A) bother someone continually with small, repeated attacks1st/2nd August
And the word was...harass /hə'ræs/ from Serious Business Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "If you don't stop harassing me, I'm gonna complain to management."
- "Since she admitted to being a Brexit supporter, she's constantly being harassed by people on social media."
- "Harass me all you like - I'm not going to be intimidated by a bunch of bullies."
B) spread false rumours about someone to discredit them
C) send messages to someone, threatening to expose personal information about their private life
Answer: A) If you harass someone, you bother them continually, with small, repeated attacks.Lukey Tip: From the context, see what other words are related to the main word.
So here, with ‘harass’ we can see:
- complain
- admit
- intimidate
- bully
A) bottle or other container for liquid3rd August
And the word was...beverage /'bevrɪdʒ/ from Food and Drink Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "Do you mind if I have some of your tasty beverage to wash this down?" (from Pulp Fiction)
- "Alcoholic beverages are only on sale at the bar from 7pm-11pm. Please call hotel reception to order drinks outside these hours."
- "Did you hear about the guy who got hit on the head by a flying beverage? He was lucky it was just a soft drink!"
B) alcoholic drink
C) any drink other than water
Answer: C) A beverage is any drink, but commercially, water is sold as ‘water’ and not as a ‘beverage’.Lukey Tip: Check the sound again, and think of other words you know that sound similar to ‘beverage’.
For example, ‘average’ which also has a silent ‘e’ between ‘v’ and ‘r’ and finishes with the sound /ɪdʒ/.
For example, ‘average’ which also has a silent ‘e’ between ‘v’ and ‘r’ and finishes with the sound /ɪdʒ/.
A) workplace with poor working conditions, long hours, low pay and often using child labour4th August
And the word was...sweatshop /'sweʔʃɑp/ from Trade and Commerce Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "He's just back from that sweatshop, poor dear. Look at him. It's unhuman, it really is."
- "The company vehemently denies the use of sweatshops in the manufacture of its leisurewear, and has sought our legal advice in light of these completely unfounded allegations."
- "Come on, to be that cheap it had to be made in a sweatshop. And look, it's even hand-stitched."
B) shop selling casual clothes and sportswear
C) another word for a commercial gym, especially one with a spa
Answer: A) A sweatshop is a workplace with poor working conditions… Lukey Tip: Notice collocations (words that often go together). In the sentences above, we can see
- ‘vehemently deny’
- ‘legal advice’
- ‘unfounded allegations’
- ‘hand-stitched’
A) remember something5th August
And the word was...aware /ə'weə/ from Creativity and Invention Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "I'm so sorry! I wasn't aware it was your birthday. I would have got you a present."
- "Did you know that most people with the coronavirus aren't even aware they've got it?"
- "If you'd been aware of how she feels about her cats, I'm sure you wouldn't have joked about putting them on the BBQ!"
B) know (of/about) something
C) forget (about) something
Answer: B) If you are aware, you know something and are conscious of/about itLukey Tip: Notice words that surround a vocabulary item. In the sentences above, we can see how ‘aware’ can be followed by a clause: ‘it was your birthday’ or ‘of’ and a noun phrase: ‘how she fees about her cats’. When we don’t use ‘of’ after ‘aware’, we are really saying ‘aware of the fact that…’.
A) public panic caused by a sudden extreme event6th August
And the word was...outrage /'aʊʔreɪdʒ/ from Sensation, Emotion, and Reaction Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "A sense of outrage quickly spread through the community when the mayor admitted to stealing public funds."
- "It's an absolute outrage that they shut down the factory, considering it's the only source of employment for the vast majority of workers in this town."
- "She couldn't contain her outrage at his dishonesty, and swore to kill him at the first opportunity!"
B) shock and extreme anger caused by an offensive act
C) extreme sense of loss resulting in shocked silence
Answer: B) Outrage is a feeling of shock and extreme anger caused by an offensive actLukey Tip: Notice language that goes before nouns related to feelings.
In the examples above, we have ‘a sense of…’, ‘absolute…’, and ‘couldn’t contain her…’ .
In the examples above, we have ‘a sense of…’, ‘absolute…’, and ‘couldn’t contain her…’ .
A) less rain than normal, for three consecutive months7th August
And the word was...drought /draʊt/ from Weather Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "The continuing drought in Namibia has already cost the lives of some 20,000 children, reports the Red Cross, amid growing calls for the government Minister for Water and Agriculture to resign."
- "In the rainy season, as little as four millimetres of rain can be expected, marking the region as one of continuous drought."
- "If the drought continues into the spring, there are fears of widespread food shortages, as crops fail for the third year in a row."
B) heavy rain in one area resulting in no rain in another
C) long period of little or no rain, resulting in a shortage of water
Answer: C) A drought is a long period of time with little or no rainfall, resulting in a water shortageLukey Tip: make a list of words with ‘ough’ spelling, according to their sound.
‘Drought’ is pronounced like ‘out’ making it different from similar words like ‘fought’ (fort) and ‘through’ (threw).
‘Drought’ is pronounced like ‘out’ making it different from similar words like ‘fought’ (fort) and ‘through’ (threw).
A) area of grass that forms part of the surface of a garden8th/9th August
And the word was...hedge /hedʒ/ from Town and Country Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "We've repeatedly asked them to cut their side of the hedge, but look at it, it's an absolute mess."
- "When the hedge gets big enough, we won't be overlooked by the neighbours."
- "I think a hedge would give the garden that country feel I'm looking for. Fences are ugly."
B) trees that grow close together to form a small wood
C) closely growing bushes that form a boundary
Answer: C) A hedge is a group of bushes that grow close together to form a boundaryLukey Tip: Make a list of words or phrases (in your language) you associate with the word you are studying. Then check to see if we have the same associations with the word in English.
Do you use ‘cut’ with ‘hedge’? And how about ‘overlooked’, ‘boundary’ and ‘fences’?
Doing this, you can learn more vocabulary and expressions in English, and avoid direct translation when using the word in a sentence.
Do you use ‘cut’ with ‘hedge’? And how about ‘overlooked’, ‘boundary’ and ‘fences’?
Doing this, you can learn more vocabulary and expressions in English, and avoid direct translation when using the word in a sentence.