Vocabulary and expressions

Health
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. Tom should cut down on the amount of chocolate he eats.

2. The best way to keep in shape / fit is to do regular exercise: it may be a good idea to join a gym or
sports club. But if working out's not for you, don't worry, just go for a walk every day.
3. Eating too much sugar is bound to ruin your health sooner or later. I'd quit / give up eating sugar
altogether if I were you.
4. Giving up a bad habit normally requires a lot of willpower.
5. I have an appointment to see my GP tomorrow. I've always thought it's advisable to have regular
check-ups.
6. Far too many people are overweight these days. Obesity is clearly a widespread problem in developed
countries.
7. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to health problems later in life.
8. Harry has put on / gained a lot of weight recently. He really should go on a diet and avoid eating so
many fattening foods.
9. Kate is trying to stick to a low-carb diet but it takes a lot of self-discipline.
10. It can take about 14 days to get over / recover from a viral infection . And you will probably have to
take antibiotics.
11. I feel a bit under the weather today. I think I might have caught / picked up a bug. My mum said there
was one going around.
12. People who are hooked on addictive substances often have to go through a period of what is
commonly called "cold turkey", which is when they experience withdrawal symptoms.
13. When a disease is highly contagious, it's important to stop it spreading through the population.
14. Healthcare professionals can also make mistakes. Sometimes they prescribe medicines whose side
effects are worse than the medical condition suffered by the patient.
15. During the Covid-19 crisis, lockdowns and social distancing were regarded as the most effective
measures against the spread of the virus.
16. People who suffer from high blood pressure are also prone to other health problems such as diabetes.
17. Bulimia and anorexia are both eating disorders. It can take years to overcome them.
18. If your defences are low, it's important to take steps to strengthen your immune system , otherwise
you are more likely to develop health problems. Remember, "prevention is better than cure".
19. My husband is a complete hypochondriac. He thinks he's at death's door even when he has a really
minor ailment.
20. Tom went down with a really nasty flu last week. He had aches and pains all over his body. I think he's
on the road to recovery now though.
21. Mary had to take painkillers because she was in a lot of discomfort . Fortunately she's over the worst
now.
22. My parents are very careful what they eat. They always read the nutritional information on food
packaging.
23. Over the last 50 years advances in medical science and early detection of disease has led to child
mortality falling dramatically. As a result, average life expectancy has increased greatly.
24. With scientific breakthroughs in medical genetics such as gene profiling and genome sequencing , it is
clear we are on the verge of a new era of personalised medicine.
25. Wearable technologies can help you to track your general level of health and fitness, and are an
important element of what is called preventive medicine.
Vocabulary and expressions

Environment
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. Many people are unaware of the effects of overfishing. We need to raise awareness about this issue
before fish stocks are seriously depleted.
2. Food manufacturers should avoid using plastics and only use packaging which is biodegradable.
3. Many people would accept a lower standard of living in order to help protect the environment.
4. Deforestation, in particular the destruction of rainforests, is a huge problem in South America.
Thousands of trees are cut down every year to make way for cattle farming. It also poses a serious
threat to the indigenous people in these areas.
5. When animals lose their natural habitat, they are in grave danger of dying out (OR becoming extinct).
6. The Iberian lynx is an endangered species. It has been in danger of extinction since the 1950's.
7. We need to increase our use of renewable energy sources such as solar power, and cut back our
dependency on fossil fuels.
8. Wind power does not please everyone. Many people think that wind turbines are a blight on the
landscape.
9. Waste management should aim at achieving sustainable waste disposal. Landfills, incineration and
recycling are the three main methods of waste disposal.
10. There are recycling bins and litter bins all over the city. There is also a municipal garbage dump on the
outskirts.
11. Unfortunately, despite local campaigns , many people continue to drop litter on the street and dump
unwanted household items along the roadsides.
12. More and more people regard factory farming as a form of animal abuse.
13. Coal-fired power stations release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, dangerously increasing
levels of carbon emissions such as CO2. For this reason, they are being phased out in many countries.
14. Global warming is already a major problem. Urgent action is now required to prevent temperatures
(from) rising to even higher levels.
15. Since the industrial revolution, we have been using up natural resources too rapidly. And now we are
running out of time to tackle the problem.
16. If the polar ice caps melt, the sea level will rise , flooding many coastal areas and making large
stretches of land uninhabitable.
17. The ozone layer is vitally important as it screens out the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
18. Exhaust fumes from cars and lorries cause most of the pollution in our major cities.
19. The sewerage system in my city is a disaster. There aren't enough treatment plants and the sewers
often overflow.
20. I do my best to reduce my carbon footprint by avoiding forms of transport that harm the environment.
I also try to consume only environmentally friendly products, and recycle as much household waste as
I can.
21. Oil spills, forest fires , flash floods and mud slides are all examples of man-made disasters.
22. Many coastal areas have been spoilt by mass tourism, which has led to overdevelopment and urban
sprawl.
23. Many shopkeepers in my town believe that the benefits of mass tourism for the local economy far
outweigh the disadvantages.
24. Tourism has become a big problem in my area. The packed beaches are just the tip of the iceberg. The
growth in tourist flats has pushed up prices and many local people have been priced out of the
housing market.
25. Many people criticise tourists for not respecting the customs and way of life of the local people.
Vocabulary and expressions

