The modern world Flashcards
Regulations and authority, social issues
given special treatment that makes you feel as comfortable as possible or gives you whatever you want:
He was a ….. rich kid who was driven to school in a limousine.
pampered
He was a pampered rich kid who was driven to school in a limousine.
A comfortable, wealthy, …… life doesn’t necessarily guarantee longevity.
A comfortable, wealthy, pampered life doesn’t necessarily guarantee longevity.
given special treatment that makes you feel as comfortable as possible or gives you whatever you want:
He was a ….. rich kid who was driven to school in a limousine.
pampered
He was a pampered rich kid who was driven to school in a limousine.
to give someone special treatment, making that person as comfortable as possible and giving them whatever they want:
She ….. her dog with the finest steak and salmon.
Our children are …. by their grandparents.
to give someone special treatment, making that person as comfortable as possible and giving them whatever they want:
She pampers her dog with the finest steak and salmon.
Our children are pampered by their grandparents.
living for a long time:
To what do you attribute your …..?
He attributed his …. to exercise and a healthy diet.
living for a long time:
To what do you attribute your longevity?
He attributed his longevity to exercise and a healthy diet.
a belief or idea:
[+ that] The show’s director rejects the ….. that seeing violence on television has a harmful effect on children.
I have only a vague …. of what she does for a living.
a belief or idea:
[+ that] The show’s director rejects the notion that seeing violence on television has a harmful effect on children.
I have only a vague notion of what she does for a living.
existing only as an idea, not as something real:
Almost everyone will have to pay a higher tax bill than the ….. amount suggested by the Treasury Secretary.
There is a …. improvement in air quality that cannot be demonstrated.
existing only as an idea, not as something real:
Almost everyone will have to pay a higher tax bill than the notional amount suggested by the Treasury Secretary.
There is a notional improvement in air quality that cannot be demonstrated.
(adjective)
a fact or situation that influences the result of something:
Diet and exercise can influence a person’s weight, but heredity is also a …….
Smoking is a causative …. in the development of several seriousdiseases, including lung cancer.
a fact or situation that influences the result of something:
Diet and exercise can influence a person’s weight, but heredity is also a factor.
Smoking is a causative factor in the development of several seriousdiseases, including lung cancer.
to have more money than you had in the past or more money than most other people:
Obviously we’re ….. …. now that we’re both working.
When his parents died, he found himself $100,000 ….. ….. (= he had $100,000 more than before).
to have more money than you had in the past or more money than most other people:
Obviously we’re better off now that we’re both working.
When his parents died, he found himself $100,000 better off (= he had $100,000 more than before).
without the money, possessions, education, opportunities, etc. that the average person has:
Children from an ….. family background are statisticallymore likely to become involved in crime.
without the money, possessions, education, opportunities, etc. that the average person has:
Children from an underprivileged family background are statistically more likely to become involved in crime.
having a privilege:
As an ambassador, she enjoys a very …. status.
having a privilege:
As an ambassador, she enjoys a very privileged status.
an advantage that only one person or group of people has, usually because of their position or because they are rich:
Healthcare should be a right, not a …...
a life of ….
an advantage that only one person or group of people has, usually because of their position or because they are rich:
Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.
a life of privilege
(something that causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or an example of this:
economic ….
The 1930s were a time of high unemployment and economic ….
extreme/real/severe ….
(something that causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or an example of this:
economic hardship
The 1930s were a time of high unemployment and economic hardship.
extreme/real/severe hardship
very poor:
an ….. young actor
He warned that the breakdown of the family unit would lead to an ….. society.
very poor:
an impoverished young actor
He warned that the breakdown of the family unit would lead to an impoverished society.
to make someone very poor:
The new law is likely to further ….. single parents.
He was made to pay a ruinous fine that ……his family.
to make someone very poor:
The new law is likely to further impoverish single parents.
He was made to pay a ruinous fine that impoverished his family.
the condition of being or becoming very poor, or the act of making someone very poor:
The drought reduced many farmers to ……
Progress has meant continued …. and a growing contrast between the wealth of the few and the poverty of the many.
the condition of being or becoming very poor, or the act of making someone very poor:
The drought reduced many farmers to impoverishment.
Progress has meant continued impoverishment and a growing contrast between the wealth of the few and the poverty of the many.
the act or result of making something weaker or worse in quality:
There was widespread ……. of tenants and small farmers.
the act or result of making something weaker or worse in quality:
There was widespread impoverishment of tenants and small farmers.
tenant: a person who pays rent for the use of land or a building
very bad:
….. weather
The drive home was …..
