Extra vocabulary topics Jan-May

Question 1

[pronunciation] stereotype

e.g. ‘He doesn’t conform to the usual stereotype of the businessman with a dark suit and briefcase.’

Answer 1

/ˈsteriətaɪp/

Question 2

You can’t go making a w_ accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming. (нелепое, дикое обвинение)

Answer 2

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

Question 3

Don’t _ _ notice _ him. He was just trying to pick a fight - he loves arguing.

Answer 3

Don’t take any notice of him. He was just trying to pick a fight - he loves arguing.

Question 4

You can’t _ m_ a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

Answer 4

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

also: can’t go making promises like that, can’t go making decisions for other people, can’t go making changes without consulting your colleagues, etc

Question 5

He made some s_ _ about men and women, like ‘women are natural caregivers’ — all the usual stereotypes. [= широкое обобщение]

Answer 5

He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women — all the usual stereotypes.

Question 6

If I were to _ a guess, I’d say she’s about 40. (рискну предположить)

Answer 6

If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say she’s about 40.

/ˈhæzə(r)d/

Question 7

I’m not _ for _ (=не напрашиваюсь на комплимент) so you don’t need to contradict me - I genuinely don’t think I’m a very good manager.

Answer 7

I’m not fishing for compliments so you don’t need to contradict me - I genuinely don’t think I’m a very good manager.

BrE /ˈkɒmplɪmənt/
AmE /ˈkɑːmplɪmənt/

Question 8

I had started to regret my r_ promise to cook for everyone. (опрометчивое обещание)

Answer 8

I had started to regret my rash promise to cook for everyone.

/ræʃ/

Question 9

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a _ compliment when you think about it. (= сомнительный комплимент, двусмысленный комплимент

Answer 9

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a backhanded compliment when you think about it.

/ˈbækhændɪd/

Question 10

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he clearly thought it was a f_ e_. (= слабое оправдание, жалкая отмазка)

Answer 10

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he clearly thought it was a feeble excuse.

Question 11

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he с_ thought it _ a feeble excuse.

Answer 11

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he clearly thought it was a feeble excuse.

‘thought it was’, not ‘it is’

Question 12

I’m not trying to p_ a f_ with you, son. (= не хочу ругаться с тобой)

Answer 12

I’m not trying to pick a fight with you, son.

Question 13

When he realised his mistake he _ p_. (стала бурно извиняться - или без конца извинялась)

Answer 13

When he realised her mistake he apologised profusely.

Question 14

[pronunciation] When she realised her mistake, she apologised profusely.

Answer 14

STRESS!
/ˈriːəlaɪz/
/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzd/

Question 15

He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women — a_ _ u_ stereotypes.

Answer 15

He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women — all the usual stereotypes.

Question 16

[collocations]
He _ some sweeping generalizations _ men and women, like ‘women are natural caregivers’ — all the usual stereotypes.

Answer 16

[collocations]
He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women, like ‘women are natural caregivers’ — all the usual stereotypes.

Question 17

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence _ _ (you / claim).

Answer 17

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

Question 18

We ex_ p_ but I didn’t get to talk to him properly. (= обменялись любезностями)

Answer 18

We exchanged pleasantries but I didn’t get to talk to him properly.

/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd ˈplezntriz/

Question 19

[pronunciation] an excuse

Answer 19

/ɪkˈskjuːs/

NB the pronunciation of the verb is different - with a /z/

Question 20

I’m not fishing for compliments so you don’t need to contradict me - I g_ don’t think I’m a very good manager.

Answer 20

I’m not fishing for compliments so you don’t need to contradict me - I genuinely don’t think I’m a very good manager.

/ˈdʒenjuɪnli/

Question 21

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a backhanded compliment wh_ _ th_ _ it.

/ˈbækhændɪd ˈkɒmplɪmənt/

Answer 21

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a backhanded compliment when you think about it.

Question 22

She keeps d_ h_ _ _ (want) a piece of jewellery for her birthday. (= изо всех сил намекает)

Answer 22

She keeps dropping hints about wanting a piece of jewellery for her birthday.

Question 23

If I _ _ hazard a guess, I’_ s_ she’s about 45.

Answer 23

If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say she’s about 45.

Question 24

[pronunciation] He apologised profusely.