Education
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. It’s very difficult to engage children who are hyperactive or who have a short attention span.
2. My teachers use a lot of visual aids in class. This makes it easier for us to assimilate complex ideas.
3. Mary is very studious and sailed through all her exams. She passed every one with flying colours.
4. Tom just scraped through his French exam. I think he got a borderline pass. Fortunately, he won’t have
to resit/retake it in September.
5. Learning Arabic has a very steep learning curve. It’s a real uphill struggle.
6. Some students find it difficult to keep up with their peers and end up falling behind. Unfortunately,
many of these decide to drop out of university.
7. If a student is caught cheating in an exam or is found guilty of plagiarism, they can be expelled from
their university.
8. John wanted to become fluent in French, so he decided to take a sabbatical year, go to Paris and
immerse himself in the language.
9. Harry took a gap year in Berlin, where he used to live as a kid, before going to university. Although he
had to brush up on his grammar, he could more or less get by in most daily interactions.
10. Rachel is doing a lot of research into sediment formations. She has to both carry out experiments in
the lab and do fieldwork off campus.
11. Nerd is a despective term which describes a person who is brainy but socially awkward. They also tend
to be obsessed with a particularly technical field such as computing.
12. Vocational training/education prepares people for specific jobs and normally provides hands-on
instruction.
13. Getting into university is relatively easy these days, However, many students have to take out student
loans in order to pay for their tuition fees.
14. Degree courses involve self-study and attendance at lectures, tutorials and seminars with a lecturer or
professor. Core subjects are compulsory, elective subjects are optional.
15. There are a lot of discipline problems at Tom’s school. Many children misbehave and there are quite a
lot of troublemakers.
16. The Open University specializes in distance learning and offers a wide variety of online courses.
17. Most people agree that it’s better to study steadily throughout the academic year rather than cram
just before exams.
18. Digital/Computer literacy is an essential skill these days. Both school-leavers and university graduates
should have a working knowledge of the most common programmes and applications.
19. The aim of this module is to give students a good grounding in basic statistical techniques.
20. After graduation, Sarah won a scholarship and decided to enrol on a postgraduate degree course at
Kingston University.
21. A PhD is a globally recognized postgraduate degree awarded to a candidate who has submitted and
defended a thesis based on extensive and original research in their chosen area.
22. A PhD student is expected to have already completed an undergraduate degree and a postgraduate
degree such as a master’s.
23. At most higher/further education institutions attendance at lectures is not compulsory and
absenteeism can be quite high.
24. Revision (e.g. by highlighting key points) often involves the student learning content by rote. They
then regurgitate what they can remember during the exam. Personally, I think continuous assessment
is a better way to measure learning.
25. “I will hand out a reading list at the end of the lecture. The deadline for assignments is next Friday.
Please, hand/send them in by then.”
Vocabulary and expressions

