Greek Suffixes 2

Level: C1

hyper- over, beyond: hyperbole, hypercritical

hypo- under: hypothesis, hypocrite

meta- (met) implying, change: metaphor, metonymy

pan- all: panacea, panorama, pantheism

para- beside, by the side of: parallel, paradox, parasite

peri- round: period, perimeter, periscope

philo- (phil) love: philosophy, philanthropy

pro- before: prophesy, programme

syn- (sym, syl, sy) with, together: synonym, sympathy, syllabus, system

Invitation to the Country

Level: B1

To: Rosemary

Subject: Re: Invitation

Dear Rosemary,

 

I was delighted to get your letter this morning. I really ought to have written to you – it was my turn, I know – but I have been terribly busy. The children seem to take up all my time. I am thinking of sending Ann to a nursery school. She’ll be four next month. Baby has just started to walk and doesn’t give me a moment’s peace. But you know what it is like! How are all your children? I’m sure they love living in the country.

I’m afraid we can’t come over to see you next Sunday, as you suggest. Tom’s mother is coming to spend the day with us. What about the Sunday after that – the twenty-second? We are free that day and should love to come. We’re longing to see your new house.

Let me know, then, if the Sunday after next suits you. May we come for lunch? We’d like to leave fairly early in the evening to avoid the heavy traffic on the roads. 

Love from us all,

Edna

To: Edna

Subject: Re: Re: Invitation

Dear Edna,

Yes, we’d love you to come the Sunday after next. And please do come for lunch. I’ll try to think of something really special to cook. Ted says you can help him in the garden. He wasn’t so pleased when I said that the children would help, too! I’m looking forward to seeing the baby.  Can he really walk already? Time certainly flies!

We’ve had a lot of work to do in the house, but it has been worth it. It is good to be living in the country once more. I never enjoyed town life, as you know. You ought to look for a house in the country. But I suppose Tom wouldn’t like the long journey to work every day.

We shall expect you about midday. Look after yourself and don’t work too hard.

Love to you both,

Rosemary

Glossary

avoid- to stay away from someone or something, or not use them

be worth it- used to say that you get something from an action

come over- to visit someone at their house

delighted- very pleased and happy

expect- to believe that someone or something is going to arrive

fairly- more than a little

long- to want something very much, especially when it seems unlikely to happen soon

look after- to take care of someone

look for- to try to find

look forward to- to be excited and pleased about something that is going to happen

nursery school- a school for children who are between three and five years old

once more- again

ought to- should

pleased- happy or satisfied

suit- to be acceptable, suitable, or convenient for a particular person in a particular situation

suppose- to think that something is true; guess

take up- to fill a particular amount of time or space

terribly- very; extremely

the country- land that is outside towns and cities

think of- to consider the possibility of doing something

time flies- time seems to pass very quickly

turn- the time when it is your chance, duty, or right to do something

Collocations

be delighted to do something

ought to have done something

it was my turn

terribly busy

take up all my time

send someone to a nursery school

give someone a moment’s peace

I’m afraid

should love to do something

be longing to do something

fairly early

heavy traffic

come for lunch

help someone in the garden

look forward to doing something

don’t work too hard

Shoplifting

Level: B1

People are not so honest as they once were. The temptation to steal is greater than ever before – especially in large shops. A detective recently watched a well-dressed woman who always went into a large store on Monday mornings. One Monday, there were fewer people in the shop than usual when the woman came in, so it was easier for the detective to watch her.

The woman first bought a few small articles. After a little time, she chose one of the most expensive dresses in the shop and handed it to an assistant who wrapped it up for her as quickly as possible. Then the woman simply took the parcel and walked out of the shop without paying. When she was arrested, the detective found out that the shop assistant was her daughter. The girl ‘gave’ her mother a free dress once a week!

Glossary

arrest- if the police arrest someone, the person is taken to a police station because the police think they have done something illegal

article- a thing, especially one of a group of things

assistant- someone whose job is to help customers in a shop

detective- a police officer whose job is to discover information about crimes and catch criminals

especially- used to emphasize that something is more important or happens more with one particular thing than with others

find out- to get information, after trying to discover it or by chance

hand- to give something to someone else with your hand

honest- someone who is honest always tells the truth and does not cheat or steal

once- at some time in the past, but not now

parcel- an object that has been wrapped in paper or put in a special envelope, especially so that it can be sent by post

steal- to take something that belongs to someone else

temptation- a strong desire to have or do something even though you know you should not

well-dressed- wearing attractive fashionable clothes

wrap (up)- to put paper or cloth over something to cover it

Collocations

the temptation to do something

greater than ever before

fewer than usual

after a little time

hand something to someone

wrap something up

as quickly as possible

without paying

find out that

once a week

A Modern-Looking Goddess

Level: B2

Some time ago, an interesting discovery was made by archaeologists on the Aegean island of Kea. An American team explored a temple which stands in an ancient city on the promontory of Ayia Irini. The city at one time must have been prosperous, for it enjoyed a high level of civilization. Houses – often three storeys high – were built of stone. They had large rooms with beautifully decorated walls. The city was equipped with a drainage system, for a great many clay pipes were found beneath the narrow streets.

