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35-Year-Old Inspires Others by Teaching Himself to Read

Video vocabulary

crack

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US / kræk /

UK / kræk /

B1
  • noun
  • Attempt to achieve a goal or objective
  • Unexpected and hard hit to the body
  • Joke or impolite comment about something
  • Sound that is short, unexpected and loud
  • Small gap between two things or parts of things
  • verb
  • To attempt to achieve a goal or objective
  • To hit someone or something hard and unexpectedly
  • To tell (a joke)
  • To solve a challenging problem or mystery
  • To make a sound that is short, unexpected and loud
  • To lose control, e.g. under pressure; break down
  • To break so lines appear, but it is not in pieces

follower

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US / ˈfɒləʊə(r) /

UK / ˈfɑloɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Person who accepts the leadership of another
  • Person believing a set of values or moral teacher

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

message

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US / 'mesɪdʒ /

UK / ˈmɛsɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Main idea or theme in a story, book, or film
  • Piece of information that is told/given to someone
  • verb
  • To communicate using text

open

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US / 'əʊpən /

UK / ˈopən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Available for use; accessible
  • Not being hidden; available for others to see
  • Being available for customers to enter or use
  • Allowing everyone to use or take part in
  • Not secret anymore
  • Not closed or shut
  • Willing to accept new ideas and thoughts
  • noun
  • Name for a tennis or golf competition
  • verb
  • To make accessible or able to be used, e.g. road
  • To start the activities or services of a business
  • To make a space or hole appear in something
  • To move or change so that it is no longer closed
  • To start something, e.g. a new business

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

alone

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US / ə'ləʊn /

UK / əˈlon /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Apart from others
  • Without equal
  • adverb
  • Without anyone or anything else

big

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US / bɪɡ /

UK / bɪɡ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Popular
  • Serious
  • Large

james

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US / dʒeimz /

UK / dʒemz /

A1
  • proper noun
  • The name of seven Stuart kings of Scotland.
  • The name of two kings of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

little

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US / 'lɪtl /

UK / ˈlɪtl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being short in length of time
  • Not great in size, amount, or degree; small
  • Being very young or younger than others
  • adverb
  • By an amount or degree that is not very much
  • Not often; rarely
  • noun
  • A person's name

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

wow

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US / waʊ /

UK / waʊ /

A1
  • exclamation
  • Sound people make when they make are impressed
  • verb
  • (Informal) to greatly impress someone

free

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US / fri: /

UK / fri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Living, happening without being controlled
  • Costing no money
  • Not working; not busy
  • verb
  • To release (e.g. bird) from a cage or prison

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

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

word

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US / wɜ:d /

UK / wɚd /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of language that has a meaning
  • Promise
  • Short remark or piece of information
  • verb
  • To express something by choosing particular words

also

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US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition; too; in a similar way

five

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US / faɪv /

UK / faɪv /

A1
  • number
  • 5

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)

kind

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US / kaɪnd /

UK / kaɪnd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In a caring and helpful manner
  • friendly and considerate
  • noun
  • One type of thing

suspend

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US / sə'spend /

UK / səˈspɛnd /

B2
  • verb
  • To hang something or someone from something
  • To stop something for a period of time; interrupt

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

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

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

goal

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US / ɡəʊl /

UK / ɡol /

A2
  • noun
  • Something you try to do or achieve; an aim
  • (Sports) net into which you put a ball to score
  • (Sports) act of scoring by putting a ball in a net

specific

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US / spəˈsɪfɪk /

UK / spɪˈsɪfɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Precise; particular; just about that thing
  • Concerning one particular thing or kind of thing

man

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US / mæn /

UK / mæn /

A1
  • noun
  • Humans in general, including male and female
  • An adult male human being
  • Male who acts in a masculine way; not like a woman
  • verb
  • To control or operate (a machine); be in charge of
  • To operate a machine (a boat, etc.)

level

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US / 'levl /

UK / ˈlɛvəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Sports) equal to another
  • Being steady and determined (e.g. a voice)
  • noun
  • Specific height of something
  • Amount of ability you have compared to others
  • Floor or deck within a building
  • Tool used to determine if something is lying flat
  • verb
  • To aim a gun at someone
  • To destroy a building; flatten an area completely
  • To make things flat or even
  • To make a score equal to another, in sports