….. injuries
Prisoners were kept in the most …. conditions.
very bad:
appalling weather
The drive home was appalling.
appalling injuries
Prisoners were kept in the most appalling conditions.
in a way that is shocking and very wrong:
The number of casualties was ….. high in both wars.
They treat their staff …..
in a way that is shocking and very wrong:
The number of casualties was appallingly high in both wars.
They treat their staff appallingly.
to make someone have strong feelings of shock or of disapproval:
I was ….. at/by the lack of staff in the hospital.
The state of the kitchen …. her.
to make someone have strong feelings of shock or of disapproval:
I was appalled at/by the lack of staff in the hospital.
The state of the kitchen appalled her.
not supporting any of the sides involved in an argument:
…. advice
A trial must be fair and ….
not supporting any of the sides involved in an argument:
impartial advice
A trial must be fair and impartial.
in a way that does not show support for any of the sides involved in an argument:
Many people do not believe that complaints against the police are ….. handled.
It is the obligation of the judge to ….. apply the law.
in a way that does not show support for any of the sides involved in an argument:
Many people do not believe that complaints against the police are impartially handled.
It is the obligation of the judge to impartially apply the law.
the fact of not supporting any of the sides involved in an argument:
The state must ensure the independence and ….. of the justice system.
He is often chosen as a mediator, reflecting his reputation for ….
the fact of not supporting any of the sides involved in an argument:
The state must ensure the independence and impartiality of the justice system.
He is often chosen as a mediator, reflecting his reputation for impartiality.
perfectly clean or tidy:
dressed in an ….. white suit
an …… garden
perfectly clean or tidy:
dressed in an immaculate white suit
an immaculate garden
in a way that is perfectly clean or tidy:
The cemeteries of Gallipoli are ….. kept.
The seafront is kept ….. tidy by an army of street cleaners.
….. dressed
in a way that is perfectly clean or tidy:
The cemeteries of Gallipoli are immaculately kept.
The seafront is kept immaculately tidy by an army of street cleaners.
immaculately dressed
a person’s desire to use all their abilities to achieve and be everything that they possibly can.
The expression is used by Maslow in his theory of human motivation.
Certainly, many subjectivists think that the good life consists in something subtler than happiness : wellbeing or ……, for example.
self-actualization
a person’s desire to use all their abilities to achieve and be everything that they possibly can.
The expression is used by Maslow in his theory of human motivation.
Certainly, many subjectivists think that the good life consists in something subtler than happiness : wellbeing or self-actualization, for example.
something difficult needing a lot of skill, strength, courage, etc. to achieve it:
The Eiffel Tower is a remarkable ….. of engineering.
She performed remarkable …. of organization for the company.
Getting the house painted was quite a …...
something difficult needing a lot of skill, strength, courage, etc. to achieve it:
The Eiffel Tower is a remarkable feat of engineering.
She performed remarkable feats of organization for the company.
Getting the house painted was quite a feat.
to give someone official authority or the freedom to do something:
[+ to infinitive] This amendment ….. the president to declare an emergency for a wide range of reasons.
The first step in ….. the poorest sections of society is making sure they vote.
to give someone official authority or the freedom to do something:
[+ to infinitive] This amendment empowers the president to declare an emergency for a wide range of reasons.
The first step in empowering the poorest sections of society is making sure they vote.
to encourage and support the ability to do something:
We want to ….. individuals to get the skills they need.
We …. our sales staff to make decisionswithout always having to consult their supervisor.
to encourage and support the ability to do something:
We want to empower individuals to get the skills they need.
We empower our sales staff to make decisions without always having to consult their supervisor.
the process of gaining freedom and power to do what you want or to control what happens to you:
female/youth …..
political/economic ……
Part of the philosophy of the World Wide Web is the …. of the individual.
the process of gaining freedom and power to do what you want or to control what happens to you:
female/youth empowerment
political/economic empowerment
Part of the philosophy of the World Wide Web is the empowerment of the individual.
confident and in control of your life:
It’s important that girls feel …. and in control of what happens to them.
confident and in control of your life:
It’s important that girls feel empowered and in control of what happens to them.
having a pleasant and flowing sound:
a deep ……. voice
the ……. sound of the cello
mellifluous
having a pleasant and flowing sound:
a deep mellifluous voice
the mellifluous sound of the cello
unable to be removed:
an ……. right
unable to be removed:
an inalienable right
a right that cannot be taken away from you:
an ……. right to sth
Employees should have an …….. right to participate in decisions that affect them.
a right that cannot be taken away from you:
an inalienable right to sth
Employees should have an inalienable right to participate in decisions that affect them.
an activity that you spend time doing, usually when you are not working:
I enjoy outdoor ……, like hiking and riding.