Travel
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. Tom avoids going to popular holiday destinations, which always tend to be swarming with tourists. He
prefers to visit places which are off the beaten track.
2. I’m not really interested in going to museums and seeing the sights. I just want to get away from
everything, relax, and recharge my batteries before going back to work in September.
3. When John was a student he always used to travel on a shoestring budget. He normally got around by
hitch-hiking and usually stayed at camping sites. Sometimes he even slept rough under the stars.
4. We’ve seen all the places of interest mentioned in the guidebook, so let’s just go for a stroll. We could
wander around the shopping area if you like. What do you think?
5. They set off bright and early because it was going to be a long climb to the top of Snowdon. They
reached the peak at about three o’clock, stayed on the summit for half an hour, then started to make
their way back to the youth hostel.
6. It’s best to go to Tenby during the off season from November to March. Prices are exhorbitant during
the peak season in July and August.
7. If I were you, I’d steer clear of the area around the port. It’s a real tourist trap full of tacky souvenir
shops and fast food outlets, and as you can imagine there are always hordes of tourists.
8. The whole area has been spoilt by mass tourism. There are dozens of holiday resorts with ugly high-
rise hotels all along the coast. It’s less touristy inland but there isn’t much to see to be honest.
9. There are farms and unspoilt villages dotted along the valley, and the scenery is really beautiful. It’s
clear they’ve made an effort to minimize the impact of tourism.
10. We’re taking my aunt on a short break to Venice next month. She’s in her seventies now, so I imagine
we’ll have to do everything at a leisurely pace.
11. The panorama from the viewpoint over the city is breathtaking. In the distance you can just make out
the Gothic cathedral, which is absolutely stunning. If you ever go, it’s a real must-see.
12. People often say that travel broadens the mind.
13. After a long day sightseeing, I really like getting back to the hotel, putting my feet up and unwinding
with a nice gin and tonic.
14. Sam has a real thirst for adventure. He’s always off to far-flung places I’ve never heard of.
15. The village was in the middle of nowhere. It was much more isolated than we expected.
16. I didn’t have a very good trip actually. The flight was really bumpy and I suffered from jet lag when we
arrived. In fact I was so disorientated it took me a few days to find my bearings.
17. My mum dropped me off at the airport 30 minutes before my flight. Luckily, I was travelling light and
only had hand luggage, so I boarded the plane really quickly. My uncle picked me up when I arrived in
Manchester.
18. There’s a nice terrace bar next to the market. It’s a great place to soak up the atmosphere and watch
the world go by.
19. Holidaymakers obviously bring in a lot of money, which is good for the local economy. But many
people complain about the drunkenness and anti-social behaviour of the younger tourists.
20. The central square is really lively, the hustle and bustle on market day is incredible. To be honest, it’s a
bit too overcrowded for my liking.
21. The London underground tends to be packed with commuters and backpackers. Sometimes it’s
difficult to get off the train because the doors are blocked by rucksacks and suitcases.
22. The cruise ship offered a wide range of amenities. It even had a small medical centre, which was useful
because the sea was quite rough and I felt really seasick.
23. Although the city centre was a bit run-down, the surrounding villages were really picturesque.
24. My daughter always has itchy feet. No sooner has she got back from a trip than she’s making travel
arrangements to go somewhere else.
25. We booked a long-haul flight to Melbourne which included a stopover in Mumbai.
Vocabulary and expressions