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

teach

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US / ti:tʃ /

UK / titʃ /

A1
  • verb
  • To help someone learn or do something

able

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US / 'eɪbl /

UK / ˈebəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Skilled; good at something
  • Having the ability to do something

bad

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US / bæd /

UK / bæd /

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

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

motivation

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US / ˌməʊtɪ'veɪʃn /

UK / ˌmotəˈveʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Reason behind why someone did something

yearly

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US / 'jɪəlɪ /

UK / ˈjɪrli /

A2
  • adverb
  • Once a year; every 365 days

while

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US / waɪl /

UK / hwaɪl, waɪl /

A1
  • conjunction
  • In spite of the fact that; although
  • During the time that; at the same time
  • noun
  • Short amount of time

reality

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US / rɪ'ælətɪ /

UK / riˈælɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • What is true, as opposed to what is imagined

story

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US / 'stɔ:rɪ /

UK / ˈstɔri, ˈstori /

A1
  • noun
  • One of many floors or levels in a building
  • Account or description of how something happened

visit

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US / ˈvɪzɪt /

UK / ˈvɪzɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • Trip to a place for a time, usually for a reason
  • verb
  • To go to a place for a time, usually for a reason

bookshelf

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US / ˈbʊkʃelf /

UK / ˈbʊkˌʃɛlf /

C2
  • noun
  • Shelf or shelves that hold books

excel

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US / ɪkˈsel /

UK / ɪkˈsɛl /

B2
  • verb
  • To perform an activity better than others

feel

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US / fi:l /

UK / fil /

A1
  • verb
  • To be aware of or experience an emotion, sensation
  • To sense through direct contact; touch

himself

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US / hɪmˈself /

UK / hɪmˈsɛlf /

A1
  • pronoun
  • The same (male) person who did the action

too

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition, also; with emphasis
  • Say that something is more than you want

quick

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US / kwɪk /

UK / kwɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Using very little time; moving far in little time
  • Learning and understanding rapidly and easily

tool

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US / tu:l /

UK / tul /

A2
  • noun
  • Device used to make things, e.g. a hammer
  • verb
  • To provide a workshop with the right equipment

try

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US / traɪ /

UK / traɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of putting the ball over the rugby goal line
  • verb
  • To make an effort, to attempt to do something
  • To examine someone or something in a court of law
  • To test to see if it is good or you like it
  • To make a person go through hardship; test
  • To examine something to see if it works

day

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US / deɪ /

UK / de /

A1
  • noun
  • A period of 24 hours beginning at midnight
  • The period of time when it is light outside
  • Person's name

skill

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US / skɪl /

UK / skɪl /

A2
  • noun
  • Ability to do something well

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

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

already

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US / ɔ:lˈredi /

UK / ɔlˈrɛdi /

A1
  • adverb
  • Having happened or been done before this time

episode

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US / 'epɪsəʊd /

UK / ˈɛpɪˌsod /

B1
  • noun
  • One separate event in a series of events
  • Show which is part of a larger story

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

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

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

thousand

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US / ˈθaʊznd /

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1,000

digital

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US / ˈdɪdʒɪtl /

UK / ˈdɪdʒɪtl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Using electronic signals or computers

realize

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US / 'ri:əlaɪz /

UK / ˈriəˌlaɪz /

A1
  • verb
  • To become aware of or understand mentally

myself

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US / maɪˈself /

UK / maɪˈsɛlf /

A1
  • pronoun
  • The same person who did the action mentioned
  • My regular, usual, or healthy self

promise

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US / 'prɒmɪs /

UK / ˈprɑmɪs /

A1
  • verb
  • To say you will certainly do something

california

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US / ˌkælɪ'fɔ:njə, -'fɔ:ni:ə /