I don’t have much opportunity for leisure …… these days.
an activity that you spend time doing, usually when you are not working:
I enjoy outdoor pursuits, like hiking and riding.
I don’t have much opportunity for leisure pursuits these days.
to prevent something or someone from doing something or going somewhere, or to not allow something:
The centre of the town was …… to football supporters.
The incident led to him being …… from the country/barred from entering the country.
to bar
to prevent something or someone from doing something or going somewhere, or to not allow something:
The centre of the town was barred to football supporters.
The incident led to him being barred from the country/barred from entering the country.
unfair or cruel treatment over a long period of time because of race, religion, or political beliefs:
They left the country out of fear of ……
refugees escaping from political ……
persecution
unfair or cruel treatment over a long period of time because of race, religion, or political beliefs:
They left the country out of fear of persecution.
refugees escaping from political persecution
to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster:
Rising consumer sales have the effect of …… the economy to faster growth.
……. (on) by her early success, she went on to write four more novels in rapidsuccession.
to spur
to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster:
Rising consumer sales have the effect of spurring the economy to faster growth.
Spurred (on) by her early success, she went on to write four more novels in rapidsuccession.
to encourage an activity or development, or to cause something to develop faster:
The huge new factory ……. economic growth in the entire region.
to spur
to encourage an activity or development, or to cause something to develop faster:
The huge new factory spurred economic growth in the entire region.
to experience great difficulties or be completely unable to decide what to do or say next:
He lost the next page of his speech and …… around/about for a few seconds.
Although his business was a success, his marriage was …..
to flounder
to experience great difficulties or be completely unable to decide what to do or say next:
He lost the next page of his speech and floundered around/about for a few seconds.
Although his business was a success, his marriage was floundering.
Richardson resigned as chairman, leaving the company …….
Richardson resigned as chairman, leaving the company floundering.
feeling happy because you are getting everything that you want from life:
For the first time in my life, I feel really …..
fulfilled
feeling happy because you are getting everything that you want from life:
For the first time in my life, I feel really fulfilled.
Now that I have my dream job, for the first time in my life I feel really …..
Now that I have my dream job, for the first time in my life I feel really fulfilled.
making you feel happy and satisfied:
Nursing is hard work, but it can be very …..
fulfilling
making you feel happy and satisfied:
Nursing is hard work, but it can be very fulfilling.
a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction because you are happy with your life:
Wisdom will help you find ……. in every aspect of your life.
They all feel a great sense of …… in their work.
fulfillment
a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction because you are happy with your life:
Wisdom will help you find fulfillment in every aspect of your life.
They all feel a great sense of fulfillment in their work.
Workaholics can only find ….. in their work.
Workaholics can only find fulfillment in their work.
unhappy, annoyed, and disappointed about something:
A ….. former employee is being blamed for the explosion.
The players were ….. with the umpire.
disgruntled
unhappy, annoyed, and disappointed about something:
A disgruntled former employee is being blamed for the explosion.
The players were disgruntled with the umpire (judge, referee)
to calculate an amount, especially by using a measuring device:
Use a thermometer to ….. the temperature.
I tried to …….. (= guess) the weight of the box.
to gauge
to calculate an amount, especially by using a measuring device:
Use a thermometer to gauge the temperature.
I tried to gauge (= guess) the weight of the box.
a long and determined attempt to achieve something that you believe in strongly:
They have long been involved in a ….. for racial equality.
a moral ….. against drugs
crusade
a long and determined attempt to achieve something that you believe in strongly:
They have long been involved in a crusade for racial equality.
a moral crusade against drugs
a very large amount of something, especially a larger amount than you need, want, or can deal with:
There’s a plethora of books about the royal family.
The plethora of regulations is both contradictory and confusing.
plethora
a very large amount of something, especially a larger amount than you need, want, or can deal with:
There’s a plethora of books about the royal family.
The plethora of regulations is both contradictory and confusing.
Bhuthan has a …. of success stories that qualify it as a model for other countries to emulate.
Bhuthan has a plethora of success stories that qualify it as a model for other countries to emulate.
to copy something achieved by someone else and try to do it as well as they have:
They hope to …….. the success of other software companies.
Fitzgerald is eager to ……. Martin’s record of three successive world titles.
to emulate
to copy something achieved by someone else and try to do it as well as they have:
They hope to emulate the success of other software companies.
