Reading 5 - Tran Trung Nghia

Pitfall (n)

A danger or difficulty, especially one that is hidden or not obvious at first. Ex: The potential pitfalls of buying a house.

Guarantee (n)

A firm promise that you will do something or that something will happen. Ex: He gave me a guarantee that it would never happen again.

Version (n)

A form of something that is slightly different from an earlier form or from other forms of the same thing. Ex: There are two versions of the game, a long one and a short one.

Theory (n)

A formal set of ideas that is intended to explain why something happens or exists. Ex: The debate is centred around two conflicting theories.

Prefix (n)

A letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, such as un- in unhappy and pre- in preheat. Ex: Car insurance policies have the prefix MC.

Row (n)

A number of people standing or sitting next to each other in a line; a number of objects arranged in a line. Ex: We sat in a row at the back of the room.

Technique (n)

A particular way of doing something, especially one in which you have to learn special skills. Ex: Teachers learn various techniques for dealing with problem students.

Customer (n)

A person or an organization that buys something from a shop/store or business. Ex: I'm one of the shop's best/biggest customers.

Advisor (n)

A person who gives advice, especially somebody who knows a lot about a particular subject. Ex: A special adviser to the president on education.

Executive (n)

A person who has an important job as a manager of a company or an organization. Ex: A chief/senior/top executive in a computer firm.

Assistant (n)

A person who helps or supports somebody, usually in their job. Ex: My assistant will now demonstrate the machine in action.

Librarian (n)

A person who is in charge of or works in a library. Ex: The librarian was fired yesterday.

Prisoner (n)

A person who is kept in prison as a punishment, or while they are waiting for trial. Ex: The number of prisoners serving life sentences has fallen.

Warden (n)

A person who is responsible for taking care of a particular place and making sure that the rules are obeyed. Ex: Two neighbourhood wardens patrol the housing estate.

Operator (n)

A person who works on the telephone switchboard of a large company or organization, especially at a telephone exchange. Ex: Dial 100 and ask for the operator.

Receipt (n)

A piece of paper that shows that goods or services have been paid for. Ex: Can I have a receipt, please?

Description (n)

A piece of writing or speech that says what somebody/something is like; the act of writing or saying in words what somebody/something is like. Ex: Police have issued a description of the gunman.

Scheme (n)

A plan or system for doing or organizing something. Ex: a local scheme for recycling newspapers.

Limit (n)

A point at which something stops being possible or existing. Ex: There is a limit to the amount of pain we can bear.

Leaflet (n)

A printed sheet of paper or a few printed pages that are given free to advertise or give information about something. Ex: Pick up a free leaflet from your local post office.

Jail (n)

A prison Ex: She spent a year in jail.

Award (n)

A prize such as money, etc. for something that somebody has done. Ex: He was nominated for the best actor award.

Section (n)

A separate part of a structure from which the whole can be put together. Ex: The shed comes in sections that you assemble yourself.

Guildline (n)

A set of rules or instructions that are given by an official organization telling you how to do something, especially something difficult Ex: The government has drawn up guidelines on the treatment of the mentally ill.

Match (n)

A small stick made of wood or cardboard that is used for lighting a fire, cigarette, etc. Ex: He took all her letters into the yard and put a match to them.

Refund (n)

A sum of money that is paid back to you, especially because you paid too much or because you returned goods to a shop/store. Ex: If there is a delay of 12 hours or more, you will receive a full refund of the price of your trip.

Hazard (n)

A thing that can be dangerous or cause damage. Ex: Growing levels of pollution represent a serious health hazard to the local population.

Academy (n)

A type of official organization which aims to encourage and develop art, literature, science, etc. Ex: The Royal Academy of Arts

Form (n)

A type or variety of something. Ex: one of the most common forms of cancer.

Giant (n)

A very large strong person who is often cruel and stupid. Ex: He's a giant of a man.

Warranty (n)

A written agreement in which a company selling something promises to repair or replace it if there is a problem within a particular period of time. Ex: The television comes with a full two-year warranty.

Prompt (adj)

Acting without delay; arriving at the right time. Ex: Please be prompt when attending these meetings.

