shale
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C1 noun /ʃeɪl/

shale

Meaning
a fine-grained sedimentary rock that can be split into thin layers
Example
The region is rich in shale and natural gas deposits.
C1 noun /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪtər/

speculator

Meaning
A person who forms theories without evidence, or invests in assets hoping for profit.
Example
The real estate speculator bought land hoping its value would rise.
C2 verb /breɪz/

braze

Meaning
To join two pieces of metal by heating and melting a filler metal into the joint.
Example
The mechanic brazed the broken pipe to fix the leak.
B2 adjective ˌkæt.əˈstrɑː.fɪk

catastrophic

Meaning
Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.
Example
Climate change has catastrophic consequences.
A2 noun /tent/

Tent

Meaning
a portable shelter made of cloth or canvas; military accommodation
Example
The soldiers set up their tent in the military camp.
C2 noun /ɪˈmɒljʊmənt/

emolument

Meaning
payment for work or services; salary or fees
Example
The professor received his annual emolument from the university.
B2 noun /ˈtɔːr.ment/

Torment

Meaning
severe physical or mental suffering; extreme pain or anguish
Example
The prisoner endured years of torment in solitary confinement.
C2 verb /ˈɔːɡər/

augur

Meaning
To be a sign of something to come; to predict or foretell.
Example
Dark clouds augur a coming storm.
B2 noun /ɪˈluː.ʒən/

Illusion

Meaning
a thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted; a false idea or belief
Example
The magician created a spectacular illusion that made the elephant appear to vanish.
A2 noun /sməʊk/

smoke

Meaning
A visible suspension of carbon or other particles in air, typically one emitted from a burning substance.
Example
Smoke from vehicles worsens air quality.
C2 noun /ˈkɒl.ə.kwi/

colloquy

Meaning
A formal conversation or dialogue, often on serious or academic topics.
Example
The professors engaged in a deep colloquy about the future of education.
C1 verb (past) /ˈmɛrɪtɪd/

merited

Meaning
Deserved or earned something.
Example
Her dedication merited recognition from the community.
B2 adverb /ˈpraɪ.vət.li/

Privately

Meaning
in a private manner; without others present; confidentially
Example
She spoke to him privately about the matter.
B2 noun /ˈbɛərɪŋ/

bearing

Meaning
a person's way of standing or moving; relevance or connection to something
Example
Her calm bearing impressed everyone in the room.
B1 noun /rɪˈpɔːtɪŋ/

reporting

Meaning
the act of giving news or information about something
Example
Good reporting is essential for public awareness.
B2 verb /ˈʃʌfəl/

shuffle

Meaning
to walk by dragging one's feet along or without lifting them fully; to mix or rearrange
Example
He shuffled the cards before dealing them.
C1 noun /vɪnˈjɛt/

vignette

Meaning
A short, descriptive piece of writing or a brief scene.
Example
The author included a poignant vignette in the introduction of the book.
C1 noun /ˈdɛdlɒk/

deadlock

Meaning
a situation in which progress is impossible because of disagreement
Example
Negotiations reached a deadlock after neither side agreed to compromise.
C1 noun, verb, adjective /ˈæɡ.rɪ.ɡət/ (noun/adjective), /ˈæɡ.rɪ.ɡeɪt/ (verb)

aggregate

Meaning
A whole formed by combining several elements; to combine into a total.
Example
The data was aggregated to provide a clearer picture of the market.
C2 noun /brɪˈtæniə/

britannia

Meaning
the personification of Britain, often shown as a woman with a helmet and shield
Example
Britannia has been a symbol of Britain since Roman times.
C2 verb /ɪnˈsnɛər/

ensnare

Meaning
to catch or trap, often by trickery or deceit
Example
The hunter ensnared the rabbit with a net.
C2 noun /kɒŋk/

