Unit 6. Active Vocabulary

Question 1

To remove someone from their job, either because they have done something wrong or badly, or as a way of saving the cost of employing them.

She was … after she was caught stealing from her employer.
He was … from his $165 000 job for … performance.
She has just been … (prep.) editor of the newspaper.
The company is reducing its workforce by … 500 employees.

Answer 1

She was fired after she was caught stealing from her employer.
He was fired from his $165 000 job for poor performance.
She has just been fired as editor of the newspaper.
The company is reducing its workforce by firing 500 employees.

Question 2

Treating someone in a way that is right or reasonable, or treating a group of people equally and not allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment.

It’s not … (prep.) Joe to make him do all the work!
It’s not … that she’s allowed to go and I’m not!
It’s not … to blame me for everything!
She claims her article was a … comment on a matter of public interest.
He offered to do all the cleaning if I did all the cooking, which seemed like a … deal.

Answer 2

It’s not fair on Joe to make him do all the work!
It’s not fair that she’s allowed to go and I’m not!
It’s not fair to blame me for everything!
She claims her article was a fair comment on a matter of public interest.
He offered to do all the cleaning if I did all the cooking, which seemed like a fair deal.

Question 3

To use drugs, exercises, etc. to cure a person of a disease or heal an injury.

He is being … (prep.) a rare skin disease.
Western medicine tends to … the symptoms and not the (причина).

Answer 3

He is being treated for a rare skin disease.

Western medicine tends to treat the symptoms and not the cause.

Question 4

(Phrase) If you … … … … … , you show its good effects.

I’m afraid I’m not … very good … … the diet since I’ve actually put on weight!

Answer 4

I’m afraid I’m not a very good advertisement for the diet since I’ve actually put on weight!

Question 5

Based on or acting on good judgment and practical ideas or understanding.

A … answer/compromise/option.
I think the … thing to do is (позвонить) before you go and (спросить) for directions.
It would be … (взять) an umbrella.

Answer 5

A sensible answer/compromise/option.
I think the sensible thing to do is phone before you go and ask for directions.
It would be sensible to take an umbrella.

Question 6

Having finished a training course, or having particular skills, etc.

Tim is now a … architect.
What makes you think that you are … (prep.) this job?
I’m not … (давать) advice on such matters.

Answer 6

Tim is now a qualified architect.
What makes you think that you are qualified for this job?
I’m not qualified to give advice on such matters.

Question 7

Used when you are agreeing that something is true, especially unwillingly.

…, I could have tried harder but I still don’t think all this criticism is fair.

Answer 7

Admittedly, I could have tried harder but I still don’t think all this criticism is fair.

Question 8

To receive money as payment for work that you do.

I … $30 000 a year.
How much do you …, if you don’t mind me asking?
You can’t expect to … (на жизнь) from your painting.
Coffee exports … (= …) Brazil many millions of pounds a year.
Brazil … many millions of pounds a year (prep.) coffee exports.

Answer 8

I earn $30 000 a year.
How much do you earn, if you don’t mind me asking?
You can’t expect to earn a living from your painting.
Coffee exports earn (= give) Brazil many millions of pounds a year.
Brazil earns many millions of pounds a year from coffee exports.

Question 9

(Phrase) To fix an idea in the mind of (someone).

… … … …
Nobody … … me the need to save.

Answer 9

To impress something on.

Nobody impressed on me the need to save.

Question 10

A list of the responsibilities which you have and the duties which you are expected to perform in your work.

Answer 10

job description

Question 11

If something is … it is reasonable and is what you expect or deserve.

I thought it was a … price that she was offering.
I’m willing to do my … share (prep.) the work.
Alt the workers want is a … wage for the work that they do.

Answer 11

I thought it was a fair price that she was offering.
I’m willing to do my fair share of the work.
Alt the workers want is a fair wage for the work that they do.

Question 12

To behave towards someone or deal with something in a particular way.

