4. Reading C1

Question 1

stream

Answer 1

/striːm/
​
1. Water that flows naturally along a fixed route formed by a channel cut into rock or ground, usually at ground level:

a mountain stream
underground streams
There’s a bubbling stream that flows through their property.

Question 2

whimsically

Answer 2

/ˈwɪm.zɪ.kəl.i/
​
In a whimsical way (= unusual and strange in a way that might be funny or annoying):

He was whimsically charming and especially warm with children.
It is a refreshingly quirky adult fairy tale set in a whimsically surreal world.

Question 3

whim

Answer 3

/wɪm/
​
1. Sudden wish or idea, especially one that cannot be reasonably explained:

We booked the trip on a whim.
You can add what you want to this mixture - brandy, whisky, or nothing at all - as the whim takes you.

Question 4

nook

Answer 4

/nʊk/
​
A small space that is hidden or partly sheltered:

a cosy/sheltered/quiet nook

Question 5

blinds (object)

Answer 5

/blaɪnd/
( for WINDOW)
​
1. A cover for a window made of a single piece or strips of cloth, paper, or plastic that is pulled up or down by a string:

a Venetian blind (persianas)

Question 6

entice

Answer 6

/ɪnˈtaɪs/
​
To persuade someone to do something by offering them something pleasant:

The adverts entice the customer into buying things they don’t really want.
People are being enticed away from the profession by higher salaries elsewhere.

Question 7

tap into sth

Answer 7

/tæp/
​
To manage to use something in a way that brings good results:

If only we could tap into all that energy and creativity.

This hotel has hit upon a very interesting market that I don’t think has been tapped into yet.

Question 8

dapper

Answer 8

/ˈdæp.ər/
​
A dapper man is dressed in a fashionable and tidy way:

Hercule Poirot is the dapper detective of the Agatha Christie novels.

Question 9

bounty hunter

Answer 9

/ˈbaʊn.ti ˌhʌn.tər/
​
Someone who searches for criminals or hunts animals in exchange for a reward (caza-recompensas)

Question 10

mayhem

Answer 10

/ˈmeɪ.hem/
​
A situation in which there is little or no order or control:

With 20 kids running around and only two adults to supervise, it was complete mayhem.

Question 11

bigoted

Answer 11

/ˈbɪɡ.ə.tɪd/
​
Having strong, unreasonable beliefs and disliking other people who have different beliefs or a different way of life:

She’s so bigoted that she refuses to accept anyone who doesn’t think like her.

Question 12

bolster

Answer 12

/ˈbəʊl.stər/
​
To support or improve something or make it stronger:

More money is needed to bolster the industry.
She tried to bolster my confidence/morale (= encourage me and make me feel stronger) by telling me that I had a special talent.
They need to do something to bolster their image.

Question 13

quandary

Answer 13

/ˈkwɒn.dri/
(=dilemma)
​
A state of not being able to decide what to do about a situation in which you are involved:

I’ve had two job offers, and I’m in a real quandary about/over which one to accept.

Question 14

farce

Answer 14

/fɑːs/
​
1. A humorous play or film where the characters become involved in unlikely situations

​
[ U ] the style of writing or acting in this type of play:

The play suddenly changes from farce to tragedy.

Question 15

squabble

Answer 15

/ˈskwɒb.əl/
​
To argue over something that is not important:

When small children are tired they are more likely to squabble with each other.
They are still squabbling over who will get the big office.

Question 16

latter

Answer 16

/ˈlæt.ər/ US ​ /ˈlæt̬.ɚ/
​
Near or towards the end of something:

Building of the new library should begin in the latter part of next year.
In the latter stages of the fight he began to tire.

Question 17

retaliation

Answer 17

/rɪˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/
​
The act of hurting someone or doing something harmful to someone because they have done or said something harmful to you:

The bomb attack was in retaliation for the recent arrest of two well-known terrorists.
She suffered severe retaliation for writing articles for the newspapers.

Question 18

downtrodden

Answer 18

/ˈdaʊnˌtrɒd.ən/
​
Treated badly and unfairly:

the downtrodden masses

Question 19

assured

Answer 19

/əˈʃɔːd/
(CONFIDENT)

Showing skill and confidence:

an assured performance

Question 20

qualm

Answer 20

/kwɑːm/
​
An uncomfortable feeling when you doubt if you are doing the right thing:

She had no qualms about lying to the police.

Question 21

seedy

Answer 21

/ˈsiː.di/
​
looking dirty or in bad condition and likely to be involved in dishonest or illegal activities:

a seedy hotel
He didn’t like the look of the seedy characters who were hanging around outside the bar.

Question 22

maim

Answer 22

/meɪm/
​
To injure a person so severely that a part of their body will no longer work as it should:

Many children have been maimed for life by these bombs.

Question 23

infamous

Answer 23

/ˈɪn.fə.məs/
​
Famous for something considered bad:

The list included the infamous George Drake, a double murderer.
He’s infamous for his bigoted sense of humour.

Question 24

upstage

Answer 24

/ʌpˈsteɪdʒ/
​
To take people’s attention away from someone and make them listen to or look at you instead:

Most supporting bands tend to be youngsters, and rarely upstage the star.

Question 25

impudent

Answer 25

/ˈɪm.pjə.dənt/
​
Rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone who is older or in a more important position:

an impudent remark/child
Synonyms: disrespectful

Question 26

wholly

Answer 26

/ˈhəʊl.li/
​
Completely:

I wasn’t wholly convinced by her explanation.
That’s a wholly different issue.
a machine that is wholly British-made

Question 27

telltale

Answer 27

/ˈtel.teɪl/
​
Allowing a secret to become known:

She found lipstick on his shirts - the telltale sign that he was having an affair.

Question 28

glaringly

Answer 28

/ˈɡleə.rɪŋ.li/
​
In a way that is very obvious:

glaringly obvious

Question 29

cringe

Answer 29

/krɪndʒ/
​
1. To suddenly move away from someone or something because you are frightened

​
2. To feel very embarrassed:

I cringed at the sight of my dad dancing.

Question 30

wart

Answer 30

/wɔːt/
​
A small, hard lump (= a raised area) that grows on the skin, often on the face and hands

Question 31

instil

Answer 31

/ɪnˈstɪl/
​
To put a feeling, idea, or principle gradually into someone’s mind, so that it has a strong influence on the way that person thinks or behaves:

It is part of a teacher’s job to instil confidence in/into his or her students.