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Study outlines how college admissions practices benefit richest applicants

Video vocabulary

university

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US / ˌju:nɪ'vɜ:sətɪ /

UK / ˌjunɪˈvɜrsəti /

A1
  • noun
  • High-level educational institution; college

three

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US / θri: /

UK / θri /

A1
  • number
  • Number 3

this

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US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

school

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US / sku:l /

UK / skul /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being to do with schools and education
  • noun
  • Large group of fish that swim together
  • Education of a child
  • Building where you learn in classes with a teacher
  • A particular belief or idea about something
  • verb
  • To teach or train someone to know or do something

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to compare two things that are not equal

stress

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US / stres /

UK / strɛs /

A2
  • noun
  • Emphasis on part of a word or sentence
  • Pressure on something or someone
  • A state of mental tension, worry due to problems
  • verb
  • To emphasize one or more parts of a word, sentence
  • To put pressure on something or someone
  • To say your opinion strongly
  • To be in a state of mental tension due to problems

revisit

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US / ˌri:ˈvɪzɪt /

UK / riˈvɪzɪt /

B1
  • verb
  • To talk or think about something again
  • To visit some place or someone again

relative

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US / ˈrelətɪv /

UK / ˈrɛlətɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Measured or considered in comparison to another
  • (Grammar) referring to words that appear earlier
  • noun
  • Members of the family
  • Humans or animals sharing the same family history

pull

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US / pʊl /

UK / pʊl /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of breathing in smoke, as from a pipe
  • Force something has that draws other things to it
  • Using your hands to move something to you
  • verb
  • To breathe in smoke, as from a pipe
  • To hold something and move it toward you
  • To remove something by force

other

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US / 'ʌðə(r) /

UK / ˈʌðər /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A thing different from that mentioned
  • determiner
  • (Something) else; not the first (one)
  • pronoun
  • Being the one and only thing of that category

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1

lead

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US / li:d /

UK / lid /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being the main part in movies or plays
  • noun
  • Wire for electricity, computer, etc.; cable
  • Information that could help to solve a crime
  • Main part in a play or movie
  • Heavy, gray metal element
  • Rope used to tie something to stop it escaping
  • Act of being at the front in a race or game
  • verb
  • To show the way or guide others
  • To be at the front of a race or game
  • To travel in front of; go in advance of others

into

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US / 'ɪntə /

UK / ˈɪntu /

A1
  • preposition
  • Moving or going inside something
  • In the same direction as; in the direction of
  • So as to become; taking the state of

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

year

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US / jə: /

UK / jɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of time equal to 12 months or 365 or 366 days
  • Used to refer to the age of a person

simply

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US / ˈsɪmpli /

UK / ˈsɪmpli /

A1
  • adverb
  • In an easy or clear manner

live

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US / lɪv /

UK / liv /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being broadcast as events happen, not recorded
  • Carrying electric current; able to give a shock
  • Glowing because burning; hot
  • Not yet killed (for food)
  • adverb
  • (Music, drama) as it is performed
  • verb
  • To be alive
  • To experience a particular type of life
  • To make your home in a house or town

identify

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US / aɪ'dentɪfaɪ /

UK / aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ /

B1
  • verb
  • To indicate who or what someone or something is

harvard

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US / ˈhɑːvəd /

UK / ˈhɑrvərd /

A1

how

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US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To what degree? in what amount?
  • adverb
  • (Used to explain the way to do something)
  • exclamation
  • For what purpose or reason?
  • (Used to ask someone or something's condition)

critical

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US / ˈkrɪtɪkl /

UK / ˈkrɪtɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Making a negative judgment of something
  • Being important or serious; vital; dangerous
  • Most important part

classroom

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US / ˈklɑ:sru:m /

UK / ˈklæsˌrum, -ˌrʊm /

A1
  • noun
  • Room in a school where lessons take place

stand

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US / stænd /

UK / stænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Effort to fight against something
  • Piece of furniture; device to hold or support
  • Place in a stadium where spectators watch
  • Table where things are sold at a fair or market
  • verb
  • To be a candidate in an election
  • To be able to accept someone, something; bear
  • To last for a long time
  • To be upright; not be sitting or lying down
  • To place something in a particular position; place
  • To be (as stated)
  • To still be valid
  • To have an opinion about something

parent

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US / 'peərənt /

UK / ˈpɛrənt, ˈpær- /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's, animal's mother or father
  • Something creating other things of the same kind

candidate

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US / ˈkændɪdət /

UK / ˈkændɪˌdet, -dɪt /

B1
  • noun
  • Politician who is running for public office

accept

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US / ək'sept /

UK / ækˈsɛpt /

A1
  • verb
  • To agree to receive or take something offered
  • To admit that something is true or correct

make

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US / meɪk /

UK / mek /

A1
  • noun
  • Product made by a particular company; brand
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • To get to (a place) on time
  • To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
  • To create something by putting things together
  • To earn a certain amount of money at a job
  • To cause or force a person to do something
  • To cause something to happen or be formed

body

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US / ˈbɒd.i /

UK / ˈbɑdi /

A1
  • noun
  • An object distinct from other objects
  • A group of people involved in an activity together
  • Main part of something
  • A person's physical self

less

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US / les /

UK / lɛs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Smaller in amount or degree
  • adverb
  • To a smaller degree
  • noun
  • A smaller amount
  • preposition
  • With the subtraction of

follow

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US / ˈfɔləu /

UK / ˈfɑlo /

A1
  • verb
  • To come after someone; be guided by someone
  • To support someone, e.g. singer or comedian
  • To be the logical result of something
  • To happen after something else happens
  • To believe a set of values or a moral teacher
  • To understand something happening or being said

answer

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US / 'ɑ:nsə(r) /

UK / ˈænsɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Reply to a question someone asks
  • Solution to a problem or test question
  • verb
  • To reply to a question someone asks
  • To solve a test question or a problem

the

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US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

rate

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US / reɪt /

UK / ret /

A1
  • noun
  • Current price or cost of something
  • Speed or frequency of events over time
  • verb
  • To assess something or consider its qualities

might

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US / maɪt /

UK / maɪt /

A1
  • other
  • Used to politely request an action
  • Used to express that something could happen
  • Power, strength, force or influence

mention

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US / 'menʃn /

UK / ˈmɛnʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of referring to or talking about something
  • verb
  • To refer to or talk or write about something

earner

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US / ˈɜ:nə(r) /

UK / ˈɜ:rnə(r) /

A2
  • noun
  • Someone who earn wages in return for their labor

would

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US / wʊd /

UK / wʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate something imagined
  • Used to ask or request something politely
  • Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
  • Used to indicate a preference
  • Used to indicate a reaction
  • Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
  • Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

study

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US / 'stʌdɪ /

UK / ˈstʌdi /

A1
  • noun
  • Room that a person studies or reads in
  • Piece of research
  • Topic or subject you research or learn about
  • verb
  • To focus on learning something usually at school

really

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US / ˈri:əli /

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to stress something that is said; definitely
  • In a true or accurate manner
  • Very