Situation (n)

All the circumstances and things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place. Ex: We have all been in similar embarrassing situations.

Exchange (n)

An act of giving something to somebody or doing something for somebody and receiving something in return. Ex: The exchange of prisoners took place this morning.

Supply (n)

An amount of something that is provided or available to be used. Ex: The water supply is unsafe.

Insurance (n)

An arrangement with a company in which you pay them regular amounts of money and they agree to pay the costs, for example, if you die or are ill/sick, or if you lose or damage something. Ex: To have adequate insurance cover

Accessory (n)

An extra piece of equipment that is useful but not essential or that can be added to something else as a decoration. Ex: A range of furnishings and accessories for the home.

Accident (n)

An unpleasant event, especially in a vehicle, that happens unexpectedly and causes injury or damage. Ex: He was killed in an accident.

Retail (ad)

By or to the public, usually through shops/stores. Ex: to buy/sell retail.

Fortune (n)

Chance or luck, especially in the way it affects people's lives. Ex: I have had the good fortune to work with some brilliant directors.

Relevant (adj)

Closely connected with the subject you are discussing or the situation you are thinking about. Ex: Do you have the relevant experience?

Individual (adj)

Considered separately rather than as part of a group. Ex: We interviewed each individual member of the community.

Negative (adj)

Considering only the bad side of something/somebody; lacking enthusiasm or hope. Ex: Scientists have a fairly negative attitude to the theory.

Engross (v)

Engross somebody if something engrosses you, it is so interesting that you give it all your attention and time. Ex: As the business grew, it totally engrossed him.

Adequate (adj)

Enough in quantity, or good enough in quality, for a particular purpose or need. Ex: An adequate supply of hot water.

Equivalent (adj)

Equal in value, amount, meaning, importance, etc. Ex: 250 grams or an equivalent amount in ounces.

Original (adj)

Existing at the beginning of a particular period, process or activity. Ex: The room still has many of its original features.

Eventual (adj)

Happening at the end of a period of time or of a process. Ex: The eventual winner of the tournament.

Annual (adj)

Happening or done once every year. Ex: An average annual growth rate of 8%.

Unexpected (adj)

If something is unexpected, it surprises you because you were not expecting it. Ex: The announcement was not entirely unexpected.

Brutal (adj)

Irect and clear about something unpleasant; not thinking of people's feelings. Ex: With brutal honesty she told him she did not love him.

Tender (adj)

Kind, gentle and loving. Ex: What he needs now is a lot of tender loving care.

Extended (adj)

Long or longer than usual or expected. Ex: An extended lunch hour.

Packaging (n)

Materials used to wrap or protect goods that are sold in shops/stores. Ex: Attractive packaging can help to sell products.

Aid (n)

Money, food, etc. that is sent to help countries in difficult situations. Ex: An extra £10 million in foreign aid has been promised.

Immediately (ad)

Next to or very close to a particular place or time. Ex: She answered almost immediately.

Unknown (adj)

Not known or identified, not famous or well known. Ex: The man's identity remains unknown.

Neautral (adj)

Not supporting or helping either side in a disagreement, competition, etc. Ex: Journalists are supposed to be politically neutral.

Quid (n)

One pound in money. Ex: Can you lend me five quid?

Identical (adj)

Similar in every detail. Ex: The two pictures are similar, although not identical.

Kip (n)

Sleep Ex: I must get some kip.

Riveting (adj)

So interesting or exciting that it holds your attention completely. Ex: As usual, she gave a riveting performance.

Precaution (n)

Something that is done in advance in order to prevent problems or to avoid danger. Ex: You must take all reasonable precautions to protect yourself and your family.

Compensation (n)

Something, especially money, that somebody gives you because they have hurt you, or damaged something that you own; the act of giving this to somebody. Ex: To pay compensation for injuries at work.

Available (adj)

That you can get, buy or find. Ex: Tickets are available free of charge from the school.

Acceptance (n)

The act of accepting a gift, an invitation, an offer, etc. Ex: Please confirm your acceptance of this offer in writing.