UK / ˌkælɪ'fɔ:rnjəˌ -'fɔ:rni:ə /

A1
  • noun
  • A state in the western United States on the Pacific; the rd largest state; known for earthquakes

just

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US / dʒʌst /

UK / dʒʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper or appropriate; as is deserved
  • Doing or being what is right or fair
  • Legally correct; having enough evidence
  • adverb
  • Almost; nearly
  • Exactly at the time of
  • Exactly (the same as, like)

technology

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US / tek'nɒlədʒɪ /

UK / tɛkˈnɑlədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Use or knowledge of science in industry etc.

amazing

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US / ə'meɪzɪŋ /

UK / ə'meɪzɪŋ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Surprising in a pleasing way
  • verb
  • To cause wonder; to surprise completely

begin

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US / bɪ'ɡɪn /

UK / ˈbeɡɪn /

A1
  • verb
  • To do the first part of an action; to start

trauma

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US / 'trɔ:mə /

UK / ˈtraʊmə /

B2
  • noun
  • A very severe or upsetting experience
  • Serious injury to part of the body

ask

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US / ɑ:sk /

UK / æsk /

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

everybody

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US / ˈevribɒdi /

UK / ˈɛvriˌbɑdi, -ˌbʌdi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Every person; everyone

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

start

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US / stɑ:t /

UK / stɑrt /

A1
  • noun
  • First time or place that a thing exists; beginning
  • First opportunity to achieve something, e.g. a job
  • Sudden action or movement because you are scared
  • other
  • Beginning of something in place or time
  • verb
  • To do, be or happen for the first time; begin
  • To turn something on

yourself

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US / jɔ:ˈself /

UK / jʊrˈsɛlf, jɔr-, jor-, jə- /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Reflexive form of 'you', used for an emphasis

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

positive

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US / ˈpɒzətɪv /

UK / ˈpɑzɪtɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Showing agreement or support for something
  • Being sure about something; knowing the truth
  • Having the charge produced by electrons
  • Being good or useful
  • Showing that a chemical is present in a test

strong

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US / strɒŋ /

UK / strɔŋ /

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

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

through

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US / θru: /

UK / θru /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • having finished using or doing something
  • adverb
  • From the beginning of something until the end
  • preposition
  • Over, in, across an entire thing or place
  • Allowing you to pass between, or to
  • By a particular way or process; by the use of

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)

worth

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US / wɜ:θ /

UK / wɚθ /

A2
  • other
  • the financial, practical or moral value of somebody/something
  • having a particular value, especially in money

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

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

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

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

basis

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US / ˈbeɪsɪs /

UK / ˈbesɪs /

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

success

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US / sək'ses /

UK / səkˈsɛs /

A2
  • noun
  • Achievement of a desired purpose or goal
  • A successful person; one who achieved their aims

inspire

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US / ɪn'spaɪə(r) /

UK / ɪnˈspaɪr /

B1
  • verb
  • To give someone an idea to do or make something
  • To make someone feel a certain emotion

yeah

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US / jeə /

UK / ˈjɛə, ˈjæə, jɛ- /

A1
  • exclamation
  • Another way of saying 'yes'

right

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US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Correct or true
  • The south side of you looking at the rising sun
  • adverb
  • Exactly in a place or time
  • Being appropriate for a particular event
  • In a straight or direct manner
  • noun
  • Something you are legally or morally allowed to do
  • Ideal of what is just and good
  • Political view based on conservatism
  • verb
  • To fix something previously wrong or unjust
  • To make upright, as a boat that has turned over

thirty

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US / 'θɜ:tɪ /

UK / ˈθə:ti /

A1
  • number
  • 30

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

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

access

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US / 'ækses /

UK / ˈæksɛs /

A2
  • noun
  • Way to enter a place, e.g. a station or stadium
  • verb
  • To be able to use or have permission to use

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

student

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US / ˈstju:dnt /

UK / ˈstudnt, ˈstjud- /

A1
  • noun
  • Person studying at school

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

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)

bookcase

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US / ˈbʊkkeɪs /

UK / ˈbʊkˌkes /

C1
  • noun
  • Piece of furniture with shelves for storing books

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

eventually

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US / ɪˈventʃuəli /

UK / ɪˈvɛntʃuəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • After a long time; after many attempts; in the end

