Vocabulary Building: English Words and Phrases for News and Everyday Life, Notas de estudo de Literatura

Baixe Vocabulary Building: English Words and Phrases for News and Everyday Life e outras Notas de estudo em PDF para Literatura, somente na Docsity! A list of words used in Special English programs on radio, television and the Internet EDITION Word Book SpecialEnglish Word Book Voice of America Washington, D.C. 20237 www.VOASpecialEnglish.com A list of words used in Special English programs on radio, television and the Internet EDITION 6 Foreword The Voice of America has been broadcasting programs in Special English since 1959. Special English is VOA’s method of communicating with English learners around the world in a way that is easy to understand. The vocabu- lary is limited to about 1,500 words. The sentences are short. The speed is slower than normal. Special English programs are broadcast on the Voice of America, on radio stations around the world, on satellite television and on the Internet. These programs present the latest world news as well as information about science, medicine, education, economics, American history and life in the United States. This book explains the meaning of the words used in our broadcasts and on our Web site.The first edition was published in 1962. The list of words has changed since then, as the language itself has changed. We thank all those people at VOA who started the process and who helped make this edition possible. You can download transcripts and audio files of our programs at our Web site, www.VOASpecialEnglish.com. You can also get details of where to find our programs on radio and television. VOA Special English Washington, D.C. 2009 7 w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m baby happy they and jump 8 affect – v. to produce an effect on; to influence (“A lack of sleep affected the singer’s performance.”) afraid – ad. feeling fear after – ad. later; behind again – ad. another time; as before against – ad. opposed to; not agreeing with something age – n. how old a person or thing is agency – n. an organization that is part of a larger group (“an agency of the United Nations”) aggression – n. an attack against a person or country; the violation of a country’s borders ago – ad. of time past; before now agree – v. to have the same belief as someone; to be willing to do something agriculture – n. farming aid – v. to help; to support; n. help, assistance aim – v. to point a gun at; n. a goal or purpose air – n. the mixture of gases around the earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, that we breathe air force – n. a military organization using airplanes airplane – n. a vehicle with wings that flies airport – n. a place where airplanes take off and land album – n. a collection of recorded music airplane affect – album A w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 11 alcohol – n. a strong, colorless liquid, usually made from grain, used in drinks or in industrial products alive – ad. having life; not dead all – ad. everything; everyone; the complete amount ally – n. a nation or person joined with another for a special purpose almost – ad. a little less than completely alone – ad. separated from others along – ad. near or on (“along the road”) already – ad. before now; even now also – ad. added to; too although – conj. even if it is true that always – ad. at all times; every time ambassador – n. a nation’s highest diplomatic representa- tive (to another government) amend – v. to add to or to change (a proposal or law) ammunition – n. the bullets or shells fired from guns among – ad. in or part of (a group) amount – n. the number, size or weight of anything anarchy – n. a lack of order; lawlessness ancestor – n. a family member from the past ancient – ad. very old; long ago and – conj. also; in addition to; with anger – n. a strong emotion against someone or something animal – n. a living creature that moves, such as a dog or cat anniversary – n. a yearly celebration or observance of an event that happened in the pastA 12 alcohol – anniversary 13 w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m Aannounce – artillery art announce – v. to make known publicly; to declare officially another – ad. one more; a different one answer – n. a statement produced by a question; v. to make a statement after being asked a question antibodies – n. special proteins produced in the blood that kill harmful bacteria any – ad. one or more of no special kind apologize – v. to express regret for a mistake or accident for which one accepts responsibility appeal – v. to take to a higher court, person or group for a decision; to call on somebody for help appear – v. to show oneself; to come into sight; to seem appoint – v. to name; to choose (“appoint a judge”) approve – v. to agree with; to agree to support archeology – n. the scientific study of past human life and activities area – n. any place or part of it argue – v. to offer reasons for or against something; to dispute; to disagree arms – n. military equipment; weapons army – n. military ground forces around – ad. on every side (of) arrest – v. to seize a person for legal action; to take as a prisoner arrive – v. to come to a place, especially at the end of a trip art – n. expressions or creations by humans, such as paintings, music, writing or statues artillery – n. big guns battle – bird 16 B battle – n. a fight between opposing armed forces be – v. to live; to happen; to exist beat – v. to hit again and again beauty – n. that which pleases the eye, ear or spirit because – prep. for the reason that (“He left because he was sick.”) become – v. to come to be bed – n. a sleeping place before – prep. earlier begin – v. to do the first part of an action; to start behavior – n. the way in which a person or animal acts (“The child’s behavior was bad because he fought with other children.”) behind – ad. at the back of; in back of believe – v. to think; to feel sure of; to accept as true; to trust belong – v. to be owned by; to be a member of below – ad. lower than best – ad. the most good betray – v. to turn against; to be false to better – ad. more good than between – ad. in the space or time that separates; from one to the other (“talks between two nations”) big – ad. of great size; not small bill – n. a legislative proposal biology – n. the scientific study of life or living things in all their forms bird – n. a creature that flies bite – v. to cut with the teeth black – ad. dark; having the color like that of the night sky blame – v. to accuse; to hold responsible bleed – v. to lose blood blind – ad. not able to see block – v. to stop something from being done; to prevent movement blood – n. red fluid in the body blow – v. to move with force, as in air (“The wind blows.”) blue – ad. having the color like that of a clear sky boat – n. something built to travel on water that carries people or goods body – n. all of a person or animal; the remains of a person or animal boil – v. to heat a liquid until it becomes very hot bomb – n. a device that explodes with great force; v. to attack or destroy with bombs bone – n. the hard material in the body book – n. a long written work for reading border – n. a dividing line between nations born – v. to come to life; to come into existence borrow – v. to take as a loan both – ad. not just one of two, but the two together bottle – n. a container, usually made of glass, to hold liquid bed bite – bottle B w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 17 bottom – ad. the lowest part of something box – n. something to put things into; a container, usually made of paper or wood boy – n. a young male person boycott – v. to refuse to take part in or deal with brain – n. the control center of thought, emotions and body activity of all creatures brave – ad. having no fear bread – n. a food made from grain break – v. to divide into parts by force; to destroy breathe – v. to take air into the body and let it out again bridge – n. a structure built over a waterway, valley or road so people and vehicles can cross from one side to the other brief – ad. short; not long bright – ad. giving much light; strong and clear in color bring – v. to come with something broadcast – v. to send information, stories or music by radio or television; n. a radio or television program brother – n. a male with the same father or mother as another person brown – ad. having the color like that of coffee budget – n. a spending plan build – v. to join materials together to make something building – n. anything built for use as a house, factory, office, school, store or place of