Conck

Meaning
a shell, especially a large spiral one used as a horn or for decoration
Example
The priest blew the conch shell to signal the start of the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈɜːrtʃɪn/

urchin

Meaning
a mischievous or poorly dressed child, often from the streets
Example
The ragged urchins played by the riverbank.
C1 noun /rɪˈflɛktər/

reflector

Meaning
A surface or device that reflects light, heat, or sound, often used to direct beams or improve visibility.
Example
The cyclist attached a red reflector to the back of his bike for safety.
B2 noun /ˌmʌltɪplɪˈkeɪʃən/

multiplication

Meaning
the mathematical process of combining numbers to get a product; the act of increasing in number or amount
Example
Multiplication is one of the basic operations taught in elementary mathematics.
C2 noun /ˌdɪpsəˈmeɪniæk/

dipsomaniac

Meaning
A person with an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic drinks.
Example
The novel portrayed the tragic downfall of a dipsomaniac who lost everything to alcohol.
B2 adverb /əˈfɪʃəli/

officially

Meaning
in a formal or authorized way
Example
The building was officially opened by the mayor.
B2 adjective /ˈstɪki/

sticky

Meaning
having the quality of adhering or clinging; difficult to remove or deal with
Example
The candy is too sticky to eat with your hands.
A2 adjective /trəˈdɪʃənəl/

Traditional

Meaning
relating to or following long-established customs; conventional
Example
They had a traditional wedding ceremony.
C2 adjective /kəˈdævərəs/

cadaverous

Meaning
Resembling a corpse; very pale, thin, or bony.
Example
His cadaverous appearance shocked everyone at the party.
C1 noun /ɡaɪz/

guise

Meaning
An external form, appearance, or manner of presentation, often hiding the true nature
Example
He approached in the guise of a friend.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/

insufficient

Meaning
Not enough; inadequate.
Example
His explanation was insufficient to clear the confusion.
C1 noun /ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/

Deviation

Meaning
the action of departing from an established course; a departure from usual standards
Example
Any deviation from the established procedure must be reported immediately.
B2 noun /əˈstɒnɪʃmənt/

astonishment

Meaning
Great surprise or amazement.
Example
She looked at the magician with astonishment.
B2 noun ˌkʌl.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən

cultivation

Meaning
The practice of preparing and using land for crops or gardening; the action of improving or developing something.
Example
The cultivation of organic crops has increased worldwide.
C1 noun /ˈtɒpˌsɔɪl/

topsoil

Meaning
the top layer of soil, which is rich in organic matter and nutrients
Example
Farmers rely on healthy topsoil for good crop yields.
A1 noun/verb /maɪnd/

mind

Meaning
the part of a person that enables them to think, feel, and reason; to pay attention or take care
Example
Please mind the gap between the train and the platform.
A1 adjective /kuːl/

cool

Meaning
moderately cold; calm and composed; fashionable or impressive
Example
She kept a cool head during the crisis.
C1 verb /ˈθiːəraɪz/

theorize

Meaning
To form a theory or set of ideas to explain something.
Example
Scientists often theorize about the origins of the universe.
B2 noun /ˈbætəlˌfiːld/

battlefield

Meaning
a place where a battle is fought
Example
The battlefield was covered with the remnants of the fight.
C1 adjective /æbˈdɑː.mə.nəl/

abdominal

Meaning
relating to the abdomen (the part of the body between the chest and pelvis)
Example
He complained of severe abdominal pain.
C1 adjective /pəˈleɪ.ʃəl/

palatial

Meaning
resembling a palace in being spacious and splendid
Example
They stayed in a palatial hotel during their vacation.
A1 determiner/pronoun /ˈɛni/

any

Meaning
one, some, or all, without specifying which
Example
Do you have any questions?
A2 noun /tiːm/

team

Meaning
a group of people working together towards a common goal
Example
Our team won the match after a great effort.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːrɡəˌtɔːri/

purgatory

Meaning
A place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven; a temporary condition of torment or suffering.
Example
After the accident, the long recovery felt like a kind of purgatory.
A1 noun /weɪ/