The temple which the archaeologists explored was used as a place of worship from the fifteenth century BCE until Roman times. In the most sacred room of temple, clay fragments of fifteen statues were found. Each of these represented a goddess and had, at one time, been painted. The body of one statue was found among remains dating from the fifteenth century BCE. It’s missing head happened to be among remains of the fifth century BCE. This head must have been found in Classical times and carefully preserved. It was very old and precious even then. When the archaeologists reconstructed the fragments, they were amazed to find that the goddess turned out to be a very modern-looking woman. She stood three feet high and her hands rested on her hips. She was wearing a full-length skirt which swept the ground. Despite her great age, she was very graceful indeed, but, so far, the archaeologists have been unable to discover her identity.

Glossary

amazed- very surprised; astonished

BCE- before current era; the years before the birth of Jesus

despite- used to say that something happens or is true even though something else might have prevented it

discovery-  a fact or thing that someone finds out about, when it was not known about before

drainage- the process or system by which water or waste liquid flows away

equipped with- provided with the things that are needed for a particular kind of activity or work

explore- to travel around an area in order to find out about it

fragment- a small piece of something that has broken off or that comes from something larger

graceful- moving in a smooth and attractive way, or having an attractive shape or form

identity- someone’s name and who they are

indeed- used to emphasize a statement or answer

precious- valuable and important

preserve- to save someone or something from being harmed or destroyed

promontory- a long narrow piece of land which sticks out into the sea

prosperous- rich and successful

reconstruct- to build something again after it has been destroyed or damaged

remains- the parts of something that are left after the rest has been destroyed or has disappeared

represent- to be a sign or mark that means something; to form or be something

rest- to support an object or part of body by putting it on or against something, or to be supported in this way

sacred- relating to a god or religion; very important or greatly respected

sweep- to move things from a surface with a brushing movement

temple- a building where people go to worship

turn out- to happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that you did not expect

worship- the activity of praying or singing in a religious building in order to show respect and love for a god

Collocations

make a discovery

explore a temple

on the promontory of

enjoy a high level of civilization

three storeys high

built of stone

beautifully decorated

drainage system

equipped with a system

a great many

a place of worship

happen to be

carefully preserved

reconstruct fragments

be amazed to find

turn out to be

modern-looking

stand three feet high

your hands rest on your hips

a full-length skirt

her skirt sweeps the ground

despite her great age

discover her identity

Bright Young People

Level: C2

How does the writer like to treat young people? People are always talking about ‘the problem of youth’. If there is one – which I take leave to doubt – then it is older people who create it, not the young themselves. Let us get down to fundamentals and agree that the young are after all human beings – people just like their elders. There is only one difference between an old man and a young one: the young man has a glorious future before him and the old one has a splendid future behind him: and maybe that is where the rub is. When I was a teenager, I felt that I was just young and uncertain – that I was a new boy in a huge school, and I would have been very pleased to be regarded as something so interesting as a problem. For one thing, being a problem gives you a certain identity, and that is one of the things the young are busily engaged in seeking.

I find young people exciting. They have an air of freedom, and they do not have a dreary commitment to mean ambitions or love of comfort. They are not anxious social climbers, and they have no devotion to material things. All this seems to me to link them with life, and the origins of things. It’s as if they were, in some sense, cosmic beings in violent and lovely contrast with us suburban creatures. All that is in my mind when I meet a young person. He may be conceited, ill-mannered, presumptuous or fatuous, but I do not turn for protection to dreary cliches about respect of elders –  as if mere age were a reason for respect. I accept that we are equals, and I will argue with him, as an equal, if I think he is wrong.

From Out of the Air in The Listener by Fielden Hughes

Glossary

after all- used to say that something must be remembered or considered, because it helps to explain what you have just said

air- if someone or something has an air of confidence, mystery, etc., they seem confident, mysterious, etc.

ambition- a strong desire to achieve something

cliche- an idea or phrase that has been used so much that is not effective or does not have any meaning any longer

commitment- a promise to do something or to behave in a particular way

conceited- if you are conceited, you think that you are very clever, skilful, beautiful, etc.

devotion- the loyalty that you show towards a person, job, etc.

dreary- dull and making you feel sad and bored

engaged in- busy doing

fatuous- very silly and stupid; idiotic

fundamentals- the most important ideas, rules, etc. that something is based on

glorious- very beautiful or impressive; having or deserving fame, praise, and honour

ill-mannered- not polite and behaving badly in social situations

mere- used to emphasize how small or unimportant something or someone is

presumptuous- doing something that you have no right to do and that seems rude

seek- to try to achieve or get something

social climber- someone who tries to get accepted int a higher social class by becoming friendly with people who belong to that class

splendid- beautiful and impressive; magnificent

take leave- as for permission

the rub- the problem that is the reason why a situation is so difficult

Collocations

take leave to doubt

get down to fundamentals

difference between A and B

a glorious future

a splendid future

where the rub is

be pleased to be regarded as

be given a certain identity

be busily engaged in

find someone exciting

have an air of freedom

have a commitment to

a dreary commitment to

mean ambitions

love of comfort

anxious social climbers

have no devotion to

link A with B

in some sense

in (violent/lovely) contrast with

suburban creatures

turn to someone or something for protection

dreary cliches about

TV's Irreparable Harm

Level: C2

‘Yes, but what did we use to do before there was television?’ How often we hear statements like this! Television hasn’t been with us all that long, but we are already beginning to forget what the world was like without it. Before we admitted the one-eyed monster into our homes, we never found it difficult to occupy our spare time. We used to enjoy civilised pleasures. For instance, we used to have hobbies, we used to entertain our friends and be entertained by them, we used to go outside for our amusements to theatres, cinemas, restaurants and sporting events. We even used to read books and listen to music and broadcast talks occasionally. All that belongs to the past. Now all our free time is regulated by the ‘goggle box’. We rush home or gulp down our meals to be in time for this or that programme. We have even given up sitting at table and having a leisurely evening meal, exchanging the news of the day. A sandwich and a glass of beer will do anything, providing it doesn’t interfere with the programme. The monster demands and obtains absolute silence and attention. If any member of the family dares to open his mouth during a programme, he is quickly silenced.

