Cambridge First Certificate in English Vocabulary
WORK Vocabulary
Work: (general word - uncountable) an activity, such as a job, that a person uses physical or mental effort to do, usually for money:
● I've got so much work to do.
● Carrying heavy loads around all day is hard work.
Job: (specific - countable) the regular work that a person does to earn money
● When she left college, she got a job as an editor in a publishing company
Profession: any type of work that needs special training or a particular skill, often one that is respected because it involves a high level of education
● He left the teaching profession in 1965 to start his own business.
Career: the job or series of jobs that you do during your working life
● I took this new job because I felt that the career prospects were much better
Occupation: a person's job
● In the space marked "occupation" she wrote "police officer"
Employment: the act of employing someone work for a company or organization:
● Employment levels are unlikely to rise significantly before the end of next year.
TRAVEL Vocabulary
1) timetable a list of the times of trains, buses etc.
2) runway a wide path from which airplanes take off and land
3) reservation an arrangement to have sth (a room, table, seat etc.)
4) package tour a holiday or tour, arranged by a travel agent
5) accommodation rooms in a house or hotel in which to stay
6) destination the place to which you are going
7) departure the act of leaving a place especially to start a journey
8) travel agent a person who works in or owns a travel agency
9) return ticket a ticket for a journey to a place and back again
10) arrival the act of arriving
1) a flight a journey made by air, especially in a plane
2) a tour a journey for pleasure, during which you visit several different towns, areas etc.
3) a cruise a journey by sea, visiting different places, especially as a holiday
4) a drive a journey in a car, especially for pleasure
5) a journey (countable) an act of traveling from one place to another
6) an expedition an organised trip whose purpose is scientific exploration of the environment
7) a trip a short journey to a place and back again
8) a crossing a journey from one side of the sea to the other
9) a voyage a long journey in a ship or spacecraft
10) travel (uncountable) the general activity of moving from place to place
Words to Describe Places
Alive - Full of life
Attractive - Pleasing; charming
Beautiful - Having qualities that are pleasing or appealing
Bustling - Full of life, energy
Calm - Peaceful; free from stress
Charming - Fascinating; likeable
Cosmopolitant - Appealing to people from all across the globe
Enchanting - Delightful; fascinating
Fascinating - Alluring; captivating
Fresh- Something newly made and full of vigor
Homey - Cozy; inviting
Inspiring - Enlivening; motivating
Lively - Full of life and spirit
Peaceful - Calm; friendly Picturesque - Scenic; beautiful
Unspoiled - Untouched by man; pure Vibrant - Full of life; energy
Words to Express Dislike for a Place
Bleak - Gloomy; somber
Boring - Dull; uninteresting
Creepy - Causing feelings of fear or disgust
Crowded - Filled to capacity
Deserted - Abandoned; uninhabited
Desolate - Empty; bleak Dull - Boring
Expensive - Costly; having a very high price
Horrifying - Frightening; disgusting
Nightmarish - Resembling a bad dream
Polluted - Dirty; contaminated Rundown - In poor condition
Stormy - Turbulent; tempestuous Touristic - Visited by tourists
Ugly - Visually unpleasing
More Words to Describe a Place
Ancient - Belonging to an earlier period of time
Contemporary - Existing in the present time
Magical - Captivating; enchanting
Majestic - Grand; impressive; stately Modern- Of or relating to the current time
Mystical - Magical; enigmatic
Quiet - Not noisy
Traditional - In keeping with conventional customs
CRIME DEFINITION
abduction taking someone away by force, demanding money for their safe return
CRIMINAL
arson setting fire to a building, cars or property on purpose arsonist assassination killing a famous person or public figure assassin assault attacking someone physically assailant blackmail threatening to reveal someone’s secrets if a lot of money is not paid blackmailer* bombing detonating an explosive device with the plan of harming people or property bomber bribery giving money or granting favors to influence another person’s decisions or behavior briber* burglary breaking into a house in order to steal something burglar corruption behaving illegally and dishonestly; especially those in power crime doing something illegal that can be punished by law criminal cybercrime doing something illegal over the Internet or a computer system cyber criminal hacker** domestic violence behaving violently inside the home drunk driving driving with too much alcohol in your blood drunk driver espionage spying, to obtain political or military information spy