Way

Meaning
a method, style, or manner of doing something; a road or path
Example
There must be a better way to solve this problem.
C1 noun /ˈmʌltɪplaɪər/

multiplier

Meaning
a number or factor by which another number is multiplied; something that increases the effect or value of something else
Example
In economics, government spending can act as a multiplier for economic growth.
C1 noun /ˌɪntərˈmɪʃən/

intermission

Meaning
A pause or break, especially during a performance or event.
Example
The play had a twenty-minute intermission.
C2 adjective /bɪˈwɪtʃɪŋ/

bewitching

Meaning
charming, enchanting, or captivating in a magical or irresistible way
Example
She wore a bewitching smile that captivated everyone in the room.
B1 noun rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti

responsibility

Meaning
The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.
Example
Taking responsibility for one's actions is a sign of maturity.
C1 noun /ˈɡreɪvstoʊn/

gravestone

Meaning
A stone that marks a grave, usually inscribed with the name of the deceased.
Example
The gravestone had her name carved beautifully.
C1 adjective /ˈruːfəl/

rueful

Meaning
Expressing sorrow, regret, or pity.
Example
He gave a rueful smile after losing the match.
B2 noun /ˈæplɪkənt/

applicant

Meaning
a person who applies for something, such as a job or a position
Example
The applicant was interviewed for the position.
B2 adjective kənˈven.ʃən.əl

conventional

Meaning
Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed; traditional, standard, customary.
Example
Many farmers still use conventional farming methods.
B1 noun /ˈɒbstəkəlz/

obstacles

Meaning
Things that block one's way or prevent or hinder progress.
Example
Obstacles in life can often lead to valuable lessons.
A2 noun /ˈbɪs.kɪt/

Biscuit

Meaning
a small, hard, dry cake; a cookie
Example
Children love to eat chocolate biscuits with milk.
C2 noun /ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ/

shibboleth

Meaning
A custom, phrase, or belief distinguishing a particular group of people, often used to identify outsiders.
Example
The phrase became a political shibboleth during the campaign.
C2 noun /ˌnɒn ˈsɛkwɪtər/

non sequitur

Meaning
a statement or conclusion that does not logically follow from the previous statement
Example
His comment about the weather was a complete non sequitur during the budget discussion.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈæk.tɪv/

Inactive

Meaning
not active; not working; dormant; idle
Example
The volcano has been inactive for over a century.
A1 verb /mʌst/

must

Meaning
to be required or obligated to
Example
You must complete your homework before you go out.
C2 noun /draɪd ˈfɛnjʊˌɡriːk livz/

Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Meaning
dehydrated leaves of the fenugreek plant used as a herb in cooking
Example
Add dried fenugreek leaves to the curry for extra flavor.
C1 noun /ˈprɛljuːd/

prelude

Meaning
An action, event, or statement that serves as an introduction to something more important.
Example
The small fight was only a prelude to a bigger conflict.
B2 adjective /ˌmʌltɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/

multilingual

Meaning
Able to speak or written in several languages.
Example
She grew up in a multilingual household.
C1 noun /ˈʃrɪŋkɪdʒ/

shrinkage

Meaning
The process of becoming smaller in size, amount, or value.
Example
The company reported a shrinkage in profits this quarter.
C1 verb /əˈkrɛdɪt/

accredit

Meaning
to officially recognize, authorize, or approve someone or something
Example
The university is accredited by the national education board.
B2 noun /daɪˈnæmɪks/

dynamics

Meaning
the forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process
Example
The dynamics of the team changed after the new manager joined.
A2 adverb /əˈbʌv/

Above

Meaning
in or to a higher place; overhead
Example
The airplane flew above the clouds.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.nər/

liner

Meaning
A large ship used for transporting people or goods regularly, or a material used as a lining inside something.
Example
The luxury liner docked at the port yesterday.
A2 noun /ˈdɒŋ.ki/

Donkey

Meaning
a domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call
Example
The donkey carried heavy bags up the mountain.
C2 noun /rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/

rejoinder

Meaning
a quick or witty reply; a response to a remark or argument
Example
His sharp rejoinder silenced the crowd.
C1 noun /pəˈlɪɡ.ə.mi/

Polygamy

Meaning
the practice of marrying multiple spouses at the same time
Example
Polygamy is illegal in many countries around the world.
C1 noun /kwæk/

Quack

Meaning
a person who pretends to be a doctor but has no medical training; the sound a duck makes
Example
People should be careful not to trust medical advice from a quack.
B2 verb /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/

succeeding

Meaning
coming after or following in order; continuing to succeed
Example
In the succeeding years, the company expanded rapidly.
A1 adverb /nɪər/

