Glossary

Glossary

Glossary  |  Test 1 blot (n):  a blot on the landscape is an adv: adverb

eyesore or something that looks un-
a change of tack (id):  a change of strategy or approach
pleasant and not very suitable to where adj: adjective
abandon (v):  to abandon something is to leave it or to give up on it is phr v: phrasal verb
it and decide not to help it
branched out (phr v):  when snowflakes v: verb
absorbing (v):  to absorb something is to take it in, usually gradu- branch out, their branches or connec-
ally (slowly) tions grow in size and develop n: noun
abundance (n):  if there is an abundance of something, there is by default (id):  by definition; because prep: Preposition
more than enough of that something of its nature or design; by design; natu-
acceleration (n):  the increase in speed at which something hap-
conj: Conjunct
rally
pens; the fact that something is getting faster and faster calculable (adj):  able to be calculated id: idiom
accumulations (n):  build-ups of something, for example snow; or figured out or worked out in sums/
amounts of something that has been collected numbers
actuality (n):  reality camaraderie (n):  a feeling of friendship amongst people who
adaptations (n):  changes made in order to suit different condi- work together, are a team or share an experience
tions capacitive (adj):  something which is capacitive can hold an elec-
addictive (adj):  if something is addictive, once you have had it or trical charge;
experienced it once, you are likely to want to have it or experience cascade effect (id):  a cascade effect is an inevitable set of con-
it again and again sequences or chain of events which happen
afforded (v):  if you afford someone something, you allow them case-by-case basis (id):  if you examine, fight or review some-
to have it thing on a case-by-case basis, you take a separate decision ac-
aforementioned (adj):  something aforementioned was men- cording to the unique set of facts of each particular situation
tioned or talked about or discussed earlier in the conversation or caught between a rock and a hard place (phr v):  if you are
piece of writing caught between a rock and a hard place, you have two options or
akin (adj):  having the same or similar qualities choices, neither of which is desirable
amass (v):  collect in large quantities chaos (n):  a lack of any order; a state of total confusion
amassing (v):  gathering or collecting claimant (n):  a claimant in a court case is a person who is asking
anxiety (n):  tension; worry or nervousness about something hap- for some form of compensation because of a wrong they claim/
pening now or which might happen in the future assert has been done to them
apocalypse (n):  a very serious event resulting in huge amounts clear-cut (adj):  if something is clear-cut, it is straightforward or
of destruction or very negative change obvious
appalled (adj):  if you are appalled at something, you are shocked climatic (adj):  of or related to the climate (general weather con-
by it in a very negative way; disgusted ditions)
applicant (n):  an applicant is someone who formally/officially re- clocked (v):  if something is clocked at a speed, it is registered or
quests or applies for something, such as a job or course recorded as reaching that speed
application (n):  a use of something for a specific purpose closure (n):  the closure of something (e.g. a shop) is the shutting
appreciably (adv):  noticeably; if something changes appreciably, or closing down of that thing
it changes in a noticeable or significant way coalition (n):  a collection of individuals or animals who/which
apt (adj):  appropriate come together to form a group for a particular purpose for a par-
archipelago (n):  a group of small islands ticular amount of time
arachnids (n):  a scientific classification/group of small animals coaxed (v):  to coax is to gently persuade
that have four pairs of legs which includes scorpions and spiders coexist (v):  if things coexist, they live or exist together at the
as a matter of course (id):  something done as a matter of same time and in the same place
course is done as a usual part of the ways things happen and is collectively (adv):  as a group
not something special or unusual commenced (v):  to commence is to begin something
assertion (n):  a claim/statement made by someone or some commercially (adv):  of or related to money; if a business is com-
group, which they insist is true mercially viable, it is likely to make money
assumption (n):  an assumption is something which you accept commissioned (adj):  something which is commissioned is or-
as truth without looking for proof or evidence to confirm that it dered to be done by a person/organisation; for example a com-
is true missioned report is a report that a person/organisation has asked
at a glance (id):  a glance is a quick look at something; at a glance to be produced for them/it
means on first look or having very quickly reviewed commissioned (v):  if you commission a study or assessment,
attention-grabbing (adj):  something which is attention-grabbing you ask someone to do a study or assessment for you, usually
gets a lot of notice or attention or focus for a fee
batting an eyelid (id):  if you don’t bat an eyelid, you don’t react committee (n):  a committee is a small group chosen to represent
in an expressive way to something or you don’t give it a second and make decisions for a larger group
thought; you show no sign of surprise when something happens compensation (n):  money or other benefits received for some-
beaching (n):  a beaching of whales is an instance of whales be- thing that has been lost or to make up for a problem or bad ex-
coming stranded on a beach / the coastline perience
beyond dispute (id):  certain complex (adj):  if a (biological) structure becomes more complex,
blanket (v):  if something blankets something else, it covers it more parts or functions are added to that structure
blinded by (phr v):  if a person is blinded by something, they can- complexities (n):  if something (such as a problem) has a lot of
not see clearly because of that something or their thinking is af- complexities, it has many parts and is difficult to understand and/
fected and unclear because they only see that something or find an answer to

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complications (n):  things which make something more difficult/ taking into consideration or that it is not valid in any way
complicated to achieve/do than expected disordered (adj):  in a confused and badly disorganised state
composition (n):  what something is made of or composed of or disperse (v):  to disperse is to spread out over a large area
made up of disproving (v):  to disprove someone is to prove them wrong; to
compounded (v):  if you compound something, such as a prob- show that someone or something is wrong
lem, you make it worse dispute (v):  a disagreement, argument or conflict
comprehensively (adv):  substantially; thoroughly; completely domain (n):  an area of influence over which a person has some
comprised of (phr v):  made of influence or control
con artists (n):  people who try to trick you out of money or for downright (adj):  extremely
some other gain by pretending to be your friend dubious (adj):  if you say something (a claim, for example) is du-
conceivably (adv):  if something is conceivable, it is possible to bious, you do not trust that it is true; you doubt that it is true
believe, imagine or happen; believably dynamics (n):  the dynamics of something are how it works or
conceived of (phr v):  to conceive of an idea or notion is to come functions or the processes that make it work or function
up with or think of it echo-location (n):  a form of navigation; the use of sound waves
concepts (n):  ideas/notions/principles and echoes to determine where objects are in space
conducive (adj):  providing the right conditions for something ecosystem (n):  all the living things in a given area and how they
(usually a positive something) to happen or exist interact with one another and their environment
congest (v):  if something congests, it gets blocked or crowded element of surprise (id):  if someone has the element of sur-
congregate (v):  to congregate is to gather together in a group prise, no-one is expecting them to do what they intend to and they
conjoin (v):  to conjoin is to join or connect together can use this to their advantage
constant (adj):  happening all the time or a lot elimination (n):  the elimination of something is its total removal
constructively (adv):  in a way that is useful and intended to help encumbers (v):  if something encumbers you, it makes it difficult
or improve for you to achieve your task
consumption (n):  the consumption of something is the amount environs (n):  the environs are the area surrounding a particular
used or eaten of that something; consumption is the use or eating place, for instance a town
of something envision (v):  to envision something is to imagine or visualise
contemplated (v):  to contemplate something is to think carefully something that is likely or desirable to happen in the future
and seriously about it or reflect on it (usually for a long time) epilepsy (n):  a medical condition which causes fits or seizures
contention (n):  a point of contention is a point or topic or subject in a person
of debate or disagreement evicted (v):  if someone is evicted, they are forced to leave
conventional (adj):  typical/normal/usual evoke (v):  to cause to remember or feel (e.g. a memory or emo-
conversion (n):  the process of changing one thing into another tion)
conveyed (v):  carried exaggerated (adj):  made to seem more important/better/worse
countless (adj):  if there are countless numbers of something, than it really is
there are very many or too many to be counted excess (adj):  more than is needed or usual
craved (v):  to crave something is to have a very strong desire for exclusively (adv):  only
that thing exemplify (v):  to exemplify something is to be a good example
creepy (adj):  scary or unnerving or so strange and unnatural as of that something
to make you feel frightened exhibit (v):  if you exhibit a quality or trait, you demonstrate that
criteria (n):  criteria are standards by which you judge, decide you have that quality
about or cope with something existence (n):  if you have a certain type of existence, you have
critters (n):  creatures/animals a certain way of life; the existence of something is the fact that it
culpable (adj):  someone who is culpable is to blame or consid- exists or ‘is’
ered responsible for an undesirable outcome expedition (n):  an organised journey (usually a long one) for a
debated (v):  when something is heatedly debated, it is discussed specific purpose
in a passionate or emotional way and there is a lot of disagree- exploitation (n):  exploitation is taking advantage of something/s
ment about it or someone/people
deliberation (n):  the act of considering or discussing something exploration (n):  exploration is the act of searching or finding out
(often in a formal context) about something
dense (adj):  thick; having parts which are close together or dif- exterminated (v):  to exterminate something is to kill all of that
ficult to see through particular something in a particular place or at a particular time
derail (v):  if something derails a train, it causes it to go off the extinction (n):  the extinction of something causes a situation
train tracks where it no longer exists
designated (v):  to be designated is to be chosen for a particular eyesore (n):  an eyesore is something which is not pleasant to
purpose look at
differentiate (v):  to show the difference/contrast between two fake (adj):  not real
things that are being compared famed (adj):  famous
differentiated (v):  to differentiate is to find the differences in two famine (n):  the state of not having enough food
things which are compared fancied (v):  to fancy something is to want or desire that thing
dire (adj):  extremely bad or serious fangs (n):  sharp teeth
disclose (v):  to disclose something is to make it more widely or faux (adj):  fake; not real but made to seem real
publicly known fight … tooth and nail (phr v):  if you fight tooth and nail, you try
dismiss (v):  to dismiss something is to decide that it is not worth very hard to get what you want

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 Glossary

final nail in the coffin (id):  the final nail in the coffin is the event/ in due course (id):  if something is expected to happen in due
incident which causes the failure or ending of something which course, it is expected to happen at a particular point in time in the
was already on its way to failure future or at the right time in the future
flakes (n):  a flake of snow is a small, thin piece of snow in line with (phr v):  if something is in line with something else, it
flawed (adj):  imperfect is similar to that something else
foliage (n):  the leaves of a plant or tree in principle (id):  in theory
forfeit (v):  to forfeit something is to give it up or surrender it or in vain (id):  if something is done in vain, it is done without the
lose it desired result or without success
formations (n):  structures; natural arrangements of things inclined (adj):  if you are inclined to do something, you are likely
full throttle (id):  if something goes at full throttle is goes at full or want to do it
speed inclusively (adv):  inclusively means including everyone or eve-
fundamentally (adv):  in an important way rything of something
fundamentals (n):  the fundamentals of something are the main inconsistent (adj):  not staying the same; unreliable; unpredict-
or most important parts or rules of that something able
fundraising (n):  raising/gathering/collecting money for some inconveniences (n):  inconveniences are things that hinder or get
particular purpose (often charitable) in the way of doing something
gag-inducing (adj):  if something is gag-inducing, it is likely to incredibly (adv):  if you say ‘Incredibly, the car started.’ you
cause you to get sick mean that you didn’t expect the car to start - it is hard to believe
gems (n):  a gem is a precious stone; if you describe something as it started; remarkably; if something is incredibly hot, it is very or
a gem, you mean it is very special extremely hot
got the short straw (phr v):  if you get the short straw, you get a indistinguishable (adj):  if two things are indistinguishable, they
bad deal or you are given the least enjoyable task/duties are impossible to tell apart; you cannot tell the difference between
gradual (adj):  a gradual reduction is a slow reduction, one that them
happens over a period of time infinite (n):  without limits; extremely large
gradually (adv):  if something is done gradually, it is done slowly infrastructure (n):  the basic systems and/or services
over a particular distance or period of time initiative (n):  an initiative is a plan or process to achieve some-
grand (adj):  great; important or large in degree or amount thing or solve a problem
grappled (v):  if you grapple with an idea or concept, you struggle innate (adj):  if a quality or characteristic is innate, it is something
with it; you try to broach or understand or deal with it better which has been possessed since birth (as opposed to something
guerrilla (n):  a type of great ape native to parts of Africa developed or learned); natural
habitat (n):  the natural surroundings/environment in which ani- innovative (adj):  something which is innovative is a very new,
mals or plants live clever and creative way of doing something; someone who is in-
hapless (adj):  unfortunate/unlucky novative can think up new, clever and creative ways to do things
harassing (v):  to harass someone is to annoy or upset them in a insight (n):  insight is understanding - at a deeper level - of some-
serious way (usually not on a one-off occasion but over a period thing
of time) insignificant (adj):  not very important or significant
harassment (n):  behaviour that annoys or upsets someone (that inspected (v):  if something is inspected it is looked at or exam-
is generally repeated over a period of time and which is serious ined
enough that it could lead to legal action) instantaneously (adv):  if something happens instantaneously, it
harmonious (adj):  if a place is harmonious, it is a very pleasant happens immediately without any delay
and peaceful place interpreted (v):  to interpret something is to form an opinion of
harness (v):  to harness something is to control it to use its power what it is or means
hazy (adj):  unclear interference (n):  if there is human interference in something, hu-
headcases (n):  headcases is an informal term for people who are man actions have had an impact on that something and it hasn’t
crazy or whose actions are so reckless or illogical as to be beyond been allowed to happen naturally
the doing of someone with a sound mind intricate (adj):  complicated or detailed
heatedly (adv):  passionately/emotionally invaluable (adj):  priceless; impossible to place a value on; of
heretofore (adv):  until now or before this point very significant value
horrific (adj):  if something is horrific, it is very bad or shocking invasive (adj):  moving into all areas and difficult to stop from do-
hotspots (n):  a hotspot is a place where something particular is ing so and progressing further
likely to happen irrespective (adv):  whether or not; not taking into consideration
humble (adj):  modest; ordinary or not very special or important or allowing for
humbling (adj):  a humbling experience is one that makes a irritating (adj):  annoying
person understand they are less important or special than they Jurassic Park (id):  the Jurassic period was a particular part of
thought before the time during which dinosaurs inhabited the earth; Jurassic Park
humidity (n):  how much water there is in the air is a film about dinosaurs
hypothetically (adv):  in theory; theoretically; imagined or sug- lagging (adj):  something which is lagging is progressing slowly
gested but not necessarily real/correct/true or not fully up to date
ignorance (n):  lack of knowledge or understanding or information landholders (n):  people who own land
impenetrable (adj):  impossible to see or go through landowners (n):  a landowner is a person who owns a piece of
implications (n):  consequences; the effects an action or decision land
will have in the future leafy (adj):  a place which has a lot of trees with foliage (see foli-
impoverished (adj):  poor age)

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leech (n):  if something leeches off or from something else, it our interest, attention or consideration
takes away from that something else notion (n):  a notion is an idea or concept
life-altering (adj):  something which is life-altering changes your notoriously (adv):  famously, but in a bad way
life in a very significant way for better or worse notwithstanding (prep):  despite the fact
lifeblood (n):  the thing that is most important to the continued novel (n):  a long story in print form about imaginary/fictional
success and/or existence of something else characters and events
likeness (n):  similarity obesity (n):  the fact of being extremely overweight, such that
logistical (adj):  of or related to the process of planning and or- your health is in danger/compromised
ganizing to ensure that resources are put where they are needed, obstacle (n):  something which blocks and prevents movement or
so that an activity/process can happen effectively action
loners (n):  loners are people/animals who do not like to hang out occurrence (n):  an occurrence of something is an instance of that
or socialise with other people; loners prefer to be on their own something happening
rather than in groups
offensive (adj):  insulting
magnitude (n):  the magnitude of something is the extent/level/
opposition (n):  if you are in opposition to something, you disa-
seriousness of that thing
gree with that something
mainstream (n):  something is mainstream when it is considered
oscillations (n):  oscillations are repeated movements from one
normal or conventional; for example, a normal way of behaving or
direction to another
a normal set of ideas
out of the blue (id):  unexpectedly
manifestation (n):  a manifestation of something is a way it ap-
pears or presents outlet (n):  an outlet for expressing something is a way in which
it can be expressed
maximise (v):  to get the most out of something; to make some-
thing as great/large/good/effective as possible outlook (n):  the outlook is the prospect or chance of something
maximise (v):  to maximise something is to make it as great as overlook (v):  to overlook something is to not take that something
possible in amount, size or importance; for example, if you max- into account/consideration when making a decision
imise your potential, you make the most of it overrunning (v):  if a species overruns a place, a situation occurs
microscope (n):  a scientific instrument which uses lenses to en- where a great number or too many of that species are present in
large objects for inspection/examination the place, so many as to cause harm or a difficult situation
migration (n):  migration is movement from one region or place panel (n):  a flat rectangular piece of wood or some other material
to another (and sometimes back again) paradise (n):  a place that is perfect; a place or position of great
misconception (n):  a misconception is an incorrect belief or idea happiness or contentment
which has resulted from a misreading or misunderstanding of the parasitic (adj):  in relation to electricity, a parasitic effect on a
situation generator of electricity causes a loss of electricity
molecular (n):  the simplest unit of a chemical substance, usually parasitic capacitance (n):  relates to electricity - unwanted ca-
a group of two atoms or more pacitance (where capacitance is the ability of something to store
momentum (n):  if something is gaining momentum, it is develop- an electric charge); parasitic capacitance involves an electrical
ing at a faster pace than before charge being taken away from one thing by another
motion (n):  a motion is a formal suggestion made and voted on party faithful (id):  the party faithful in this context are people
at a meeting who love to party and have fun; the party faithful can also be peo-
multiple (adj):  many ple who are loyal to a political party or certain group
muscular dystrophy (n):  this is a medical condition which is patently (adv):  obviously; in a way that is clear
hereditary or passed down from one generation to the next that peaks (n):  the peak is the highest point of something; peaks are
causes weakness of the muscles and their wasting away highs
naïve (adj):  innocent or not worldly peculiar (adj):  strange
naked eye (id):  to the naked eye means as seen with/through penetrate (v):  to penetrate is to move into or through something
the human eye without the use of any special aids or equipment perceivably (adv):  noticeably
navigating (v):  to navigate is to direct/show/find the way through perception (n):  a perception is a belief or opinion of something,
something; to find a good and safe route through something which may or may not be true
navigational (adj):  of or related to finding your way; a naviga- perspective (n):  a perspective is a point of view
tional error is an error made when trying to determine the correct pest (n):  a pest is an insect or animal that is a nuisance or is
direction in which to go annoying or causes problems for humans, e.g. locusts are pests
naysayers (n):  people who say something is not possible or is which eat crops and mice are pets which can invade homes
going to fail; people who are generally and consistently negative pestering (v):  annoying
about something phenomenon (n):  a thing that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted,
necessitated (v):  made necessary etc., especially something unusual or interesting
needle in a haystack (id):  when you describe finding something placement (n):  the placement of something is where it is located
as like looking for a needle in a haystack, you mean that it is likely or situated
to be extremely difficult to find/locate that something plagues (n):  a plague of insects is a huge collection or group of
neglect (n):  a serious lack of care or attention those insects all in the one place, where the group causes some
nigh on (id):  almost form of harm by its presence
nocturnal (adj):  happening in or active during the night pod (n):  the collective word for a group of whales
nomadic (adj):  if someone is nomadic, they do not live in one pointing the finger of blame (phr v):  to point the finger of
place all the time, but, instead, move about from place to place, blame is to accuse someone or something of being the cause of
making each new place they visit their temporary home a problem
noteworthy (adj):  something which is noteworthy is deserving of portion (n):  a part or share of something bigger/larger

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 Glossary

portrayal (n):  a portrayal is a representation or description of replicating (v):  to replicate is to make or do something again in
something, for example an actor gives a portrayal of their char- exactly the same way as before
acter resemblance (n):  similarity; if two things have a resemblance,
posit (v):  if you posit something, you suggest it or put it forward they look very similar
practicality (n):  the quality of being suitable for a specific occa- resemble (v):  to look like or similar to
sion or use resignation (n):  the act of resigning; the act of telling your em-
precipitation (n):  rain or another form of water-fall from clouds, ployer that you are leaving your job by choice
e.g. snow, hail, sleet, etc. resolve (v):  if you resolve a problem or bad situation, you fix it; if
precisely (adv):  exactly a problem or bad situation is resolved, it is fixed
predation (n):  predation is the act of hunting, feeding on or killing respectively (adv):  relating to two or more items listed previ-
other animals ously, in the same order as previously listed
predicament (n):  a bad/problematic/unpleasant situation that it responsive (adj):  if you are responsive to an appeal or request,
is hard to get out of you are quick to react to it in a positive manner
predictably (adv):  as predicted; as expected retracted (v):  to retract something is to take it back or admit that
prehistory (n):  the time in history before there were any written it was false
records revelation (n):  a revelation is a surprise or shock, often an un-
prematurely (adv):  before the expected/correct/due/sensible pleasant or very unexpected one
time; too soon; early reverse (v):  if you reverse something, you turn it back in the di-
prisms (n):  transparent glass or plastic objects that diffract light rection it came from; if you reverse a decision/policy, you change
(separate it out into its different colours) that decision/policy, or withdraw it altogether
prolonged (adj):  something which is prolonged continues for an revoked (v):  to revoke an agreement/permission/law is to offi-
extended amount of time; it continues for a very long amount of cially decide that it is no longer in place
time rezone (v):  to rezone land is to assign it to a new planning zone
prompted (v):  if something prompted something else, it made or or grouping
contributed to making that something else happen rezoning (n):  when a rezoning of land takes place, the land is as-
prosthesis (n):  a prosthesis is an artificial body part, such as an signed to a new planning zone/area/group/category
arm or a leg roaming (v):  to roam is to move about or travel, particularly with-
protestations (n):  actions of protest or disagreement or com- out a sense of purpose or a particular reason for doing so
plaint rowdy (adj):  if you describe someone as rowdy, you mean they
prove wanting (id):  if you prove wanting when you do something, are noisy and possibly aggressive/violent
it means that you do not do it properly or well enough rustle (v):  to rustle is to make a soft, dry noise; for example,
puzzling (adj):  if something is puzzling, it is difficult to explain/ leaves rustle when they move about
understand scorpions (n):  animals similar to insects and closely related to
pygmy (n):  a member of one of several native African tribes; pyg- spiders that have long bodies and curved tails that deliver a sting
mies are typically a lot shorter in height than other humans which usually live in dry areas
quest (n):  a long search or effort to locate something which is scrutiny (n):  very close attention; a careful and detailed examina-
difficult to find tion of something
ranging from … to (id):  the range of something is the amount or scurry (v):  to scurry is to move very quickly with short steps
number of that something between an upper and lower limit seemingly (adv):  apparently; appearing to be something, par-
raw (adj):  in a natural and wild state ticularly when it is not really that thing
readymade (adj):  if something is readymade, it is in its finished segment (n):  one of the smaller groups or amounts of a larger
form and is available for use group
realisation (n):  the moment/instant when you understand some- self-proclaimed (adj):  said or announced about yourself
thing clearly semblance (n):  if you have lost all semblance of common sense,
recipe for disaster (id):  if you say something is a recipe for dis- you show no signs of having any common sense; a semblance is a
aster, you mean that doing that something is likely to cause sig- sign or portion of something that is not full or what was hoped for
nificant problems or trouble short-sighted (adj):  if someone takes a short-sighted view, they
recklessly (adv):  without any care or concern do not consider the long-term consequences of their actions
reengineer (v):  to reengineer something is to change it to im- shy away from (phr v):  to shy away from something is to avoid
prove how it works or evade or keep away from it or from doing it
regrettably (adv):  sadly; if you say something had to be done silk (n):  spider silk is the material spiders create their webs with
regrettably, you mean you are sorry it had to be done simplification (n):  a simplification of something is a less com-
reinvent (v):  to reinvent something is either to produce some- plicated or intricate version of that thing which makes it clearer or
thing new out of something which already exists or to improve easier to understand
something or think of a new use for it; if you reinvent something, solely (adv):  only
you take that something and improve it in a way that makes it speculate (v):  to speculate about something is to come up with
markedly/substantially better ideas for why it happened/occurred without being sure of the rea-
reiterate (v):  to reiterate something is to say it again, emphasise son
or stress it; to reiterate a point is to emphasise it speculation (n):  speculation is the activity of guessing the an-
relentlessly (adv):  all the time / without stopping swers or consequences of something without having sufficient
reliability (n):  how well something works information to know for certain
relief (n):  a form of pain relief is something which makes you less stamina (n):  the physical or mental strength needed to do some-
aware of the pain or makes you feel the pain or soreness less thing which will take a long time

