Unique Personalities

Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

A. seeing little or no good in other people, believing that people do

cynical
good things for bad reasons

A. having strange, unusual or abnormal habits or tastes This term is

eccentric
less insulting than strange, weird or bizarre.

A. thinking too highly of oneself, considering oneself better than

egotistical
others

imaginative A. creative, having much imagination

indecisive A. unable to decide quickly, not knowing what choice to make

picky A. hard to please, too careful in choosing something

sensible A. practical, reasonable, something that makes sense

A. easily feels emotion, easily hurt emotionally can be positive or

sensitive
negative

sophisticated A. representing high culture, very experienced in life

thoughtful A. often doing things to make other people feel good

Exercises
Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary,

cynical egotistical indecisive sensible sophisticated

eccentric imaginative picky sensitive thoughtful

Robin: Did you meet that guy, Richard, at the party last night?

Michelle: Oh my god, he was so ____________. He kept talking about how intelligent he was and how
much money he made. He even said he was thinking about becoming a professional model. Like
that's ever going to happen!

Robin: And Brad, the artist from New York, he was rather ____________! He told me he sculpts and
paints nothing but frogs. He even said he wanted to introduce a new line of frog jewelry. That's
a little odd.

Michelle: He wasn't strange at all. I thought he was very ____________. You have to be really creative
to become such a successful artist. He was also incredibly ____________ - he almost started
crying as he told me about his art. By the way, look at the ring he gave me.

Robin: He gave you a frog ring? That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen!

Michelle: It is not! I think it's really ____________. He said his jewelry is the latest trend among the New
York elite. Wasn't that ____________ of him to give me one of his creations?

Robin: Not really, I think he just wanted some free advertising.

Michelle: My god, you are so ____________! Wasn't there anybody you liked at the party?

Robin: Yeah, Bill was really nice. He was the only ____________, clear-thinking person I met there.

Michelle: Oh, the waitress is coming. Have you decided what to order?

Robin: I'm not sure what to order. I just can't decide what I want.

Michelle: You're so ____________. Nothing is ever good enough for you.

Robin: That's not true! I'm just a little ____________.

Michelle: Well, you need to decide soon so we can order. I'm starving!
Vocabulary Follow-Up

Fill in each gap with the new vocabulary word which expresses the opposite meaning,

cynical egotistical indecisive sensible sophisticated

eccentric imaginative picky sensitive thoughtful

1. naive - _______________

2. easy to please - _______________

3. uncreative - _______________

4. selfish - _______________

5. modest - _______________

6. normal - _______________

7. quick to decide - _______________

8. unfeeling - _______________

9. illogical - _______________

10. having faith in people - _______________

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Higher Education
Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

N. training in an art or a trade

This word is also sometimes used to describe educational training
programs, common in Europe and much of the world, in which
apprenticeship young people learn their profession through on-the-job training in
companies and organizations. Often this includes one or two days
a week of in-class training. This kind of education is uncommon in
the United States.

to be funded V. to be paid for, to supply the money for

a degree N. a title given by a university

facilities N. services or conveniences

to major V. to specialize in (a particular academic field)

a major N. the main field of study in which a university student specializes

V. to have a secondary specialization in (a particular academic

to minor
field)

a minor N. the secondary field of study in which a student specializes

to stand for V. to be the short form of, to represent, to mean

N. specialized words or expressions used in a particular field,

terminology
activity, job, science, etc.

V. 1) to change schools 2) to move from one place to another said

to transfer
of people or things

N. Bachelor of Arts, an undergraduate degree in a humanities-

B.A.
related subject

N. Bachelor of Science, an undergraduate degree in a science-

B.S.
related subject

master's N. the graduate degree after a bachelor's and before a

Ph.D. There are also different kinds of master's, including M.A.
(Master of Arts), M.S. (Master of Science), M.B.A. (Master in
 Business Administration), etc.

N. doctorate, highest graduate degree Although Ph.D. stands for

Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy, it is commonly used to refer to a doctorate in
any field.
Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

apprenticeships facilities stands for

are funded majored terminology

B.A. master's transfer

B.S. minor

degree Ph.D.

