FCE Unit 8 Vocabulary Flashcards
abandon
verb
the match was abandoned at half-time because of the poor weather conditions
to stop doing an activity before you have finished it
adore
verb
I adore horses.
to like something or someone very much
a step ahead of
phrase
The filmmaker manages to keep a step ahead of his critics by constantly trying new ideas.
slightly better prepared or more successful than someone else
aware
adj
She needed to make people aware of the danger.
having knowledge of something
brutal
adj
Her criticism was brutal.
cruel and not considering someone’s feelings
cause
verb
Her actions caused us a lot of problems.
to make something happen
chance of a lifetime
phrase
This competition is the chance of a lifetime for me.
a great opportunity that you will only have once in your life
compulsory
adjective
Swimming was compulsory at my school.
if something is compulsory, you must do it because of a rule or law
contestand
noun
In tonight’s quiz our contestants have come from all over the country.
someone who competes in a contest
disturb
verb
Their loud music disturbed our peace.
to interrupt someone in a way that they do not want
fulfil
verb
I know I will fulfil my dreams one day.
to do something that is expected, hoped for or promised, or to make it happen
gain experience
phrase
I took a summer job to gain some experience.
to get knowledge or skill from doing something
geek
noun
He’s such a geek.
a person, especially a man, who is boring and not fashionable
get your first taste of
phrase
She got her first taste of success in that show.
to experience something for the first time
hooked
adj
I’m hooked on spy movies.
enjoying something so much that you are unable to stop having, watching, doing etc. it.
intense
adj
intense cold/heat
extreme and forceful or very strong
intimidated
adj
I was intimidated by all those clever people.
frightened or nervous because a person or a situation makes you lose your confidence
invaluable
adj
Her help was invaluable
extremely useful
launch
verb
to launch a career
to make something begin
media
noun
the media are covering the speech tonight
the Internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc, considered as a group
nerve-wracking
adj
I find giving talks absolutely nerve-wracking
causing a lot of worry
photogenic
adj
She’s very photogenic.
having a face that looks attractive in photographs
privacy
noun
The new law is designed to protect people’s privacy.
someone’s right to keep their personal matters and relationships secret
pursue
verb
He decided to pursue a career in television.
if you pursue a plan, activity or situation, you try to do it or achieve it, usually over a long period of time
realise an ambition
phrase
He realised his ambition of becoming a doctor.
to do something that you had hoped to do
release
verb
His new movie is due to be released next month.
if a film is released, it is shown in public for the first time
scandal
noun
a financial/political/sex scanal
a public feeling of shock and strong moral disapproval
sensation
noun
the book was a sensation
someone or something that causes great interest and excitement
someone’s…days are behind them
phrase
my travelling days are behind me now
used to day that someone no longer does a particular activity
strip away
phrasal verb
she stripped away his mask of confidence
to remove or peel something from someone or something
stuck in traffic
phrase
I’m sorry I’m late - I was stuck in traffic.
unable to drive at the normal speed because there are too many vehicles on the road
tabloid
noun
I read all the gossip in the tabloids.
a type of popular newspaper with small pages which has many pictures and short simple reports
turn down
phrasal verb
she turned down the job
to refuse to accept something you are offered
voluntary
adj
the extra homework is voluntary
done, made or given willingly, without being forced or paid