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

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

reaction

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US / rɪ'ækʃn /

UK / riˈækʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Bodily response to a drug or something eaten
  • Feeling or action in response to something

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’

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

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

catch

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US / kætʃ /

UK / kætʃ, kɛtʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Amount of something that has been caught
  • Trick or something trying to deceive
  • verb
  • To stop something flying and hold it
  • To stop something and not let it go, e.g. animals
  • To get sick or get a disease from someone else
  • To find someone to do something, a task
  • To get stuck on or in something
  • To be trapped so you can’t escape
  • To be able to understand what someone is saying

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

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

mean

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US / mi:n /

UK / min /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being good at
  • Nasty; unkind
  • Not liking to spend money; cheap; stingy
  • noun
  • Average of a set of numbers
  • verb
  • To express a particular idea or thought
  • To intend to do something in particular
  • To have a particular meaning or value

assist

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US / əˈsɪst /

UK / əˈsɪst /

A2
  • verb
  • To help

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

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

mentally

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US / ˈmentəli /

UK / ˈmɛntl:ɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • With or in the mind and thoughts

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

common

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US / 'kɒmən /

UK / ˈkɑmən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Shared; Belonging to or used by everyone
  • Typical, normal; not unusual
  • noun
  • Area in a city or town that is open to everyone
  • Field near a village owned by the local community

everyone

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US / ˈevriwʌn /

UK / ˈɛvriˌwʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Every person; everybody

journey

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US / 'dʒɜ:nɪ /

UK / ˈdʒɚni /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of traveling from one place to another; trip
  • verb
  • To travel through a place

priceless

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US / ˈpraɪsləs /

UK / ˈpraɪslɪs /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • So valuable that no cost can be set

who

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US / hu: /

UK / hu /

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

build

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US / bɪld /

UK / bɪld /

A1
  • noun
  • Your physical shape; physique
  • verb
  • To establish e.g. a reputation, over time
  • To construct a house, office, factory

costa

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US / 'kɒstə /

UK / 'kɒstə /

A1
  • other
  • A riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect

old

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US / əʊld /

UK / old /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having existed for a long time, not young or new
  • Age of a person since birth

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

workforce

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US / ˈwɜ:kˌfɔ:s /

UK / ˈwə:kˌfɔrs /

B1
  • noun
  • The total number of working people

quit

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US / kwɪt /

UK / kwɪt /

B1
  • other
  • To leave a school etc. without finishing
  • verb
  • To leave a job
  • To leave a place
  • To leave a school etc. without finishing
  • To end an action or activity

regardless

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US / rɪˈgɑ:dləs /

UK / rɪˈɡɑrdlɪs /

A2
  • adverb
  • Without being affected or concerned by something

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

honestly

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US / ˈɒnɪstli /

UK / ˈɑnɪstli /

A2
  • adverb
  • With truth or sincerity; I'm being honest with you

general

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US / 'dʒenrəl /

UK / ˈdʒɛnərəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Widespread, normal or usual
  • noun
  • Top ranked officer in the army

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

thank

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US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

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

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

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

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

nobody

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US / ˈnəʊbədi /

UK / ˈnoʊbədi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • No person; no one; not any person

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

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

fifth

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US / fɪfθ /

UK / fɪfθ /

A1
  • noun
  • 5th

landscape

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US / 'lændskeɪp /

UK / ˈlændˌskep /

B1
  • noun
  • Area or scene of activity, especially in politics
  • Picture of natural scenery in a place
  • View of a (beautiful) country area or scene
  • verb
  • To make gardens that improve an area of land

oliver

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US / ˈɔlivə /

UK / ˈɑləvɚ /

A1
  • proper noun
  • The companion of Roland in the Chanson de Roland.