entertainment bullet – n. a small piece of metal shot from a gun burn – v. to be on fire; to destroy or damage by fire C 18 bottom – burn center – n. the middle of something; the place in the middle; a place that is the main point of an activity century – n. one hundred years ceremony – n. an act or series of acts done in a special way established by tradition chairman – n. a person leading a meeting or an organized group champion – n. the best; the winner chance – n. a possibility of winning or losing or that something will happen change – v. to make different; to become different charge – v. to accuse someone of something, usually a crime; n. a statement in which someone is accused of something chase – v. to run or go after someone or something cheat – v. to get by a trick; to steal from cheer – v. to shout approval or praise chemicals – n. elements found in nature or made by people; substances used in the science of chemistry chemistry – n. the scientific study of substances, what they are made of, how they act under different conditions, and how they form other substances chief – n. the head or leader of a group; ad. leading; most important child – n. a baby; a boy or girl children – n. more than one child choose – v. to decide between two or more carry center – choose C w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 21 chromosome – n. a line of genes; most human cells contain 46 chromosomes circle – n. a closed shape that has all its points equally distant from the center, like an “O” citizen – n. a person who is a member of a country by birth or by law city – n. any important large town civilian – ad. not military civil rights – n. the political, economic and social rights given equally to all people of a nation claim – v. to say something as a fact clash – n. a battle; v. to fight or oppose class – n. a group of students who meet to study the same subject; also a social or economic group. (“They were members of the middle class.”) clean – v. to make pure; ad. free from dirt or harmful substances (“clean water”) clear – ad. easy to see or see through; easily understood clergy – n. a body of officials within a religious organization climate – n. the normal weather conditions of a place climb – v. to go up or down something by using the feet and sometimes the hands clock – n. a device that measures and shows time close – v. to make something not open; ad. near to clock chromosome – close 22 C cloth – n. a material made from plants, chemicals, animal hair and other substances clothes – n. what people wear cloud – n. a mass of fog high in the sky coal – n. a solid black substance used as fuel coalition – n. forces, groups or nations joined together coast – n. land on the edge of the ocean coffee – n. a drink made from the plant of the same name cold – ad. not warm; having or feeling great coolness or a low temperature collapse – v. to fall down or inward suddenly; to break down or fail suddenly in strength, health or power. (“The building collapsed in the earthquake.” “The government collapsed after a vote in parliament.”) collect – v. to bring or gather together in one place; to demand and receive (“collect taxes”) college – n. a small university colony – n. land controlled by another country or government color – n. the different effects of light on the eye, making blue, red, brown, black, yellow and others combine – v. to mix or bring together come – v. to move toward; to arrive command – v. to order; to have power over something comment – v. to say something about; to express an opinion about something committee – n. a group of people given special work coffee cloth – committee C w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 23 corn – criticize 26 D corn – n. a food grain correct – ad. true; free from mistakes; v. to change to what is right corruption – n. actions taken to gain money or power that are legally or morally wrong cost – n. the price or value of something (“The cost of the book is five dollars.”); v. to be valued at cotton – n. a material made from a plant of the same name count – v. to speak or add numbers country – n. a nation; the territory of a nation; land away from cities court – n. where trials take place; where judges make deci- sions about law cover – v. to put something over a person or thing; n. any- thing that is put over a person or thing cow – n. a farm animal used for its milk crash – v. to fall violently; to hit with great force create – v. to make; to give life or form to creature – n. any living being; any animal or human credit – n. an agreement that payments will be made at a later time crew – n. a group of people working together crime – n. an act that violates a law criminal – n. a person who is responsible for a crime crisis – n. an extremely important time when some- thing may become much better or worse; a dangerous situation criticize – v. to say what is wrong with something or someone; to condemn; to judge crops – n. plants that are grown and gathered for food, such as grains, fruits and vegetables cross – v. to go from one side to another; to go across crowd – n. a large number of people gathered in one place crush – v. to damage or destroy by great weight; to defeat completely cry – v. to express or show sorrow or pain culture – n. all the beliefs, traditions and arts of a group or population cure – v. to improve health; to make well (“The doctor can cure the disease.”); n. something that makes a sick person well (“Antibiotics are a cure for infection.”) curfew – n. an order to people to stay off the streets or to close their businesses current – n. movement of air, water or electricity; ad. belonging to the present time (“She found the report in a current publication.”) custom – n. a long–established belief or activity of a people customs – n. taxes on imports cut – v. to divide or injure with a sharp tool; to make less; to reduce D dam – n. a wall built across a river to hold back flowing water damage – v. to cause injury or destruction; n. harm; hurt or injury, usually to things cow crops – damage D w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 27 dance dance – v. to move the body and feet to music; n. a series of steps, usually to music danger – n. a strong chance of suffering injury, damage or loss dark – ad. having little or no light (“The room was dark.”) date – n. an expression of time; a day, month and year daughter – n. a person’s female child day – n. twenty–four hours; the hours of sunlight dead – ad. not living deaf – ad. not able to hear deal – v. to have to do with (“The talks will deal with the problem of pollution.”); to buy or sell (“Her company deals in plastic.”) n. an agreement debate – v. to argue for or against something; n. a public discussion or argument debt – n. something that is owed; the condition of owing decide – v. to choose; to settle; to judge declare – v. to say; to make a statement decrease – v. to make less in size or amount deep – ad. going far down; a long way from top to bottom defeat – v. to cause to lose in a battle or struggle; n. a loss; the condition of having lost defend – v. to guard or fight against attack; to protect deficit – n. a shortage that results when spending is greater than earnings, or imports are greater than exports define – v. to give the meaning of; to explain degree – n. a measure of temperatureD 28 dance – degree disarm – v. to take away weapons; to no longer keep weapons; to make a bomb harmless by removing its exploding device disaster – n. an event causing widespread destruction or loss of life, such as an earthquake or plane crash discover – v. to find or learn something discrimination – n. unfair treatment or consideration based on opinions about a whole group instead of on the qual- ities of an individual. (“He was accused of discrimination against people from other countries.”) discuss – v. to talk about; to exchange ideas disease – n. a sickness in living things, often caused by viruses, germs or bacteria dismiss – v. to send away; to refuse to consider dispute – v. to oppose strongly by argument; n. an angry debate dissident – n. a person who strongly disagrees with his or her government distance – n. the amount of space between two places or objects (“The distance from my house to your house is two kilometers.”) dive – v. to jump into water head first divide – v. to separate into two or more parts do – v. to act; to make an effort doctor – n. a person trained in medicine to treat sick people document – n. an official piece of paper with facts written on it, used as proof or support of something dog – n. a small animal that often lives with humans 31 