Evolve Digital Level 6

Vocabulary lists
Unit 1, Lesson 1............................................................................................................... 3
Using adverbs to add detail.......................................................................................... 3
Unit 1, Lesson 2............................................................................................................... 6
Talking about developments in technology...................................................................6
Unit 2, Lesson 1............................................................................................................... 8
Describing personality...................................................................................................8
Unit 2, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 10
Using three-word phrasal verbs..................................................................................10
Unit 3, Lesson 1............................................................................................................. 12
Thought processes..................................................................................................... 12
Unit 3, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 14
Describing emotional reactions...................................................................................14
Unit 4, Lesson 1............................................................................................................. 16
Describing things........................................................................................................ 16
Unit 4, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 18
Eye idioms and metaphors......................................................................................... 18
Unit 5, Lesson 1............................................................................................................. 20
Describing remote places........................................................................................... 20
Unit 5, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 22
Talking about influences.............................................................................................22
Unit 6, Lesson 1............................................................................................................. 24
Using adverbs to add attitude.....................................................................................24
Unit 6, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 26
Using the prefixes under- and over-..........................................................................26
Unit 7, Lesson 1............................................................................................................. 28
Talking about ancestry................................................................................................28
Unit 7, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 30

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 Talking about customs and traditions.........................................................................30
Unit 8, Lesson 1............................................................................................................. 32
Talking about attention and distraction.......................................................................32
Unit 8, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 34
Expressions with get...................................................................................................34
Unit 9, Lesson 1............................................................................................................. 36
Discussing health issues.............................................................................................36
Unit 9, Lesson 2............................................................................................................. 38
Discussing (lack of) sleep...........................................................................................38
Unit 10, Lesson 1........................................................................................................... 40
Discussing global food issues.....................................................................................40
Unit 10, Lesson 2........................................................................................................... 42
Discussing global energy issues.................................................................................42
Unit 11, Lesson 1........................................................................................................... 44
Describing color associations..................................................................................... 44
Unit 11, Lesson 2........................................................................................................... 46
Color expressions....................................................................................................... 46
Unit 12, Lesson 1........................................................................................................... 48
Talking about change..................................................................................................48
Unit 12, Lesson 2........................................................................................................... 50
Describing change......................................................................................................50

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Unit 1, Lesson 1
Using adverbs to add detail

certainly (adverb) – used to emphasize something and show that there is no doubt
about it
"Jenny is certainly going to get a good job. She's very smart and hard-working.
Someone will definitely want to hire her."

clearly (adverb) – used to show that you think something is obvious or certain
"This café is clearly very popular. It's always crowded."

comprehensively (adverb) – completely; in a way that includes everything

"This book comprehensively explains the history of robotics. It includes all of the
information I need for my research."

demonstrably (adverb) – in a way that can be shown to exist or be true

"Our vegetables are demonstrably bigger this year because we've had a lot of rain."

dramatically (adverb) – in a way that is very sudden or noticeable

"Our lives changed dramatically when we had a baby. Suddenly everything in our life
was completely different."

drastically (adverb) – in a way that is sudden and extreme

"Vaccines have drastically reduced the transmission of many diseases such as the
measles. While the measles used to be a major public health problem, there are now
very few cases of it worldwide."

eventually (adverb) – in the end, especially after a long time

"We put some money in a savings account every month. It took a few years, but
eventually we were be able to buy a home."

evidently (adverb) – used to say that something can easily be noticed

"It evidently rained a lot last night. The streets are flooded."

feasibly (adverb) – possibly; in a way that could be made, done, or achieved

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"If electric vehicles become more widespread, they could feasibly help reduce carbon
emissions from cars."

gradually (adverb) – slowly over a period of time or distance

"My father was injured, but with physical therapy he's gradually improving. With enough
practice he will be able to walk normally in a few months."

increasingly (adverb) – more and more

"People are becoming increasingly interested in 3D printers and their potential to
transform the way products are made."

inevitably (adverb) – in a way that cannot be avoided

"If you don't put a case on your phone, the screen will inevitably break. You drop it all
the time."

markedly (adverb) – in a very obvious or noticeable way

"Ride-sharing apps have markedly changed transportation in many places. Taxis are
much less popular as people find the apps more convenient and efficient."

potentially (adverb) – possibly

"Riding a motorcycle is potentially very dangerous. It's important to follow safety
precautions to prevent an injury."
progressively (adverb) – gradually
"The traffic here has been getting progressively worse over the last several years as the
city becomes more populated."

radically (adverb) – completely or extremely

"Digital maps and GPS have radically changed the way people get around. Now almost
everyone can find directions immediately on their devices instead of reading physical
maps."

surely (adverb) – used to express that you are certain or almost certain about
something
"Surely we can finish cleaning up the park this weekend if we all work together."

ultimately (adverb) – finally, after a series of things have happened

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"I was offered a job in Toronto. At first I wasn't sure about moving, but after weighing the
options I ultimately decided to take the job and move."

undoubtedly (adverb) – used to emphasize that something is true

"Christine is undoubtedly the best person for the job. She has all of the qualifications
we're looking for."

unfortunately (adverb) – used to say that something is sad, disappointing, or has a bad
effect
"Unfortunately I have a bad cold, so I won't be able to come to your party. I'm so sad
that I'll miss it."

unquestionably (adverb) – in a way that is obvious and impossible to doubt

"The Eiffel Tower is unquestionably one of the most popular tourist sites in the world."

Remember that some adverbs can have more than one meaning and can be both
adverbs of manner and commenting adverbs, depending on the meaning. For example:

"He spoke very clearly." (adverb of manner – the adverb describes how the person
spoke)
"It was clearly a mistake." (commenting adverb – expressing an opinion about a
decision or action)

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Unit 1, Lesson 2
Talking about developments in technology

artificial intelligence (AI) (noun) – computer technology that allows something to be

done in a way that is similar to the way a human would do it
"Self-driving cars use artificial intelligence to analyze traffic conditions and make
decisions."

beta version (noun) – a piece of software, etc. that is at the second stage of
development, during which customers are asked to use it to see if there are any
problems that have not been corrected
"This is the beta version of this website. You can submit your feedback to help the
company improve it for the next release."

chatbot (noun) – a computer program designed to have a conversation with a human

being, especially over the internet
"Many companies use chatbots for customer service instead of human beings. The
chatbot can offer solutions to customers' problems much like a person would."

computer-generated (adjective) – designed or produced using a computer program

"Computer-generated speech is becoming more realistic. AI devices can be made to
sound surprisingly similar to humans."

facial recognition (noun) – technology that makes it possible for a computer to

recognize a digital image of someone's face
"Some security systems use facial recognition technology. The system can recognize
people's faces and confirm whether they are approved for entry."

image recognition (noun) – technology that can identify objects, places, people, writing
and actions in images
"There are apps that use image recognition technology to help you identify plants. You
can take a picture of a plant and the app will provide information about it."

machine translation (noun) – the process of changing text from one language into
another language using a computer
"Machine translation technology is improving. With this new translation app, I can hold
my cell phone over a sign and it will translate the text into my language."