business

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US / ˈbɪznəs /

UK / ˈbɪznɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • A company formed for making profit
  • Matter that has to be dealt with; task; situation
  • Activity of working to make a profit

mesa

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US / ˈmeɪsə /

UK / ˈmesə /

A1
  • noun
  • Flat tableland with steep edges
  • other
  • Flat tableland with steep edges

maybe

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US / ˈmeɪbi /

UK / ˈmebi /

A1
  • adverb
  • Possibly but not certainly; perhaps

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

seventy

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US / ˈsevnti /

UK / ˈsɛvənti /

A1
  • number
  • 70

whole

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US / həul /

UK / hol /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Complete or full; all of
  • Being in a good condition
  • noun
  • Complete amount or sum; total

amass

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US / ə'mæs /

UK / əˈmæs /

B2
  • verb
  • To collect a large amount of something

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

become

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US / bɪ'kʌm /

UK / bɪˈkʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To begin to be; grow to be; develop into
  • To be suitable for a particular job or role

platform

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US / 'plætfɔ:m /

UK / ˈplætˌfɔrm /

B1
  • noun
  • Flat, raised structure that people stand on
  • Area from which you board a train at a station

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

book

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US / bʊk /

UK / bʊk /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing made of pages with writing on that you read
  • verb
  • (Police) to officially record someone's crimes
  • To reserve (hotel room, etc.) in advance
  • To produce a red or yellow card to a soccer player

online

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US / ˌɒnˈlaɪn /

UK / ˌɑ:nˈlaɪn /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Connected to the internet

persevere

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US / ˌpɜ:sɪˈvɪə(r) /

UK / ˌpɜ:rsəˈvɪr /

B1
  • verb
  • To continue to try despite difficulties

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

understand

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US / ˌʌndə'stænd /

UK / ˌʌndɚˈstænd /

A1
  • verb
  • To know the meaning of language, what someone says

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

only

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US / ˈəunli /

UK / ˈonli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just one; just that amount or thing; not more than
  • Not very important or serious
  • Just that type of thing, person
  • Short time ago; not before a certain time
  • conjunction
  • Except; but

put

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US / pʊt /

UK / pʊt /

A1
  • phrasal verb
  • to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch
  • verb
  • To move or place a thing in a particular position
  • To rate something in importance or value
  • To write or say something in a certain manner

train

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US / treɪn /

UK / tren /

A1
  • noun
  • Line of people, animals moving the same direction
  • Vehicle that carries people and runs on rails
  • Long rear section of a (e.g. wedding) dress
  • Series of events happening one after another
  • verb
  • To teach a pet a behavior or a trick
  • To educate someone in something, e.g. medicine
  • To cause a plant to grow a certain way by cutting
  • To point a certain way or toward something
  • To practice to get better at a thing, e.g. sports

two

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • number
  • 2

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

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

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

rest

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US / rest /

UK / rɛst /

A1
  • noun
  • Time when one relaxes, sleeps, or is inactive
  • State in which there is a lack of motion
  • Part of something remaining after some was used
  • verb
  • To stop working or avoid activity to recover
  • (Of dead person) to lie in a grave
  • To lean, support or place something against
  • To not be tired because you had enough sleep

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

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

literally

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US / ˈlɪtərəli /

UK / ˈlɪtərəli /

B1
  • adverb
  • So as to express the exact meaning of something
  • Used to say something is true, even if unlikely

local

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US / ˈləʊkl /

UK / ˈloʊkl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Relating to a particular area, city, or town
  • noun
  • Bus or train, that stops at most stations
  • People who live in the area being discussed
  • The pub you most frequently go to

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

college

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US / 'kɒlɪdʒ /

UK / 'kɑːlɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • School or educational institution for adults

hey

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US / heɪ /

UK / he /

A1
  • exclamation
  • What you say when you want someone's attention

prepare

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US / prɪˈpeə(r) /

UK / prɪˈper /

A1
  • verb
  • To make something ready for use

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

lot

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US / lɒt /

UK / lɑt /

A1
  • noun
  • What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
  • A group of people seen together
  • Item for sale at an auction
  • Small area of land used for a purpose e.g. parking

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

illiterate

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US / ɪˈlɪtərət /

UK / ɪˈlɪtərɪt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having no knowledge of a particular subject
  • Not able to read or write
  • noun
  • (Rude) person who cannot read