Whole generations are growing up addicted to the telly. Food is left uneaten, homework undone and sleep is lost. The telly is a universal pacifier. It is now standard practice for mother to keep the children quiet by putting them in the living-room and turning on the set. It doesn’t matter that the children will watch rubbishy commercials or spectacles of sadism and violence – so long as they are quiet.

There is a limit to the amount of creative talent available in the world. Every day, television consumes vast quantities of creative work. That is why most of the programmes are so bad: it is impossible to keep pace with the demand and maintain high standards as well. When millions watch the same programmes, the whole world becomes a village, and society is reduced to the conditions which obtain in pre-literate communities. We become utterly dependent on the two most primitive media of communication: pictures and the spoken word.

Television encourages passive enjoyment. We become content with second-hand experiences.  It is so easy to sit in our armchairs watching others working. Little by little, television cuts us off from the real world. We get so lazy we choose to spend a fine day in semi-darkness, glued to our sets, rather than go out into the world itself. Television may be a splendid medium of communication, but it prevents us from communicating with each other. We only become aware how totally irrelevant television is to real living when we spend a holiday by the sea or in the mountains, far away from civilisation. In quiet, natural surroundings, we quickly discover how little we miss the hypnotic tyranny of King Telly.

Glossary

addicted- liking something so much that you do not want to stop doing it or having it

admit- to allow someone to enter

civilised- pleasant and comfortable

consume- to use

content- happy

cut off- to separate

demand- n. the need or desire that people have for particular goods and services; v. to ask for something very firmly

entertain- to invite people to your home for a meal, party, etc.

glued to- looking at something with all your attention

goggle box- (figurative) television

goggle- to look at something with your eyes wide open in surprise of shock

gulp down- to swallow large quantities of food or drink quickly

hypnotic- making you feel tired and unable to pay attention to anything else

interfere with- to prevent something from succeeding or from happening in the way that it was planned

irrelevant-  not useful or not related to a particular situation, and therefore not important

keep pace with- to change or increase as fast as something else

little by little- gradually; by degrees

maintain- to make something continue in the same way or at the same standard as before

obtain- 1. to get something that you want; 2. if a situation, system, or rule obtains, it continues to exist

occupy-  if something occupies your time, you are busy doing it

one-eyed monster- (figurative) television

pacifier- something that makes people calm

primitive- very simple and not modern

providing- if

regulate- to control an activity or process, especially by rules

rubbishy- silly or of a very low quality

sadism- behaviour in which someone gets pleasure from hurting other people or making them suffer

spare time- free time; leisure time

spectacle- an unusual thing or situation that you see or notice

splendid- beautiful and impressive

telly- (informal) television

tyranny- cruel and unfair control over other people

universal- true or suitable in any situation

will do anything- be enough or acceptable

Collocations

hear statements

admit someone into a place

occupy your spare time

enjoy civilised pleasures

have hobbies

entertain friends

go out for your amusements

something belongs to the past

your free time is regulated by

rush home

gulp down your meal

be in time for something

sit at a table

have a leisurely meal

exchange the news of the day

demand (absolute) silence/attention

obtain (absolute) silence/attention

addicted to something

it is now standard practice to do something

rubbishy commercials

spectacles of sadism and violence

maintain high standards

be reduced to something

conditions obtain

utterly dependent on

encourage passive enjoyment

become content with

second-hand experiences

cut someone off from something

prevent someone from doing something

totally irrelevant

Mountain Pioneers

Level: C1

What was the main objective of early mountain climbers? Modern alpinists try to climb mountains by a route which will give them good sport, and the more difficult it is, the more highly it is regarded. In the pioneering days, however, this was not the case at all. The early climbers were looking for the easiest way to the top, because the summit was the prize they sought, especially if it had never been attained before. It is true that during their explorations they often faced difficulties and dangers of the most perilous nature, equipped in a manner with what would make a modern climber shudder at the thought, but they did not go out of their way to court such excitement. They had a single aim, a solitary goal – the top!

It is hard for us to realize nowadays how difficult it was for the pioneers. Except for one or two places such as Zermatt and Chamonix, which had rapidly become popular, Alpine villages tended to be impoverished settlements cut off from civilization by the high mountains. Such inns as there were generally dirty and flea-ridden; the food simply local cheese accompanied by bread often twelve months old, all washed down with coarse wine. Often a valley boasted no inn at all, and climbers found shelter wherever they could – sometimes with the local priest (who was usually as poor as his parishioners), sometimes with shepherds or cheese-makers. Invariably, the background was the same: dirt and poverty, and very uncomfortable. For men accustomed to eating seven-course dinners and sleeping between fine linen sheets at home, the change to the Alps must have very hard indeed.