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operating system (noun) – a set of programs that control the way a computer system
works, especially how its memory is used and how different programs work together (for
example, Windows 11, macOS, Android OS)
A: I tried to download this program, but it's not working.
B: It won't work because your operating system is too old. You need to update it to the
latest version.

speech to text (noun) – the process of converting speech into digital text
"I like to use the speech to text feature on my phone to send text messages. Instead of
typing, I can say the message and the program converts it to text."

text to speech (noun) – the process of converting digital text into spoken words
"Blind people can use programs with text to speech technology to read digital content.
The programs convert text from the screen to speech so they can listen to it."

virtual assistant (noun) – a computer program or device that is connected to the

internet and can understand spoken questions and instructions, designed to help you to
make plans, find answers to questions, etc.
"Having a virtual assistant is really convenient. I can tell it to play music, set reminders
for chores, and order things from the internet."

voice activation (noun) – machines, systems, etc. that work when you speak
instructions to them
"My virtual assistant has voice activation, so it works when I speak to it. For instance, I
can say 'what’s the weather?' or 'play podcast.'"

voice recognition (noun) – the ability of a computer or other machine to understand

spoken instructions or to recognize who a human voice belongs to
"I like the voice recognition feature on my phone. It knows my voice, so I can give it
instructions, but no one else can."

working prototype (noun) – the first example of something, such as a machine,

product, or app, from which all later forms are developed
"My team developed a working prototype for our new app. It's going to be tested within
the company, and if that goes well, we'll release a beta version to customers."

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Unit 2, Lesson 1
Describing personality

accepting (adjective) – tending to regard different types of people and ways of life with
tolerance and acceptance
"I came to visit my relatives in China. We have different cultures, but they have been
very accepting of me. I feel very welcome."

aloof (adjective, adverb) – not friendly or willing to take part in things

"I wonder what's wrong with Paul. He was acting really aloof at Liam's party. He was
really quiet and didn't talk to anyone."

antisocial (adjective) – often avoiding spending time with other people

"Kim was being antisocial at the show yesterday. She just wanted to be left alone
instead of hanging out with us."

chatty (adjective) – liking to talk

"Lisa and Carla are really chatty. I always see them hanging around the office talking."

genuine (adjective) – sincere and honest

"I love my new roommate. She's really genuine and honest. She never hides her
feelings."

insensitive (adjective) – not noticing or not caring about other people's feelings
"I went out with Maria and Jen, but they just kept talking about their boyfriends. I think
that was insensitive of them, because Ben and I just broke up. I felt really left out and
sad."

narrow-minded (adjective) – not willing to accept new ideas or opinions different from
your own
"My father can be so narrow-minded. He won't accept that I want to be a musician. I
wish he would try to understand my point of view."

open-minded (adjective) – willing to consider ideas and opinions that are new or
different to your own
"Some of the food in Japan was unfamiliar to me, but I'm open-minded so I like to try
new things."

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rigid (adjective) – not able to change or be changed easily
"I've asked my boss for more flexibility with my start time, but she's really rigid and won't
change her policy. She wants me to arrive at 9 o'clock every day."

self-centered (adjective) – interested only in yourself

"I don't like hanging out with Dan. He's so self-centered. He just talks about himself and
takes lots of selfies, and he never listens."

sincere (adjective) – honest and saying or showing what you really feel or believe
"Frank is a great manager because he's really sincere. He's always honest and tells you
what he really thinks."

talkative (adjective) – describing a person who talks a lot

"Alicia is so talkative. We stayed at the café for hours just talking about everything!"

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Unit 2, Lesson 2
Using three-word phrasal verbs

come down to (phrasal verb) – If a situation, problem, decision, etc. comes down to
something, then that is the thing that will influence it most.
"While your education matters, getting a job often comes down to your experience in the
field."

face up to (phrasal verb) – to accept that a difficult situation exists

"You have to face up to the fact that your job is treating you terribly. You need to find a
new job that appreciates you."

fall back on (phrasal verb) – to use someone or something when other things have
failed, or when there are no other choices
"I'm hoping to start a new career as a scientist, but I also have a teaching degree that I
can fall back on if it doesn't work out."

fit in with (phrasal verb) – to feel that you belong to a particular group and are accepted
by that group
"I've met some great people by joining a community gardening group. I really feel like I
fit in with the others. We all have similar interests."

get through to (phrasal verb) – to succeed in making someone understand or believe

something
"I've explained many times that you need to drive more carefully, but it seems I'm not
getting through to you."

look down on (phrasal verb) – to think you are better than someone
"Sometimes I feel like Krista looks down on me because I don't have an important job
like hers."

mess around with (phrasal verb) – to behave in a joking or silly way

"My friends and I always have a lot of fun together. We're always playing jokes on one
another and messing around with each other. But it's all meant to be in good fun."

put up with (phrasal verb) – to accept or continue to accept an unpleasant situation or

experience, or someone who behaves unpleasantly; to tolerate

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"Your boss is so mean to you. I don't know how you put up with it. I think you should tell
her you're going to quit if she doesn't treat you better."

run up against (phrasal verb) – to experience an unexpected difficulty

"I ran up against some problems on my way back home from college. I had some car
trouble and needed to call for help."

stand up for (phrasal verb) – to defend or support a particular idea or a person who is
being criticized or attacked
"I went to a demonstration demanding action against climate change. I think it's
important to stand up for issues you care about."

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Unit 3, Lesson 1
Thought processes

analyze (verb) – to examine the details of something carefully, in order to understand or

explain it
"We collected a lot of data from our customers. Now we need to analyze it and figure
out how we can improve our business."

dismiss (verb) – to refuse to consider an idea or opinion

"I tried to convince my husband to get a dog, but he dismissed the idea. He didn't even
want to consider it."

disregard (verb) – to ignore something

A: There's a notification on the tablet. Should we check it?
B: No, you can disregard that. It's not important.

envision (verb) – to imagine something happening, or think that something is likely to

happen
"I went to a talk by a successful business owner and it was very inspiring. I could really
envision myself starting my own business someday."

evaluate (verb) – to consider or study something carefully and decide how good or bad
it is
"There are so many cars to choose from. I'll need to evaluate the different options and
figure out which one is best for me."

fixate (on something) (verb) – to think about something too much and find it difficult to
stop
"Gina's mother tried repeatedly to get her attention, but she was completely fixated on
her tablet."

foresee (verb) – to know about something before it happens

"Experts foresee an increase in extreme weather events in the future as a result of
climate change."

interpret (verb) – to explain or decide what you think something means

"The doctor will interpret the results of the x-ray and explain them to the patient."