w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m Ddisarm – dog dog dollar – n. United States money, one hundred cents donate – v. to present something as a gift to an organization, country or cause. (“She donated money to the Red Cross to help survivors of the earthquake.”) door – n. an opening for entering or leaving a building or room double – v. to increase two times as much in size, strength or number. down – ad. from higher to lower; in a low place dream – v. to have a picture or story in the mind during sleep; n. a picture or story in the mind during sleep; a happy idea about the future drink – v. to take liquid into the body through the mouth drive – v. to control a moving vehicle drop – v. to fall or let fall; to go lower drown – v. to die under water drug – n. anything used as a medicine or in making medicine; a chemical substance used to ease pain or to affect the mind dry – ad. not wet; without rain drink dollar – dry 32 E during – ad. through the whole time; while (something is happening) dust – n. pieces of matter so small that they can float in the air duty – n. one’s job or responsibility; what one must do because it is right and just E each – ad. every one by itself early – ad. at or near the beginning, especially the beginning of the day; opposite late earn – v. to be paid in return for work done earth – n. the planet we all live on; the ground or soil earthquake – n. a sudden, violent shaking of the earth’s surface ease – v. to reduce; to make less difficult east – n. the direction from which the sun rises easy – ad. not difficult; not hard to do eat – v. to take food into the body through the mouth ecology – n. the scientific study of the environment and links among living and material things economy – n. the system by which money, industry and trade are organized edge – n. the line where something ends or begins education – n. the act of teaching effect – n. the result or change caused by something (“The storm had a serious effect on the economy.”) effort – n. an attempt; the work necessary to do something eat during – effort E w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 33 ever – experience 36 F ever – ad. at any time every – ad. each one; all evidence – n. material or facts that prove something; a reason for believing evil – ad. not good; extremely bad exact – ad. having no mistakes; correct in every detail examine – v. to study closely example – n. a part that shows what the rest of a thing or group is like excellent – ad. extremely good except – prep. but for exchange – v. to trade; to give or receive one thing for another excuse – v. to take away blame; to pardon; to forgive; n. a reason (sometimes false) for an action execute – v. to kill exercise – n. an activity or effort for the purpose of improving the body or to stay in good health exile – v. to force a person to leave his or her country; to expel; n. a person who is forced to leave his or her country exist – v. to be; to live expand – v. to make larger; to grow larger expect – v. to think or believe that something will happen; to wait for an event expel – v. to force out; to remove from; to send away experience – v. to live through an event, situation or condition (“She experienced great pain.”); n. something that one has done or lived through (“The experience caused her great pain.”) experiment – v. to test; n. a test or trial carried out to prove if an idea is true or false, or to discover something expert – n. a person with special knowledge or training explain – v. to give reasons for; to make clear; to tell about; to tell the meaning explode – v. to break apart violently with a loud noise, like a bomb explore – v. to travel in a place that is not well known to learn more about it; to make a careful search; to examine closely export – v. to send to another country; n. something sent to another country, usually for sale express – v. to say clearly extend – v. to stretch out in area or length; to continue for a longer time extra – ad. more than normal, expected or necessary extraordinary – ad. far greater or better than the usual or normal extreme – ad. more than the usual or accepted extremist – n. a person with strong religious or political beliefs who acts in an extreme or violent way F face – n. the front of the head: eyes, nose, mouth; v. to look toward; to turn toward; to have before you, such as a problem or danger exercise experiment – face F w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 37 fact – feed 38 F fact – n. something known or proved to be true factory – n. a building or group of buildings where goods are made fail – v. to not succeed; to not reach a goal fair – ad. just; honest; what is right fall – v. to go down quickly; to come down; to drop to the ground or a lower position false – ad. not true; not correct family – n. the group that includes children and their parents famous – ad. known very well to many people fan – n. a person who actively supports a sport, activity or performer (“The baseball fan attended every game his team played.”) far – ad. at, to or from a great distance farm – n. land used to grow crops and animals for food fast – ad. moving or working at great speed; quick fat – n. tissue in the bodies of humans and animals used to store energy and to keep warm; ad. thick; heavy father – n. the male parent; a man who has a child or children favorite – ad. liked more than others (“Ice cream was her favorite food.”) fear – v. to be afraid; to worry that something bad is near or may happen (“He feared falling down.”); n. a strong emotion when there is danger or trouble (“He had a fear that he would fall down.”) federal – ad. of or having to do with a national or central government feed – v. to give food to fly – v. to move through the air with wings, like a bird or airplane; to travel in an airplane or flying vehicle fog – n. a mass of wet air that is difficult to see through; a cloud close to the ground follow – v. to come or go after; to accept the rule or power of; to obey food – n. that which is taken in by all living things for energy, strength and growth fool – v. to make someone believe something that is not true; to trick; n. a person who is tricked easily foot – n. the bottom part of the leg; the part of the body that touches the ground when a person or animal walks for – prep. because of (“He is famous for his work.”); in exchange (“Give me one dollar for the book.”); through space or time (“They travelled for one hour.”); representative of (“I speak for all people.”); to be employed by (“She works for a computer company.”) force – v. to make someone do something or make something happen by using power; n. power, strength; strength used against a person or object; military power of a nation; a military group foreign – ad. of, about or from another nation; not from one’s own place or country forest – n. a place of many trees forget – v. to not remember forgive – v. to pardon; to excuse; to remove guilt form – v. to make; to start; to shape (“They formed a swim team.”); n. a kind (“Swimming is a form of exercise.”) former – ad. earlier in time; not now flower fly – former F w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 41 forward – ad. the direction in front of; toward the front free – v. to release; ad. not controlled by another or by outside forces; not in prison; independent; not limited by rules; without cost freedom – n. the condition of being free freeze – v. to cause or to become very cold; to make or to become hard by cold fresh – ad. newly made or gathered; recent friend – n. a person one likes and trusts frighten – v. to cause great fear from – prep. having a person, place or thing as a beginning or cause (“It is a message from the president.”); at a place distant, not near (“The school is five kilometers from my home.”); because of (“He is suffering from cancer.”) front – n. the forward part; the opposite of back; the beginning; the first part fruit – n. food from trees and plants fuel – n. any substance burned to create heat or power full – ad. containing as much as a person or thing can hold; complete fun – n. anything that is pleasing and causes happiness funeral – n. a ceremony held in connection with the burial or burning of the dead fusion – n. a joining together; in atomic fusion, atomic particles are joined together to produce nuclear energy future – n. time after now (“We can talk about it in the future.”); ad. in the time to come (“All future meetings will be held in this room.”) G 42 forward – future G gain – v. to get possession of; to get more; to increase game – n. an activity with rules in which people or teams play or