Fitzgerald is eager to emulate Martin’s record of three successive world titles.
GHP
Gross Happiness Product
to behave in a way that expresses your confidence, importance, or power and earnsyou respect from others:
I really must ……. myself more in meetings.
to behave in a way that expresses your confidence, importance, or power and earnsyou respect from others:
I really must assert myself more in meetings.
to behave in a way that expresses your confidence, importance, or power and earns you respect from others:
The prime minister ….. that he had no intention of resigning.
He made a special appearance on television ….. that the allegations against him were false.
The prime minister asserted that he had no intention of resigning.
He made a special appearance on television asserting that the allegations against him were false.
Critics say the company forces workers to drive recklessly, an a……. the companydenies.
Critics say the company forces workers to drive recklessly, an assertion the companydenies.
a statement that you strongly believe is true:
I certainly don’t agree with his ….. that men are better drivers than women.
a statement that you strongly believe is true:
I certainly don’t agree with his assertion that men are better drivers than women.
to get something good or to earn a lot of money from something:
[+ two objects] She …… herself a fortune when she sold her company.
to get something good or to earn a lot of money from something:
[+ two objects] She netted herself a fortune when she sold her company.
She ….. $10 million (for herself) from the sale of her company.
She netted $10 million (for herself) from the sale of her company.
the opposite:
In the US, you drive on the right-hand side of the road, but in the UK the ….. applies.
the opposite:
In the US, you drive on the right-hand side of the road, but in the UK the converse applies.
he opposite:
However, the ….. of this theory may also be true.
he opposite:
However, the converse of this theory may also be true.
to consider something to be caused, created, or owned by someone or something:
To what do you …. the enormous success of your latest book?
to consider something to be caused, created, or owned by someone or something:
To what do you ascribe the enormous success of your latest book?
People like to …. human feelings to animals (= believe animals have human feelings).
People like to ascribe human feelings to animals (= believe animals have human feelings).
to be extremely good at something:
Rebecca always ….. in languages at school.
to be extremely good at something:
Rebecca always excelled in languages at school.
to do something better than you usually do:
The British team have ….. themselves this year to reach the finals.
to do something better than you usually do:
The British team have excelled themselves this year to reach the finals.
the quality of being excellent:
The school is noted for its academic …..
the quality of being excellent:
The school is noted for its academic excellence.
the quality of being excellent:
The school is noted for its academic ….
the quality of being excellent:
The school is noted for its academic excellence.
to (make someone) feel something or want to do something:
The prime minister is believed to be …. towards an April election.
to (make someone) feel something or want to do something:
The prime minister is believed to be inclining towards an April election.
to have an opinion about something, but not a strong opinion:
He was ….. to agree with them.
to have an opinion about something, but not a strong opinion:
He was inclined to agree with them.
Are human beings …. to think positively?
Are human beings inclined to think positively?
to invent a plan, system, object, etc., usually using your intelligence or imagination:
He’s good at …. language games that you can play with students in class.
to invent a plan, system, object, etc., usually using your intelligence or imagination:
He’s good at devising language games that you can play with students in class.
to invent a plan, system, object, etc., usually using your intelligence or imagination:
Clinton and Zedillo ordered their respective Cabinets to ….. a common counter-drug strategy.
to invent a plan, system, object, etc., usually using your intelligence or imagination:
Clinton and Zedillo ordered their respective Cabinets to devise a common counter-drug strategy.
He d….. a new way to treat mental depression.
He devised a new way to treat mental depression.
If someone or something is hardwired to do a particular thing, they automatically do it and cannot change that behaviour:
Humans are …… to love fattening foods.
If someone or something is hardwired to do a particular thing, they automatically do it and cannot change that behaviour:
Humans are hardwired to love fattening foods.
This led researchers to consider that our brains might be …… for optimism.
This led researchers to consider that our brains might be hardwired for optimism.
As employers we need to be seen to be …….. (= dealing with) these issues sympathetically.
As employers we need to be seen to be addressing (= dealing with) these issues sympathetically.
The service offers confidential help to filers who cannot …… an issue through normal channels.
The service offers confidential help to filers who cannot resolve an issue through normal channels.
to disagree strongly with someone:
…. issue with sb over sth
I ….. issue with him over his interpretation of the instructions.
to disagree strongly with someone:
take issue with sb over sth
I took issue with him over his interpretation of the instructions.
Can economic migration been seen as … …. … …, rather than always seen as a problem that must be tackled?
Can economic migration been seen as a force for good rather than always seen as a problem that must be tackled?
