listening practice

Question 1

skill in starting new businesses, especially when this involves seeing new opportunities

Answer 1

entrepreneurship
/ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜː.ʃɪp/

Question 2

someone who studied at a particular school, college, or university

Answer 2

alumnus ( alumni_plural) /əˈlʌm.nəs/

He was an alumnus of the University of Melbourne.

Question 3

relating to a subject of study, especially a science, that has a practical use

Answer 3

applied

applied mathematics/science

Question 4

the school, college, or university where you studied, or the official song of a school, college, or university

Answer 4

alma mater /ˌæl.məˈmɑː.tər/

He wanted to go back to his hometown and teach at his alma mater

Question 5

the process of rising to a position of higher importance, rank, or success

Answer 5

ascension

His daughter’s ascension to the speakership, a first for a woman, is a matter of great pride for him.

Question 6

to send something directly and intentionally

Answer 6

funnel /ˈfʌn.əl/

These laws ensure that local revenue for education is funnelled into schemes overseen by the local education authority.

Question 7

the total amount that can be contained or produced

Answer 7

capacity
- at (full) capacity
The elevator was at capacity and could not take any more passengers.

Question 8

to give advice, especially on social or personal problems

Answer 8

counsel /ˈkaʊn.səl/
- counsel sb on sth
My job involves counselling unemployed people on how to find work.

Question 9

to allow someone to use something or someone temporarily in exchange for money

Answer 9

hire something/someone out
He’s decided to go freelance and hire himself out as a technical writer.
How much do you charge for hiring out a bicycle for a week?

Question 10

always accurate in your judgment or ability

Answer 10

Unerring /ʌnˈɜː.rɪŋ/
He has an unerring talent for writing catchy melodies.

Question 11

an official statement that something must happen

Answer 11

Decree
issue a decree The government has extensive powers to issue(provide sth official) emergency decrees.
by decree More than 200 people were freed by military decree

Question 12

a large pipe, usually underground, that is used for carrying waste water and human waste away from buildings to a place where they can be safely got rid of

Answer 12

Sewer
a sewer pipe

Question 13

a person or a newspaper that expresses the opinions of others

Answer 13

‘Mouthpiece
He’s a mouthpiece for the pharmaceutical industry.

Question 14

the situation in which a country or place is surrounded by soldiers or ships to stop people or goods from going in or out

Answer 14

Blockade
The Soviet blockade of Berlin was lifted(ended) in May 1949.

Question 15

money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen

Answer 15

‘Subsidy
The government is planning to abolish subsidies to farmers.

Question 16

doubt that something is true or useful

Answer 16

Skepticism/ˈskep.tɪ.sɪ.zəm/
The company’s environmental claims have been greeted/regarded/treated with skepticism by conservationists

Question 17

to use a substance such as oil to make a machine or device operate more easily, or to prevent something sticking or rubbing

Answer 17

Lubricate
A car engine needs to be well lubricated with oil.

Question 18

to use a substance such as oil to make a machine or device operate more easily, or to prevent something sticking or rubbing

Answer 18

Lubricate
A car engine needs to be well lubricated with oil.

Question 19

to use a substance such as oil to make a machine or device operate more easily, or to prevent something sticking or rubbing

Answer 19

Lubricate
A car engine needs to be well lubricated with oil.

Question 20

to give tasks to a large group of people or to the general public, for example, by asking for help on the internet, rather than having tasks done within a company by employees

Answer 20

Crowdsource/ˈkraʊdˌsɔːs/
The company plans to crowdsource the translation of its new web app.