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presume (verb) – to think that something is likely to be true, although you are not
certain
"I presume I'll be home in time for dinner, but it depends on the traffic."

reconsider (verb) – to think again about a decision or opinion and decide if you want to
change it
"I know you're angry, but please reconsider your decision. I don't want to break up."

reject (verb) – to refuse to accept or agree with something

"I finally heard back from the master's program I applied to. They rejected me! I'm so
upset. I really wanted to go."

review (verb) – to consider something again in order to decide if changes should be

made
"I made some changes to my essay. Will you review it again and let me know if it still
needs more work?"

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Unit 3, Lesson 2
Describing emotional reactions

composed (adjective) – calm and in control of your emotions

"I told Marion that we lost the account. I was worried she would be angry, but she was
very calm and composed about it."

defensive (adjective) – quick to protect yourself from being criticized

"Every time I try to talk to James about our problems, he gets so defensive. He just
keeps saying he hasn't done anything wrong."

flustered (adjective) – upset and confused

"I tried to meet my friend at the museum, but I got lost and couldn't figure out how to get
there. I was just so flustered and upset."

forgiving (adjective) – ready to forgive someone for something they have done
"I'm glad I apologized to my cousin. He was very forgiving when I explained what
happened. He's not angry anymore."

gracious (adjective) – behaving in a pleasant, polite, calm way

"We went to Paula and Bill's house for dinner. They were such gracious hosts. We felt
very comfortable there and had a great time."

harmless (adjective) – not able or not likely to cause any hurt or damage
"This is Rocky. Don't worry, he's harmless. He's actually really friendly."

hysterical (adjective) – If someone is hysterical, they cannot control their feelings or

behavior because they are extremely frightened, angry, excited, etc.
"When Sam realized that his stocks were now worthless, he became hysterical. I had to
help him calm down so we could figure out what to do."
mellow (adjective) – calm and relaxed
"I like spending time with Charlotte. She's always so mellow and calm. I always feel
relaxed with her."

melodramatic (adjective) – showing much stronger emotions than are necessary for a
situation

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"I think my sister is being a little melodramatic after our parents told her she can't go to
a party. She's acting like it's the end of the world."

resourceful (adjective) – good at finding ways to solve problems

"Kendra is really resourceful. When our train suddenly wasn't running, she figured out
how to take a bus back to our hotel."

spiteful (adjective) – intentionally hurting or upsetting someone

"My cousin is having a hard time with some bullies at her school. Kids can be so mean
and spiteful."

victorious (adjective) – having won a fight or competition

"We won the game! We're victorious!"

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Unit 4, Lesson 1
Describing things

circular (adjective) – shaped like a circle

"The apartment had a great circular pool, and we had exclusive use of it!"

cylindrical (adjective) – having the shape of a cylinder (a shape with circular ends and
long, straight sides)
"Butane gas usually comes in these green cylindrical containers."

delicate (adjective) – easy to damage or break

"My aunt has a collection of lovely china teacups. But they are very delicate, so I always
make sure to be very careful with them, so they don't break."

elaborate (adjective) – complicated, detailed, or made carefully from many parts

"There's a bakery near me that makes really elaborate cakes for special occasions.
They look so beautiful and complicated, you almost don't want to eat them!"

filthy (adjective) – extremely dirty

"Don't touch anything before you wash your hands! They're filthy."

flaky (adjective) – coming off easily in small, flat, thin pieces

"Spanakopita is a spinach pie made with a crispy, flaky crust. It's delicious, though it can
be a bit messy to eat because the crust flakes off everywhere!"

mammoth (adjective) – very large

"We went on a whale watching trip in Argentina and we saw a whale coming up out of
the water. I mean, it was absolutely mammoth. It was incredible to see such a huge
animal!"

miniature (adjective) – extremely small

"Miniature Eiffel Tower souvenirs are popular with tourists in Paris. People like to buy
small items they can bring back to their friends at home."

multicolored (adjective) – having many different colors

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"Tie dye is a process that makes bright, multicolored patterns on clothing. The colorful
style became popular in the 1960s."

ridged (adjective) – If a surface is ridged, it contains ridges (long, narrow raised parts).
"I like to cook zucchini on a ridged griddle pan to give it a nice grilled look and flavor."

spiral (adjective) – shaped in a series of curves, each one above or wider than the one
before
"The museum has a beautiful spiral staircase."

stringy (adjective) – long and thin, similar to string

"Mozzarella cheese has a stringy texture when it melts."

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Unit 4, Lesson 2
Eye idioms and metaphors

a bird's-eye view of (noun phrase) – a view of something from a high position above
"My cousin is a photographer. He has a drone camera that can fly high up to get a bird's
eye view of the city."

catch your eye (verb phrase) – to get your attention

"I was standing in the living room when something on the floor caught my eye. It was a
mouse!"

feast your eyes on (verb phrase) – to look at someone or something with great
enjoyment
"Come out to the balcony. You have to feast your eyes on this amazing view."

have eyes in the back of your head (verb phrase) – to know everything that is
happening around you
"When you work with children, you need to have eyes in the back of your head. You
always need to know where everyone is and what they're doing."

in the blink of an eye (prepositional phrase) – extremely quickly

"Our wedding day was really special, but it went by so fast. We spent so many months
planning it, and it was all over in the blink of an eye!"

in the public eye (prepositional phrase) – famous and written about in newspapers and
magazines and seen on television
"Many people imagine that they'd like to be famous, but it can be really stressful to
constantly be in the public eye. Some celebrities rarely have any real privacy."

in your mind's eye (prepositional phrase) – in your imagination or memory

"In my mind's eye I can still see my grandmother's kitchen where I spent so many days
as a child."

keep your eyes on the prize (verb phrase) – keep your focus on achieving a positive
end result
"Stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize! Get that goal!"

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see eye to eye on (verb phrase) – to agree with another person; to have the same
viewpoint
"My boss and I have a good relationship. We see eye to eye on a lot of things. We both
feel that a work-life balance is very important."

turn a blind eye to (verb phrase) – to ignore something that you know is wrong
"Teachers must not turn a blind eye to bullying in school. They must protect the victim
and put an end to the harmful behavior."

without batting an eye (prepositional phrase) – showing no sign of surprise or worry

when something unexpected happens
"I hate spiders, but my son doesn't mind them at all. If he sees one, he'll just watch it
without batting an eye."

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Unit 5, Lesson 1
Describing remote places

abandoned (adjective) – left in a particular place or condition, usually forever

"The farmhouse was abandoned after the flood, and no one ever came back to live in
it."

abundant (with) (adjective) – more than enough; a lot of

"Birds are abundant on the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland in England."

anonymous (adjective) – having no unusual or interesting features; with a name that is

not known or not made public
"You rarely see any trees in this area, it's just an anonymous stretch of open fields."

bare (of) (adjective) – not covered with anything; without trees or plants
"After a three-hour hike, we came to an area with high rocky slopes and a bare
mountain top."

barren (adjective) – Land that is barren does not produce crops.

