· Whistle-blower = (noun) A person who informs on a person or organization regarded as engaging in an unlawful or immoral activity e.g., They received information from a whistle-blower, reported the story, and protected their source.// e.g., He indicated his information came from FDA whistle-blowers.// e.g., It is important for governments to take a firm stand against corruption and to protect both whistle-blowers and the media that report on corrupt practices in government.// e.g., Whistleblower reveals data grab of 50 million Facebook profiles from a British firm that was pivotal (of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else; pronounced ˈpɪvətl) in the US president’s victory (from the media).
· Captain = (noun) the person in command of a ship./// The pilot in command of a civil aircraft./// A rank of a naval officer above commander and below commodore (= a naval officer of high level, in particular, an officer in the US Navy or Coast Guard ranking above captain and below rear admiral; pronounced ˈkɒm.ə.dɔːr in US English ˈkɑː.mə.dɔːr in US English)./// A rank of officer in the army and the US and Canadian air forces, above lieutenant and below major./// The leader of a team, especially in sports./// A powerful or influential person in a particular field./// (US English) A supervisor of waiters or bellboys./// (UK English) (school captain) A head boy or girl in a school./// (in the US) a police officer in charge of a precinct (= a district of a city or town as defined for policing purposes; pronounced ˈpriːsɪŋ(k)t), ranking below a chief.
· Bellboy or Bellman or Bellhop (US English) (or Hotel porter (international) (*****)) = (US English) an attendant in a hotel who performs services such as carrying guests’ luggage. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Bellhop_in_Japan.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viUNJtpbOE4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khJzO4V6ZqA
· Hinder (pronounced hində(r) as a verb and ˈhaɪndə(r) as an adjective) = (pronounced hində(r)) (verb with object) Create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction e.g., It would hinder firms that could create the growth needed to help deliver the Government’s public sector promises.// e.g., On the road, Colin meets various 2D comedy locals who help and hinder him in his travels.// e.g., ‘Financial concerns are the number one thing hindering me from having another baby.’/// (pronounced ˈhaɪndər) (adjective) (attributive) (especially of a bodily part) rear; hind (= (especially of a bodily part) situated at the back; posterior; pronounced haɪnd) e.g., The hinder end of its body.// e.g., He stated that the fore part of the brain contained three ventricles, and the hinder part, one.// e.g., A millipede raised on its hinder legs.
· Centipede (vs.) Millipede
· Centipede (pronounced ˈsen.tɪ.piːd) = (noun) a predatory myriapod invertebrate with a flattened, elongated body composed of many segments. Most segments bear a single pair of legs. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Lithobius_forficatus.jpg and (caught by a bird!) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/European_roller.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Centipede_from_Agumbe.jpg
· Millipede (pronounced ˈmɪl.ɪ.piːd) = (noun) a myriapod invertebrate with an elongated body composed of many segments, most of which bear two pairs of legs. Most kinds are herbivorous (= feed on plants; pronounced hɜːˈbɪv.(ə)r.əs), living in the soil or under stones and logs. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Millipede_collage.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Harpaphe_haydeniana_0446.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Psammodesmus_bryophorus.jpg
· Boar (vs.) Hog (vs.) Sow
· Boar (pronounced bɔː(r)) = (noun) a male pig kept for breeding on a farm, or a type of wild pig (wild boar or wild swine) (^^). For a wild boar See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/20160208054949%21Wildschein%2C_N%C3%A4he_Pulverstampftor_%28cropped%29.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Locha%28js%29.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Wild_Boar_Habbitat_2.jpg
· Hog (or domestic pig) = (noun) (US English) a pig, especially one that is allowed to grow large so that it can be eaten (^^)./// (UK English) A male pig with its sexual organs removed, kept for its meat (^^). See (pig with piglet (= a young pig)) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Sow_with_piglet.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Yorkshire_pigs_at_animal_sanctuary.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Show_Pig_%2818097041013%29.jpg
· Sow (pronounced saʊ) (as a noun, related to pigs) = (noun) an adult female pig.