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stranded (adj):  stuck; unable to leave a place because exit is not unforeseen (adj):  not predicted/expected
possible, there is a lack of transport or similar uniformly (adv):  in the same way; not different or changed in any
stranding (n):  when there is a stranding of whales, the whales get way
stuck on the beach or on some other land type unintentionally (adv):  not on purpose
strictly speaking (id):  being completely accurate; precisely untapped (adj):  untapped resources are resources that have not
stride (n):  a long step been exploited or used
strikingly (adv):  remarkably untold (adj):  so great in number that it is hard to or cannot be
stroll (n):  a slow, relaxed walk, especially for pleasure calculated
sucking (v):  sucking is pulling a liquid or air in; if a lifeform sucks untouched (adj):  not changed, interfered with or spoiled in any
something out of something else, it takes it out way
sucks (v):  if you suck something out of something else, you pull unviable (adj):  not achievable/workable/doable
or take that thing out of it; if you suck the pleasure out of doing up for debate (id):  if something is up for debate, no conclusion
something, you remove the pleasure from doing it has yet been reached about it; it is still being discussed or talked
suing (v):  to sue someone is to take legal action against them, about with different views being shared
making a claim for some form of compensation for harm they have up in arms (id):  to be up in arms about or over something is to be
done to you (accidentally or on purpose) very upset or angry about that something
superficially (adv):  at/on the surface only; if two things look su- uproarious (adj):  extremely loud/noisy
perficially similar, they only appear similar until they are inspected utopian (adj):  if a place is utopian, everything there works per-
closely fectly and is as it should be
superior (adj):  better; if something is superior to something else, utterly (adv):  totally
it is better than that something else vanish (v):  to make something vanish is to make it disappear
supposed (adj):  intended or claimed venom (n):  a type of poison some animals produce
sustain (v):  to cause or to allow something to continue for a pe- veracity (n):  truthfulness; the quality of being truthful, honest or
riod of time; to keep alive or active or functioning accurate
swayed (v):  if something swayed an argument, it had an influence viability (n):  the feasibility of something; the chance of that
on deciding the outcome of the argument; if something swayed something being achieved or successful
from side to side, it moved from side to side viable (adj):  if something is viable it is able or likely to work or
sympathise (v):  to sympathise is to empathise with or care succeed or function as intended
about someone’s bad situation or problems viral (adj):  something which goes viral quickly becomes popular
tangential (adj):  something which is tangential is different from online; something which is viral is extremely popular online
and not directly connected to something else; for example, a tan- virtually (adv):  almost
gential argument is not (completely) connected to the last one made
volunteer (v):  if you volunteer to do something, you offer to do it
tangentially (adj):  if you move tangentially in a discussion, you without being asked, and usually without pay or receiving benefits
begin to talk about something that is not directly connected to the
widespread (adj):  if something is widespread, it is everywhere; it
previous topic
occurs or appears in a lot of places
tangible (adj):  real/meaningful
wiggling (v):  moving from side to side with short, quick, irregular
the bottom line (id):  the bottom line is the most important or movements
significant fact in a situation
wild (adj):  if you describe something as wild, you mean it is ex-
threat (n):  a threat is something which endangers or may harm treme, violent or uncontrolled
another thing
wind-induced (adj):  if something is wind-induced, it is caused or
throw me (phr v):  if something throws someone for a moment, it generated by wind
confuses them or puts them off what they are thinking about or the
wreak havoc (phr v):  if something wreaks havoc, it creates or
task they are trying to achieve
causes a lot of destruction or serious problems
tip of the iceberg (id):  if something is the tip of the iceberg, it
yields (v):  if something yields something else, it produces that
is only a small part of something such as a problem or issue; it
something else or causes it
implies the problem or issue is far greater as a whole
trait (n):  characteristic
trek (n):  a long and typically difficult walk Glossary  |  Test 2
trek (v):  to walk a long distance, usually in the countryside abandon (v):  to abandon is to leave behind
(through forests, mountains, etc.) absorption (n):  the process of taking something into another
tumours (n):  tumours are masses of diseased cells that cause substance; e.g. the absorption of water by a cloth
lumps or illnesses; cancerous lumps accreditation (n):  official approval
turbine (n):  a type of machine that turns blades or ‘arms’ in order addition (n):  the process of adding something to something else
to produce power; the blades are usually turned by the power of adversity (n):  difficulty (usually serious)
the wind affording (v):  giving
uncharacteristically (adv):  not typically; unusually; if someone alarmingly (adv):  shockingly; surprisingly in a bad way
is uncharacteristically something, it means they are not normally algae (n):  very simple and usually small rootless plants that live
that thing in or near water
undergo (v):  if something undergoes a change, that change hap- allayed (v):  if you allay something, you cause or help it to feel
pens; it experiences that change less
undergrowth (n):  a collection of small bushes, trees or plants altitudinal (adj):  of or related to altitude (height above sea level)
growing near the ground in a forest
analogy (n):  a story or comparison of/about two different things
unearthed (v):  uncovered/found/discovered which is used to explain better one of those things

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 Glossary

apathy (n):  a lack of interest in something, often something im- bypass (v):  to bypass is to avoid or ignore
portant calibre (n):  quality / excellence
apparition (n):  a supernatural or otherworldly (not of this world) call a spade a spade (id):  if you call a spade a spade, this means
person or thing you say truthfully and exactly what something is
app-basher (n):  an app-basher is a critic of apps or of one par- calorific (adj):  containing a large number of calories
ticular app; someone who says negative things about apps or a capacity (n):  the capacity to do something is the ability to do that
particular app something
applauding (v):  in this context, welcoming or approving of some- cardiovascular (adj):  related to the heart or blood vessels
thing; giving something a positive reception
catastrophic (adj):  disastrous
appliance (n):  a device, machine, or piece of equipment, especially
certitude (n):  certainty
an electrically one which is used in the house, such as a dishwasher
chaos (n):  mayhem; a state of total confusion and disorder
apprenticeship (n):  the period of time spent working as an ap-
charismatic (adj):  someone who is charismatic has a special
prentice (which is someone who has agreed to work for a skilled
power that naturally makes them able to influence other people
person for a fixed period of time and often for low payment, in
and attract their attention and admiration
order to learn that person’s skills), or the name for a programme/
scheme offering workers such a service/opportunity cite (v):  if you cite something, you mention it as proof or an ex-
planation for something else
arduous (adj):  difficult
clams (n):  a type of sea creature with a shell split/divided into
ascended (v):  climbed up
two parts which has a soft body protected by that shell
ascent (n):  the ascent of a mountain is the act of climbing up it
clog (v):  block; to clog is to cause something to become blocked
association (n):  connection
or filled so that movement or activity is difficult
assurance (n):  if you give someone your assurance, you give
come into play (phr v):  if something comes into play, it becomes
them your promise
a factor in something else
astronauts (n):  people who travel into space
come on in leaps and bounds (id):  to come on in leaps and
at risk (phr v):  to be at risk from something is to be threatened bounds is to improve/develop/progress very much
by it or in danger from it
compatibility (n):  able/capable of living in harmony together
attributable (adj):  if something is attributable to something else,
complication (n):  something which makes another thing harder
it is caused by that something else
to do/achieve
attribute (v):  if you attribute something to something else, you
condiments (n):  substances, such as salt and pepper, that you
say/suggest that something was caused by that something else
add to food to improve its taste
aurora/s (n):  the aurora is a natural light phenomenon which ap-
conditioning (n):  your physical conditioning is your physical
pears in the sky in the Arctic or Antarctic
health; how fit you are
awe (n):  wonder/amazement
conducive (n):  providing the right conditions/circumstances for
banquet (n):  a large formal meal for many people something positive/good to happen/exist
bar (n):  the bar of our expectations is the level at which we set confounded (v):  if you confound your critics or people who say
our expectations of what should or is going to happen something bad about you, you prove them incorrect/wrong
bares its teeth (id):  when something or someone bares their connotations (n):  in this case, negative connotations are nega-
teeth, they show their dangerous or hazardous or threatening side tive implications/results/effects/consequences
battling (v):  fighting/trying to achieve something in a difficult conscience (n):  your conscience is the part of you that judges
situation how moral your own actions are and makes you feel guilty about
beloved (adj):  loved very much bad things that you have done or things you feel responsible for
better than the sum of their parts (id):  if a group or team per- consumption (n):  the process of eating or using
forms better than the sum of their parts, they perform better as a contaminate (v):  to contaminate something is to make it less
team than they would do individually pure or to make it poisonous
bitter (n):  sour contrary to (id):  opposite to
blaze (n):  a blaze of passion is moment of extreme/intense pas- coral (n):  a rock-like substance formed in the sea by a specific
sion group of small animals
bleached (adj):  made colourless corrupt (n):  using your position or power in a dishonest way in
bleaching (n):  the bleaching of something is the removing of col- order to get an advantage, especially for money
our from that thing cost-prohibitive (adj):  something which is cost-prohibitive is ex-
bleak (adj):  in a bleak situation, there is very little hope for the tremely expensive to buy/do; it is so expensive that it would make
future you think twice about spending money on it
bliss (adj):  pure joy; extreme happiness countless (adj):  too many to count; very many
blissful (adj):  extremely happy cracks (n):  cracks in a relationships are problems in the relation-
bracket (n):  if you fall into or are part of a bracket, you are part ship
of that category or group creep (v):  to creep in is to enter slowly, usually without being
brethren (n):  fellow members; loyal followers noticed
bridges the gap (id):  if something bridges the gap in/to some- crew (n):  the team of people who work together on something,
thing else, it makes it possible for that something else to be such as an airplane
achieved/resolved/reached criteria (n):  plural of criterion; standards by which you judge or
burst (n):  a burst of passion is a sudden flow or expression of decide about how to cope with something
passion (feeling) critical (adj):  something which is status critical on the endan-
busted (v):  if you bust a myth or common belief, you prove that gered species list is critically endangered; in other words, the ani-
it is not correct mal is very rare and under threat of extinction

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 Glossary

culling (n):  a culling of animals, usually of one particular species, ecosystem (n):  all the living things in an area and how they affect
is the killing of a large number of animals of that particular species each other and their environment
current (n):  a current of water is a movement/flow of water in a ejecting (v):  ejecting is leaving; if someone ejects a plane, they
particular direction, e.g. the Labrador Current leave the plane by a very quick method, usually a method de-
cyclones (n):  intense/serious storms signed only to be used in emergencies
damning (adj):  something is damning when it shows clear evi- ejector button (n):  the ejector button is a button in a human-
dence of wrongdoing, guilt or bad behaviour driven machine that can eject/remove the driver from the machine
decay (n):  the state of being gradually damaged or made worse very quickly (usually designed for emergency use)
decline (n):  when something becomes less in amount/level/im- emerge (v):  to emerge is to appear
portance/quality/strength emphasize (v):  highlight; draw attention to
deluded (adj):  to be deluded is to believe things that are not real enabling (v):  making possible / facilitating / making able to
or which are very untrue encounter (v):  come across / meet
demeanour (n):  how you look and/or behave endanger (v):  to endanger is to put under threat of harm of some
dental (adj):  of or to do with dentistry or the teeth sort
depicted (v):  showed endangered (adj):  an endangered species is a species that is
close to extinction / disappearing from the Earth
depiction (n):  presentation; showing; representation; how some-
thing is represented/shown endurance (n):  the ability to stay doing something difficult, un-
pleasant or painful for a long time
depleting (adj):  reducing
endure (v):  to endure something is to suffer something which is
depths (n):  the depths are the very deepest parts
difficult/unpleasant
descent (n):  the descent of a mountain is the act of climbing
essential (adj):  very important; key to success
down it / going down it
estimated (adj):  used when saying what the cost/amount/value/
deservedly (adv):  if something happens deservedly, it deserves
size/level/etc. of something is believed to be
to happen / it has been earned
euphoria (n):  pure joy; extreme happiness
destiny (n):  fate / what will happen in the future / a force some
people believe controls their life evoked (v):  to make someone feel an emotion is to evoke that
emotion
detrimental (adj):  something which is detrimental causes great
harm or damage to something else exaggerated (adj):  made seem larger, more important, better or
worse than in reality
devote (v):  to give your time or effort completely/totally to
something or someone which you believe in expectation (n):  what we expect to happen
expedient (adj):  helpful or useful in a given situation, but often
digit (n):  number
not morally acceptable or right
diminished (adj):  reduced
experimentation (n):  the process of trying methods, activities,
dine on (phr v):  to dine on something is to eat it etc. to discover what effect they have
dire (adj):  very bad/serious/extreme exploited (v):  to exploit is to use or take advantage of
disbelief (n):  the state of not believing exposure (n):  the fact of being affected by or experiencing some-
discipline (n):  self-control, even in difficult situations thing because of being in a particular place or situation
discrete (adj):  a discrete location is one where there are not expulsion (n):  the act of forcing someone or something to leave
many people or one where you meet in order to avoid attention a place
or notice fabricating (v):  making up something that is not true
disillusion (n):  the state of not being able to believe something facetious (adj):  lacking serious or honest intent
or of being very confused or disappointed by something
fad (n):  a fad is a style/activity/interest that is very popular for a
disperse (v):  separate out over a wide area; spread or move short period of time
across a wide area
fan base (n):  fans of something specific, such as a singer or band,
displaced (v):  removed collectively referred to or considered as one group
disposal (n):  the act of getting rid of something, especially by far-reaching (adj):  something far-reaching has a great influ-
throwing it away ence/effect on many people/things
dispose (v):  to dispose of something is to get rid of it fatalities (n):  deaths
disproportionate (adj):  too large or too small in comparison to fate (n):  destiny; a power which some people believe controls all
something else, or not deserving its importance or influence events and happenings in life
disproved (v):  if something is disproved, it is proved or shown to fate-bestowed (adj):  something which is fate-bestowed is grant-
be wrong/incorrect ed or given by nature/luck/destiny rather than earned
disqualification (n):  the act of being thrown out or removed from faults (n):  a fault in a race or competition is a point/score/mark
something such as a competition because of incorrect/unfair ac- against the competitor
tion or actions against the rules favourably (adv):  advantageously/positively
diversity (n):  a range of different things or people fearsome (adj):  scary/frightening
doom and gloom (id):  if something is all doom and gloom, it is feasibility (n):  the possibility that can be made, done, or
very negative and there is no clear upside or positive to take from it achieved, or is reasonable
downtime (n):  downtime is leisure time or free time; time when fighting chance (id):  if you give something a fighting chance
you can relax away from work of happening, you give it some chance of happening, even if the
duped (v):  tricked chance is usually very small in this case
eating their dust (phr v):  if you leave your opponent eating your filter feeders (n):  sea creatures which eat other tiny sea life by
dust, you beat them by a large amount taking in this sea life through their mouths in large quantities of
economically (adv):  in a way that relates to money; financially water and then sending the water back out of their bodies

9
 Glossary

flamboyant (adj):  behaving confidently in a way that suggests in jeopardy (id):  at risk / under threat
you want to be noticed / get attention in sight (id):  if something is in sight, it is in view and can be seen
fleeting (adj):  brief; short or it is close by or close to happening
fountain (n):  a stream of water which is forced up into the air inadequate (adj):  not enough; not good enough; too small in
through a small hole (especially for decorative effect to look nice), amount
or the structure in a lake or pool from which this water flows incapable (adj):  not able; unable
fragile (adj):  if something is fragile, it is easily damaged, broken incidentally (adv):  used to introduce something not as important
or harmed as the main subject/point, but which is connected to it in some way
freeze-dried (adj):  something preserved by the process of first or to some degree
freezing and then drying indebtedness (n):  the fact of being in debt or of owing money to
funnelled (v):  to put something through a funnel or something someone or some organisation
that acts like a funnel, where a funnel is an object that has a wide indictment (n):  an indictment is a sign that something is wrong;
round opening at the top, sloping sides, and a narrow tube at the a damning indictment is a very strong, clear sign that something
bottom, which is used for pouring liquids or powders into contain- is wrong
ers with narrow necks indiscriminate (adj):  random; without careful thought or plan-
fuss (n):  a fuss is a show of worry ning in such a way as to cause harm
fuzz (n):  a covering of short thin soft hairs, or a mass/collection induce (v):  cause to occur/happen
of tightly curled and often untidy hair indubitably (adv):  unquestionably; undoubtedly
gazing (v):  to gaze at something is to look at it for a long time, infrastructure (n):  the basic systems and services, such as
often in amazement/admiration or while lost in thought about transport and power supplies, that a country or organization uses
something else in order to work effectively
gender bias (n):  gender bias involves treating one gender, male initial (adj):  early; first
or female, better or worse than the other
input (n):  in this case, contribution
gives … edge (id):  to give someone an edge is to give them some
instances (n):  cases of something happening
form of positive help or advantage that is likely to improve their
intake (n):  the amount/volume of a particular substance that is
chances of succeeding / achieving what they set out to do
eaten or drunk during a particular time
glance (n):  a quick look at someone or something
intensity (n):  the quality of being felt very strongly or of having a
goes without saying (id):  if something goes without saying, it
very strong/profound effect
is obvious or clear and people know it without having to be told it
intervention (n):  the act of intervening or getting involved in
grain (n):  a seed or seeds from a plant, especially a plant like a
something; e.g. you can intervene in an argument between two
grass such as rice or wheat; in this case, ones which are eaten /
people or in a situation to try to improve it
for consumption
invertebrates (n):  animals with no backbone/spine such as
gratitude (adj):  thankfulness; the feeling or quality of being
worms
grateful
justified (adj):  when something is justified, there is a good rea-
gravity (n):  the force that makes things fall to the ground
son for it
grooming (n):  the grooming of a person or animal is the cleaning
knowhow (n):  knowledge/ability (of a practical kind)
of that person or animal, often, where an animal is concerned, with
knowingness (n):  having knowledge of or certainty about some-
a brush
thing
habitat (n):  the natural environment of an animal or plant
lab rats (n):  lab rats are rats used in experiments in a laboratory
habitation (n):  the act of living in a building or some other type
for scientific purposes; when humans are referred to as lap rats, it
of dwelling
means they are part of experiments themselves
harmoniously (adv):  friendly and peacefully; in a beneficial way
layman’s terms (id):  if you say something in layman’s terms,
to all parties/groups/things involved
you say that thing in everyday language that is easy to understand
host (n):  a host nation for an event is the country which is holding
lie in wait (phr v):  to lie in wait for someone or something is to
/ hosting / putting on the event
hide somewhere waiting until that someone or something appears
hosting (n):  the hosting of something is the holding or putting on or hoping that that someone or something appears
of that something, such as an event
light at the end of the tunnel (id):  the light at the end of the
hunt (v):  to hunt is to follow or go after prey (an animal) of some tunnel is the positive or good outcome that comes after difficulty
kind in the hope of killing that prey has been experienced or the potential good or positive thing that
ignominy (n):  shame can be expected to happen once a difficult experience has finished
ilk (n):  a particular type limelight (n):  the limelight is a place or position where there is a
immeasurably (adv):  so large or great that it cannot be precise- lot of public attention or interest
ly/exactly known or calculated linguists (n):  someone who studies / can speak one or more for-
immensity (n):  seriousness eign languages is a linguist
immersion (n):  immersion in something is becoming completely literally (adv):  using the real or original meaning; for example, it
involved in it is literally freezing is said by someone trying to emphasise that it
impartial (adj):  independent of the two sides involved in some- truly is very cold
thing, such as a dispute; not supporting any of the sides involved literature (n):  written artistic works, especially those of high
in an argument value/quality, e.g. the works (writings) of Charles Dickens
impressive (adj):  worthy of respect or admiration localised (adj):  limited to a particular area; only affecting a par-
impulse (n):  a sudden, strong wish/desire to do something ticular area
in context (id):  to put something in context is to explain or dem- lottery (n):  if something is described as being a lottery, it de-
onstrate it with an example or more information to make it easier pends on luck/chance
to understand luck wouldn’t hold (id):  if someone says your luck won’t hold,

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 Glossary

they mean that your fortunes/situation will eventually change for notion (n):  Idea
the worse or disimprove nutrients (n):  substances that animals or plants need in order to
lures (v):  if something lures something else, it attracts that some- live and grow
thing else nutritionists (n):  experts on the subject of nutrition
maintenance (n):  a situation/circumstance in which something oblivious (adj):  not aware, especially of something happening
continues to exist or is not allowed to become less around you
make use (phr v):  to make use of something is to use that some- obstacles (n):  things that block or make difficult movement or
thing constructively or to benefit you action
manifestation (n):  appearance odds (n):  the odds of something happening are the chances or
massive (adj):  huge probability of that thing happening
masters (n):  if we are masters of our fate/destiny, we control our of late (id):  recently
fate/destiny omen (n):  a sign that some future event will take place
match (n):  a person’s match is someone very well suited to them opposition (n):  your opposition are your opponents; the people
for forming a relationship you are competing against
materialised (v):  appeared optimise (v):  to optimise is to make something as good or effec-
maturity (n):  in this context, adulthood tive as it can be
mayhem (n):  chaos; a disordered or totally confused state optimism (n):  the quality of being full of hope and focusing on the
meaningless (n):  irrelevant / not important good/positive points of something
mechanism (n):  a part of a machine / a set of parts that work optimist (n):  someone who always sees the positives or bright
together side of things
media (adj):  of or related to the media orbital (adj):  in orbit (where orbit means travelling on a curved
merits (n):  value; worth path around something; in this case through space around the
planet Earth)
microgravity (adj):  a microgravity environment is one where a
gravitational force has been artificially added through human ac- organs (n):  parts of the body that perform particular functions/
tion (see gravity) jobs
microscopic (adj):  very small; so tiny as to be only visible under otherworldly (adj):  not of this world
a microscope; not visible to the naked eye outdone (v):  if you are outdone by someone else, they perform
mischief (n):  behaviour, especially a child’s, that is slightly bad better than you and win / beat you / become more successful than
but which is not intended to cause serious harm or damage you
misery (n):  extreme/great unhappiness outsiders (n):  people not directly involved in a situation or peo-
ple outside of a particular group
misfortune (n):  a case of bad luck
overcast (adj):  cloudy
misgiving (n):  a misgiving is a (usually slight) worry or concern
you have about something else overwhelming (adj):  very great or very large
misperception (n):  an incorrect belief panel (n):  see Test 1 glossary
mission control (n):  the place/location on earth from which a panic (n):  a strong, sudden feeling of fear that prevents or makes
journey into space is controlled difficult acting or thinking in a reasonable/logical way
mistaken identity (id):  a case of mistaken identity is an in- parasitic (adj):  of, caused by or relating to parasites (parasite -
stance/case where a person or thing is wrongly thought to be an- an animal or plant that lives in or on another animal or plant and
other person or thing feeds off it)
modifications (n):  changes to something, usually to improve it party of (n):  a party of climbers is a group of climbers
monitoring (v):  watching or noticing particular things patently (adv):  in a very clear way
monopolised (v):  to monopolise something is to control all or peaks (n):  mountain tops; hill tops
most of it in a way that prevents others from having it per se (id):  from Latin, meaning by or of itself
mortality (adj):  death perception (n):  a perception is a belief or opinion, often held by
mountaineering (adj):  of or related to mountain climbing many people and based on how things seem
much-coveted (adj):  something which is much-coveted is de- period film (n):  a film set in a particular period of / at a particular
sired a lot or in great demand time in history
myth (n):  a common belief that is untrue perpetual (adj):  neverending; continuing forever in the same way
mythology (n):  myths in general, where myths are ancient sto- persevere (v):  to persevere is to try to do or continue doing
ries or sets of stories, especially explaining the early history of a something in a determined way, despite having problems
group of people or about natural events and facts perversity (n):  unexpected strangeness
naked eye (n):  the naked eye is the eye on its own; for example, pessimistic (n):  thinking that bad things are more likely to hap-
if you say something looks perfect to the naked eye, you mean it pen or emphasizing the bad part of a situation
looks good just viewing it through your eyes without using any phenomenon (n):  a thing that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted,
special equipment which enhances/improves your vision/view etc., especially something unusual or interesting
narrowly (adv):  if you narrowly avoid something, you barely or phobia (n):  a fear of something; e.g. a phobia of spiders, arach-
just about avoid it; e.g. he narrowly avoided defeat nophobia
navigate (v):  to navigate is to find a route/way through some- photosynthesis (n):  a process by which a plant uses the sun’s
thing energy to produce its own food
none other than (id):  said to show that someone or something is physical (adj):  of or relating to the body
a surprising or exciting example/choice physiology (n):  the scientific study of the way in which the bodies
non-perishable (adj):  something which is not perishable does of living things work
not decay quickly (see decay) pickpocketed (v):  if you have been pickpocketed, you have had

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 Glossary

the possessions/belongings you are carrying stolen without being ing; things that hold something in place
aware of it happening; literally, you have had some or all of the resumption (n):  the resumption of something is the starting of
things in your pocket/s stolen doing that something again
pilot (v):  if you pilot something, you drive/control it reverse (n):  the reverse is the opposite
pivotal (adj):  central or very important rich (adj):  if there are rich sources of something, there is a plenti-
plankton (n):  a type of very tiny sea creature ful/abundant supply/presence of that something
platform (n):  a usually long flat raised area/structure rid (v):  if something rids itself of something else, it gets rid of that
portrait (n):  picture; depiction; portrayal something else
portrayed as (phr v):  if something is portrayed as something scale (n):  the scale is the amount/level/degree/extent of some-
else, it is shown as that something else thing
precisely (adv):  exactly scarcely (adv):  almost not; barely at all
predators (n):  predators are animals that hunt, kill or eat other scenic (adj):  having beautiful natural features
animals screenwriter (n):  a screenwriter writes the story for a film
prematurely (adv):  too early; before the right time self-defence (n):  if someone is acting in self-defence, they are
prey on (phr v):  to prey on something is to kill that something, protecting themselves because they have been forced to by the
usually in order to eat it dangerous or threatening acts of someone else
primarily (adj):  mainly; for the most part self-preservation mechanism (n):  a self-preservation mecha-
nism is a process or way of acting or behaviour that helps to pre-
privileged (adj):  if someone is privileged, they have an advan-
serve/protect the processor/actor
tage or enjoy something special which most other people or an-
other group of people to which they are compared do not have or sensationalised (adj):  presenting in a way that is more shocking
cannot enjoy or exciting than reality
profile (n):  a profile of someone or something is a view of that shady (adj):  a shady area is an area which is protected from get-
someone or something, usually from the side ting direct sunlight
progressed (v):  if something progressed, it continued or devel- shunned (v):  avoided/ignored
oped sightings (n):  instances/occasions where something is seen
propagating (v):  causing to increase in number, amount or similar silverware (n):  silver cups or trophies won in sports or other
competitions
prospective (n):  your prospective employer is the employer you
hope will hire you; someone who you describe as prospective is sincerity (n):  honesty
someone you hope will soon become that thing, e.g. a prospec- sniffed at (id):  if something is not to be sniffed at, it ought not to
tive buyer of your car is someone who may / you hope might buy be ignored or discounted
your car sober (adj):  serious
prosper (v):  to prosper is to do extremely well solo (adj):  alone / on your own
rave reviews (id):  rave reviews are very positive reviews spiritual (adj):  relating to deep feelings and beliefs, especially
recolonise (v):  to recolonise an area is to move back into that religious beliefs
area on a permanent basis squad (n):  the squad is all the players, including the ones that
recruitment (n):  the process/act of finding people to work for a don’t start every game or are not on the substitutes bench; all the
company or become a new member of an organization players available to a team
reef (n):  a line of rocks/sand just above/below the surface of the square meals (id):  a satisfying meal that provides you with
water enough nutrition to remain healthy is a square meal
reflected in (phr v):  if something is reflected in something else, squid (n):  a sea animal with a long body and ten arms located
it is shown as true/fact by or there is evidence of the something in close to the mouth
that something else starfish (n):  a flat-shaped sea-living/sea-dwelling animal that
refreshing (adj):  pleasantly different/interesting has five arms growing from its body in the shape of a star
refrigeration (n):  the process of making or keeping something, starvation (n):  starvation is the state of being without food for an
especially food or drink, cold so that it stays fresh, usually in a extended/long period of time, a state which can often lead to death
fridge starve (v):  to starve is to not eat or get nutrition over a long pe-
regeneration (n):  the act/process of improving a place/system/ riod of time
thing, especially by making it more active/successful statistics (n):  a collection of numerical facts or measurements
registration system (n):  a registration system is a system for stave off (phr v):  to stave off something is to defend against it or
recording names or information stop it from happening
reliant (adj):  if something is reliant on something else, it depends stereotypical (adj):  having the expected or typical qualities
on that something else for some reason stern (adj):  a stern test is a serious or difficult test
reluctantly (adv):  someone who is reluctantly doing something stiff (adj):  stiff odds are difficult odds (see odds)
is doing that something slowly or hesitantly or doing it because storm … in a teacup (id):  a storm in a teacup is something which
they have to rather than because they want to seems or is made to seem quite serious but really isn’t; something
remarkably (adv):  incredibly/amazingly about which a lot of fuss is made for no reason because it is not
remotely (adv):  if you access something remotely or contact very serious or important
someone/something remotely, you do so from a distance stretch (n):  a stretch of land is a piece of land; a continuous area
repercussions (n):  consequences, usually negative; the effect of land
that an action/event/decision has on something else, where usu- stubble (n):  short facial hair
ally a bad effect stunning (adj):  very impressive or shocking; extremely beautiful
restraints (n):  something that limits the freedom of someone or summiteers (n):  people who reach the top of mountains
something, or that prevents something from growing or increas- summits (n):  mountain tops