compete, usually sports gas – n. any substance that is not solid or liquid; any substance that burns to provide heat, light or power gather – v. to bring or come together into a group or place; to collect general – n. a high military leader; ad. without details; affecting or including all or almost all generation – n. a group of individuals born and living about the same time. (“The mother and daughter represented two generations.”) genes – n. parts of cells that control the growth and development of living things; genes from the mother and father are passed to the child; genes contain nucleic acid genetic engineering – n. the science of changing the genes of a living organism genocide – n. a plan of action to kill or destroy a national, religious, racial or ethnic group gentle – adj. soft; kind; not rough or violent get – v. to receive; to gain; to go and bring back; to become; to become the owner of gift – n. something given without cost girl – n. a young female person 43 Ggain – girl fruit w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m happen – v. to become a fact or event; to take place happy – ad. pleased; satisfied; feeling good; not sad hard – ad. not easily cut or broken; solid; difficult to do or understand; needing much effort or force harm – v. to injure; to damage; n. damage; hurt harvest – v. to gather crops; n. the crop after it is gathered hat – n. a head cover hate – v. to have strong emotions against; to consider as an enemy; opposite love have – v. to possess; to own; to hold he – pro. the boy or man who is being spoken about head – v. to lead; to command; n. leader; chief; the top part of something; the highest position headquarters – n. the center from which orders are given; the main offices of a business or organization heal – v. to return to good health; to cure; to become well health – n. the general condition of the body and mind; the condition of being free from sickness or disease hear – v. to receive sound through the ears; to receive news about heat – v. to make hot or warm; n. great warmth; that which is produced by burning fuel; energy from the sun hat happen – heat 46 H heavy – ad. having much weight; not easy to lift; of great amount or force helicopter – n. a machine without wings that can fly up or down or remain in one place above the ground help – v. to give support; to assist; to make easier; n. support; aid here – ad. in, to or at this place hero – n. a person honored for being brave or wise hide – v. to prevent from being seen or found; to make secret high – ad. tall; far up; far above the ground; important; above others hijack – v. to seize or take control of a vehicle by force hill – n. a small mountain history – n. the written record or description of past events; the study of the past hit – v. to strike; to touch with force hold – v. to carry or support, usually in the hands or arms; to keep in one position; to keep as a prisoner; to contain; to possess; to occupy; to organize and be involved in (“The two sides hold talks this week.”) hole – n. an opening; a torn or broken place in something holiday – n. a day when one does not work; a day on which no work is done to honor or remember a person or event holy – ad. greatly honored in religion home – n. the building where a person lives, especially with family; the place where one was born or comes from; the area or country where one lives helicopter heavy – home H w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 47 honest – hunger 48 I honest – ad. truthful; able to be trusted honor – v. to obey; to show strong, good feelings for (“to honor one’s parents”); n. an award; an act of giving special recognition (“He received many honors for his efforts to help others.”) hope – v. to expect; to believe there is a good chance that something will happen as wanted; to want something to happen horrible – ad. causing great fear; terrible horse – n. a large animal often used for racing, riding or farm work hospital – n. a place where sick or injured people are given medical care hostage – n. a person captured and held as a guarantee that a demand or promise will be honored hostile – ad. ready to fight; ready for war hot – ad. having or feeling great heat or a high temperature hotel – n. a building with rooms, and often food, for travellers hour – n. a measure of time; sixty minutes house – n. a building in which people live; a country’s parlia- ment or lawmaking group (“House of Representatives”) how – ad. in what way; to what amount however – conj. yet; but huge – ad. very big; of great size human – ad. of or about people humor – n. the ability to understand, enjoy or express what makes people laugh hunger – n. the need for food innocent – ad. not guilty of a crime; not responsible for a bad action insane – ad. mentally sick insect – n. a very small creature, usually with many legs and sometimes with wings inspect – v. to look at something carefully; to examine, especially by an expert instead – ad. in the place of; taking the place of instrument – n. a tool or device designed to do something or to make something insult – v. to say something or to do something that makes another person angry or dishonored intelligence – n. the ability to think or learn; information gathered by spying intelligent – ad. quick to understand or learn intense – ad. very strong; extremely serious interest – n. what is important to someone (“He acted to protect his interests.” “She had a great interest in painting.”); a share in owning a business; money paid for the use “of money borrowed interfere – v. to get in the way of; to work against; to take part in the activities of others, especially when not asked to do so international – ad. of or about more than one nation or many nations; of the whole world Internet – n. the extensive communications system that connects computers around the world I in innocent – Internet w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 51 intervene – v. to come between; to come between in order to settle or solve invade – v. to enter an area or country by force with an army invent – v. to plan and make something never made before; to create a new thing or way of doing something invest – v. to give money to a business or organization with the hope of making more money investigate – v. to study or examine all information about an event, situation or charge; to search for the truth invite – v. to ask someone to take part in or join an event, organization or gathering involve – v. to take part in; to become a part of; to include iron – n. a strong, hard metal used to make machines and tools island – n. a land area with water all around it issue – n. an important problem or subject that people are discussing or arguing about it – pro. a thing, place, event or idea that is being spoken about (“The sky is blue, but it also has a few white clouds.”) J jail – n. a prison for those waiting to be tried for a crime or for those serving sentences for crimes that are not serious jewel – n. a valuable stone, such as a diamond or emerald job – n. the work that one does to earn moneyK 52 intervene – job jewels join – v. to put together or come together; to become part of or a member of joint – ad. shared by two or more joke – n. something done or said to cause others to laugh judge – v. to form an opinion about; to decide a question, especially a legal one; n. a public official who decides problems of law in a court jump – v. to push down on the feet and move up quickly into the air jury – n. a group of people chosen to decide what is true in a trial just – ad. only (“Help me for just a minute.”); very shortly before or after the present (“He just left.”); at the same time (“He left just as I came in.”); what is right or fair (“The law is just, in my opinion.”) justice – n. the quality of being right, fair or lawful K keep – v. to possess; to have for oneself kick – v. to hit with the foot kidnap – v. to seize and take away by force kill – v. to make dead; to cause to die kind – n. sort (“What kind of dog is that?”); ad. gentle; caring; helpful kiss – v. to touch with the mouth to show love or honor knife – n. a tool or weapon used to cut 53 Kjoin – knife jump w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m light – n. a form of energy that affects the eyes so that one is able to see; anything that produces light; ad. bright; clear; not heavy lightning – n. light produced by electricity in the air, usually during a storm like – v. to be pleased with; to have good feelings for someone or something; ad. in the same way as; similar to limit – v. to restrict to a number or amount; n. the greatest amount or number