· Set down = (phrasal verb) Record something in writing e.g., Thoughts come fast, so fast that it is difficult to set them down in words.// e.g., Some of the writing had faded (fade = gradually grow faint and disappear; pronounced feɪd) and the writer would know the breed, size, color, age and many other details without having to set them down.// e.g., ‘I have yet to set them down, so am unable to defend my dreams and vision.’/// Establish something as a rule or principle to be followed e.g., The Association set down codes of practice for all members to comply with.// e.g., ‘I’ll just have to set ground rules down concerning what time I leave the office.’ // e.g., Some new rules have been set down as a result of this year’s congress meeting.
· Commodore (pronounced ˈkɒm.ə.dɔːr in US English ˈkɑː.mə.dɔːr in US English) = (noun) A naval officer of high rank, in particular, an officer in the US Navy or Coast Guard ranking above captain and below rear admiral. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP-FygXMJWc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Dnh5eXoDQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIQ4OFE-F90 // e.g., Before he knew it, the pirate found himself facing another commodore.// e.g., In May 1787 he left England as commodore of the First Fleet./// The president of a yacht club. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSnoTut9i9E and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0twxm1RJdM // e.g., He is the commodore and an original member of the yacht club.// e.g., ‘I recently became commodore of a large boat club.’/// The senior captain of a shipping line. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh6ttdiKIg0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN8KKYMQP5Q // e.g., ‘I am honored by this appointment to Commodore of the fleet of the most famous shipping company in the world.’ // e.g., With the full consent of the Board, he continued to sail as Commodore until the end of the summer season of 1910.
· Misdeed (pronounced ˌmɪsˈdiːd) = (noun) A wicked or illegal act e.g., His past misdeeds were forgiven.// e.g., The UN (United Nations), too, refuses to take him on for his criminal misdeeds.// e.g., These misdeeds are all too frequent in this troubled world we live in.
· Pretension (pronounced prɪˈten.ʃ(ə)n) = (countable noun; usually plural (pretensions)) a claim or belief that you can succeed or that you are important or have serious value e.g., The Chronicle has pretensions to being a serious newspaper.// e.g., The NY Giants’ Super Bowl pretensions were dashed when they were beaten last week (^^)./// (uncountable noun) (also pretentiousness) the act of trying to appear or sound more important than you are (^^)./// He spoke about his achievements without pretension.// e.g., ‘I admire his honesty and lack of pretension.’ // e.g., ‘The restaurant offers excellent food without pretension’ ((^) for the previous 3 examples)./// A desire to do something or a claim to be something that is impressive or important (*** for this definition).
· Debacle (pronounced deɪˈbɑːk(ə)l) = (noun) a sudden and ignominious (= deserving or causing public disgrace or shame; pronounced ˌɪɡnəˈmɪnɪəs) failure; a fiasco e.g., After previous electoral debacles, the Conservatives bounced speedily back.// e.g., ‘I caution (= say something as a warning; pronounced ˈkɔːʃ(ə)n) you, however, to mention that the left cannot afford any more debacles that could have easily been prevented by fact checking.// e.g., The generals are intent on proving that the defeats are not debacles and that the fall of key strategic bases is simply a ‘tactical withdrawal.’ e.g., The economic debacle that became known as the Great Depression.
· On + occasion e.g., Not everything said or written on an occasion of qualified privilege is protected.// e.g., On all four occasions, patients were transferred to other hospitals in the city.// e.g., Today, on the occasion of her 80th birthday, we wish her well. // e.g., His swimming marathon last summer was on the occasion of his 40th birthday.// e.g., The accused testified and offered excuses in relation to his failure to comply on several other occasions during this period.