Near

Meaning
close in space or time; almost
Example
The school is very near to my house.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌŋkɪt/

junket

Meaning
A trip or celebration, often funded by someone else, usually for pleasure or promotional purposes.
Example
The company organized a junket for journalists to promote their new resort.
B1 adjective /ˌel.ɪˈmen.tər.i/

Elementary

Meaning
basic; fundamental; primary level
Example
He learned elementary mathematics in school.
C2 adjective /ˈklɔɪ.ɪŋ/

cloying

Meaning
too sweet, rich, or sentimental, making it unpleasant
Example
The dessert was so cloying that I couldn't finish it.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrɪkl̩/

auricle

Meaning
The external part of the ear; also an upper chamber of the heart in anatomy.
Example
The doctor examined the patient’s auricle for signs of infection.
C2 noun /səbˈmɜːrʒən/

submersion

Meaning
the state of being under water
Example
The submersion of the fields lasted for several days after the heavy rain.
C1 adjective /ˈrez.ə.luːt/

Resolute

Meaning
determined; having a firm decision; unwavering
Example
She remained resolute in her decision to pursue her dreams.
B1 adjective /ˈkæʒ.u.əl/

Casual

Meaning
relaxed and unconcerned; happening by chance; informal
Example
He wore casual clothes to the party.
A2 noun /ˈmʌʃ.ruːm/

Mushroom

Meaning
a type of fungus that can be eaten, often used in cooking
Example
The pizza was topped with fresh mushrooms.
C2 noun /əˈɡrɒnəmɪst/

agronomist

Meaning
A scientist who studies soil management and crop production.
Example
The agronomist suggested new methods to improve rice yields.
C2 noun /ˈrɛk.tɪ.tjuːd/

rectitude

Meaning
Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness and integrity.
Example
His rectitude earned him respect in society.
A1 noun /ˈflaʊər/

flower

Meaning
the seed-bearing part of a plant, often colorful and fragrant, that blossoms
Example
The garden was full of colorful flowers.
C1 adjective /ˈneɪzl/

nasal

Meaning
Relating to the nose; a sound produced through the nose.
Example
He spoke with a nasal voice due to his cold.
C2 noun /ˌbɪbliəʊˈmeɪniə/

bibliomania

Meaning
An extreme obsession with collecting or possessing books.
Example
His bibliomania led him to fill every room with books.
C1 noun /ˈæbdəmən/

abdomen

Meaning
The part of the body below the chest and above the hips that contains the stomach and other organs.
Example
He complained of pain in his abdomen.
A2 interjection /hʌ/

huh

Meaning
used to express confusion, surprise, or that you did not hear something
Example
Huh? What did you say?
C2 noun /ˌfrɪdʒɪˈdɛːriəm/

frigidarium

Meaning
a large cold pool in ancient Roman baths used for cooling off after hot baths
Example
The ruins of the Roman frigidarium are still visible today.
C1 noun ˈɪm.pɪ.təs

impetus

Meaning
The force or motivation that drives something forward; momentum.
Example
The new policy provided an impetus for economic growth.
A1 noun /suːp/

Soup

Meaning
a liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, or other ingredients in water
Example
I had a bowl of chicken soup for lunch.
C1 noun /ˈkʌl.ən.dər/

Colander

Meaning
a bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with holes in it used for draining food such as pasta or rice
Example
She drained the pasta using a colander.
C1 noun /ˈsɪlk.wɜːrm/

Silk-worm

Meaning
the caterpillar of a moth that produces silk fibers used to make silk fabric
Example
Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves to produce silk.
A1 adjective, adverb, pronoun /moʊst/

most

Meaning
the greatest in amount, degree, or number
Example
Most people like to relax on weekends.
C2 noun /mjuːˈlætoʊ/

mulatto

Meaning
an outdated and now offensive term historically used to describe a person of mixed white and Black ancestry
Example
The word 'mulatto' is now considered outdated and offensive.
C2 noun /ˈɪmpjʊdəns/

impudence

Meaning
Rude and disrespectful behavior.
Example
The student's impudence shocked the entire class.
A1 preposition /ˈɪntuː/

into

Meaning
expressing movement or direction to the inside of something
Example
She walked into the room quietly.
C1 adverb /ˈleŋθ.waɪz/

