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Billion-dollar "highway to nowhere" leaves Montenegro in debt and at China's mercy

Video vocabulary

favour

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US / ˈfeɪvə(r) /

UK / ˈfevɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • What someone asks of you; helpful act; a kindness
  • verb
  • To prefer or promote over another

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

loan

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US / ləʊn /

UK / lon /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of allowing someone to borrow something
  • verb
  • To give money, etc. that must be paid back

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

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

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

against

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US / əˈgenst /

UK / əˈɡenst /

A1
  • preposition
  • In physical contact with, as for support; next to
  • In opposition to; disagreeing with

pandemic

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US / pæn'demɪk /

UK / pænˈdɛmɪk /

C2
  • adjecitve
  • (of a disease) existing in almost all of an area or in almost all of a group of people, animals, or
  • noun
  • a pandemic disease

expect

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US / ɪk'spekt /

UK / ɪkˈspɛkt /

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

publicity

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US / pʌbˈlɪsəti /

UK / pʌˈblɪsɪti /

B1
  • noun
  • Attention given to person/thing by news/radio/TV

compete

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US / kəmˈpi:t /

UK / kəmˈpit /

A2
  • verb
  • To try to beat others at something, e.g. a race

friendship

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US / ˈfrendʃɪp /

UK / ˈfrɛndˌʃɪp /

B1
  • noun
  • Feeling of liking someone; good relationship

finish

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US / ˈfɪnɪʃ /

UK / ˈfɪnɪʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • End of something; completion
  • Final coat (of paint) applied to a surface
  • verb
  • To use or consume all of something
  • To reach the end; to complete something
  • To put a final surface (e.g. paint) on something

care

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US / keə(r) /

UK / kɛr /

A1
  • noun
  • Treatment you receive for your health or safety
  • Something that a person worries about
  • verb
  • To feel interest, concern, or worry
  • To look after someone or something

sanction

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US / 'sæŋkʃn /

UK / ˈsæŋkʃən /

B2
  • noun
  • Official support or approval
  • Action taken to force a country to obey laws
  • verb
  • To allow or approve something

fund

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US / fʌnd /

UK / fʌnd /

A2
  • noun
  • Money collected, saved, or provided for a purpose
  • A specific account into which you put money
  • verb
  • To supply money for something

political

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US / pəˈlɪtɪkl /

UK / pəˈlɪtɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being active or interested in government matters
  • Diplomatic
  • Of the system of elections and government
  • Concerning government or public affairs
  • Involved in getting of power/influence in a group

down

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US / daʊn /

UK / daʊn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being sad, sick, or unhappy
  • Not operating, working, or functioning as expected
  • adverb
  • In a sitting or lying position
  • Towards or on the ground, floor, or bottom
  • Written or copied onto a piece of paper or book
  • noun
  • A period of play in American Football
  • The soft, smooth hairs that cover a bird's body
  • preposition
  • Along something's path, course, or direction
  • Going from a higher position to a lower position
  • verb
  • To eat or drink very quickly and without stopping

despite

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US / dɪˈspaɪt /

UK / dɪˈspaɪt /

A2
  • preposition
  • Without being affected by something; in spite of

about

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US / ə'baʊt /

UK / əˈbaʊt /

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)

tourism

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US / ˈtʊərɪzəm /

UK / ˈtʊrɪzəm /

A2
  • noun
  • Visiting to new places, e.g. abroad, for vacations

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’

own

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US / əʊn /

UK / on /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Belong to oneself
  • determiner
  • Yours, his, hers, etc.; not belonging to another
  • pronoun
  • (Something) belong to myself
  • verb
  • To have something as your property

hit

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US / hɪt /

UK / hɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • A planned killing, usually for money
  • Song, movie etc. that is successful
  • When someone strikes someone or something
  • Time when a player makes contact with the ball
  • Time when a website is accessed
  • verb
  • To have a negative impact on a person/place/thing
  • To press something, such as a button or switch
  • To suddenly realize the importance of something
  • To move your hand, a bat, etc. against with force
  • To fight, attack or damage something or someone
  • To arrive at a specific place, level, or goal
  • To make contact with the ball in a game or sport