Lars: Tina, I'm trying to fill out this job application, and they want to know about my educational history.
It's a little confusing because I don't understand the ______________ they are using. I don't
really know much about the American educational system.

Tina: In America, all students basically study the same thing until they are around 18. After high school,
students have the choice to start working or to go to college.

Lars: What is the difference between a college and a university?

Tina: In the U.S., there isn't a big difference between the two. Colleges tend to be smaller schools, and
universities are usually larger schools with more ______________; however, we often use these
words interchangeably.

Lars: Can Americans do ______________ to prepare themselves for their future careers? Many people
do that kind of job training in my country.

Tina: That's not very common in the United States. Americans usually learn on the job; however, some
junior colleges offer shorter, more practical career training programs.

Lars: What are junior colleges?

Tina: Colleges and universities in the United States are extremely expensive. Even schools which
______________ by the government can cost thousands of dollars a year. Most states have
created junior colleges, which are inexpensive schools where students can complete the first
two years of their education. Afterwards, students can ______________ to a four-year college
or university to complete their bachelor's ______________. And, as I mentioned, they also
provide career training and continuing education courses.

Lars: What does ______________ mean? Is that the same thing as a bachelor's?

Tina: That ______________ Bachelor of Science. You also often hear the abbreviation ______________,
which is short for Bachelor of Arts. For example, I ______________ in chemistry, so I have a
Bachelor of Science; but, my brother studied philosophy, so he has a Bachelor of Arts.

Lars: I thought you studied German literature.

Tina: That was my ______________ - my secondary field of study.

Lars: What about after you finish your bachelor's?

Tina: Students can continue studying and receive a ______________, which usually requires an
additional two years of study. And of course, the highest degree is called a ______________,
which is another word for doctorate.

Reading Comprehension

Based on the text below, answer the questions, and then click the "Check" button to check your
answers. Each question can be answered with one word.

James said,

"I studied at a local junior college for two years, and then I transferred to Harvard University. I received a
B.S. in biology from Harvard and immediately got a job working for a large pharmaceutical company. I
didn't like my job, so I quit and went back to school. I had minored in philosophy at Harvard, and I had
had some great professors there, so I decided to go back to school and get a master's in ethics. When I
complete my master's in June, I am going to go on and get my Ph.D. in bioethics.”

What did James major in?

What was James' secondary area of study at Harvard?

What field does James plan to get his doctorate in?

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Internet 101
Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

N. a program used to view the Internet Microsoft Internet

a browser Explorer and Firefox are examples of popular Internet
browsers.

V. 1) to press the button on a computer mouse 2) to

to click
make a small, sharp sound

N. 1) the pressing of the mouse button 2) a small, sharp

a click
sound

N. subject matter; the main idea of a book, a paper or a

content
web page

to copyright V. to legally protect content with a copyright

N. the right in law to be the only producer, seller or

a copyright
distributor of a book, a play or a web page

to design V. to artistically arrange the shape or layout of something

N. 1) the artistic shape or layout of something 2) an

a design
architectural or technical plan for something

V. to determine the size, shape and form of a written

to format
document

a format N. the size, shape and form of a written document

infringement N. breaking a law or rule, disregarding a legal protection

N. a series of interconnected computers and databases

Internet (Net)
around the world

V. to design the technical arrangement of a web page,

to lay out
building, garden, etc.

N. the technical arrangement of a web page, building,

a layout
garden, etc.

World Wide Web (Web) N. a series of commercial, educational and governmental

 web pages on the Internet

Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

browsers copyright Internet

click design layout

content format World Wide Web

Tim: Hey! What are you looking at, Barbara?

Barbara: I am taking a class called 21st Century Advertising. The teacher wants us to study different web
sites to learn about web page ________________.

Tim: That sounds like a great class for people who are studying business.

Barbara: It is. The ________________ is the future of business. And the ________________ is going to
be the storefront of the next century. To be competitive, businesses have to adapt their current
advertising techniques. However, creating a good web site is much more difficult than most
people think.

Tim: Have you discovered anything interesting which you consider to be well designed?

Barbara: Yeah, this site is fantastic. Take a look. It's very artistic and the technical ________________ is
convenient and very logical. It also looks good in different ________________. I have already
viewed it in Microsoft Explorer and Firefox. The ________________ is also fantastic; the size and
shape of the text are perfect. I am going to borrow some of their techniques when I make my
own web page for class.