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

maybe

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US / ˈmeɪbi /

UK / ˈmebi /

A1
  • adverb
  • Possibly but not certainly; perhaps

admission

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US / ədˈmɪʃn /

UK / ædˈmɪʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of allowing someone to enter
  • Taking responsibility for an error or mistake

income

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US / ˈɪnkʌm /

UK / ˈɪnˌkʌm /

A1
  • noun
  • Earned money from work, investments or business

fifth

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US / fɪfθ /

UK / fɪfθ /

A1
  • noun
  • 5th

now

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US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At the present time or moment
  • Right away or in the next possible moment
  • Used to refer to something that just happened
  • Time between the present and a moment in the past
  • conjunction
  • Resulting from or because of something

legacy

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US / 'leɡəsɪ /

UK / ˈlɛɡəsi /

B2
  • noun
  • Literature, arts etc. from previous generations
  • Something left or given by a person who has died

leader

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US / ˈli:də(r) /

UK / ˈlidɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Person who is in charge of a group or task
  • Person or group who is currently winning

detailed

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US / ˈdi:teɪld /

UK / dɪˈteld,ˈdiˌteld /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Developed or made with great care

significant

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US / sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt /

UK / sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
  • Having meaning; important; noticeable
  • (Statistics) being clearly different

expect

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US / ɪk'spekt /

UK / ɪkˈspɛkt /

A1
  • verb
  • To believe something is probably going to happen

research

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US / rɪ'sɜ:tʃ /

UK / rɪˈsɚtʃ, ˈriˌsɚtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Study done to discover new ideas and facts
  • Work done to find or discover knowledge
  • verb
  • To study in order to discover new ideas and facts

ivy

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US / 'aɪvɪ /

UK / ˈaɪvi /

B2
  • noun
  • Climbing plant growing up walls of buildings

life

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US / laɪf /

UK / laɪf /

A1
  • noun
  • All the living things e.g. animals, plants, humans
  • Period of time things live, from birth to death

give

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US / ɡɪv /

UK / ɡɪv /

A1
  • noun
  • Degree of flexibility in something, a material
  • verb
  • To hand over or present something to someone
  • To cause someone to have or experience something

good

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US / ɡʊd /

UK / ɡʊd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper, appropriate or right
  • (Of an amount) enough; plenty
  • Excellent; high quality
  • Acting well or properly; of moral character
  • In a positive or happy emotional state
  • noun
  • Advantage or benefit

especially

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US / ɪˈspeʃəli /

UK / ɛˈspɛʃəli, ɪˈspɛʃ- /

A1
  • adverb
  • More than usual; extremely

childhood

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US / ˈtʃaɪldhʊd /

UK / ˈtʃaɪldˌhʊd /

B1
  • noun
  • The time when you are a child

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

apply

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US / ə'plaɪ /

UK / əˈplaɪ /

A1
  • verb
  • To spread a substance or liquid over a surface
  • To commit your time and effort to doing something
  • To make something useful in a certain situation
  • To be relevant for a situation
  • To ask formally for (job, permission etc.)

same

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US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in quality and amount
  • Identical; not different
  • Not changing; constant

somebody

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US / 'sʌmbədɪ /

UK / ˈsʌmˌbɑdi, -ˌbʌdi, -bədi /

A1
  • noun
  • Important well-respected person
  • pronoun
  • Person who is not known or named

opportunity

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US / ˌɒpə'tju:nətɪ /

UK / ˌɑpɚˈtunɪti, -ˈtju- /

A2
  • noun
  • Time, situation when a thing might be done; chance

insight

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US / 'ɪnsaɪt /

UK / ˈɪnˌsaɪt /

B1
  • noun
  • Power to understand people and things very well
  • Very good understanding of something

wide

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US / waɪd /

UK / waɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a great distance from one side to the other
  • adverb
  • Fully; completely

whether

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US / ˈweðə(r) /

UK / ˈhwɛðɚ, ˈwɛð- /

A1
  • conjunction
  • If something will happen or not

surprising

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US / səˈpraɪzɪŋ /

UK / sərˈpraɪzɪŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Making you feel a bit shocked because unexpected
  • verb
  • To do something that another person didn't expect

sense

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US / sens /

UK / sɛns /

A1
  • noun
  • Certain mental feeling or emotion
  • Normal or clear state of mind
  • Meaning of a particular word, phrase or text
  • verb
  • To perceive using sight, sound, taste touch etc.
  • To recognize the presence of something

pleasure

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US / 'pleʒə(r) /

UK / ˈplɛʒɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Feeling of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction

can

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US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

advantage

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US / əd'vɑ:ntɪdʒ /

UK / ædˈvæntɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Thing making the chance of success higher
  • A positive point about something

deserve

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US / dɪ'zɜ:v /

UK / dɪˈzɚv /

A2
  • verb
  • To be worthy of, e.g. getting praise or attention

bracket

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US / ˈbrækɪt /

UK / ˈbrækɪt /

B2
  • noun
  • Placement of a word or words within ( ) [ or ]
  • Category including a range of people/things
  • 90ツー piece of metal used to support a shelf, etc.
  • verb
  • To place a word or words within ( ) [ or ]
  • To put into the same category or range together

actually

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US / ˈæktʃuəli /

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to add new (often different) information

new

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US / nju: /

UK / nu, nju /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not old, recently born, built or made
  • Being or doing something for the first time
  • Not felt, seen or known previously
  • Having been recently bought or obtained

here

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

A1
  • adverb
  • In this place; at this location, position or time

among

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US / əˈmʌŋ /

UK / əˈmʌŋ /

A1
  • preposition
  • In the center of several things

credential

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US / krəˈdenʃl /

UK / krɪˈdɛnʃəl /

B2
  • noun
  • Proof of identity or qualifications

sure

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US / ʃʊə(r) /

UK / ʃʊr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having no doubts about something
  • Have confidence in your own words or actions
  • Firmly established or held; being firm or stable
  • Being correct or true
  • adverb
  • What you say to agree willingly