Entertainment
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. The movie is based on a true story and was released a year after the real events took place.
2. Sarah likes reading reviews of the week's new releases.
3. In a review you should only give a brief outline of the plot.
4. Downton Abbey is a costume drama set in Berkshire at the beginning of the 20th century.
5. Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert de Niro, tells the story of a Vietnam
veteran who descends into insanity.
6. The Trap stars Martin Broderick in the role of a rogue MI5 agent. Harry Ferris plays the part in the
sequel.
7. Peter O'Toole gives a stunning performance as Lawrence of Arabia.
8. The movie has a star-studded cast and a really catchy soundtrack, so it appeals to people of all ages.
9. Seven is a gripping thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
10. I don't understand why that series got rave reviews because it was full of clichés. The worst episodes
are in the latest season.
11. The Dictator was a bit of a letdown. It didn't live up to my expectations at all.
12. It's just a feelgood movie, so don't let the holes in the plot bother you.
13. The Maid is a typical tearjerker. It's overly sentimental and plays on the viewers emotions too much,
for my taste.
14. The series is a wonderful portrayal of life in the 1920s. However, I didn't really like the way it portrays
women.
15. The Prof provides a fascinating insight into the pressures and everyday problems that teachers face.
16. The original movie was a box office success but the remake was a complete flop.
17. The special effects in Kingsman are really mind-blowing, especially when they're shot in slow motion.
18. Many film buffs favour subtitles over dubbing, especially for films which feature more acting than
action.
19. The movie features many unforgettable scenes, but it lacks rhythm in my opinion.
20. The series explores / touches on the phenomenon of precarious work but doesn't really offer an in-
depth analysis of the issue.
21. This black comedy interweaves tragedy and humour brilliantly. But as the story unfolds it becomes
clear who the murderer is.
22. The novel came out last November and became an overnight bestseller. It has since been made into a
TV series, and will be adapted for the big screen next year.
23. The plot revolves around the exploits of an undercover police agent.
24. The storyline is really engrossing and is full of twists and turns.
25. The Jungle is overrated in my opinion. My wife said she couldn't put it down, but I just couldn't get
into it.
26. It's a bit heavy-going in parts. I'd skip the descriptive details and character descriptions if I were you.
27. K-Shot got a lot of hype and now have a huge following with fans all over the world.
28. Masked Love is considered to be the best track on K-Shot's latest album.
29. Fran took up the violin when she was 14, but gave up playing when she went to university.
30. When I'm waiting at the dentist's, I normally listen to music on my earphones or flick through a
magazine.
Vocabulary and expressions

Work
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. This job requires both leadership and communication skills.

2. Your CV / resume should include information about your qualifications and work experience. It should
be accompanied by a cover letter in which you state why you think you would be suited to the position
you are applying for.
3. I think Beth Richards would be the most suitable candidate. In my opinion, she showed she had a good
head for statistics, and that she would be more than able to cope with pressure.
4. I prefer jobs which are demanding and challenging. In my opinion, jobs which require hard work are
the most rewarding as they tend to be beneficial for both your personal and professional
development.
5. I think I made a good impression during the interview. I really hope they don’t turn me down, I’ve
been on the dole (OR out of work OR unemployed) for over a year now.
6. When I graduate I’m going to set up and run my own business. I want to be self-employed, I definitely
don’t want to be stuck behind a desk in some dead-end job that I hate.
7. For me, earning a high salary is nowhere near as important as having job satisfaction.
8. I’ve been job-hunting for six months, but I’m not prepared to accept anything. My priority is to find a
job that allows me to have a good work-life balance, and which offers me job security. Do you think
I’m asking too much?
9. I used to be in charge of sales, but they’ve recently made me responsible for marketing.
10. My previous employment was a real rat race. Some of my colleagues seemed desperate to get
promotion and climb the career ladder at any cost.
11. I’m really snowed under at the moment. I’m up to my ears in work and have a few very important
deadlines to meet. I never thought I’d have such a heavy workload.
12. As unemployment is high, the labour market is extremely competitive these days. There is fierce
competition in almost all sectors of the economy.
13. The most successful countries tend to have a well qualified and highly skilled workforce.
14. As economies are becoming more and more automated, there is nowhere near as much demand for
unskilled labour as there was in the past.
15. Many people are reluctant to work shifts or do overtime.
16. Many students do internships in companies. However, the pay and working conditions often leave a
lot to be desired.
17. The human resources department is not only involved in recruiting new staff. The company
sometimes has to make cutbacks, which means making people redundant (OR laying off people).
18. Last month, we were forced to sack (OR fire) six employees for gross misconduct.
19. The manufacture of drones is a boom industry these days. Employment in this sector appeals
particularly to recently graduated engineers, for whom job prospects are very good.
20. After the merger Helen didn’t feel happy at work. She was going to take unpaid leave for a while, but
ended up resigning (OR quitting).
21. Many young people end up in the gig economy working long hours and earning a pittance. Getting a
steady nine-to-five job is a dream for many young jobseekers these days.
22. Last month, my brother had to stand in for a colleague who was on sick leave.
23. My sister works as a freelance graphic designer. She says she prefers to be her own boss, and doesn’t
want to be held accountable for things which are not her responsibility.
24. Mary only started working for the company a fortnight ago. At the moment she’s doing paperwork and
generally trying to find her feet. She’ll take on more responsibilities next year.
25. Harry used to have to commute to his workplace, now he teleworks from home.
26. Robert has a high-powered job in London with lots of perks. Apparently, he earns a fortune.
27. A: What do you do for a living? B: I’m a building supplier. My company supplies construction material
to companies all over the north of England.
28. My job involves visiting potential clients. I have to deal with people from all walks of life.
29. Laura showed herself to be a hardworking, conscientious and resourceful member of the team, so her
boss offered her a permanent contract with a considerable pay rise.
30. I think my father should take early retirement, but he is reluctant to retire until he reaches the
statutory retirement age of 65.
Vocabulary and expressions