permitted line – n. a long, thin mark on a surface; a number of people or things organized; one after another; the edge of an area protected by military forces link – v. to connect; to unite one thing or event with another; n. a relation between two or more things, situations or events liquid – n. a substance that is not a solid or gas, and can move freely, like water list – v. to put in writing a number of names of people or things; n. a written series of names or things listen – v. to try to hear literature – n. all the poems, stories and writings of a period of time or of a country little – ad. not tall or big; a small amount live – v. to have life; to exist; ad. having life; alive M 56 light – live listen load – v. to put objects on or into a vehicle or container; n. that which is carried loan – n. money borrowed that usually must be returned with interest payments; something borrowed local – ad. about or having to do with one place lonely – adj. feeling alone long – ad. not short; measuring from beginning to end; measuring much; for much time look – v. to turn the eyes toward so as to see; to search or hunt for; to seem to be lose – v. to have no longer; to not find; to fail to keep; to be defeated loud – ad. having a strong sound; full of sound or noise love – v. to like very much; to feel a strong, kind emotion (sometimes involving sex); n. a strong, kind emotion for someone or something; opposite hate low – ad. not high or tall; below the normal height; close to the ground loyal – ad. showing strong friendship and support for someone or something luck – n. something that happens by chance M machine – n. a device with moving parts used to do work magazine – n. a publication of news, stories, pictures or other information magnet – n. a piece of iron or other material that has a pulling force; this pulling force is called magnetism 57 Mload – magnet lightning w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m mail – n. letters, papers and other things sent through an official system, such as a post office main – ad. the most important or largest major – ad. great in size, importance or amount majority – n. the greater number; more than half make – v. to produce; to create; to build; to do something or to carry out an action; to cause to be or to become male – n. a man or boy; the sex that is the father of children; ad. of or about men man – n. an adult male human manufacture – v. to make goods in large amounts many – ad. a large number or amount of map – n. a picture of the earth’s surface or a part of it march – v. to walk in a group like soldiers; to walk together in a large group to protest about something mark – v. to make a sign or cut on something market – n. a place or area where goods are sold, bought or traded; an economic system in which the prices of things are decided by how many there are and how much money people are willing to pay for them marry – v. to join a man and woman together as husband and wife; to become husband and wife (usually in a religious or civil ceremony) mass – n. an amount of matter having no special form and usually of a large size mate – v. to bring together a male and a female to create another creature material – n. the substance, substances or matter of which something is made or from which something can be made, such as wood, cloth or stone; anything that can be made into something else 58 mail – material M minute – n. a measure of time; one of the sixty equal parts of an hour; sixty seconds miss – v. to fail to hit, see, reach or meet missile – n. any weapon that can be thrown or fired through the air and explodes when it reaches its target missing – ad. lost; not found mistake – n. a wrong action or decision; an action done without the knowledge that it was wrong mix – v. to put different things together to make one thing mob – n. a large group of wild or angry people model – n. an example; something, usually small, made to show how something will look or work moderate – ad. not extreme modern – ad. of the present or very recent time; the most improved molecule – n. the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist money – n. pieces of metal or paper used to pay for things month – n. one of the twelve periods of time into which a year is divided moon – n. the bright object often seen in the night sky that orbits the earth about every twenty–nine days moral – ad. concerning what is right or wrong in someone’s actions more – ad. greater in size or amount morning – n. the early part of the day, from sunrise until noon money minute – morning M w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 61 most – ad. greatest in size or amount mother – n. the female parent; a woman who has a child or children motion – n. a movement; a continuing change of position or place mountain – n. a part of the earth’s surface that rises high above the area around it mourn – v. to express or feel sadness move – v. to change position; to put or keep in motion; to go movement – n. the act of moving or a way of moving; a series of acts or efforts to reach a goal movie – n. a motion picture; a film much – ad. great in amount murder – v. to kill another person illegally; n. the crime of killing another person music – n. the making of sounds by singing or using a musical instrument must – v. a word used with an action word to mean necessary (“You must go to school.”) mystery – n. something that is not or cannot be explained or understood; a secret N name – v. to appoint; to nominate; to give a name to; n. a word by which a person, animal or thing is known or called narrow – ad. limited in size or amount; not wide; having a short distance from one side to the other 62 most – narrow N nation – n. a country, together with its social and political systems native – n. someone who was born in a place, not one who moved there natural – ad. of or about nature; normal; common to its kind nature – n. all the plants, animals and other things on earth not created by humans; events or processes not caused by humans navy – n. the part of a country’s military force trained to fight at sea near – ad. not far; close to necessary – ad. needed to get a result or effect; required need – v. to require; to want; to be necessary to have or to do negotiate – v. to talk about a problem or situation to find a common solution neighbor – n. a person or country that is next to or near another neither – ad. not one or the other of two nerve – n. a thin piece of tissue that sends information through the body to and from the brain neutral – ad. not supporting one side or the other in a dispute never – ad. at no time; not ever new – ad. not existing before; not known before; recently made, built, bought or grown; another; different news – n. information about any recent events, especially as reported by the media 63 w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m Nnation – news mother officer – n. a person in the military who commands others; any person who is a member of a police force official – n. a person with power in an organization; a representative of an organization or government; ad. of or about an office; approved by the government or someone in power often – ad. many times oil – n. a thick liquid that does not mix with water and that burns easily; a black liquid taken from the ground and used as fuel old – ad. not young or new; having lived or existed for many years on – prep. above and held up by; touching the upper surface of (“The book is on the table.”); supported by (“He is on his feet.”); about (“The report on the meeting is ready.”); at the time of (“He left on Wednesday.”) once – ad. one time only only – ad. being the single one or ones; no more than (“We have only two dollars.”) open – v. to start (“They opened talks.”); ad. not closed; not secret operate – v. to do work or a job; to cut into the body for medical reasons opinion – n. a belief based on one’s own ideas and thinking oppose – v. to be against; to fight against opposite – ad. different as possible; completely different from; exactly the other way (“North is the opposite direction from south.”) oppress – v. to make others suffer; to control by the use of unjust and cruel force or power O 66 officer – oppress or – conj. giving another of two choices; giving the last of several choices orbit – v. to travel in space around a planet or other object; n. the path or way an object travels in space around another object or planet order – v. to give a command; to tell someone what to do; n. a command; the correct or normal way things are organized; a peaceful situation in which people obey laws organ – n. a part of