Lengthwise

Meaning
in the direction of the length; along the longest dimension
Example
Fold the paper lengthwise to make it easier to carry.
C2 noun /ˈpæsɪt/

Passet

Meaning
Fresh cheese curds; cottage cheese made from curdled milk
Example
The cook prepared fresh passet by curdling warm milk with lemon juice.
C1 noun /ˈfjuː.tʃə.rɪst/

futurist

Meaning
A person who studies or predicts the future, especially trends in science, technology, or society.
Example
The futurist predicted major changes in transportation within the next decade.
B1 noun /ˈjuːs.fəl.nəs/

Usefulness

Meaning
the quality of being useful; practical value or helpfulness
Example
The usefulness of this tool became apparent during the project.
C1 adjective /ˈdaʊn.kæst/

downcast

Meaning
feeling sad, dejected, or with lowered eyes
Example
He looked downcast after hearing the bad news.
C1 noun /swiːt.laɪm/

Sweetlime

Meaning
a citrus fruit that is sweeter and less acidic than regular lime
Example
The sweetlime juice was refreshing on a hot day.
C2 verb /səbˈsjuːm/

subsume

Meaning
To include or absorb something into a larger group or category.
Example
Minor details were subsumed under the main topic.
C1 noun /ˌɡaɪnəˈkɒlədʒi/

gynecology

Meaning
the branch of medicine dealing with women's reproductive health
Example
She decided to specialize in gynecology after medical school.
B2 noun /ˈbeɪ.zəl/

Basil

Meaning
an aromatic herb with green leaves used in cooking, especially Italian cuisine
Example
The pasta sauce was flavored with fresh basil.
B2 noun /ˈskriːnɪŋ/

screening

Meaning
the act of examining or testing people to detect disease or evaluate suitability; a showing of a movie or program
Example
The hospital offered free health screening for all employees.
A2 noun /ˈmʌŋki/

Monkey

Meaning
a primate mammal that typically has a long tail and lives in trees
Example
The monkey swung from branch to branch in the jungle.
C1 noun /ˈtʃɪz.əl/

Chisel

Meaning
a tool with a sharp flat edge used for cutting or shaping wood, stone, or metal
Example
The carpenter used a chisel to carve the wood.
C1 noun /kwɑːm/

qualm

Meaning
a feeling of doubt, worry, or fear about something
Example
She had no qualm about speaking her mind.
C2 noun /ˈplɛntɪtjuːd/

plentitude

Meaning
the condition of being full or abundant
Example
The garden offered a plentitude of flowers in spring.
A1 noun /tuː/

two

Meaning
the number following one
Example
She has two children.
C1 noun ˌrɛk.əˈlɛk.ʃən

Recollection

Meaning
Remembering past events or information
Example
His recollection of childhood memories was vivid.
C1 verb /weɪv/

waive

Meaning
to refrain from insisting on or enforcing something, especially a right or claim
Example
She decided to waive her right to a lawyer.
B2 adjective /ˈpraɪs.ləs/

Priceless

Meaning
extremely valuable; invaluable; beyond price
Example
Her grandmother's antique jewelry is absolutely priceless.
B2 verb /ˌriːkriˈeɪt/

recreate

Meaning
to create or produce something again, especially a new version of something lost or destroyed
Example
The team recreated the lost dataset from backups.
C1 noun /ˈkɒz.moʊs/

Cosmos

Meaning
a colorful annual flower with daisy-like blooms and feathery foliage
Example
The cosmos flowers swayed gently in the summer breeze across the meadow.
B2 noun /sɪˈver.ə.ti/

Severity

Meaning
the quality of being extremely serious or harsh; intensity of something bad
Example
The severity of the storm caused widespread damage across the city.
C2 noun /voʊˈsɪfərəns/

vociferance

Meaning
the act of shouting or making a loud outcry
Example
The vociferance of the protesters filled the streets.
B2 adverb /ɪmˈpɔːtəntli/

importantly

Meaning
in a way that is of great significance or value
Example
Importantly, the report highlights the need for immediate action.