64 Weight and density

A

B

C

D

Synonyms for heavy

There are a number of adjectives similar in meaning to heavy. Note their typical contexts. adjective typical contexts example weighty abstract and physical things; usually includes the idea of ‘seriousness’ unwieldy abstract and physical things; usually includes the idea of ‘difficult to handle’ cumbersome often used for machines and equipment that are difficult to handle; also used for systems, structures, etc. a weighty tome [large book] discuss weighty issues unwieldy system/bureaucracy an unwieldy object, e.g. a big box a cumbersome weapon a cumbersome process

burdensome usually used of abstract things ponderous slow and clumsy because of weight, but usually used for dull and excessively serious abstract things lumbering usually used of physical things; often suggesting ‘heavy movement’ a burdensome duty a ponderous style, e.g. way of writing or speaking a ponderous thesis a lumbering truck a lumbering bear

Phrasal verbs with weigh

I hate being weighed down with heavy suitcases when I travel. [carrying very heavy things] She looked tired and weighed down with problems. We’ll have to weigh up the alternatives before deciding. [consider and compare] She weighed out a kilo of nuts and put them in a bag. [weighed a quantity of loose goods] I have to confess something to you. It’s been weighing on me for ages. [troubling my mind] The discussion was getting heated, and then Kate weighed in with some uncomfortable financial

arguments. [added more points to the argument]

Making things more/less dense

You can put some flour in to thicken the soup, but you should sift it first, or it will go lumpy.

[make thicker] [shake it in a sieve to separate the grains] [have solid pieces in it] The soup has been in the fridge so long it’s all congealed. [become thick and solid] This curry powder is years old. It has completely solidified in the packet. [become solid] Do you have some white spirit? I need to thin this paint. [make thinner] As the rush hour ended, the traffic began to thin out. [become less dense] The hairdresser thinned my hair out and it feels much lighter now. [made it less thick] This fruit juice is very strong. Let’s dilute it / water it down a bit. [add water]

Adjectives connected with density

Many of the words above can be used both literally and metaphorically. More examples: word meaning literal use metaphorical use impenetrable impossible to move through impervious (to) liquid cannot pass through an impenetrable jungle/ forest an impervious material, e.g. glass impenetrable jargon

a person who is impervious to criticism

64.1

64.2

64.3

64.4

Based on the typical contexts in A opposite, use the words in the box below to fill the gaps in the sentences. There may be more than one possible answer.

lumbering cumbersome weighty unwieldy burdensome ponderous

1 Applying for a visa is often a rather process and can mean filling in long,

difficult forms. 2 He gave a very lecture on economic history that just bored everyone.

3 It is a really historical novel of over 1,000 pages, but it manages to instruct

and entertain. 4 Seeing a great

herd of elephants was the highlight for the tourists on safari. 5 She had so many obligations; her life was not her own. 6 The exam system was being increasingly criticised for becoming and overly

bureaucratic.

Fill the gaps with a word from A that could collocate with all three nouns.

dinosaur encyclopedia

1 vehicle goods train equipment 3 topic issue

tone of voice

2 procedure suitcase 4 sermon narrative

Correct the wrong uses of phrasal verbs with weigh in these sentences. 1 I weighed on a kilo of flour and then added water to it. 2 He’s very irritating. When you’re trying to have a rational discussion, he always has to weigh through with his own selfish point of view. 3 I owe Gina £250; it’s been weighing over my mind for weeks. I must pay her back. 4 We were weighed up with huge suitcases and bags, and the airport was terribly crowded; it was a nightmare. 5 I have to weigh in the various options before I decide which job to accept.

Answer these questions.

1 What does a hairdresser use thinning-out scissors for? 2 If there is dense fog, then it gets even denser, what verb could you use to describe the change? 3 What happens if you leave some coffee in the bottom of your cup for about a week? 4 What does ‘Do not drink undiluted’ mean on the instructions on a bottle of juice? What must you do before drinking it? 5 What might you sift when you are cooking? 6 If someone is impervious to insults, is it easy to upset them by calling them stupid? 7 If something is ‘unwieldy’, is it likely to be large or small? 8 If someone says a book is ‘impenetrable’, what do they mean? 9 What do you think it means to say that someone’s philosophy is ‘rather lightweight’? 10 Which verb can be used to describe a situation where heavy traffic is becoming less heavy?