings, especially in a way that makes you feel sad.
Moving. E.g. a poignant image/moment/memory, etc. Her face was
a poignant
reminder
of the passing of time.
Breathe: breathe something (formal) to be full
of a particular feeling or quality. E.g. Her
performance breathed wit and charm.
Breathe new life: Reinvent. Sp.
Dar un nuevo aire, dar una nueva vida. E.g.
Hiring Edie with her fresh new ideas will breathe new life into this company. Sp.
Contratar a Edie, con su creatividad, infundirá nueva vida a esta empresa.
Fashion: to make or shape something,
especially with your hands. Sp. Formar, moldear. E.g. She fashioned
a pot from the clay.
Disaffected: /ˌdɪsəˈfektɪd/ no longer
satisfied with your situation, organization, belief, etc. and therefore not
loyal to it. Sp. Marginado. E.g. Some disaffected members
left to form a new party.
Bitingly: in a cruel and critical
way. E.g. ‘You're lying,’ he said
bitingly. A bitingly funny show. Bitingly critical. A bitingly critical article. He was also bitingly
critical of academic textbooks.
Stint: (usually
used in negative sentences) to provide
or use only a small amount of something. Sp. Escatimar. E.g. stint
(on something) She never stints on the
food at her parties. Stint yourself We don't need
to stint ourselves—have some more!
Crunch: a noise like the sound of
something firm being crushed. E.g. the crunch of
feet on snow. The car drew up with a crunch of
gravel.
cobblestones: (also cobbles) small stones used to make the surfaces of
roads, especially in the past. E.g. a cart clattering over
the cobbles.
smear: an oily or dirty
mark. E.g. a smear of jam.
Quill: (also quill pen) a pen made
from a quill
feather (a large feather from the wing or tail of a bird).
oblique: /əˈbliːk/ not
expressed or done in a direct way. Indirect. E.g. an oblique reference/ approach/
comment.
deadpan: without any expression or emotion;
often pretending to be serious when you are joking. E.g. deadpan
humour.
She
looked up, completely deadpan.
ludicrous: unreasonable; that you
cannot take seriously. Absurd. Ridiculous. E.g. a ludicrous suggestion. It was
ludicrous to think that the plan could succeed. He is paid a
ludicrous amount of money.
farce: /fɑːs/ a funny
play for the theatre based on ridiculous and unlikely situations and events;
this type of writing or performance. E.g. a bedroom
farce (= a funny
play about sex).
in-passing: done or
said while you are giving your attention to something else. Said or mentioned
as an aside. Casually. E.g. He only
mentioned it in passing and didn't give any details. I just heard your
name in passing. I didn't hear
more than that.
The lecturer referred to George Washington in passing.
zestful: full of enjoyment and
enthusiasm.
sobering: /ˈsəʊbərɪŋ/ making you
feel serious and think carefully. E.g. a sobering effect/
experience/ thought, etc. It is sobering to realize
that this is not a new problem. It had a sobering effect on me (Sp. fue
aleccionador). It's a sobering thought (Sp. da que pensar).
gusto: /ˈɡʌstəʊ/ enthusiasm
and energy in doing something. E.g. They sang with gusto. She attacked
the huge slice of chocolate cake with great gusto.
forlorn: /fəˈlɔːn/ (of a
person) appearing
lonely and unhappy. E.g. She looked so forlorn,
standing there in the rain.
Rise to the challenge/
occasion: to show that you can deal with a difficult situation
successfully. E.g. In the exam she rose to the occasion and wrote a brilliant
essay. You can depend
on Kelly
to rise
to the challenge.
We were not able
to rise
to the challenge and
we lost the contract.
gothic: (of a
novel, etc.) written in the style
popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, which described romantic adventures in
mysterious or frightening surroundings.
devastatingly: in a very
impressive and powerful way. E.g. a
devastatingly handsome man. The play was devastatingly
funny.
prey: be/fall prey to something
1. (of an animal) to be killed and
eaten by another animal or bird. E.g. Many small birds and rodents fall prey to
the domestic cat.
2. (of a person) to be harmed or
affected by something bad. Since the attack, she had fallen prey to irrational fears.
lurid: /ˈlʊərɪd/ /ˈljʊərɪd/ 1. too bright
in colour, in a way that is not attractive. Sp. chillón, estridente. E.g. She was
wearing a lurid orange and green blouse. 2. (especially
of a story or piece of writing) shocking
and violent in a way that is deliberate. Sp. morboso,
escabroso, sensacionalista, horripilante, espeluznante. E.g. lurid
headlines. The paper gave all the lurid details
of the murder. In lurid detail (Sp. sin omitir los detalles más
escabrosos).
totter: 1.
to walk or move with weak unsteady steps, especially
because you are drunk or ill/sick. Stagger. E.g. She
managed to totter back to her seat. 2. to be weak and
seem likely to fall. E.g. the
tottering walls of the castle. (Figurative) a tottering dictatorship (Sp. tambaleante).
slant: slant (on something/somebody) a way of
thinking about something, especially one that shows support for a particular
opinion or side in a disagreement. Sp. punto de vista, enfoque. E.g. She put a new slant on the play. Her book
looks at his writings from a feminist slant.