third

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US / θɜ:d /

UK / θɜ:rd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 3rd: Number after second

point

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US / pɔɪnt /

UK / pɔɪnt /

A1
  • noun
  • An item to be discussed
  • Small spot or dot
  • Fact or detail
  • Feature of something
  • The size of the text on a page or screen
  • A certain time or stage in a process
  • Certain position in time or space
  • Idea or fact you try to convince people about
  • Measurement of scores in a game, sport
  • Sharp end of something, e.g. a pen or pin
  • verb
  • To face a certain direction, e.g. north
  • To indicate something with your finger to others

persist

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US / pə'sɪst /

UK / pɚˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /

B1
  • verb
  • To continue a course of action despite opposition

explain

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US / ɪk'spleɪn /

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

A1
  • verb
  • To make clear or easy to understand by describing

afford

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US / ə'fɔ:d /

UK / əˈfɔrd, əˈford /

A2
  • verb
  • To make available, to provide
  • To have enough money to pay for something

will

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US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

team

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US / ti:m /

UK / tim /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of people working on a task together
  • Group of people playing a sport together

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

A1
  • determiner
  • Used to refer a large number of things

forth

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US / fɔ:θ /

UK / fɔrθ, forθ /

B1
  • adverb
  • So as to be seen; out
  • Outward or forward in space, time

athlete

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US / ˈæθli:t /

UK / ˈæθˌlit /

B1
  • noun
  • Person trained to compete in sports

after

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US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

UK / ˈæftɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Later than another time, or behind something
  • conjunction
  • Following something before
  • preposition
  • When an event happened or time has passed

prestigious

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US / preˈstɪdʒəs /

UK / prɛˈstidʒəs, -ˈstɪdʒəs /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Respected as being important and with high status

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate what is proper or reasonable

sort

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US / sɔ:t /

UK / sɔrt /

A1
  • noun
  • Group or class of similar things or people
  • verb
  • To organize things by putting them into groups
  • To deal with things in an organized way

additional

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US / əˈdɪʃənl /

UK / ə'dɪʃənl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Further or added

reason

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US / 'ri:zn /

UK / ˈrizən /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to think about facts and form a judgment
  • Explanation for why something occurred or was done
  • verb
  • To think and make conclusions in a logical manner

capture

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US / 'kæptʃə(r) /

UK / ˈkæptʃɚ /

B1
  • verb
  • To attract and hold e.g. interest, attention
  • To record, tape, or film something
  • To catch and prevent from being free
  • To take control of a place or object by force

thank

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US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To tell someone you are grateful to them

miss

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US / mɪs /

UK / mɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • Action of not hitting something or someone
  • Form of address to unmarried girl or woman
  • verb
  • To be absent
  • To fail to hit something e.g. a ball
  • To do without something
  • To fail to see or sense something
  • To fail to understand someone's message
  • To be too late to ride on something e.g. train
  • To feel you want to see someone who is not there

look

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US / lʊk /

UK / lʊk /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's beauty or physical attractiveness
  • Particular style of dress, clothes, or appearance
  • The way someone, something appears to be
  • Act of searching for or examining something
  • verb
  • To appear to be; seem

attention

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US / əˈtenʃn /

UK / əˈtɛnʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Taking notice of someone or something
  • (Soldiers) Standing with straight backs

work

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US / wɜ:k /

UK / wɚk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Activity completed in order to make money
  • noun
  • The product of some artistic or literary endeavor
  • Everything created by an author, artist, musician
  • Activity you do in order to make money
  • Place of employment
  • Final product or result of a some labor or effort
  • verb
  • To bring into a specific state of success
  • To be functioning properly, e.g. a car
  • To do your job in your company or workplace
  • To make an effort to do something
  • To operate a machine or device

simple

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US / 'sɪmpl /

UK / ˈsɪmpəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not hard to understand or do; not complex
  • Having only a few parts; not complex
  • Being ordinary or normal
  • Being plain; without a lot added for style

show

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US / ʃəʊ /

UK / ʃo /

A1
  • noun
  • False display of love, emotion or action
  • An event for displaying or promoting goods
  • Play, opera or theater production
  • Presentation that is broadcast on TV or radio
  • verb
  • To be easily seen or displayed
  • To display your emotions or feelings
  • To let someone see something; display
  • To explain or teach how something is done
  • To lead someone somewhere; point them to something
  • To prove something to be true, correct
  • To reveal or allow something to be seen

change

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US / tʃeɪndʒ /

UK / tʃendʒ /

A1
  • noun
  • Exchange of one set of clothes for another
  • Money in the form of coins instead of paper
  • Money returned after giving too much
  • Act of making or becoming something else
  • verb
  • To exchange one set of clothes for another
  • To exchange one kind of money for another
  • To replace something with another thing
  • To make or become something else
  • To go from one train, bus, etc. and go to another

approach

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US / ə'prəʊtʃ /

UK / əˈprəʊtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Means of reaching a place, often a road or path
  • Request of someone with a specific goal in mind
  • Specific way to handle a project, task, problem
  • verb
  • To get close to reaching something or somewhere
  • To request someone to do something specific

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

reflect

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US / rɪ'flekt /

UK / rɪˈflɛkt /

A2
  • verb
  • To indicate or be a sign of something
  • To bounce back light, heat, sound from a surface
  • To show an image in glass, water, a mirror etc.
  • To think of something seriously and carefully

else

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US / els /

UK / ɛls /

A1
  • adverb
  • Otherwise; if you fail to
  • (Of person place thing etc.) besides; in addition

ago

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US / əˈgəʊ /

UK / əˈgoʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a specified length of time in the past

elite

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US / iˈliːt /

UK / iˈliːt /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Belonging to the richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society
  • noun
  • The richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society

evidence

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US / 'evɪdəns /

UK / ˈɛvɪdəns /

A1
  • noun
  • Factual proof that helps to establish the truth

take

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US / teɪk /

UK / tek /

A1
  • noun
  • Filming of a single scene for TV or the movies
  • verb
  • To accept something that is offered
  • To use a method of traveling, e.g. a bus or train
  • To use a camera to make (a photo)
  • To pick up something and go away with it
  • To study a subject in school
  • To attempt to pass (an exam)
  • To require a certain amount of time, money, space

activity

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US / æk'tɪvətɪ /

UK / ækˈtɪvɪti /

A1
  • noun
  • An action or task, e.g. sports, washing clothes

very

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US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a large degree or amount
  • adverb
  • A lot; much; many
  • Used to stress or emphasize a noun

