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B2 adjective /stɑːrk/

stark

Meaning
Severe, sharp, or clearly defined; plain and without any decoration.
Example
The stark contrast between poverty and wealth was evident in the city.
B2 adjective ˈteɪləd

tailored

Meaning
Made or adapted for a particular purpose or person.
Example
He wore a tailored suit that complemented his physique perfectly.
B2 verb /dɪˈmɒlɪʃ/

demolish

Meaning
to destroy completely, especially a building or structure
Example
The city decided to demolish the old stadium to build a new one.
B2 noun /kæf/

Calf

Meaning
a young cow or bull; young of various large mammals
Example
The calf stayed close to its mother.
B2 adjective ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntl

instrumental

Meaning
Serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool; having a part in bringing about a result.
Example
Children can be instrumental in building a better society.
B2 noun /ˈɪn.vɔɪs/

Invoice

Meaning
a list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these
Example
The company sent an invoice for the office supplies delivered last week.
B2 adjective /ˈlɔːŋtaɪm/

longtime

Meaning
having existed or continued for a long time
Example
They are longtime friends who met in college.
B2 noun /ˈruːstər/

rooster

Meaning
A male domestic chicken, especially one that crows.
Example
The rooster crowed at dawn, waking up the whole village.
B2 noun /roʊst/

Roast

Meaning
Meat cooked by dry heat in an oven or over an open fire
Example
The Sunday roast was perfectly cooked and very tender.
B2 adjective /praɪm/

prime

Meaning
Of the best quality; most important; peak condition.
Example
She is in the prime of her career.
B2 noun /ˈep.ɪk/

Epic

Meaning
a long poem telling of heroic deeds; something heroic or grand in scale
Example
The Iliad is one of the most famous epics in world literature.
B2 noun ˈəʊ.və.hed

overhead

Meaning
Ongoing business expenses not directly attributable to creating a product or service.
Example
The company reduced its overhead to increase profits.
B2 noun /wɪt/

Wit

Meaning
mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence; a natural aptitude for using words in a clever and amusing way
Example
She has a sharp wit and quick sense of humor.
B2 adjective ˈɡluːmi

gloomy

Meaning
Dark or poorly lit; depressing or pessimistic.
Example
The atmosphere suddenly turned gloomy.
B2 noun /ɪˈliːt/ or /eɪˈliːt/

elite

Meaning
A select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities.
Example
Only the elite were invited to the exclusive event.
B2 noun /ɡʊdz treɪn/

Goods train

Meaning
a train designed to transport cargo and freight rather than passengers
Example
The long goods train carried containers from the port to the inland depot.
B2 noun /ˈsæksəfoʊn/

Saxophone

Meaning
a wind musical instrument with a curved metal body and a single reed mouthpiece
Example
The jazz musician played a beautiful solo on his saxophone.
B2 noun /rɪˈhɜːr.səl/

Rehearsal

Meaning
a practice performance of a play, concert, or other work for later public performance
Example
The final rehearsal before opening night went perfectly.
B2 adjective /ˈʌt.ɚ/

Utter

Meaning
complete; absolute; total
Example
The movie was an utter disaster at the box office.
B2 noun /ˈbroʊ.kər/

Broker

Meaning
a person who buys and sells goods or assets for others; an intermediary
Example
The stock broker helped me invest my money wisely.
B2 noun /ˈroʊ.lɪŋ pɪn/

Rolling pin

Meaning
a cylindrical tool used for rolling out dough or pastry
Example
Roll the dough flat with a rolling pin.
B2 noun ˈaʊt.pʊt

output

Meaning
The amount of something produced by a person, machine, or industry.
Example
Climate change reduces agricultural output.
B2 noun /ˈlɒbi/

lobby

Meaning
a large open area near the entrance of a building; also a group trying to influence decisions.
Example
We met the manager in the hotel lobby before the meeting.
B2 verb /ˈɪmɪɡreɪt/

immigrate

Meaning
to come to live permanently in a foreign country
Example
He immigrated to Canada five years ago.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈstrʌkʃənəl/

instructional

Meaning
providing knowledge or information; intended to teach
Example
The website offers many instructional videos for beginners.
B2 noun oʊˈbiː.sə.t̬i

obesity

Meaning
The condition of being grossly fat or overweight.
Example
Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
B2 noun /ˈɜːθ.wɜːm/