Consumerism
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. We haven't got much money left. We're going to have to tighten our belts.
2. Jill got a lot of money for her birthday and went on a spending spree in London.
3. During the economic recession many people found it difficult to make ends meet.
4. That coat looks expensive. It must have cost you an arm and a leg.
5. My brother has got into a lot of debt. He's been living beyond his means for years and owes the bank
thousands of pounds.
6. I always shop around before buying something expensive. Sometimes you can find really good
bargains, especially during the sales.
7. This month I'm on a tight budget so I'm going to have to be careful with money.
8. I was lucky enough to find a jacket that was really good value for money; normally brand name clothes
/ designer clothes are such a rip-off. It's daylight robbery!
9. I never go window-shopping in high-street chains. I always end up buying things on impulse. My mum
says I'm a compulsive shopper.
10. It's difficult to keep up with the latest fashions. Things go out of fashion / become outdated really
quickly.
11. The standard of living in Mozambique is very low. People have enough money to fulfil / meet their
basic needs but little else.
12. The cost of living in Oslo is really high. Prices are absolutely exorbitant.
13. We live in a consumer society with a market economy governed by the law of supply and demand. In
general, people are very materialistic.
14. After the war, household incomes began to rise and things that were previously considered luxuries
became affordable. In this period, the demand for mass produced goods increased dramatically.
15. Electric scooters are selling like hot cakes these days. Maybe it's just a passing fad, but the
manufacturers must be making a killing.
16. “Burberry briefcases are in very high demand at the moment, sir. I'm afraid we've sold out.”
17. “I'm sorry to say we're out of stock at the moment, madam. We should have some more in stock next
week.”
18. Competition has been incredibly fierce. Retailers have had to slash prices in order to compete and
stay afloat.
19. Many companies are struggling to make a profit. Some are finding it difficult to break even and others
are already making a loss.
20. Advertising campaigns are normally aimed at a particular kind of consumer.
21. Products which are endorsed by influencers appeal especially to young people.
22. In my view, we need to do more market research before deciding on brand image and packaging.
23. Tom is terrible with money. He squanders the little money he makes on overpriced, brand name /
designer clothes.
24. Cashiers in supermarkets are normally polite and helpful, but customer service in local shops tends to
be more personal.
25. Luxury products are status symbols which allow people with the greatest spending power to show off
their wealth.
26. The pandemic has led to a shift in consumer behaviour from shopping in high street chains to
shopping in online stores.
27. My parents never buy foodstuffs which are past their sell-by date.
28. Most self-service checkouts are easy to use. Just scan the barcodes of the items you're buying and
insert your credit card.
29. Many people are still reluctant to make a purchase online.
30. Buying something on hire purchase or on credit involves the consumer paying interest.
Vocabulary and expressions