From Matterhorn Man by Walter Unsworth

Glossary

accompanied by- served with

accustomed to- used to; familiar with

alpinist- a mountain-climber, especially in the Alps

attain- to succeed in achieving something after trying for a long time

boast- to have something that is very good

coarse- rough

court- to behave in a way that makes danger, death, excitement, etc. more likely

cut off- separated

equip- to provide a person with the things that are needed for a particular kind of activity or work

except for- used to introduce the only person, thing, action, fact, or situation about which a statement is not true

flea-ridden- full of fleas; infested with fleas

go out of your way- to do something with more effort than is usual or expected

impoverished- poor; very bad in quality

inn- a small hotel or pub, especially an old one in the country

invariably- always; without exception; all the time

linen- cloth made from the flax plant

objective- goal

parishioner- someone who lives in a parish, especially someone who regularly goes to a Christen church there

perilous- very dangerous

pioneer- one of the first people who travel to a new country or area and begin living there, farming, etc.

pioneering- introducing new and better methods or ideas for the first time

regard- to think about someone or something in a particular way

route- a way from one place to another

seek- to try to achieve or get something

settlement- a group of houses and buildings where people live, especially in a place where few people have lived before

shelter- protection from danger or from wind, rain, hot sun, etc.

shudder- to think that something is very bad or unpleasant

solitary- single; just one

tend- if something tends to happen, it happens often and is likely to happen again

wash something down- to drink something with or after food or with medicine to help you swallow it

Collocations

the main objective of something

give someone good sport

regard something highly

in the pioneering days

seek a prize

attain a prize

it is true that

face difficulties/dangers

be equipped with something

shudder at the thought (of something)

court excitement

a solitary goal

impoverish settlements

cut off from civilization

boast no inn

find shelter

be accustomed to something/doing something

sleep between linen sheets

The Road to Success

Level: B1

Yesterday afternoon, Frank Hawkins was telling me about his experiences as a young man.  Before he retired, Frank was the head of a very large business company, but as a boy he used to work in a small shop. It was his job to repair bicycles, and at that time he used to work fourteen hours a day. He saved money for years and in 1958 he bought a small workshop of his own.

In his twenties, Frank used to make spare parts for aeroplanes. At that time, he had two helpers. In a few years, the small workshop had become a large factory which employed seven hundred and twenty-eight people. Frank smiled when he remembered his hard early years and the long road to success. He was still smiling when the door opened and his wife came in. She wanted him to repair their grandson’s bicycle!

Glossary

as- when

employ- to pay someone to work for you

experience- something that happens to you or something you do

head- a leader or person in charge of a group or organization

repair- to fix; to mend

retire- to stop working, usually because you have reached a certain age

save- to keep money in a bank so that you can use it later

spare part- a new part for a vehicle or machine, that is used to replace a part that is damaged or broken

used to- if something used to happen, it happened regularly or all the time in the past, but does not happen now

workshop- a room or building where tools and machines are used for making or repairing things

Collocations

tell someone about something

as a young man

as a boy

at that time

work (fourteen) hours

save money

of your own

make spare parts

employ people

long road to success

English Suffixes - Adjective Makers

Level: C1

-ed having: gifted, talented, wretched, learned
-en made of: wooden, golden, woollen, earthen
-ful full of: hopeful, fruitful, joyful
-ish somewhat like: boorish, reddish, girlish
-less free from, without: fearless, shameless, hopeless, senseless, boundless
-ly like: manly, godly, sprightly
-some with the quality of: wholesome, meddlesome, gladsome, quarrelsome
-ward inclining to: forward, wayward
-y with the quality of: wealthy, healthy, windy, slimy, greedy, needy, thirsty, dirty

Camping Disaster

Level: B2

When we had packed all the provisions that we would need for our big camping trip, we got in the car and started off. After driving all day, we found the spot we wanted, a wide strip of wooded land that projected into a lake. Since I had just become a tenderfoot scout, I asked my father if I could erect my own tent. At the conclusion of an hour’s work, I finally had it up. As anyone could see, it wasn’t very stable, and I hoped we wouldn’t have a big wind. My younger brother referred to my efforts as a mess. I was unhappy with the tent myself, but I just didn’t have the patience to start all over. I should have asked for my brother’s help, but I was afraid of losing my dignity. As you might guess, a severe storm came up right after we went to bed. But my parents had mercy and didn’t even smile as I crawled into their tent with them.

Glossary

conclusion n. end or the way something ends: I found the conclusion of the film rather irritating.

dignity n. the quality or state of deserving respect, esp. because of being controlled, serious and calm: He is a man of dignity and calm determination. 

erect v. o put up or raise to a vertical position (a tent, flag or other esp. temporary structure): They erected a marquee to accommodate 500 wedding guests.

mercy n. kindness and forgiveness shown towards someone whom you have the power to treat severely or punish: People who are caught drinking and driving can expect little mercy from the courts.

patience n. the ability to wait, or continue doing something despite difficulties, or suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed: You have to have such a lot of patience when you're dealing with kids.

project v. to stick out over an edge: One of the features of the hotel is that its dining room projects (out) over the sea.

provisions n. supplies of food and other necessary things: All provisions for the camp have to be flown in by helicopter.

refer v. to mention, describe or involve (someone or something): He always refers to his wife as ‘the old woman.’

severe adj. causing very great pain, difficulty, anxiety, damage, etc.; very serious: He's suffering from a severe chest infection.

stable adj. firmly fixed or not likely to move or change: Heavier boats are more stable than lighter boats.