"This desert is barren land. There are hardly any plants that can grow here."

deserted (adjective) – If a place is deserted, it has no people in it.

"We drove past a deserted town. There were no people there, just a bunch of
abandoned old homes and cars."

harsh (adjective) – very cold, dangerous, or unpleasant and difficult to live in

"I wouldn't want to live in a city like Chicago with its harsh winters. I hate dealing with
snowstorms and very cold weather."

hostile (adjective) – unpleasant or not suitable for living or growing

"Death Valley, California is one of the hottest places in the world. The conditions are
very hostile with temperatures sometimes reaching 52 degrees Celsius. If you want to
visit, you need to be prepared for extreme, unpleasant heat."

immense (adjective) – extremely big

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"Flying over the Alps was truly amazing. I looked out the window and saw the immense
stretch of mountains continuing as far as I could see."

isolated (from) (adjective) – a long way from other places

"We're going to stay in an isolated cabin in Ireland for a few weeks. I just want to be far
away from civilization and really disconnect."

lush (adjective) – A lush area has a lot of healthy grass, plants, or trees.
"We took a tour through the lush, green rainforest in Costa Rica. It's amazing to see so
many kinds of plants in one place."

nameless (adjective) – If something or someone is nameless, they have no name, or

their name is not known.
"We just stopped at some nameless rest area on the highway. There aren't any signs
here so I'm not sure what it's called."

picturesque (adjective) – A picturesque place is attractive to look at.

"We stayed at a beautiful ski resort in Austria. When we weren't skiing, we enjoyed
looking out at the picturesque view."

scenic (adjective) – having views of the attractive, natural things in the countryside
"We took a scenic drive through the countryside and saw some beautiful views."

unspoiled (adjective) – An unspoiled place is beautiful because it has not been

changed or damaged by people.
"We found a beautiful unspoiled beach where we relaxed for a while. We liked the
natural, peaceful atmosphere and that there weren't any tourists."

vast (adjective) – extremely big

"It's amazing to look out at the vast ocean and know that the other side is thousands of
kilometers away."

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Unit 5, Lesson 2
Talking about influences

consequence (of something for something/someone) (noun) – the result of an

action or situation, especially a bad result
"Excessive use of plastic products has had harmful consequences for the environment."

force (of something) (noun) – something or someone that causes a change or has an
effect on another person or thing; (verb) – to make someone do something, especially
something difficult or unpleasant, usually by threatening or not offering the possibility of
choice
"Music can be a very powerful force in people's lives. Playing or listening to music can
dramatically change a person's mood and make them more relaxed."

impact (of something on something/someone) (noun) – the effect that a person,

event, or situation has on someone or something; (verb) – to have a strong effect or
influence on a situation or person
"Going to college had a major impact on my life. I made a lot of my lifelong friends there
and developed passions that stayed with me for many years."

implication (of something for something/someone) (noun) – the effect that an action
or decision is likely to have on something else in the future
"The city has introduced a new bike-share program. They need to consider what the
implications might be on traffic as more bikes fill the streets."

influence (of something/someone on something/someone) (noun) – the power to

have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this; (verb) – to
affect or change how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks
"Growing up on a farm has influenced me in many ways. I still love animals and I prefer
to spend a lot of time outdoors."

motivate (verb) – to make someone enthusiastic about doing something

"Using technology in the classroom can motivate students to learn. They may find the
devices fun and interesting, which makes them want to participate more."

result in (phrasal verb) – to be the reason something happens

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"Increased security procedures at the airport has resulted in longer lines as it now takes
people longer to get through security."

source (of something) (noun) – something or someone that causes or produces

something, or is the origin of it; (verb) – to get something from a particular place
"Oranges and other citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. One orange
provides nearly all of the vitamin C you need for the day."

stem from (phrasal verb) – to develop as the result of something

"I have some pain in my knee which probably stems from running too much. I should
probably take it easy for a little while."

trigger (for something) (noun) – an event or situation that causes something to start;
(verb) – to make something begin to happen
"For some people, certain foods such as chocolate may trigger migraines (severe
headaches), so it's best to avoid those foods."

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Unit 6, Lesson 1
Using adverbs to add attitude

deeply (anxious, upset) (adverb) – very much

"I've been deeply anxious about my mother. I keep checking my phone to see if there's
been an update from the hospital."

genuinely (surprised, shocked) (adverb) – sincerely and honestly

"I didn't tell Maria I was in town. I decided to surprise her, and she was genuinely
surprised when she opened the door!"

highly (unusual) (adverb) – very or to a large degree

"We saw some black swans in the lake, which is highly unusual in this area."

immensely (popular, helpful) (adverb) – extremely

"The new exhibit at the museum is immensely popular. There's always a very long line
to get in."

incredibly (helpful, popular) (adverb) – extremely

"Thanks for showing me that trick with the spreadsheet. It's been incredibly helpful."

noticeably (thrilled, surprised) (adverb) – in a way that is easy to see or be aware of

"Julie was noticeably thrilled when she opened her gift. It felt great to see her so
excited!"

remarkably (calm, popular) (adverb) – in a way that makes you feel surprised
"Nancy was remarkably calm when Tim told her he wasn't coming to dinner. She'd been
waiting at the table for an hour, but she didn't get angry. I would have been furious!"

understandably (upset, shocked) (adverb) – in a way that you would expect

"Kristin was understandably upset when she found out she didn't get the promotion. I
would have been upset too. She really deserved the promotion."

utterly (shocked, thrilled) (adverb) – completely

"Sandra was utterly shocked when she found out that our boss quit. It was a big
surprise that no one expected."

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visibly (shaken, anxious) (adverb) – able to be seen
"I was walking with my daughter when we got separated for a few minutes. When I
found her, she was visibly shaken. She was clearly really scared when she couldn't find
me."

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Unit 6, Lesson 2
Using the prefixes under- and over-

overconfident (adjective) – having or showing too much confidence

"Chris is overconfident on his motorcycle. He thinks he's too good to get hurt, but he
really needs to drive more carefully."

overcrowded (adjective) – containing too many people or things

"We tried to go to the street fair, but it was overcrowded. It wasn't fun with so many
people everywhere, so we just went home."

overdeveloped (adjective) – having developed too much

"I think the beach area here is overdeveloped with too many hotels. I prefer a beach
with more natural beauty."

overestimate (verb) – to guess an amount that is too high or a size that is too big
"We overestimated how much food we would need for the party. There was a lot of food
left over."

overpaid (adjective) – paid too much or more than usual

"Most CEOs of large companies are overpaid. Some are paid more than 200 times the
average employees at their company."

overpriced (adjective) – too expensive

"$200 for this? That's so overpriced. I can find this for much cheaper somewhere else."

overrated (adjective) – If something or someone is overrated, that person or thing is

considered to be better or more important than they really are.
"Personally, I think New York City is overrated. Everyone thinks it's so great, but I found
it to be too crowded and expensive."

overwhelmed (adjective) – If you are overwhelmed, a feeling or situation is too much to

deal with.
"Many working parents are feeling overwhelmed trying to balance their work and
parenting duties. The responsibilities can feel like too much to manage."

overworked (adjective) – Someone who is overworked has to work too much.