· Porridge = (noun) a dish consisting of oatmeal or another meal or cereal boiled in water or milk. For oatmeal See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Havregr%C3%B8d_p%C3%A5_vand.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Cooked_oatmeal_in_bowl_%28low_angle%29.jpg For wheat porridge See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Malt-O-Meal_with_coffee.jpg
· Grief (noun) (= deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death e.g., He was overcome with grief) (vs.) grieve (verb) (= suffer grief e.g., He grieved for his mother (who died recently)).
· Bank (as a noun with meaning other than a financial establishment that invests money deposited by customers) = (noun) the land alongside or sloping down to a river or lake. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Banks_left_and_right_V2.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Namoi-River-sand-bank.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Kuekenhoff_Canal_002.jpg // e.g., Willows lined the bank./// A pile or mass of earth, clouds etc. (^^ for this definition) e.g., A bank of clouds.// A set or series of similar things, especially electrical or electronic devices, grouped in rows e.g., The DJ had big banks of lights and speakers on either side of his console.
· Willow = (noun) a tree or shrub of temperate climates that typically has narrow leaves and grows near water. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Salix_alba_Morton.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Weeping_Willow_by_Pond.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Willow_tree_in_spring%2C_England.JPG /// A machine with revolving spikes used for cleaning cotton, wool, or other fibers e.g., The Japanese willow machine made good money for the domestic economy.
· Weeping willow (or Babylon willow) = (noun) a Eurasian willow with trailing branches and foliage reaching down to the ground, widely grown as an ornamental in waterside settings. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Willow.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Wollman_Weeping_Willows_turning_jeh.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmrZfTUNNOA
· The devious (= showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals// (of a route or journey) longer and less direct than the most straightforward way; pronounced diː.vi.əs) art of lying by telling the truth! (You may read the article on http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20171114-the-disturbing-art-of-lying-by-telling-the-truth )
· Truth (noun; e.g., ‘I had to accept the truth of his accusation’) (vs) true (adjective (truer, truest); e.g., A true story./// (adverb) Truly e.g., Mr. Smith spoke truer than he knew)
· Complain (verb) – Make a complaint (noun)
· Ex (vs) former (many use them interchangeably)
· Former = (adjective) having filled a particular role previously or been a specific thing; e.g., My former boyfriend.// e.g., We’ll talk with former vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp about the government's role in maintaining prosperity./// Of or occurring in the past or an earlier period e.g., In former times.// e.g., The Spirit of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to critical moments in his former life.
· Ex = (informal) (noun) A former husband, wife, or another partner in a relationship e.g., ‘I don't want my ex to spoil what I have now.’ // e.g., We have good relationships with my exes (except for my youngest’s father) and their parents.
· Ex- = (prefix) forming nouns (from titles of office, status, etc.) expressing a former state e.g., Ex-husband.// e.g., Ex-convict.
· Note: Some argue that ‘ex’- refers to the immediate past position while 'former' refers to a position held earlier. For example, ex-Prime Minister is the one before the present one, while former Prime Minister is the one of those earlier to the ex-Prime Minister. The difference between the two words is still debated.
· Purchase is pronounced ˈpɜː.tʃəs in UK English and ˈpɝː.tʃəs in US English
· Inflexibility (not ‘unflexibility’)
· Semester
· Inevitable
· Blame on both sides
· Anthony (e.g., Anthony Quinn) or Antony (e.g., Mark Antony or Marc Antony, a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic from an oligarchy into the autocratic Roman Empire (*****).
· ‘What’s on (not ‘in’) your mind?’
· ‘This changed my life/ their lives forever (1 word)’
· ‘Nothing beautiful ever remains!’
· (at a Greek restaurant in Astoria, Queens, NYC) A: ‘Maybe you like (to eat) galaktoboureko.’ B: ‘What’s that?’ (not ''this'') A: ‘It’s a sweet milk pie.’
· ‘My voice is strong in support of the black people who face racism in the US.’
· ‘What is the ransom (= a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner) going to be?’
· ‘I love you because you make me feel alive! Passion is the essence of life!’