Earth-worm

Meaning
a segmented worm that lives in soil and helps decompose organic matter
Example
The gardener was happy to find many earthworms in the soil.
B2 verb /ɪɡˈzɔːst/

exhaust

Meaning
to tire out completely; to use up resources
Example
The long journey exhausted the children.
B2 noun /ˈækni/

acne

Meaning
a skin condition in which pores become inflamed and clogged, causing pimples and spots
Example
Regular cleansing and a balanced diet can help reduce acne.
B2 verb /rɪˈstrɪkt/

restrict

Meaning
To limit the size, amount, or range of something.
Example
The government decided to restrict the use of plastic bags.
B2 noun /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/

instinct

Meaning
A natural way of behaving or reacting that does not require learning.
Example
Birds build nests by instinct.
B2 verb /ˈpɑːlɪʃ/

polish

Meaning
to make smooth and shiny by rubbing; to improve or refine
Example
She needs to polish her shoes before the interview.
B2 adjective /ˈsɪnɪstər/

sinister

Meaning
Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.
Example
The abandoned house had a sinister atmosphere.
B2 adverb /ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs/

nonetheless

Meaning
in spite of that; nevertheless
Example
It was raining, but nonetheless, they went hiking.
B2 verb /prəˈkleɪm/

proclaim

Meaning
to announce something publicly or officially, especially something important
Example
The president proclaimed a national day of mourning.
B2 verb rɪˈzaɪn

resign

Meaning
Voluntarily leave a job or other position.
Example
Ministers were forced to resign.
B2 noun /ˈɛksələns/

excellence

Meaning
the quality of being outstanding or extremely good
Example
The school is known for its academic excellence.
B2 adverb /ɪmˈpeɪʃəntli/

impatiently

Meaning
in a manner showing annoyance or restlessness due to delay or waiting
Example
She tapped her fingers impatiently while waiting for the reply.
B2 verb /ˈstɑːrtl/

startle

Meaning
To surprise or frighten someone suddenly.
Example
The loud noise startled the children.
B2 noun /məˈʃiː.nər.i/

machinery

Meaning
machines collectively, or the parts of a machine; also, the system or process by which something works
Example
The factory invested in new machinery to increase production.
B2 verb /dɪˈraɪv/

derive

Meaning
To obtain something from a source.
Example
Many English words derive from Latin.
B2 adjective /səkˈsɛsɪv/

Successive

Meaning
following one after the other in order; consecutive
Example
The team won three successive matches.
B2 noun /tɛkˈnɪʃən/

technician

Meaning
a person skilled in the practical aspects of a particular science, art, or job
Example
The technician repaired the computer within an hour.
B2 noun (plural) /ˈtæk.tɪks/

tactics

Meaning
specific methods or actions used to achieve a goal, especially in military or competition
Example
The team changed their tactics to win the game.
B2 noun /ˈmɑːr.tɪn/

Martin

Meaning
small swift-flying bird that catches insects on the wing
Example
The martin built its nest under the bridge.
B2 noun /kəˈrɪkjələm/

curriculum

Meaning
The subjects comprising a course of study in a school, college, or university.
Example
The school updated its curriculum to include more digital literacy courses.
B2 noun /ˈhændlɪŋ/

handling

Meaning
the act of managing or dealing with something or someone
Example
His handling of the situation was impressive.
B2 adjective, verb (present participle) /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/

floating

Meaning
remaining on the surface of a liquid without sinking; moving lightly or freely
Example
The boat was floating gently on the calm lake.
B2 noun /koʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/