embezzlement stealing large amounts of money that you are responsible for, often over a period of time embezzler forgery illegally copying documents, money, etc. to cheat people forger fraud getting money from people by cheating them hijacking taking control of a plane, train etc by force, often to meet political demands hijacker hit and run not stopping to help a person hurt in an accident caused by you
homicide killing another person on purpose hooliganism being violent or aggressive on purpose; often used to describe youth hooligan kidnapping taking someone away by force, often demanding money for their safe return kidnapper manslaughter killing someone by accident mugging attacking someone with a plan to rob them mugger murder killing someone on purpose murderer perjury lying in court, while under oath pickpocketing stealing wallets, money, etc. from people’s pockets in crowded places pickpocketer poaching hunting illegally poacher rape forcing someone to have sex rapist riot causing a noisy, violent public disturbance rioter robbery stealing large amounts of money with force or violence from a bank, store, etc. robber shoplifting stealing something from a store shoplifter smuggling taking things secretly in or out of a place, country, jail, etc. smuggler speeding driving above the speed limit terrorism using violence, threats, or fear, usually for political purposes terrorist theft stealing, in general thief trafficking trading something illegal like drugs, people, etc. treason betraying one’s country by helping its enemies traitor trespassing entering another person’s area; hurting people/damaging property through force trespasser vandalism destroying private or public property purposely vandal
Food Vocabulary
balanced
A balanced meal contains a healthy mixture of different types of food. cheerful describes a place or thing that is bright and pleasant and makes you feel happy convenience food food that can be prepared quickly and easily and is often already cooked edible safe to eat elaborate complicated or with a lot of details exclusive expensive and only for people who are rich or of a high social class filling
Food that is filling makes you feel that you have had a lot to eat. heavy meal a large, rich meal that makes you feel very full light meal a small meal that does not make you feel very full nutrition the food that you eat and the way that it affects your health organic not using chemicals when keeping animals or growing plants for food protein one of many substances found in food such as meat, cheese, fish or eggs that is necessary for the body to grow and be strong satisfying making you feel pleased by providing what you need or want shortage when there is not enough of something supply an amount of something that is ready to be used well balanced A well-balanced meal contains a healthy mixture of different types of food
Use of “GET”
1. Understand
“Do you get me?”
“I don't get it”
2. Obtain
“I got a new job. I find it quite demanding”
“We must get permission to enter that place”
3. Receive
“As soon as you get this message, call me back”
4. Fetch
“Could you please get me a glass of water? I'm exhausted”
5. Start to be
“It's getting late. We should be heading home”
6. Reach/arrive
“What time did you get home last night. I didn't hear you enter”
7. Take
“Let's get a taxi. We won't make it to the theater on time”
8. Buy
“Where did you get that bag.? It looks amazing !”
Idioms with the body
1. Get their heads around. Understand/accept an idea
2. Come face to face. Very close to
3. Put one's foot into it. Say the wrong thing
4. See eye to eye. Get on with each other
5. Catch one's eye. Attract your attention
6. Keep an eye on. Pay attention to
7. Keep a straight face. Look serious
8. Get cold feet. Change your mind
9. Can't face. Feel unable to 10. Put your foot down. Say no to something
Idioms and collocations with weather
freezing cold boiling hot soaking wet pitch black absolutely frozen thick/dense fog torrential/heavy rain strong wind/sun a rough sea a hard frost
Collocations with success and failure a strong competitive streak overcome setbacks be motivated and determined set goals or deadlines fulfill one's potential have a lot of stamina have a lot of commitment
Collocations with luck an amazing piece of luck a bit of luck get nothing but bad luck
WAYS OF SPEAKING
talk: speak to give information, say things. What are they talking about? speak:make use of words in a normal voice May I speak to George? whisper: speak softly, without vibrating the vocal cords, privately or secretly She whispered the secret word in my ear mumble: speak unclearly, so that others can't hear. He mumbled something at me which I didn't understand. mutter: speak in a low voice, which is hard to hear She was muttering something to herself as she went out. murmur: speak in a soft, quiet voice that is difficult to hear clearly The classmates murmured during the test. grunt: make short sounds or say a few words in a rough voice, when you don't want to talk. (Pigs also grunt).
