Professional Documents
Culture Documents
World Citizen II Vocabulary Lists
World Citizen II Vocabulary Lists
Vocabulary lists
Unit 7, Lesson 1 .............................................................................................................................. 2
Talking about ancestry ................................................................................................................ 2
Unit 7, Lesson 2 .............................................................................................................................. 4
Talking about customs and traditions.......................................................................................... 4
Unit 8, Lesson 1 .............................................................................................................................. 6
Talking about attention and distraction ....................................................................................... 6
Unit 8, Lesson 2 .............................................................................................................................. 8
Expressions with get ................................................................................................................... 8
Unit 9, Lesson 1 ............................................................................................................................ 10
Discussing health issues ............................................................................................................ 10
Unit 9, Lesson 2 ............................................................................................................................ 12
Discussing (lack of) sleep ......................................................................................................... 12
Unit 10, Lesson 1 .......................................................................................................................... 14
Discussing global food issues ................................................................................................... 14
Unit 10, Lesson 2 .......................................................................................................................... 16
Discussing global energy issues ................................................................................................ 16
Unit 11, Lesson 1 .......................................................................................................................... 18
Describing color associations .................................................................................................... 18
Unit 11, Lesson 2 .......................................................................................................................... 20
Color expressions ...................................................................................................................... 20
Unit 12, Lesson 1 .......................................................................................................................... 22
Talking about change ................................................................................................................ 22
Unit 12, Lesson 2 .......................................................................................................................... 24
Describing change ..................................................................................................................... 24
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.
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."
"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."
"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."
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
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."
"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!"
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."
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."
"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."
"Placing flowers on a coffin is a funeral rite in some cultures. It is a common part of the funeral
ceremony."
ritual (noun) – an activity or a set of actions that are always done in the same way or at the same
time
"In Korea people have a special soup (called 'Tteokguk') on the Lunar New Year to signify good
luck and growing a year older."
"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."
"It was hard to follow what the teacher was saying, and eventually I lost concentration."
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."
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."
"He found he worked better at home without the constant interruptions of his staff."
"I try to pay attention in class, but sometimes I just lose focus and start thinking about other
things."
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 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."
"That movie was incredible. I got blown away by the ending. I didn't expect it at all."
"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
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?
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."
"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."
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.
"In my anatomy class we learned about the functions of many internal organs including the heart,
lungs, liver, and intestines."
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."
"Spending too much time on social media can have some negative side effects including
increased anxiety and sadness."
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."
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.
"I was so tired that I started to drift off during the meeting. I hope no one noticed I was falling
asleep!"
fit (something) in/into (phrasal verb) – to find the time to see someone or do something
pack something into (phrasal verb) – to manage to do lots of activities in a limited period of
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."
"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 crops such as wheat, rice, and corn are grown all over the world."
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."
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."
"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."
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."
"I feel good when I eat a nice wholesome breakfast of fruit, nuts, and yogurt. These foods are
healthy and give me energy."
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."
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."
off-grid (adjective) – not connected to the main electricity grid (a system of connected wires and
power stations)
"Wind energy is a good option for the environment because it's renewable. Wind will always be
available naturally."
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."
"This painting really captures the mood of a foggy autumn day in England."
"These delicate blue flowers are called forget-me-nots. They always conjure up happy memories
of my childhood in the countryside."
"Many people choose to wear black and white for a job interview because a monochrome
outfit implies that you are confident, organized, and trustworthy."
"The colors of the American flag really resonate with me. Red symbolizes valor, white
represents purity, and blue stands for justice."
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!"
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."
"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."
"We enjoyed walking around Burano, Italy and seeing the vibrant colored buildings. The colors
give the island a bright, friendly feel."
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."
"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."
"My sister has a green thumb. Her garden always looks amazing."
"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."
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!"
"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."
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."
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."
"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."
"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!"
"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."
"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."
"The mayor announced sweeping changes to transportation across the city, including a new rail
system. The changes will affect nearly everyone in the city."
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."