My parents … us all the same when we were kids.
He … his wife very badly.
It’s wrong to … animals as if they had no feelings.
I … remarks like that with the … that they deserve.

Answer 12

My parents treated us all the same when we were kids.
He treated his wife very badly.
It’s wrong to treat animals as if they had no feelings.
I treat remarks like that with the contempt that they deserve.

Question 13

The job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money.

He’s hoping for a … (prep.) the police …/as a police officer.
It helps if you can move a few … up the … … before taking time off to have a baby.
I … this new job because I felt that the … … were much better.
Elaine has become a real … woman/girl.
Judith is very …-…/-… .

Answer 13

He’s hoping for a career in the police force/as a police officer.
It helps if you can move a few rungs up the career ladder before taking time off to have a baby.
I took this new job because I felt that the career prospects were much better.
Elaine has become a real career woman/girl.
Judith is very career-minded/-oriented.

Question 14

Not having good judgment or a good or useful purpose.

A … argument.
… killings/violence/deaths

Answer 14

A senseless argument.

Senseless killings/violence/deaths

Question 15

An official record showing that you have finished a training course or have the necessary skills, etc.

You’ll never get a good job if you don’t have any … .
Do you have any t…/l…/m…/s…/a… …?

Answer 15

You’ll never get a good job if you don’t have any qualifications.
Do you have any teaching/legal/medical/secretarial/academic qualifications?

Question 16

To get something that you deserve.

It’s been a tough six months and I feel I’ve … a few weeks (prep.).
Through the years she has … a… and e… .

Answer 16

It’s been a tough six months and I feel I’ve earned a few weeks off.
Through the years she has earned affection and esteem.

Question 17

The way that something seems, looks or feels to a particular person.

It m…/g…/c… a very bad … if you’re late (prep.) an interview.
He likes to g… the … (that) he’s terribly popular and has l… of friends.

Answer 17

It makes/gives/creates a very bad impression if you’re late for an interview.
He likes to give the impression (that) he’s terribly popular and has loads of friends.

Question 18

To say or write what someone or something is like.

Could you … your attacker?
He … the painting (prep.) detail.
Let me … (тебе) how it happened.

Answer 18

Could you describe your attacker?
He described the painting in detail.
Let me describe (to you) how it happened.

Question 19

If a game or competition is … , it is done according to the rules.

It was a … fight.
It’s only … .

Answer 19

It was a fair fight.

It’s only fair.

Question 20

The way you deal with or behave towards someone or something.

Peter g… special … because he knows the boss.

Answer 20

Peter gets special treatment because he knows the boss.

Question 21

An ability to understand, recognize, value or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste and feel.

With her keen … (prep.) s… , she could tell if you were a smoker from the other side of the room.
My cold is so bad I’ve l… my … of s…/t… .

Answer 21

With her keen sense of smell, she could tell if you were a smoker from the other side of the room.
My cold is so bad I’ve lost my sense of smell/taste.

Question 22

A general feeling or understanding.

Did you g… any … (prep.) how they might read?
The helicopters hovering overhead a… (prep.) the … of u… .

Answer 22

Did you get any sense of how they might read?

The helicopters hovering overhead added to the sense of urgency.

Question 23

Easily upset by the things people say or do, or causing people to be upset, embarrassed or angry.

Her reply showed that she was very … (prep.) criticism.
He was very … (prep.) his scar and thought everyone was staring at him.

Answer 23

Her reply showed that she was very sensitive to criticism.

He was very sensitive about his scar and thought everyone was staring at him.

Question 24

An ability, characteristic or experience that makes you suitable for a particular job or activity.

Some nursing experience is a necessary … (prep.) this job.
One of the … you need to work here is a sense of humour!

Answer 24

Some nursing experience is a necessary qualification for this job.
One of the qualifications you need to work here is a sense of humour!

Question 25

To agree that something is true, especially unwillingly.