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

backyard

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US / ˌbækˈjɑ:d /

UK / ˌbækˈjɑ:rd /

C2
  • adjecitve
  • Made in an amateurish or non-professional way
  • noun
  • Yard or garden behind a house

similar

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US / ˈsɪmələ(r) /

UK / ˈsɪməlɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Nearly the same; alike

refuse

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US / rɪ'fju:z /

UK / ˈrefjus /

A2
  • noun
  • Garbage, waste
  • verb
  • To not accept, allow, or give something

find

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US / faɪnd /

UK / faɪnd /

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

stay

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US / steɪ /

UK / ste /

A1
  • noun
  • Legal order to stop or delay an action
  • Strong rope or wire that supports a ship's mast
  • Period of time spent living in or visiting a place
  • verb
  • To keep trying without giving up
  • To remain in the same place and not move away
  • To spend time visiting a place or someone's home

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

quiet

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US / 'kwaɪət /

UK / ˈkwaɪɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Hidden, or done in a private way
  • Not loud; making very little sound
  • verb
  • To cause to become calmer or less loud

highway

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US / 'haɪweɪ /

UK / ˈhaɪˌwe /

A2
  • noun
  • Main road connecting places

example

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US / ɪgˈzɑ:mpl /

UK / ɪɡˈzæmpəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing, person which represents a category

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

billion

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US / ˈbɪljən /

UK / ˈbɪljən /

A2
  • noun
  • Number 1,000,000,000

nowhere

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US / 'nəʊweə(r) /

UK / ˈnoˌhwɛr, -ˌwɛr /

A2
  • adverb
  • Not in or at any place; no place

mountain

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US / 'maʊntən /

UK / ˈmaʊntən /

A1
  • noun
  • Very high piece of land, higher than a hill

involvement

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US / ɪnˈvɒlvmənt /

UK / ɪnˈvɑːlvmənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Act or process of joining in a particular activity

risk

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US / rɪsk /

UK / rɪsk /

A1
  • noun
  • Actions that cause potential problems
  • verb
  • To do something potentially dangerous or foolish

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

reckless

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US / 'rekləs /

UK / ˈrɛklɪs /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Being dangerous and not caring about the results

kilometre

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US / ˈkɪləmi:tə(r) /

UK / ˈkɪləmiːtər /

A1
  • noun
  • A metric unit of length equal to 1000 metres

return

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US / rɪ'tɜ:n /

UK / rɪ'tɜ:rn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Do again; repeated
  • noun
  • Faulty or unwanted product sent back to a company
  • Enter key; the main key on the computer keyboard
  • Profit made as a result of a business activity
  • Process of going back to a previous way or state
  • verb
  • To hit something back to the other player or team
  • To come back after being away from somewhere
  • To repay someone's actions, kindness etc.
  • To put, bring, take, give, or send something back
  • To occur again

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

its

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US / ɪts /

UK / ɪts /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Referring to or belonging to ‘it’
  • determiner
  • Of something; belonging or related to something
  • other
  • Possessive form of “it”

spectacular

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US / spekˈtækjələ(r) /

UK / spɛkˈtækjəlɚ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Impressive or out of the ordinary

asset

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US / 'æset /

UK / ˈæsˌɛt /

A2
  • noun
  • Thing that has value to you

nato

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US / ˈneɪtəʊ /

UK / ˈneɪtoʊ /

A1
  • abbreviation
  • NATO is an acronym

washington

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US / 'wɒʃɪŋtən /

UK / 'wɑ:ʃɪŋtənˌ 'wɔ:ʃɪŋ- /

A1
  • other
  • A state in northwestern United States on the Pacific

russia

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US / 'rʌʃə /

UK / 'rʌʃə /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A country in northern Asia and eastern Europe; population 143,500,000 (estimated 2015); capital, Mos