Social issues
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. Homelessness is clearly on the increase. Many people are living in shelters but some have no choice
but to sleep rough and depend on food banks in order to survive.
2. These days, many young people are employed in precarious jobs in the so-called gig economy. Some
people say that many millennials will be worse off than their parents.
3. Unemployment has fallen but the gap between rich and poor has widened considerably. There have
been strikes and demonstrations all over the country to protest against the government's economic
policy.
4. In a welfare state people pay taxes on their income and receive public services such as healthcare in
return. Sometimes governments subsidize public and private institutions to stimulate economic
growth and to promote activities which are in the public good.
5. Tom comes from a very privileged background. His parents were very wealthy and, as a result, he
inherited a lot of money.
6. Over the last 50 years, there have been important gains in civil rights. Many steps have been taken to
ensure both gender and racial equality.
7. Women are still discriminated against in the workplace and sexual harassment is still a major issue.
8. Legally, women have the same rights as men. However, sexism and prejudice against women still exist
in society, and seem far from being eradicated.
9. Opinion polls show that most people are more accepting of asylum seekers than economic migrants.
10. Refugees are normally people who are fleeing from war, hunger, extreme poverty, or political
persecution.
11. Statistics show that marriage break-ups have increased during the Covid pandemic, but what’s worse,
cases of domestic violence have doubled. Not surprisingly, the divorce rate has soared.
12. Immigration helps to create tolerant and prosperous multicultural societies. However, during periods
of economic difficulty, xenophobia and intolerance tend to rise.
13. The government imposed a curfew after civil unrest, riots and looting broke out throughout the
capital.
14. The democratically elected government came to power in 2015, but was overthrown by a military
coup after which a dictatorship / totalitarian regime was established, and strict censorship imposed on
the press.
15. The public outcry over political corruption amongst politicians and political parties has been
enormous. Ordinary people are beginning to lose faith in the accountability of their elected
representatives.
16. I regard myself as liberal-minded and progressive. My father, on the other hand, has a very
conservative mindset and some very old-fashioned ideas.
17. The political climate is very polarized at the moment. People on the left and the right of the political
spectrum seem reluctant to enter into dialogue with each other.
18. The rule of law guarantees freedom of expression, but does not tolerate incitement to violence.
19. Legally speaking, there is a big difference between politically incorrect language and hate speech.
20. In some inner city areas the crime rate is very high. Surveillance cameras have been installed in many
streets to help combat juvenile delinquency, but many local people see this as an infringement of their
right to privacy.
21. Obviously, the vast majority of people are law-abiding, but there are still many problems of petty
crime and anti-social behaviour.
22. The centre of the city is run-down and overcrowded. There is a chronic shortage of housing, and slums
have begun to appear on the outskirts.
23. It is not clear who or what is to blame for the sharp rise in substance abuse, which, after many years of
government inaction, has provoked a crackdown on both drug traffickers and the gangs that act as
dealers.
24. A number of local people who are unable to pay their rents have been evicted from their homes.
Squatting has become commonplace in the area.
25. Begging has been banned in the central shopping area, but the local council has ruled out a ban on
busking.
26. The government has had to make severe cutbacks in public transport. This has had an extremely
negative effect/impact on disabled people and their access to healthcare facilities.
27. After the civil war the majority of people were poverty-stricken. Hunger, malnutrition and disease
were widespread, and the fear of famine was very real.
28. The coastal areas of the country are relatively affluent. However, inland, thousands of people live
below the poverty line in deprived semi-abandoned towns.
29. In many developing countries, mortality rates are still high. Meanwhile, most developed countries
have had to take measures to tackle the problems associated with an ageing population.
30. The death penalty has been abolished but basic basic human rights are still under threat.
Vocabulary and expressions