Tim: Borrowing ideas is OK, but you have to remember that the ________________ of all web pages is
legally protected.

Barbara: I know. Our professor taught us about intellectual rights. He told us that ________________
infringement is a real concern for people who publish on the Web.

Tim: That's right. Hey, that picture says "continue on." Why don't you ________________ there so we
can see the next page.

Barbara: OK.
Vocabulary Follow-Up

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

browsers copyright Internet

click design layout

content format World Wide Web

1. I don't like the ________________ of that building. The entrance is too small, and there are no
windows in the lounge.

2. They cannot simply reproduce that book without his permission. The ________________ legally
protects it from unauthorized reproduction.

3. When you ________________ a document in a word processing program, you change the size, shape
and font of the words.

4. Not allowing them to vote is an ________________ of their rights.

5. The book which Richard wrote is fascinating. The ________________ is both thought-provoking and
educational.

6. When I pressed that button, I heard a loud ________________. I hope I didn't break the computer.

7. Internet Explorer and Firefox are ________________.

8. She attended a school for fashion ________________.

9. The Web is an international collection of commercial and educational sites on the ________________.

10. The "www" in an Internet address stands for ________________.

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Ordering in a Restaurant
Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

an appetizer N. a small dish at the beginning of a meal, a starter

a chef N. a skilled cook

chives N. a small onion-like herb commonly added to potatoes

chowder N. a kind of soup usually containing fish and vegetables

to come with V. to include (in a meal)

dressing N. a sauce added to salads

an entree N. a main dish

a menu N. a list of dishes available in a restaurant

salmon N. a large fish with silvery skin and pinkish meat

rare A. very pink adjective used to describe a way of cooking meat

medium-rare A. slightly pink adjective used to describe a way of cooking meat

A. normally cooked adjective used to describe a way of cooking

medium
meat

well-done A. fully cooked adjective used to describe a way of cooking meat

Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

appetizer chives comes with entree salmon

chef chowder dressing menu well-done

Waitress: Good evening, are you ready to order, or do you need a little more time?

Tim: Yes, I'm ready to order.

Waitress: Did you notice on our _____________ that we have two seafood specials tonight? One is
poached _____________ and the other is grilled shark.

Tim: That sounds really good, but I think I am going to start with the shrimp cocktail _____________.
And as for my _____________, I think I'll have the New York steak.

Waitress: And, how would you like that steak?

Tim: I'd like that _____________. I don't like it when the meat is even a little pink.

Waitress: I'll make sure the _____________ prepares it just the way you like it. The New York steak
_____________ mashed potatoes, a baked potato, or steak fries.

Tim: I'll take the baked potato.

Waitress: Would you like sour cream and _____________ on that?

Tim: I'll have sour cream.

Waitress: Your meal also includes a choice of soup or salad.

Tim: What is the soup today?

Waitress: Clam _____________ or chicken vegetable.

Tim: I think I'll have the salad instead.

Waitress: What kind of _____________ would you like?

Tim: Blue cheese.

Vocabulary Follow-Up

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

appetizers chef chives chowder comes with dressing entrees menu rare
salmon

1. She always has Italian ______________ on her salad.

2. Gerrie doesn't like most kinds of fish, but she does like ______________.

3. Keith's mom makes the best fish ______________ I have ever tasted. She uses shark, corn, potatoes,
carrots, onions and peppers.

4. I like my baked potatoes with butter. I don't like sour cream and ______________.

5. Gene is studying at a school in Paris to become a ______________. He hopes to run his own
restaurant.

6. The steak was prepared very ______________. It looked like they hadn't even cooked it.

7. That Chinese restaurant has a fantastic selection of dishes on their ______________.

8. The meal ______________ soup or salad and a dessert afterwards.

9. The ______________ at that restaurant are huge. There is no reason to order side dishes or dessert.

10. Buffalo wings, potato skins, and shrimp cocktail are all famous American ______________.

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Changing Jobs
Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