way

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US / weɪ /

UK / we /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to emphasize the amount of something
  • noun
  • Particular aspect of something being thought about
  • One of various choices that could be made
  • Particular existing condition or state
  • (Often long) distance or length of time
  • How something is done
  • Route to go to a place
  • Small street
  • Usual behavior, emotions or habits of someone

china

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US / ˈtʃaɪnə /

UK / ˈtʃaɪnə /

A1
  • noun
  • A communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the wo
  • other
  • High quality porcelain originally made only in China

vote

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US / vəʊt /

UK / vot /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of deciding who to choose in an election
  • verb
  • To make a choice for or against, as in an election

dollar

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US / ˈdɒlə(r) /

UK / ˈdɑ:lə(r) /

A1
  • noun
  • A basic unit of money equal to 100 cent

belt

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US / belt /

UK / bɛlt /

A2
  • noun
  • Band of material worn around a person's waist
  • Area with a lot of a particular feature e.g. corn
  • verb
  • To leave somewhere quickly (UK use)
  • To put a belt around something or someone

country

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US / ˈkʌntri /

UK / ˈkʌntri /

A1
  • noun
  • An area of land that is controlled by a government
  • Open land that is away from towns and cities

repayment

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US / rɪˈpeɪmənt /

UK / rɪˈpeɪmənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Payment of a debt or obligation

pay

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US / peɪ /

UK / pe /

A1
  • noun
  • Money you receive from your job, work, etc.
  • verb
  • To give money for goods or work done
  • To give (attention, respect, etc.) to
  • To be punished or suffer for something you did
  • To make (a visit) to a person or place

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

sustainable

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US / səˈsteɪnəbl /

UK / səˈsteɪnəbl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Capable of continuing for a long time
  • Able to be maintained without running out of

april

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US / ˈeɪprəl /

UK / ˈeɪprəl /

A1
  • noun
  • 4th month of the year
  • Person's name

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

option

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US / 'ɒpʃn /

UK / ˈɑpʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • A choice
  • Right to buy or sell at a certain price and time

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

initiative

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US / ɪ'nɪʃətɪv /

UK / ɪˈnɪʃətɪv /

B1
  • noun
  • Ability to come up with solutions by yourself
  • New plan or idea that is meant to fix a problem

see

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US / si: /

UK / si /

A1
  • verb
  • To go on a date with someone
  • To predict whether something is, or will be true
  • To understand what someone says
  • To use your eyes to look at something
  • To visit a place often for sightseeing or pleasure
  • To visit or meet with someone
  • To find out by waiting or looking
  • To watch (a game, movie or TV show)

world

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US / wɜ:ld /

UK / wɜrld /

A1
  • noun
  • All the humans, events, activities on the earth
  • Political division due to some kind of similarity

rely

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US / rɪ'laɪ /

UK / rɪˈlaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • Depend on with full trust or confidence

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

government

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US / ˈgʌvənmənt /

UK / ˈɡʌvənmənt /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of people and system that rule a nation

brussels

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US / 'brʌslz /

UK / 'brʌsəlz /

A1
  • plural noun
  • Brussels sprouts.
  • proper noun
  • The capital of Belgium, in the central part of the country; population 1,048,491 (2008). The headqua

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

finalize

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US / 'faɪnəlaɪz /

UK / ˈfaɪnəˌlaɪz /

B1
  • verb
  • To make preparations to bring a thing to a finish

month

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US / mʌnθ /

UK / mʌnθ /

A1
  • noun
  • One of 12 28-31 day periods in the year

problem

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US / ˈprɒbləm /

UK / ˈprɑbləm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Causing trouble
  • noun
  • Something difficult to deal with or causes trouble
  • Question to show understanding of a math concept

decade

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US / ˈdekeɪd /

UK / ˈdɛkˌed, dɛˈked /

B1
  • noun
  • Period of 10 years

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

next

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US / nekst /

UK / nɛkst /

A1
  • adverb
  • The one that follows another in time or order
  • At a time or place directly after the present one
  • noun
  • The one that follows after
  • adjecitve
  • Immediately after the previous one
  • First occurrence after the present one