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

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

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

couple

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US / 'kʌpl /

UK / ˈkʌpəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Two people in a romantic relationship
  • Two of something; two people; a pair
  • verb
  • To join something to something else
  • (Two animals) to engage in sexual relations
  • To put two people or things together

empower

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US / ɪm'paʊə(r) /

UK / ɛmˈpaʊɚ /

B2
  • verb
  • To give someone a power or ability

keep

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US / ki:p /

UK / kip /

A1
  • noun
  • Large, strong tower in the middle of a castle
  • Money spent on you so you can live in a place
  • verb
  • To continue doing something; not to stop
  • To stop balls going in a goal in sports
  • To not give back or return something
  • (Of food) to not spoil or not rot
  • To take possession of something to own, e.g. a pet
  • To have and continue to hold something
  • To do something that you have promised or agreed
  • To stay in a certain place or condition
  • To maintain the rules

slip

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US / slɪp /

UK / slɪp /

B1
  • noun
  • A field position in cricket
  • A quick escape or become free from something
  • Combination of clay and water, used in pottery
  • Occasion when something grows worse or drops lower
  • Minor mistake
  • Thin women's underwear to go under a dress
  • verb
  • To begin to fall as a result of losing balance
  • To escape or become free from something
  • To move from one state to another, usually worse
  • To slide out of place or fall to the ground
  • To occur or pass rapidly
  • To put something in a place quietly and secretly

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

behind

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US / bɪˈhaɪnd /

UK / bɪˈhaɪnd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a later or slower time than expected
  • Being in a losing position in a sporting event
  • Being in the past; old fashioned
  • adverb
  • Remaining
  • noun
  • The part of the body that one sits on
  • preposition
  • At or toward the back of someone or something
  • Supporting or helping someone

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

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

ninety

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US / 'naɪntɪ /

UK / ˈnaɪnti /

A1
  • number
  • 90

willing

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US / 'wɪlɪŋ /

UK / ˈwɪlɪŋ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Act of making a choice
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

decade

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US / ˈdekeɪd /

UK / ˈdɛkˌed, dɛˈked /

B1
  • noun
  • Period of 10 years

verizon

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US / vərˈaɪzən /

UK / vərˈaɪzən /

A1

almost

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US / 'ɔ:lməʊst /

UK / ˈɔlˌmost, ɔlˈmost /

A1
  • adverb
  • Only a little less than, nearly, not quite

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

honest

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US / ˈɒnɪst /

UK / ˈɑnɪst /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Good, truthful, sincere, or faithful; trustworthy

his

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US / hɪz /

UK / hɪz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Something belonging to a male person

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

tech

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US / tek /

UK / tɛk /

A2
  • noun
  • Shortened form of 'technology' or 'technician'

sponsor

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US / ˈspɒnsə(r) /

UK / ˈspɑ:nsə(r) /

B1
  • noun
  • Person that supports the passage of a new law
  • Person giving money for someone's education
  • verb
  • To support the passage of a new law
  • To help someone succeed by giving them money
  • To pay for an event, usually as an advertisement

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

community

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US / kə'mju:nətɪ /

UK / kəˈmjunɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Group of people who share a common idea or area