Coincidence

Meaning
a remarkable occurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection; chance happening
Example
It was a strange coincidence that they both wore the same dress to the party.
B2 verb /kənˈsɜːrv/

conserve

Meaning
to protect something from harm or destruction; to use resources carefully to avoid waste
Example
We must conserve water during the dry season.
B2 noun /ˈtɛl.ər/

teller

Meaning
A person who counts and manages money at a bank; a person who tells or relates something
Example
The bank teller counted the cash carefully before handing it over.
B2 verb /ˈpiːtər/

peter

Meaning
to diminish gradually and come to an end; to fade or dwindle away
Example
The excitement of the event began to peter out after a few hours.
B2 verb /ɪnˈherɪt/

inherit

Meaning
to receive money, property, or characteristics from someone when they die; to acquire from predecessors
Example
She inherited her grandmother's house.
B2 noun /kəˈlɛktər/

collector

Meaning
a person who collects things as a hobby or job
Example
He is a stamp collector with thousands of rare items.
B2 noun /ɪnˈdʌstriəl ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən/

Industrial Revolution

Meaning
The rapid development of industry that occurred in Britain in the late 18th and 19th centuries, brought about by the introduction of machinery and characterized by the use of steam power and the growth of factories.
Example
The Industrial Revolution marked a shift in production processes.
B2 noun bjʊəˈrɒk.rə.si

bureaucracy

Meaning
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
Example
Excessive bureaucracy can slow down decision-making.
B2 noun /ˈskɒl.ər/

Scholar

Meaning
a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it; an academic
Example
The renowned scholar published several books on ancient history.
B2 adjective /ˈdæmɪdʒɪŋ/

damaging

Meaning
causing harm or injury
Example
The storm caused damaging effects to the crops.
B2 verb /ˈnoʊtɪfaɪ/

notify

Meaning
to inform someone officially about something
Example
The manager will notify the staff about the schedule change.
B2 adjective, noun /ɪzˈreɪli/

israeli

Meaning
relating to Israel or its people; a person from Israel
Example
She works for an Israeli company.
B2 noun /ˈsɒr.oʊ/

Sorrow

Meaning
a feeling of deep distress caused by loss or disappointment
Example
His heart was filled with sorrow after the tragedy.
B2 noun pɑrˈtɪʃən

partition

Meaning
The action of dividing or being divided into parts; separation.
Example
Partition caused unrest.
B2 noun ɪnˈfleɪʃən

inflation

Meaning
A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.
Example
Inflation erodes the purchasing power of consumers.
B2 noun /ˈpɪl.ɡrɪm/

Pilgrim

Meaning
a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons; a traveler
Example
The pilgrim walked for days to reach the holy shrine.
B2 noun /ˈbʌn.dəl/

Bundle

Meaning
a collection of things or quantity of material tied or wrapped up together
Example
The mailman delivered a bundle of letters to our house.
B2 noun /wɜːrld ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt deɪ/

World Environment Day

Meaning
An annual global event celebrated on June 5 to raise awareness about environmental protection and encourage action for environmental conservation.
Example
World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5.
B2 adjective /ˈpæsɪv/

passive

Meaning
not actively responding or participating; in grammar, denoting the voice in which the subject undergoes the action
Example
Instead of taking charge, he remained passive during the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈtʌndrə/

tundra

Meaning
A vast, flat, treeless Arctic region where the subsoil is permanently frozen.
Example
Polar bears roam across the icy tundra.
B2 verb /ˈɪntɪɡreɪt/

integrate

Meaning
To combine or bring together into a unified whole.
Example
The new system integrates data from multiple sources.
B2 adverb /ˈʌltəmətli/

ultimately

Meaning
in the end, after everything else
Example
Ultimately, we decided to go ahead with the project.
B2 noun əˈbʌndəns

abundance

Meaning
A very large quantity of something; plenty
Example
The abundance of vegetables in winter is remarkable.
B2 noun /ˈmɪz.ər.i/

Misery

Meaning
Great mental or physical suffering; extreme unhappiness or distress
Example
The poor family lived in complete misery after losing their home.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈwɪl.ɪŋ/