Synonyms

conclusion- the conclusion of the meeting: end; finish; close; halting; cessation; termination; discontinuance; (inf.) wind-up.

dignity- pride; self-esteem; self-conceit; self-regard; self-importance; self-respect; amour propre.

erect- put up; set up; set upright; assemble.

mercy- leniency; clemency; compassion; compassionateness; pity; charity; forgiveness; forbearance; quarter; humanity; humaneness; mildness; soft-heartedness; tender-heartedness; kindness; sympathy; liberality; tolerance; generosity; beneficence; benignancy.

patience- calmness; composure; even temper; even-temperedness; equanimity; equilibrium; serenity; tranquility; restraint; self-restraint; imperturbability; inexcitability; tolerance; long-suffering; indulgence; forbearance; endurance; resignation; stoicism; fortitude; (inf.) unflappability; cool.

project- jut; jut out; protrude; extend; stick out; stand out; hang over; bulge out; beetle; obtrude.

provisions- supplies, catering, accoutrement, stock, preparation, store, procurement, equipment.

refer- mention; make mention of; make reference to; allude to; touch on; speak of; cite; advert to; hint at.

severe- fierce; strong; violent; intense; powerful; forceful; very bad.

stable- firm; solid; steady; secure; fixed; strong; fast; stout; sturdy; moored; anchored; immovable.

Collocations

pack provisions

start off

project into a place

a tenderfoot scout

erect a tent

at the conclusion of an event

have a tent up

refer to something as something

be unhappy with something

have patience to do something

start all over

lose your dignity

a storm comes up

have mercy

crawl into a place

The Evils of Smoking

Level: C2

If you smoke and you still don’t believe that there’s a definite link between smoking and bronchial troubles, heart disease and lung cancer, then you are certainly deceiving yourself. No one will accuse you of hypocrisy. Let us just say that you are suffering from a bad case of wishful thinking. This needn’t make you too uncomfortable because you are in good company. Whenever the subject of smoking and health is raised, the governments of most countries hear no evil, see no evil and smell no evil. Admittedly, a few governments have taken timid measures. In Britain, for instance, cigarette advertising has been banned on television. The conscience of the nation is appeased, while the population continues to puff its way to smoky, cancerous death.

You don’t have to look very far to find out why the official reactions to medical findings have been so lukewarm. The answer is simply money. Tobacco is a wonderful commodity to tax. It’s almost like a tax on our daily bread. In tax revenue alone, the government of Britain collects enough from smokers to pay for its entire educational facilities. So while the authorities point out ever so discreetly that smoking may, conceivably, be harmful, it doesn’t do to shout too loudly about it.

This is surely the most short-sighted policy you could imagine. While money is eagerly collected in vast sums with one hand, it is paid out in increasingly vaster sums with the other.  Enormous amounts are spent on cancer research and on efforts to cure people suffering from the disease. Countless valuable lives are lost. In the long run, there is no doubt that everybody would be much better off if smoking were banned altogether.

Of course, we are not ready for such drastic action. But if the governments of the world were honestly concerned about the welfare of their peoples, you’d think they’d conduct aggressive anti-smoking campaigns. Far from it! The tobacco industry is allowed to spend staggering sums on advertising. Its advertising is as insidious as it is dishonest. We are never shown pictures of real smokers coughing up their lungs early in the morning. That would never do. The advertisements always depict virile, clean-shaven young men. They suggest it is manly to smoke, even positively healthy! Smoking is associated with the great open-air life, with beautiful girls, true love and togetherness. What utter nonsense!

For a start, governments could begin by banning all cigarette and tobacco advertising and should then conduct anti-smoking advertising campaigns of their own. Smoking should be banned in all public places like theatres, cinemas and restaurants. Great efforts should be made to inform young people especially of the dire consequences of taking up the habit. A horrific warning – say, a picture of a death’s head – should be included in every packet of cigarettes that is sold. As individuals we are certainly weak, but if governments acted honestly and courageously, they could protect us from ourselves.

Glossary

accuse- to say that you believe someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad

admittedly- used when you are admitting that something is true

aggressive- very determined to succeed or get what you want

alone- only; just

altogether- completely

appease- to make someone less angry or stop them from attacking you by giving them what they want

associate- to make a connection in your mind between one thing or person to another

authorities- the people or organizations that are in charge of a particular country or area

better off- happier, improved, more successful, etc.

bronchial- affecting the bronchial tubes in the lung

campaign- a series of actions intended to achieve a particular result relating to politics or business, or a social improvement

commodity- a product that is bought and sold

conceivably- used to say something is able to be believed or imagined

concerned- worried

conduct- do; perform

conscience- the part of your mind that tells you whether what you are doing is morally right or wrong

consequence- something that happens or exists because of something that happened before

deceive- to make someone believe something that is not true

definite- that will happen in a way that someone has said

depict- to something or someone in writing or speech, or to show them in a painting, picture, etc.

dire- extremely serious or terrible

discreetly- carefully because you do not want to offend, upset, or embarrass people or tell secrets

do- used to say that something will be enough or be acceptable

drastic- extreme and sudden

entire- whole; all of

facilities- rooms, equipment, or services that are provided for a particular purpose

for a start- firstly; to begin with

for instance- for example

horrific- extremely bad, in a way that is frightening or upsetting

hypocrisy- when someone pretends to have certain beliefs or opinions that they do not really have

insidious- spreading gradually without being noticed, and causing serious harm

lukewarm- not showing much interest or excitement

measure- action

revenue- money that the government receives from tax

short-sighted- not considering the possible effects in the future of something that seems good now

shout about something- to speak about someone or something that is remarkable, noteworthy, or important

staggering- extremely great or surprising

take up- to start to do something

tax- to charge a tax on something

timid- not having courage or confidence

togetherness- the pleasant feeling you have when you are part of a group of people who have a close relationship with each other

utter- complete – used especially to emphasize that something is very bad, or that a feeling is very strong

virile- having or showing traditionally male qualities such as strength, courage, etc. – used to show approval

wishful thinking- when you believe that what you want to happen will happen, when in fact it is not possible