hundred

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US / 'hʌndrəd /

UK / ˈhʌndrɪd /

A1
  • number
  • 100

confide

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US / kənˈfaɪd /

UK / kənˈfaɪd /

B1
  • verb
  • To tell secrets knowing others will keep them

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
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • In this episode of Common Good, presented by Verizon, we meet Oliver James, a 35-year-old man from Costa Mesa, California, who has inspired thousands with his journey of teaching himself how to read.Oliver's struggle with illiteracy began in second grade when he fell behind in school. Despite his efforts to catch up, no one was willing to spend the time to help him. Feeling mentally weak and slipping through the cracks, Oliver kept his illiteracy a secret until his family encouraged him to open up and be honest about his struggles.Motivated to change his situation, Oliver started teaching himself to read. He documented his progress on TikTok, where he has gained a following of over 270,000 people. Through his online presence, Oliver not only discovered more about himself but also realized that there are many others out there who can benefit from his story.The response to Oliver's journey has been overwhelmingly positive. His TikTok community has shown support by purchasing his books, bookshelves, and even buying kids' books for schools. Oliver's determination to overcome his illiteracy and give back to others has made a significant impact on his followers, who look up to him as a source of inspiration and motivation.Oliver's story is a testament to the power of self-motivation and the ability to create a positive impact by sharing one's personal journey. Through his journey, he has shown that it is never too late to learn and grow, and that honesty and vulnerability can pave the way for personal and collective transformation.
  • Subtitles section
  • A thirty five year old man teaching himself how to read while inspiring his followers on TikTok.
  • All that and more on this episode of Common Good, presented by Verizon.
  • We visited Oliver James in Costa Mesa, California.
  • His journey from being illiterate to reading almost one hundred books in one year, which he shared online, provided him with a platform to give back.
  • I realized I couldn't read around second grade because I got suspended and I was already behind.
  • I was struggling at that time.
  • I could feel it.
  • And I came back to school and everybody was ahead and nobody was willing to take that time to work with me, to get me caught up.
  • So it was more on me to do it.
  • And I wasn't even like mentally strong enough to understand why it was worth trying to catch up to the other kids.
  • I kind of just slipped through the cracks, I would say.
  • No one really asked questions.
  • They were just more, try to get them done.
  • My family confided in me and telling me like, hey, you should open up and be honest about who you are.
  • It kind of gave me the motivation to come out and tell people I couldn't read.
  • And that was just to teach myself.
  • And eventually I start to realize that there's a lot of people out there that can benefit from it.
  • Oliver has amassed over two hundred seventy thousand followers since he began sharing his story on TikTok.
  • He not only learned more about himself in the process, but he also realized that he wasn't alone.
  • The reaction has been positive.
  • It's been literally overwhelmingly positive.
  • TikTok in general, it's become a community because they really come through.
  • They bought my books.
  • They bought my bookcases, my bookshelves.
  • They also bought kids books for school.
  • They bought a whole class kids books.
  • Every kid got their own specific book, too, the one they asked for.
  • Come on now, that's big, that's a community.
  • I get messages on a day to day basis on how many people go back to school now trying to do this, like they're trying to change just because of my struggle with reading.
  • There's like, I'm gonna go do this now.
  • And I'm like, wow, that's amazing.
  • That makes you feel really good about the things you're doing with yourself.
  • Like, so I feel good about what I'm doing, teaching people that it's okay to be, you know, bad at something.
  • And that's something you can't, you can't pay for that.
  • And now, a quick message from our sponsor, Verizon.
  • The promise of the digital world.
  • An amazing connected landscape for everyone.
  • The reality is that for many, that promise has not been fulfilled.
  • At Verizon, we are committed to fulfilling the promise of the digital world.
  • That's why, for over a decade, we've been working to help everyone excel in the digital future.
  • By empowering students and teachers with the latest technology and training, improving digital skills for today's workforce, and assisting local businesses as they prepare for success in the digital economy with access to tech, tools, and free skills training.
  • Verizon, helping fulfill the promise of the digital world.
  • I'm teaching myself how to read honestly by just reading.
  • I'm reading a hundred books because it just seemed like something I didn't know how to do, which I didn't know how to do.
  • So I felt like it's something that could be done, but I just have to do it.
  • I've learned how to persevere.
  • I've learned about my trauma when I started.
  • It was a little choppy, a couple words, and I built it up now to maybe like a fifth grade reading level.
  • I'm at ninety five books right now.
  • So I did something right.
  • You know, like I did something right for this whole year.
  • I read ninety five.
  • If I get five more, that means my yearly goal that I started off in this year, regardless of what I did this year, it was done.
  • So I can't I can't ask for much more.
  • I'll keep doing this for the rest of my life.
  • Because you can't put a price on giving to people and a service to others.
  • Like that feeling is priceless.
  • When people message you and say they went and finished their college degree because of me, they think about quitting and they didn't.
  • I'm like, what?
  • That's priceless.
  • I helped you do that?
  • And they're like, yeah, man.
  • I'm like, you know what?
  • This is amazing.
  • That's the most amazing feeling in the world to be able to help somebody.
  • Thank you to Verizon for sponsoring this episode of Common Good.