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 Glossary

superstitions (n):  beliefs not based on reason or knowledge or unpredictable (adj):  impossible to predict; likely to change sud-
science, often ones related to magic denly and without reason
sustain (v):  to sustain something is to cause or allow it to con- unproductive (adj):  not producing very much or not having posi-
tinue for a period of time tive results
sustenance (n):  food unrelenting (adj):  never stopping; never becoming weaker
swap (v):  to swap something is to give something in exchange for unscrupulous (adj):  behaving in a way that is dishonest or unfair
something else in order to get what you want
sweeps (v):  to sweep is to brush; to move quickly and powerfully upper reaches (n):  the upper reaches are the highest points /
swiftly (adv):  happening/moving quickly or within a short space elevations
of time upsurge (v):  a sudden and unusually large rise or increase in
symbiosis (n):  a relationship between two animals or plants something
whereby each contributes positively to the conditions necessary vacuum (n):  a space from which most or all of the matter has
for the continued existence of the other been removed, or where there is little or no matter (matter being
symbiotic (adj):  a relationship which is symbiotic is a relation- any physical substance in the universe)
ship between two plants or animals that benefits both parties to viable (adj):  feasible / likely to succeed
the relationship victims (n):  someone or something that has been hurt, damaged
tackling (v):  to tackle prey is to take on or hunt or attempt to kill or killed or which has suffered as a result of something or some-
that prey (animal type) one else
take a turn for the worse (phr v):  when a situation takes a turn vulnerable (adj):  at risk from or threatened with harm
for the worse, it gets worse warranted (adj):  if something is warranted, it is justified or nec-
take us back full circle (id):  take/bring us back to the beginning essary
or initial situation/problem weight (n):  if you put more weight on/in something, you give it
talent scout (n):  a talent scout is someone whose job it is to find/ more importance
spot people who are talented at something or some things in par- welfare (n):  health
ticular wellbeing (n):  the state of feeling/being healthy and happy; wel-
tangible (adj):  real and not imaginary; for example, a tangible fare or general health
threat is a real threat wiser souls (id):  a wise soul is a person who has a lot of wisdom
technical (adj):  if a mountain hike is technical, it requires climb- or knowledge
ing skills withstand (v):  strong enough to oppose / fight off / not be
tempest (n):  a very severe/violent storm changed by something
the late (id):  if you refer to someone as ‘the late’, you mean that witnessed (v):  to be witnessed is to be seen
they are already dead yields (n):  amounts of something
the media (n):  the internet, newspapers, magazines and televi-
sion considered as one single group
Glossary  |  Test 3
thriving (adj):  being very successful
a stone’s throw (id):  if something is a stone’s throw away, it is
tissues (n):  a group of connected cells in a plant or animal which
very near
are similar to one another in form and purpose, e.g. soft tissue
abounding (adj):  existing in large numbers
to spare (id):  if you win the title with two games to spare, you win
it with two games left/remaining abounds (v):  exists in large numbers or quantities
tolerance (n):  the ability to deal with something unpleasant/ absentee ownership (n):  the fact of owning a place but not liv-
harmful or annoying in an improved way that helps a person/ ing there
thing’s continued existence abused (v):  cruelly or violently treated
tornadic (adj):  of or related to a tornado (type of localised or account for (phr v):  explain; provide an explanation for
small storm); very forceful/strong accessible (adj):  able to be reached
trailing (v):  if something is trailing something else, it is following adequately (adv):  satisfactorily; sufficiently
behind that something else adrenalin junkie (id):  someone who loves to do very adventur-
trepidation (n):  fear/worry/concern surrounding what is going ous and exciting sports or activities, for example base jumping
to occur advocates (n):  supporters
triggers (n):  triggers are things that start / initiate / set off some- affairs (n):  matters, concerns or issues
thing else, such as a process afforded (v):  granted or given
turbulence (n):  turbulence is strong sudden movements of air agenda (n):  see centrist agenda; an agenda is an aim
often felt when flying in an aircraft aggravated (adj):  made worse
unconditionally (adv):  without any conditions or terms akin (adj):  if something is akin to something else, it is like that
undeniable (adj):  cannot be denied; cannot be questioned something else or has some of the same qualities
undeniably (adv):  without question; certainly albeit (conj):  although
underestimate (v):  to underestimate is to fail to guess, under- alien to (adj):  strange and unfamiliar to
stand, realise or appreciate the real cost, size, importance, diffi- all the rage (id):  if something is all the rage, it is fashionable or
culty, etc. of something popular or trending at the moment
underprivileged (adj):  people who are underprivileged come allure (n):  charm
from a poor background or are poor, and do not have the oppor-
amateur (adj):  a person who takes part in an activity for pleas-
tunities or resources normally afforded to / enjoyed by / given to
ure, not as a job and not getting paid, is an amateur; the high-
people
est amateur level is the highest level you can compete at as an
unlikely (adv):  not very likely; not probable or likely to happen amateur

13
 Glossary

ambience (n):  the atmosphere or character of a place breadwinners (n):  the breadwinner is the member of the family
ample (adj):  more than enough that earns the money the family needs
anecdotal (adj):  anecdotal evidence is evidence that is not based breakout (n):  escape
on facts or careful study but is just based on what a lot of people broadened (adj):  made wider
say or think budget conscious (adj):  a traveller who is budget conscious
antelope (n):  a deer-like mammal with horns and long thin legs cares a lot about how much money they are spending because
that can run very fast they have a limit
apathy (n):  a lack of interest; voter apathy is a lack of interest bushmen (n):  the San Bushmen are a native African people who
amongst voters in voting or taking part in the political process traditionally live a nomadic life, moving around from place to place
apologist (n):  a person who supports a particular belief, espe- and hunting wild animals and gathering wild plants for food
cially an unpopular one buzz (n):  sense of excitement
appetite (n):  desire calf (n):  the name for the young of various large mammals
appetite for (phr v):  desire for cancer screening (n):  testing or examining to discover if you
apprehending (v):  to apprehend someone is to catch or arrest have cancer
them canine (adj):  of or relating to dogs
aptly (adv):  appropriately; suitably canines (n):  dogs
arc (n):  a curved line or part of a circle cast off (phr v):  left alone or abandoned
artificial (adj):  made by people, often as a copy of something cease (v):  stop
natural centrist (adj):  at the centre of the range of political opinions
astounding (adj):  very shocking or surprising centrist agenda (id):  a centrist agenda is a desire to support the
at the coalface (id):  in real working conditions; at work centre political party or parties – the party or parties that are nei-
attrition (n):  gradually making something weaker or destroying it ther too far left (socialist) or right (capitalist) in their beliefs and
authentic (adj):  real principles
avail of (phr v):  make use of chimps (n):  chimpanzees (members of the family of great apes)
backing (n):  support cloudy (adj):  unclear
bang for your buck (id):  if you get good bang for your buck, you coalition (n):  a government that is formed or made up of a num-
get better value or a better reward for the money you spend ber of different political parties working together
banjo (n):  a small string musical instrument cocooned (v):  protected and kept safe or kept away from things
begs the question (id):  if something begs the question, it causes coincidental (adj):  happening by chance or luck
you to ask that particular question combo (n):  combination
beguiling (adj):  charming coming to terms with (id):  if you come to terms with something,
behold (v):  to behold is to look at you gradually accept a bad or unusual situation
bewildered (adj):  confused and uncertain command (n):  control of or over; your command of a language is
your control of and ability to use the language
bewilderment (n):  confusion
commemorated (v):  to commemorate is to officially remember
bitterness (n):  a feeling of anger and unhappiness
something with a special ceremony
bizarrely (adv):  strangely and unusually
composition (n):  a musical composition is a piece of music
black sheep (id):  if you describe someone as a black sheep, you
someone has written
suggest that they do not fit in with everyone else in a particular
compounding (adj):  making worse
group (the suggestion usually has a negative meaning); for in-
stance, I am the black sheep of my family means I am different to comprehending (v):  to comprehend is to completely understand
the rest of my family compromise (v):  to compromise is to reduce your demands or
blends right in (phr v):  if something blends right in, it fits or change your opinions in order to reach an agreement with another
looks suitable in its surroundings person, group or party
blind (n):  people who cannot see or who have very very poor sight compulsion (n):  desire; strong feeling of wanting
blind to (adj):  if you are blind to the benefits of something, you concept (n):  idea or principle
do not see those benefits and are ignorant of or about them conclusive (adj):  ending any doubt or proving that something is
bliss (n):  perfect happiness; perfection true
blissfully ignorant (id):  extremely happy and unaware of some- condescending (adj):  treating a person as if you are more intel-
thing ligent or important than them
blotting (v):  spoiling; making look less nice conditioning (n):  your physical conditioning is the state of health
boast (v):  if you boast something, you possess that something of your body
bottling everything up (phr v):  if you bottle something up, you confess to (phr v):  admit to
refuse to talk about it or express how you are feeling conservative (adj):  a conservative party is a political party that
bottom line (id):  the bottom line is the most important fact in a supports businesses, is against high taxes and does not agree with
situation much government involvement in industry; a capitalist party
bragging rights (id):  if you have bragging rights, it means you conserved (v):  to conserve something is to keep it from being
have done something impressive that gives you reason to boast / damaged or wasted
act in a very proud way; for example, Well done. You beat me eas- considerably (adj):  significantly or noticeably
ily even though I’m five years older than you - you definitely have contagious (adj):  a contagious habit or feeling spreads quickly
the bragging rights among people
brainstorming meeting (n):  a meeting where a group of people content (adj):  satisfied or happy
suggests lots of possible new ideas for development contraband (n):  goods that are taken into or out of a country il-

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 Glossary

legally and in secret ecstatic (adj):  extremely happy or pleased

contradictory (adj):  if two or more things are contradictory, they elevated (adj):  high; elevated land is land that is high above sea
are very different from one another level
contrariwise (adv):  on the contrary; on the other hand elite (adj):  an elite field is a group made up of people who are
contrary to (adj):  if something is contrary to your expectations, excellent at something
it is the opposite of what you were expecting emerged (v):  appeared
corpse (n):  dead body emerging (v):  to emerge is to appear by coming out of something
correlation (n):  a connection or relationship between two or or out from behind something
more things empathic (adj):  having the ability to imagine how someone else
couch potatoes (id):  a couch potato is someone who leads a thinks or feels
relatively sedentary or inactive life - literally, someone who sits on empowering (v):  to empower someone is to give someone the
the couch watching a lot of TV authority, skills, etc. needed to do something themselves
counterproductive (adj):  having the opposite effect than intend- en route (adv):  on the way to or from a place
ed or wanted endorsement (n):  approval; the act of saying you approve of
coverage (n):  the reporting of a particular important event or something
subject engage (v):  to engage with or in something is to become involved
crave (v):  desire with or in that thing
craze (n):  an activity that is extremely popular for a short amount essentially (adv):  basically
of time evolutionary (adj):  relating to the way in which living things de-
crazed (adj):  crazy/mad/reckless velop over thousands and millions of years
credit (n):  praise evolved (adj):  highly developed
curious (adj):  peculiar; strange and unusual excessively (adv):  too; overly
current (n):  See Test 2 glossary exclusivity (n):  the fact of only being for people who are rich or
damn (v):  criticise of high social class
dedicated (v):  to dedicate something, such as an achievement or exemplify (v):  to exemplify is to be a typical example of some-
victory, to someone is to publicly say that something was done in thing
their honour exhausted (adj):  extremely tired
deliberate (adj):  intentional or planned expended (v):  to expend is to use or spend time, effort or money
demographics (n):  the number and characteristics of people who exploit (v):  take advantage of
form a particular group, in this case, voters extent (n):  amount
demoted (v):  to demote is to lower in rank or position or status exterior (n):  outside
detection (n):  the fact of discovering or noticing something extremes (n):  the extremes are the sets of beliefs and the politi-
determination (n):  the ability and desire to continue to try to do cal parties considered to be unacceptable to most people
something even though it is difficult eyesore (n):  an unpleasant or ugly sight
detract (v):  make something seem less deserving of admiration fad (n):  a style or fashion or trend that is popular for only a short
diagnosis (n):  a judgement about what a particular illness or amount of time
health problem is, made after examining the patient faint (adj):  not strong or clear
diffract (v):  to diffract is to break up light into its different colours fall out of the loop (id):  lose touch or contact
and send them off in different directions fan base (n):  see Test 2 glossary
diffraction (n):  the process of causing a change in the direction fascination (n):  the fact of finding something extremely interest-
of light (sending the different colours of light off in different direc- ing
tions) fatal (adj):  deadly
dimensions (n):  measurements or size, e.g. height, length and fatalities (n):  deaths
width
finer details (id):  the finer details are the details or pieces of
disheartened (adj):  discouraged information that are important and need to be considered very
dispelled (v):  to dispel is to remove a false idea carefully
dispersion (n):  the separation of light into different colours first-class (adj):  if you describe someone as first-class at some-
distasteful (adj):  unpleasant or unacceptable thing, you mean they are excellent at that something
distress (n):  a feeling of extreme worry, sadness or pain fluke (n):  the result of chance or luck instead of skill and planning;
divisive (adj):  describes something that causes a lot of disagree- accident
ment between people foe (n):  enemy
do away with (phr v):  to do away with is to get rid of or destroy follow in their footsteps (id):  if you follow in someone’s foot-
domestic (adj):  a domestic animal is an animal that is not wild steps, you do the same thing as that person previously did
and which is either kept as a pet or to produce food food for thought (id):  something worth seriously considering or
drop in the ocean (id):  a drop in the ocean is a very small amount thinking about
compared to the total amount footage (n):  a piece of film
droplets (n):  small drops footing (n):  the way that something operates and the set of con-
dwarf planet (n):  a dwarf planet is a body of matter in space that ditions that influence it
looks like a small planet but does not meet all the scientific criteria foregone conclusion (id):  a result that is obvious or clear to eve-
for or specifications of a planet ryone even before it happens
dwarfish (adj):  very small formations (n):  a formation is the way something is naturally
echoed (v):  repeated made

15
 Glossary

foster (v):  encourage future

frenzied (adj):  uncontrolled and excited inaccurate (adj):  not completely correct or exact
garish (adj):  unpleasantly bright or standing out too much incident (n):  an unpleasant event
garishly (adv):  distastefully or unpleasantly incidentally (adv):  by the way; used before saying something
gem (n):  in this sense, a very good place that is not as important as the main subject of discussion, but
generate (v):  produce which is connected to it in some way
genes (n):  a part of your DNA that controls physical behaviour inclined to (adj):  likely to
and development and which is passed on to you from your parents inclusive (adj):  trying to include as many different types of peo-
get a kick out of (id):  if you get a kick out of something, you ple as possible and treating them all fairly and equally
enjoy doing it very much or get great satisfaction from doing it inconclusive (adj):  not having a clear result or giving a clear deci-
getaway (n):  a getaway is a place you go to to escape from or sion
have a break from your everyday life indigenous (adj):  native; naturally existing in a place or country
go full circle (id):  return to where you were when you started rather than arriving from somewhere else
go-kart (n):  a go-kart is a type of small four-wheeled vehicle indulge (v):  if you do not indulge, you do not allow yourself to
used for racing have or do something
grasp (v):  take quickly indulgent (adj):  wasteful; excessive
gratification (n):  see instant gratification inevitably (adv):  in a way that cannot be avoided
great apes (n):  the group of animals that includes gorillas, oran- inner (adj):  inside
gutans, and chimpanzees inspection (n):  examination; a careful look at something
grinding out (phr v):  doing the same boring thing again and again instant gratification (id):  if you want instant gratification, you
grooming (v):  developing and maintaining want to instantly/immediately be rewarded/satisfied
grounds (n):  land that surrounds a building and is part of the intensity (n):  strength
same property intensively (adv):  involving a lot of effort and activity over a
habitation (n):  a place that’s lived in short period of time
hailing from (v):  if you hail from a place, you come from that interaction (n):  communicating or relating to other people
place; if you hail from a family, you come from that family interfere (v):  to interfere is to involve yourself in a situation when
handicaps (v):  makes more difficult your involvement is either not wanted or not helpful
hankering (n):  desire or strong wish intimated (v):  made clear without directly saying
harsh (adj):  more severe than necessary intrinsic (adj):  extremely important
haven (n):  a safe or peaceful place irrespective (adv):  without considering; not needing to allow for
hectic (adj):  busy, fast or full of activity isolation (n):  the condition of being alone, especially when this
hefty (adj):  large in amount, size, force or distance, etc. makes you feel unhappy
heightened (adj):  if your senses are heightened, they are im- just be the ticket (id):  if something is just the ticket, it is exactly
proved and you are more aware what you need or want; if something might just be the ticket, it
high-maintenance (adj):  if something is high-maintenance, it re- might be exactly what you need or want
quires a lot of work and effort keenly (adv):  competitively; reasonably
hindsight (n):  the ability to understand a situation or an event lamentation (n):  regret; a sense of sadness and feeling sorry
only after it has happened late starter (id):  a late starter in a sport or activity is someone
holes in a … theory (id):  if there are holes in a theory, the theory who starts / takes up that sport or activity relatively late in life,
does not make complete sense usually late in their childhood years; for example I was a late start-
hooked (adj):  if you get hooked on something, you become ad- er at tennis as I only began playing aged 12
dicted to that something; you enjoy doing that something so much leafy (adj):  pleasant with a lot of trees and plants
that you want to do it again and again lean (v):  in this sense, young people decided to lean in the other
hotly (adv):  in a passionate, angry or excited way direction means young people decided to cast their votes for a
hubs (n):  centres party with the opposite set of principles and beliefs
humble (adj):  ordinary; not very special or important leave a … hole in your wallet (id):  if something will leave a hole
hypothesised (adj):  a possible but not yet proven explanation for in your wallet, it will cost quite a lot of money
something let their hair down (id):  if you let your hair down, you allow
hypothetical (adj):  imagined or suggested but not necessarily yourself to relax and have fun
true or real like a duck to water (id):  if you take to something like a duck to
ideologically opposed (id):  if two people or political parties are water, you are a natural at it; you are very good at it from the very
ideologically opposed, their beliefs and principles are the com- beginning or from a very early stage
plete opposite of one another lo and behold (id):  something you say when you are telling
idyllic (adj):  extremely pleasant, beautiful or peaceful someone about something surprising which happened
ignominy (n):  shame logistical (adj):  related to planning and organising
ill intentions (id):  bad intentions; an intention is something that longevity (n):  living for a long time
you want or plan to do lose touch (id):  if you lose touch with someone, you lose contact
ill-informed (adj):  badly informed with them; you no longer keep in contact with them
immeasurably (adv):  so large or great that it cannot be meas- lucrative (adj):  producing a lot of money
ured or known exactly luminescence (n):  soft lighting
immensely (adv):  extremely lunar (adj):  of or relating to the moon
in the long run (id):  eventually; at a time that is far away in the lure (v):  in this sense, trick you

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 Glossary

main players (id):  the important, most powerful or most suc- or dealing with it
cessful groups involved in something overnighting (adj):  for staying overnight
majority (n):  the difference in the number of votes between the overwhelming (adj):  very great or large
winning party and the party that finished in second place in an paid less heed (id):  paid/given less attention
election paler (adj):  less colourful than usual
make ends meet (id):  have just enough money to pay for the pandering (v):  to pander is to try to please people by doing or
things you need (the essentials like food and shelter) saying what you think they want you to do or say
make light of (id):  if you make light of something, you act as if pandering to (phr v):  to pander to is to do or provide exactly
that something is not serious; you make a joke of it what a person or group wants, especially when it is not accept-
mandate (n):  authority or the power to do something given to an able, reasonable, or approved of, and usually in order to get some
elected group personal advantage
mariners (n):  sailors payback (n):  an advantage or benefit received from something
marvelled at (phr v):  to marvel at is to show great surprise at or peer (n):  a person who is the same age as you, or who is in the
admiration for something same social position as you, or who has the same abilities as you
marvellous (adj):  extremely good in a particular group
massive (adj):  huge penning (v):  writing
mature (adj):  older pensioners (n):  people who are retired from work and who re-
mere (adj):  used to emphasise that something is not large or far ceive a pension (a pension is a payment, usually by the govern-
or important ment, to a person who is too old to work)
meritorious (adj):  deserving of great praise pent-up (adj):  pent-up feelings are ones that are not expressed
merits (n):  advantages or released
miniscule (n):  tiny; extremely small perceptions (n):  beliefs or opinions held by many people based
misalignment (n):  the fact of not being arranged correctly or as on how things look or seem
they should be perpetually (adv):  always
misleading (adj):  causing someone to think or believe something perpetuated (v):  to perpetuate is to cause to continue
that is not true persevere (v):  see Test 2 glossary
mock (v):  laugh at or make fun of persistently (adv):  regularly over a long period of time
mod-con (n):  the machines and devices that make ordinary jobs perspective (n):  point of view; way of thinking about something
in the home easier, like the iron, washing machine, kettle and so on phantom (adj):  describes something that appears to exist but
momentarily (adv):  for a very short amount of time has not been proven to in fact
motive (n):  reason for doing something phenomenon (n):  See Test 2 glossary
motives (n):  reasons for doing something philosophies (n):  a philosophy is a system of beliefs, values and
multiple (adj):  very many principles
nasty (adj):  unpleasant phrase (v):  to phrase something is to express it with a particular
navigation (n):  the act of finding a way from one place to another choice of words
near-death experience (id):  an experience where someone al- pilgrimage (n):  a special route travelled by pilgrims for religious
most dies or spiritual reasons
necessary evil (id):  something unpleasant which has to be ac- pinpointing (v):  finding the exact position of something
cepted in order to achieve a particular result placates (v):  stops someone from feeling angry
neglected (v):  not given enough care or attention to pointedly (adv):  in a direct and obvious way
nerds (n):  a nerd is a person who is extremely interested in only polls (n):  the polls are the places where people vote in a political
one subject, especially computers, and knows a lot about that election
subject port of call (id):  a port of call is a place you stop for a short time
nomadic (adj):  moving from place to place rather than living in along the route of a journey
one area all the time portfolio (n):  if a dog has something in its portfolio, it is a skill
nought (n):  nothing or talent it has
nuisances (n):  annoyances; things that trouble or annoy you posts (n):  border control posts are places where a border is pro-
obesity (n):  the situation of many people being extremely fat in a tected by border guards
way that is dangerous to their general health precipitation (n):  See Test 1 glossary
on face value (id):  face value is how something first appears be- precise (adj):  exact
fore you examine it more carefully precisely (adv):  exactly
on the scent of (id):  if you are on the scent of something, you are precludes (v):  prevents
following, tracking or pursuing that something premature (adj):  done too soon; too early
on their deathbeds (id):  dying preoccupied (adj):  thinking or worrying about something too
opposed (adj):  see ideologically opposed; completely different much
orbit (v):  to orbit is to follow a curved path around a planet or star prerequisite (n):  a prerequisite is something that must happen
outlasted (v):  to outlast is to stay energetic longer than or exist before something else can happen of exist
outlawed (v):  made illegal prime (n):  best quality; when you are in the prime of your exist-
outsider (n):  a person who is not involved with a particular group ence, you are at your healthiest and most successful
or who does not come from or live in a particular place they are profit-driven (adj):  if something is profit-driven, the main moti-
visiting vation or reason for it is to make money
overcome (v):  to overcome your fear is to succeed in controlling proliferation (n):  the fact of increasing suddenly and a lot in