to be bought V. to be purchased, taken over by another company

out

V. to lose your job because the company wants to reduce the

to be laid off
number of employees

A. 1) liking competition, always competing with other people used

competitive to describe personalities 2) having intense competition used to
describe markets, industries or businesses

dedicated A. 1) very loyal 2) working hard for a person, company or idea

V. to reduce the number of employees in a company in order to

to downsize
lower costs

to get rid of V. to throw away, remove, eliminate something or someone

outdated A. too old, antiquated

to retrain V. to reeducate someone for a job, train again

V. 1) to form into a smooth shape which can easily move through

to streamline air or water 2) to improve the performance of something 3) to
simplify a process

to update V. to make more modern

an update N. the latest information or news

Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
competitive downsize outdated streamline was bought out

dedicated get rid of retrain update was laid off

Barbara: Did you hear Lars lost his job?

Tim: Really? He has been working for that advertising agency for almost five years. He was such a
____________ employee - I can't believe he was fired!

Barbara: He wasn't fired, he ____________. Terra Advertising ____________ by some Internet

marketing firm from the East Coast.

Tim: That's terrible! Why didn't the new company keep him? I'm sure they could use someone with his
skills.

Barbara: Lars said the new company needs to ____________.

Tim: Why?

Barbara: They need to reduce the number of employees they have if they want to remain
____________.

Tim: Why did they ____________ Lars? He's great at what he does.

Barbara: They hired a specialist to come in and help ____________ the company. Lars is creative and
very respected in the advertising industry, but his skills have become ____________. He can't
use a computer and he doesn't know anything about the Internet. He is no help to an Internet
marketing firm.

Tim: He needs to go back to school and ____________. The career center downtown offers free classes
to people who need to ____________ their skills and training.

Barbara: You should suggest that to him.

Vocabulary Follow-Up

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
competitive downsize outdated streamline was bought out

dedicated get rid of retrain update was laid off

1. My grandfather's way of thinking is so ______________; he thinks women should stay at home and
have babies.

2. I have no idea what is happening in the world. Have you heard the latest news ______________?

3. Where can I ______________ this Coke can? Is there a trash can around here?

4. John and Mark both really want to win the contest. They are so ______________.

5. They made many changes to the Nexus Thunder last year. For example, they ______________ the
car's design to reduce wind resistance and improve gas mileage.

6. Last month, that small book store ______________ by a large international chain.

7. The government is trying to help ______________ the auto workers who lost their jobs.

8. At present, my company ______________, and I am afraid I might lose my job.

9. Sarah ______________ over two months ago, and she is still looking for work.

10. Ted is the perfect father. He is very ______________ to his family.

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Getting an Apartment
Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

N. a written request for an apartment, a job or entrance into a

an application
school or an organization

N. a complete history of a person's paying habits

In the United States, detailed credit histories are kept on all
Americans describing how they pay their credit card bills, rent
payments, electricity bills, car payments, telephone bills, etc.
a credit report
People are given grades called "credit ratings" for how well they
pay off their debt. When a person moves into an apartment,
landlords often request credit reports to find out if a person
regularly pays on time.

to deposit V. to put money in a bank

N. 1) money which is put in a bank 2) money which is given to

ensure that something will be returned or remain in good condition
a deposit
For example, if you want to rent a bicycle, you might have to leave
a deposit to ensure that you bring the bike back.

to fill out V. to complete (a form) by writing in the information

furnished A. having furniture used with apartments or rental properties

a landlord N. the man who runs an apartment building or property

a landlady N. the woman who runs an apartment building or property

non-refundable A. cannot be returned (money)

N. 1) a person who will provide information about your character or

ability 2) a written letter which will provide information about your
character or ability
a reference
When looking for an apartment in the United States, it is common
to provide a landlord with references who will say that you are a
good person who will not cause problems.

to sublet V. to rent your apartment temporarily to someone else

a tenant N. a person who is renting a room or apartment

Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
application credit report fill out non-refundable tenants

be furnished deposit landlord references to sublet

Toshi: Hello, I am calling because I read your ad in the Sunday Tribune. It said you were trying
______________ your one-room apartment for the next six months. Can I ask you a couple of
questions?

Mr. Harris: Certainly.

Toshi: Will the apartment ______________?