· (an ambassador at the funeral of a prominent person) ‘I bring the condolences (condolence = an expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of death; pronounced kənˈdəʊ.ləns) of my country’
· A: ‘I have set down (= establish something as a rule or principle to be followed) further terms’ (to the agreement). ‘Are you satisfied?’ B: ‘Yes.’ A: ‘That’s it then! We have a deal!’ (= we have an agreement).
· He is James’s brother
· ‘Your dress is terrific (= extremely good; excellent./// of great size, amount, or intensity – it is an adjective), it is fantastic’
· A dog with fleas (flea = a small wingless jumping insect which feeds on the blood of mammals and birds; it sometimes transmits diseases through its bite, including plague; pronounced fliː)
· Cadavers are preserved with formaldehyde (= a colorless pungent (= having a sharply strong taste or smell; pronounced ˈpʌn.dʒ(ə)nt) gas in a solution made by oxidizing methanol. pronounced fɔːˈmæl.də.haɪd or fɔːrˈmæl.də.haɪd)
· A: ‘Is everything OK, Dr. Manos?’ Me: ‘Please call me James!’ (I always say this)
· (someone asks a date after hanging out and is about to leave him/her back at home) Α: ‘So, you are going to ask me for a drink/ a cup of tea (my comment: this sound too British!) or something?’ B: ‘I don’t have great pretension (= a claim or the assertion of a claim to something) (to stay with you). I have to study tonight!’
· ‘I was a pretentious (= (adjective) attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., that is actually possessed; pronounced prɪˈten.ʃəs) person in my younger days’ (young age)
· ‘Your college grades are mediocre’ (= (adjective) of only moderate quality; not very good; ˌ pronounced miː.diˈəʊ.kə(r))
· ‘I need some time to sort things out.’ (My comment: usually said as an excuse for ending a relationship!)
· ‘Does the offer still stand?’
· Physician = (mainly US English) doctor. (My comment: I remember when I once visited London, and the secretary of the student camp, which was used in the summer as a hotel, asked me what my occupation was. I replied to him, ‘I’m a physician,’ but he didn’t understand the word!)
· Sharp = (adjective) Having or showing speed of perception, comprehension, or response e.g., Her sharp eyes missed nothing.// e.g., Her old mind was not so sharp as it once was./// (of an object) having an edge or point that can cut or pierce something e.g., ‘Cut the cake with a very sharp knife.’
· Biochem (pronounced ˈbʌɪə(ʊ)kɛm) = (abbreviation) (informal) (US English) biochemistry.
· Go commando = (informal) Wear no underpants e.g., ‘And instead of going commando all day long, use them as your pajama replacement.’ // e.g., ‘I just want to know is it okay to go commando to get rid of visible panties ((plural noun) = short underpants worn by women and girls) lines?’ (My comment as a medic: recent studies say that this may increase fertility, as wearing clothes warms the crotch (= the part of the human body between the legs where they join the torso) area and may decrease fertility. You may read the relevant article on http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4120132/Why-men-bed-commando-not-sleep-underpants-want-fathers.html Another cause of male infertility is riding a bicycle as it presses the crotch! You may read the relevant article on https://arm.coloradowomenshealth.com/doctors-blog/bicycling-affect-male-fertility )
· Consolation = (noun) comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment e.g., There was consolation in knowing that others were worse off.// e.g., In the Holy Cross cemetery prayers continued the theme of hope and consolation.// e.g., Even if mistreated, she could not come back to her parents for consolation or support.
· At due course = (phrase) at the appropriate time e.g., Jack will respond in due course to the letter.// e.g., ‘I’m sure it will be repeated in due course, and if you didn’t see it, I would recommend that you do.’
· Final = (noun) the last game in a sports tournament or other competition, which decides the winner of the tournament e.g., The winners of the semi-finals will take part in a county final to decide the winner./// An examination at the end of a term, academic year, or particular class e.g., He and eight other finalists had to prepare two main course dishes for the healthy catering class final.// e.g., Final grades.