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 Glossary

number tist, you suggest/imply that they are very clever

prompted (v):  if something prompts you to do something else, it rose-tinted glasses (id):  if you view life through rose-tinted
makes you decide to do that something else glasses, you only see and remember the positive things that hap-
prone to (adj):  likely to suffer from pen, creating an unrealistic view of life
proportion (n):  the number or amount of a group that did some- ruled out (phr v):  to rule out is to stop considering as a pos-
thing when compared to the whole group sibility
prospect (n):  a medal prospect is a medal contender; a person sacrificed (v):  gave up
people think could win a medal in an event sage (adj):  wise
protest (n):  a strong complaint expressing disagreement, disap- scent (n):  a smell produced by an animal as a signal to other ani-
proval or opposition; a protest vote is a vote against the main po- mals; the smell of something
litical parties to show that you are dissatisfied with them screening (n):  a test or examination to discover if there is some-
provoked (v):  to provoke is to cause a reaction thing wrong with you
proximity (n):  the state of being near; nearness self-gratification (n):  making yourself happy; pleasing yourself
put many people off (phr v):  if you put someone off doing some- selfless (adj):  caring more about other things or people than
thing, you discourage them from doing that thing yourself
put off (phr v):  discourage sentiments (n):  thoughts, opinions or ideas based on feelings
quarry (n):  a large, man-made hole in the ground where stone is about a situation
dug up for use as building materials sharp (adj):  a sharp drop is a sudden and very significant fall or
quasi (adj):  used to show that something is almost but not com- drop in something
pletely the same as something else; for example, a quasi work sheet music (n):  music in written form
placement is almost but not quite the same as a work placement shift (n):  a move or change of position
quirky (adj):  unusual in an attractive and interesting kind of way shone through (phr v):  if your talent shines through, it becomes
ranks (n):  your progress through the ranks is your progress up very obvious or clear
through the different levels skillset (n):  the range of things that someone is good at
rated (v):  if you are rated a potential winner, you are regarded as sloggers (n):  people who work very hard over a long period
or thought of as a potential winner sneaking up (phr v):  to sneak up is to approach very quietly
raved about (phr v):  if you rave about something, you praise it sniff out (phr v):  discover
very much snobbery (n):  behaviour and opinions typical of a snob, which is
readily (adj):  immediately a person who only likes people of a high social class (important,
reassuring (adj):  making you feel less worried rich or powerful people)
reclaimed (v):  to reclaim is to take back soar (v):  rise very quickly to a high level in the air
recuperation (n):  the act of relaxing and getting your strength sound (adj):  if you have sound finances, you have well-managed
back finances; your financial situation is secure
refinance (v):  if you have to refinance your mortgage, you have speculative (adj):  based on a guess and not on information or
to agree a new schedule of repayments with your bank facts
reflected (v):  to reflect is to send back in the direction something spurts (n):  a sudden short period of increased activity is a spurt
came from squash (n):  a type of racquet/racket sport
refract (v):  cause to change direction or separate; to refract is to stamina (n):  the physical strength to do something that will take
cause light to separate into its different colours and change direction a long time
refracted (v):  see refract stark (adj):  severe or extreme
refraction (n):  the fact of light being caused to separate out into state of affairs (id):  the situation at a particular time
its different colours and change direction stealth (n):  movement that is quiet and careful because you
regime (n):  a particular system for doing something; for exam- don’t want to be seen or heard
ple, your exercise regime is your system for exercising stemmed from (phr v):  started or developed as a result of; was
relevance (n):  the extent to which something is useful or related caused by
to what is happening stopover (n):  a stopover is a short break somewhere on the way
remarkably (adv):  surprisingly; incredibly to another place
remote (adj):  far away from built-up areas like towns and cities strictest (adj):  most correct
repertoire (n):  a dog’s repertoire of tricks is his total collection striking (adj):  very unusual or very attractive
of tricks stroll (n):  a slow, relaxed walk
reserved (v):  to reserve something is to keep it for a particular
stunt (n):  an exciting action that is or appears dangerous and
purpose or time
usually needs to be done by someone very skilled; a stunt diver, in
resilience (n):  the quality of being able to return to a good state this sense, is a skydiver who is very skilled and does stunts
or condition after experiencing problems
substituting (v):  replacing; using something instead of some-
resounding (adj):  very great thing else
return (n):  if you get a return on investment, you get a particular suitors (n):  a suitor is a man who wants to marry a particular
amount of profit woman
return the favour (id):  if you return a/the favour, you do some- superior to (adj):  better than
thing for someone because they did something for you
surroundings (n):  the place where someone is and the things
revelation (n):  surprising fact that are in that place
rock-bottom (adj):  if you describe prices as rock-bottom, they sustainable (adj):  able to continue over a period of time
are as low as they can go
swift (adj):  fast/quick
rocket scientist (id):  if you describe someone as a rocket scien-

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 Glossary

symbol (n):  sign from that thing happening or continuing

take precedence over (id):  be more important than; be more of vexations (n):  things that anger or worry you
a priority than victor (n):  winner
tan (n):  pleasantly brown or dark skin caused by being out in the visible (adj):  able to be seen
sun a lot vivacity (n):  literally liveliness, but in this sense, the brightness
tandem jumps (n):  a tandem jump (e.g. a tandem skydive) is of the colour
when two people jump together (attached to one another), with one voluntouring (n):  taking part in voluntourism
normally being an expert and the other being a learner/beginner voluntourism (n):  voluntourism is a type of holiday in which you
terrain (n):  an area of land, when considering its natural features work as a volunteer (which means without being paid for your
the (only) order of the day (id):  the most common or important work) to help people or causes in the places you visit
thing vouch for (phr v):  to vouch for is to say that you know from ex-
the big screen (id):  if you watch something on the big screen, perience that something is true; confirm
you watch it in the cinema; if something appears on the big screen, weight of the world on one’s shoulders (id):  if you feel the
it appears in cinemas weight of the world on your shoulders, it feels like you have a lot
the end did not justify the means (id):  the result did not pro- of serious problems to deal with
vide a good enough reason for the method used or action taken wholesale (adv):  completely
to get it wisdom (n):  knowledge and experience
the long haul (id):  a long period of time worldly (adj):  having a lot of experience of life
theoretical (adj):  related to an explanation or concept that has worming (n):  worming an animal is giving it a medicine to kill any
not been proven worms that might be living inside it
thrilled (v):  delighted yearning for (phr v):  to yearn for is to desire or wish strongly for
tick … boxes (id):  if you are determined to tick as many boxes as
you can when you visit a place, you want to do as many things as
you can so that you can say you have done them
tilt (n):  a sloping or angled position Glossary  |  Test 4
tiresome (adj):  annoying, boring or making you lose patience a stone’s throw (id):  if something is a stone’s throw away, it is
toiled (v):  worked very hard very close
toing and froing (id):  changing from one direction to another; abandon (v):  to abandon is to leave, usually forever
going backwards and forwards absence (n):  the fact of not existing
took to it (phr v):  if you take to something, you start to do it abundance (n):  if the Atacama desert provides something in
often; if you take to something like a duck to water, you discover abundance, this means it provides more than enough of that thing;
that you have a natural ability to do that something well more than enough
track (v):  to track is to follow adoring (adj):  showing very strong love for
tremendously (adv):  extremely aforementioned (adj):  mentioned already; mentioned before
trend (v):  to trend is to come into fashion; to become popular akin (adj):  if something is akin to something else, it has the same
tribes (n):  a tribe is a group of people who share the same lan- qualities as that something else
guage, culture and history that live together aloft (adj):  in a higher position in the air
turned out (phr v):  the people who turned out to vote are the alternative living (n):  a way of life that is different from what is
people who went out and voted considered normal
turnout (n):  the turnout in an election is the number of people altitude (n):  height above sea level
who voted apathy (n):  behaviour that shows no interest or energy and
ukulele (n):  a type of string musical instrument similar to but shows that someone is unwilling to take action, especially in rela-
smaller than a guitar and with fewer strings (four rather than five tion to something important
or six) apparent (adj):  able to be seen or understood
undergoes (v):  to undergo is to experience something that caus- arid (adj):  very dry and without enough rain
es change arteries (n):  tubes that carry blood away from the heart
unjustifiable (adj):  unacceptable and wrong because there is no artificial (adj):  made by people, often as a copy of something
good or fair reason for it natural; unnatural
unwarranted (adj):  without a good reason aspire (v):  to aspire is to hope to achieve something or be suc-
unwind (v):  relax and allow your mind to be free from worry cessful, and to want that something very much
upbringing (n):  the way in which you were treated and educated assemblage (n):  a group of people
when young astronomy (n):  the study of the stars and other objects in space
urbanites (n):  people who live in cities attributed (v):  to attribute is to think that someone has a certain
urbanity (n):  city life quality or feature
urge (n):  strong wish or desire autism (n):  a condition that starts in young children, which limits
urgency (n):  importance the development of social and communication skills
vacant (adj):  a vacant role is not filled or occupied by someone avalanches (n):  an avalanche is a large amount of ice, snow and
valid (adj):  acceptable; able to be accepted; based on truth rock falling down a mountainside
vast (adj):  extremely big average Joe (n):  a typical person
venting (v):  to vent is to express something negative, usually in avid (adj):  extremely enthusiastic, eager or interested
a forceful way band (n):  a group of people with a shared interest
vested interests (id):  vested interests are people or groups that barristers (n):  a barrister is a special type of lawyer that can give
take an interest in something because they can get an advantage legal advice and argue a case in courts

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 Glossary

battle (n):  a fight between armed forces liquid, e.g. thick, smooth, etc.
beloved (adj):  loved very much conspire (v):  to conspire is to plan secretly with other people to
bereft (adj):  if you are bereft of something, you do not have it and do something bad, illegal, against the rules or against someone’s
you feel a great loss wishes
bestowed (adj):  given convey (v):  to convey is to express a thought, feeling or idea so
bestowed (v):  to bestow is to give something that it is understood by others
bigtime (n):  the bigtime is the state of being successful or fa- conviction (n):  a strong belief or a feeling of certainty that what
mous you are doing is right
blissfully (adv):  in this sense, completely in a good way coop … up (phr v):  to coop up is to keep someone or something
in a closed space
blossom (v):  to blossom is to become more attractive and suc-
cessful cornices (n):  an overhanging mass of snow on a hill or mountain,
with no ground under it
blow (n):  a hard hit with a hand or weapon
cowed (adj):  frightened
bluff (n):  an attempt at tricking or deceiving someone or some-
thing crave (v):  strongly desire
bonanza (n):  a large amount of something good credit (n):  praise
bond (n):  a close connection between two or more people crossed my mind (id):  if something crosses your mind, you think
of it
bonded (adj):  connected; joined
crouch (v):  to crouch is to bend your knees and lower yourself so
bounty (n):  a large amount
you are close to the ground and leaning forward slightly
breaks (n):  the breaks are the opportunities
cues (n):  a cue is signal for someone to do something (where a
brethren (n):  fellow members; loyal followers signal is a message)
buy into (phr v):  if you buy into something, you completely be- culprit (n):  the reason - person or thing - for something bad hap-
lieve in that thing pening
cackle (n):  a loud, high, unpleasant laughing sound dared (v):  to dare is to be brave enough to
call your bluff (id):  to call someone’s bluff is to make them prove daunting (adj):  making you feel slightly frightened or worried
what they are saying is true; for example, lions don’t tend to call
decentralised (v):  to decentralise is to move the control of an
your bluff if you stand there and pretend you are not afraid of
organization or government from a single place, e.g. big city, to
them, because they only false charge you
several smaller ones, e.g. rural towns
canine (n):  of or related to dogs
decidedly (adv):  certainly and obviously
capacity (n):  ability to do something
deck (n):  a deck of cards is a full pack of cards
capitulation (n):  the act of accepting defeat too easily
dedicated (v):  gave a lot of something, such as time or energy
capture (v):  to record or take a picture of
default (adj):  usual; normal; standard
carrion (n):  dead or decaying meat
dejected (adj):  unhappy, disappointed and without hope
cast (v):  to cast your vote is to vote; to place your vote
deliberate (adj):  planned or intentional
casualties (n):  people injured or killed during war
demonstrable (adj):  able to be proved or shown
ceded (v):  in this sense, to cede is to admit or concede
denser (adj):  thicker
cement jungles (id):  built-up areas like cities and towns
density (n):  the population density is the number of people liv-
chemistry (n):  a quality that exists when two people understand ing in a place compared to the size of that place; the greater the
and are attracted to one another number of people, the higher the density
cholera (n):  a serious infection of the bowels caused by drinking depicted (v):  to depict is to represent or show something
dirty, infected water or eating infected food, which causes diar-
depleted (adj):  reduced
rhoea, vomiting, and often death
deposit (v):  to deposit is to leave something somewhere
climaxes (n):  a climax is the most important or exciting point in
a story deprivation (n):  a situation in which you do not have things or
conditions that are usually considered necessary for a pleasant
closing statement (n):  a lawyer’s final statement in court at the
and comfortable life
end of a trial
commercial (adj):  related to buying and selling; related to trade depth (n):  the state of having serious qualities
compensatory (adj):  that balances one influence against another descended (v):  in this sense, to descend is to happen or come
so that there is no great difference as a result down suddenly
competent (adj):  able to do something well despair (n):  hopelessness and worry
component (n):  a part that combines with other parts to form destabilise (v):  to make less stable (more likely to move or
something bigger change)
composition (n):  the parts that something is made of dethroned (v):  to dethrone is to remove a king or queen from
their position of power
composure (n):  the feeling of being calm, confident and in control
devastated (adj):  completely destroyed (emotionally, very
comprise (v):  to have as parts; to make up
shocked and upset)
compromising (adj):  a compromising position is one that could
devoted (v):  to devote is to give your time and effort completely
potentially cause damage, hurt or harm
to something
conceived of (phr v):  to conceive of something is to imagine or
devoting (v):  to devote is to give your time and effort completely
think of that something
to something you believe in
confided in (phr v):  to confide in someone is to share your feel-
devotion (n):  loyalty and love or care for someone or something
ings or secrets with them because you trust them not to tell any-
one else dimensions (n):  a dimension is a measurement of something in
a particular direction, e.g. its height, width and length are dimen-
consistency (n):  the physical nature of a substance, especially a

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 Glossary

sions you vote for the extremes, you vote for a party that has such unac-
dip (n):  a dip is a quick swim ceptable beliefs
discount (v):  not consider; dismiss faintest (adj):  faint means not strong or clear, or slight
disembarkation (n):  the act of leaving fall (n):  the fact of being defeated or of losing power
disinclined to (adj):  to be disinclined to do something is to not fallen (v):  in this sense, been killed
want to do that thing farmhands (n):  farm workers
dismiss (v):  to dismiss is to decide that something or someone is fate (n):  what happens to a particular person or thing
not important or worth considering fearsome (adj):  frightening
disproportionate (adj):  too large or small in comparison to fend for (phr v):  in this sense, to fend for is to take care of or
something else provide for; to fend for yourself is to provide for yourself
disrupt (v):  to prevent something from continuing as usual or as ferocious (adj):  frightening and violent
expected field (n):  the field is a place where you are working or studying in
distinctively (adv):  in a way that is easy to recognize because it real situations, as opposed to a science lab or office
is different from other things fired (v):  to fire is to cause a strong emotion in someone
distress (n):  a feeling of extreme worry, sadness or pain first impressions (id):  your first impressions of someone or
dominant (adj):  more important, strong or noticeable than any- something are the ideas or opinions you form when you first meet
thing else of the same type or experience them
down to earth (id):  reasonable, practical and friendly flaws (n):  a fault, mistake or weakness
draw the line (id):  where you draw the line, is where you fix your flee (v):  to flee is to escape by running away
limit; if you draw the line at something, it means you will never do flock (v):  to flock is to move or come together in large numbers
that something because you think it is wrong foes (n):  enemies
dwelling (n):  place to live forge (v):  to forge something is to make or produce that thing,
echoes (v):  if a sound echoes or a place echoes with a sound, especially with some difficulty
you hear that sound again (and again) because you are in a large, forth (adv):  forward
empty space
fortitude (n):  courage and strength over a long period
ecosystem (n):  all the living things in an area and the way they
frantic (adj):  in a hurried state of excitement and confusion
affect each other and the environment
frayed (v):  if your nerves fray, you gradually become upset or
elation (n):  a state of extreme happiness or excitement
nervous
elevations (n):  the elevation of a place is its height above sea
fulfilling (adj):  rewarding; making you feel happy and satisfied
level; heights
futile (adj):  having no effect or achieving nothing
emerging (v):  to emerge is to appear out of something
gargantuan (n):  huge; very large
emotive (adj):  causing strong emotions
gaze (n):  to look at someone or something for a long time
empathic (adj):  having the ability to imagine how somebody else
feels or thinks genders (n):  the two genders are male and female
employ (v):  use generate (v):  produce
encounters (n):  an encounter is a meeting, especially one that geological (adj):  related to geology (which is the study of rocks
happens by chance and similar substances )
endure (v):  to endure is to suffer something difficult, unpleasant gestured (v):  gesture is to express or emphasise something with
or painful gestures (movements of the hand, arm, body or face)
enhance (v):  improve getting my head around it (id):  if you get your head around
something, you come to accept or understand that something
ethnic minorities (n):  an ethnic minority is a group of people of a
even though it is difficult
particular race or nationality living in a country or area where most
people are of a different race or nationality give out (phr v):  if a part of your body gives out, it stops working
evaporated (v):  disappeared globalisation (n):  the increase of trade and cooperation around
the world
evolution (n):  the way in which living things change and develop
over time go through the motions (id):  to go through the motions is to do
something without thinking it is important and without being very
exacerbating (v):  to exacerbate is to make something that is al-
interested in it
ready bad worse
gratified (v):  to gratify is to satisfy a wish or need
exactness (n):  accuracy
gratitude (n):  the feeling of being grateful
excavations (n):  large holes or channels in the ground, dug espe-
cially with a machine grave (adj):  serious, in a bad way
exclusively (adv):  only gravity (n):  the force that attracts objects towards one another
exemplify (v):  be a good or typical example of hapless (adj):  unlucky and usually also unhappy
exhaustion (n):  the state of extreme tiredness harshest (adj):  most severe; most unpleasant
exhibit (v):  show haste (n):  (too much) speed
expanse (n):  a large, open area of land, water or sky hasty (adj):  done in a hurry, without the necessary care or
exposed (v):  uncovered; to expose is to remove what is covering thought
or hiding something so that that something can be seen havoc (n):  confusion and disorder, especially causing damage or
extensive (adj):  covering a large area, or having a great range; trouble
extensive research is a great amount of research hibernation (n):  the act of spending the winter sleeping
extremes (n):  extreme beliefs and political parties are consid- hideaway (n):  in this sense, a place people hide from the view of
ered by most people to be unreasonable and unacceptable, so if animals so they can observe them
hit home (phr v):  if you hit home a point, you emphasise it in

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 Glossary

order to cause the listener to realise exactly what you’re trying interpret (v):  to interpret is to decide what the intended meaning
to say of something is
horizon (n):  the line at the furthest place you can see, where the intervene (v):  to deliberately become involved in a situation in
sky seems to touch the land or sea order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse
household names (n):  household names are famous people that intimacy (n):  a situation of very close friendship with someone
most of us know of intuitively (adv):  understanding or knowing something immedi-
hubs (n):  the hub is the central or main part of something, where ately based on feelings not facts
there is most activity inversion (n):  a phenomenon that produces low-lying cloud
human-triggered (adj):  caused or started by humans isolate (v):  to keep a person or animal separate from other peo-
humid (adj):  when the air contains a lot of tiny water droplets ple or animals, by putting that person or animal in a different place
hunky dory (id):  very satisfactory and pleasant kidding ourselves (id):  if you kid yourself, you believe some-
hush (n):  a sudden, calm silence thing that is not true, usually because you want it to be true
hype (n):  positive discussion around something/someone which kin (n):  your close relatives; family
attracts a lot of interest in that thing/person labour of love (id):  if your work is a labour of love, it is some-
hyperbole (n):  a way of speaking or writing that makes some- thing you do because you enjoy it, not for money or praise or any
thing seem bigger, better or more than it actually is; exaggeration other reason
hypersensitive (adj):  in this sense, easily influenced by lee (adj):  the lee side of a slope is the side of the slope not ex-
ideologies (n):  an ideology is a set of beliefs or principles, es- posed to the wind; the side with shelter from the wind
pecially one on which a political system, party, or organization is likelihood (n):  possibility; chance
based lonesomeness (n):  the fact of being alone
idyllic (adj):  extremely pleasant, beautiful or peaceful looming (v):  to loom is to appear as a large, often frightening or
ignorance (n):  lack of knowledge, understanding or information unclear, shape or object
about something, or in general lounge about (phr v):  to spend your time relaxing, sitting or lying
illusion (n):  something that is not really what it seems down somewhere, doing very little
imbued (v):  to imbue is to fill someone or something with a qual- luminescence (n):  light
ity or feeling lush (adj):  full of green plants, grasses and trees
immersed (v):  completely involved in made redundant (phr v):  if you are made redundant, you lose
immune (adj):  protected against; not able to be hurt by your job because your employer no longer needs you
impoverished (adj):  very poor magnitude (n):  the large size or importance of something
in demand (id):  if something is in demand in this sense, it is very malaria (n):  a tropical disease that you get from being bitten by a
popular particular type of mosquito
in vain (id):  unsuccessfully maximise (v):  to maximise is to make something as great in
inability (n):  the lack of ability to do something amount, size or importance as possible
incapable (adj):  unable to do something mega (adj):  in this sense, informally, very
inclusive (adj):  trying to include as many different types of peo- mellowed (v):  to mellow your performance is to make your per-
ple as possible, and treating them fairly and equally formance less dramatic and more relaxed
inclusivity (n):  the act or belief of trying to include as many dif- microcosm (n):  a small place, society or situation which has the
ferent types of people as possible, and treating them fairly and same characteristics as something much larger
equally migrate (v):  to migrate is to travel to a different place, especially
incremental (adj):  small when the season changes
incurable (adj):  not able to be cured mingled (v):  to mingle is to move around and talk to other people
at a social event
indefinitely (adv):  for a period of time with no fixed end
miniature (adj):  describes something that is a very small copy
indifferent (adj):  not thinking about or interested in something
of another thing
or someone
miserable (adj):  very unhappy
indigenous (adj):  native; naturally existing in a place or country
rather than arriving there from another place or country mnemonic (n):  a memory technique; a short poem or special
word that helps you remember something
indistinguishable (adj):  impossible to see the difference when
compared to another thing moderate (adj):  not extreme, and therefore acceptable to most
people
infectious (adj):  able to be passed from one person to another
modest (adj):  not large (in size or amount)
infrequently (adv):  not very often
inhabit (v):  live in a place modestly (adv):  in a size or amount that is not that large or great
innate (adj):  natural; a quality you were born with, not one you momentarily (adv):  for a very short time
learned motley (adj):  made up of many different types that don’t appear
innately (adv):  by the fact of being born with to go together
insight (n):  a clear, deep understanding of a complicated problem multitude (n):  a multitude is a large number of people or things
or situation muscle (n):  bodily tissues that can tighten or relax to produce
intense (adj):  very heavy; extreme movement
intensity (n):  power, force or strength muster (v):  to muster is to produce or encourage something,
such as support or courage
interconnected (adj):  connected or related to one another
needle in a haystack (id):  if you compare looking for something
interference (n):  an occasion of preventing something from
to finding a needle in a haystack, it means it is extremely difficult
working efficiently or developing effectively; in this case, the inter-
or nearly impossible to find that thing
ference of light would prevent stargazing from happening
notoriously (adv):  famously, in a bad way

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 Glossary

obsessing (v):  thinking about all the time college, school, business, etc.
off the agenda (id):  if something is off the agenda, it is not to be protectorate (n):  in this sense, the relationship between mothers
considered and the children they control and protect
omnivorous (n):  naturally able to eat both meat and plants psychiatry (n):  the part of medicine that studies mental illnesses
optical (adj):  relating to the ability to see psychology (n):  the scientific study of how the human mind
optimal (adj):  best; most likely to bring advantage or success works and influences behaviour
optimism (n):  the quality of being full of hope and emphasising put people off (phr v):  if you put someone off doing something,
the good parts of a situation, or a belief that something good will you make them dislike the idea of doing that something, or you
probably happen discourage them from doing that something
orators (n):  people who give public speeches put you down (phr v):  if someone puts you down, they criticise
organs (n):  an organ, e.g. the heart, is a part of the body that you and try to make you feel less important
performs a particular job rapid (adj):  very fast or sudden
ounce (n):  a very small amount rat race (id):  a way of life in modern society in which people com-
outlook (n):  a person’s way of understanding and thinking about pete with one another for power, influence and money
something razed (n):  to raze is to completely destroy
overdramatised (v):  when you dramatise something, you make reassuring (adj):  making you feel less concerned or worried
it seem more exciting, dangerous or important than it really is; recall capacity (n):  in this case, your recall capacity is your abil-
something is overdramatised if too much dramatising has oc- ity to bring a memory of a past event back into your mind; to recall
curred is to bring a memory back into your mind
overwhelming (adj):  difficult to deal or cope with recollection (n):  the ability to remember things
palpable (adj):  so obvious that it can easily be recognised, seen redundancy (n):  a situation in which someone loses their job be-
or known cause their employer no longer needs them
part and parcel (id):  if you say that something is part and parcel rehearse (v):  to practise in order to prepare for a public perfor-
of something else, you mean that it is always an unavoidable fea- mance
ture of that something else reinvent (v):  to reinvent is to produce something new based on
perspire (v):  sweat; pass liquid through the skin something which already exists
phenomenon (n):  something that exists and can be seen, felt, remoteness (n):  the fact of being a long way from any towns,
tasted, etc., especially something unusual or interesting cities or built-up areas
pierced (v):  to pierce is to go into or through something, making resemblance (n):  the fact that two people or things look like each
a hole in it using a tool with a sharp point other or are similar in some other way
pitifully (adv):  pathetically; in this sense, too easily and without resent (v):  to resent is to feel angry because you have been
putting up a fight forced to accept something or someone that you did not like
pivotal (adj):  central and very important resolve (n):  strong determination
plains (n):  a plain is a large area of flat land resurrected (v):  to resurrect is to bring back to life or back into
plumes (n):  a plume of smoke is a tall, thin mass of smoke rising existence
up into the air retain (v):  in this sense, keep stored in your memory
poles apart (id):  completely opposite retreat (n):  to retreat is to go away from a place or person in
polled (v):  if you poll someone, you ask for their opinion as part order to escape something
of a general study revolutionary (adj):  completely new and having a very positive
possessed (adj):  in a wild and uncontrolled way effect
possessed (v):  if you are possessed of some quality, you have rewire (n):  to put a new system into effect
that quality rewiring (n):  in this case, the process of changing the way the
post (n):  role or position brain operates or functions
post-haste (adv):  as fast as possible ridge (n):  a high, long, narrow edge along a mountain
practise (v):  if you practise law, you work as a lawyer; to do some ridiculousness (n):  stupidity; silliness
form of important skilled work which requires a lot of training robust (adj):  strong and healthy
precipitation (n):  water that falls from clouds to the ground, e.g. roughly (adv):  approximately; about; around
rain, snow, sleet or hail rousing (adj):  making people feel excited and ready to take ac-
preconceptions (n):  a preconception is an idea or opinion formed tion
before enough information or facts are available to form it correctly rudimentary (n):  simple or basic
predators (n):  animals that hunt, kill and eat other animals rumbled (v):  to rumble is to make a continuous low sound
prevail (v):  to prevail is to get control or influence savvy (adj):  knowledgeable, skilled and able
prevalence (n):  the fact of something existing or occurring often scale (n):  size
prevalent (adj):  existing very commonly or happening often scattered (adj):  covering or spread out across a wide area
prey (n):  an animal that is hunted and killed for food by another scavengers (n):  a scavenger is a bird or animal that feeds on
animal is that other animal’s prey dead animals which it has not killed itself
pride (n):  a pride of lions is a family or group of lions sceptical (adj):  doubting that something is true or useful
primeval (adj):  ancient; existing from a very early point in time seismic (adj):  related to or caused by an earthquake
pristine (adj):  in very good condition seldom (adv):  rarely; almost never
profoundly (adv):  deeply; extremely semblance (n):  in this case, evidence or remains
promote (v):  encourage sensory (adj):  of or related to the senses, i.e. smell, taste, hear-
prospectus (n):  a document giving details on the activities of a ing, sight, touch