Mr. Harris: Yes, the apartment will have a couch, a small dinner table with two chairs, a couple of
bookshelves and a queen-size bed.

Toshi: Great, I just moved here and I haven't bought any furniture yet.

Mr. Harris: The facilities are very nice. And, the ______________ have access to a small fitness room, a
swimming pool and a coin-operated laundry. The ______________ is excellent as well. If there
are any problems at all, you can contact him and he'll take care of everything.

Toshi: It sounds perfect.

Mr. Harris: If you are interested, you need to pick up an ______________ form, complete it, and return
it to me by Friday along with a check for $25.00. We will get back to you within a week and let
you know our decision.

Toshi: Do I get the $25.00 back if you rent the apartment to somebody else?

Mr. Harris: No, the $25.00 fee is ______________. We use the money to order a copy of your
______________; we need to find out about your history of paying bills.

Toshi: I just moved here from Japan, I don't think that will work in my case.

Mr. Harris: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you were new to the United States. In that case, when you
______________ the form, make sure you include three ______________ that we can contact
to find out a little bit more about you.

Toshi: No problem. Oh! I forgot to ask about the rent.

Mr. Harris: The rent is $950.00 per month and there is a cleaning ______________ of $450.00 when you
move in.

Toshi: Sounds good. I'll come by to pick up the form tomorrow.

Vocabulary Follow-Up

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
application credit report fill out non-refundable tenants

be furnished deposit landlord references to sublet

1. When they moved out, their apartment was a mess, so they didn't get their cleaning ______________
back.

2. Your airline ticket is ______________. I am afraid there is no way we can return your money.

3. It is very difficult to buy a house in the United States without a ______________. They need to know
whether or not you pay your bills on time.

4. He wasn't accepted to the university because he sent in his ______________ too late.

5. When I applied for the job, I listed you as a ______________. If they call, tell them good things about
me.

6. The form was in Spanish, so I couldn't ______________.

7. He is looking for a ______________ apartment because he is only staying in New York for three
months.

8. Several ______________ in my apartment building complained because the elevator didn't work.

9. Hopefully, the ______________ will hire someone to fix the elevator soon. I told her I am sick of
walking up the stairs!

10. Janet is going to study in Italy for six months, so she is trying ______________ her apartment.

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States and Territories
Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

V. to be put into a category, to be arranged in classes or

to be classified
groups

N. an area of land or political division used for official

a district
purposes

geographical A. relating to geography

geographically ADV. done in a way which is related to geography

N. a cultural region in the United States known for its small

New England towns, traditional culture, countryside and colored leaves in
autumn

a region N. a large area or part

self-governing A. independently run, not controlled from the outside

N. a smaller, partly self-governing division of certain

a state
countries

to stretch V. to spread out, extend

A. 1) connected with rope or string 2) connected

tied
(historically, politically, economically, etc.)

N. an area of land ruled by a government

a territory
"Territory" often suggests that the area of land is not given
(territories)
full recognition or equal power in the political process.
Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
District is classified New England self-governing stretches

geographical is tied regions states territories

Simone: Tina, I'm studying American geography at school right now, but I am a little confused about the
terminology they are using. Can you explain the basic ______________ divisions to me?

Tina: Well, the U.S. is made up of fifty ______________. Some of them are quite small such as Rhode
Island or Hawaii; others are very large such as Alaska or Texas.

Simone: My teacher mentioned that the capital of the United States is special. Do you know what he
was talking about?

Tina: The capital is Washington D.C. - the "D.C." stands for ______________ of Columbia. Washington
D.C. is not in a state; it is a separate political division. The United States also includes many
______________ such as Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. And, of course,
Puerto Rico ______________ as a commonwealth.

Simone: What exactly is a commonwealth?

Tina: That means that Puerto Rico ______________ to the United States, but it is largely
______________.

Simone: What about the cultural divisions?

Tina: Americans divide the United States into many different cultural ______________: the Northwest,
the West Coast, the West, the Southwest, the Deep South, the Midwest, the East Coast and, last
but not least, ______________.

Simone: Where's that?