the body that has a special purpose, such as the heart or brain organism – n. a living thing, often so small it can be seen only through a microscope organize – v. to put in order; to put together into a system other – ad. different; of another kind; the remaining one or ones of two or more (“That man is short; the other is tall.”) our – ad. of or belonging to us oust – v. to force to leave; to remove by force out – ad. away from the inside; opposite of in over – conj. above; covering; across, in or on every part of (“all over the world”) overthrow – v. to remove from power; to defeat or end by force owe – v. to pay or have to repay (usually money) in return for something received own – v. to have or possess for oneself 67 w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m Oor – own officer pain – passenger 68 P P pain – n. a hurt or suffering somewhere in the body paint – v. to cover with a liquid color; to make a picture with liquid colors; n. a colored liquid used to cover or protect a surface paper – n. a thin, flat material made from plants or cloth often used for writing parachute – n. a device that permits a person or thing to fall slowly from an airplane or helicopter to the ground parade – n. a group of people and vehicles moving together to celebrate a special event or anniversary pardon – v. to forgive for a crime and release from punishment parent – n. a father or mother parliament – n. a government lawmaking group part – n. something less than the whole; not all of something particle – n. a very small piece of matter partner – n. a person who takes part in some activity in common with another or others. (“The two men were busi- ness partners.”) party – n. a group of people working together for a political purpose; a group of people or friends gathered together for enjoyment pass – v. to go by or move around something; to move along; to cause or permit to go passenger – n. a person travelling by airplane, train, boat or car who is not the pilot or driver play – v. to have fun; to not work; to take part in a sport; to make music on an instrument; n. a story acted in a theater please – v. to make one happy; to give enjoyment plenty – n. all that is needed; a large enough amount plot – v. to make secret plans; n. a secret plan to do something wrong or illegal poem – n. words and their sounds organized in a special way to express emotions point – v. to aim one’s finger toward; to aim; n. the sharp end of something poison – n. a substance that can destroy life or damage health police – n. a government agency responsible for guarding the public, keeping order, and making sure people obey the law; members of that agency policy – n. an established set of plans or goals used to develop and make decisions in politics, economics or business politics – n. the activities of government and of those who are in public office pollute – v. to release dangerous or unpleasant substances into the air, soil or water poor – n. people with little or no money; ad. lacking money or goods; of bad quality popular – ad. liked by many people; generally approved by the public plant play –popular P w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 71 population – n. all the people in a place, city or country port – n. a city where ships load or unload goods; a place on a coast where ships can be safe from a storm position – n. a place; the way of holding the body; the way a thing is set or placed; a job (or level of a job) in an organization possess – v. to have; to own; to control or be controlled by possible – ad. able to be done; can happen or is expected to happen postpone – v. to delay action until a later time pour – v. to flow; to cause to flow poverty – n. the condition of being poor power – n. the ability to control or direct others; control; strength; ruling force; force or energy used to do work (“Water power turns the wheel.”) praise – v. to say good things about; to approve pray – v. to make a request to a god or spirit; to praise a god or spirit predict – v. to say what one believes will happen in the future. (“The weather scientist predicted a cold winter.”) pregnant – ad. carrying a child within the body before it is born; expecting to give birth to a baby pour population – pregnant 72 P present – v. to offer for consideration (“We will present our idea to the committee.”); n. a gift (“I gave them a present for their anniversary.”); ad. now (“The present time is a good time.”); ad. to be at a place (“I was present at school yesterday.”) president – n. the chief official of a country that is a republic; the leader of an organization press – v. to urge strongly; n. newspapers, magazines and other publications pressure – n. the force produced when something is pushed down or against something else prevent – v. to keep or stop from going or happening price – n. the amount of money for which anything is bought, sold or offered for sale prison – n. a place where a person is kept as punishment for a crime private – ad. of or about a person or group that is secret; opposite public prize – n. something offered or won in a competition; something of value that one must work hard for probably – ad. a good chance of taking place; a little more than possible problem – n. a difficult question or situation with an unknown or unclear answer process – n. an operation or series of changes leading to a desired result produce – v. to make; to create; to cause something to be; to manufacture profession – n. a job that requires special training professor – n. a teacher at a college or university profit – n. money gained from a business activity after paying all costs of that activity pregnant present – profit P w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 73 race – react 76 R R race – v. to run; to take part in a competition to decide who or what can move fastest; to take part in a campaign for political office; n. one of the major groups that humans can be divided into because of a common physical similarity, such as skin color radar – n. a device that uses radio signals to learn the position or speed of objects that may be too far away to be seen radiation – n. waves of energy from something that pro- duces heat or light; energy from a nuclear substance, which can be dangerous radio – n. the system of sending and receiving signals or sounds through the air without wires raid – v. to make a sudden attack; n. a sudden attack carried out as an act of war, or for the purpose of seizing or stealing something railroad – n. a road for trains; a company that operates such a road and its stations and equipment rain – n. water falling from the sky raise – v. to lift up; to move to a higher position; to cause to grow; to increase rape – v. to carry out a sexual attack by force against a person rare – ad. not common; not usual; not often rate – n. speed; a measure of how quickly or how often something happens; the price of any thing or service that is bought or sold reach – v. to put a hand toward; to arrive at; to come to react – v. to act as a result of or in answer to read – v. to look at and understand the meaning of written words or numbers ready – ad. prepared; completed; organized; willing real – ad. true; truly existing; not false realistic – ad. in agreement with the way things are reason – n. the cause for a belief or act; purpose; something that explains reasonable – ad. ready to listen to reasons or ideas; not extreme; ready or willing to compromise rebel – v. to act against a government or power, often with force; to refuse to obey; n. one who opposes or fights against the government of his or her country receive – v. to get or accept something given, offered or sent recent – ad. a short time ago recession – n. a temporary reduction in economic activity, when industries produce less and many workers lose their jobs recognize – v. to know or remember something or someone that was known, known about or seen before; to accept another nation as independent and establish diplomatic ties with its government record – v. to write something in order to have it for future use; to put sound or pictures in a form that can be kept and heard or seen again; n. a writing that shows proof or facts about something recover – v. to get again something that was lost, stolen or taken away (“The police recovered the stolen money.”); to return to normal health or normal conditions (“She is expected to recover from the operation.”) read read – recover R w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 77 red – repeat 78 R red – ad. having the color like that of blood reduce – v. to make less or smaller in number, size or