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"Everyone here is overworked. We work long hours and we hardly have time for a
break."

underdeveloped (adjective) – without modern industry or modern services that provide

transportation, hospitals, etc.; not as advanced or powerful as possible or expected
"We stayed in an underdeveloped village in Madagascar for a few weeks. It was difficult
being in a place without electricity and other comforts."

underestimate (verb) – to fail to guess or understand the real cost, size, difficulty, etc.
of something
"We were shocked when we got our cell phone bill. We had really underestimated how
much it would cost to call our friends in Europe."

underpaid (adjective) – paid too little for the work you do

"Teachers in many places are underpaid. They don't make enough money considering
how important and difficult their work is."

underpriced (adjective) – used to describe something that costs less than it is worth
"Many small businesses are struggling to compete with underpriced products sold
online by large companies. Small businesses aren't able to sell items as cheaply."

underrated (adjective) – better or more important than most people believe

"In my opinion, jackfruit is one of the most underrated foods. Many people don't know
about it, but it has many great uses including being an excellent meat substitute."

underwhelmed (adjective) – not impressed, feeling no excitement or admiration

"Tim was distinctly underwhelmed by his boss's latest proposal."

underworked (adjective) – not having enough work to do

"Horses that are underworked and fed too much can have behavioral problems. It's
important for horses to work every day to use their energy."

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Unit 7, Lesson 1
Talking about ancestry

adopt (verb) – to legally take another person's child into your own family and take care
of him or her as your own child
"I adopted my son from another family when he was a baby. Now he's in second grade."

adopted (adjective) – An adopted child has been legally taken by another family to be
taken care of as their own child.
"They've got two adopted children and one of their own."

adoption (noun) – the act of legally taking a child to be taken care of as your own
"When my cousin and her husband wanted a child, they decided to consider adoption.
They adopted their daughter last year."

adoptive (adjective) – An adoptive parent is one who has adopted a child.

"This is my adopted daughter. I am her adoptive mother. I adopted her when she was
just a baby. When she gets a little older, I will tell her about her birth parents."

ancestor (noun) – a person related to you who lived a long time ago
"I learned that some of my ancestors migrated from Denmark to Italy and eventually to
the U.S. It's so interesting to learn about my family's past."

ancestral (adjective) – relating to members of your family from the past

"I decided to take a trip to my ancestral town in India. My ancestors lived here in the
1800s."

ancestry (noun) – your ancestors who lived a long time ago, or the origin of your family
"I've been learning about my ancestry and I've discovered some surprising things about
my great-great grandparents."

ethnic (adjective) – relating to a particular race of people

"My ethnic background is a mix of Middle Eastern and Eastern European. My dad's
family is from Jordan and my mother's family is from Albania."

ethnicity (noun) – a large group of people who have the same national, racial, or
cultural origins, or the state of belonging to such a group

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"I like living in a diverse city. People of many different ethnicities live here."

gene (noun) – a part of the DNA in a cell that controls the physical development,
behavior, etc. of an individual plant or animal and is passed on from its parents
"Identical twins look the same because they share the same genes which determine
their physical characteristics."

genealogy (noun) – (the study of) the history of the past and present members of a
family or families
"I've been studying my family's genealogy. I learned that my mother's ancestors lived in
a town in Italy for four generations before my grandparents immigrated to New York."

genetic (adjective) – belonging or relating to genes received by each animal or plant

from its parents
"There is evidence that musical talent is genetic. You're more likely to have a natural
talent for music if others in your family do."

hereditary (adjective) – passed to a child from its parents before birth

"Baldness in men is a hereditary condition. You can get it from your father or
grandfather."

heritage (noun) – a person's religious or ethnic background; the cultures, countries,

religious groups, etc. that a person's family or ancestors come from
"I already knew a lot about my family's heritage. They mostly have roots in Ecuador."

inherit (verb) – to have the same physical or mental characteristics as one of your
parents or grandparents
"I inherited my loud laugh from my mother. People often tell us we sound the same!"

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Unit 7, Lesson 2
Talking about customs and traditions

festivities (plural noun) – events that people organize in order to celebrate something
"Our wedding festivities included the ceremony, an outdoor dinner with dancing, and a
brunch the next day."

honor (verb) – to show great respect for someone or something

"We had a celebration at the office to honor Laura on her tenth anniversary with the
company."

keep (something) alive (verb phrase) – to continue to practice a tradition, custom, etc.
so that it keeps happening
"Even though we moved to the U.S., it's important to keep our Indian traditions alive.
We decided to have a traditional Indian wedding."

mark (verb) – If you mark an occasion, you do something to celebrate it.

"My father turned 70 last week. We had a party to mark the occasion."

observe (verb) – to obey a law, rule, or custom; to celebrate a holiday in a traditional

way
"In Mexico, we observe the Day of the Dead by wearing traditional face makeup."

pay tribute to (verb phrase) – to thank someone or say that you admire someone or
something, especially in public
"The company presented Paula with a special plaque to pay tribute to her for all she has
done for the business."

practice (noun) – something that is usually or regularly done, often as a habit, tradition,
or custom
"Tipping hotel staff is common practice in the U.S. It's customary to give a small amount
of money to your bellhop and cleaning staff."

rite (noun) – a ceremonial act or action

"Placing flowers on a coffin is a funeral rite in some cultures. It is a common part of the
funeral ceremony."

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ritual (noun) – an activity or a set of actions that are always done in the same way or at
the same time
"Every year on Thanksgiving, we start our meal when my mother carves the turkey at
the table. It's our family ritual."

significance (noun) – the importance or meaning of something

"In Japan, cherry blossoms (Sakura) have a special significance. The brief period when
they bloom marks a nationwide festival celebrating their beauty."

signify (verb) – to be a sign of something

"In Korea people have a special soup (called 'Tteokguk') on the Lunar New Year to
signify good luck and growing a year older."

symbolize (verb) – to represent something

"Wedding rings symbolize a couple's commitment to each other."