· Temperature rises on both sides after the US president’s announcement of sanctions (sanction = a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule) on the US trade with China. The new tariffs (tariff= a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports; pronounced ˈtær.ɪf in UK English and ˈter.ɪf in US English) could spark a trade war. The EU (European Union) received an exemption from the US tariffs. The US president outlined that these sanctions are reciprocal (= given, felt, or done in return; pronounced rɪˈsɪp.rə.kəl) to the financial ‘abuse’ from China’s side and that they were inevitable because of the high US trade deficit. The president said that technology is the backbone of the US economy and accused China of technology theft! However, it seems that the US president defies (defy = openly resist or refuse to obey) the WTO (World Trade Organization) and the ‘free market’ system of capitalism. Retaliatory measures are anticipated by China that will probably involve the US agriculture goods (from the media).
· Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg broke his 5 days silence and said in an interview that the data misuse of 50m (m= million) Facebook users a British firm that cooperated with FB (Facebook) was a breach (= an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct) of trust/ confidence (from the media).
· Investigation for (e.g., He is under investigation for receiving illicit funds.// e.g., It was under investigation for substandard care and abusive treatment to its patients)// by (e.g., The attack is still under investigation by police and has not been made public until today)// into (e.g., An investigation into fresh allegations of malpractice)
· Mauritius (an island country in the Indian Ocean (^^)) is pronounced məˈrɪʃ.əs. The citizens of Mauritius are called Mauritians (pronounced məˈrɪʃ.(ə)ns)
· The Russian president expects a high turnout (= the number of people attending or taking part in an event, especially the number of people voting in an election) at the presidential elections (from the media)
· Many people today interact virtually through their social media rather than face-to-face
· People need to take control of their lives
· ''I will stay at home''
· The relationship between government and citizens should not be based on coercion (= the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats; pronounced kəʊˈɜː.ʃ(ə)n) but cooperation and trust
· Volunteers went to the supermarket and took some crates (crate = a slatted wooden case used for transporting or storing goods; pronounced kreɪt) with fruits and vegetables for the poor. Some customers have different opinions about/ on the matter of food donation to poor people but most don’t disagree with this positive act of benevolence (= the quality of being well-meaning; kindness; pronounced bɪˈnɛv(ə)l(ə)ns) to everyone) (from the media)
· In Mauritius (pronounced məˈrɪʃ.əs) the flag of independence was hoisted (hoist = raise something using ropes and pulleys) a century ago. It is a multiethnic country and Creoles (Creole = a person of mixed African and European origin who speaks Creole/ a person of mixed European and black descent, especially in the Caribbean; pronounced kriˈəʊl in UK English and kriˈoʊl in US English) are part of the population. Mauritians (pronounced məˈrɪʃ.(ə)ns) embrace (= include or contain something as a part// accept a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically// hold someone closely in one’s arms, especially as a sign of affection) the sea that is part of their economy. Today Mauritius is a cosmopolitan and globalized country (from the media)
· Dubai is a country that gives entrepreneurs (entrepreneur = a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so pronounced ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜː(r)) the opportunity to invest their money in infrastructure
· Sandbox is virtual space in which new or untrusting (adjective – not ‘untruted’) software or coding can be run securely
· Discord with (pronounced dɪsˈkɔːd) (= (of things) be different or in disharmony e.g., The party’s views were apt to (= tending to do something) discord with those of the leading members of the administration)
· Maintenance is pronounced ˈmeɪn.tən.əns
· Memo = (noun) (abbreviation) (plural = memos) a memorandum
· Misc. = (abbreviation) Miscellaneous (adjective)
· Vs. = (abbreviation) versus
· Karl Marx
· Scotland - Scottish (e.g., The Scottish Highlands)
· Boxing Day (= (UK) a public holiday celebrated on the first day - strictly, the first weekday - after Christmas Day).