Technology
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. It's surprising how fast cutting edge technologies become obsolete. Many people feel obliged to
upgrade their equipment every couple of years, or even sooner.
2. It's extremely difficult to keep up with the latest technological developments these days.
3. My son is totally addicted to social networks he seems to spend all day glued to the screen.
4. The government has organized training sessions to increase computer literacy among elderly people.
Some old people are not even sure how to use a touchscreen.
5. Advances in technology / Technological advances have been absolutely spectacular over the last 20
years.
6. These days, most homes have access to the internet and a broadband connection. However, in poorer
countries, the digital divide is still very large.
7. Most online teachers use video conferencing platforms like Zoom to give their classes.
8. There isn't a very good signal in my grandparents village and I often get cut off in the middle of a
lecture.
9. It’s a common problem to procrastinate when browsing websites on the internet. It's really easy to get
distracted and lose track of what you are doing.
10. Some people say that the misuse of the internet is making our attention span shorter and shorter.
11. The business models of most internet companies is based on advertising. For this reason, they compete
ferociously for our attention.
12. These days, I only ever use email to send attachments.
13. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics are bound to have an enormous impact on employment in the
future. Automation will even replace professions which require cognitive skills.
14. Every effort should be made to make apps and web tools as user-friendly as possible. According to
surveys, internet users rate easy-to-use interfaces very highly.
15. On desktop and laptop browsers users normally have to scroll up and down to view content. On
handheld devices it is more common to swipe left or right to navigate through an application.
16. I hardly ever read the articles that I bookmark. I usually end up deleting them.
17. On demand video and film has dominated the audiovisual market in recent years. Most people watch
films and TV series on streaming platforms such as Netflix.
18. The internet has enabled people to access an enormous number of news sources/outlets. Of course, a
lot of the information they come across is unreliable or misleading.
19. New technologies have given us access to vast amounts of media content. In fact, many people
complain that we are being bombarded with an excessive amount of information.
20. Techie, nerd, and geek are all terms which are used to describe people with an obsessive interest in
technology.
21. Digital entrepreneurs often use crowdfunding to help finance new online companies. These companies
are often referred to as startups.
22. A technophobe is a person who fears or dislikes new technologies, and is regarded as a derogatory
term. Technophobes are also often referred to as Luddites.
23. It's always a good idea to make a backup copy in case your computer crashes.
24. Since the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, distance learning has become the norm for many educational
institutions.
25. Many people configure their privacy settings so that only their friends can see the content they post
online.
26. People check their phones hundreds of times a day. Notifications and alerts can be a particular
distraction for many people.
27. “Sorry, I've got to hang up now. My phone's running out of power and there's nowhere to charge the
battery. I'll leave you a voicemail later on. OK?”
28. There's no Wi-Fi at the hotel so guests have to use mobile data.
29. My service provider’s mobile app is really useful. I can get all sorts of information about both my
mobile and landline phones.
30. The storage capacity of mobile phones and flash drives / memory sticks has increased enormously
over the last decade.
Vocabulary and expressions

Celebrations
Learn the following words and expressions.

1. During the town’s summer festival, the local people stay up all night. The streets are packed with
people partying from dusk to dawn.
2. To celebrate the summer solstice, people make bonfires in the street and let off fireworks /
firecrackers / bangers. The town council also organises an enormous firework display in the central
park.
3. On the last day of the festive period, a procession is held when floats parade through the streets
and papier-mâché effigies representing controversial characters are ceremoniously burnt.
4. In my town, a lot of importance is given to maintaining local customs and traditions such as wearing
traditional costumes.
5. In some villages, the local people light candles and put them inside colourful lanterns which they use
to decorate the streets.
6. On 20th February, a church service is held to commemorate the beginning of the war. Prayers are
said in honor of the soldiers who died.
7. Today, I have to ring my parents to congratulate them on their silver wedding anniversary.
8. At Christmas, people organize family get-togethers and give each other gifts.
9. During carnival, people dress up in elaborate fancy dress costumes.
10. Let's toast the happy couple and wish them all the best for the future.
11. The best man led the bride down the aisle to the altar where the groom was waiting nervously.
12. Some Caribbean islands are full of newlyweds on honeymoon.
13. The police receive many complaints about the anti-social behavior of people on stag nights and hen
parties.
14. After 5 years going out together he finally proposed to me. He popped the question when we were
at his parents place.
15. At the moment, Tom and Mary are engaged. I think they're due to tie the knot next month.
16. A christening or baptism is when a newly born child is accepted into the Christian religion. Non-
believers sometimes hold naming ceremonies instead.
17. My uncle has just passed away. The funeral will be held on Sunday.
18. The vast majority of people in my country opt for cremation rather than burial in a cemetery.
19. Although my aunt Mary has been a widow for 10 years, she leaves flowers on her husband's grave
every month.
20. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
21. In most cultures, people go through a period of mourning after the death of a parent, spouse or
child.
22. In the vast majority of cultures, people remember and honor their ancestors.
23. I hope the legacy we leave our descendants will be viewed positively by them.
24. The tradition of wooden "love spoons" dates back to the 17th century and originated in the West
Wales.
25. Many Christian festivals have their origins in pagan times.
26. In many cultures, celebrations are held when a child comes of age and enters into adulthood.
27. Tom is having a housewarming party next Saturday in his new flat. There'll be about 20 guests, I
think.
28. It's my daughter's birthday this weekend we are going to take her to an amusement park. She loves
going on all the rides.
29. I’m going to throw/have a party this Saturday. Why don’t you come along and let your hair down a
bit? I’m sure we’ll have a whale of a time.
30. Lets’ invite John, he’s always the life and soul of the party, even if he does go a bit wild sometimes.