23
 Glossary

set anyone’s head turning (id):  if you set someone’s head turn- thundered (v):  to thunder is to shout angrily or speak in a very
ing, you cause them to take notice of or pay attention to you; you loud voice
impress them tiresome (adj):  annoying and causing you to lose patience
sharpen (v):  if you sharpen your memory, you improve it traverse (v):  to traverse is to move or travel through an area
sheer (adj):  used to emphasise how great, important or powerful treadmill (n):  an exercise machine for running on
a feeling is; total trends (n):  patterns; a trend is a general development or change
shielded from (phr v):  protected from in a situation or in the way that people are behaving
silhouette (n):  a dark shape seen against a light surface trigger (v):  start, set off or cause
sincerity (n):  honesty turbulence (n):  sudden, strong movements within air or water
sinew (n):  a strong piece of tissue in the body connecting muscle undertone (n):  a particular but not obvious characteristic that a
to bone piece of writing, film, speech, event, or situation, etc. has
slab avalanche (n):  a slab avalanche occurs when a huge block of underwhelmed (adj):  feeling no excitement about or admiration
snow separates and falls down the mountainside for
slope (n):  the side of a hill or mountain undisputed (adj):  if you say something is undisputed, you mean
sloppy (adj):  not taking care or making enough effort that everyone agrees about it
snowslips (n):  another word for avalanches unique (adj):  unusual or special in some way, or the only one of
solitary (adj):  a solitary leopard is the only leopard in a place its type
spawn (v):  to spawn is to produce eggs unleash (v):  to unleash is to suddenly release a violent force that
spectrum disorder (n):  a spectrum is a range of different po- cannot be controlled
sitions between two extreme points; a spectrum disorder is an unorthodox (adj):  different from what is expected or usual
illness that can present in a range of different forms, from least unravelled (v):  fell apart; went wrong; started to be destroyed
severe to most severe unremarkable (adj):  ordinary and not interesting
speculate (v):  to guess possible answers or outcomes when you unscathed (adj):  without getting hurt; without injuries or damage
do not have enough information to know for sure being caused
spiritual (adj):  related to deep feelings and beliefs, especially urban sprawl (n):  the spread of a city into the surrounding area
religious ones utilisation (n):  the fact of using something in an effective way
spontaneous (adj):  happening in a natural and sudden way utilise (v):  to utilise is to use something in an effective way
spooked (v):  to spook is to frighten utterly (adv):  completely
spouse (n):  husband or wife vanished (v):  disappeared
stable (adj):  not likely to move or change veins (n):  tubes that carry blood to the heart
stalking (v):  to stalk an animal is to follow it closely without being ventured (v):  to venture is to risk going somewhere or doing
seen or heard, usually in order to try to catch or kill it something that might be dangerous or unpleasant
stare (n):  a long look with the eyes wide open verdict (n):  an opinion or decision made after judging the facts
statistical (adj):  related to statistics (statistics are numerical that are given, especially one made at the end of a trial
facts) veritable (adj):  used to describe something as another, more ex-
stealth (n):  very quiet and careful movement (so as not to be citing, interesting, or unusual thing, as a way of emphasizing its
seen or heard) character
stimuli (n):  a stimulus is a thing that causes certain activity or vested interests (id):  a vested interest is a strong personal inter-
energy in someone est in something because you could get an advantage from that
stretch (n):  a continuous area of land or water thing
stretches (v):  to stretch is to spread over a large area or distance viable (adj):  able to succeed or work as intended
striking (adj):  very unusual or easily noticed, and so attracting a virtually (adv):  almost
lot of attention vital (adj):  necessary for the success or continued existence of
strings (n):  a series of related things or events something
strongholds (n):  in this sense, a stronghold is a place where the vulnerability (n):  weakness
species is successful and there is a relatively large number of the warriors (n):  a warrior is a soldier, usually one with skill and ex-
species there perience from fighting in the past
struggle (n):  a struggle is a very difficult task that you can only wary (adj):  not completely trusting or certain; cautious
do through great effort wasteland (n):  an area of land near a city that is not used to grow
summits (n):  mountain tops crops on and is not built on - is not used in any way
superficial (adj):  on the surface only weary (adj):  very tired
superficially (adv):  on the surface only whisker away (id):  if something is a whisker away, it is very close
superior (adj):  better than other things of the same type; better whispering (v):  to whisper is to speak very quietly using the
than average breath not the voice, so that only the person(s) closest to you can
sustained (v):  to sustain is to cause or allow something to con- hear
tinue for a period wily (adj):  intelligent, having a very good understanding of situ-
tangibly (adv):  in a real, noticeable way ations, possibilities, and people, and often willing to use tricks to
tell-tale (adj):  unmistakeable; revealing achieve a goal
tepid (adj):  not very warm wimpishness (n):  cowardice; the fact of lacking bravery, strength
terrain (n):  an area of land, when considering its natural features or confidence
thawing (adj):  changing from a solid, frozen state to a liquid or wired (v):  how your brain is wired is how your brain functions
soft one withdrawal (n):  behaviour by which a person prefers to be on
their own and does not want to talk with other people

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 Glossary

wrath (n):  extreme anger backing (n):  if you have someone’s backing, you have their sup-
wreaking (v):  to wreak is to cause something to happen in a vio- port
lent and uncontrolled way battling (adj):  if someone has battling qualities, they never give
wreaking havok (id):  to cause confusion and disorder, especially up or stop trying; they keep fighting for the result they want
causing damage or trouble beset (v):  to be beset by something is to be having a lot of trouble
younglings (n):  children with that something
betraying (v):  to betray a promise or mantra is to not do what
Glossary  |  Test 5 was promised or not keep to the mantra
blossom (v):  develop and become stronger
abundance (n):  if you have something in abundance, you have
more than enough of that thing bookmakers (n):  people who accept bets on events, and who pay
out money risked on a particular result, if that result happens
abyss (n):  a very deep hole that seems to have no bottom and
go on forever bracket (n):  a group with fixed upper and lower limits
acclaimed (adj):  publicly approved or praised break-neck speed (id):  incredibly fast
accomplishment (n):  achievement; something that is successful, breeder (n):  a dog breeder is a person who breeds dogs (to breed
or that is achieved after a lot of work or effort dogs is to keep dogs for the purpose of producing more, usually
to sell on for money)
adaptable (adj):  able or prepared to change in order to suit dif-
ferent conditions bridges the … gulf (id):  if something bridges the gulf or gap be-
tween two things, it helps to bring or link those two things closer
addictive (adj):  an addictive activity is one that you can’t stop
together
doing once you’ve started it
broadcast (v):  send out a message publicly
adhere to (v):  if you adhere to something, you continue to obey
or believe in that something busted (v):  to bust a myth is to prove that it is false
adjust (v):  to adjust is to change something slightly, especially to by default (id):  in this sense, naturally or by design
make it more correct, effective or suitable calling for his head (id):  if you are calling for someone’s head,
adolescents (n):  young people who are developing into adults you want them to be forcibly removed from their position
affirmative (adj):  the evidence in the affirmative is the evidence captured (v):  if you capture the imagination of people, they are
confirming something; the supporting evidence very interested in or excited about you or what you do
affirmatively (adv):  positively; ‘yes’ cast off (phr v):  in this sense, cast off into the abyss of the lower
leagues means abandoned to face life in the lower leagues or divi-
affirmative (n):  if something is in the affirmative, it is positive,
sions
shows agreement or means ‘yes’
cautious (adj):  acts in a very careful and considered way, often
aforementioned (adj):  mentioned already
slowly and uncertainly
agent (n):  a person or thing that produces a specific effect or
caveat (n):  a statement that limits another more general state-
change
ment
aggressive (adj):  acting in an angry or violent way towards an-
cementing (v):  if you cement your first-team place, you secure it
other person
and make it yours in a more permanent way
ailment (n):  illness
chemistry (n):  a quality that exists where two people are attract-
allegedly (adv):  if something is said allegedly, it is said without ed to one another or naturally understand one another very well
giving or having proof
cherish (v):  love, protect and care for something or someone that
altitude (n):  height above sea level means a lot to you
ambitious (adj):  needing a great amount of skill or effort to be cinematography (n):  the art and methods of film photography
achieved
circuitously (adv):  in a way that is not straight or direct
articulate (v):  to articulate is to express in words
cite (v):  to cite is to mention something as proof for a theory or
artificial (adj):  if you say a thing is artificial, you mean it is a as a reason for why things happened
man-made copy of something natural
colony (n):  a group of animals, insects or plants of the same type
artificially (adv):  if something happens artificially, it does not that live together
happen in a natural way
coming of age (id):  someone’s coming of age is the time when
aspirations (n):  an aspiration is something that you hope to they become an adult
achieve
commitment (n):  a willingness to give your time and energy to
assertion (n):  claim; a statement which you strongly believe is do something that you believe in
true
commotion (n):  a sudden, short period of noise, excitement,
assets (n):  an asset is a useful or valuable quality movement or confusion
astronomy (n):  the scientific study of the universe and of objects compensate for (phr v):  to compensate for is to provide some-
that exist naturally in space, such as the moon, the sun, planets, thing good or useful in place of something else
and stars
competence (n):  the ability to do something well
astrophysicist (n):  a person who studies the behaviour of the
competent (adj):  able to do something well
stars and other objects in space
complementary (adj):  useful together
authority (n):  people with power to make decisions or make peo-
ple obey certain rules are authority figures complimentary (adj):  praising or expressing admiration
auxiliary (adj):  additional/supplementary/reserve conceal (v):  hide; prevent something from being seen or from be-
ing known about
awe-inspiring (adj):  causing you to feel great respect or admira-
tion concord (n):  agreement (agreement and peace between coun-
tries or people)
awful (adj):  an awful lot of something is a very large amount of
that thing conflicting (v):  if two different beliefs, facts or opinions conflict,
they are very different from one another

25
 Glossary

confrontational (adj):  causing or involving angry disagreement down-lighting (n):  street lighting that points downward so as not
consumer advice bureau (n):  this is a public service offering to produce much light pollution
help and advice to people who buy goods and services dual (adj):  double
contenders (n):  a contender is someone who competes with eclipsed by (phr v):  if something is eclipsed by something else,
other people in order to try to win the something else becomes much more important, good, suc-
convert (n):  to cause to change in form or character cessful, etc.
conveys (v):  to convey is to express a thought, feeling or idea in elaborate (adj):  containing a lot of detail, or with many detailed
a way that other people can understand parts
correlate (v):  if two or more facts, numbers, opinions, etc. cor- embodied (v):  to embody an idea or quality is to represent it very
relate, there is a link or relationship between them accurately
coy (adj):  deliberately keeping something secret embraced (v):  to embrace is to accept enthusiastically
critters (n):  creatures empathic (adj):  able to understand or share someone’s feelings
crown (n):  in this sense, the crown is the prize or the trophy or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in their
situation
cultivated (v):  to cultivate is to try to develop or improve
empathy (n):  the ability to understand or share someone’s feel-
curious mind (id):  a person has a curious mind if they like to learn
ings or experiences by imaging what it would be like to be in their
more about things in general and tend to ask a lot of questions
situation
cursory (adj):  quick and usually not detailed
employed (v):  to employ is to use
daunting (adj):  challenging; making you feel slightly worried or
endured (v):  to endure is to suffer something difficult, unpleasant
frightened of your ability to achieve something
or painful
debating (v):  if you debate something, you have a formal discus-
engagement (adj):  an engagement is a formal agreement to
sion about it in which both sides of the argument are heard
marry someone; an engagement gift is a gift to celebrate a cou-
demotion (n):  in football, a move to a lower division or league ple’s engagement
densely (adv):  with a lot of things close together engagement (n):  the act of being or getting involved with some-
density (n):  the number of people or things in a place when com- one or some thing
pared with the size of the place engaging (adj):  pleasant, attractive and charming
depict (v):  to depict is to represent or show something in a pic- engaging (v):  to engage is to become involved with or have con-
ture or story tact with someone or something
depiction (n):  how something is represented or shown enhanced (v):  to enhance is to improve in quality, amount or
depleted (adj):  reduced strength
deposit (n):  an amount of money you pay as the first part of the enlightening (adj):  giving you more information and understand-
total payment for something ing of something
despaired (v):  to despair is to feel hopeless and to feel that there enriched (v):  to enrich is to improve the quality of something by
is nothing you can do to improve a difficult or worrying situation adding something else
despondent (n):  very unhappy with no hope or enthusiasm enrolled (v):  to enrol is to put yourself or someone else onto the
determined (adj):  wanting to do something very much and not official list of members of a course, college, or group
allowing any person or any challenge/difficulty to stop you enrolling (v):  to enrol is to put yourself or someone else onto the
detrimental (adj):  causing harm or damage official list of members of a course, college, or group
devastating (adj):  causing a lot of damage or destruction epic (adj):  extremely large or good
dialogue (n):  conversation ethnic (adj):  relating to a specific race of people
dim (adj):  not bright; not giving or having much light evocative (adj):  making you remember or imagine something
discordant (adj):  not being in agreement evolve (v):  to evolve is to develop gradually over time
discounting (v):  not considering; not including excel (v):  to excel at something is to be extremely good at that
discrimination (n):  treating a person or particular group of peo- thing
ple differently, especially in a worse way to how you treat other exception (n):  somebody or something that is not included in a
people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc. rule, group, or list or that does not behave in the expected way
disobeying (v):  to disobey is to refuse to do something you are exhibit (v):  show
told to do exploit (v):  take advantage of
disperse (v):  to disperse is to spread across or move away over expression (n):  the act of saying what you think or showing how
a large area, or to make something do this you feel in some way through words, art or actions
disposition (n):  the specific type of character a person has external (adj):  coming from outside; in this case, an external
dispute (n):  argument or disagreement agent is something outside of the patient’s own body, e.g. their art
disputing (v):  if you dispute something, you disagree with that externalised (v):  to externalise is to openly express feelings, es-
something and argue over it pecially bad feelings like anger
disseminate (v):  to spread or give out something, especially externalising (v):  to externalise is to openly express feelings, es-
news, ideas or information pecially bad feelings like anger
disturbed (adj):  not thinking or behaving normally due to emo- façade (n):  the front of a building, especially of a large or attrac-
tional or mental problems tive building
diversity (n):  the fact of many different types of people being in- facilitates (v):  to facilitate is to make something easier or pos-
cluded in something sible
divulge (v):  to divulge something is to make that something faint (adj):  weak; not strong or clear
known, where before that something was secret fantastical (adj):  of or related to imaginary things; related to
docile (adj):  quiet and easy to influence, persuade, or control fantasy

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 Glossary

fascinating (adj):  extremely interesting take or use more than their share of the limelight
fickle (adj):  likely to change your feelings or opinions suddenly icebreaker (n):  an icebreaker is an action that makes people who
without any good reason don’t know each other more relaxed together
fighting chance (id):  a small but real possibility that something ice … broken (id):  when you break the ice, you make a person
can be achieved/done you have not met before feel more relaxed by your actions
fitting (adj):  suitable illegible (adj):  not readable
flat (adj):  if someone’s speech is described as flat, they speak in immense (adj):  extremely large in size or degree
the same dull tone in a way that is not enthusiastic impact (n):  the powerful effect something has on a person, peo-
flawed (adj):  not perfect; containing mistakes ple or situation
flexible (adj):  able to change or be changed easily according to impatience (n):  the feeling of being annoyed, either by some-
the situation one’s mistakes or because you have to wait
flora (n):  plants; all the plants of a particular place implorations (n):  an imploration is an act of asking someone to
fluent (adj):  if you are fluent in a language, you can speak it eas- do something in a very sincere, emotional and determined way
ily, well and quickly in existence (id):  if something is in existence, it exists
fluently (adv):  if you speak a language fluently, you speak it eas- inclination (n):  a feeling that you want to do a particular thing, or
ily, well and quickly the fact that you prefer or are more likely to do that thing
fork out (phr v):  pay an amount of money for (especially without inclined to (adj):  if you are inclined to do something, you are
wanting to) likely to or want to do it
formbook (n):  a competitor’s form is their ability to be success- indicative (v):  if something is indicative of something else, it is a
ful over a period of time; the formbook is a record of success over sign that that something else exists, is true or is likely to happen
a period of time suggesting which competitor or competitors are indigenous (adj):  native; naturally existing in a place or country
most likely to succeed in the next event rather than arriving from another place
frequency (n):  the number of times something happens within a inflated (v):  to inflate is to make something increase in size,
particular period amount, area or importance
frustration (n):  feeling annoyed or losing confidence because inhibitions (n):  feelings of embarrassment or worry that prevent
you cannot achieve what you want you from saying or doing what you want
fulsome (adj):  a fulsome life is a more full and rewarding life initiative (n):  a new plan or process to achieve something or
fundamentally (adv):  in a basic and important way solve a problem
galloping (v):  when a horse gallops, it runs very fast in such a innate (adj):  something you were born with, not something
way that all four feet are off the ground at the same time; when a learned
rider gallops, they ride a horse that is doing this insatiable (adj):  too great to be satisfied
galvanised (v):  to galvanise is to cause someone to suddenly insight (n):  a clear, deep and sometimes sudden understanding
take actions, especially by shocking or exciting them of a complicated problem or situation
gave rise to (phr v):  to give rise to is to cause instil (v):  to instil is to put a feeling, idea or principle slowly into
generate (v):  to generate revenue is to produce revenue someone’s mind, so that it has a strong influence on the way that
generous (adj):  larger than normal or than expected person thinks or behaves
glamorous (adj):  attractive in an exciting and special way instinctively (adv):  not thought about, planned or learned
graphology (n):  the study of the way people write letters and through training
words instrumental (adj):  the most important influence
grasp (v):  if you grasp a chance or opportunity, you take that interaction (n):  when two or more people communicate with one
chance or opportunity and make the most of it another or react to one another
greenery (n):  green plants internalise (v):  if you internalise your thoughts or feelings, you
guarded (adj):  careful not to show how you really feel or give too do not allow them to show even though you are thinking about
much away them
habitat (n):  the natural environment in which an animal or plant interpret (v):  to interpret is to decide what the intended meaning
species lives of something is
habitation (n):  in this sense, areas where humans live in large interpretations (n):  explanations or opinions about what some-
numbers thing means
hair-raising (adj):  very exciting, and often also frightening intimidating (adj):  something or someone is intimidating if they
make you feel frightened or nervous
hastily (adv):  too fast
intrusive (adj):  affecting someone in an annoying way that makes
having the last laugh (id):  to have the last laugh is to finally get
them feel uncomfortable; not respecting privacy
an advantage from an argument or disagreement, especially when
it appeared that you would not intuitive (adj):  based on feelings rather than facts or truth
heart-warming (adj):  causing feelings of pleasure and happiness invasive (adj):  moving into all areas of something and hard to
stop
heavyweight (n):  a heavyweight actor is a very famous actor
with significant power and influence inversion (n):  a phenomenon that produces low-lying cloud
hectic (adj):  full of activity or very busy and fast irrelevant (adj):  not related to what is being discussed or consid-
ered; not important to what is happening
hemisphere (n):  one of two halves of the earth, especially above
or below the equator irrespective (adv):  not needing to allow for; without considering
hindered (v):  to hinder is to limit the ability of someone to do irresponsible (adj):  not thinking enough or not worrying about
something, or to limit the development of something the possible results of what you do
hoggers of the limelight (id):  when you hog something, you irreversible (adj):  not possible to change; impossible to return to
take or use more than your share of it; hoggers of the limelight a previous condition

27
 Glossary

is up to her ears (id):  if someone is up to their ears in something, makes you successful and full of energy
they have a very large amount of that something to do momentum (n):  the force that keeps an object moving or an
isolated (adj):  not near to other places event developing after it has started
jot down (phr v):  write down monopolise (v):  to monopolise is to control something com-
justified (adj):  if you are justified in doing something, you have a pletely
good reason for doing that thing multitude (n):  a multitude of something is a large number of that
keep closer tabs (phr v):  to keep tabs on someone or something thing
is to watch that someone or something carefully mutual (adj):  the same
knuckle down (phr v):  to knuckle down is to start working hard myth (n):  a commonly believed but false notion or idea
or studying hard naked (adj):  if you feel naked, you feel like nothing is hidden; eve-
largescale (adj):  involving many people or things, or happening rything is on show for people to see
over a large/wide area native tongue (n):  the first language that you learn
leaky (adj):  if a team has a leaky defense, they let in a lot of goals; navigate (v):  to navigate is to direct the way of travel or the route;
the opposition tend to score a lot against them if you navigate through issues, you find a way of dealing with them
likelihood (n):  chance; possibility navigated (v):  to navigate is to direct the way of travel or the
limelight (n):  public attention and interest route; if you navigate through issues, you find a way of dealing
lingua franca (n):  the lingua franca is a language used for com- with them
munication between people or groups of people who speak differ- needy (adj):  wanting too much love or attention
ent languages neutral (adj):  neutral fans are fans who do not support either/any
linguists (n):  a linguist is someone who studies foreign languag- of the teams involved
es or can speak them very well neutralises (v):  to neutralise something is to stop that some-
literary (adj):  connected with literature (written artistic works) thing from having an effect
lofty (adj):  high; if you have lofty ambitions, your ambitions are no end in sight (id):  if there is no end in sight to something, that
very difficult or challenging and will require great effort or skill something looks set to continue for a very long time
loops (n):  the curved shape of certain letters in some people’s noteworthy (adj):  deserving attention because it is important or
handwriting interesting
lowlands (n):  lowlands are large areas of flat land that are at or notoriously (adv):  famously, in a bad way
not much higher than sea level; they are normally bordered by nudged out (phr v):  to nudge out is to push out or remove from
highlands, or mountainous areas obsession (n):  something or somebody you think about all the
lush (adj):  full of green, healthy plants, grass and trees time
maintenance (n):  you describe something as high maintenance if obstacle (n):  something which blocks you and prevents you from
it requires a lot of work moving forward or taking actions, or which makes moving forward
mantra (n):  a word or phrase that is often repeated which ex- or taking action more difficult
presses a strong belief or viewpoint odds-on (adj):  very probable; almost certain
means (n):  in this sense, money offerings (n):  things you give or offer to somebody or some
mechanism (n):  a way of doing something that is planned or part group, etc.
of a system optimise (v):  to optimise is to make something as good as pos-
mediocre (adj):  not very good; average at best sible; to make something the best it can be
medium (n):  a method or way of expressing something orchards (n):  land areas where fruit trees are grown
metaphorical (adj):  see metaphor outback (n):  the outback is the areas of Australia that are far
metaphorically (adv):  using the language of metaphors, where away from towns and cities
a metaphor is an expression that describes a person or object by outlook (n):  the likely future situation
referring to something else that has similar characteristics to that outlying (adj):  far away from built up areas like towns and cities;
person or object far from the centre of a place
metaphors (n):  a metaphor is an expression that describes a outspoken (adj):  expressing strong views in a direct way without
person or object by referring to something else that has similar worrying if people are offended by this
characteristics to that person or object outstanding (adj):  very much better than what is normal or usual
meticulous (adj):  very careful with great attention to every detail overcome (v):  to overcome is to defeat or to succeed in dealing
mighty (adj):  very large, powerful or important with something
mind-set (n):  your mind-set is your attitudes and opinions which overwhelming (adj):  very great or very large and difficult to fight
result from past experience against
mingling (v):  to move around and talk to other people at a social pay dividends (id):  if something pays dividends, it rewards you
occasion financially or in some other way
miniscule (adj):  tiny; extremely small peacemaker (n):  a peacemaker is someone who tries to stop
miraculous (adj):  very effective, surprising or difficult to believe other people from arguing or fighting
misconception (n):  an idea that is wrong because it is based on pedigree (n):  a pure breed dog whose parents and relatives can
a failure to understand the situation be traced back to the same pure breed (type)
mistreatment (n):  the act of treating a person or animal badly, penned by (phr v):  written by
cruelly or unfairly pent-up (adj):  not allowed to be expressed or released
modest (adj):  not large in size or amount people-oriented (adj):  -oriented shows the direction in which
moisture (n):  a liquid such as water in the form of very small something is aimed; if you are people-oriented, you are a people
drops, either in the air, in a substance, or on a surface person
mojo (n):  a quality in you other people find appealing, one which perilous (adj):  very dangerous

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 Glossary

perpetrator (n):  a perpetrator is a person who has committed a puts paid (phr v):  to put paid to something is to finish or destroy
crime or violent/harmful act that something
phenomenon (n):  a phenomenon is something that exists and qualification (n):  an extra piece of information that limits the ef-
can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially something unusual or in- fect of something that you say or write
teresting quarrelling (v):  to quarrel is to have an angry disagreement
pilgrimage (n):  a visit or journey to a place that is considered ranch hands (n):  a ranch is a large farm, and a ranch hand is a
special worker who does physical work on a large farm
plight (n):  an unpleasant condition or situation, especially a seri- ranks (n):  the members of a group or organisation
ous, sad or difficult one rarity (n):  the quality of being very unusual or uncommon
ploy (n):  something which is done or said in order to get an ad- ravaged (v):  to ravage is to cause great damage
vantage, often dishonestly raving (v):  to rave is to praise something very much
portray (v):  to portray is to represent or describe someone or read me like an open book (id):  if you read someone like an
something, usually in an artistic work such as a film, book or paint- open book, you can easily tell what they are thinking or feeling
ing
reasoned (v):  to reason is to make judgements based on practi-
pragmatic (adj):  someone who is pragmatic solves problems in cal facts or what is known
a sensible way based on the conditions that exist, not based on
rebellious (adj):  difficult to control because they do not behave
fixed rules or ideas
in the expected or correct way
precious (adj):  of great value because it is rare, expensive or im-
receptions (n):  the reception is the way people react to someone
portant
or something; for instance, how they react to the release of a new
prequels (n):  a prequel is a film, book or play that develops the book is their reception to the release of the new book
story of an earlier film, book or play, by telling you what happened
rechannelling (v):  to redirect something into a particular place
in part of the story before the earlier film, book or play
or position
prevailing winds (n):  winds that usually blow in a particular di-
reckless (adj):  doing something dangerous and not worrying
rection
about the risks or consequences
prime-time (adj):  the time when the largest number of people
reckoned on (phr v):  expected; predicted
are typically watching TV
recovery (n):  the process of getting well again after an injury or
probing (n):  the act of cautiously trying to get information from
illness
someone about a specific thing
relegation (n):  the act of moving a football or other team to a
probing (v):  to probe is to try to find out information other people
lower division or league
do not want you to know
remote (adj):  far away in distance from built-up areas
proceedings (n):  a series of events that occur in a planned and
controlled way render (v):  to render is to cause someone or something to be in
a particular state; to make into something
proclaiming (v):  to proclaim is to announce something publicly
or officially, particularly something positive reprise (v):  to reprise is to repeat
product (n):  the product of something is the result of that thing reputation (n):  the opinion which people in general have about
someone or something
progressively (adv):  gradually
reserved (adj):  a reserved person does not often show their feel-
prolific (adj):  producing a great number or amount of something
ings or express their thoughts
prominent (adj):  very well known and important
resilience (n):  the quality of being able to return quickly to good
prompt (v):  to prompt is to make something happen or to cause condition after experiencing difficulties or problems
something to happen
resistance (n):  the act of refusing to accept something, or of
propensity (n):  the fact that someone is likely to behave in a cer- fighting against something which is attacking you
tain way, usually a bad way
resolving (v):  to resolve is to solve or end a problem or difficulty
proportions (n):  in this sense, importance or seriousness
restriction (n):  a restriction is an official limit on something
proposal (n):  a marriage proposal is an offer of marriage; a sug-
revenue (n):  income that a company regularly receives
gestion to another to get married
revenue stream (n):  a revenue stream is a regular source of rev-
propose (v):  to propose is to ask someone to marry you
enue (income)
prospects (n):  chances
revolutionised (v):  to revolutionise is to completely change
prospered (v):  to prosper is to become successful something so that it is better
protagonist (n):  the or one of the main characters in a story rival (n):  a person or group competing for the same thing in the
protocol (n):  the system of rules and acceptable behaviour used same area
at special events and occasions; rules for how to behave in a given romanticism (n):  of or relating to romance and love
situation
roundabout way (id):  a roundabout way is not a simple, direct or
prowess (n):  great ability or skill quick way; an indirect way
pseudoscience (n):  a system of thought or a theory that is not salivating (adj):  becoming excited
formed in a scientific manner
scarcity (n):  a situation in which something is not easy to find
psychology (n):  the scientific study of how the human mind
or get
works and how it influences behaviour
sceptic (n):  a person who doubts the truth or value of an idea
pull at the heartstrings (id):  to pull at the heartstrings is to
or belief
cause strong feelings of love or sympathy
sceptical (adj):  doubting that something is useful or true
pursue (v):  to pursue is to try to discover information about a
subject scepticism (n):  the fact of doubting something is true or useful
pushy (adj):  behaving unpleasantly by trying to get someone to schizophrenia (n):  a serious mental illness in which a person
do something, or by trying too hard to get or achieve something cannot understand what is real and what is imaginary
you want