He … his g…/m… .
She … (that) she had made a mistake.
She … making a mistake.
At first he denied stealing the money but he later admitted (to) it.

Answer 25

He admitted his guilt/mistake.
She admitted (that) she had made a mistake.
She admitted making a mistake.
At first he denied stealing the money but he later admitted (to) it.

Question 26

2 nouns from ‘creative’.

… , … .
Too many rules might d… … .
… , i… and f… are the songwriter’s real talents.

Answer 26

Creativity, creativeness.
Too many rules might deaden creativity.
Creativity, ingenuity and flair are the songwriter’s real talents.

Question 27

Things that make life more pleasant, such as good food and a comfortable place to live.

Answer 27

Creature comforts.

Question 28

To make (someone) feel admiration and respect.

Their performance … the judges.
Your mother was clearly not … (prep.) our behaviour in the restaurant.
He tried to … me (prep.) his extensive knowledge of wine.
(fml) I’m afraid the new theatre f… to … .

Answer 28

Their performance impressed the judges.
Your mother was clearly not impressed by our behaviour in the restaurant.
He tried to impress me with his extensive knowledge of wine.
(fml) I’m afraid the new theatre fails to impress.

Question 29

To decide that an organized event will not happen, or to stop an order for goods or services that you no longer want.

They’ve had to … tomorrows football match because of the bad weather.
The 7.10 train to London has been … .

Answer 29

They’ve had to cancel tomorrows football match because of the bad weather.
The 7.10 train to London has been cancelled.

Question 30

If you experience something, it happens to you or you feel it.

We … a lot of difficulty (prep.) selling our house.
New companies often … a l… in their first few years.
It was the worst pain I’d ever … .

Answer 30

We experienced a lot of difficulty in selling our house.
New companies often experience a loss in their first few years.
It was the worst pain I’d ever experienced.

Question 31

Considering everything that has an effect on a situation, so that a fair judgment can be made.

He’s done the job badly but, … … … , I gave him very little time to do it.

Answer 31

to be fair

He’s done the job badly but, to be fair, I gave him very little time to do it.

Question 32

The way something is considered and examined.

The same subject m… gets a very different … (prep.) Chris Wilson in his latest novel.

Answer 32

The same subject matter gets a very different treatment by Chris Wilson in his latest novel.

Question 33

A picture, short film, song, etc. which tries to persuade people to buy a product or service.

A t…/n… … (prep.) a new car.
She s… the j…/p… … in the p… .

Answer 33

A television/newspaper advertisement for a new car.

She scanned the job/property advertisements in the paper.

Question 34

The characteristic of having good judgment, especially when it is based on practical ideas or understanding.

It m… (good) … (купить) a large packet because it (окажется) cheaper in the end.
Where’s/What’s the … (платить) someone when you could get a volunteer?
Planning so far ahead (бессмысленно) – so many things will have changed by next year.

Answer 34

It makes (good) sense to buy a large packet because it works out cheaper in the end. 
Where’s/What's the sense in paying someone when you could get a volunteer? 
Planning so far ahead makes no sense – so many things will have changed by next year.

Question 35

Any large or small living thing which can move independently; an animal.

Rain forests are (кишат) amazing … .
Don’t all living … have certain rights?
Blue whales are the largest … ever to have lived.

Answer 35

Rain forests are filled with amazing creatures.
Don’t all living creatures have certain rights?
Blue whales are the largest creatures ever to have lived.

Question 36

The amount of money that someone is paid for the work they do.

Average … (prep.) skilled workers are (расти).

Answer 36

earnings n

Average earnings for skilled workers are rising.

Question 37

Something that tells you what something or someone is like.

Write a description of your favourite seaside resort.
She has given the police a very detailed/full description of the robber.
Your essay contains too much description, and not enough discussion of the issues.