Answer 24

/prəˈfjuːsli/

Question 25

Could I just make a t_ suggestion that we make these meetings a little shorter? (= предварительное предложение / я не настаиваю)

Answer 25

Could I just make a tentative suggestion that we make these meetings a little shorter?

Question 26

I’m feeling a bit e_ about the exam tomorrow. (= ​nervous, especially about what might happen)

Answer 26

I’m feeling a bit edgy about the exam tomorrow. (= ​nervous, especially about what might happen)

Question 27

A: Could you help me with this proposal I’m writing? I think it’s OK but I just need to s_ _ a few points. (= make sure there’s no glaring, obvious mistakes)

Answer 27

A: Could you help me with this proposal I’m writing? I think it’s OK but I just need to sanity check a few points.

Question 28

‘Max, can you help me do this?’
‘Sorry, I’m a bit sn_ _ at the moment.’ (= I have too much work already)

Answer 28

Sorry, I’m a bit snowed under at the moment.

normally used with adverbs totally / absolutely / a bit, etc
pronunciation: linking! snow-dunder

Question 29

You have no reason to be a_ of the future.
She was deeply a_ that something might go wrong.

(= ​worried or frightened that something unpleasant may happen)

Answer 29

You have no reason to be apprehensive of the future.
She was deeply apprehensive that something might go wrong.

Question 30

Before an exam, I always feel somewhat e_ and tense.

(= ​nervous, especially about what might happen)

Answer 30

Before an exam, I always feel somewhat edgy and tense.

Question 31

I was a little a_ about starting my new job

(= ​worried or frightened that something unpleasant may happen)

Answer 31

I was a little apprehensive about starting my new job

Question 32

Max d_ a complete b_ during the interview. (= he didn’t know what to say and just kept silent)

Answer 32

Max drew a complete blank during the interview.

Question 33

Sorry, my mind is d_ a b_ here! (= I don’t know the answer, I have no idea whatsoever)

Answer 33

Sorry, my mind is drawing a blank here!

Question 34

Sorry, I’m a bit snowed under at the moment, and I have b_-_-_ meetings the whole morning. Can it wait till five o’clock? (= одно за другим, без перерывов)

Answer 34

Sorry, I’m a bit snowed under at the moment, and I have back-to-back meetings the whole morning. Can it wait till five o’clock?

Pronunciation: depends on the position of the word:
BACKtobackMEEtings
I’ve got MEEtings backtoBACK

Question 35

[Clarification]

[The last sentence after you’ve explained something] Does _ _ s_?

Answer 35

Does that make sense?

Notice that ‘does’ is often reduced

Question 36

[Clarification]

Don’t get married, is w_ I’m _.

The expression you add at the end of a sentence that summarizes the point you’ve been making.

Answer 36

Don’t get married, is what I’m saying.

Question 37

[Giving examples]

I mean, t_, for example Maria Sanches. She’s - yeah- just like you, straight As, sweet kid.

Answer 37

I mean, take, for example Maria Sanches. She’s - yeah- just like you, straight As, sweet kid.

Question 38

[Clarification / Explaining things in simple terms]

What is this?
Oh, w_, b_, it’s just a portable cell phone tower that emits a false frequency..

Answer 38

[Clarification / Explaining things in simple terms]

What is this?
Oh, well, basically, it’s just a portable cell phone tower that emits a false frequency..

Question 39

[pronunciation] basically

Answer 39

/ˈbeɪsɪkli/

/s/ not /z/ (in contrast to Russian); ‘a’ isn’t pronounced

Question 40

[Clarification / active listening]

An expression used to summarize what you understood
(So, what/ say) all I have to do is want something bad enough and I can get it?

Answer 40

So, what you’re saying is all I have to do is want something bad enough and I can get it?

Question 41

[Giving examples]

A bicycle? Well, a bicycle, that would take a lot of balloons… and Uncle Jeremy’s a little tired right now… so why don’t we do something l_, l_ s_,a giraffe?

Answer 41

A bicycle? Well, a bicycle, that would take a lot of balloons… and Uncle Jeremy’s a little tired right now… so why don’t we do something like, let’s say,a giraffe?

Question 42

[Agreeing with a statement]

Sweetheart, you all packed?
Yeah, p_ m_.

Answer 42

Sweetheart, you all packed?
Yeah, pretty much.

/ˈprɪti/ - notice the vowel!