She grunted a few words and left the table. stammer: speak with pauses and repeating the same sound or syllable, habitually or from fear or excitement.
'P-p-please give me the p-p-pen,' he stammered. stutter: stammer.
'P-p-please give me the p-p-pen,' he stuttered. chat: have a friendly informal conversation. They chatted away in the corner. chatter: talk quickly and at length about something unimportant. Please stop chattering, I'm trying to listen to the TV! gossip: talk about the affairs of other people. She was gossiping about her neighbours all day call: speak in a loud clear voice, shout, cry. They called for help. shout: speak in a loud voice, in anger or to get attention. He had to shout because the music was too loud. cry (out): make a sharp noise, in pain or surprise.
She cried out in terror when the old man appeared suddenly yell: cry out loudly, in fear, pain or excitement. She yelled in terror when she saw the dead cat. scream: cry out very loudly on a high note, in fear, pain, anger or laughter
The baby was screaming the whole day.
wish somebody the best of luck can't believe your luck your luck runs out
bark (out): say something quickly in a loud voice. 'What do you want?' the shop assistant barked.
Easily confused adjectives
actual: real. present: existing or occurring now. current: happening or being used or done now
typical: showing the characteristics expected common: habitual, regular usual: customary
particular: special individual: exclusive unique: being the only one of its kind
Adjectives with self
self-aware: having conscious knowledge of one's own character and feelings. "we're self-aware enough to know we're making mistakes"
self-centred: preoccupied with oneself and one's affairs. "he's far too self-centred to care what you do
self-confident: trusting in one's abilities, qualities, and judgement. "a self-confident young actor"
self-conscious: feeling undue awareness of oneself, one's appearance, or one's actions. Embarrased, uncomfortable "I feel a bit self-conscious parking my scruffy old car"
self-important: having an exaggerated sense of one's own value or importance. Arrogant "a self-important bureaucrat"
selfless: concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own; unselfish. "an act of selfless devotion"
self-satisfied: excessively satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smugly complacent. "a pompous, self-satisfied fool"
self-sufficient: needing no outside help in satisfying one's basic needs, especially with regard to the production of food. "I don't think the country could ever be self-sufficient in food"
emotionally and intellectually independent. "their son was a little bit of a loner and very self-sufficient"
like-minded quick-tempered strong-willed level-headed old-fashioned kind-hearted
Compound adjectives: personality
Expressions with time Deducing meaning
on time
to be on time means not to be late. You arrive at the right time.
'The trains always run on time in my country. They are never late.'
time flies
This common idiom means that time passes quickly
'Time flies when you are having fun.'
in the nick of time
This expression means that you arrive or finish something just before it is too late. At the last possible moment.
'My team scored in the nick of time. The game was in the last few seconds.
save time
We save time when we do something the quick way.
'We will save time if we drive instead of taking the bus.'
spare time
In natural English, spare time has the same meaning as free time. The things we do when we are not busy with work or study, for example.
'In my spare time I like to learn English.'
as time goes by
As time goes by means as time passes or moves. The passing of time.
'As time has gone by I have become less interested in going to nightclubs on the weekends.'
time is money
The famous expression time is money means that your time is a valuable commodity
'I can't wait here all day Time is money, you know?'
kill time
To kill time means to do something that is not very interesting or important to pass time. We usually use to kill time when we are waiting for something that will take place later.
'We've got 4 hours until our flight leaves. What are we going to do until then? How are we going to kill time?'
time off
Time off means to take a holiday from work.
'You are working too much. You need to take some time off.'
a waste of time
A waste of time refers to anything that is not a useful way to spend your time. Doing something pointless or useless.
It's a waste of time calling that company. They never answer the telephones.'
a hard time
To have a hard time means to do something that is difficult or to suffer hardship.
'She's had a hard time recently; she lost her job and then her mother died.'
'I had a hard time trying to find this place. The directions you gave me were terrible!'
The difference between “on time” and “in time” is a subtle one, and the two expressions may sometimes be used interchangeably. Nevertheless, they express two slightly different ideas:
in time = early enough; not late on time = punctually; according to the schedule
Expressions with mind