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 Glossary

scrutinise (v):  to scrutinise is to examine something very care- style over substance (id):  if you describe someone or some-
fully to find out information thing as style over substance, you mean they look good but they
scrutinised (v):  to scrutinise is to examine something very care- don’t get the right results or don’t have true value or usefulness
fully to find out information substitute (n):  a person or thing that is used instead of another
self-consciousness (n):  the state of being nervous or uncom- person or thing
fortable because you are worried about what people think about superficial (adj):  never thinking about things that are important
you or your actions or serious
sequels (n):  a sequel is a film, book or play that develops the superficially (adv):  on the surface only
story of an earlier film, book or play by telling you what happens supposed (adj):  claimed; used to show that you do not believe
next in the story that someone or something really is what a lot of other people
setbacks (n):  a setback is something that occurs which delays or think them to be
prevents a process from developing suspicious (adj):  feeling doubt or no trust
sheer (adj):  used to emphasize how very great, important, or swashbuckling (adj):  behaving in a brave and exciting way
powerful a quality or feeling is synchs (v):  in this sense, connects
shielded from (phr v):  to shield from is to protect from take … as gospel (id):  if you take something as gospel, you be-
shortcomings (n):  faults or flaws; a shortcoming is a failure to lieve it to be completely true without question
reach a particular standard temperament (n):  the part of your character that affects how you
slim (adj):  if there is a slim chance of something happening, the behave and your mood
chance of that thing happening is very low tension (n):  a feeling of nervousness before an important or dif-
slot (n):  a prime-time slot is a prime-time position in the TV ficult occasion/event
schedule (see prime-time) terminal (adj):  the terminal point is the end point
smothered (adj):  if someone feels smothered, they feel like they terminates (v):  ends, finishes or stops
are getting too much love and attention, and they do not feel in- terrain (n):  an area of land, when talking about its natural fea-
dependent or free tures
solitude (n):  the situation of being alone without other people the norm (id):  if something is the norm, it is normal or usual
soulmate (n):  someone with whom you have a very special rela- therapy (n):  a form of treatment that helps someone feel better
tionship with that you know very well and love very much or grow stronger
spare part (id):  if you feel like a spare part in a group, you feel thunderous (adj):  extremely loud or enthusiastic
that you are not a proper member of the group; you don’t fully fit
touche (exc):  used to admit that someone has made a good point
in with the group or serve a useful purpose
against you in a debate, argument or discussion
spiritual (adj):  relating to deep feelings and beliefs, particularly
treacherous (adj):  very dangerous
religious ones
trials (n):  tests or challenges
spontaneous (adj):  occurring, taking place or done in a natu-
ral, and usually sudden, way, without planning and without being tribulations (n):  problems or difficulties
forced tribute (n):  something that you say, write, do or give that shows
spring to mind (id):  if something springs to mind, you suddenly your respect and admiration for someone or something
think of it truce (n):  an agreement to stop fighting or arguing for a specific
spur (v):  to spur is to encourage an activity or development, or to period of time
make it happen faster true to its roots (id):  if something stays true to its roots, it stays
squad (n):  a football team’s squad is all the players involved in true to where it comes from or to what is originally was
training and playing for the football team unashamedly (adv):  without shame; without hiding behaviour or
stacked up (id):  if the odds are stacked up against you, it means opinions
that your chances of succeeding are very low undeniably (adv):  without question; definitely; certainly
stargazing (n):  the act of observing the stars in the sky underlying (adj):  real or actual, but not immediately obvious
steadfast (adj):  staying the same way for a long time and not unfolds (v):  if a story or situation unfolds, it develops and be-
changing quickly or unexpectedly comes clear
steepest (adj):  rising or falling at the sharpest angle universal (adj):  existing everywhere or involving everybody
stiffest (adj):  the stiffest challenge is the most difficult one unnerving (adj):  making less confident and slightly scared
stifled (v):  to stifle is to prevent something from happening or unprecendented (adj):  never having occurred or existed in the
continuing, or from being expressed past
stigma (n):  a strong feeling of disapproval which most people in a unpredictable (adj):  likely to change suddenly and without rea-
society have about something, especially when this is unfair son; therefore, not able to be predicted or relied on
stream (n):  see revenue stream unresolved (adj):  not solved or ended
stretch (n):  a continuous area of land or water unsupervised (adj):  if you are supervised, you are watched to
string of (id):  a string of good results is a series of good results make sure you are acting correctly; if you are unsupervised, this
in a row does not happen
struck (v):  to strike is to cause someone to have a feeling or idea unwittingly (adv):  without knowing or planning
about something, or to cause someone to suddenly think about upbeat (adj):  positive
something uphill (adj):  an uphill challenge is a very difficult challenge
stubborn (adj):  determined to do what you want and refusing to urbanisation (n):  the process by which more and more people
do anything else leave the countryside to live in cities, and by which cities grow as
stumbling blocks (n):  a stumbling block is a problem or obsta- a result
cle that must be overcome; something which prevents action or usurped (v):  to usurp is to take control of a position of power or
agreement influence or status

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 Glossary

utensil (n):  a utensil is a tool with a specific use, especially a armoury (n):  qualities that can be used to achieve a certain aim
kitchen or household tool at a premium (id):  for an amount that is more than you would
vain (adj):  too interested in your own appearance or achieve- usually pay
ments at his disposal (id):  able to be used by him
vantage points (n):  a place, especially a high place, that provides authentic (adj):  real
a good, clear view of an area awe (n):  if you are in awe of someone, you have great respect and
verified (v):  to verify is to prove that something exists or is true, admiration for that person
or to make sure that something is correct back up (phr v):  if you have to back up a performance, you have
vessel (n):  something or someone that has a particular quality or to provide evidence that the performance was not lucky by per-
that is used for a particular reason forming well again
vested (adj):  if you are vested in an issue, you have a particular ballads (n):  love songs
interest in that issue bated breath (id):  with bated breath means in an anxious, wor-
violence (n):  actions or words intended to hurt people ried or excited way
viral (adj):  something is viral if it quickly becomes very popular beavers (n):  a beaver is an animal with smooth fur, sharp teeth,
on the internet and a large, flat tail
vitality (n):  energy and strength for life betrayals (n):  a betrayal of your trust is a case of someone
vulnerable (adj):  able to be easily physically, mentally or emo- breaking their promise to you or not being loyal to you
tionally influenced, hurt or attacked betrayed (v):  if you are betrayed by someone, they break their
welfare (n):  in this case, physical health promise to you and are not loyal to you
well-adjusted (adj):  a person who acts reasonably with good big boys (n):  the big boys are the most important people in an
judgement is well-adjusted; their behaviour is not difficult or activity or area
strange billing (n):  information, especially about a performance, event or
wellbeing (n):  health; feeling healthy and happy something new
whereabouts (n):  your whereabouts is your current location blots (v):  if something blots something else, it spoils that some-
willed (v):  if you will something to happen, you try very hard to thing else or leaves a mark on it
make it happen by the power of your thoughts boom (n):  a boom in something is an increase in that thing
withdraw (v):  to take or move out or back; to withdraw from the bought into (phr v):  accepted and supported
limelight is to remove yourself from the limelight bracket (n):  a group with fixed upper and lower limits
wizardry (n):  the skills of a wizard, where a wizard is a man be- breath of fresh air (id):  something or someone that is new and
lieved to have magical powers different and makes everything seem more exciting
bribes (n):  money that you give to someone so that they will do
Glossary  |  Test 6 something for you
aboriginal (adj):  describes the first people of a country - the first brim-full (adj):  totally full
people to have existed there bursary (n):  an amount of money given to a person by a school,
absence (n):  the fact of not being where they are usually expect- university or organisation to pay for them to study
ed to be; the fact of not existing buzz (n):  atmosphere (a good atmosphere of excitement)
academia (n):  the part of society, especially universities, which is capacity (n):  the total amount that can be contained
connected to studying and thinking caption (n):  a short piece of text under a picture in a newspaper,
accolade (n):  praise and approval magazine or book
adventuresome (adj):  exciting; full of adventure casting my mind back (id):  trying to remember
affiliation (n):  connection catchy (adj):  pleasing and easy to remember
afforded (v):  granted or given caters (v):  if you cater to a group, you provide a service for or
affords (v):  grants, gives or offers serve that group
aficionados (n):  experts; people who are very interested in and cause for concern (id):  reason to worry
enthusiastic about a subject channel (v):  to channel something is to direct that something into
airtime (n):  in this sense, airtime is time or credit you buy to use a particular place or in a particular way
on your mobile phone chaotic (adj):  in a state of chaos (total confusion with no order)
alien (adj):  unfamiliar chatter (n):  in this sense, general talk and conversation in the
altitude (n):  height above sea level background
amassed (v):  collected over a long period coincided with (phr v):  to coincide with is to happen at or near
ancient (adj):  very old the same time as
anomaly (n):  something that is different from what is usual or commence (v):  start
what normally happens commendation (n):  praise
anthems (n):  a song that has special importance for a particular commensurate (adj):  in a correct and suitable amount compared
group of people to something else
anticipated (v):  to anticipate is to imagine or expect that some- commissioned (v):  to commission is to formally ask for a special
thing will happen piece of work to be done
anticipation (n):  the act of imagining or expecting that some- complex (adj):  involving a lot of different but related parts; com-
thing will happen plicated
aplenty (adj):  available in large amounts compositions (n):  pieces of writing
aplomb (adj):  confidence and style conceived (v):  to conceive is to invent a plan or idea
appetite (n):  the feeling of wanting or needing or desiring some- concept (n):  a principle or idea
thing

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 Glossary

conditioning work (n):  conditioning work is exercise that im- dying breed (id):  if you describe something as a dying breed, you
proves the physical condition of your body mean there are not many things like it around anymore
conducted (v):  performed or carried out edge (n):  a competitive edge is a competitive advantage
confidant (n):  a person you trust and share your feelings and elite (n):  the elite are the best
secrets with endangered (adj):  may soon not exist because there are so few
contemporary (adj):  modern; existing and happening now alive
contenders (n):  contenders are people, teams or groups that enriched (adj):  improved in quality because something else has
compete to try to win something; if you are an annual contender, been added to it
you have a good chance of winning every year entail (v):  involve
conundrum (n):  a problem that is difficult to deal with enthusiast (n):  a person who is very interested in something
conventions (n):  a convention is a usual or accepted way of be- entrepreneurs (n):  people who start up their own businesses
having environmentalists (n):  people who are interested in or who
convert (v):  to convert is to change in form or character study the environment and try to protect it, especially from dam-
conviction (n):  belief aging human activities
copycats (n):  a copycat does exactly the same thing as someone envisaged (v):  to envisage is to imagine or expect something in
else rather than use ideas of their own the future, particularly something good
corruption (n):  illegal, bad or dishonest behaviour envision (v):  to envision is to imagine or expect something that
cost-prohibitive (adj):  expensive is likely in the future
crafting (v):  to craft is to make or create in a skilled way eponymous (adj):  with the same name; in this case, Indie Fest is
crafty (adj):  clever for indie rock music
craved (v):  desired evades (v):  to evade is to avoid or escape from something
critically (adv):  in a way that is very bad or serious evasion (n):  tax evasion involves illegally avoiding paying tax
cultivated (v):  to cultivate is to develop or improve something evokes (v):  to evoke is to make someone feel an emotion
currency (n):  the money used in a particular country at a par- exceptional (adj):  much better or greater than usual
ticular time expedition (n):  an organised journey for a particular purpose
customary (adj):  usual or traditional exploit (v):  take advantage of
customs (n):  a custom is a way of behaving or a belief that has exploitation (n):  being taken advantage of
existed for a long time; traditions explosion (n):  a large increase in the number of something that
cut short (phr v):  stop something before it has finished happens very quickly
dam-building (n):  a dam is a wall of sticks and earth across a extinction (n):  a situation in which something no longer exists
river; dam-building is the activity of building such walls façade (n):  a false appearance
dawn (n):  the period of the day when the light from the sun begins facet (n):  aspect or part
to appear in the sky factored (v):  influenced; played a role
dearth (n):  an amount or supply that is not large enough fall flat (id):  if a performance falls flat, it is boring or dull and
decibel (n):  noise there is no atmosphere or excitement
deft eye (id):  if you have a deft eye, you are skilled at spotting fashion (v):  to fashion is to make something
something fathom (v):  understand
delved into (phr v):  to delve into is to examine something care- feat (n):  big achievement
fully in order to discover more information about it fire in our bellies (id):  if you have fire in your belly, you have a
detracted … from (phr v):  if something detracts from something lot of passion and determination to succeed
else, it takes away from or reduces or lessens the enjoyment or fizz (v):  in this sense, perform well and cause excitement
experience of that something else fledgling (adj):  new and without experience
devoted (v):  to devote is to give your time and effort completely
floating (v):  in this sense, there were nerves floating around
to something
amongst us means all of us were experiencing some nerves
devotees (n):  loyal fans; people who strongly admire something
fluency (n):  the ability to speak a language easily, well and quick-
dictate (v):  make necessary ly
diehard (adj):  diehard music fans are extremely loyal music fans folklore (n):  the traditional stories and culture of a group of peo-
differentiates (v):  to differentiate is to show or find the differ- ple
ence between two things footfall (n):  in this sense, people walking
discounting (n):  reductions in the usual price formula (n):  method; standard or accepted way of doing some-
dismiss (v):  decide that something is not worth considering thing
diversity (n):  the fact of having a range of different people from fossil (n):  the shape of a bone, a shell, or a plant or animal that
different backgrounds in your community has been preserved in rock for a very long period
dorms (n):  a dorm is a large room with many beds found out (phr v):  if someone or something is found out, it is
dotted (v):  spread across discovered that they have done something bad or wrong
drawing to a close (id):  if something is drawing to a close, it is frontline (n):  the frontline is the part of an army that is closest
coming to an end; ending or finishing to the enemy
drove (v):  to drive is to make something happen; to cause to hap- frowned upon (phr v):  strongly disapproved of
pen fusion (n):  fusion music combines two or more different genres
dulcet (adj):  soft and pleasant sounds of music, e.g. rock and RnB, together
dusk (n):  the time before night when the light is disappearing but futile (adj):  pointless; having no effect or achieving nothing
it is not yet fully dark garnered (v):  gathered or collected or received

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 Glossary

glamping (n):  glamorous camping - camping in comfort and intricate (adj):  complicated; having a lot of details and therefore
luxury difficult to understand
glance (n):  a quick, short look itineraries (n):  an itinerary is a detailed plan of a journey
granted (v):  to grant is to give or allow jack of all trades (id):  a jack of all trades is someone who can do
gratitude (n):  the feeling of being grateful or thankful many different tasks or jobs
guardianship (n):  the state and duty of being a guardian, which jump on the back of our success (id):  if you jump on the back of
is a person who has a legal right and responsibility to take care of someone’s success, you try to benefit from their success
another person keenly (adv):  competitively
guise (n):  appearance keeps the cogs turning (id):  to keep the cogs turning is to keep
gushing (adj):  expressing a positive feeling, especially praise something operating or running
hallowed turf (id):  hallowed means very respected because it is kit (n):  a set of things, such as tools or equipment, used for a
of great importance and turf refers to the ground; in other words, particular purpose or activity
the important football pitch inside Croke Park knack for (id):  talent for
hampered by (phr v):  to be hampered is to be prevented from lament (v):  regret
doing something easily; slowed down lamented (v):  to lament is to regret or express sadness and a
hands-on (adj):  if something is hands-on, you have to actually do feeling of sorrow about something
physical work or get involved physically last-minute-whim (adj):  a whim is a sudden wish or idea, so the
harassing (v):  to harass is to annoy or upset someone, usually last-minute-whim option is the choice you make at the last pos-
over a period of time sible moment
harassment (n):  behaviour that annoys or upsets someone let down (adj):  disappointed
hardcore (adj):  very loyal and dedicated light entertainment (id):  entertainment that is not serious and
harsh (adj):  unpleasant, cruel or severe involves activities such as singing, dancing or telling jokes
headbanger (n):  a person who moves their head up and down likewise (adv):  the same; similarly
rapidly when listening to hard rock or heavy metal music limitless (adj):  without limit
hectic (adj):  very busy and fast; full of activity line-up (n):  the groups that have been brought together to take
held down (phr v):  to hold down a job is to manage to keep a job part in an event
heritage (n):  culture and traditions lion’s share (id):  the lion’s share of something is the biggest
hindsight (n):  the ability to understand an event or situation only share of that thing
after it has already happened live up to (phr v):  to live up to something is to be as good as
hit it off (phr v):  to hit it off is to like someone and become something
friendly with them immediately look down on (phr v):  to look down on someone is to think you
homesickness (n):  the feeling of being lonely or unhappy be- are better than them
cause you are away from home for a long period lucrative (adj):  producing a lot of money
hormone (n):  a type of chemical made by living cells that influ- lure … back (phr v):  attract back
ences the development, growth, performance, etc. of the body mainstream (n):  considered normal, usual and conventional
hospitality (n):  the act of being friendly and welcoming to guests majoring (v):  to major is to study something as your main sub-
or visitors ject
humble (adj):  not special or very important or successful mammals (n):  a mammal is an animal of which the female feeds
hype (n):  a situation in which something is advertised or dis- her young with milk from her own body
cussed a lot in newspapers, magazines, etc. in order to attract manuscript (n):  the original copy of a book
people’s attention to it mask (n):  if you wear a public mask, you hide your true charac-
impacted (v):  had an influence on ter/personality and act differently in public
impractical (adj):  hard to do in reality mass (adj):  very large
impression (n):  an idea or opinion about what something or materialise (v):  to materialise is to come into being or come into
someone is like existence
in check (id):  if you keep costs in check, you keep control of costs meandering (adj):  moving slowly in no particular direction and
in the flesh (id):  in real life with no clear purpose, or a road or route that does this
incentives (n):  things that encourage a person to do something means (n):  money or wealth
inclusivity (n):  the quality of trying to include many different medium (n):  a method or way of expressing something
types of people and treat them all fairly and equally melange (n):  a mixture or group of different things or people
inconsiderable (n):  very small and unimportant or not worth merits (n):  if performers have very questionable merits for in-
considering clusion in the rock category, they probably don’t deserve to be
indefinite (adj):  without clear limits included in that category
indigenous (adj):  an indigenous sport of a country is a sport that microfinance (n):  the activity or business of providing financial
is native to or first began to be played in the country services to poor people or new businesses in poor countries
inject new life into (id):  if you inject new life into something, you migrated (v):  when an animal migrates, it travels to a different
greatly improve something that was old or getting old; to inject is place, usually when the season changes
to introduce something new modified (adj):  changed so that it can be used for a new or dif-
intently (adv):  in a way that shows great attention ferent purpose
interactive (adj):  designed to involve the user molecules (n):  a molecule is the simplest unit of a substance,
interfaces (n):  an interface is a connection between a person and usually a group of two or more atoms
a computer mull … over (phr v):  to mull something over is to think about it
carefully for a long time

33
 Glossary

multiple (adj):  very many pitch in (phr v):  contribute

mythical (adj):  existing only in stories pitched (v):  to pitch a tent is to erect or put up the tent
never looked back (id):  if you never look back, you do not regret pitched as (phr v):  in this sense, sold as or marketed as
doing something and continue to be successful after doing it pitching (v):  putting up; erecting
newcomers (n):  acts that have recently arrived on the music planted (v):  fixed or secured; put firmly and strongly in place
scene pleasurable (adj):  enjoyable
no-frills (adj):  providing only the very basic things plethora (n):  a very large amount of something
novelty (n):  something which is interesting because it is new and populous (adj):  a populous place has a lot of people living in it
unusual porters (n):  a porter is a person whose job is to carry things
oblivious (adj):  not aware of possessed (v):  to possess a quality is to have that quality
obsession (n):  something or someone you think about all the practicality (n):  the quality of being suitable for a particular use
time
precede (v):  to precede is to come before
oft-misty (adj):  oft- is a way of saying often, so oft-misty means
predators (n):  a predator is an animal that hunts, kills and eats
often misty, where mist is a thin fog produced by small water drop-
other animals
lets in the air
pre-ordained (adj):  intended or destined to happen
on my very doorstep (id):  very close to me
presence (n):  the fact that someone or something is in a place
on the line (id):  if something is on the line, it is at risk
pristine (adj):  in very good condition
opposition (n):  the team being played against in a competition
privilege (n):  an opportunity to do something special and enjoy-
order of the day (id):  if something is the order of the day, it is
able
very common or very important; in this case, very common
privileged (adj):  having an advantage because of your wealth,
orphans (n):  children whose parents are dead
status or position
out of this world (id):  extremely good
prizing (v):  using force to lift something off something else
outcasts (n):  outcasts have no place in their group or society be-
proceedings (n):  a series of events that happen in a planned and
cause their group or society refuses to accept them
controlled way; in this sense, the match or game
outnumber (v):  be greater in number than
procrastinate (v):  to procrastinate is to keep delaying
out-of-body experience (id):  an experience in which you feel
professorship (n):  the position of a professor in a university
like you have left your own body and you can see it from outside,
usually from above proficient (adj):  skilled and experienced
overgrazing (n):  grazing is feeding on grasses and other small profound (adj):  in an extreme way
plants; overgrazing is doing this too much such that the habitat is proliferate (v):  to suddenly increase a lot in number
damaged as a result promised land (n):  in this sense, the place you really want to get
overlanding (n):  travelling in a vehicle on land over large dis- to
tances pronounced (adj):  very noticeable
overriding (adj):  more important than anything else prompt (v):  to prompt is to make someone decide to do some-
owed to (phr v):  if you owe something to yourself, you need to thing
or deserve to do that something because it will be good for you pronunciation (n):  how words are said or spoken
paid dividends (id):  caused good results propose (v):  suggest
palaeontology (n):  the study of fossils as a way of getting infor- proposition (n):  an offer or suggestion
mation about the history of life on earth pry the two apart (phr v):  to pry apart is to move apart using
palpable (adj):  obvious effort
pandered to (phr v):  if you pander to someone, you do exactly punches far above its weight (id):  has more influence, power or
what they want, particularly when it is not reasonable, and usually success than it should given its limited resources
in order to get some sort of advantage from your actions purpose-built (adj):  designed or built for a specific use
par for the course (id):  normal or as you would expect quasi- (pref):  used to show that something is almost but not
partake (v):  take part; participate quite something else, e.g. a quasi-currency is like a currency in
passed away (phr v):  died ways but not quite an actual currency
payoff (n):  benefit or reward question … on everyone’s lips (id):  the question on everyone’s
pedigree (n):  if you have no pedigree in a sport, you have no his- lips is the question everyone is asking or discussing
tory of doing well in that sport racked up (phr v):  to rack up is to gradually get more of some-
perks (n):  an advantage or something extra you get for doing an thing
activity or job radical (adj):  very significant; extreme
personified (adj):  if you are something personified, you are a ranks (n):  the members of a group or organisation
perfect example of that thing rapidly (adv):  suddenly and quickly
perturb (v):  worry realms (n):  a realm is an area of interest or activity
petered out (phr v):  gradually stopped or disappeared rebrand (n):  a rebrand is a change in how a product is marketed
philosophy (n):  system or presented to the public
physiologically (adv):  relating to how the body works recollect (v):  to recollect is to remember something
physiology (n):  the way in which the body works recollection (n):  the ability to remember things
pick up (phr v):  if you pick up an injury, you get an injury recuperation (n):  to become well again and get your strength
pilots (v):  to pilot is to fly a plane or control a ship back after an illness
pinching ourselves (id):  if you are pinching yourself, it means redressed the balance (id):  if you redress the balance, you
you can barely believe what is happening make the situation fairer and more equal