Answer 37

Write a … of your favourite seaside resort.
She has g… the police a very d…/f… … of the robber.
Your essay contains too much …, and not enough discussion of the issues.

Question 38

Something that happens to you that affects how you feel.

I had a rather unpleasant … (у дантиста).
It was interesting h… about his … as a policeman.
I did meet him once and it was an … I shall never forget.

Answer 38

I had a rather unpleasant experience at the dentist’s.
It was interesting hearing about his experiences as a policeman.
I did meet him once and it was an experience I shall never forget.

Question 39

The use of drugs, exercises, etc. to cure a person of an illness or injury.

Perhaps it’s time to try a new c… (prep.) … .
This disease doesn’t generally r… (prep.) … .
There are various … (prep.) this complaint.

Answer 39

Perhaps it’s time to try a new course of treatment.
This disease doesn’t generally respond to treatment.
There are various treatments for this complaint.

Question 40

(The process of getting) knowledge or skill from doing, seeing or feeling things.

Do you have any … (работы) with kids?
The best way to learn is (prep.) … .
I know (prep.) … that Tony never k… his promises.
I don’t think she has the … (prep.) the job.
(Prep.) my … , people generally smile back if you smile at them.

Answer 40

Do you have any experience of working with kids?
The best way to learn is by experience.
I know from experience that Tony never keeps his promises.
I don’t think she has the experience for the job.
In my experience, people generally smile back if you smile at them.

Question 41

When someone decides that an organized event will not happen or stops an order for something.

Many trains are s… (prep.) … because of the flooding.
The theatre tickets were sold out, so we waited to see if there were any … .

Answer 41

Many trains are subject to cancellation because of the flooding.
The theatre tickets were sold out, so we waited to see if there were any cancellations.

Question 42

(fml.) If you … a shape, you draw it or move in a direction that follows the line of it.

He used compasses to … a circle.

Answer 42

He used compasses to describe a circle.

Question 43

(UK infm) Something you say to show that you understand why someone has done or said something.

… …
“I’m just annoyed (prep.) him because he’s behaved so badly.” “… … .”

Answer 43

fair enough

“I’m just annoyed with him because he’s behaved so badly.” “Fair enough.”

Question 44

A person who buys goods or a service.

A s… … .
Mrs. Wilson is one of our (постоянный) … .

Answer 44

A satisfied customer.

Mrs. Wilson is one of our regular customers.

Question 45

Easily influenced, changed or damaged, especially by a physical activity or effect.

Some people’s teeth are h… … (prep.) cold.

Answer 45

Some people’s teeth are highly sensitive to cold.

Question 46

Boring.

A … job.
The trouble is I find most forms of exercise so … .

Answer 46

A tedious job.

The trouble is I find most forms of exercise so tedious.

Question 47

To have the legal right to have or do something because of the situation you are in, or to cause someone to have such a right.

She doesn’t … (prep.) m… l… because she hasn’t been (prep.) her job lone enough.
To … (prep.) the competition you need to be over 18.
Being a single parent … you (prep.) extra benefits.
He thinks the fact that he’s worked here longer than the rest of us … him (говорить) us all what to do.

Answer 47

She doesn’t qualify for maternity leave because she hasn’t been in her job lone enough.
To qualify for the competition you need to be over 18.
Being a single parent qualifies you for extra benefits.
He thinks the fact that he’s worked here longer than the rest of us qualifies him to tell us all what to do.

Question 48

To allow someone to enter a place.

Each ticket … one member and one guest.
Men will not be … (prep.) the restaurant without a tie.

Answer 48

Each ticket admits one member and one guest.

Men will not be admitted to the restaurant without a tie.

Question 49

To make something new, especially to invent something.

Charles Schulz … the characters ‘Snoopy’ and ‘Charlie Brown’.
He … a wonderful meal from very few ingredients.
It’s important to … a good i… when you meet a new client.