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Unit 8, Lesson 1
Talking about attention and distraction

avoid distraction (verb phrase) – to prevent getting distracted

"I like to study in the library because it's quiet and easier to avoid distraction. It's much
harder to concentrate at home with my roommates around."

be/get distracted (by) (verb phrase) – If you are (or get) distracted by something, it
makes you stop giving your attention to something else.
"It's very dangerous to get distracted by your phone while driving. You need to
concentrate on the road and ignore any messages until you are safely stopped."

be/get interrupted (by) (verb phrase) – If you are (or get) interrupted by someone or
something, they (or it) stop you while you are talking or doing something.
"I was working on the report, but I didn't finish it because I kept getting interrupted by
new messages from clients."

concentrate (on) (verb) – to think very carefully about something you are doing and
nothing else
"I really need to concentrate on this research assignment. I need to just work on this
and stop thinking about other things."

concentration (noun) – the ability to concentrate

"It was hard to follow what the teacher was saying, and eventually I lost concentration."

distract (verb) – to make someone stop giving their attention to something

"Sorry, what did you just say? My dog just distracted me, so I wasn't paying attention."

distraction (noun) – something that distracts you

"I can turn the television off if you find it a distraction."

focus (on) (verb) – to give a lot of attention to one particular subject or thing; (noun) –
the special attention you give to something
"I like to work in my studio where I can focus on my art projects without too many
distractions."

get focused (on) (verb phrase) – to start to focus on something

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"Having a cup of coffee in the morning helps me get focused on my work."

stay focused (on) (verb phrase) – to continue to focus on something

"It's hard for me to get focused in a noisy room."

interrupt (verb) – to stop someone while they are talking or doing something, by saying
or doing something yourself
"It's hard to get any work done when my kids are home. They keep interrupting me and
asking me to play with them."

interruption (noun) – something that interrupts someone or something

"He found he worked better at home without the constant interruptions of his staff."

lose focus (verb phrase) – to stop focusing on something

"I try to pay attention in class, but sometimes I just lose focus and start thinking about
other things."

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Unit 8, Lesson 2
Expressions with get

get accustomed to (verb phrase) – to experience something often enough that it

becomes normal to you
"When I moved to Tokyo, it took me a while to get accustomed to the local food. Now I
prefer it!"

get at (phrasal verb) – to try to suggest something without saying it directly

A: I'm not sure about putting Carla on this project.
B: What are you getting at? Is there a problem with her performance?
A: Honestly, yes. I think we need to let her go.

get attached to (verb phrase) – to start to like someone or something very much
"I brought home a stray kitten so I could help find it a home. But then I got really
attached to it and decided to keep it."

get blown away by (verb phrase) – to be very surprised or pleased by something

"That movie was incredible. I got blown away by the ending. I didn't expect it at all."

get complicated (verb phrase) – to become complicated (difficult to understand)

"Our algebra class was pretty easy in the beginning, but then it got complicated. I'm
having a hard time keeping up."

get frustrated (verb phrase) – to become frustrated (annoyed because things are not
happening in the way that you want)
"My boss is being so unreasonable. I just got so frustrated with him yesterday, I almost
quit."

get lost (verb phrase) – to become lost (not knowing where you are or where you
should go)
"While walking around Venice, we made a wrong turn and got lost. Eventually we
figured out how to get back to our hotel."

get rid of (verb phrase) – to throw something away or give something to someone
because you do not want it now

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"We went through our closets and got rid of some clothes we don't wear anymore. We
donated them to charity."

get something right (verb phrase) – to produce an answer or result that is correct
A: Hmm, I think the answer is Brazil.
B: Let's check the answers… yup, Brazil. You got it right!

get something straight (verb phrase) – to make sure that you completely understand a
situation
A: Hi. I have a question about my phone bill. It's much higher than I expected. I thought
it would be $40 a month, but it's actually $70.
B: Yes, that's the additional charge for your data plan.
A: So, let me get this straight… I'm being charged an extra $30 a month for data?

get the go-ahead (verb phrase) – to get permission to start to do something

"The builders got the go-ahead from the mayor to start building the new mall. They'll
start construction this week."

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Unit 9, Lesson 1
Discussing health issues

blood pressure (noun) – the force with which blood flows around your body
"Your blood pressure is 125/78, which is a little high. I'm going to recommend some
changes in exercise and diet."

cardiovascular disease (noun) – a group of disorders of heart and blood vessels,

which includes high blood pressure and several kinds of heart disease
"You have coronary heart disease, which is a kind of cardiovascular disease. This
means you are at high risk of having a heart attack. We will suggest medication and
some lifestyle changes to lower your risk."

cholesterol level (noun) – the measurement of how much cholesterol is in your blood
(cholesterol is a type of fat in your body that can cause heart disease if you have too
much)
"Good news! Your total cholesterol level is 142 which is within the healthy range."

chronic pain (noun) – pain that continues for a long time

"Arthritis is a condition that can cause chronic pain in the hands and other parts of the
body. The pain can be managed with medication, but it may never totally go away."

circulation (noun) – the movement of blood around your body

"Regular exercise can improve circulation so that blood flows well to different parts of
the body."

digestion (noun) – the process in which your body changes food in your stomach into
substances that it can use
"Eating too much dairy food causes poor digestion for me and gives me a stomach
ache."

immune system (noun) – the cells and tissues in your body that fight against infection
"There are many natural ways to boost your immune system so you can fight off
infections faster and get sick less often."

internal organ (noun) – an organ (a part of the body) that is inside the body, beneath
the skin.

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"In my anatomy class we learned about the functions of many internal organs including
the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines."

joint (noun) – a place in your body where two bones meet

"I'm having some pain in my joints. My shoulder and elbow are bothering me."

posture (noun) – the position of your back, shoulders, etc. when you are standing or
sitting
"It's important to have good posture when you sit. Keep your back and neck straight, not
curved."

sedentary lifestyle (noun) – If you live a sedentary lifestyle, you spend a lot of time
sitting down or not being active.
"Many more people are living a sedentary lifestyle which has harmful health effects.
People spend too much time sitting: while working, studying, driving, relaxing, etc."

side effect (noun) – an unexpected result of a situation

"Spending too much time on social media can have some negative side
effects including increased anxiety and sadness."

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Unit 9, Lesson 2
Discussing (lack of) sleep

add up (to something) (phrasal verb) – to increase gradually until there is a large
amount
"It may not seem like much, but if you save all of your change from purchases, after a
while it will add up to a nice sum of money."

build up (phrasal verb) – to increase slowly

"With one lane closed for construction, the traffic builds up and causes long delays."

cut back on (phrasal verb) – to spend less, do less, or use less of something
A: Would you like a donut?
B: No, thank you. I'm trying to cut back on sweets. I only eat them on special occasions.

cut out (phrasal verb) – to stop doing something, especially because it is bad for your
health
A: Would you like some coffee?
B: No, thank you. My doctor says I need to cut out caffeine. It's not good for my heart.

drift off (phrasal verb) – to gradually start to sleep

"I was so tired that I started to drift off during the meeting. I hope no one noticed I was
falling asleep!"

drive somebody to (something/do something) (verb phrase) – to make somebody do

something; to force somebody into a particular state, often an unpleasant one
"Too much stress at work drives me to eat unhealthy food."

fit (something) in/into (phrasal verb) – to find the time to see someone or do
something
A: A patient wants an appointment today, but your schedule is booked.
B: Hmm, my 2:00 won't take long so I think we can fit one in at 2:15.

keep (somebody) up (phrasal verb) – to prevent someone from sleeping

"I didn't sleep much last night. Someone's car alarm went off in the middle of the night
and kept me up for hours"

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pack something into (phrasal verb) – to manage to do lots of activities in a limited
period of time
"Many teenagers are exhausted from packing too many activities into their days.
Between school, sports, socializing, and homework, they're rarely able to get enough
sleep."

rack up (phrasal verb) – to get or achieve a lot of something

"If you save and use coupons often, you can rack up a lot of savings over time."

slip away (phrasal verb) – If a period of time slips away, it passes quickly.
"My week in New York just slipped away. Before I knew it I was heading back home."

wind down (phrasal verb) – to gradually relax after doing something that has made you
tired or worried
"At the end of the workday I like to wind down by just sitting and listening to music."