Collocations

a definite link between A and B

accuse someone of something

suffer from something

bad case of wishful thinking

be in good company

raise a subject

hear/see no evil

take measures (to do something)

appease someone’s conscience

puff your way to death

look far to see/find out/etc.

lukewarm reactions

reaction to something

to tax a commodity

a tax on something

point something out discreetly

it doesn’t do to shout too loudly about it

short-sighted policy

eagerly collect money

vast sums of money

enormous amounts of money

there’s no doubt that

drastic action

be concerned about

conduct campaigns

staggering sums of money

insidious advertising

cough up your lungs

that would (never) do

associate something with something else

utter nonsense

make efforts

inform someone of something

dire consequences

take up a habit

protect someone from something

Hidden in the Country

Level: B1

A car drew up outside the Swan Hotel and a young man got out. Pausing only for an instant to see that he had come to the right place, he went into the hotel and rang the bell on the counter of the bar.

Mrs Crump, the landlady, who was busy in the kitchen at the time, hurried out, wiping her hands. The young man raised his hat. ‘Excuse me,’  he said. ‘I’m looking for my uncle, Mr  White. I believe he is staying here.’

‘He was staying here,’ Mrs Crump corrected him. ‘But I’m afraid that he went back to London yesterday.’

‘Oh dear,’ said the young man, looking disappointed. I understood that he was going to stay here until the end of the month. At least, that is what his servant told me when I rang up his house.’

‘Quite right,’ said Mrs Crump.  ‘He intended to stay here the whole of July, as he always  does. But yesterday he got a letter to say that one of his relatives was ill. So he caught the train back to London immediately.’

‘I wish he had let me know,’ the young man said. ‘I wrote him a letter saying that I was coming. I’ve had all this trouble for nothing. Well, since he isn’t here, there is no point in waiting.’

He thanked Mrs Crump and went out. Mrs Crump went to the window and watched him drive off. When his car was out of sight, she called out: ‘You can come out now, Mr White. He’s gone.’

Mr White came out of the kitchen, where he had been waiting. ‘Many thanks, Mrs  Crump,’ he said, laughing. ‘You did that very well. These nephews of mine never give me any peace. That young man is the worst of them all. As you see, when he needs money, he even follows me into the country. Well, perhaps next time he won’t warn me by writing me a letter!’

Glossary

at least- used when you are correcting or changing something that you have just said

catch a train- to get on a train etc. in order to travel on it

counter- the place where you pay or are served in a shop, bank, restaurant, etc.

disappointed- unhappy because something you hoped for did not happen, or because someone or something was not as good as you expected

draw up- to arrive somewhere and stop

drive off- to leave in a car

hurry- to do something or go somewhere more quickly than usual

immediately- without delay; at once 

instant- a moment

intend- to have something in your mind as a plan or purpose

landlady- a woman who rents a room, building, or piece of lad to someone

nephew- the son of your brother or sister, or the son of your husband’s or wife’s brother or sister

out of sight- outside the area that you can see

pause- to stop speaking or doing something for a short time before starting again

point- reason

raise- to move or lift something to a higher position, place, or level

relative- a member of your family

ring up- to telephone someone

understand- to believe or think something is true because you have heard it or read it

warn- to tell someone that something bad or dangerous may happen

wipe- to rub a surface with something in order to remove dirt, liquid, etc.

Collocations

ring the bell

hurry out

wipe your hands

raise your hat

I’m afraid that

look disappointed

intend to do something

catch a train back to a place

have trouble

for nothing

not give someone any peace

Greek Prefixes 2

Level: C1

di- twice: dilemma
dia- through: diagonal, diameter
dys- badly: dyspepsia, dysentery
en - (em) in: encyclopaedia, emblem
epi- upon: epilogue, epitaph
eu- well: eulogy, euphony, eugenics
ex- (ec) out of: exodus, eccentric
hemi- half: hemisphere
homo- (hom) like: homogeneous, homonym

The Village Clock Tower

Level: B2

Our vicar is always raising money for one cause or another, but he has never managed to get enough money to have the church clock repaired. The big clock which used to strike the hours day and night was damaged many years ago and has been silent ever since.

One night, however, our vicar work up with a start: the clock was striking the hours! Looking at his watch, he saw that it was one o’clock, but the bell struck thirteen times before it stopped. Armed with a torch, the vicar went up into the clock tower to see what was going on. In the torchlight, he caught sight of a figure whom he immediately recognized as Bill Wilkins, our local grocer.

‘Whatever are you doing up here Bill?’ asked the vicar in surprise.

‘I’m trying to repair the bell,’ answered Bill. ‘I’ve been coming up here night after night for weeks now. You see, I was hoping to give you a surprise.’

‘You certainly did give me a surprise!’ said the vicar. ‘You’ve probably woken up everyone in the village as well. Still, I’m glad the bell is working again.’

That’s the trouble, vicar,’ answered Bill. ‘It’s working all right, but I’m afraid that at one o’clock it will strike thirteen times and there’s nothing I can do about it.’

We’ll get used to that, Bill,’ said the vicar. ‘Thirteen is not as good as one, but it’s better than nothing. Now let’s go downstairs and have a cup of tea.’