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

dilemma

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US / dɪ'lemə /

UK / dɪˈlɛmə /

B1
  • noun
  • Position in which you must make difficult choices

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

far

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US / fɑ:(r) /

UK / fɑr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A long way away
  • Being a long way away
  • adverb
  • To a large degree or extent

europe

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US / ˈjʊərəp /

UK / ˈjʊrəp /

A1
  • noun
  • A continent including Germany, France and Spain
  • other
  • The second smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use 'Europe' to re

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

A1
  • adverb
  • Very; extremely
  • Greatest possible degree
  • pronoun
  • Nearly all of something

destination

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US / ˌdestɪˈneɪʃn /

UK / ˌdɛstəˈneʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • The place you are traveling to

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

call

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US / kɔ:l /

UK / kɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • A order or request for action
  • The sound an animal makes, often when in danger
  • A correct prediction, e.g. a decision in a game
  • A short visit to a place or person
  • A decision by a referee or umpire in a game
  • verb
  • To make a request or order for action
  • (Animal) to make sounds to warn of danger
  • To announce the date of an election
  • To make a judgment about something
  • To give someone or something a name
  • To guess in advance the result or outcome
  • To visit a place or person for a short time
  • To phone someone
  • To speak, announce or shout in a loud voice

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)

where

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US / hwɛə /

UK / hwɛr, wɛr /

A1
  • conjunction
  • At or in the place which
  • In whatever place
  • pronoun
  • Word you use to ask the location of something

pretend

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US / prɪ'tend /

UK / prɪˈtɛnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To act as if something is true when it is not

tumble

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US / 'tʌmbl /

UK / ˈtʌmbəl /

B1
  • verb
  • To fall downwards, hitting the ground a few times

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

seize

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US / si:z /

UK / siz /

B1
  • verb
  • To take a place with force, as by military action
  • To arrest or catch someone
  • To take someone's property with legal authority
  • To take hold of something suddenly and violently

help

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US / help /

UK / hɛlp /

A1
  • noun
  • Something given to enable a person to do something
  • Assistance given to someone in need
  • Someone who makes something easier or possible
  • verb
  • To act to enable a person to do something; assist
  • To make something better or less difficult

leverage

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US / 'li:vərɪdʒ /

UK / ˈlɛvərɪdʒ, ˈlivə- /

B2
  • noun
  • An advantage which gives you influence or power
  • verb
  • To use an advantage which gives you influence

financial

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US / faɪˈnænʃl /

UK / faɪˈnænʃ(ə)l /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Involving money

basis

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US / ˈbeɪsɪs /

UK / ˈbesɪs /

A2
  • noun
  • Main ingredient or part of something
  • Starting situation, fact, idea to develop from

chinese

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US / /

UK / /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the culture and people of China

news

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US / nju:z /

UK / nu:z /

A1
  • noun
  • Broadcast on radio or TV about recent events
  • Information about recent events

consequence

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US / ˈkɔnsikwəns /

UK / ˈkɑnsɪˌkwɛns,-kwəns /

A2
  • noun
  • Importance of a person or thing
  • Outcome of an event; result

request

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US / rɪ'kwest /

UK / rɪˈkwɛst /

A2
  • noun
  • Thing that has been asked for
  • verb
  • To ask for, usually politely and formally

land

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US / lænd /

UK / lænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Region or country
  • Earth; the ground
  • verb
  • To arrive or cause a boat to arrive at the shore
  • To obtain or get something that you wanted
  • To (cause to) come down to the ground safely
  • To cause to arrive in a specific place or state

struggle

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US / 'strʌɡl /

UK / ˈstrʌɡəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Strong efforts made to do something difficult
  • verb
  • To try very hard to do something difficult

