Open Mind

WORD LIST upper intermediate

Unit 1  Who do you think you are?

WORDS AND PHRASES
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
be affected by phrase /bi əˈfektəd baɪ/ to be changed or influenced by The area has been badly
something affected by pollution.
common sense noun [uncountable] /ˌkɒmən ˈsens/ the ability to make sensible Common sense is just as
decisions by using your important as intelligence.
judgment
culture noun /ˈkʌltʃə(r)/ a society that has its own set Some cultures place a lot of
of ideas, beliefs and ways of value on social identity.
behaving
deal with phrasal verb /ˈdiːl wɪð/ to solve a problem, organise I find my boss very difficult to
something or get along well deal with.
with someone
discrimination noun [uncountable] /dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/ unfair treatment of someone Immigrants to a country are
because of their religion, race, often victims of discrimination.
etc
emotion noun /ɪˈməʊʃ(ə)n/ a feeling, for example Happy people experience
happiness, sadness, etc more positive than negative
emotions.
family noun /ˌfæm(ə)li the kind of family you come Your family background can
background ˈbækɡraʊnd/ from have an enormous influence
on the type of person you
become.
family values noun /ˌfæm(ə)li ˈvæljuz/ beliefs that you learn from your Family values have a strong
family impact on a child’s life goals.
genocide noun [uncountable] /ˈdʒenəˌsaɪd/ the murder of large numbers News of the genocide in
of people belonging to a Rwanda shocked the world.
particular race
identity noun /aɪˈdentɪti/ the qualities that make Most people have many
someone or something what different social identities.
they are, and different from
other people
life goals phrase /ˈlaɪf ˌɡəʊlz/ the things you hope to achieve Doing voluntary work abroad
in the future was always one of my life
goals.
loyalty noun [uncountable] /ˈlɔɪəlti/ support that you always give They have a strong sense of
to someone or something loyalty to their group.
because of your feelings of
duty and love toward them
make sense of phrase /meɪk ˈsens əv/ to be able to understand My teacher speaks too quickly
something – I can’t make sense of what
she’s saying.
novel noun /ˈnɒv(ə)l/ a long, written story about Have you read the new novel
imaginary or partly imaginary by Dan Brown?
characters and events
persecution noun [uncountable] /ˌpɜː(r)sɪˈkjuːʃ(ə)n/ extremely unfair treatment Unfavourable racial
of someone because of their stereotypes can contribute to
religion, race, appearance, etc persecution.
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Open Mind UPPER INTERMEDIATE

Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

pleasure noun /ˈpleʒə(r)/ something that makes you feel Trying to be positive helps you
happy appreciate the pleasures of life.
podcast noun /ˈpɒdˌkɑːst/ a radio programme or video You can download our weekly
that can be downloaded from podcast for free.
the internet onto a computer
or mobile device
poem noun /ˈpəʊɪm/ a piece of writing, sometimes I prefer reading novels to
using beautiful language, that poems.
is arranged in fixed lines which
usually has a rhythm
prejudice noun [uncountable] /ˈpredʒədɪs/ an unreasonable opinion or We must work together to try
feeling, especially the feeling to end racial prejudice.
of not liking a particular group
of people
sense verb /sens/ to know about something We can often sense when
through a natural ability or someone has a problem.
feeling, without being told
sense of noun /ˌsens əv the ability to see the funny side We get on well together
humour ˈhjuːmə(r)/ of a situation and share the same sense of
humour.
sense of noun /ˌsens əv aɪˈdentɪti/ the feeling you have about It’s important to have a strong
identity what type of person you are sense of identity.
and how you are different from
other people
sense of noun /ˌsens əv the feeling of wanting to Teenagers often lack a sense of
responsibility rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ behave in a way to fulfil your responsibility.
moral duty
sensible adjective /ˈsensəb(ə)l/ reasonable and practical Sensible people always think
before they act.
sensitive adjective /ˈsensətɪv/ able to understand other She’s very sensitive to other
people’s feelings easily people’s emotions.
sensitive adjective /ˈsensətɪv/ likely to upset people He doesn’t like talking about
sensitive subjects.
social group noun /ˈsəʊʃ(ə)l ˌɡruːp/ your friends Most people feel the need to
belong to a social group.
social status noun [uncountable] /ˈsəʊʃ(ə)l ˈsteɪtəs/ the position that someone has People with a lot of money
in society tend to have higher social
status than people who don’t.
source noun /sɔː(r)s/ a person, place or thing that A person’s nationality can be a
provides something that you source of pride for them.
want
stereotype noun /ˈsteriəˌtaɪp/ a very firm and simple idea What is the national stereotype
about what a particular type of of a British person?
person or thing is like

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Open Mind UPPER INTERMEDIATE

Useful Expressions
Expression
I couldn’t agree more.
I’m afraid I can’t agree.
I’m sorry, but I just don’t think that’s
true.
In a way, you’re right, but …
Well, yes, to a certain extent …
Yes and no.
Topic / Category
Agreeing and disagreeing
Agreeing and disagreeing
Agreeing and disagreeing
Agreeing and disagreeing
Agreeing and disagreeing
Agreeing and disagreeing
Sample Sentence
A: People are too selfish nowadays.
B: I couldn’t agree more.
A: I think individuals are more important
than society.
B: I’m afraid I can’t agree.
A: I don’t think your family should ever
force you to act in a certain way.
B: I’m sorry, but I just don’t think
that’s true. Sometimes your family
understands what is best for you.
A: People have the right to be
themselves.
B: In a way, you’re right, but in some
situations it’s not always possible.
A: People have the right to be
themselves.
B: Well, yes, to a certain extent but
sometimes it’s not always possible.
A: Do you think the internet is a good
thing?
B: Yes and no.

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