Glossary

arm- to provide all the information, skills, or equipment you need to do something

catch sight of- to see someone or something

cause- an aim, belief, or organization that a group of people support or fight for

come up- to come to a particular place

damage- to cause physical harm to something or to part of someone’s body

get used to- to become familiar with something so that it no longer seems surprising, difficult, etc.

go on- to happen

grocer- someone who owns or works in a shop that sells food and other things used in the home

immediately- without delay; at once

local- relating to the particular area you live in, or in the area you are talking about

manage- to succeed in doing something, especially after trying hard

raise- to collect money that you can use to do a particular job or help people

recognize- to know who someone is or something is because you have seen, heard, experienced, or learned about them in the past

repair- to fix

start- a sudden movement of your body, usually caused by fear or surprise

strike- if a clock strikes the hours, its bell makes a sound according to what time it is

torch- a small electric lamp that you carry in your hand

vicar- a priest in the Church of England who is in charge of a church in a particular area

Collocations

raise money for a cause

manage to do something

have something repaired

a clock strides the hours

with a start

wake up with a start

a bell strikes

armed with something

in the torchlight

catch sight of someone or something

in surprise

give someone a surprise

get used to something or doing something

The Wonder of Spiders

Level: C1

How much of each year do spiders spend killing insects? Why, you may wonder, should spiders be our friends? Because they destroy so many insects, and insects include some of the greatest enemies of the human race. Insects would make it impossible for us to live in the world; they would devour all our crops and kill our flocks and herds, if it were not for the protection we get from insect-eating animals. We owe a lot to the birds and beasts who eat insects but all of them put together kill only a fraction of the number destroyed by spiders. Moreover, unlike some of the other insect eaters, spiders never do the harm to us or our belongings. Spiders are not insects, as many people think, nor even nearly related to them. One can tell the difference almost at a glance, for a spider always has eight legs and insect never more than six.

How many spiders are engaged in this work on our behalf? One authority on spiders made a census of the spiders in grass field in the south of England, and he estimated that there were more than 2,250,000 in one acre; that is something like 6,000,000 spiders of different kinds on a football pitch. Spiders are busy for at least half the year in killing insects. It is impossible to make more than the wildest guess at how many they kill, but they are hungry creatures, not content with only three meals a day. It has been estimated that the weight of all the insects destroyed by spiders in Britain in one year would be greater than the total weight of all the human beings in the country.

From Spare that Spider in The listener by T. H. Gillesple 

Glossary

all put together- bigger than several things if they are added together

at least- not less than a particular number or amount

authority- someone who knows a lot about a subject and whose knowledge and opinions are greatly respected

beast- an animal, especially a large or dangerous one

census- an official process of counting something for government planning

content- happy or satisfied

destroy- to damage something so badly that is no longer exists or cannot be used or repaired

devour- to east something quickly because you are very hungry

engage- to be doing or become involved in an activity

estimate- to try to judge the value, size, speed, cost, etc. of something, without calculating it exactly

flock- a group of sheep, goats, or birds

fraction- a very small amount of something

glance- a quick look

herd- a group of animals of one kind that live and feed together

nearly- almost, but not quite or not completely

Collocations

spend time doing something

make it impossible for someone to do something

get protection from something or someone

owe something to someone or something

a fraction of something

do harm to someone or something

tell the difference

at a glance

be engaged in something

on someone’s behalf

an authority on a subject

make a census of something

make a guess at something

a wild guess

content with

it is estimated that

A Ride to the Station

Level: B1

Helen packed a small suitcase, said goodbye to her mother and hurried out of the house to catch the bus to the station. There was no one else waiting at the bus stop, so it looked as if a bus had just left. Helen looked at her watch anxiously: it was already two o’clock. Her train left at two-thirty, and since it would take at least twenty minutes to reach the station, she did not have much time to spare, even if a bus came along at once.

Just then a taxi came slowly down the road. Helen knew that the fare to the station was at least forty pounds, which was more than she could afford, but she quickly made up her mind that it would be well worth the extra expense in order to be sure of catching her train. So she stopped the taxi and got in. She told the driver that she had to catch a train which left at half past two. The man nodded and said that he would take a short cut to get her to the station in good time.

All went well until, just as they were coming out of a side street into the main road that led to the station, the taxi ran into a car. There was a loud crash and Helen was thrown forward so violently that she hit her head on the front seat. Both drivers got out and began shouting at each other. Helen got out as well, to ask them to stop quarrelling, but neither of them took any notice of her at all.

Helen was now quite sure that she was going to miss her train, although she was not very far from the station. She was wondering what to do when a bus came into sight, going in the direction of the station. The bus stop was not far off, so Helen got her suitcase out of the taxi and ran towards the bus, which had stopped to let some passengers get off. The bus conductor saw her running and did not ring the bell for the bus to start until she had got on. Helen reached the station just in time and managed to catch her train after all. But if she had waited for the taxi driver to stop arguing, she would probably have missed it.