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Unit 10, Lesson 1
Discussing global food issues

appetite (noun) – the feeling that you want to eat food

"Reading this menu is giving me an appetite. Everything looks so good. I'm hungry!"

cattle (noun) – large farm animals kept for their milk or meat; cows and bulls
"Raising cattle requires having a lot of hay and other foods for the animals to eat."

cereal (noun) – a plant that is grown to produce grain

"Cereal crops such as wheat, rice, and corn are grown all over the world."

consumption (noun) – the amount used or eaten

"People's consumption of beef is harmful for the environment. We need to find ways to
reduce the amount of beef we eat."

fiber (noun) – the substance in plants that cannot be digested and helps food pass
through your body
"Foods such as beans and lentils are good for digestion because they are high in fiber."

foodstuff (noun) – a substance used as food or to make food

"People often stock up on basic foodstuffs before a storm in case they won't be able to
go to the store for a while."

grain (noun) – a seed or seeds from types of grass that are eaten as food
"Grains such as wheat, rice, corn, and oats make up a significant portion of many
people's diets."

livestock (noun) – animals that are kept on a farm

"Taking care of livestock is a lot of work. My father and brother feed the sheep while I
take care of the chickens."

nutritious (adjective) – that contains substances that your body needs to stay healthy
"It's important to eat nutritious foods that provide the vitamins, fiber, and protein your
body needs."

shortage (noun) – a situation in which there is not enough of something

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"After the storm there was a shortage of rice in the stores. You couldn't find it
anywhere."

superfood (noun) – a food that is considered to be very good for your health
"Blueberries, salmon, and kale are considered superfoods because they contain a lot of
important nutrients which could help keep you healthy."

supply (noun) – an amount of something that is ready to be used

"The supermarket has a good supply of bread now. There was a shortage last week, but
now they have a lot of it."

wholesome (adjective) – Wholesome food is good for your health.

"I feel good when I eat a nice wholesome breakfast of fruit, nuts, and yogurt. These
foods are healthy and give me energy."

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Unit 10, Lesson 2
Discussing global energy issues

biofuel (noun) – fuel (a substance that is burned to provide heat or power) produced
from plant material
"A plant called 'elephant grass' can be produced as a biofuel to provide heat or electrical
power."

carbon footprint (noun) – a measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide produced

by the activities of a person, company, organization, etc.
"Planes use a lot of fuel and have high levels of carbon emissions. Companies can
reduce their carbon footprint by limiting air travel."

carbon-neutral (adjective) – A carbon-neutral organization, activity, etc., is one that

does not release any carbon dioxide into the environment, or it removes the same
amount of carbon dioxide from the environment as it puts into it.
"This bus runs on electricity from wind energy and is carbon-neutral. It doesn't produce
any carbon emissions."

energize (verb) – to make someone feel energetic or eager

"Healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables, energize you better than sugary foods do.
They also have a lower carbon footprint."

fossil fuel (noun) – a fuel such as coal or oil that is obtained from under the ground
"Most vehicles are still powered by oil, a fossil fuel responsible for a lot of the world's
carbon emissions."

low-carbon (adjective) – producing lower carbon emissions than conventional fossil

fuel power
"Hydroelectric power, which comes from water, is a low-carbon energy source. It
produces much lower emissions than fossil fuels."

low-emission (adjective) – A low-emission energy source or vehicle emits relatively low

levels of carbon emissions.
"I'd like to find a good low-emission car that's better for the environment. Maybe I'll get a
hybrid electric car."

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off-grid (adjective) – not connected to the main electricity grid (a system of connected
wires and power stations)
"My relatives live in an off-grid village in India. It's hard to connect with them because
they don't have regular access to electricity."

power (verb) – to supply energy to a machine and make it work

"This generator can power a home in an emergency if the electricity goes out."

renewable (adjective) – A renewable form of energy that can be produced as quickly as

it is used.
"Wind energy is a good option for the environment because it's renewable. Wind will
always be available naturally."

self-sustainable (adjective) – able to maintain itself by independent effort

"I keep a self-sustainable garden. With compost, the plants themselves become soil,
which is then used to grow more plants."

solar panel (noun) – a piece of equipment that changes light from the sun into
electricity
"Many people are installing solar panels on their homes so they can receive energy
from the sun instead of relying on fossil fuels."

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Unit 11, Lesson 1
Describing color associations

capture (verb) – to perfectly represent an idea or feeling

"This painting really captures the mood of a foggy autumn day in England."

conjure up (phrasal verb) – to make a picture or idea appear in someone's mind

"These delicate blue flowers are called forget-me-nots. They always conjure up happy
memories of my childhood in the countryside."

convey (verb) – to communicate information, feelings, or images to someone

"The color green is often used to convey nature and environmentalism, like the symbol
for recycling."

evoke (verb) – to make someone remember something or feel an emotion

"In the past, photographers used a brown substance called sepia to print their
photographs. Today, they use the sepia tint to evoke a feeling of nostalgia."

imply (verb) – to suggest or show something, without saying it directly

"Many people choose to wear black and white for a job interview because a
monochrome outfit implies that you are confident, organized, and trustworthy."

reflect (verb) – to show or be a sign of something

"'Millennial pink' was the most popular color in 2016. This shade of pink appeals to all
genders and reflects social and cultural trends of the period."

resonate with (verb) – to have particular meaning or importance for someone

"The colors of the American flag really resonate with me. Red symbolizes valor, white
represents purity, and blue stands for justice."

transmit (verb) – to communicate information, knowledge, beliefs, etc. to others

"Red and orange are powerful colors which can transmit the idea of danger and
caution."

bold (adjective) – Bold colors are strong and very noticeable to the eye.
"We visited a beautiful field of tulips in Holland. The colors were so stunning and bold!"

