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| Contact Us | Vowel
Sounds |
Grammar and Idioms | For Young People |
| Ancient: very old, often related to past centuries, though informally used to exaggerate oldness |
| In ancient times, people had to suffer through many diseases. Sorry, but your stove is ancient. You really need to buy a new one. |
| Brilliant: radiating a lot of light, more commonly used to describe high-level intelligence |
| The stars are brilliant tonight. You can see thousands of them. That's a brilliant idea. I'm sure everyone will agree. I'm going to a concert tonight. Everyone says that this pianist is a brilliant musician. |
| Celebrated: well-known, famous |
| He's a celebrated mathematician. Everyone in mathematics knows who he is. |
| Commonplace: very normal, related to normal, everyday things |
| The professor said that my essay was commonplace. He wants me to try harder. In southern American states, the use of colorful idioms is commonplace. |
| Critical: reasonable and unemtional, analytical, often used in a somewhat negative sense |
| Please don't be too critical of my essay. I wrote it last night between 1am and 4am. She walked around the museum and looked at all the paintings with a critical eye. |
Practice 1: Complete the sentences with the correct word (answers are at the bottom of the page):
1. The ________________ author has published 20 novels and appeared on many talk shows.
2.
My husband is worried about seeing his uncle. His uncle is always
________________ and does not acknowledge my husband's accomplishments.
3. I'll introduce you to my account. He's _________________! He helped us save a lot of money last year.
4. Her mother sent her a teapot for Christmas. Only later, she learned it was an ___________________ family heirloom.
5.
I know you liked that book, but I thought it was
______________________. I feel as if I have read many other books just
like it.
More First Syllable Stress: pronounce these vocabulary words by stressing the first syllable.
| Curious: having wonder about something, wanting to know how something works or why something is there |
| Our two-year old was very curious about the swingset. She did not want to swing, but wanted to watch and observe for a long time. |
| Delicate: sensitive, fragile, being easy to break, anything with those symbolic qualities |
| I handled the old, delicate china, and I was very nervous about dropping it. The president is negotiating with our neighboring country. These are delicate negotiations. |
| Rigid: very stiff, having stiff quality, inflexible |
| His mustache was quite rigid. It never moved when he spoke. Some parents believe in rigid family rules while others are more flexible. |
| Vital: having life, being very important |
| Her vital signs were failing. Then the doctors performed surgery. It is vital that we have a meeting as soon as possible. Our company is at risk. |
| Wide: having a large mass from side to side, symbolically having a lot of space |
| Our company invites workers from many countries. Our doors are wide open. |
Practice 2: Complete the sentences with the correct word. Answers are at the bottom of the page.
1. She is a ________________ person. She is always having health problems.
2. Please do not be late tomorrow. It is __________________ that you arrive on time.
3. I am very _______________ about your business. How does it work?
4. The new grocery store has ____________ aisles. It is easy to walk through.
5. No one wants to work at that company. Their policies are ______________ and inflexible.
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