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

institution

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US / ˌɪnstɪˈtju:ʃn /

UK / ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃən, -ˈtju- /

A2
  • noun
  • Organization created for a particular aim/purpose
  • Tradition, custom or system accepted by a group

geoff

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US / hɑ:ˈməʊniəs /

UK / hɑrˈmoniəs /

A1

who

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US / hu: /

UK / hu /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Which person
  • Used to introduce information about people

top

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US / tɒp /

UK / tɑp /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being good or great; excellent
  • Being the most in degree or quality
  • noun
  • Item of clothing covering shoulders to waist, hips
  • A cover or lid
  • Part (e.g. road) that is the furthest away
  • Highest or upper part or point of something
  • Best or highest status or position
  • Flat upper surface or edge of an object
  • Child's toy that spins on its point
  • Upper section or leaves of fruits and vegetables
  • Winning in a sport or contest
  • verb
  • To be higher or larger than a specific value
  • To arrive at the highest point of something
  • To put a cover or layer or over something
  • To kill; murder
  • To hold the highest position on a list
  • To be more important, successful or better than
  • To beat someone or win at a game

professor

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US / prəˈfesə(r) /

UK / prəˈfɛsɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Teacher who teaches at a college or university

outcome

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US / ˈaʊtkʌm /

UK / ˈaʊtˌkʌm /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that happens as a result, consequence

chance

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US / tʃɑ:ns /

UK / tʃæns /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening by luck; not planned
  • Taking a risk to try something
  • noun
  • The way something happens without planning
  • An opportunity; favorable circumstances, situation
  • The possibility that something will happen
  • verb
  • To occur just through luck; happen
  • To take a risk to try something

america

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US / ə'merɪkə /

UK / əˈmɛrɪkə /

A1
  • noun
  • The United States of America; North America and/or South America

all

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US / ɔ:l /

UK / ɔl /

A1
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally
  • determiner
  • Being every one of something
  • pronoun
  • 100% of something; the complete amount

score

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US / skɔ:(r) /

UK / skɔr, skor /

A2
  • noun
  • A sharp mark or cut in the surface of something
  • Current number of points given in a game, contest
  • The written notes and parts of a piece of music
  • An achievement of success
  • Number of points on a test
  • verb
  • To mark or cut something with a sharp object
  • To get or give points in a game, contest, or test
  • To achieve success with something
  • To get points in a test

middle

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US / 'mɪdl /

UK / ˈmidl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Equal distance from extremes
  • noun
  • Place that is halfway between two things

benefit

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US / 'benɪfɪt /

UK / ˈbɛnəfɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Good result or effect, something advantageous
  • verb
  • To have a good effect or be helpful

well

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US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in a fortunate, good condition or state
  • Healthy and in good condition
  • adverb
  • In an acceptable, proper, or successful manner
  • In a complete, total, or full manner
  • A great and considerable degree
  • In a successful way, in a good or satisfactory way
  • exclamation
  • Used to begin or continue a particular statement
  • Used to show you want to start saying something
  • Used to express that you are waiting for a reply
  • You say this to change the topic of a conversation
  • Used to indicate you are making a final remark
  • noun
  • Long deep hole in the ground to get water
  • verb
  • To cause your eyes to fill with tears

test

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US / test /

UK / test /

A1
  • noun
  • A medical examination
  • Action to establish the truth or nature of
  • Examination; questions to measure knowledge
  • verb
  • To be given a medical examination
  • To try to establish the truth or nature of
  • To ask a series of questions to measure knowledge

since

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US / sɪns /

UK / sɪns /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a point before the present time
  • conjunction
  • For this reason; because
  • preposition
  • From the time in the past that

pause

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US / pɔ:z /

UK / pɔz /

A2
  • noun
  • A temporary break before continuing
  • Function on a device to stop and restart it
  • Sign to hold a musical note a bit longer
  • verb
  • To stop doing for a while before continuing

piece

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US / pi:s /

UK / pis /

A1
  • noun
  • A counter in a board game
  • Small part of something larger
  • verb
  • To put items together to assemble something

lower

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US / 'ləʊə(r) /

UK / ˈlaʊɚ, laʊr /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • In a position more near the bottom
  • verb
  • To move something downward to the ground

grow

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US / ɡrəʊ /

UK / ɡro /

A1
  • verb
  • To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
  • To improve; to develop better skills over time
  • To develop and become bigger or taller over time

exact

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US / ɪɡ'zækt /

UK / ɪɡˈzækt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Completely correct; accurate; specific
  • verb
  • To get something, sometimes using force

extend

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US / ɪkˈstend /

UK / ɪkˈstɛnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To offer something (help, friendship) to someone
  • To reach from one point to another
  • To straighten or stretch something out, e.g. leg
  • To make something last longer

ask

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US / ɑ:sk /

UK / æsk /

A1
  • verb
  • To say to someone that you want something

spokesperson

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US / ˈspəukspə:sn /

UK / ˈspoksˌpɚsən /

B1
  • noun
  • Advocate who represents another’s policy/purpose

wealthy

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US / ˈwelθi /

UK / ˈwɛlθi /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having a great quantity of money or property

strong

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US / strɒŋ /

UK / strɔŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of tea or beer) dark or thick
  • Having big muscles; physically powerful

statement

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US / ˈsteɪtmənt /

UK / ˈstetmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Record of activity in a bank account over time
  • Act or process of saying something formally

much

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US / mʌtʃ /

UK / mʌtʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very; to a high level or degree
  • adverb
  • A lot; large amount; a high degree of
  • Nearly; basically
  • On many occasions; often
  • noun
  • A large amount; a great quantity

extremely

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US / ɪkˈstri:mli /

UK / ɪk'strimlɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • In a way that is much more than usual or expected

question

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US / 'kwestʃən /

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Issue or problems you are dealing with
  • What you ask about; issue
  • verb
  • To ask for or try to get information
  • To have or express concerns or uncertainty