amount; to cut reform – v. to make better by changing; to improve; n. a change to a better condition refugee – n. a person who has been forced to flee because of unjust treatment, danger or war refuse – v. to reject; to not accept, give or do something register – v. to have one’s name officially placed on a list of people permitted to vote in an election or take part in an educational program regret – n. a feeling of sadness or sorrow about something that is done or that happens reject – v. to refuse to accept, use or believe relations – n. understandings or ties between nations; members of the same family; people connected by marriage or family ties release – v. to free; to permit to go; to permit to be known or made public religion – n. a belief in, or the honoring of, a god or gods remain – v. to stay in a place after others leave; to stay the same remains – n. a dead body remember – v. to think about the past; opposite forget remove – v. to take away or take off; to put an end to; to take out of a position or office repair – n. work done to fix something repeat – v. to say or do again river – n. a large amount of water that flows across land into another river, a lake or an ocean road – n. a long piece of hard ground built between two places so people can walk, drive or ride easily from one place to the other rob – v. to take money or property secretly or by force; to steal robot – n. a machine that moves and performs work rock – n. a hard piece of mineral matter rocket – n. a device shaped like a tube that moves through air or space by burning gases and letting them escape from the back or bottom, sometimes used as a weapon roll – v. to turn over and over; to move like a ball room – n. a separate area within a building with its own walls root – n. the part of a plant that is under the ground and takes nutrients from the soil rope – n. a long, thick piece of material made from thinner pieces of material, used for tying rough – ad. not flat or smooth; having an uneven surface; violent; not made well round – ad. having the shape of a ball or circle rub – v. to move something over the surface of another thing rubber – n. a substance made from the liquid of trees with the same name, or a similar substance made from chemicals rope river – rubber R w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 81 ruin – v. to damage severely; to destroy rule – v. to govern or control; to decide; n. a statement or an order that says how something must be done run – v. to move quickly by steps faster than those used for walking rural – ad. describing areas away from cities which may include farms, small towns and unpopulated areas. S sabotage – v. to damage or destroy as an act against an organization or nation sacrifice – v. to do without something or to suffer a loss for a belief, idea, goal or another person sad – ad. not happy safe – ad. away from harm or danger sail – v. to travel by boat or ship sailor – n. a person involved in sailing a boat or ship salt – n. a white substance found in sea water and in the ground, used to affect the taste of food same – ad. not different; not changed; like another or others sand – n. extremely small pieces of crushed rock found in large amounts in deserts and on coasts satellite – n. a small object in space that moves around a larger object; an object placed in orbit around the earth satisfy – v. to give or provide what is desired, needed or demanded sad ruin – satisfy 82 S save – v. to make safe; to remove from harm; to keep for future use say – v. to speak; to express in words school – n. a place for education; a place where people go to learn science – n. the study of nature and the actions of natural things, and the knowledge gained about them sea – n. a large area of salt water, usually part of an ocean search – v. to look for carefully season – n. one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth’s position toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); a period of time based on different weather conditions (“dry season”, “rainy season”); a period during the year when something usually happens (“baseball season”) seat – n. a thing to sit on; a place to sit or the right to sit there (“a seat in parliament”) second – ad. the one that comes after the first secret – n. something known only to a few and kept from general knowledge; ad. hidden from others; known only to a few security – n. freedom from danger or harm; protection; measures necessary to protect a person or place (“Security was increased in the city.”) see – v. to know or sense through the eyes; to understand or know seed – n. the part of a plant from which new plants grow sail save – seed S w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 83 shell – v. to fire artillery; n. a metal container that is fired from a large gun and explodes when it reaches its target; a hard outside cover shelter – v. to protect or give protection to; n. something that gives protection; a place of safety shine – v. to aim a light; to give bright light; to be bright; to clean to make bright ship – v. to transport; n. a large boat shock – v. to cause to feel sudden surprise or fear; n. something that greatly affects the mind or emotions; a powerful shake, as from an earthquake shoe – n. a covering for the foot shoot – v. to cause a gun or other weapon to send out an object designed to kill; to use a gun short – ad. lasting only for a small period of time; not long; opposite tall should – v. used with another verb (action word) to show responsibility (“We should study.”), probability (“The talks should begin soon.”), or that something is believed to be a good idea (“Criminals should be punished.”) shout – v. to speak very loudly show – v. to make something be seen; to make known; n. a play or story presented in a theater, or broadcast on radio or television, for enjoyment or education; something organized to be seen by the public shrink – v. to make or become less in size, weight or value sick – ad. suffering physically or mentally with a disease or other problem; not in good health sickness – n. the condition of being in bad health side – n. the outer surfaces of an object that are not the top or bottom; parts away from the middle; either the right or left half of the bodyS 86 shell – side sign – v. to write one’s name; n. a mark or shape used to mean something; evidence that something exists or will happen; a flat piece of material with writing that gives information signal – v. to send a message by signs; n. an action or movement that sends a message silence – v. to make quiet; to stop from speaking or making noise; n. a lack of noise or sound silver – n. a valued white metal similar – ad. like something else but not exactly the same simple – ad. easy to understand or do; not difficult or complex since – prep. from a time in the past until now (“I have known her since we went to school together.”) sing – v. to make music sounds with the voice single – ad. one only sink – v. to go down into water or other liquid sister – n. a female with the same father or mother as another person sit – v. to rest on the lower part of the body without the support of the legs; to become seated situation – n. the way things are during a period of time size – n. the space occupied by something; how long, wide or high something is skeleton – n. all the bones of a human or other animal together in their normal positions skill – n. the ability gained from training or experience skin – n. the outer covering of humans and most animals 87 w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m Ssign – skin shoes sky – n. the space above the earth slave – n. a person owned or controlled by another sleep – v. to rest the body and mind with the eyes closed slide – v. to move smoothly over a surface slow – v. to reduce the speed of; ad. not fast in moving, talking or other activities small – ad. little in size or amount; few in number; not important; opposite large smash – v. to break or be broken into small pieces by force; to hit or move with force smell – v. to sense through the nose; n. something sensed by the nose (“the smell of food cooking”) smoke – v. to use cigarettes or other tobacco products by burning them and breathing in the smoke; n. that which can be seen rising into the air like a cloud from something burning smooth – ad. having a level surface; opposite rough snow – n. soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky, usually in winter or when the air temperature is very cold so – ad. in such a way that (“He held the flag so all could see it.”); also; too (“She left early, and so did we.”); very (“I am so