Vaccination (n)

The act of giving a person or an animal a vaccine in order to protect them against a disease; the fact of having received a vaccine. Ex: Make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

Redemption (n)

The act of saving or state of being saved from the power of evil; the act of redeeming. Ex: She believes that humanity is in need of redemption.

Misuse (n)

The act of using something in a dishonest way or for the wrong purpose. Ex: A misuse of public funds.

Purchase (v)

The act or process of buying something Ex: Keep your receipt as proof of purchase.

Narration (n)

The act or process of telling a story, especially in a novel, a film/movie or a play. Ex: The novel constantly switches between first-person and third-person narration.

Clearance (n)

The amount of space or distance that is needed between two objects so that they do not touch each other. Ex: There is not much clearance for vehicles passing under this bridge.

Circumstance (n)

The conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action. Ex: I know I can trust her in any circumstance.

Condition (n)

The state that something is in. Ex: The house is in a generally poor condition.

Difference (n)

The way in which two people or things are not like each other; the way in which somebody/something has changed. Ex: There's no difference in the results.

Amass (v)

To collect something, especially in large quantities. Ex: He amassed a fortune from silver mining.

Convict (v)

To decide and state officially in court that somebody is guilty of a crime. Ex: He was convicted of fraud.

Neglect (v)

To fail to take care of somebody/something Ex: Don't neglect your health.

Nominate (v)

To formally suggest that somebody should be chosen for an important role, prize, position, etc. Ex: She has been nominated for the presidency.

Obtain (v)

To get something, especially by making an effort. Ex: I finally managed to obtain a copy of the report.

Develope (v)

To gradually grow or become bigger, more advanced, stronger, etc.; to make something do this. Ex: he developed the company from nothing.

Confine (V)

To keep somebody/something inside the limits of a particular activity, subject, area, etc. Ex: The work will not be confined to the Glasgow area.

Recognize (v)

To know who somebody is or what something is when you see or hear them or it, because you have seen or heard them or it before. Ex: I recognized him as soon as he came in the room.

Scan (v)

To look quickly but not very carefully at a document, etc. Ex: I scanned the list quickly for my name.

Envolve (v)

To make somebody take part in something. Ex: We want to involve as many people as possible in the celebrations.

Skim (v)

To move quickly and lightly over a surface, not touching it or only touching it occasionally; to make something do this skim along/over, etc. something. Ex: We watched the birds skimming over the lake.

Arrange (v)

To plan or organize something in advance. Ex: She arranged a loan with the bank.

Commit (v)

To promise sincerely that you will definitely do something, keep to an agreement or arrangement, etc. Ex: Both sides committed themselves to settle the dispute peacefully.

Claim (v)

To say that something is true although it has not been proved and other people may not believe it. Ex: He claims (that) he was not given a fair hearing.

Consider (v)

To think about something carefully, especially in order to make a decision. Ex: I'd like some time to consider.

Mention (v)

To write or speak about something/somebody, especially without giving much information. Ex: Nobody mentioned anything to me about it.

Underestimate (v)

Underestimate something | underestimate what, how, etc... to think or guess that the amount, cost or size of something is smaller than it really is. Ex: We underestimated the time it would take to get there.

Extraordinary (adj)

Unexpected, surprising or strange Ex: It's extraordinary that he managed to sleep through the party.

Awful (adj)

Used to emphasize something, especially that there is a large amount or too much of something. Ex: It's going to cost an awful lot of money.

Particular (adj)

Used to emphasize that you are referring to one individual person, thing or type of thing and not others. Ex: There is one particular patient I'd like you to see.

Alternatively (ad)

Used to introduce a suggestion that is a second choice or possibility. Ex: The agency will make travel arrangements for you. Alternatively, you can organize your own transport.

Otherwise (ad)

Used to state what the result would be if something did not happen or if the situation were different. Ex: My parents lent me the money. Otherwise, I couldn't have afforded the trip.

Brainy (adj)

Very intelligent Ex: He's a brainy kid.

Corrupt (adj)

Willing to use their power to do dishonest or illegal things in return for money or to get an advantage. Ex: Corrupt officials accepting bribes

Unfurnished (adj)

Without furniture. Ex: We rented an unfurnished apartment.