shoot

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US / ʃu:t /

UK / ʃut /

A2
  • noun
  • Emerging new part of a plant
  • verb
  • To kick or throw a ball at a goal
  • To fire a gun; injure or kill someone with a gun
  • To (cause to) fly away forcefully
  • To use a camera to record a film/take a photograph

highly

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US / ˈhaɪli /

UK / 'haɪlɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • In a manner that shows approval
  • More than usual; to a great degree

those

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US / ðəʊz /

UK / ðoz /

A1
  • determiner
  • The people or things we are talking about
  • pronoun
  • The objects far from the speaker

possibly

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US / ˈpɒsəbli /

UK / ˈpɑ:səbli /

A1
  • adverb
  • May be true or likely, but is uncertain

applicant

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US / ˈæplɪkənt /

UK / ˈæplɪkənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Someone formally expressing interest e.g. in a job

rich

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US / rɪtʃ /

UK / rɪtʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a lot of money or valuable possessions
  • Containing a lot of exciting events or experiences and therefore very interesting
  • (of a color, sound, smell, etc.) Pleasantly deep or strong
  • If food is rich, it contains a large amount of oil, butter, eggs, or cream.

overall

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US / ˌəʊvər'ɔ:l /

UK / ˈovɚˌrɔl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Viewed as a whole; in general, not as details

eight

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US / eɪt /

UK / et /

A1
  • number
  • 8

time

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US / taɪm /

UK / taɪm /

A1
  • noun
  • Speed at which music is played; tempo
  • Point as shown on a clock, e.g. 3 p.m
  • Number of hours, minutes needed to do something
  • Occasion when something happens
  • Period or occasion that something occurred
  • Period in history or the past
  • Something measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
  • How long an event takes; duration
  • verb
  • To check speed at which music is performed
  • To choose a specific moment to do something
  • To measure how long an event takes, e.g. a race
  • To schedule something to occur at a specific moment

why

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US / waɪ /

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Question word to ask for a reason
  • exclamation
  • (Used to express surprise or approval)

league

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US / li:ɡ /

UK / liɡ /

A2
  • noun
  • Group of people, countries with a common goal
  • Association of sports teams that organizes matches

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

whom

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US / hu:m /

UK / hum /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Used in formal writing or speech

group

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US / ɡru:p /

UK / ɡrup /

A1
  • noun
  • Two or more musicians who play music together
  • Number of people or things gathered together
  • verb
  • To combine or collect objects or people together

part

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US / pɑ:t /

UK / pɑ:rt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To some degree; half; not fully
  • noun
  • Division of a book
  • Ratio of something, e.g. 3 of gin, 1 of tonic
  • A line in a person's hair, made with a comb
  • Character an actor plays on stage, movie, or TV
  • Some, but not all of a specific thing
  • Role in causing something to happen
  • verb
  • To make a line in a person's hair, by using a comb
  • To move two things apart creating a space
  • To leave someone, or to break off a relationship

six

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US / sɪks /

UK / sɪks /

A1
  • number
  • 6

have

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US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

economist

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US / ɪˈkɒnəmɪst /

UK / ɪˈkɑ:nəmɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • A person who studies economics

public

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US / 'pʌblɪk /

UK / ˈpʌblɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Owned by the government
  • Concerning society in general
  • Being available or accessible to people in general
  • Known or able to be known by all people

moment

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US / 'məʊmənt /

UK / 'moʊmənt /

A1
  • noun
  • Very short or brief period of time
  • A particular period in time

know

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US / nəʊ /

UK / noʊ /

A1
  • verb
  • To be familiar with a person or place, thing
  • To feel sure or be convinced about something
  • To discover or be aware of something
  • To be able to distinguish
  • To have knowledge of things

could

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US / kəd /

UK / kʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Past form of 'can' to mean have ability
  • Used to ask for something politely, or to offer

boost

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US / bu:st /

UK / bust /

B1
  • noun
  • An increase in something
  • verb
  • To increase something; to make something better
  • To push someone or something up from beneath them

with

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US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

A1
  • preposition
  • As an employee of a certain company
  • Against something or someone
  • By using something as a means
  • Due to; because of
  • Including
  • Possessing as a feature
  • Related to
  • (Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
  • Used to express that people or things are together

qualified

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US / ˈkwɒlɪfaɪd /

UK / ˈkwɑ:lɪfaɪd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having suitable abilities earned through study
  • verb
  • To earn a qualification through exam, studying
  • To (cause to) have the necessary skill or quality
  • To reach the next stage in a sporting event
  • To add conditions to limit what you said

process

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US / prə'ses /

UK / ˈprɑsˌɛs, ˈproˌsɛs /

A2
  • noun
  • Dealing with official forms in the way required
  • Set of changes that occur slowly and naturally
  • verb
  • To organize and use data in a computer
  • To deal with official forms in the way required
  • To prepare by treating something in a certain way
  • To adopt a set of actions that produce a result
  • To convert by putting something through a machine

percent

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US / pə'sent /

UK / pɚˈsɛnt /

A2
  • adverb
  • One one-hundredth of a whole; the symbol %

datum

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US / ˈdeɪtəm /

UK / ˈdetəm, ˈdætəm, ˈdɑtəm /

B1
  • noun
  • Item of factual information

low

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US / ləʊ /

UK / lo /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a small quantity, supply, or amount
  • Being unhappy or unpleasant in attitude
  • Not high; being near the ground, or bottom
  • (Of a voice, sound) being soft; quiet
  • noun
  • Situation of not having a lot of something

extracurricular

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US / ˌekstrəkə'rɪkjʊlə /

UK / ˌekstrəkə'rɪkjələ /

C2
  • adjecitve
  • Outside the regular academic curriculum

focus

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US / 'fəʊkəs /

UK / ˈfokəs /

A2
  • noun
  • Main purpose or center of interest or activity
  • verb
  • To see clearly by adjusting your eyes or a camera
  • To keep your attention, concentration on one thing

end

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US / end /

UK / ɛnd /

A1
  • noun
  • The point where a process or activity stops
  • A point that marks the limit of something; finish
  • Goal or desired result
  • The tip, edge or limit of something
  • verb
  • To be the last part of something

economic

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US / ˌi:kəˈnɒmɪk /

UK / ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk, ˌikə- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning trade, industry, and money

hear

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

A1
  • verb
  • To be aware of sound; to perceive with the ear
  • To be told or find out information or facts
  • To consider or listen to a court case

decade

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US / ˈdekeɪd /

UK / ˈdɛkˌed, dɛˈked /

B1
  • noun
  • Period of 10 years

something

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US / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

