Speakout Advanced p 13. Key and Vocabulary

Ex 7A

approach: /əˈprəʊtʃ/ 1. move near. E.g. Winter is approaching.. 2. approach something to start dealing with a problem, task, etc. in a particular way. E.g. What's the best way of approaching this problem?

limiting: putting limits on what is possible. E.g. Lack of cash is a limiting factor.

go with the flow: (informal) to be relaxed and not worry about what you should do. E.g. Stop complaining and just go with the flow!






Ex 7B

overseer: /ˈəʊvəsɪə(r)/ a person or an organization that is responsible for making sure that a system is working as it should. 

oversee somebody/something to watch somebody/something and make sure that a job or an activity is done correctly. Supervise. E.g. United Nations observers oversaw the elections.

butterflysomeone who keeps changing from one activity or person to another, and never stays long with any of them. E.g. She's such a social butterfly!

nurture somebody/something to care for and protect somebody/something while they are growing and developing. E.g. These delicate plants need careful nurturing. Children nurtured by loving parents.

dutiful: doing everything that you are expected to do; willing to obey and to show respect. Obedient. E.g. a dutiful daughter/son.

concern: /kənˈsɜːn/ a feeling of worry, especially one that is shared by many people. E.g. She hasn't been seen for four days and there is concern for her safety.

caretaker: a person such as a teacher, parent, nurse, etc, who takes care of other people.

cooperative: /kəʊˈɒpərətɪv

originator: a person who creates or initiates something. E.g. Sir William James is thought to be the originator of fingerprinting as a means of identification.

innovative: /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ /ˈɪnəvətɪv/

mentor: /ˈmentɔː(r)/ an experienced person who advises and helps somebody with less experience over a period of time. E.g. She was a friend and mentor to many young actors.

introspective: /ˌɪntrəˈspektɪv/ tending to think a lot about your own thoughts, feelings, etc. E.g. There were a lot of family problems and Jim became increasingly introspective. An introspective piece of writing. Ben was naturally introspective and enjoyed being alone.

acute: (of the senses) very sensitive and well developed. E.g. Dogs have an acute sense of smell.

figure out: to think about somebody/something until you understand them/it. Work out. E.g. I can't figure out how to do this.

spontaneous: /spɒnˈteɪniəs/ 

thrive on something: to enjoy something or be successful at something, especially something that other people would not like. E.g. He thrives on hard work.

confidant: /ˈkɒnfɪdænt/ /ˌkɒnfɪˈdɑːnt/ a person that you trust and who you talk to about private or secret things. E.g. a close/trusted confidant of the President. There were times when a semi-stranger was a better confidante than a close friend.

strive strove striven: to try very hard to achieve something. E.g. We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards.

derive: /dɪˈraɪv/ to get something from something. E.g. He derived great pleasure from painting.

keen: strong or deep. E.g. a keen sense of tradition. E.g. He took a keen interest in his grandson's education.



Ex 8A

1 Yes-man: someone who always agrees with and obeys his/her employer, leader, wife etc. E.g. He never liked to say yes for fear of being tagged a yes-man.



2 whiz kid: (also whizz-kid) a young person who is very skilled or successful at something. E.g. a computer whizz-kid.






3 busybody: someone who is too interested in other people’s private activities. E.g. others considered him an interfering busybody.



4 chatterbox: someone (especially a child) who talks too much. E.g. He's a dreadful chatterbox.



5 pain in the neck: someone or something which is very annoying. E.g. He's a pain in the neck.



6 dark horse: a person who doesn’t tell others very much about himself/herself, but has surprising qualities or abilities. E.g. She's a dark horse. I didn't know she had lived in Japan.



7 old hand: someone who has a lot of experience at something. She's an old hand at dealing with the press. After bringing up six kids, I'm an old hand at it.



8 set in her ways: unlikely to change her habits or opinions. E.g. I’ve been on my own a long time and I’m rather set in my ways.



9 black sheep: someone who is regarded by other members of his/her family group as not fitting in or an embarrassment. E.g. the black sheep of the family



10 life and soul of the party: someone who enjoys social occasions and is fun to be with. E.g. William was infinitely preferable when he was being the life and soul of the party.



Ex 8B

1 He/She is very set in his/her ways.




reluctant: /
rɪˈlʌktənt/ hesitating before doing something because you do not want to do it or because you are not sure that it is the right thing to do. E.g. She was reluctant to admit she was wrong.



2 He’s an old hand. 



3 He’s/She’s a chatterbox 



4 She’s a dark horse. 

lead: the main part in a play, film/movie, etc; the person who plays this part. E.g. Who is playing the lead? The male/female lead. A lead role. The lead singer in a band.

 

5 It’s a pain in the neck. 

Tax return: an official document in which you give details of the amount of money that you have earned so that the government can calculate how much tax you have to pay. E.g. you are asked to fill in a tax return at the end of the year



6 He’s a whiz kid.




 


7 He’s a busybody.



8 She’s the life and soul of the party. 


p 148
Ex 2B

1 e)

a big cheese: (informal, humorous) an important and powerful person, especially in an organization. E.g he was a really big cheese in the business world.

a big fish: an important or influential person. E.g. "he became a big fish in the world of politics"
 



2 c)

a couch potato: a person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television. E.g. Can we at least prove the Olympics made money, changed lives in east London or turned couch potatoes into runners?



3 b)

a loose cannon: a person, usually a public figure, who often behaves in a way that nobody can predict. E.g. most of the cop heroes in contemporary films are loners and loose cannons.

 

4 a)

a rotten apple: one bad person who has a bad effect on others in a group. E.g. My cousin was a rotten apple. He started drinking at a young age.



 5 f )

 tough cookie: someone who is strong enough to deal with difficult or violent situations. E.g. The head teacher was a tough cookie and I could never get away with anything with her.



6 d)

wet blanket: a person who is not enthusiastic about anything and who stops other people from enjoying themselves. E.g. don’t be a wet blanket.

party pooper: a person who does not want to take part in an enjoyable activity and spoils the fun for other people. E.g. I hate to be a party pooper, but I've got to catch the last train. 

party animal: A very gregarious and outgoing person who enjoys parties and similar social activities. E.g. ‘a buzzing bar makes this a good place for party animals’

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