Unwilling

Meaning
not ready to do something; reluctant; not wanting to do
Example
He was unwilling to share his secret with anyone.
B2 adjective /ˈfoʊni/

phony

Meaning
not genuine; fraudulent or insincere
Example
He gave a phony smile to hide his true feelings.
B2 preposition /kənˈsɜːnɪŋ/

concerning

Meaning
about or relating to something; causing worry or anxiety
Example
There are some reports concerning the new project.
B2 noun, adjective, adverb /ˌnɔːrθˈwest/

northwest

Meaning
the direction that is between north and west; situated in or moving toward this direction
Example
Seattle is located in the northwest of the United States.
B2 verb /koʊp/

cope

Meaning
to deal effectively with something difficult
Example
She had to cope with a lot of pressure at work.
B2 noun /bɑnd/

Bond

Meaning
a close connection joining two or more people; a certificate of debt issued by a government or corporation
Example
The strong bond between the mother and child was evident.
B2 noun /ˈkʌlprɪt/

culprit

Meaning
a person who is responsible for a crime or misdeed
Example
The police caught the culprit behind the robbery.
B2 noun /ˌriː.əˈʃʊr.əns/

Reassurance

Meaning
comfort or confidence given to someone to remove their fears or doubts
Example
She needed reassurance that everything would be okay.
B2 noun /ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

Allegation

Meaning
a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal
Example
The allegation against him was proven false.
B2 noun /ˈder.ɪŋ/

Daring

Meaning
adventurous courage; willingness to take risks
Example
The mountain climber's daring impressed everyone at the base camp.
B2 noun /ɪˈrʌp.ʃən/

Eruption

Meaning
a sudden violent occurrence or outburst; volcanic explosion
Example
The volcanic eruption forced thousands of people to evacuate the area.
B2 noun /əbˈzɜːvər/

observer

Meaning
a person who watches or notices something
Example
The observer took notes during the meeting.
B2 verb /dɪˈfaɪ/

defy

Meaning
to openly resist or refuse to obey someone or something; to challenge or dare someone to do something
Example
The protesters continued to defy the government's ban on public gatherings.
B2 noun /ˌɑb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

Obligation

Meaning
a duty or commitment; something that must be done legally or morally
Example
Parents have an obligation to care for their children.
B2 noun /ˈhaɪdrədʒən/

hydrogen

Meaning
a colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas that is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe
Example
Hydrogen is used as a clean fuel in many energy systems.
B2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl/

Irresistible

Meaning
too attractive and tempting to be resisted; impossible to resist
Example
The chocolate cake was absolutely irresistible.
B2 noun /wʌn θɜːd/

one-third

Meaning
one part of something that is divided into three equal parts
Example
One-third of the class was absent today.
B2 verb /ɪmˈpaʊər/

empower

Meaning
To give someone the power or authority to do something; to make someone stronger or more confident.
Example
Education can empower people to improve their lives.
B2 noun /ˈswiː.pər/

Sweeper

Meaning
a person whose job is to clean floors and streets by sweeping
Example
The sweeper cleaned the school corridor every morning.
B2 noun /dɪsˈɡreɪs/

Disgrace

Meaning
loss of reputation or respect as the result of a dishonorable action; a shameful situation
Example
His arrest brought disgrace upon his entire family and reputation.
B2 noun rɪˈsɛʃ.ən

recession

Meaning
A period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced.
Example
The country faced a severe recession due to the financial crisis.
B2 verb /mɒk/

mock

Meaning
To make fun of someone or something in a cruel or unkind way.
Example
The students mocked his accent during class.
B2 noun /lɔːɡ/

Log

Meaning
a piece of a dead or felled tree trunk or branch, especially one stripped of bark
Example
They sat on a log by the campfire.
B2 noun /frɒk/

Frock

Meaning
a dress, especially a simple or casual one for women or children
Example
The little girl wore a pink frock to her birthday party.
B2 adjective /swɪft/

swift

Meaning
moving very quickly; happening promptly
Example
The river current was swift after the heavy rain.
B2 adverb /ˈædɪkwətli/

adequately

Meaning
in a satisfactory manner
Example
He completed the task adequately, but could improve next time.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈiːkwəl/

