B2 - Lesson 39 - The News

Question 1

unbiased [/ʌnˈbaɪəst/]

Answer 1

unbiased information, advice etc is fair because the person giving it is not influenced by their own or other people’s opinions SYN impartial

We aim to provide a service that is balanced and unbiased.
an unbiased observer

Question 2

biased [/ˈbaɪəst/]

Answer 2

unfairly preferring one person or group over another

Of course I’m biased, but I thought my daughter’s paintings were the best.
racially biased attitudes

Question 3

emotive [/ɪˈməʊtɪv/]

Answer 3

making people have strong feelings SYN emotional
emotive issue/subject/word etc

Child abuse is an emotive subject.

Question 4

smuggling [/ˈsmʌɡəlɪŋ/]

Answer 4

the crime of taking something illegally from one country to another

He was arrested in connection with drug smuggling.

Question 5

probe [/prəʊb/]

Answer 5

to ask questions in order to find things out, especially things that other people do not want you to know

probe into
I don’t want to probe too deeply into your personal affairs.
Police probed claims that he had sold drugs.

Question 6

blaze [/bleɪz/]

Answer 6

a big dangerous fire – used especially in news reports → ablaze

It took almost 100 firemen to bring the blaze under control.

Question 7

kidnap [/ˈkɪdnæp/]

Answer 7

to take someone somewhere illegally by force, often in order to get money for returning them → ransom

Police appealed for witnesses after a woman was kidnapped at gunpoint.

Question 8

plea [/pliː/]

Answer 8

a request that is urgent or full of emotion
plea for

a plea for help

Question 9

bid [/bɪd/]

Answer 9

an offer to pay a particular price for something, especially at an auction

bid for
They put in a bid for the house.
the person who places the highest bid

Question 10

rival [/ˈraɪvəl/]

Answer 10

a person, group, or organization that you compete with in sport, business, a fight etc SYN competitor
This gives the company a competitive advantage over its rivals.

rival for
his chief rival for the job

Question 11

clash [/klæʃ/]

Answer 11

if two armies, groups etc clash, they start fighting – used in news reports

Troops clashed near the border.

Question 12

opinion poll []

Answer 12

the process of asking a large group of people the same questions in order to find out what most people think about something

An opinion poll showed that 70% of adults were against legalizing drugs.

Question 13

threat [/θret/]

Answer 13

a statement in which you tell someone that you will cause them harm or trouble if they do not do what you want

Your threats don’t scare me.

Question 14

dispute [/dɪˈspjuːt,/]

Answer 14

a serious argument or disagreement

dispute with
The firm is involved in a legal dispute with a rival company.

dispute over
He got into a dispute over a taxi fare.

Question 15

attempt [/əˈtempt/]

Answer 15

an act of trying to do something, especially something difficult

attempt to do something
All attempts to control inflation have failed.

Question 16

break out []

Answer 16

if something unpleasant such as a fire, fight, or war breaks out, it starts to happen

I was still living in London when the war broke out.

2 to escape from a prison

of
Three men have broken out of a top-security jail.

3 to change the way you live because you feel bored

of
She felt the need to break out of her daily routine.

Question 17

slick [/slɪk/]

Answer 17

1 if something is slick, it is done in a skilful and attractive way and seems expensive, but it often contains no important or interesting ideas

a slick Hollywood production
slick advertising
The presentation was very slick.

2 if someone is slick, they are good at persuading people, often in a way that does not seem honest

a slick used-car salesman

Question 18

pose [/pəʊz/]

Answer 18

1 CAUSE PROBLEM [transitive] to exist in a way that may cause a problem, danger, difficulty etc

pose a threat/danger/risk
Officials claim the chemical poses no real threat.

Question 19

trade [/treɪd/]

Answer 19

1 BUYING/SELLING [uncountable] the activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods within a country or between countries SYN commerce

trade between
There has been a marked increase in trade between East and West.
international trade agreements

Question 20

wed [/wed/]

Answer 20

to marry – used especially in literature or newspapers

Question 21

fizzy [/ˈfɪzi/]

Answer 21

a fizzy liquid contains bubbles of gas → sparkling, flat

fizzy water

Question 22

expose [/ɪkˈspəʊz/]

Answer 22

To Reveal

1 SHOW to show something that is usually covered or hidden

He lifted his T-shirt to expose a jagged scar across his chest.
expose something to something
Potatoes turn green when exposed to light.

2 TO SOMETHING DANGEROUS to put someone in a situation where they are not protected from something dangerous or unpleasant

expose somebody to something
The report revealed that workers had been exposed to high levels of radiation.

Question 23

axe [/æks/]

Answer 23

تبر

To Cut

Question 24

vow [/vaʊ/]

Answer 24

To Promise

a serious promise → oath

Jim made a vow that he would find his wife’s killer.

Question 25

boost [/buːst/]

Answer 25

to increase or improve something and make it more successful

The new resort area has boosted tourism.

boost somebody’s confidence/morale/ego
The win boosted the team’s confidence.

2 (also boost up) to help someone reach a higher place by lifting or pushing them

He boosted her up.

Question 26

firm [/fɜːm/]

Answer 26

a business or company, especially a small one

electronics/advertising/law etc firm
She works for an electronics firm.

a firm of accountants/solicitors/builders etc
Kevin is with a firm of accountants in Birmingham.

Question 27

affair [/əˈfeə/]

Answer 27

2 EVENT
a) an event or set of related events, especially one that is impressive or shocking

the Watergate affair
The whole affair was a disaster.

b) used when describing an event

The party was a very grand affair.