15

Question 1

Fluctuate /ˈflʌk.tʃu.eɪt/

Answer 1

Vi. 不及物动词 波动,浮动 to change, especially continuously and between
one level or thing and another

Vegetable prices fluctuate according to the

season.

Question 2

Thawing /θɑː/

Answer 2

Noun. 名词 融化 to (cause to) change from a solid, frozen state to a
liquid or soft one, because of an increase in
temperature

Allow the meat to thaw completely before
cooking it.

Question 3

Gather /ˈɡæð.ɚ/

Answer 3

Vt. 及物动词 收集 to collect several things, often from different places

or people

I went to several libraries to gather
information about the plans.

Question 4

Expedition /ˌek.spəˈdɪʃ.ən/

Answer 4

Noun. 名词 考察队, 探险队; 远征, 探险 the people, vehicles, animals, etc. taking part in an

expedition

The British expedition to Mount Everest is
leaving next month.

Question 5

In broad terms

Answer 5

Phrases. 短语 广泛来讲 Generally speaking In broad terms, the further west, the more
American the community.

Question 6

Stereotypical /ˌster.i.əˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl/

Answer 6

Adjective. 形容词 存在刻板印象的 having the qualities that you expect a particular
type of person to have

Customers are tired of the stereotypical,
fast-talking salesperson.

Question 7

Prospective /prəˈspek.tɪv/

Answer 7

Adjective. 形容词 预期的,未来的, 可能的 people who are expected to buy something,
employ someone, become parents, etc.

We’ve had three sets of prospective buyers
looking at the house.

Question 8

Contrast /ˈkɑːn.træst/

Answer 8

Vt. 及物动词 or Noun. 名词 对照, 对比 to compare two people or things in order to show
the differences between them

If you contrast some of her early writing
with her later work, you can see just how
much she improved.

Question 9

Alternatively /ɑːlˈtɝː.nə.tɪ̬v.li/

Answer 9

Adverb. 副词 或者 used to suggest another possibility We could go to the Indian restaurant, or
alternatively, we could try that new Italian

place.

Question 10

Soot /sʊt/

Answer 10

Noun. 名词 煤烟;煤灰 a black powder composed mainly of carbon,
produced when coal, wood, etc. is burned

It can be dangerous to let too much soot
accumulate inside a chimney.

Question 11

Consolation /ˌkɑːn.səˈleɪ.ʃən/

Answer 11

Noun. 名词 安慰;慰藉;给人带来安慰的事
物

something that makes someone who is sad or
disappointed feel better

I didn’t know what to say - I just offered a
few words of consolation.

Question 12

Concise /kənˈsaɪs/

Answer 12

Adjective. 形容词 简洁的;简明的 short and clear, expressing what needs to be said
without unnecessary words

Make your answers clear and concise.

Question 13

Fatigue /fəˈtiːɡ/

Answer 13

Noun. 名词 疲惫,劳累 extreme tiredness She was suffering from fatigue.

Question 14

Vow /vaʊ/

Answer 14

Vt. 及物动词 发誓,立誓 to make a determined decision or promise to do

something

After the awful meals we had last
Christmas, I vowed to do more of the
cooking myself.

Question 15

Ambiguous /æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/

Answer 15

Adjective. 形容词 含糊不清的 having or expressing more than one possible
meaning, sometimes intentionally

His reply to my question was somewhat
ambiguous.

Question 16

Vague /veɪɡ/

Answer 16

Adjective. 形容词 含糊的 Ambiguous I do have a vague memory of meeting her
many years ago.

Question 17

Tentative /ˈten.tə̬.tɪ̬v/

Answer 17

Adjective. 形容词 暂时的 (of a plan or idea) not certain or agreed I have tentative plans to take a trip to
Seattle in July.

Question 18

Sinister /ˈsɪn.ə.stɚ/

Answer 18

Adjective. 形容词 不祥的,有凶兆的 making you feel that something bad or evil might

happen

The ruined house had a sinister
appearance.

Question 19

Retention /rɪˈten.ʃən/

Answer 19

Noun. 名词 保留;保持;维持 the continued use, existence, or possession of
something or someone

Two influential senators have argued for the
retention of the unpopular tax.

Question 20

Savvy /ˈsæv.i/

Answer 20

Noun. 名词 知识;能力 practical knowledge and ability She hasn’t got much savvy.