UK / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

A1
  • adverb
  • In some degree or measure
  • noun
  • a person or thing of some value or consequence
  • pronoun
  • Thing that is not yet known or named
  • Approximately

beyond

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US / bɪ'jɒnd /

UK / biˈɑnd, bɪˈjɑnd /

A2
  • adverb
  • On or to the farther side
  • In addition to
  • preposition
  • Later in time than
  • Out of the limits of

princeton

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US / 'prɪnstən /

UK / 'prɪnstən /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A historic borough in west central New Jersey, home to Princeton University; population 17,438 (est.

neighbourhood

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US / ˈneɪbəhʊd /

UK / ˈneɪbərhʊd /

B1
  • noun
  • Area of a town or city that people live in

college

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US / 'kɒlɪdʒ /

UK / 'kɑːlɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • School or educational institution for adults

another

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US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One more, but not this
  • determiner
  • One more added
  • pronoun
  • One more (thing)

throughout

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US / θru:ˈaʊt /

UK / θruˈaʊt /

A2
  • adverb
  • From the beginning of something until the end
  • preposition
  • Over/across an entire place/thing; in every part

selective

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US / sɪˈlektɪv /

UK / sɪˈlɛktɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Choosing through thoughtful comparison

kid

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US / kɪd /

UK / kɪd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Made from young goat skin
  • noun
  • Child or young person
  • Young goat
  • verb
  • To make fun of someone in a gentle way; to tease

finding

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US / ˈfaɪndɪŋ /

UK / ˈfaɪndɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Something you discover or find out; a result
  • verb
  • To become aware of something that is happening
  • To discover or meet by chance
  • To decide if someone is guilty of a crime, or not
  • To learn through study, research, or effort
  • To discover something by looking for it

direct

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US / də'rekt /

UK / dɪˈrɛkt, daɪ- /

A2
  • adverb
  • Coming straight from something
  • verb
  • To tell someone in a very clear way to do something
  • To show the way by conducting or leading
  • To control the acting in a movie or play

variety

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US / və'raɪətɪ /

UK / vəˈraɪɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Particular type of thing or person

certainly

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US / ˈsə:tnli /

UK / ˈsɚtnli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Sure; of course

back

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US / bæk /

UK / bæk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Farthest from the front e.g. in a classroom
  • adverb
  • Have returned to a place you were before
  • noun
  • The part of a chair that the upper body leans upon
  • Location at the rear of something
  • The reverse of side something
  • Area on the rear of your body
  • verb
  • To bet money on something
  • To go backwards in a car
  • To support and encourage someone or some cause

and

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US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

base

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US / beɪs /

UK / bes /

A2
  • noun
  • Place military personnel live, train, and operate
  • Bottom part of an object that touches a surface
  • Unit of counting, e.g. 10 for counting
  • Most important idea or ingredient to add others
  • Origin or start from which something came
  • Main place where an organization or a person works
  • verb
  • To use as the starting point or origin for
  • To have as the main location for (company, etc.)

raj

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US / rɑ:dʒ /

UK / rɑ:dʒ /

A1
  • other
  • British dominion over India

double

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US / 'dʌbl /

UK / ˈdʌbəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or intended for use by two people
  • Two times the amount or degree; twice
  • Made of two parts that are the same, similar
  • noun
  • Person that is exactly like someone else
  • verb
  • To be used for two functions at the same time
  • To make or become twice as much

two

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • number
  • 2

possibility

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US / ˌpɒsə'bɪlətɪ /

UK / ˌpɑsəˈbɪlɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Something with a chance of happening or being true

join

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US / dʒɔɪn /

UK / dʒɔɪn /

A1
  • verb
  • To bring something close to another, to become one
  • To become a member of
  • To participate in an activity with others

think

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US / θɪŋk /

UK / θɪŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To have an idea about something without certainty
  • To have an idea, opinion or belief about something

squeeze

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US / skwi:z /

UK / skwiz /

C1
  • noun
  • Amount of liquid from firmly pressing e.g. orange
  • Act of putting pressure on, as to get liquid out
  • When there is not enough space for things/people
  • Act of firmly pressing on two or more sides
  • verb
  • To force or threaten someone to give you something
  • To strongly compress something to get liquid out
  • To be pressed together or crowded into an area
  • To press together the opposite sides of something
  • To reduce the amount of something

particular

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US / pəˈtɪkjələ(r) /

UK / pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ, pəˈtɪk- /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • One specific (one)
  • Having firm ideas about what is desirable
  • Being special or more than is typical

come

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US / kʌm /

UK / kʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To arrive at a place
  • (Of mail) to be delivered
  • To move toward someone; go with someone
  • To reach a certain point or state

attend

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US / əˈtend /

UK / əˈtɛnd /

B1
  • verb
  • To take care of someone in need
  • To listen or watch carefully; to concentrate
  • To be present at an event
  • To go to a place regularly

any

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US / 'enɪ /

UK / ˈɛni /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One, or some, no matter which
  • pronoun
  • One (thing) of many; some

share

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US / ʃeə(r) /

UK / ʃɛr /

A2
  • noun
  • Part-ownership in a property, business or company
  • Part of a company you own, shown by a certificate
  • verb
  • To divide something between two or more people
  • To allow others to use your things equally
  • To give information, etc. to someone

over

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US / 'əʊvə(r) /

UK / ˈovɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Finished; no longer happening
  • Towards the ground/away from a standing position
  • noun
  • A set of six consecutive balls bowled in cricket
  • other
  • Finished
  • preposition
  • Showing the relation when a thing is above another
  • On or covering something
  • Above or across something
  • More than you need
  • From one side to the other
  • In the direction of; toward

out

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US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • No longer stylish (e.g. fashion)
  • Away from home, business, or the usual place
  • In a direction/movement away from inside or center
  • noun
  • Act when a batter cannot continue playing
  • verb
  • To tell people a secret

