Writing

Question 1

sensational
BrE / senseɪʃənl /
NAmE / senseɪʃənl /
adjective

Answer 1

1 causing great surprise, excitement, or interest
thrilling
- The result was a sensational 4–1 victory.
3 ( informal ) extremely good; wonderful
fantastic
- You look sensational in that dress!

Question 2

out of place

Answer 2

1 not in the correct place
2 not suitable for a particular situation
- i felt completely out of place among all these successful people.

Question 3

in league (with sb)

Answer 3

making secret plans with sb

Question 4

close-knit 
BrE   / kləʊs nɪt / 
NAmE   / kloʊs / 
 ( also   less frequent   closely-knit )
 adjective

Answer 4

( of a group of people ) having strong relationships with each other and taking a close, friendly interest in each other’s activities and problems
- the close-knit community of a small village

Question 5

novelty noun, adjective
BrE / nɒvlti /
NAmE / nɑvlti /
noun

Answer 5

( plural novelties )
1 [ uncountable ] the quality of being new, different and interesting
It was fun working there at first but the novelty soon wore off (= it became boring) .
- There’s a certain novelty value in this approach.
2 [ countable ] a thing, person or situation that is interesting because it is new, unusual or has not been known before
- Electric cars are still something of a novelty.

Question 6

broomstick
BrE / brumstɪk /
NAmE / brumstɪk /
noun

Answer 6

a broom with a long handle and small thin sticks at the end, or the handle of a broom . In stories witches (= women with evil magic powers) ride through the air on broomsticks .

Question 7

neophyte 
BrE   / niəfaɪt / 
NAmE   / niəfaɪt / 
  noun 
 ( formal )

Answer 7

1 a person who has recently started an activity

The site gives neophytes the chance to learn from experts.

Question 8

coming of age

noun

Answer 8

[ singular ]

the time when a person reaches the age at which they have an adult’s legal rights and responsibilities

Question 9

overlook

verb

Answer 9

sth : to fail to see or notice sth

Question 10

eerie
BrE / ɪəri /
NAmE / ɪri /
adjective

Answer 10

strange, mysterious and frightening

syn: uncanny
- an eerie yellow light
- I found the silence underwater really eerie.

Question 11

startling
BrE / stɑtlɪŋ /
NAmE / stɑrtlɪŋ /
adjective

Answer 11

1   extremely unusual and surprising 
a startling discovery 
  startling revelations in the Sunday papers   
2   ( of a colour )  extremely bright 
startling blue eyes

Question 12

undisturbed
BrE / ʌndɪstɜbd /
NAmE / ʌndɪstɜrbd /
adjective

Answer 12

1 [ not usually before noun ] not moved or touched by anyone or anything
syn: untouched
-The treasure had lain undisturbed for centuries.
2 not interrupted by anyone
syn: uninterrupted
-She succeeded in working undisturbed for a few hours.
3 [ not usually before noun ] ~ (by sth) not affected or upset by sth
syn: unconcerned
- He seemed undisturbed by the news of her death.

Question 13

primarily     
BrE   / praɪmerəli / 
BrE   / praɪmərəli / 
NAmE   / praɪmerəli / 
  adverb

Answer 13

mainly

- The problem is not primarily a financial one.

Question 14

tomb
BrE / tum /
NAmE / tum /
noun

Answer 14

a large grave, especially one built of stone above or below the ground
- the tombs of the Pharaohs

Question 15

decipher
BrE / dɪsaɪfə(r) /
NAmE / dɪsaɪfər /
verb

Answer 15

~ sth
to succeed in finding the meaning of sth that is difficult to read or understand
- to decipher a code

Question 16

memoir
BrE / memwɑ(r) /
NAmE / memwɑr /
noun

Answer 16

1 memoirs [ plural ] an account written by sb, especially sb famous, about their life and experiences
2 [ countable ] ( formal ) a written account of sb’s life, a place, or an event, written by sb who knows it well

Question 17

exhilarating
BrE / ɪɡzɪləreɪtɪŋ /
NAmE / ɪɡzɪləreɪtɪŋ /
adjective

Answer 17

very exciting and enjoyable

- My first parachute jump was an exhilarating experience.

Question 18

breakthrough
noun, adjective
BrE / breɪkθru /
NAmE / breɪkθru /

Answer 18

noun
an important development that may lead to an agreement or achievement
- to make/achieve a breakthrough
- a significant breakthrough in negotiations
- a major breakthrough in cancer research