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

nation

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US / 'neɪʃn /

UK / ˈneʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Area or region controlled by a government and army

infrastructure

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US / 'ɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r) /

UK / ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Basic necessary equipment for a country or region

ask

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US / ɑ:sk /

UK / æsk /

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

imply

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US / ɪmˈplaɪ /

UK / ɪmˈplaɪ /

A2
  • verb
  • To suggest something, without saying it directly

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)

per

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US / pə(r) /

UK / pɚ /

A2
  • preposition
  • In the manner directed or suggested
  • For each; during each

report

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US / rɪ'pɔ:t /

UK / rɪˈpɔrt, ˈport /

A1
  • noun
  • Account of the necessary facts and information
  • The telling of news in the media
  • Official statement about something
  • verb
  • To submit a report or bill to the government
  • To write in a newspaper or speak on a news program
  • To state something officially
  • To officially present yourself to an authority
  • To describe something by telling it to others

border

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US / 'bɔ:də(r) /

UK / ˈbɔrdɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Outer part or edge of something
  • Line separating one country, state from another
  • verb
  • To be right next to another country or state
  • To form the edge of something
  • To form the edge of (road, etc.)

meantime

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US / ˈmi:ntaɪm /

UK / ˈminˌtaɪm /

B1
  • noun
  • For the present; for a while

small

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US / smɔ:l /

UK / smɔl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Little in size; not big
  • (Of letters) not written in capital letters
  • Being insignificant or minor
  • (Of a business) with few people or things; local
  • (Of voice) being soft and quiet
  • (Of a child) being young

collateral

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US / kəˈlætərəl /

UK / kəˈlætərəl /

C1
  • noun
  • Property you offer as security against a loan

speculate

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US / ˈspekjuleɪt /

UK / ˈspɛkjəˌlet /

B2
  • verb
  • To take risks that might lead to big profits
  • To predict or guess what is possible or likely

afraid

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US / əˈfreɪd /

UK / əˈfred /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Worried that something bad will happen; scared

probably

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US / ˈprɒbəbli /

UK / ˈprɑbəbli /

A1
  • adverb
  • That is likely to happen or be true

debt

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US / det /

UK / dɛt /

A2
  • noun
  • Sum of money owed to someone that is not yet paid

heavily

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US / ˈhevɪli /

UK / hɛvəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a slow, loud manner
  • A lot or to a great degree
  • With great effort or force

strategy

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US / 'strætədʒɪ /

UK / ˈstrætədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Careful plan or method for achieving a goal
  • other
  • Branch of military dealing with command

previous

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US / ˈpri:viəs /

UK / ˈpriviəs /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Existing or happening before the present time

union

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US / 'ju:nɪən /

UK / ˈjunjən /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of joining two or more things into one
  • Marriage
  • Organization of workers to look after their needs

immediately

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US / ɪˈmi:diətli /

UK / ɪˈmidiɪtli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Without any delay; straight away

crossroad

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US / 'krɔ:srəʊd /

UK / 'krɔ:sˌroʊd /

C2
  • noun
  • Junction where one street or road crosses another

economy

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US / ɪ'kɒnəmɪ /

UK / ɪˈkɑnəmi /

A1
  • noun
  • Using money, resources in a careful, effective way
  • Total of all goods, services and wages in an area

deny

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US / dɪ'naɪ /

UK / dɪˈnaɪ /

A2
  • verb
  • To refuse to allow or accept something

global

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US / ˈgləʊbl /

UK / ˈgloʊbl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning, involving, affecting all of something
  • Of, affecting, or involving the entire world

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

stretch

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US / stretʃ /

UK / strɛtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Making arm, leg muscles longer to ease them
  • A consecutive row of things
  • A period of time
  • verb
  • To make your arm, leg muscles long to ease them
  • To make something bigger by pulling on it