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

A1
  • preposition
  • Starting at a particular place, time or level

tend

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US / tend /

UK / tɛnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To move or act in a certain manner
  • To take care of
  • To regularly behave in a certain way

primarily

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US / praɪˈmerəli /

UK / praɪˈmɛrəli, -ˈmɛr- /

A2
  • adverb
  • In the most basic or important way

great

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US / ɡreɪt /

UK / ɡret /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very large in size
  • Very important
  • Very good; fantastic; wonderful
  • adverb
  • Very good; better than before
  • noun
  • Successful and well-admired person

enough

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US / ɪˈnʌf /

UK / ɪˈnʌf /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Sufficient to answer the need
  • adverb
  • To a satisfactory degree
  • pronoun
  • Equal to what is needed; as much as required
  • Adequate number or amount

find

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US / faɪnd /

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A1
  • noun
  • Object discovered by chance
  • Things that have been discovered from searching
  • verb
  • To become aware of something that is happening
  • To discover or meet by chance
  • To decide if someone is guilty of a crime, or not
  • To learn through study, research, or effort
  • To discover something by looking for it

case

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US / keɪs /

UK / kes /

A1
  • noun
  • Container used to carry things, e.g. clothes
  • Set of facts about a crime
  • Set of facts about an event
  • Example or instance of something
  • verb
  • To find out about a place, as in planning to steal

then

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US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • A time that is not now
  • Following another thing in time or arrangement
  • Following on reasonably from what was just stated
  • At that time, not now

student

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US / ˈstju:dnt /

UK / ˈstudnt, ˈstjud- /

A1
  • noun
  • Person studying at school

practice

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US / 'præktɪs /

UK / ˈpræktɪs /

A2
  • noun
  • The office and place for legal or medical work
  • Doing something many times to become better at it
  • verb
  • To work as a doctor or lawyer
  • To live according to the teachings of a religion
  • To do something many times to improve a skill

include

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US / ɪnˈklu:d /

UK / ɪnˈklud /

A1
  • verb
  • To make someone, something part of a group

family

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US / 'fæməlɪ /

UK / ˈfæmli /

A1
  • noun
  • Close group of people or organizations
  • A group of people who are related through blood
  • Group of related plants or animals

tell

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US / tel /

UK / tɛl /

A1
  • verb
  • To (strongly) advise a person to do something
  • To be able to guess
  • To say or communicate information to someone
  • To inform, but without speaking; indicate
  • To have a negative effect on someone
  • To order someone to do something; command
  • To recognize something based on certain signs
  • To report something to an authority
  • To explain something or teach someone something

affluent

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US / ˈæfluənt /

UK / ˈæfluənt /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Having plenty of money and possessions

twice

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US / twaɪs /

UK / twaɪs /

A1
  • adverb
  • Two times

percentage

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US / pəˈsentɪdʒ /

UK / pərˈsentɪdʒ /

B1
  • noun
  • Part of a whole divided into hundredths

diversity

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US / daɪ'vɜ:sətɪ /

UK / dɪˈvə:sɪti, daɪ- /

B1
  • noun
  • Having a range of different races, ideas etc.

bottom

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US / 'bɒtəm /

UK / ˈbɑtəm /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the part under something, e.g. a vase
  • noun
  • The part of your body you sit on
  • Lowest position, often in a company or contest
  • Lowest part of something; part on which it rests
  • Lowest level, part or point of an object
  • The part under something, e.g. a vase
  • verb
  • To hit the lowest part of something

second

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US / 'sekənd /

UK / ˈsɛkənd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 2nd; the one following first
  • noun
  • Unit of time; one sixtieth of a minute
  • Short period of time that you wait for someone
  • (Do) soon
  • verb
  • To agree to support a proposal at a meeting

recruit

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US / rɪ'kru:t /

UK / rɪˈkrut /

B1
  • noun
  • Person who has just joined the military
  • Person who has just begun a new activity or job
  • verb
  • To convince and help people to join the military
  • To find new employees, volunteers or members
  • To find people to join an organization or business

present

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US / 'preznt /

UK / ˈprɛznt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in attendance; being there; having turned up
  • noun
  • Gift
  • Verb tense indicating an action is happening now
  • Current time; now
  • verb
  • To introduce someone to others
  • To host a program on television or radio
  • To give a speech or presentation
  • To show something to someone who will examine it
  • To appear or happen
  • To give an award or prize to someone

get

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US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To become affected by illness or disease
  • To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
  • To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
  • To go somewhere to obtain something
  • To (cause to) do a particular thing
  • To obtain, receive or be given something
  • To currently have
  • To prepare for use
  • To understand something being said or read

first

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US / fɜ:st /

UK / fɚst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 1st; Coming before all others in time or place
  • noun
  • Something that has not happened before
  • Position of the winner of a competition

firm

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US / fɜ:m /

UK / fɚm /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Fairly hard or solid, not soft
  • Unchanging and strong
  • noun
  • Company that sells goods or services
  • verb
  • To make something become more solid or durable

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
  • Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
  • adverb
  • To a certain degree
  • determiner
  • Question words used for asking for information
  • exclamation
  • Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
  • Used to ask people to repeat something they said

sit

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US / sɪt /

UK / sɪt /

A1
  • verb
  • To take an exam
  • To be in a resting position on a chair
  • To provide seating for people
  • To remain in a still position while being painted

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Persons sharing culture, country, background, etc.
  • Men, Women, Children

like

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US / laɪk /

UK / laɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in status or kind to something else
  • Similar; the same
  • adverb
  • For example
  • preposition
  • Used as a filler; used to ad emphasis
  • In a way similar to the way something is done
  • Such as; for example
  • verb
  • To want to
  • To find something pleasing; to prefer something

even

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US / 'i:vn /

UK / ˈivən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in influence, power, possibility etc.
  • Being divided equally or fairly
  • (Of teams/contest) with similar chances of success
  • Smooth, level, or regular
  • Can be divided by 2; ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0
  • At a regular, equally steady manner
  • Remaining steady and unchanging
  • adverb
  • (When this is surprising) as well; too
  • (Used to compare two things/stress the difference)
  • verb
  • To make something level; to flatten
  • To make something equal

current

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US / 'kʌrənt /

UK / ˈkɚrənt, ˈkʌr- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Happening or being in the present time
  • noun
  • Electricity flowing through wires
  • Movement of water in a river, or air in the sky

cohort

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US / ˈkəuhɔ:t /

UK / ˈkoˌhɔrt /

B2
  • noun
  • Group of students studying something together
  • Friends or supporters of a person