Tina: It is a cultural region in the Northeast that ______________ from Connecticut to Maine.
Vocabulary Follow-Up

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
are classified district New England self-governing stretch

are tied geographically region states territory

1. The deserts of the Southwest ______________ from Texas to California.

2. That island has been controlled by the central government for years; however, many of the locals
want to be ______________. They want to decide their own future.

3. Scientists are convinced that this ______________ of the brain is connected to language skills.

4. Whales ______________ as mammals. They are not fish.

5. This school ______________ is well organized and provides excellent education to all of its students,
even though it receives less money from the government.

6. Canada doesn't have ______________ - it has provinces.

7. In Canada, the Yukon is classified as a ______________; the population is too small for the region to
become a province.

8. Now, these two countries ______________ together politically and economically; however, before
the peace agreement they had been at war for several centuries.

9. Those two nations are very similar ______________. They both have huge stretches of rainforest in
the South and dry desert regions in the North.

10. Peaceful country towns, rivers, forests - I would love to visit ______________! Especially, when the
leaves change color in autumn.

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A Unique Circus
Vocabulary

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb

N. 1) a short performance or skit in a circus 2) a part of a theater

an act
play

the audience N. the people watching or listening to a performance

V. to recognize a special occasion or event with a fun activity or

to celebrate
party

N. 1) clothes worn in a play, movie, circus, or other performance 2)

a costume clothes worn during a special holiday such as Halloween, Carnival or
Mardi Gras

A. enjoying the pain and suffering of others, intentionally causing

cruel
pain and suffering

V. 1) to set apart, to make the difference, to mark the difference 2) to

to distinguish
see, hear, taste or smell the difference (between two or more things)

V. 1) to keep many things in the air at the same time by throwing and
catching them quickly 2) to do many jobs or activities at the same
to juggle time
This usually indicates that because you are doing many things at the
same time, you are tired and overworked.

a magician N. a person who performs magic tricks

A. to be so beautiful or amazing that one becomes speechless and

mesmerizing
lost in a trance

V. to vary from one extreme to another, to represent all types

to range
between two very different categories
Vocabulary in Conversation

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

acts celebrate cruel juggled mesmerizing

audience costumes distinguishes magician ranges

Lars: What did you do to ______________ your birthday?

Barbara: My friends took me to see Cirque du Soleil. What a show! It was unlike anything I had ever
seen before. The performances were ______________ - they were art!

Lars: Wow, it sounds like you really enjoyed yourself. What ______________ Cirque du Soleil from other
circuses?

Barbara: It simply has class. The ______________ have a certain style that you don't see in other
circuses. There is soft, romantic lighting and fantastic music which ______________ from
classical to jazz. But, what really sets the circus apart is the ______________ with their beautiful
fabrics, rich colors and fairy-tale designs.

Lars: It sounds amazing, but I always feel a little guilty when I go to the circus. It seems so
______________ to use animals for our entertainment.

Barbara: Cirque du Soleil doesn't believe in using animals. They rely on human performers including
acrobats, trapeze artists and contortionists.

Lars: That's wonderful. I wish other circuses would do the same.

Barbara: And the human performances are much more fun. There was one clown who actually
______________ eight wine glasses at one time. I couldn't believe it. There was also a
______________ who performed a series of comical tricks involving members of the
______________. I loved the whole thing. You really should see them while they are in town.

Lars: I think I'll go this weekend.

Vocabulary Follow-Up

Fill in all the gaps using the new vocabulary, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

acts celebrate cruel juggles mesmerizing

audience costume distinguish magician ranged

1. The ______________ applauded until the musician sang another song.

2. He is mean and ______________. There is absolutely no good in him at all.

3. This Halloween, I am going to make my own ______________. I think I am going to be a witch.

4. She ______________ two jobs and her volunteer work for the church. On top of that, she paints and
speaks four languages. She is amazing!

5. The ______________ pulled a rabbit out of his hat.

6. I can't really ______________ these two wines; they taste the same to me.

7. This year they are going to ______________ their anniversary in Hawaii.

8. The ballet was ______________. The combination of abstract and traditional dance left the audience
staring in awe.

9. The members of the class I attended ______________ from young students to older professionals.

10. I wouldn't really recommend the play. The first and second ______________ were fantastic, but the
third was very disappointing.

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