Answer 49

Charles Schulz created the characters ‘Snoopy’ and ‘Charlie Brown’.
He created a wonderful meal from very few ingredients.
It’s important to create a good impression when you meet a new client.

Question 50

Strong and tight.

A … handshake.
Keep a … hold of the h… as you go down.
(Fig.) No one seems to have a … g… (prep.) the company at the moment.

Answer 50

A firm handshake.
Keep a firm hold of the handrail as you go down.
(Fig.) No one seems to have a firm grip on the company at the moment.

Question 51

An idea or opinion of what something is like.

I didn’t g… much of an … (prep.) the place because it was dark when we drove through it.
What was your … (prep.) Charlotte’s husband?
I don’t tend to trust first … .
When I first met him I g…/h… the … that he was a shy sort of a b… .

Answer 51

I didn’t get much of an impression of the place because it was dark when we drove through it.
What was your impression of Charlotte’s husband?
I don’t tend to trust first impressions.
When I first met him I got/had the impression that he was a shy sort of a bloke.

Question 52

Strongly felt and unlikely to change.

He r… a … belief in the e… of prayer.
The government r… … (prep.) its opposition to tax reform.

Answer 52

He retains a firm belief in the efficacy of prayer.

The government remains firm in its opposition to tax reform.

Question 53

Used to refer to a person when an opinion is being expressed about them.

John is a s…/w…/p… … .
A lovely blonde … walked into the room.

Answer 53

John is a strange/weak/pathetic creature.

A lovely blonde creature walked into the room.

Question 54

Not soft but not completely hard.

I’d rather sleep on a … mattress than a soft one.
These pears are still too … to eat.

Answer 54

I’d rather sleep on a firm mattress than a soft one.

These pears are still too firm to eat.

Question 55

(Phrase) To think or understand a particular stated thing.

To be … the … .
I was … the … (that) you didn’t get on too well.
He was … the m… (=f…) … (that) you were married.

Answer 55

To be under the impression.
I was under the impression (that) you didn’t get on too well.
He was under the mistaken (=false) impression (that) you were married.

Question 56

(disappr.) Describes work that is boring, makes you feel tired, and is given a low social value.

A … j…/t… .
It’s f… … work, such as washing dishes and cleaning floors.

Answer 56

A menial job/task.

It’s fairly menial work, such as washing dishes and cleaning floors.

Question 57

A sensitive subject, situation, etc. needs to be dealt with carefully in order to avoid upsetting people.

Sex education and birth control are … i… .
The stolen car contained military documents described as very … .

Answer 57

Sex education and birth control are sensitive issues.

The stolen car contained military documents described as very sensitive.

Question 58

(often disappr.) Describes someone, usually a young person, who is very easily influenced by the people around them and by what they are told, and who sometimes copies other people’s behaviour.

He’s at that … age when he’s very easily l… (prep.) other children.

Answer 58

He’s at that impressionable age when he’s very easily led by other children.

Question 59

Evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill; grand, imposing, or awesome.

There are some very … buildings in the town.
She’s a very … public speaker.

Answer 59

There are some very impressive buildings in the town.

She’s a very impressive public speaker.

Question 60

Certain and not likely to change; definite.

He is a … believer in traditional family values.
Some people still claim that there is no … e… l… smoking (prep.) lung cancer.

Answer 60

He is a firm believer in traditional family values.

Some people still claim that there is no firm evidence linking smoking with lung cancer.

Question 61

If you do something fairly, you do it in a way which is right and reasonable and treats people equally.

He claimed that he hadn’t been t… … by his employers.
Officials will ensure that the election is (провести) … .

Answer 61

He claimed that he hadn’t been treated fairly by his employers.
Officials will ensure that the election is carried out fairly.

Question 62

To successfully finish a training course so that you are able to do a job; to have or achieve the necessary skills, etc.

She hopes to … (… a lawyer) at the end of the year.
This course … you (преподавать) in any secondary school.