Glossary

anxiously- with worry; nervously

argue- to disagree with someone in words, often in an angry way

at once- immediately; without delay

bus conductor- someone whose job is to collect payments from passengers on a bus

can/could afford- to have enough money to buy or pay for something

catch- to get on a bus, train, etc. in order to travel on it, or be in time to get on a bus, train, etc. before it leaves

come along- to arrive

come into sight- to appear

crash- a sudden loud noise

expense- the amount of money that you spend on something

far off- far away

fare- the price you pay to travel somewhere by bus, train, plane, etc.

go well- to happen in a positive way

hurry- to go somewhere more quickly than usual

in good time- if you do something in good time, you do it early enough to be ready for a particular time or event

in the direction of- towards

just in time- before the time by which it is necessary for something to be done

lead to- used to say where a path, wire, etc. goes or what place is on the other side of a door

make up your mind- to make a decision about something

manage- to succeed in doing something, especially after trying hard

miss- to be too late for something

nod- to move your head up and down, especially in order to show agreement or understanding

pack- to put things into cases, bags, etc. ready for a trip somewhere

quarrel- to have an argument

quite- fairly, or to a small extent, but not very

reach- to arrive at

run into- to hit someone or something with a vehicle

short cut- a quicker and more direct way of getting somewhere than the usual one

side street- a street that is smaller than a main street, but is often connected to it

spare- if you have money or time to spare, you have some left in addition to what you have used or need

take notice- to pay attention

violently- with a lot of force in a way that is very difficult to control

wonder- to doubt or question

Collocations

pack a suitcase

say goodbye to someone

hurry out of a place

catch a bus/train

look as if

the fare to a place

be well worth

take a short cut

be thrown forward

shout at someone

not take any notice of someone

be quite sure

miss a bus/train

wonder what to do

go in the direction of a place

ring a bell

manage to do something

Oscar

Level: B2

My dog, Oscar, showed his affection for me in many ways. He was always happy and playful, and I’m sure he had a better sense of humour than most people. He got into a lot of trouble because in his haste to welcome me home, he sometimes knocked things over. Oscar always knew when I was at the door, and I could hear the rapid tat-tat-tat of his claws as he raced down the hall. I was always teasing him, and so it’s a mystery why he liked me so much. When Oscar died, I knew the real meaning of grief. No matter how hard I tried to get interested in other things, nothing could relieve the hurt. My father had sympathy for me. He said that when he was a boy, his dog had run away. He advised me to get a new puppy. My new puppy is not yet as smart as Oscar was, but he is faithful to me, and I really like him.

Glossary

advise v. to give an opinion about what someone should do or how they should act in a particular situation: I advised him to stay at home.

affection n. a feeling of liking: She felt little affection for the child.

faithful adj. loyal: She was a close and faithful friend.

grief n. very great sadness, esp. at the death of someone: Newspapers should not intrude on people's private grief.

haste n. (too much) speed: Unfortunately the report was prepared in haste and contained several inaccuracies.

humour n. the ability to be amused by things, the way in which people see that some things are amusing, or the quality of being amusing: He has a wonderful sense of humour.

mystery n. something strange or unknown which has not yet been explained or understood: The mystery was solved when the police discovered the murder weapon.

rapid adj. quick or sudden: I was startled by a rapid movement to my left.

relieve v. If something relieves an unpleasant feeling, such as pain or worry, it makes it less strong: She was given a shot of morphine to relieve the pain.

sympathy n. understanding and care for someone else's suffering: I don't really have much sympathy for people who've brought their troubles on themselves.

Synonyms

advise- give guidance; guide; counsel; give counsel; give recommendations; offer suggestions/opinions; give hints/tips; instruct.

affection- love; liking; fondness; warmth; devotion; caring; attachment; friendship; amity; warm feelings.

faithful- loyal; constant; devoted; dependable; reliable; true; true-blue; trusty; trustworthy; staunch; unswerving; unwavering; steadfast; obedient; dutiful; dedicated; committed.

grief- sorrow; mourning; mournfulness; bereavement; lamentation; misery; sadness; anguish; pain; distress; agony; affliction; suffering; heartache; heartbreak; broken-heartedness; heaviness of heart; trouble; woe; tribulation; trial; desolation; despondency; dejection; despair; remorse; regret.

haste- 1) fulfil the order with haste: speed; swiftness; rapidity; rapidness; quickness; fastness; alacrity; promptness; promptitude; dispatch; expeditiousness; expedition; celerity; fleetness; briskness; immediateness; urgency. 2) haste causes carelessness: hastiness; hurriedness; hurry; rushing; hustling; impetuosity; recklessness; rashness; foolhardiness; precipitateness; impulsiveness; heedlessness; carelessness. 

humour- 1) not to see the humor of the situation: funny side; funniness; comic side; comical aspect; comedy; laughableness; facetiousness; farcicalness; farce; jocularity; hilarity; ludicrousness; absurdness; absurdity; drollness. 2) entertain them with his humor: comedy; jokes; joking; jests; jesting; gags; wit; wittiness; witticisms; waggishness; pleasantries; buffoonery; (inf.) wisecracks.

mystery- 1) his death remains a mystery: enigma; puzzle; secret; unsolved problem; problem; riddle; conundrum; question; question mark; closed book; unexplored ground; terra incognita. 2) his whereabouts are clothed in mystery: secrecy; concealment; obscurity; obscuration; vagueness; nebulousness; inscrutability; inexplicability.

rapid- quick; fast; swift; speedy; fleet; hurried; hasty; expeditious; express; brisk; lively; prompt; precipitate. 

relieve- alleviate; mitigate; assuage; allay; soothe; soften; palliate; appease; ease; dull; abate; reduce; lessen; diminish. 

sympathy- compassion; commiseration; pity; condolence; consolation; comfort; solace; support; caring; concern; solicitude; solicitousness; consideration; kindness; kind-heartedness; warmth; warm-heartedness; charity; charitableness; understanding; empathy.

Collocations

show affection for someone

have a sense of humour

get into trouble

do something in haste

in your haste to do something

knock something over

know the real meaning of grief

it’s a mystery why

relieve the hurt

have sympathy for someone or something

advise someone to do something

faithful to someone or something