Unequal

Meaning
not the same in quantity, size, or value; not fair or just
Example
The distribution of wealth is unequal in many countries.
B2 adjective /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/

striking

Meaning
very noticeable or impressive in appearance or effect
Example
Her striking beauty caught everyone's attention.
B2 noun /drɪl/

drill

Meaning
a tool or exercise used for making holes or practicing skills
Example
The students took part in a fire drill at school.
B2 noun ˌprɒd.ʌkˈtɪv.ɪ.ti

productivity

Meaning
The effectiveness of productive effort, especially in industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input.
Example
Improved irrigation boosts productivity.
B2 verb /pəˈluːt/

pollute

Meaning
to make air, water, or land dirty and harmful to people, animals, and plants
Example
Factories pollute the environment with toxic chemicals.
B2 verb/noun /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/

exhibit

Meaning
To display or show publicly; something put on display.
Example
The museum will exhibit ancient artifacts.
B2 noun /ˈməʊtərɪst/

motorist

Meaning
a person who drives a motor vehicle, especially a car or motorcycle
Example
The motorist stopped to help after seeing the accident on the highway.
B2 verb /stroʊk/

stroke

Meaning
to move your hand gently over something; to hit or touch something gently
Example
She stroked the cat's fur gently.
B2 noun /ɡler/

Glare

Meaning
a fierce or angry stare; a strong and dazzling light
Example
The teacher's stern glare silenced the noisy students immediately.
B2 adjective /ˈsɛntɪɡreɪd/

centigrade

Meaning
Relating to the Celsius temperature scale, where water freezes at 0° and boils at 100°.
Example
The weather forecast predicted 30 degrees centigrade.
B2 adjective /əˈbjuːsɪv/

abusive

Meaning
extremely offensive or insulting; involving physical or verbal harm
Example
She left her job because of her abusive boss.
B2 adjective ˈel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl

eligible

Meaning
Having the right to do or obtain something through satisfaction of the appropriate conditions.
Example
Only eligible candidates are considered for appointments.
B2 adjective /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/

symbolic

Meaning
serving as a symbol or representing something else
Example
The dove is symbolic of peace and freedom.
B2 noun /ˈɡreɪt.fəl.nəs/

Gratefulness

Meaning
the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for kindness
Example
She expressed her gratefulness to the doctors who saved her life.
B2 adverb /ˈfɜ:rst hænd/

First-hand

Meaning
directly experienced or obtained; from the original source
Example
I experienced the earthquake first-hand.
B2 adjective /ˈʃæl.oʊ/

Shallow

Meaning
not deep; superficial; lacking depth of knowledge
Example
The shallow water is perfect for children to play.
B2 adjective /ˈkwestʃənəbl/

Questionable

Meaning
doubtful; dubious; suspicious; open to doubt or suspicion
Example
His questionable business practices led to an investigation.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈtɒlərənt/

intolerant

Meaning
unwilling to accept or respect beliefs or behavior different from one's own
Example
He is intolerant of any opinion that differs from his own.
B2 noun /ˈdɪpləmæt/

diplomat

Meaning
An official representing a country abroad; a person skilled in dealing with people tactfully.
Example
The diplomat negotiated a peace agreement.
B2 verb /ˈklærɪfaɪ/

clarify

Meaning
to make clear; to explain more clearly
Example
The teacher clarifies the difficult concept.
B2 noun ˌsaɪ.bə.sɪˈkjʊə.rɪ.ti

cybersecurity

Meaning
The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks
Example
Cybersecurity ensures safe digital operations.
B2 noun /ˈbækˌsaɪd/

backside

Meaning
the rear part or surface of something; informal term for the buttocks
Example
The kids slid down the hill on their backside.
B2 noun /ˈɡreɪv.jɑːrd/

Graveyard

Meaning
an area of land set aside for burial of the dead; a cemetery
Example
The old graveyard near the church dates back to the 18th century.