sick.”); as a result (“They were sick, so they could not come.”); conj. in order that; for the purpose of (“Come early so we can discuss the plans.”) social – ad. of or about people or a group soft – ad. not hard; easily shaped; pleasing to touch; not loud soil – n. earth in which plants grow soldier – n. a person in the army S 88 sky – soldier step statue – n. a form of a human, animal or other creature usually made of stone, wood or metal stay – v. to continue to be where one is; to remain; to not leave; to live for a time (“They stayed in New York for two years.”) steal – v. to take without permission or paying steam – n. the gas that comes from hot water steel – n. iron made harder and stronger by mixing it with other substances step – v. to move by lifting one foot and placing it in a new position; n. the act of stepping; one of a series of actions designed to reach a goal stick – v. to attach something to another thing using a substance that will hold them together; to become fixed in one position so that movement is difficult (“Something is making the door stick.”); n. a thin piece of wood still – ad. not moving (“The man was standing still.”); until the present or a stated time (“Was he still there?”); even so; although (“The job was difficult, but she still wanted to do it.”) stone – n. a small piece of rock stop – v. to prevent any more movement or action; to come or bring to an end store – v. to keep or put away for future use; n. a place where people buy things storm – n. violent weather, including strong winds and rain or snow story – n. the telling or writing of an event, either real or imagined stove – n. a heating device used for cooking straight – ad. continuing in one direction without turns 91 w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m Sstatue – straight strange – sudden 92 S strange – ad. unusual; not normal; not known street – n. a road in a city, town or village stretch – v. to extend for a distance; to pull on to make longer or wider strike – v. to hit with force; to stop work as a way to seek better conditions, more pay or to make other demands strong – ad. having much power; not easily broken, damaged or destroyed structure – n. the way something is built, made or organized; a system that is formed or organized in a special way; a building struggle – v. to try with much effort; to fight with; n. a great effort; a fight study – v. to make an effort to gain knowledge by using the mind; to examine carefully stupid – ad. not able to learn much; not intelligent subject – n. the person or thing being discussed, studied or written about submarine – n. an underwater ship substance – n. the material of which something is made (a solid, liquid or gas) substitute – v. to put or use in place of another; n. a person or thing put or used in place of another subversion – n. an attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or government, usually secretly succeed – v. to reach a goal or thing desired; to produce a planned result such – ad. of this or that kind; of the same kind as; similar to sudden – ad. not expected; without warning; done or carried out quickly or without preparation suffer – v. to feel pain in the body or mind; to receive or experience hurt or sadness sugar – n. a sweet substance made from liquids taken from plants suggest – v. to offer or propose something to think about or consider suicide – n. the act of killing oneself summer – n. the warmest time of the year, between spring and autumn sun – n. the huge star in the sky that provides heat and light to earth supervise – v. to direct and observe the work of others supply – v. to give; to provide; n. the amount of something that can be given or sold to others support – v. to carry the weight of; to hold up or in position; to agree with others and help them reach a goal; to approve suppose – v. to believe, think or imagine (“I suppose you are right.”); to expect (“It is supposed to rain tonight.”) suppress – v. to put down or to keep down by force; to prevent information from being known publicly sure – ad. very probable; with good reason to believe; true without question surface – n. the outer side or top of something (“The rocket landed on the surface of the moon.”) surplus – n. an amount that is more than is need- ed; extra; (“That country has a trade surplus. It exports more than it imports.”) study suffer – surplus S w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 93 technical – ad. involving machines, processes and materials in industry, transportation and communications; of or about a very special kind of subject or thing (“You need technical knowledge to understand how this system works.”) technology – n. the use of scientific knowledge and methods to produce goods and services telephone – n. a device or system for sending sounds, especially the voice, over distances telescope – n. a device for making objects that are far away appear closer and larger television – n. a device that receives electronic signals and makes them into pictures and sounds; the system of sending pictures and sounds by electronic signals over a distance so others can see and hear them on a receiver tell – v. to give information; to make known by speaking; to order; to command temperature – n. the measurement of heat and cold temporary – ad. lasting only a short time tense – ad. having fear or concern; dangerous; opposite calm term – n. a limited period of time during which someone does a job or carries out a responsibility (“He served two terms in Congress.”); the conditions of an agreement that have been accepted by those involved in it terrible – ad. very bad; causing terror or fear territory – n. a large area of land terror – n. extreme fear; that which causes great fear terrorist – n. a person who carries out acts of extreme violence as a protest or a way to influence a government technical – terrorist 96 T test – v. to attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing (“The scientists will test the new engine soon.”); n. an attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing (“The test of the new engine takes place today.”); a group of questions or problems used to find out a person’s knowledge (“The students did well on the language test.”) than – conj. connecting word used to link things that may be similar, but are not equal (“My sister is taller than I am.”) thank – v. to say that one has a good feeling toward another because that person did something kind (“I want to thank you for helping me.”) that – ad. showing the person, place or thing being spoken about (“That man is a soldier.”); pro. the person, place or thing being spoken about (“The building that I saw was very large.”) the – pro. used in front of a name word to show that it is a person or thing that is known about or is being spoken about theater – n. a place where movies are shown or plays are performed them – pro. other people being spoken about then – ad. at that time; existing; and so theory – n. a possible explanation of why something exists or how something happens using experiments or ideas, but which is not yet proven (“Other scientists are debating his theory about the disappearance of dinosaurs.”) there – ad. in that place or position; to or toward that place telescope test – there T w w w .V O A Sp ec ia lE ng lis h. co m 97 these – pro. of or about the people, places or things nearby that have been spoken about already they – pro. those ones being spoken about thick – ad. having a large distance between two opposite surfaces (“The wall is two meters thick.”); having many parts close together (“The forest is very thick.”); almost solid, such as a liquid that does not flow easily; opposite thin thin – ad. having a small distance between two opposite surfaces; not fat; not wide; opposite thick thing – n. any object think – v. to produce thoughts; to form ideas in the mind; to consider; to believe third – ad. coming after two others this – pro. of or about the person, place or thing nearby that has been spoken about already threaten – v. to warn that one will do harm or cause damage through – prep. in at one end and out at the other; from front to back; from top to bottom; with the help of; by throw – v. to cause to go through the air by a movement of the arm tie – v. to join or hold together with some material; n. anything that joins or unites; links or connections (“The two nations have strong trade ties.”) time – n. that which is measured in minutes, hours, days and years; a period that can be identified in hours and minutes and is shown on a clock; a period when an event should or will take place T 98 these – time tool