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muted (adjective) – A muted color is not bright.
"The muted grayish colors in the photo evoke a calm, serious feeling."

neutral (adjective) – A neutral color is not bright, and not any definite color.
"I don't like to wear bright colors. I prefer neutral colors like light brown and off-white."

pastel (adjective) – having a pale soft color

"For our wedding we'll decorate the tables with pastel flower petals. I think the soft
colors are nice for spring."

saturated (adjective) – A saturated color is very strong or deep. It's pure and not mixed
with other colors.
"Children's toys are often in bold, saturated colors like red, blue, green, and yellow."

vibrant (adjective) – A vibrant color is bright and strong.

"We enjoyed walking around Burano, Italy and seeing the vibrant colored buildings. The
colors give the island a bright, friendly feel."

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Unit 11, Lesson 2
Color expressions

catch someone red-handed (verb phrase) – to find someone in the act of doing
something wrong or illegal
"There was no doubt that the man was the thief. The police caught him red-handed. He
still had the woman's purse when they caught him."

cut through red tape (verb phrase) – to deal with official rules and processes that
seem unnecessary and delay results
"Filing this insurance claim is such a hassle. There are so many forms to fill out and it's
so confusing. I wish there was a way to cut through all this red tape."

get the green light (verb phrase) – to get permission from someone to do something
"We got the green light from the client to proceed with the renovation. We can start
working today."

(be) green (adjective) – not experienced or trained

"When I got hired at the café I was very green, with no job experience. But I learned the
job very quickly."

(be/look) green around the gills (adjective phrase) – looking ill and pale
"Are you OK? You don't look well. You look pretty green around the gills. You should go
home and get some rest."

(be) a greenhorn (noun) – a person who is not experienced

"You just learned to drive. You're just a greenhorn now. Stick to the slow roads. When
you have more experience, you can drive on the highway."

green party (noun) – an environmentalist political party

"The green party candidate for mayor promises to reduce the city's carbon footprint over
the next four years."

(have a) green thumb (noun) – the ability to make plants grow

"My sister has a green thumb. Her garden always looks amazing."

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(be) in the red (prepositional phrase) – A company or organization that is in the red has
lost money in a particular period. A person who is in the red spends more money than
they earn.
"My parents' business has been in the red for a few months. I hope they can make
enough money to pay off their debts and stay in business."

see red (verb phrase) – to become very angry

"When I realized he was lying, I saw red. I was so angry."

turn red (verb phrase) – If you go/turn red, your face becomes red because you are
angry or embarrassed.
"I remember when I was a teenager, I would turn red when my parents yelled at me in
front of my friends. I would get so embarrassed!"

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Unit 12, Lesson 1
Talking about change

adaptation (noun) – the process or act of changing to suit a new situation

"Many animals have amazing adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh climates.
The Alaskan wood frog can freeze itself (stopping its breathing and heartbeat) to survive
extremely low temperatures."

disruption (noun) – something or someone that interrupts something and stops it

continuing as it should
"The snowstorm is causing a disruption to bus services. Expect delays."

disruptive (adjective) – causing trouble and therefore stopping something from

continuing as usual; changing the traditional way that an industry operates, especially in
a new and effective way
"Self-driving cars are an example of a disruptive technology. They are forcing traditional
car companies to radically change their business models."

embrace (verb) – to accept new ideas, beliefs, methods, etc. in an enthusiastic way
"Energy companies should embrace sustainable energy options instead of fighting the
changes."

facilitate (verb) – to make something possible or easier

"In my last job, I facilitated a project to digitize the company's budget process. It was a
big change, and I think I did a good job managing it."

implement (verb) – to make a law, system, plan, etc. start to happen or operate
"Our coach is implementing a new strategy for the game. We're going to start using it
today. I hope it helps our team win!"

innovation (noun) – a new idea or method that is being tried for the first time, or the
use of such ideas or methods
"Working in robotics is exciting because there's a lot of innovation in the field. My
colleagues are always coming up with new ideas to improve technology."

innovative (adjective) – using new methods or ideas

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"Solar-powered lights are a recent innovative product that have helped bring light to
remote areas and disaster zones."

resistance (to something) (noun) – If there is resistance to a change, idea, etc.,

people disagree with it and refuse to accept it.
"The director announced a big change in the way we communicate with our clients.
There has been a lot of resistance to the change. People think it will harm the
business."

shake-up (noun) – If there is a shake-up of a system or organization, big changes are

made to it.
"New technology has led to a shake-up in education. Schools are making big changes
in the way classes are taught."

transition (to something) (noun) – a change from one system or method to another,
often a gradual one
"The city has banned plastic bags, so people are making the transition to bringing their
own reusable bags to the store."

undergo (verb) – to experience something, especially a change or medical treatment

"The agriculture industry has undergone a lot of changes as a result of new
technologies. For instance, drones are now being used at a lot of farms to gather
information about crops."

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Unit 12, Lesson 2
Describing change

abrupt (adjective) – sudden and not expected

"An abrupt change in the weather ruined our day at the beach. One minute it was sunny
and beautiful, and the next minute it was pouring rain!"

desired (adjective) – A desired change is wanted.

"Having a baby was a big change for us, but a desired one. We have known for a while
that we wanted to start a family."

drastic (adjective) – sudden and extreme

"Wildfires in Australia have caused drastic changes to the region. Millions of acres of
land were destroyed."

fundamental (adjective) – relating to the most important or main part of something

"The rise of the Internet in the early 2000s marked a fundamental change to all aspects
of society. The way we work, communicate, shop, and socialize completely changed."

gradual (adjective) – happening slowly over a period of time

"It can be tempting to underestimate the effects of climate change because the changes
in weather are gradual, with temperatures rising a small amount globally each year over
many years."

lasting (adjective) – continuing to exist for a long time

"Poor air quality from wildfires can have lasting effects on people's health, causing
respiratory problems that could continue for many years."

profound (adjective) – If a change or effect is profound, it is extreme.

"Leaving my job in finance to become a teacher was the most profound change I've
made in my life. I'm glad I had the courage to make such a big change."

radical (adjective) – A radical change is very big and important.

"Small changes won't be enough to reverse the climate change crisis. We
need radical changes in all areas of energy consumption."

refreshing (adjective) – different and interesting

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"Coming out to the countryside is a refreshing change from our busy city life."

subtle (adjective) – not obvious or easy to notice

A: I got my hair cut yesterday. What do you think?
B: Oh, I didn't notice at first. It's a subtle change, but it looks great.
A: Thanks! I told them not to cut too much.

sweeping (adjective) – affecting many things or people

"The mayor announced sweeping changes to transportation across the city, including a
new rail system. The changes will affect nearly everyone in the city."

unforeseen (adjective) – not expected

"The flight is delayed due to unforeseen changes in the weather. The snowstorm
changed direction and hit our area."

welcome (adjective) – If something is welcome, people are pleased about it and want it
to happen.
"Moving into a new home was a welcome change for us. We're thrilled to have more
space and to join a new community."

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