about

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US / ə'baʊt /

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A1
  • adverb
  • To be ready to; going to
  • Nearly; approximately; roughly
  • Near; next to; close to
  • In every direction; in the area of
  • preposition
  • Concerning or of (a topic)
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • The study discussed in this video explores how college admissions practices tend to favor students from wealthy backgrounds. Conducted by Opportunity Insights, a group of Harvard economists, the study analyzes data from 12 top colleges in the United States between 1999 and 2015. The researchers discovered that among applicants with the same test scores, those from families in the top 1% of earners had a 34% higher likelihood of being accepted. Furthermore, applicants from the top 0.1% were twice as likely to be accepted. The study also reveals that colleges often prioritize legacy admissions and student-athletes when making admissions decisions. Notably, one in six students at Ivy League schools came from the highest income bracket. Raj Chetty, the director of Opportunity Insights and co-author of the study, sheds light on the admissions advantage enjoyed by students from wealthy families. He explains that three main factors contribute to higher admission rates for students from the highest income families. Firstly, legacy admissions provide a significant advantage for those whose parents attended the same college. Secondly, recruited athletes, who tend to come from affluent backgrounds, also receive preferential treatment in college admissions. Thirdly, non-academic credentials, such as extracurricular activities and leadership skills, often carry more weight for students from wealthy families.
  • Subtitles section
  • A new study out today shows how college admissions practices benefit the richest applicants.
  • Opportunity Insights, a group of Harvard economists, analyzed data from 12 of the country's top colleges from 1999 to 2015.
  • They found that among students with the same test scores, applicants with families in the top 1% of earners were 34% more likely to be accepted.
  • Those from the top 0.1% were twice as likely to be accepted.
  • And schools gave preference to legacies and student-athletes, among others.
  • Overall, one in six students at Ivy League schools had parents in the highest income bracket.
  • Raj Chetty directs Opportunity Insights and co-authored the study.
  • And he joins us now.
  • So, Raj, based on your research, how are elite institutions giving an admissions advantage to students who come from wealthy families?
  • Great to be here, Jeff.
  • So, what we're finding in this study, looking at detailed admissions data for many Ivy League and other highly selective colleges, is that there are three key factors that lead to higher admissions rates for kids from the very highest income families in America,
  • Families making more than about $600,000 a year.
  • The first is legacy admissions.
  • If your parents went to a given college, you have a five- or six-fold higher chance of getting into that college relative to somebody else with the exact same application credentials.
  • Second, recruited athletes have a significant advantage in getting into these colleges, and they tend to come primarily from very high-income families.
  • And third, we find that non-academic credentials—think of things like extracurriculars or other activities, leadership traits—outside the classroom, these credentials tend to be much stronger among kids from very high-income families,
  • And, in particular, much stronger among kids who went to elite private high schools, which, of course, tend to be attended primarily by kids from very high-income families.
  • Together, those three things explain why kids from the highest-income families are about two times as likely to get in as kids from middle-class families.
  • There are certainly people who will hear this and think that being wealthy affords all sorts of advantages in life.
  • It stands to reason that that would extend to college admissions.
  • Why, in your view, should this research give people pause?
  • I think what's surprising to us about this study is not simply that there are more high-income kids than middle-class kids at these colleges.
  • As you noted, we might expect that, given that there's accumulation of advantages that kids from high-income families have—going to better schools, growing up in better neighborhoods, so forth and so on—over many,
  • Many years.
  • What's, I think, critical that we're finding in this study is that's not enough to explain why you have one in six kids coming from the top 1 percent at our nation's top colleges.
  • Even relative to all those benefits, if you look at their SAT scores at the point that they're applying to college, something like 7 percent of kids with the highest SAT scores are coming from families in the top 1 percent.
  • But 16 percent of kids attending our nation's top private colleges are coming from families in the top 1 percent.
  • So what that's telling us is, even above and beyond the advantages they've had throughout childhood, the kids from high-income families are getting an additional boost in the admissions process at the best colleges.
  • Our team reached out to some of the elite universities mentioned in your study.
  • And a spokesperson from Princeton University says that this data is from 2015 and that the share of low-income students has changed since then.
  • Here's part of that statement.
  • The percentage of Pell-eligible students at Princeton has more than doubled since the first of the cohort Chetty analyzed was admitted more than a decade ago.
  • Lower-income students now make up more than a fifth of the student body at Princeton.
  • What do you make of that?
  • And is it a mistake to look at this data from eight years ago as if it captures the current moment?
  • So that's a great point.
  • And we look at how these things are changing over time as well.
  • And Princeton in particular has been a leader in admitting and recruiting more kids from lower-income families.
  • But what we're finding in particular in this study is that it's sort of the middle class that's being squeezed, that's missing from these colleges.
  • And in particular, if you look at admissions rates, they're the lowest from kids in what you might think of as upper-middle-income families, going to what you think of as good public schools, living in good neighborhoods.
  • Those kids have the lowest chances of getting in, lower than those kids at the bottom end of the income distribution, and especially much lower than the kids from the very, very top of the income distribution,
  • Many of whom are going to private schools and so on.
  • And so that piece of it, I think, still persists today to the present point, and I think is extremely important to think about at Princeton and many other colleges around the U.S. So if it's the kids from affluent families that are getting the advantages,
  • And kids from the lower-income families, in some cases, that are getting the attention from these schools that are focused on diversity, how should these universities make sure that their student bodies reflect economic diversity and include more middle-class families,
  • As you mentioned?
  • I think it comes back to thinking about the three factors we identified as driving the very high-income admissions advantage.
  • Does it make sense to have legacy preferences?
  • Does it make sense to be recruiting athletes in particular from the highest-income families?
  • And does it make sense to be focused on non-academic credentials?
  • Now, one point I would stress in that context is, when we follow these kids over time and look at their outcomes after college, you can ask, you know, is it the case that kids with these stronger credentials,
  • Extracurriculars and so on, maybe they're more qualified candidates.
  • Maybe they're doing better 10 years after college, and it's sort of merited that they're admitted at higher rates.
  • But actually, we find, when we look at a wide variety of outcomes, your incomes, your chances of working at a prestigious firm, going to a top graduate school, there actually is no evidence that the kids who are getting those admissions advantages are doing any better.
  • And so one simple answer to your question is revisiting whether those three advantages really make sense, possibly pulling back on them, could allow more middle-class kids a shot at these opportunities.
  • Another possibility is to take a need-affirmative approach and recognize that kids coming from less well-resourced schools, maybe they deserve a boost up in the admissions process as well.
  • Raj Chetty is professor of economics at Harvard University.
  • Thanks for being with us.
  • Thank you, Jeff.
  • My pleasure.