FCE Unit 8 Vocabulary

Question 1

abandon

verb

the match was abandoned at half-time because of the poor weather conditions

Answer 1

to stop doing an activity before you have finished it

Question 2

adore

verb

I adore horses.

Answer 2

to like something or someone very much

Question 3

a step ahead of

phrase

The filmmaker manages to keep a step ahead of his critics by constantly trying new ideas.

Answer 3

slightly better prepared or more successful than someone else

Question 4

aware

adj

She needed to make people aware of the danger.

Answer 4

having knowledge of something

Question 5

brutal

adj

Her criticism was brutal.

Answer 5

cruel and not considering someone’s feelings

Question 6

cause

verb

Her actions caused us a lot of problems.

Answer 6

to make something happen

Question 7

chance of a lifetime

phrase

This competition is the chance of a lifetime for me.

Answer 7

a great opportunity that you will only have once in your life

Question 8

compulsory

adjective

Swimming was compulsory at my school.

Answer 8

if something is compulsory, you must do it because of a rule or law

Question 9

contestand

noun

In tonight’s quiz our contestants have come from all over the country.

Answer 9

someone who competes in a contest

Question 10

disturb

verb

Their loud music disturbed our peace.

Answer 10

to interrupt someone in a way that they do not want

Question 11

fulfil

verb

I know I will fulfil my dreams one day.

Answer 11

to do something that is expected, hoped for or promised, or to make it happen

Question 12

gain experience

phrase

I took a summer job to gain some experience.

Answer 12

to get knowledge or skill from doing something

Question 13

geek

noun

He’s such a geek.

Answer 13

a person, especially a man, who is boring and not fashionable

Question 14

get your first taste of

phrase

She got her first taste of success in that show.

Answer 14

to experience something for the first time

Question 15

hooked

adj

I’m hooked on spy movies.

Answer 15

enjoying something so much that you are unable to stop having, watching, doing etc. it.

Question 16

intense

adj

intense cold/heat

Answer 16

extreme and forceful or very strong

Question 17

intimidated

adj

I was intimidated by all those clever people.

Answer 17

frightened or nervous because a person or a situation makes you lose your confidence

Question 18

invaluable

adj

Her help was invaluable

Answer 18

extremely useful

Question 19

launch

verb

to launch a career

Answer 19

to make something begin

Question 20

media

noun

the media are covering the speech tonight

Answer 20

the Internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc, considered as a group

Question 21

nerve-wracking

adj

I find giving talks absolutely nerve-wracking

Answer 21

causing a lot of worry

Question 22

photogenic

adj

She’s very photogenic.

Answer 22

having a face that looks attractive in photographs

Question 23

privacy

noun

The new law is designed to protect people’s privacy.

Answer 23

someone’s right to keep their personal matters and relationships secret

Question 24

pursue

verb

He decided to pursue a career in television.

Answer 24

if you pursue a plan, activity or situation, you try to do it or achieve it, usually over a long period of time

Question 25

realise an ambition

phrase

He realised his ambition of becoming a doctor.

Answer 25

to do something that you had hoped to do

Question 26

release

verb

His new movie is due to be released next month.

Answer 26

if a film is released, it is shown in public for the first time

Question 27

scandal

noun

a financial/political/sex scanal

Answer 27

a public feeling of shock and strong moral disapproval

Question 28

sensation

noun

the book was a sensation

Answer 28

someone or something that causes great interest and excitement

Question 29

someone’s…days are behind them

phrase

my travelling days are behind me now

Answer 29

used to day that someone no longer does a particular activity

Question 30

strip away

phrasal verb

she stripped away his mask of confidence

Answer 30

to remove or peel something from someone or something

Question 31

stuck in traffic

phrase

I’m sorry I’m late - I was stuck in traffic.

Answer 31

unable to drive at the normal speed because there are too many vehicles on the road

Question 32

tabloid

noun

I read all the gossip in the tabloids.

Answer 32

a type of popular newspaper with small pages which has many pictures and short simple reports

Question 33

turn down

phrasal verb

she turned down the job

Answer 33

to refuse to accept something you are offered

Question 34

voluntary

adj

the extra homework is voluntary

Answer 34

done, made or given willingly, without being forced or paid