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

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

hillside

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US / ˈhɪlsaɪd /

UK / ˈhɪlˌsaɪd /

B2
  • noun
  • Side or slope of a hill

france

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US / ˈfrɑːns /

UK / fræns /

A1
  • noun
  • A republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

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

price

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US / praɪs /

UK / praɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • Cost of something in money
  • verb
  • To determine or set the cost of something

bank

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US / bæŋk /

UK / bæŋk /

A1
  • noun
  • A financial institution that keeps or lends money
  • The side of a river
  • A row of things in lines (e.g. computers)
  • verb
  • To put or keep your money in a bank
  • To turn a plane when flying; (of a plane) to turn

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

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

bad

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US / bæd /

UK / bæd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not good; wrong
  • Lacking in good morals; evil
  • No longer fresh; spoiled

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

investment

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US / ɪnˈvestmənt /

UK / ɪnˈvɛstmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something purchased hoping its value will increase
  • Act of giving time, energy to see a future reward

state

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US / steɪt /

UK / stet /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning region within a country
  • noun
  • Region within a country, with its own government
  • Situation or condition something is in
  • verb
  • To say; declare as fact

bell

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US / bel /

UK / bɛl /

A2
  • noun
  • Metal object shaped like a cup that rings when hit
  • Electronic device that makes a ringing sound

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)
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • Montenegro, a breathtaking tourist destination, found itself in a dire situation when the pandemic hit, causing the consequences of a risky government decision to boost the economy to come crashing down. The government had taken out a billion-dollar loan to fund a portion of the Chinese-built mountain highway, which turned out to be one of the most expensive highways in the world on a per kilometer basis. As Montenegro struggled to repay the loan, the Chinese state bank threatened to seize assets or land if installments were missed. This move by China is not unprecedented, as they have previously seized important assets as collateral. However, Montenegro would be the first European country to experience this. Despite being part of NATO and potentially joining the European Union in the future, Montenegro's request for a bailout from the EU was denied due to China's leverage on its borders. The alternative presented by China is to expect political loyalty and friendship in return, which could include not voting in favor of sanctions against China. Private banks in the US and France stepped in to refinance the loan, although Washington denies involvement and the EU remains silent. This silence could be a result of fear that other countries facing similar financial problems may seek help from Brussels to restructure their debts.
  • Subtitles section
  • Montenegro is a spectacular destination.
  • It's easy to see why this nation relies so heavily on tourism.
  • So when the pandemic hit, the consequences of a government gamble to boost the economy came tumbling down the hillside.
  • It immediately struggled to pay off a billion dollar loan to fund a small stretch of this Chinese-built mountain highway.
  • It's one of the most expensive highways in the world per kilometre basis.
  • I wouldn't speculate on why the price is so high, but we need to find ways how to remain sustainable and finalise the highway.
  • The highway is another brick in China's Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing's global infrastructure investment strategy.
  • When the bell tolled on repayments, it was reported the Chinese state bank could seize Montenegrin assets or land if installments were missed.
  • Calling the previous government reckless would be probably a compliment.
  • Montenegro would not be the first case of China seizing important assets as a collateral.
  • But Montenegro would be the first one in Europe.
  • Montenegro is part of NATO and could join the European Union in the next decade.
  • In April, the EU refused a bailout request despite China's leverage on its borders.
  • The second option is the one we are not seizing assets, but we do expect political loyalty and political friendship from that government in return.
  • That can, for example, imply that you don't vote in favour of sanctions against China.
  • But this month, private banks in the US and France helped refinance the loan, taking on a risk they didn't need.
  • Washington denied involvement, and the EU is staying quiet about it.
  • They were afraid probably that other countries with similar financial problems might go to Brussels and ask for help in reprogramming their debt.
  • But it's a dilemma for the EU. Pretending it doesn't care is bad publicity in its own backyard, where China and Russia are competing with it for influence.
  • In the meantime, the highway is far from finished, an expensive road to nowhere in a country at the crossroads of Eastern Europe.
  • Redmond Shannon, Double News, London.