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Evolve Digital Level 6

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

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 1


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

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 2


"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!"

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 3


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."

ritual (noun) – an activity or a set of actions that are always done in the same way or at the same
time

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 4


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 5


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

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 6


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 7


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

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 8


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 9


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.

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

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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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 11


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"

pack something into (phrasal verb) – to manage to do lots of activities in a limited period of
time

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 12


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 13


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

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 14


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 15


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."

off-grid (adjective) – not connected to the main electricity grid (a system of connected wires and
power stations)

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 16


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 17


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!"

muted (adjective) – A muted color is not bright.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 18


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 19


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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 20


(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!"

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 21


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

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 22


"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."

Cambridge University Press & Assessment © 2023 23


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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