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 Glossary

reinvent the wheel (id):  to reinvent the wheel is to waste time stabilising (v):  to stabilise is to become fixed and stop changing
trying to create something that somebody has already created stakes (n):  the stakes are the potential reward for the winner of
reinvigorated (adj):  heathier and more energetic; more full of life a match or competition
relented (v):  to relent to something is to allow that something stamp our mark on (id):  if you stamp your mark on something,
when you had previously refused to allow it you have a big impact or a big effect on that something
relentless (adj):  continuing in a severe or extreme way; continu- stand a chance (id):  if you don’t stand a chance of doing some-
ous thing, that means you have no chance of doing that thing
reluctantly (adv):  in a way that is slow because you are not really staunch (adj):  loyal
willing to do it steers (v):  to steer is to control the direction of a vehicle
remote (adj):  a long way from any built-up areas, such as towns stellar (adj):  of an extremely high standard; impressive
and cities stemmed from (phr v):  to stem from is to start or develop as a
repertoire (n):  all the music that a band can perform or that a result of; to result from
band knows stimulating (adj):  interesting with lots of exciting things happen-
replicate (v):  copy; do something again in exactly the same way ing
repress (v):  to repress is to not allow something to be expressed string (n):  a series of related things
reputation (n):  the opinion that people in general have about subsequent (adj):  following; happening after something else
something or someone substitute (n):  a thing used instead of another thing
re-sits (n):  exams you have to sit or take again because you suffocating (adj):  preventing you from improving or developing
failed the first time in a positive way
resolve (n):  strong determination surrender (v):  in this sense, lose
revelation (n):  an extremely pleasant surprise sustainable development (n):  economic development that is
rival (adj):  competing carried out without damaging natural resources permanently
romanticism (n):  things that seem exciting and mysterious swear off (phr v):  to swear off is to make a decision to stop do-
roots (n):  family origins; family background ing, using or being involved with something harmful
roughly (adv):  approximately swell (n):  the slow upward and downward movement of the sea
roused (v):  to rouse is to make more active and excited with large, smooth waves
ruins (adj):  the remains or broken parts that are left of old build- tackle (v):  deal with
ings tackling (v):  to tackle is to try to deal with
scarcity (n):  rarity; a situation in which something is not easy to tag (n):  label; a word or phrase used to describe the characteris-
get or find tics of something
scars (n):  a scar is a sign of damage to a person’s mental state tailored to (phr v):  designed specially to
scenic (adj):  having beautiful natural features tailor-made (adj):  specially made for a particular purpose
sceptical (adj):  doubting that something is useful or true take note (phr v):  if you take note of something, you notice or
scholarship (n):  an amount of money given by a school or univer- pay attention to it; if you stand up and take note of something, you
sity to pay for the studies of a gifted student who does not have give that something a lot of attention where you didn’t give it very
much money much before
scooting (v):  to scoot is to go quickly take the punt (id):  if you take the punt, you take a risk on some-
scoured (v):  searched very carefully thing
self-preservation (n):  behaviour based on the idea that you taken … by storm (id):  if you take somewhere by storm, you
need to protect yourself from harm become really successful there or make a very positive impres-
sion there
sell out (phr v):  if you sell out to big business, you forget about
your traditional values and do whatever makes the most money taken under the wing (id):  if you take someone under your wing,
you start to protect and take care of them
senior (adj):  senior level in the sport of hurling is adult level; the
senior game is the game played by adults target readership (n):  the particular group of readers who your
book is aimed at
sentimental (adj):  strongly influenced by emotional feelings
tarnished (adj):  damaged
sequel (n):  a book, play or film that continues the story of a previ-
ous book, play or film terrain (n):  an area of land, when considering its natural features
serenading (v):  to serenade is to sing in order to impress or ex- the lengths we go to (id):  the lengths you go to are the level or
cite someone amount of effort you put in to achieve something
set our sights (id):  if you set your sights on something, you aim throw the spotlight on (id):  if you put/throw/turn the spotlight
for that something; you make that something your goal onto something, you put the attention or focus on that thing
set up residence (id):  if you set up residence somewhere, you ticks all the right boxes (id):  if something ticks all the right box-
move into and live there es, it is exactly what you want or are looking for
shifts (v):  if something shifts something else, it causes that tide (n):  the rise and fall of the sea that happens twice daily
something else to move or change position titillate (v):  to titillate is to make excited
showcase (v):  to showcase is to show the best qualities or parts tones (n):  the quality of someone’s voice
skirts (v):  to skirt is to go around the edge of torrent (n):  a sudden large or too large amount of something,
slant (n):  a particular way of looking at or showing something; especially something that is uncontrolled
informally, your slant on something is your angle on or opinion trackable (adj):  able to find the source or follow back to the
of that thing source
squeeze every last penny (id):  if you squeeze every last penny tracked (v):  to track is to record the progress or development of
from someone, you get as much money as possible from them something over a period

35
 Glossary

trade-off (n):  a situation in which you accept something bad in advocate (n):  supporter
order to have something good afforded (v):  given
trailing (adj):  if you leave your competition trailing, you leave agenda (n):  an aim or reason for doing something
them behind so that they are losing; you are more successful than aggrieved (v):  unhappy and angry because of unfair treatment
they are aimlessly (adv):  without any specific purpose
transition (n):  a change from one form or type to another aloft (adv):  in a high position in the air
translates into (phr v):  in this sense, results in or causes ambience (n):  atmosphere; the character of a place
tried and tested (id):  used many times before and proven to be amicable (adj):  pleasant and friendly
successful
amid (prep):  in the middle of; surrounded by
triggered (v):  caused to start
anticipation (n):  a feeling of excitement about something that is
triggers (v):  to trigger is to cause something to start going to happen in the near future
turnaround (n):  a change from one thing to its opposite; reversal apartheid (n):  a political system in which people of different
turned their backs on (id):  if you turn your back on something, races are separated
you stop supporting or being involved in that something applause (n):  the sound of people clapping their hands to show
underage (adj):  underage hurling is hurling for the different age approval
groups below senior (adult) level; apportioned (v):  to apportion is to give or share something out
underdog (n):  an underdog in a competition is a person or team apprehensive (adj):  worried or nervous about something that is
considered very unlikely to win going to happen
undertaking (n):  a job, challenge or piece of work arias (n):  an aria is a piece of music in an opera sung by one per-
unearthing (v):  finding; uncovering son
unfeasible (adj):  not able to be done or achieved armoury (n):  the things or qualities that can be used to achieve
unheralded (adj):  undiscovered; unfamiliar; unknown a particular aim
unravel (v):  in this sense, separate herself from aroused (v):  to arouse is to cause someone to have a particular
unrivalled (adj):  without equal; better than any other of the same feeling
type assault (n):  violent attack
uptake (n):  in this sense, the rate of purchase assertion (n):  a statement or claim that you strongly believe is
utopia (n):  paradise true
utterly (adv):  completely at home (id):  if you are or feel at home, you feel comfortable
vanishing (v):  disappearing and relaxed
vanquished from (phr v):  in this sense, overcome and removed atomic (adj):  in this sense, very great (just like the force of an
from atomic bomb)
vantage point (n):  a place, especially a high one, which provides attributed (v):  to attribute is to say or think that something is the
a good and clear view result or work of something or someone else
vehicular (adj):  of or relating to vehicles (cars, buses, etc.) avenues (n):  methods or ways of doing something
veritable (adj):  literal or actual awe-inspiring (adj):  causing you to feel great respect or admira-
veteran (adj):  very experienced tion
vouch for (phr v):  in this sense, confirm or say that something beacon (n):  in this sense, a sign or signal
is true bemusement (n):  the state of being slightly confused
vulnerable (adj):  if you are vulnerable to something, you are not bereft of (adj):  not having something or feeling a great loss
protected from it beset (adj):  having to deal with a lot of something that causes
waited on hand and foot (id):  if someone is waited on hand and problems
foot, they are served and treated very well, as if they are special, bested (v):  defeated
and everything is done for them betrayed (v):  to betray is to show something without meaning to
wave (n):  a larger than usual number bewilderment (n):  the state of being very confused
wealth (n):  a large amount of something good blaring (v):  making an unpleasantly loud noise
wear off (phr v):  to wear off is to gradually disappear or stop blips (n):  a blip is a temporary change that does not have any
taking effect special or permanent meaning
white lie (id):  a lie that is told in order to be polite or to prevent blow (n):  a hard hit with the hand, a weapon or a piece of equip-
someone from being upset by the truth ment
without fail (id):  always bore a striking resemblance (id):  if you bear a resemblance to
would-be (adj):  wanting or trying to be somebody, you look like that person; if you bear a striking resem-
write it off (phr v):  dismiss; decide that something is not impor- blance to somebody, you look very like that person
tant or worth considering boundary (n):  the line that marks the edge
break out (phr v):  escape
Glossary  |  Test 7 brimming with (phr v):  full of
abyss (n):  a very deep hole that seems to have no bottom bucks this trend (id):  to buck a trend is to be obviously different
ace (n):  an ace in tennis is an unreturnable serve to the way something is generally developing
actualise (v):  to make something that could possibly happen ac- buddies (n):  friends
tually occur budget (n):  in this sense, how much money there is to spend
adoring (adj):  showing very strong love or affection for someone bundle (n):  in this sense, when you describe a person as a bundle
adoringly (adv):  showing very strong love or affection of joy, you mean they are full of joy
adorn (v):  decorate calibre (n):  quality

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 Glossary

capital (n):  resources dispensed with (phr v):  to dispense with something is to get rid
capitulation (n):  in this sense, accepting defeat without putting of that something or, in this sense, get that something over with
up a good fight or defense and finished
capped (v):  to cap in this sense is to finish off in a good way distinction (n):  the difference between two similar things
captive (adj):  kept in a closed space and not allowed to move diversity (n):  the range of different people
about freely divulged (v):  to divulge is to make something secret known
caress (v):  touch in a gentle and loving way domain (n):  an area over which a person or group has control
caught my eye (id):  got my attention dotted (v):  spread across an area
celestial (adj):  of or relating to the skies double-bagel (adj):  a double bagel in tennis is when one player
charitable (adj):  giving money, food or help for free to those in wins no games at all and loses the match in two straight sets, so
need the score is 6-0, 6-0
cited (v):  to cite is to mention something as a reason for why draped (v):  to drape is to put something such as a piece of cloth
something else happens loosely over something else
clasping (v):  holding tightly dubious (adj):  doubtful; not to be trusted
comeback (n):  a comeback is an attempt to win from a losing dwell on (phr v):  to dwell on something is to keep thinking about
position; a successful comeback is a win from a losing position or talking about that something
commotion (n):  a sudden, short period of noise, confusion, or eager (adj):  enthusiastic; wanting very much to do or have some-
excited movement thing, particularly something interesting or enjoyable
commute (n):  a regular journey between work and home elite (adj):  most successful and best
complexity (n):  the state of having many parts and being difficult elusive (adj):  difficult to find, catch or achieve
to understand embark (v):  to embark on something is to start something new
compound (v):  make worse or exciting
compulsory (adj):  if something is compulsory, it must be done embraced (v):  to embrace is to hold someone tightly with both
conducive (adj):  providing the right conditions for something arms
good to happen or exist employed (v):  used
constructively (adv):  in a useful or productive way intended to empowerment (n):  the process of gaining freedom and power to
help or improve do what you want or to control what happens to you
contrarily (adv):  on the other hand; on the contrary endeavour (n):  the attempt to do something
controversial (adj):  causing disagreement, debate and discus- endorse (v):  approve in a public way
sion endured (v):  to endure is to suffer something difficult, unpleasant
convert (v):  change in form and character or painful
convey (v):  to convey is to express a thought, feeling, or idea so engrossed (v):  if you are engrossed in something, you are so in-
that it is understood by other people terested in it that you give it your full attention
counterintuitively (adv):  not happening in the way you would enraptured (adj):  filled with great pleasure and excitement
expect entrusted (v):  to entrust is to give someone a thing or duty for
counterproductive (adj):  having the opposite effect to the one which they are responsible
that is wanted or intended envisioned (v):  to envision is to imagine or expect that some-
credit (n):  praise thing is a likely or desirable possibility in the future
crescendo (n):  increase in danger, excitement or action equality (n):  the right of different groups of people to have a
crown (n):  victory in a sports competition similar social position and receive the same treatment
cruelly (adv):  in an extremely unkind way, causing pain equitability (n):  the quality of being fair to everyone
daunting (adj):  making you worried about your ability to achieve equitable (adj):  fair to everyone of all groups
something esteem (n):  if you hold someone in high esteem, you respect
deadline (n):  a time or day by which something must be com- them and have a high opinion of them
pleted ethnic (adj):  relating to a specific race of people
deaf (adj):  not able to hear evaporated (v):  in this sense, vanished or disappeared
deceptive (adj):  making you believe something that is not true exclusive (adj):  limited to only one person or to one group of
decider (n):  if a tennis match goes to a decider, it goes into a last/ people
final set where the winner of that set will win the match execution (n):  the legal punishment of killing a person
defaults (v):  if you default on a loan or mortgage, you fail to exemplify (v):  to exemplify is to be or give a typical example of
make the repayments something
delusion (n):  belief in something that is not true exhaustion (n):  the state of being extremely tired
demographics (n):  populations and the different groups that expectancy (n):  the feeling that something exciting or pleasant
make them up is going to occur
deposit (n):  an amount of money you pay in order to secure a exploded (v):  broke up into pieces in the air violently
house purchase explosive (adj):  very loud and sudden
descent (n):  a movement down exposed (v):  to expose is to make public something bad or dis-
determinedly (adv):  wanting to do something very much and not honest
allowing anyone or any difficulties stop you from doing it exposed to (phr v):  if you are exposed to severe weather, you
devote (v):  give your time and effort to something experience that severe weather directly
devotion (n):  great care and effort exposition (n):  a clear and complete explanation of an idea or
disguise (n):  if you are in disguise, you appear to be something theory
you are not; you dress up so that people won’t recognise you extinct (adj):  not now existing

37
 Glossary

exuberance (n):  the quality of being very energetic homogenous (adj):  consisting of people who are very similar to
eye-balling (adj):  if you are eye-balling someone, you are look- one another or of the same race or ethnicity
ing at them eye-to-eye; you are staring them in the eyes humble (adj):  not special or very important
eye-raising (adj):  very noticeable hurdles (n):  problems you have to deal with before you can make
famed (adj):  famous or known to many people progress
fanciful (adj):  not likely to succeed or happen hurriedly (adv):  too quickly
fathom (v):  understand ignited (v):  to ignite is to cause to start burning, or to cause a
feasted (v):  to feast on is to eat in large amounts dangerous or angry situation to begin
fed up (adj):  bored, annoyed or disappointed imminent (adj):  likely to happen very soon
feedback (n):  information or statements of opinion about some- in a different light (id):  in a different way; from another angle
thing, such as a new product or method, that can tell you if it is or perspective
successful or liked incarcerated (v):  put in prison
fidgeting (v):  continuous, small movements, often due to nerves, incentives (n):  an incentive is something that encourages a per-
which can be annoying son to do something
fluke (n):  something good that happened as a result of chance or indicative of (adj):  a sign of
luck rather than skill or planning inertia (n):  lack of activity
foe (n):  enemy or opponent inevitable (adj):  certain to happen and unable to be avoided
fork out (phr v):  pay inferior (adj):  not as good as
formidable (adj):  large, powerful or very difficult inglorious (adj):  shameful
frame of mind (id):  way of thinking at a particular time initiative (n):  a new plan or process to achieve something or
fraying (v):  if your nerves fray, you gradually become upset or solve a problem/issue
annoyed innate (adj):  natural; an innate quality is one you are born with,
frost nip (n):  an injury caused by being exposed to extreme cold not one that you learn
functionality (n):  all the operations performed by a piece of inquisitive (adj):  wanting to discover as much as you can about
equipment things
gargantuan (adj):  very large instantaneous (adj):  happening immediately, without delay
gastronomic (adj):  relating to the preparation and eating of good intellect (n):  the ability to understand and think in an intelligent
food way
gave way to (phr v):  was replaced by intentionally (adv):  deliberately
get your mitts on (id):  get hold of; find interference (n):  an occasion of someone or something getting
giggling (v):  to giggle is to laugh repeatedly in a quiet but un- involved in a situation when their involvement is not wanted or is
controlled way not helpful
gives them the edge (id):  gives them an advantage interior (n):  the inside part of something; in this case, the interior
is the part of Iceland away from the coast at its centre
glance (n):  a quick, short look
intimated (v):  to intimate is to make clear what you think without
glorious (adj):  deserving great admiration, praise or honour
saying it directly
go the extra mile (id):  if you go the extra mile, you put in extra
intimately (adv):  in a close and more detailed way
effort - more than usual or expected - to do something
intriguing (adj):  very interesting
go toe to toe (id):  if you go toe to toe with someone, you com-
pete with them directly, taking all their best shots and giving them intuitions (n):  our intuition is our ability to immediately under-
yours stand or know something based on feelings rather than facts
grasp (n):  the act of holding on to something intuitively (adv):  known immediately based on feelings rather
than facts
grounded (adj):  if you stay grounded, you avoid getting too ex-
cited and remain calm invariably (adv):  always; without exception
guarantee (v):  if you guarantee another person’s loan or mort- irks (v):  annoys
gage, you agree to pay the loan or mortgage back if the other per- irritation (n):  anger or annoyance
son cannot jetlag (n):  a feeling of tiredness and confusion after making a
habitation (n):  small areas of habitation are small areas that are long plane journey
lived in kit (n):  a set of tools used for a particular activity
hankering for (id):  if you have a hankering for something, you known … what buttons to press (id):  if you know what buttons
have a strong wish or desire for that thing to press, you know what to do to get the reaction you want from
haunts (n):  a haunt is a place often visited a person
have a significant bearing (id):  have a significant influence lacking (adj):  if something is lacking, there is not enough of it
head and shoulders above (id):  if something is head and shoul- lap (n):  the top surface of the upper part of the legs of a person
ders above something else, it is a lot better than that something who is sitting down with their legs together
else lean towards (phr v):  if you would lean towards something, this
hectic (adj):  full of activity something is what you would probably pick/choose
heroines (n):  female heroes letting my hair down (id):  if you let your hair down, you allow
high-flying (adj):  extremely successful yourself to behave very freely and to really enjoy yourself
hogged the limelight (id):  if you hog the limelight, all the atten- limb (n):  a limb is an arm or leg
tion is focused on you limelight (n):  public attention and interest
hold her head up high (id):  if you can hold your head up high, it living it up (id):  if you are living it up, you are having a very good
means that you have nothing to be ashamed of; you can be proud time and really enjoying yourself
of yourself macro (adj):  large; relating to the whole

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 Glossary

make … head nor tail (id):  if you cannot make head nor tail of per se (adv):  by or of itself
something, you cannot understand what is happening permit (v):  allow
mandated (v):  required to perform an action persuasions (n):  a persuasion is a particular set of beliefs
marathon (adj):  used to describe something that takes a long perturbed (adj):  worried
time and makes you very tired philosophy (n):  the way a person or group thinks about and deals
memorable (adj):  worth remembering or likely to be remem- with something
bered phoenix (n):  in ancient stories, an imaginary bird that set fire to
merits (n):  advantages itself every 500 years and was born again, rising from its ashes
micro (adj):  small photogenic (adj):  having a face or appearance that looks attrac-
midst (n):  the middle of a group of people or things tive in photographs
mind-wrecking (adj):  a mind-wrecking assault is an attack that piece of cake (id):  easy
destroys or attempts to destroy the opponent’s mind - to make pinpoint (v):  in this sense, say the exact
them mentally unstable pitch-black (adj):  completely black/dark
misleading (adj):  causing to believe something that is not true pivotal (adj):  central and very important
moist (adj):  slightly wet pleasantries (n):  polite remarks
monopolise (v):  control something completely ponder (v):  to ponder is to think carefully about something
monopolised (v):  controlled completely; dominated pool (n):  a quantity of a particular thing
monumentally (adv):  extremely precluded from (phr v):  prevented from doing something
more … than meets the eye (id):  if there is more to something predestination (n):  fate; destiny
than meets the eye, it is more difficult to understand or involves predetermine (v):  decide in advance
more things than you thought at the beginning
prematurely (adv):  too soon
morphed into (phr v):  gradually changed into
preoccupying (v):  if something preoccupies your mind, it is the
mortgages (n):  a mortgage is an agreement that allows you to main thought in your mind, causing other things to be forgotten
borrow money from a bank in order to buy a house
priced out (phr v):  if you are priced out of the market, prices are
multiplied (v):  increased very much in number too high and you cannot afford them
mutual (adj):  feeling the same thing pristineness (n):  the state of being in a very good condition
neglect (n):  a situation in which you do not give enough care or prolonged (adj):  continuing for a long time
attention to someone or something, or the state of not getting
prominent (adj):  very well known and important
enough care or attention
property ladder (id):  a series of stages in owning houses in
neglectful (adj):  not giving enough care or attention
which you buy a small house or apartment first and a bigger or
niche (n):  a job or position that is very suitable for you, especially more expensive house when you have enough money, and so on
one you like
proportion (n):  the number or amount of a group or part of
nought (n):  nothing something when compared to the whole
novice (n):  a person who is not experienced psychological (adj):  of the mind
obligations (n):  responsibilities put a halt (id):  to put a halt to something is to stop that some-
obstacle (n):  an obstacle is something that blocks you so that thing from happening
movement, going forward, or action is prevented or made more quaint (adj):  attractive because of being unusual, especially old-
difficult fashioned
obstructed (v):  blocked quirky (adj):  unusual in an interesting and attractive way
occupied (v):  to occupy is to fill a place radically (adv):  dramatically; significantly
on a par (id):  the same as or equal to
rapid (adj):  very fast or sudden
on all three counts (id):  on all counts means in relation to all the
rapturous (adj):  showing extreme pleasure and excitement
points made or all the things mentioned or under consideration
reaffirmed (adj):  in this sense, shown to be true again
on the cards (id):  likely to happen
rebel (v):  react or fight against
optimal (adj):  best; most likely to succeed or bring advantage
reconciliation (n):  a situation in which two people or groups of
outlook (n):  a person’s way of thinking about things
people become friendly again after they have argued or fought
outskirts (n):  the outskirts are the areas on the edge of a town
reengaged (v):  to reengage is to become involved or have con-
or city
tact again
overawed (adj):  intimidated and frightened by
refrain from (phr v):  to refrain from doing something is to avoid
overwhelming (adj):  very great or very large doing or stop yourself from doing that thing
owes (v):  if something or someone owes much to something or refugees (n):  people who have escaped from their own country
someone else, it has that something or someone else to thank because of war or for political, religious or economic reasons
owing to (prep):  due to; because of rehabilitating (v):  to rehabilitate is to return something or some-
palate (n):  literally, the top part of the inside of the mouth one to a good condition
panic (n):  a sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reason- reinvention (n):  the recreating of something in a new way
able thought or action rendition (n):  a particular way of performing a song or piece of
partners in crime (id):  people who are partners in crime are do- music
ing or experiencing the same thing together repetition (n):  the act of doing or saying something again
pass (n):  if an aircraft makes a pass, it flies past something resentful (adj):  feeling angry because you have had to accept
patently (adv):  obviously; in a way that is very clear something you do not like
pathetic (adj):  showing no ability, effort or bravery and so un- resilience (n):  toughness
likely to be respected by people resolve (n):  strong determination

39
 Glossary

restores (v):  to restore is to return someone or something to an submitted (v):  if you submit to someone’s demands, you allow
earlier good condition or position them to have their way and get what they want
rubbed me up the wrong way (id):  if someone rubs you up the subsequent (adj):  happening after something else
wrong way, they annoy you without intending to substitute (n):  a thing that can be used instead of another thing;
rush hour (n):  the busy part of the day when towns and cities are replacement
crowded and there is a lot of traffic on the roads succession (n):  a number of similar events that happen one after
rut (n):  if you are in a rut, you are stuck in a job or activity too another
long and you need to make yourself change that job or activity succumb to (phr v):  accept something bad
sage (adj):  wise superior (adj):  better than
sanctuary (n):  protection or a safe place surrender (v):  to surrender is to admit defeat or give up
sanity (n):  the state of having a healthy mind and not being men- swooped (v):  to swoop is to move very quickly and easily through
tally ill the air, down from a height
scale (n):  the size or level of something tangible (adj):  real
scalp (n):  if you claim someone’s scalp, you beat them tantalisingly (adv):  causing desire and excitement
set the bar very high (id):  if you set the bar very high, you have taste blood (id):  if you can taste blood, you sense your opponent
high expectations is getting weaker and you are about to win
shabby (adj):  unacceptable tempered (v):  to temper is to make less strong or extreme
shackles (n):  something that prevents you from doing what you tenor (n):  a male singer with a high voice
want to do thesis (n):  a long piece of writing on a particular subject, particu-
shut-eye (n):  sleep larly one for a university qualification
siblings (n):  brothers and/or sisters transcend (v):  go beyond the range or limits of
sipping (v):  to sip is to drink, taking a small amount at a time trembled (v):  shook
slew (n):  a large amount or number trial (adj):  test
smashed (v):  to smash is to cause something to move with great trump card (id):  your trump card is an advantage you have over
force another person or other people that makes you more likely to suc-
smirking (n):  to smirk is to smile in a way that expresses satis- ceed, especially one that they do not know about
faction or pleasure ultimate (adj):  most extreme example of
snide (adj):  containing unpleasant criticism that is not stated in unaffordable (adj):  too expensive to buy
a direct way underdog (n):  the person considered least likely to win
sparked (v):  to spark is to cause the start of something unleashed (v):  suddenly released
spirit (n):  a particular way of thinking, feeling or behaving unmitigated (adj):  complete (often describing something very
spring to mind (id):  to spring to mind is to come quickly into bad or unsuccessful with no positive side)
your mind unravel (v):  go wrong; fall apart; fail
stablemate (n):  part of the same group/organisation (in this unsettling (adj):  causing worry or anxiety
case, part of the same coaching setup) upbringing (n):  the way you are treated and educated when you
stalemate (n):  a situation in which neither group or person in- are young
volved can win or get an advantage and no action can be taken upper classes (n):  people of the highest social ranks, who are
stapled (adj):  fastened together usually rich
sternest (adj):  most difficult urban (adj):  of or relating to the city
sticking to (phr v):  to stick to your principles is to continue to validation (n):  proof that something is correct
believe in and follow your principles vast (adj):  extremely big
stiff (adj):  difficult versatile (adj):  able to be used for many different purposes
stifle (v):  to prevent or try to prevent something from happening vital (adj):  extremely important
or continuing
volition (n):  the power to make your own decisions
stimulated (adj):  excited and interested
vying for (phr v):  competing for
stimulation (n):  intellectual stimulation is something that causes
you to develop intellectually wander (v):  to wander is to walk around slowly in a relaxed way
stimuli (n):  a stimulus is something that causes growth or activ- waxed lyrical (phr v):  to wax lyrical is to talk about something
ity with a lot of interest and excitement in a very positive way
stimulus (n):  something that causes activity or growth went into overdrive (id):  overdrive is a state of great activity,
effort or hard work; to go into overdrive is to go into this state
strain (n):  pressure
whetted (v):  to whet is to increase your interest in and desire for
strangle (v):  to try to hurt someone badly by pressing or holding
something
their throat so that they cannot breathe
wilderness (n):  a large area which is in its natural state and has
streaming (v):  flowing
not been built on or used for growing crops
street-smartened (adj):  if you are street smart, you have had a
wily (adj):  intelligent and willing to use tricks to achieve your aim
lot of life experiences and learned from them and how to deal with
them; you have a lot of life experience though not necessarily any woo (v):  to woo is to give someone a lot of attention to try to
qualifications persuade them to marry you
stricken (adj):  suffering severely from
strolls (n):  a stroll is a slow walk in a relaxed manner Glossary  |  Test 8
submission (n):  the act of allowing someone to have power over abandoning (v):  to abandon is to leave a place
you or to beat you actuality (n):  reality