· Papua New Guinea is pronounced ˌpæp.u.ə njuː ˈɡɪn.i
· Invest in
· Cleanliness
· Tattoo
· Continuously
· Receipt
· Sergeant // Lieutenant
· Cigarette
· Solar (= relating to the sun) eclipse (= an obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer or between it and its source of illumination)
· Recipe (= a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required)
· Regularly
· Precisely
· Ridiculously
· Speechlessness
· Marilyn Monroe
· Wake – woke (preferred) or waked (obsolete) – woken (preferred) or waked (obsolete)
· Schedule
· Survival of the fittest
· Indicative is pronounced ɪnˈdɪk.ə.tɪv
· Tactful / Tactless
· In the same year
· Respectful
· Congress – Congressional
· Unify – unified – unification
· Expel – expelled
· Oversize = (adjective) bigger than the usual size e.g., An oversized T-shirt.
· Rail (railway) network
· Peccator (Latin) = (noun) sinner// transgressor (My comment: I just added this word as I found it on YouTube. People are really crazy adding Latin words to the nearly 500,000 words of the English language! Perhaps, some people using Latin may simply want to show off to others that will not understand them!)
· The US president blocked the takeover (= an act of assuming control of something, especially the buying out of one company by another) of Qualcomm by Broadcom (both are companies) (from the media).
· ‘I will tell you in person’
· The US president fired the Secretary of State who learned that he was sacked (sack = dismiss from employment) reading the president’s tweet on Twitter! The president said that he had a different mindset and wavelength. The new Secretary of State will take over (= an act of assuming control of something) tomorrow. Contrary to (= conflicting with or running counter to) his predecessor (a person who held a job or office before the current holder; pronounced ˈpriː.dɪˌses.ə(r) in UK English and ˈpred.ə.ses.ɚ in US English), he is less experienced in foreign policy (from the media).
· Hang – hanged or hung – hanged or hung. But for execution by hanging it is hang – hanged – hanged. Note: In modern English ‘hang’ has two past tense and past participle forms: ‘hanged’ and ‘hung.’ ‘Hung’ is the normal form in most general uses, e.g. ‘Ι hung out the washing.’// e.g., He hung around for a few minutes.// e.g., She had hung the picture on the wall. But ‘hanged’ is the form normally used in reference to execution by hanging e.g., The prisoner was hanged.// e.g., The Russian who was found hanged tried to expatriate money from Russia (from the media).
· Within months the company surpassed (surpass = exceed; be greater than; pronounced səˈpɑːs) its goals
· Some Taleban (more common: Taliban) (= Afghan Islamic terrorists) are open to talking about ending the conflict (from the media).
· The police ransacked (ransack = go through a place stealing things and causing damage/// search a place or receptacle thoroughly, especially in such a way as to cause harm) my home searching for drugs (here the person using the word ‘ransacked’ exaggerates as it is used e.g., for burglars e.g., Burglars ransacked my home).
· The girl’s father has gone missing
· Crackdown (= severe measures to restrict or discourage undesirable or illegal people or behavior) on Russian participation in the attempted murder of an ex-Russian spy and his daughter who were found slumped (slump = sit, lean, or fall heavily and limply, especially with a bent back// undergo a sudden severe or prolonged fall in price, value, or amount) on a bench in Salisbury, England. The Russian government disdained (= consider to be unworthy of one’s consideration) to reply the accusations of poisoning. In retaliation (= revenge), the British government expelled (expel = force someone to leave a place) 23 Russian diplomats (from the UK) and considered of boycotting (boycott = withdraw from commercial or social relations with a country, organization, or person as a punishment or protest) the following FIFA (football) World Cup held in Russia. Motions being scrambled (scramble = make something jumbled (jumble = mix up in a confused or untidy way) or muddled (muddle = bring into a disordered or confusing state)/// make one’s way quickly or awkwardly up a steep slope or over rough ground by using one’s hands as well as one’s feet) by Labor MPs (members of parliament) to back up the PM’s (prime minister) view of retaliation. The Russians were adamant (= refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind; pronounced ˈæd.ə.mənt) to give explanations if they are behind the murder attempt of the Russian ex-spy and his daughter. They will answer to the deportation of the 23 diplomats from the UK with counter-sanctions. The Russians said ‘either you are with us or against us. NATO (you may also find it as ‘Nato’) calls on Russia to give full disclosure (= the action of making new or secret information known) of the events.