Answer 62

She hopes to qualify (as a lawyer) at the end of the year.

This course qualifies you to teach in any secondary school.

Question 63

More than average, but less than very.

She’s … tall.
I’m … sure that this is the right address.
We get on … well.
I saw her … recently.

Answer 63

She’s fairly tall.
I’m fairly sure that this is the right address.
We get on fairly well.
I saw her fairly recently.

Question 64

(Phrase) To accept that you have failed and give up.

After several attempts to untie the knot, I … … and c… (prep.) it (prep.) a knife.

Answer 64

After several attempts to untie the knot, I admitted defeat and cut through it with a knife.

Question 65

To allow a person or country to join an organisation.

Spain was … (prep.) the European Community in 1986.

Answer 65

Spain was admitted to the European Community in 1986.

Question 66

Noun. Used to refer to a life form that is unusual or imaginary.

The unicorn is a m… … .
The duck-billed platypus is a truly b… … .

Answer 66

The unicorn is a mythical creature.

The duck-billed platypus is a truly bizarre creature.

Question 67

The act of creating something, or the thing that is created.

Their policies are all (prep.) the … of w… .
This 25-foot-high sculpture is her latest … .
The fashion magazines were full of the latest Paris … .

Answer 67

Their policies are all towards the creation of wealth.
This 25-foot-high sculpture is her latest creation.
The fashion magazines were full of the latest Paris creations.

Question 68

When someone is given permission to enter a place or the money that you pay to enter a place.

… (prep.) the exhibition will be (prep.) i… only.
How much do they c… (prep.) … ?
There’s a n… outside the building which says ‘No … before 12 noon’.

Answer 68

Admission to the exhibition will be by invitation only.
How much do they charge for admission?
There’s a notice outside the building which says ‘No admission before 12 noon’.

Question 69

Understanding what other people need, and being helpful and kind to them.

Representatives of the company c… their plan will be … (prep.) local n… .
In the movie, he plays a c… and … father trying to bring up two teenage children on his own.

Answer 69

Representatives of the company claim their plan will be sensitive to local needs.
In the movie, he plays a concerned and sensitive father trying to bring up two teenage children on his own.

Question 70

[with adjective] A person of a specified kind with whom one has to deal.

He’s a t… … .

Answer 70

He’s a tough customer.

Question 71

To make something known generally or in public, especially in order to sell it.

We … our car in the local newspaper.
He … his services (prep.) the company n… b… .
I’m going to … (prep.) someone (убраться в) my house.
There’s no harm (подавать заявление) (prep.) other jobs, but if I were you, I wouldn’t … the f… at work.

Answer 71

We advertised our car in the local newspaper.
He advertises his services on the company notice hoard.
I’m going to advertise for someone to clean my house.
There’s no harm in applying for other jobs, but if I were you, I wouldn’t advertise the fact at work.

Question 72

admission n
1. When you agree that something is true, especially unwillingly.

Her silence was taken as an … (prep.) g…/d… .
I felt he would see my giving up now as an … that I was wrong.
(Prep./Prep.) his own … he has achieved little since he took over the company.

Answer 72

Her silence was taken as an admission of guilt/defeat.
I felt he would see my giving up now as an admission that I was wrong.
By/On his own admission he has achieved little since he took over the company.

Question 73

Perceive by a sense or senses.

With the first frost, they could … a change in the days.

Answer 73

With the first frost, they could sense a change in the days.

Question 74

The business of trying to persuade people to buy products or services.

The ... industry. 
Fiona works (prep.) ... .

Answer 74

The advertising industry.

Fiona works in advertising.

Question 75

To feel or experience something without being able to explain exactly how.

Although she said nothing, I could … her anger.
He … (that) his guests were bored, although they were listening p… .
Could you … what was likely to happen?

Answer 75

Although she said nothing, I could sense her anger.
He sensed (that) his guests were bored, although they were listening politely.
Could you sense what was likely to happen?