A) movement with the hand or a fan in order to feel cooler29th/30th August
And the word was...heatwave /'hi:tweɪv/ from Weather Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "The current heatwave is set to continue at least until the weekend, with record temperatures forecast for Saturday."
- "What's not normal is that the number of summer heatwaves has over doubled in the last ten years."
- "The best thing to do in a heatwave is to stay indoors as much as possible, stay in the shade when you're outside, and make sure you always have access to water."
B) ultraviolet light from the sun responsible for sunburn
C) sustained period of unusually hot weather
Answer: C) A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather.
Lukey Tip: When you see compound words (here made of ‘heat’ and ‘wave’) it’s a good idea to create an image which helps you connect the words to the idea. For example, for ‘heatwave’ we can imagine other waves like microwaves, or the waves in the sea, and they are on the page of a calendar, floating on top, or maybe as a picture with the days of the month on top.
Lukey Tip: When you see compound words (here made of ‘heat’ and ‘wave’) it’s a good idea to create an image which helps you connect the words to the idea. For example, for ‘heatwave’ we can imagine other waves like microwaves, or the waves in the sea, and they are on the page of a calendar, floating on top, or maybe as a picture with the days of the month on top.
A) hit a surface then move away from it, make something do this28th August
And the word was...bounce /baʊns/ from Movement and Travel Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "Quick! Stop the ball before it bounces into the road!"
- "In basketball, you can take three steps and then you have to bounce the ball or pass it to another player."
- "Wow, did you see that? The bottle just bounced on the ground without breaking."
B) roll along a surface because something is round in shape
C) of an object, return to its natural shape after it has hit something
Answer: A) If something bounces, it hits a surface then moves away from it.
Lukey Tip: Notice how some verbs like ‘bounce’ can be transitive (needing an object to make sense) or intransitive (making sense without an object). Look for examples of both uses to see how the verb can be formed, paying attention to word order and the use of prepositions.
Lukey Tip: Notice how some verbs like ‘bounce’ can be transitive (needing an object to make sense) or intransitive (making sense without an object). Look for examples of both uses to see how the verb can be formed, paying attention to word order and the use of prepositions.
A) make information public, state something in an official manner27th August
And the word was...announce /ə'naʊns/ from Communication Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "Later this afternoon, the government will announce the latest figures for total deaths from Covid-19 in the UK."
- "At last they've announced they're going to get married. And about time too!"
- "That's right, announce my problems to everyone in the room! I told you that was a secret. I'm not going to share anything private with you ever again!"
B) use mass media for marketing or to advertise something
C) reveal a secret, or other private information
Answer: A) If you announce something, you say it publicly.
Lukey Tip: English uses lots of verbs to specify the way we communicate things. To make your use of language more interesting, find verbs that can replace ‘say’, like: declare, claim, mention, insist, and deny.
Lukey Tip: English uses lots of verbs to specify the way we communicate things. To make your use of language more interesting, find verbs that can replace ‘say’, like: declare, claim, mention, insist, and deny.
A) cooked and then quickly made cold26th August
And the word was...chilled /tʃɪld/ from Food and Drink Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "I know chilled tomato soup doesn't sound very appetizing, but it's so hot out there in the summer, it's actually very refreshing and tastes great!"
- "I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little longer for the beers, they're in the fridge, but still need a while to get really chilled."
- "In the UK, chilled products must be kept in the fridge below 8ᵒC."
B) uncooked and served cold
C) cooled to a low temperature, but not frozen
Answer: C) If something is chilled, it is kept below 8ᵒC, but not frozen. Different countries have different standards for defining the temperature that means something is chilled.
Lukey Tip: ‘Chilled’ comes from the verb ‘chill’ and has multiple meanings. Look up these other uses too: ‘chill out’, ‘catch a chill’, ‘chilly weather’.
Lukey Tip: ‘Chilled’ comes from the verb ‘chill’ and has multiple meanings. Look up these other uses too: ‘chill out’, ‘catch a chill’, ‘chilly weather’.
A) confirm that something is true based on evidence25th August
And the word was...allege /ə'ledʒ/ from Serious Business Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- "Police sources confirm reports of an incident at the address at around 6pm last night, but refuse to say whether there was a kidnapping as family members of Mr Thompson allege."
- "Yeah, they're alleging that he hit the barman before he was beaten up, but that doesn't sound like the John I know."
- "Our client denies any knowledge of the alleged incident, if it happened at all, and that will be our line of defence in court."
B) claim that something wrong or illegal has happened without proof
C) state something with the intention of causing harm
Answer: B) If you allege something, you accuse someone of doing something wrong or illegal, but without evidence.
Lukey Tip: You know those offers, ‘Buy one, get one free!’ or, ‘50% extra free!’?
Well, words can often be like that. You see a word like ‘allege’, memorize the meaning, then find out that with very little extra effort, you can use it passively, ‘he was alleged to have robbed…’, as an adjective, ‘The alleged robbery…’ or as a noun, ‘The allegations against our client are without foundation.’
So next time you’re learning a new word, go for the ‘3 for the price of 1!’ offer.
Lukey Tip: You know those offers, ‘Buy one, get one free!’ or, ‘50% extra free!’?
Well, words can often be like that. You see a word like ‘allege’, memorize the meaning, then find out that with very little extra effort, you can use it passively, ‘he was alleged to have robbed…’, as an adjective, ‘The alleged robbery…’ or as a noun, ‘The allegations against our client are without foundation.’
So next time you’re learning a new word, go for the ‘3 for the price of 1!’ offer.
A) possible to pay for by making several monthly payments24th August
And the word was...affordable /ə'fɔ:dəbəl/ from House and Home Look at these examples, then choose the correct definition below:
- Giya: "Oh look at that sofa! If only we had enough to buy one like that.
Jeff: "OK, let's have a look... Well, it's a bit expensive, but I think it's affordable."- "This offer looks very affordable. I'm just a bit concerned that a holiday like that could be so cheap. Frozen pizza for every meal?"
- "We've managed to make this car affordable to most people by removing all the luxury fittings, and offering them as extras. So if you want leather seating and the cool sound system, well that's where you'll pay quite a lot more."
B) low in price compared to other similar products
C) reasonably priced and within your financial limits
Answer: C) If something is affordable, you can ‘afford it’ (you have the money to buy it) and you think the price is reasonable.
Lukey Tip: Get free adjectives with your verbs!
Notice how the verb ‘afford’ becomes an adjective meaning ‘possible to’. Other verbs that can be made into adjectices using ‘able’ with this sense include: doable, removable, questionable, edible, and understandable.
(Make sure you find examples to see exactly how these adjectives are used.)
Lukey Tip: Get free adjectives with your verbs!
Notice how the verb ‘afford’ becomes an adjective meaning ‘possible to’. Other verbs that can be made into adjectices using ‘able’ with this sense include: doable, removable, questionable, edible, and understandable.
(Make sure you find examples to see exactly how these adjectives are used.)