· The renowned (adjective; known or talked about by many people; famous) physicist Stephen (pronounced ˈstiːv(ə)n) Hawking had died at the age of 76. He dedicated his life on a quest (= a long or arduous (= involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring) search for something; pronounced ˈɑː.dʒu.əs) for the secrets of the cosmos (= the universe seen as a well-ordered whole) and to create a unified theory of everything. His charisma (= compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others; pronounced kəˈrɪz.mə) was his brilliant intellect. Hawking was famed (adjective) for his work on black holes and relativity.
· Over 1,650 local walkouts (walkout = a sudden angry departure, especially as a protest or strike) have been organized in 50 states (in the US) for tougher gun laws, demanding to abolish (= formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution) access of young people to guns/ the right of young people to hold/ bear (= (of a person) carry; pronounced beə(r)) guns/ arms.
· Walkout (1 word) = (noun) A sudden angry departure, especially as a protest or strike e.g., Opposition MPs (parliament members) staged a walkout during the budget session.// e.g., These decisions provoked a walkout by the British delegate (= a person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular, an elected representative sent to a conference).// e.g., We were fortunate in that the day afterward the council management called a meeting at which someone suggested a protest walkout.
· AI (= artificial intelligence) impacts/ facilitates our daily lives. However, ethical concerns loom (= appear as a shadowy form, especially one that is large or threatening; loom, as a verb, mean an apparatus for making fabric by weaving yarn or thread) large about the future of AI.
· Scientists ask the government to put/ provide more funding for their research
· The book ‘One of Us’ of Asne Seierstand, that describes the Norway attack (in 2011, when a far-right psychopath assassinated 77 people, most of the young), picks up major prizes.
· The British government says that leaving the EU (European Union) (this is called ‘Brexit’ from ‘British’ + ‘exit’) is a one-way-street and that there is no other/ alternative choice.
· Some say that a clause shouldn’t finish with a preposition at its end, but Oxford dictionary says its Ok. For example: Jesus was a serious political liability who had to be quickly disposed of.
· Insurers (insurer = a person or company that underwrites an insurance risk; the party in an insurance contract undertaking to pay compensation) warn of travelers’ premium (= an amount to be paid for an insurance policy) rise
· The former FBI deputy (= a person whose immediate superior is a senior figure within an organization and who is empowered to act as a substitute for this superior) was sacked (= fired) days before he was due to (= expected to happen, arrive, etc. at a particular time (^^)) retire
· China has sheer (= nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis)) diversity in terms of/ concerning/ regarding ethnic minorities.
· The school janitor (= a person employed as a caretaker of a building; a custodian (in UK English it is ‘caretaker’) – pronounced ˈdʒæn.ɪ.tə(r)) taught the students how to preserve energy by using thermostats that regulate the temperature of the radiators (from the media)
· A five-year-old child
· ''How is she (not ‘how she is’) handling the news?''
· ‘In’ or ‘at’ the office?
· ‘At’ the office' is a more general term, whereas ‘in the office’ usually refers to a specific physical location (my comment: means inside an office). Someone is ‘at’ the office if he/she is at a place of work, but not emphasizing a specific room e.g., ‘Where is Anna?’, asked George. ‘She is at the office,’ I replied.// e.g., ‘Darling, I’m at the office right now, but I will come home to see you soon.’ // e.g., Back at the office, janitor (= caretaker) Jim Smith was taking care of some lighting repair.