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 Glossary

adequate (adj):  enough for a particular reason or purpose calling (n):  if you describe a job as your calling, you mean you
admission (n):  the act of admitting something or agreeing some- think it is what you were born to do - the job you are most suited to
thing is true candle burned out prematurely (id):  if your candle burns out,
advances (n):  attempts to start a romantic relationship you die; if your candle burns out prematurely, you die too young
aghast (adj):  suddenly filled with strong feelings of shock or career suicide (id):  if you accuse someone of career suicide, you
worry mean that they have taken an action that is going to end or ruin
air of (n):  if there is an air of optimism, things appear optimistic; their career
manner or appearance careered (v):  moved fast in an out of control way
ajar (adj):  slightly open carved out (phr v):  to carve out is to create using your skills
alight (adj):  lit; on fire; burning cascade (n):  a large amount, flowing like a waterfall
aloft (adj):  high up in the air cauldron (n):  in this sense, a situation characterised by strong
along the line (id):  on the way emotions
aloof (adj):  not friendly or willing to take part in things caused such a stir (id):  if something causes a stir, it gets a lot of
attention and creates a lot of interest and excitement
amass (v):  to amass it to collect or get a large amount of some-
thing cavalier (adj):  wild and carefree, in this sense
ample (adj):  more than enough caveat (n):  a statement that limits a more general statement
ancestors (n):  people related to you who lived a very long time chaotically (adv):  in a state of total confusion and disorder
ago chimed (v):  to chime is to ring in a pleasant way
ancestral (adj):  of or related to ancestors chore (n):  task or job, often a boring or unpleasant one
appetite (n):  if there is an appetite for something, there is a de- clutches (n):  a hold on someone or something
mand for or desire for that thing cognizance (n):  awareness
appliances (n):  devices, machines or pieces of equipment that coincides with (phr v):  to coincide with is to happen near or at
are used in the home, e.g. irons, kettles, etc. the same time as
apprehensions (n):  fears; worries about what is going to happen come to a head (id):  if something comes to a head, the point is
arboriculturist (n):  a person who designs landscapes and se- reached where you have to take action and do something about it
lects suitable trees and plants for a given environment as their job comeback (n):  a very good and real attempt to return and win,
arborist (n):  a tree surgeon; a person who plants and cares for when it looked like you would lose
trees and shrubs as their job comfort zone (id):  your comfort zone is a situation in which you
aspiration (n):  a hope or dream feel comfortable, where your ability and determination are not re-
assumed (adj):  accepted as true without question or proof ally tested
at a crossroads (id):  at a stage in life where you have to make a commemorating (v):  officially remembering by way of a public
very important decision ceremony or event
attire (n):  formal clothing commuters (n):  people who regularly travel from home to work
attributes (v):  to attribute is to say that something is the result components (n):  parts that combine with other parts to form the
of something else whole of something
backs up (phr v):  supports comprehend (v):  understand
baggage (n):  beliefs and feelings caused by past experiences compromise (v):  to compromise is to accept that you will reduce
that influence how you behave your demands or change your opinion in order to reach an agree-
ment with someone
be all and end all (id):  the most important thing
conceive of (phr v):  imagine
bear a resemblance (id):  if something bears a resemblance to
something else, it looks like that something else conclusive (adj):  ending any doubt and proving something is true
begrudge (v):  to begrudge is to feel unhappy because you think concrete jungle (id):  a concrete jungle is a city or large built-up
someone has something that they do not deserve area with not a lot of green spaces
beloved (adj):  much loved condition (n):  the particular state that something is in; the hu-
man condition is the state of being human
benefits (n):  social welfare benefits are payments or services
provided by the government to help poor, ill or old people conducive (adj):  providing the right conditions for something
bested (v):  defeated good to happen or exist
beyond him (id):  if you say that something is beyond you, you connections (n):  people you know who can help you
mean that you do not think you are capable of doing it consign (v):  in this sense, send to or get rid of
bleak (adj):  not at all hopeful; hopeless consultancy (n):  a company that gives advice on a particular
blossom (v):  become more attractive, successful or confident subject
bore no signs (id):  showed no evidence contentment (n):  the state of being happy or pleased with your
situation and not constantly wishing for more or for it to improve
breakdowns (n):  a breakdown is a period of mental illness which
results in anxiety, difficulty sleepy, difficulty thinking, loss of confi- contractor (n):  a person that agrees to supply their service under
dence and hope, and a feeling of great sadness temporary contract rather than as a full-time company employee
brittle (adj):  delicate and easily broken contrived (adj):  artificial and difficult to believe
brought forward (phr v):  to bring forward is to change the conviction (n):  belief
schedule so that something happens earlier than first planned correspondence (n):  letters or emails, especially business let-
buoyant (adj):  successful or making a profit ters or emails
burdening (v):  to burden someone is to trouble them with some- corruption (n):  illegal, bad or dishonest behaviour
thing difficult or unpleasant courageous (adj):  very brave
burn the midnight oil (id):  to burn the midnight oil is to work coursing (v):  flowing quickly
late into the night coveted (adj):  strongly desired

41
 Glossary

cowering (v):  to cower is to lower your body in fear and move facts speak for themselves (id):  if the facts speak for them-
backwards selves, the proof/truth is very clear
crane (n):  a tall metal structure, with a horizontal part used for falls (v):  to fall is to happen or come at a particular time
lifting and moving heavy objects family-oriented (adj):  oriented shows the direction in which
cultivate (v):  to prepare land for growing and to grow trees, something is aimed, so family-oriented is aimed at the family
plants or crops there fantastical (adj):  not reasonable; unreal; imaginary
customs (n):  ways of behaving or beliefs that have been estab- fatality (n):  death
lished for a long time fate (n):  a power that some people believe controls events
daring (adj):  brave and taking risks fathom (v):  understand
dawned on (phr v):  if something dawns on you, you finally under- feats (n):  accomplishments; achievements
stand it after a period of not understanding fiancee (n):  the woman a person is engaged to marry is their fi-
dearth (n):  an amount or supply that is not large enough ancee
deceased (adj):  dead fight off (phr v):  defend against
deeds (n):  actions; acts fittingly (adv):  appropriately; suitably
depth (n):  how deep something is; the distance from the top to flashed across (phr v):  to flash is to show something for a short
the bottom of something time
detained (v):  to detain is to force someone to stay in a specific flee (v):  run away
place flop (n):  a flop is a very unsuccessful book/film/etc.
detrimental (adj):  causing harm or damage folks (n):  people
devastating (adj):  causing a lot of damage and destruction follow in the footsteps (id):  if you follow in someone’s foot-
devotion (n):  loyalty to something steps, you do the same thing they did
differs (v):  to differ is to be different; to not be like something for the long run (id):  if you are here for the long run or the long
diligently (adv):  carefully, using a lot of effort haul, you are going to be here for a long period of time
directorship (n):  the position of director of a business forgoing (v):  doing or going without; giving up
disavow (v):  to disavow is to break all your connections with or fragile (adj):  easily damaged, broken or harmed
end your relationship with something frank (adj):  honest
discontentment (n):  a feeling of wanting a better or improved fraternity (n):  the golfing fraternity is the community of profes-
situation sional golfers and past professionals
discounted (v):  dismissed; to discount is to decide something is freelancing (n):  doing particular pieces of work for different or-
not worth considering or giving attention ganisations, rather than working as the employee of just one
disinclined to (adj):  not wanting to do something function (n):  purpose
dispute (n):  an official argument or disagreement between work- gag-inducing (adj):  causing to get sick
ers and employers gaping (adj):  very large
dispute (v):  to dispute is to disagree with what someone says genre (n):  a style with a specific set of characteristics, e.g. the
disruption (n):  an interruption to the usual way that something crime genre or the romance genre
works gestured for (phr v):  to gesture is to use a gesture to express
dimensions (n):  a dimension is a measurement of something in a something; to gesture for something to happen is to show with
particular direction, especially its height, length, or width gestures what you want to happen
drew (v):  to draw a feeling from something is to get that feeling given up the ghost (id):  to give up the ghost is to finally accept
from that something that something or someone is not going to succeed
embedded (adj):  if something is embedded, it is fixed in place glowing (adj):  full of praise
and very hard to remove good cause (id):  if you have good cause for doing something,
endured (v):  suffered you have a good reason for doing it
engagement (n):  interest; getting involved in the story got the better of me (id):  when someone or something gets the
engrossing (adj):  very interesting and requiring all your attention better of you, it defeats you
enigmatic (adj):  mysterious and difficult to completely under- graphic (adj):  very clear and powerful
stand grasp (v):  to grasp is to quickly take something into your hands
enlarge (v):  make bigger and hold it very firmly
envision (v):  to envision is to imagine something that is desirable green-eyed monster (id):  the green-eyed monster is jealousy
in the future gritty (adj):  brave and determined
envy of (id):  if you are the envy of someone else, they wish they grudgingly (adv):  resentfully; reluctantly; unwillingly; not be-
were like you or had what you have cause you want to but because you have to
epic (adj):  extremely good guidance (n):  help and advice about how to do something or how
evaporated (v):  disappeared to deal with something
exclusive (adj):  limited to only one person or one group of people hand on heart (id):  speaking honestly and saying exactly how
exhibiting (v):  showing; displaying you really feel
exploits (n):  brave things that someone has done hands-on (adj):  a hands-on role is one where you are closely in-
external (adj):  outside volved in organising, managing or doing everything
eyebrows may have been raised (id):  if something raises eye- hanging up the boots (id):  if you hang up your boots, you retire
brows, it causes surprise, shock or disbelief from your job
façade (n):  false appearance harmony (adj):  if two things are in harmony, they seem right or
suitable together

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 Glossary

harness (n):  a piece of equipment with straps and belts used to legend (n):  someone very famous and admired for their skill or
hold a person in place ability
hath (v):  an old-fashioned way of saying has lightning strike (n):  describes when workers suddenly stop
haunt him (v):  to haunt someone is to cause that person repeat- working and go on strike without giving any notice to their em-
ed suffering and anxiety ployer first
heed (n):  notice; attention likely (adj):  probable
heralded (v):  was a sign of lion-heart (adj):  describes someone with a lot of bravery and
hierarchical (adj):  arranged in an order from most to least im- determination
portant; business hierarchies are often pyramid-like or triangular live and breathe (id):  if you live and breathe something, it is ex-
in shape tremely important to you
hindered (v):  limited his ability to do something long-term (adj):  continuing for a long time into the future
hints at (phr v):  to hint at something is to suggest it in a subtle lose little sleep (id):  if you lose sleep over something, you worry
or indirect way or stress about that something; if you lose little sleep, you don’t
hold off (phr v):  delay really worry
home bird (id):  a home bird is someone that prefers to be at lucrative (adj):  producing a lot of money
home than to travel lunar (adj):  of or related to the moon
hot on the heels (id):  if something happens hot on the heels of made the break (id):  if you make the break, you end a relation-
something else, it happens just after that something else ship or connection; in this case, the break was from being em-
ployed
idolised (v):  to idolise is to admire and respect someone very
much making great strides (id):  making good progress
ill will (id):  bad feelings manifest (adj):  obvious
ill-advised (adj):  not wise manifestation (n):  in this sense, bringing into existence
immeasurable (adj):  so large or great that it cannot be exactly many moons ago (id):  a long time ago
measured or known marvel at (phr v):  to marvel at is to show great surprise at and
imminent (adj):  likely to happen very soon admiration for
in a nutshell (id):  using as few words as possible masterpiece (n):  a book written with great skill that is highly re-
garded
in anger (id):  if you do something in anger, you do it with much
passion and energy mercilessly (adv):  showing no mercy (where mercy is kindness
that makes you forgive someone)
in the doldrums (id):  unsuccessful and showing no progress or
merit (n):  worth
development
merits (n):  the quality of being good and deserving of praise
in vain (id):  unsuccessfully
meticulous (adj):  very careful with great attention to every detail
incapable (adj):  unable to do something
microcosm (n):  a small place which has many of the characteris-
incentives (n):  tax incentives are tax reductions or special tax
tics of a larger place
rates offered by the government in order to attract big companies
miniature (adj):  describes something that is a very small copy
inclusive (adj):  an inclusive group or organisation tries to include
of another item
many different types of people and treat them all the same
minister (n):  a religious leader in some churches
indefinitely (adv):  for a period of time with no fixed end
minority sport (n):  a minority sport in a country is a sport that
inescapably (adv):  unavoidably; in this sense, describing some-
not a large number of people from that country play
thing that was certainly going to happen
misguided (adj):  done for the wrong reasons
inevitably (adv):  in a way that cannot be avoided
misinformation (n):  information intended to trick or deceive
infrastructure (n):  the basic systems and services of a country,
people
such as roads, schools, etc.
mission (n):  an important job that someone is sent somewhere
inhabitants (n):  people who live in a particular place
to do
inhabiting (v):  living in
missionary (n):  a person sent to a foreign country to teach their
in-house (adj):  an in-house position is a position of employment religion to the people living there
within an organisation momentarily (adv):  for a very short time
inspected (v):  to inspect is to examine something or look at it monkey on his back (id):  if you have a monkey on your back,
carefully you have something difficult or unpleasant that you have to worry
intense (adj):  strong or extreme about all the time and you can’t get rid of
intensity (n):  strength mouthful (n):  a word or phrase that is hard to say
invariably (adv):  always multiply (v):  increase a lot in number
invigorating (adj):  making feel more energetic and full of life mutual (adj):  the same
justify (v):  be a good reason for naysayers (n):  people who say something is not possible
keep his feet on the ground (id):  if you keep your feet on the nearly-man (n):  a nearly man comes close to winning but never
ground, you stay calm and see things for how they really are now, actually does win
and you don’t get excited about what is possible in the future neglect to (phr v):  fail to; to neglect to do something is to not
labour of love (id):  hard work that you do because you really do that thing
enjoy it, not for the money newfound (adj):  only recently started
lacking (v):  to lack something is to not have enough of that thing non-fictitious (adj):  real
laudable (adj):  deserving praise obligation (n):  an obligation is something you must do
legacy (n):  something that is part of your history or that remains obsolete (adj):  not in use anymore because it has been replaced
from an earlier time by something newer

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obtaining (v):  getting pretence (n):  a way of behaving that is intended to trick people
off course (id):  in the wrong direction prized it free (prh v):  to prize something free is to use force to
offering (n):  something that you give or offer to people free it
ominous (adj):  suggesting something unpleasant is probably go- prodigious (adj):  extremely great in potential, talent or ability
ing to happen profile (n):  description of someone
on the cusp (id):  if you are on the cusp of something, you are promising (adj):  showing potential to succeed
very close to doing or achieving that thing; on the edge pronouncement (n):  an official announcement
on the radar (id):  in this sense, to be expected proof … in the pudding (id):  this means that you can only judge
on the warpath (id):  angry and likely to punish the quality or truth of something after it has been tried, experi-
ongoing (adj):  continuing to exist or develop enced or has happened
onlooking (adj):  watching prospect (n):  the possibility of something good happening in the
opened doors (id):  if something opened doors, it gave you new future
opportunities prospective (adj):  potential; possible
optimism (n):  the quality of being full of hope and positive prosperity (n):  the state of being successful and wealthy
thoughts protagonist (n):  a main character in the story
outing (n):  in this sense, it means first journey into writing protestations (n):  a protestation is the act of forcefully com-
outlasted (v):  lasted longer than plaining about something
outrageous (adj):  shocking or hard to believe provocation (n):  an action or statement designed to make some-
outweigh (v):  be greater or more important than one angry or upset
outweighed (v):  to outweigh is to be greater or more important pseudonym (n):  a name someone uses instead of their real name
than something else public domain (n):  if something is in the public domain, it is avail-
overcame (v):  succeeded in controlling and dealing with able for everyone to see
overnight (adv):  very quickly puny (adj):  small and weak
overwhelmed (v):  caused to feel sudden strong emotions that put off (phr v):  discourage
are very hard to deal with and control put people off (phr v):  discourage people from doing something
paltry (adj):  very small put them behind him (phr v):  if you put something behind you,
panning (n):  severe criticism you forget about it and stop thinking about it
paperwork (n):  the part of a job that requires you to write letters raising the white flag (id):  surrendering; giving up or admitting
and reports and keep records defeat
passing (n):  the passing of someone is their death rates (n):  the rate of tax is the level of tax
pay … heed (id):  if you pay heed to something, you give it a lot razing (v):  to raze is to completely destroy
of attention realisation (n):  the moment of understanding something
peers (n):  in this sense, fellow authors realm (n):  kingdom or world
pent up (phr v):  to pen is to confine or restrict; pent up means realms (n):  a realm is an area or world
confined, restricted, repressed or bottled up reclusive (adj):  living alone and not going outside or talking to
peripheral (adj):  something peripheral is not as important as people
something else redemption (n):  the act of improving something bad; recovery
perks (n):  benefits redundancy (n):  a situation where someone loses their job be-
persevere (v):  to persevere is to continue to try to do something cause their employer no longer needs them
in a determined way despite having problems redundant (adj):  having lost your job because your employer
pertained (v):  to pertain to is to relate to doesn’t need you anymore
phases (n):  stages in the process of development reinvent (v):  to reinvent yourself is to change your job or lifestyle
pinch myself (id):  you have to pinch yourself when you do not and behave in such a way that you seem very different
believe something is real or really happening remotely (adv):  in a little or slight way
piques the reader’s interest (id):  arouses or stimulates the replicate (v):  to replicate is to do something again in the same
reader’s interest way
plaguing (v):  causing worry and pain to someone over a period resemblance (n):  the fact that two people or things look alike in
of time some way
played catch-up (id):  tried to reach the same standard as others reserve judgement (id):  if you reserve judgement, you don’t
after falling behind them make a decision now on whether it’s good or bad, you wait until
plucky (adj):  brave you know more
portal (n):  an entrance or way into something resigning himself to (phr v):  to resign yourself to something is
posit (v):  suggest to accept something you do not like because you cannot change it
post (prep):  after resolute (adj):  determined
pounced (v):  to pounce is to jump or move quickly in order to resolution (n):  an ending or solution to a difficult problem
catch retained (v):  to retain something is to keep it; if you retain some-
practice (n):  a business that involves a lot of skill or training one’s support or faith, you keep their support or faith
precarious (adj):  a situation that is likely to get worse revenue (n):  revenue is money in the form of income that the
government regularly receives
predestined (adj):  something which is predestined is controlled
by fate or destiny riddled by (adj):  full of
preparedness (n):  the state of being prepared or willing to do riposte (n):  an answer or reply to criticism
something; readiness; willingness rivalry (n):  a situation in which people compete for the same
thing

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 Glossary

roared … back into contention (id):  to roar back into contention to work because they are not happy with their pay or working con-
in a competition is to impressively or dramatically give yourself a ditions
great chance of winning when it looked like you would lose stunned (adj):  shocked and surprised
rookie (n):  a person who is new to an activity subconscious (n):  the part of the mind that affects your behav-
sacrifice (n):  the act of giving something up iour and remembers and notices things without you realising it
sans (adj):  without succession (n):  a number of similar events that happen one after
scarcely (adv):  almost not another
sceptical (adj):  doubting about the truth or usefulness of some- sufficient (adj):  enough
thing summarily (adv):  in this case, suddenly and without much
second-tier (adj):  not the top level, the level below that thought
see it through (id):  to see it through is to continue until it is fin- surreal (adj):  like a dream; not seeming real
ished surrendering (v):  if you surrender something, you give up or
set the bar … high (id):  if you set the bar high, you expect your lose that thing
level to be very high; be very ambitious sustained (v):  to sustain is to cause or allow to continue for a
shift (n):  change of direction or policy period of time
shifted (v):  moved swore to (v):  to swear to do something is to promise to do that
shoddy (adj):  badly or carelessly made or produced thing
shouldering (v):  carrying the weight or pressure of sympathetic (adj):  understanding about and caring towards
side-lines (n):  the act of watching but not taking party sympathetically (adv):  in a way that shows you care about an-
other person’s suffering or problems
skill set (n):  in this case, the range of skills needed for a certain
job taken its toll on me (id):  if something takes its toll on you, it
causes you harm or suffering
slothful (adj):  lazy or very slow
tally (v):  to tally is to match or agree with something else
social welfare (n):  services provided by the government to help
the poor, ill or old tangentially (adv):  in a different but linked direction
solo (adj):  alone; on your own tangible (adj):  real
solstice (n):  there are two solstices each year; one when the Sun tantalisingly (adv):  in this sense, it was very close but he could
is directly above the most northern point it ever reaches and the not get it, so causing desire and excitement that could not be sat-
other when the Sun is directly above the most southern point it isfied
ever reaches tedious (adj):  boring
speck (n):  a speck is a very small mark, piece or amount tediously (adv):  boringly
spoke out (phr v):  to speak out is to say what you think in public tellingly (adv):  importantly; significantly
sponsorship (n):  the act of providing a person with money so termination (n):  the end of something
they can do their activity, usually in return for them advertising the making of me (id):  if you say something was the making of
your product you, you mean that the experience really helped you to develop in
stagnating (v):  staying the same and not developing a positive way as a person
stakes (n):  the potential reward if you win or succeed thinning (n):  thinning trees involves removing some branches to
stalemate (n):  a situation in which neither group can win or get leave others more room to grow, or removing whole trees to leave
an advantage and no agreement can be reached, and it appears more space for others
that no action can be taken to solve the problem or change the throw a curveball (id):  do something unexpected
situation time will tell (id):  this means we will only find out in the future
stars align (id):  when the stars align for a person, everything time-consuming (adj):  taking up or using up a lot of time
happens in a good way for them top drawer (id):  if something comes from the top drawer, it is of
status quo (id):  the status quo is the current situation very high quality
stellar (adj):  extremely high quality or standard tore … to shreds (id):  to tear to shreds is to criticise very heavily
stereotype (n):  a set idea people have about what someone is tormentors (n):  people who cause another person suffering and
like, particularly when the idea is wrong worry
stick it out (phr v):  to stick it out is to continue to the end of a trade-offs (n):  sacrifices
difficult and unpleasant situation tragically (adv):  very sadly
sticking point (n):  a point of discussion on which it is not pos- transparency (n):  the quality of being done in an open and clear
sible to reach agreement way without any secrets
stigma (n):  a strong feeling of disapproval most people in society trauma (n):  severe emotional and physical shock and pain
have about something, particularly when this feeling is very unfair tree surgeon (n):  a person who plants and cares for trees and
stormed onto … centre stage (id):  if you storm onto centre shrubs as their job
stage, you make a big, impressive entrance and get noticed by a trodden on (phr v):  to tread on something is to put your foot on
lot of people it; to stand on
strain (n):  pressure; something that makes you feel nervous or troubled (adj):  having problems or difficulties
worried
tug (n):  a sudden strong pull
strained (adj):  under pressure; somewhat nervous and worried
tugs at the heartstrings (id):  causes strong feelings
straw that breaks the camel’s back (id):  the straw that breaks
turbulence (n):  confusion, disorder and difficulty
the camel’s back is the last in a series of unacceptable events that
finally causes action to be taken to stop something tyrant (n):  a ruler who has unlimited power and uses it unfairly
and cruelly
strayed from (phr v):  to stray from is to move away from
ultra (pref):  extremely
strike action (n):  a situation in which a group of workers refuse

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unanimous (adj):  in total agreement virtuoso (n):  a person who is extremely skilled at something
unassuming (adj):  shy and modest; quiet with no wish for admi- vital (adj):  extremely important
ration or attention vocation (n):  a type of work you feel you are really suited to
unbeknownst (adj):  without a particular person knowing void (n):  a large hole or empty space
undeniable (adj):  certainly true walks of life (id):  if people come from all walks of life, it means
under no obligation (id):  not required to they come from different types of jobs and all levels of society
undercooked (adj):  in this sense, not developed enough ward off (phr v):  to ward off is to prevent something dangerous
undersell (v):  when you sell yourself, you try to persuade some- or unwanted from harming you or coming close to you
one of your worth by pointing out all your strengths; when you warrior (n):  an experienced soldier
undersell yourself, you don’t do this very well wayward (adj):  out of control
universal (adj):  involving everyone weep (v):  to weep is to cry tears
unjust (adj):  unfair weight seemed to have been lifted (id):  if a weight has been
unleashed (v):  to unleash is to suddenly release a violent force lifted from a person, they feel under less pressure and strain
in an uncontrolled way welcomed with open arms (id):  given a very warm and friendly
unremarkable (adj):  very ordinary and uninteresting welcome
unsettling (adj):  causing worry or anxiety whetting (v):  if you whet somebody’s appetite for something,
unswerving (adj):  always strong you increase their interest in that thing or their wish for that thing
up sticks (id):  to up sticks is to take all the things you own and go whimper (v):  to whimper is to make a series of small, weak
and live in another place sounds to express pain or unhappiness
uplifting (adj):  making you feel better wholly (adv):  totally
vain (adj):  unsuccessful wield (v):  in this sense, use powers as a weapon
validated (v):  to validate is to prove that something is correct woeful (adj):  very bad; awful
vanquished (v):  defeated wooden (adj):  showing little expression or emotion
vanquishing (v):  defeating wooed (v):  to woo is to give a lot of attention to a woman in order
veracity (n):  the quality of being true; truth to persuade her to marry you
verging on (phr v):  if something verges on a particular state, it work ethic (n):  your work ethic is your attitude to work or how
is almost that state hard you work
vested interests (n):  people or organisations who have a strong workforce (n):  all the people of working age in the country
interest in a project, business, etc. workload (n):  the amount of work to be done in a particular pe-
vibrancy (n):  energy, enthusiasm and excitement riod of time
vigorously (adv):  forcefully and energetically wowing (v):  impressing; making them feel respect and admiration
virtual unknown (id):  if you describe somebody as a virtual un- wrath (n):  extreme anger
known, you mean that they are not famous in any way; very few youngling (n):  child
people have heard of them

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