· On the other hand, ‘in the office’ is used to emphasize a room where someone works e.g., ‘I need to have a desktop in the office.’ // e.g., ‘Where is your purse.’ ‘I left it in my office.’
· Speculate on/ about/ that/ in/ with: ((speculate on/about/that) form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence e.g., My colleagues speculate about my private life.// e.g., (with clause) Observers speculated that the authorities wished to improve their image.// e.g., A spokesperson declined to speculate on the cause of the train crash)./// (speculate on/ in/ with) invest in stocks, property, or other ventures in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss) e.g., He didn't look as though he had the money to speculate in stocks) And hedge funds, which make money by speculating on the stock market, may also cause further volatility in the coming days.// e.g., ‘You should only speculate with risk capital (money you can afford to lose)’
· ‘I consider (not ‘consider of' here) changing the IELTS date so that I (or ‘(in order) to have’) have enough time (not ‘so that to have enough’) to study. At the same time, I also schedule some private lessons (instead of ‘I also scheduled for the same time private lessons’) in order to increase my chances (or ‘so that I increase my chances’) to succeed in the test (instead of ‘so that to increase my chance of...’)
· Consider + question (e.g., ‘Have you considered what you will do if you don’t get the job?’) or gerund (e.g., ‘We are considering selling the house’). Other examples: e.g., He is being considered for the job.// e.g., ‘I consider myself lucky that I only hurt my arm in the accident.’
· Insoluble (adjective; = impossible to solve e.g., The problem is not insoluble./// (of a substance) incapable of being dissolved e.g., Once dry, the paints become insoluble in water.
· The captain ordered the crew to dump the contraband (= goods that have been imported or exported illegally; pronounced ˈkɒn.trə.bænd) in the sea before the authorities impound (= seize and take legal custody of something – especially a vehicle, goods, or documents – because of an infringement (violation; pronounced ɪnˈfrɪndʒ.mənt) of a law or regulation; pronounced ɪmˈpaʊnd) it. DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration, a US agency) gave them crucial information to find the ship.
· Muammar Gaddafi
· Take care of
· Based on
· Louis (pronounced ˈluːi) XIV is the king who built Versailles (= a palace near the town of Versailles, southwest of Paris; pronounced vɛːˈsʌɪ)
· Breath (noun e.g., I was gasping for breath – My comment as a medic: we call this ‘short of breath (SOB)’)) (vs) Breathe (verb e.g., He was wheezing as he breathed (My comment: apparently, he had asthma))
· Portsmouth (port in the UK; pronounced ˈpɔːtsməθ) (mnemonic trick: ports + mouth)
· Born (adjective) (vs.) Born (past simple of ‘bear’ in UK English; past simple and pp of ‘bear’ in US English)
· Born = (adjective) existing as a result of birth e.g., He was born in Aberdeen.// e.g., ‘I was born with a sense of curiosity.’ // e.g., A newly born baby.
· Bear (pronounced ‘beə(r)) = (irregular verb) carry, support, give birth, endure, turn and proceed in a specified direction. Bear – born – borne (or born in US English)
· Be careful: read – read (past simple; pronounced red)) – read (p.p.; pronounced red) e.g. I have read (pronounced red) this book.
· Be careful: hear – heard (not ‘heared’) – heard (not ‘heared’).
· Be careful: mean – meant (not ‘ment’) – meant (not ‘ment’)
· Be careful: choose – chose -chosen
· Be careful: burst is irregular: burst – burst – burst
· Be careful: bleed is irregular: bleed – bled – bled
· Be careful: slide is irregular: slide (= move along a smooth surface while maintaining continuous contact with it e.g., He slid down the bank into the water) – slid – slid // sliding
· Be careful: bear (= carry, support, give birth, endure, turn and proceed in a specified direction; pronounced ‘beə(r)’) – born – borne (or born in US English)
· Note: ‘Drown’ is not an irregular verb. The past simple is drowned e.g., He drowned in the pond.
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