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What's up with Earthquakes? With Neil deGrasse Tyson

Video vocabulary

astrophysicist

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US / ˌæstrəʊ'fɪzɪsɪst /

UK / ˌæstroʊ'fɪzɪsɪst /

A1
  • noun
  • Astronomer who studies the physical and chemical properties of objects in space

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

explain

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US / ɪk'spleɪn /

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

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

epicentre

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US / ˈepɪsentə(r) /

UK / ˈepɪsentər /

C1
  • noun
  • Point directly above the focus of an earthquake

strike

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US / straɪk /

UK / straɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • A punch or hit
  • Fact of not hitting the ball when playing baseball
  • Refusal to work to get more pay, protest something
  • verb
  • To hit something
  • To suddenly become (e.g. rich)
  • To have an idea occur to you

point

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US / pɔɪnt /

UK / pɔɪnt /

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

area

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US / 'eərɪə /

UK / ˈɛriə /

A1
  • noun
  • Amount of measured space
  • A specific section or space; part of a region
  • A subject or field of study

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

landmass

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US / 'lændmæs /

UK / ˈlændˌmæs /

A1
  • other
  • A large continuous extent of land

past

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US / pɑ:st /

UK / pæst /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • No longer current or new
  • adverb
  • So as to go beyond, or further than something
  • noun
  • Time that existed before now, e.g. long ago
  • preposition
  • After a particular time
  • At a later point in distance; beyond

plus

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US / plʌs /

UK / plʌs /

A2
  • noun
  • A benefit or advantage
  • preposition
  • In addition; add
  • In addition to; Indicates a number above
  • Having a value greater than zero

detection

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US / dɪˈtekʃn /

UK / dɪˈtɛkʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of discovering something or solving a crime

heat

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US / hi:t /

UK / hit /

A2
  • noun
  • State of anger, excitement, or arguing
  • Particular temperature at which to cook something
  • High temperature
  • One of series of races to find the finalists
  • Hot temperature, conditions, or weather
  • verb
  • To make hot or hotter

wait

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US / weɪt /

UK / wet /

A1
  • verb
  • To delay or not do something until later
  • To spend time until an expected thing happens
  • To remain in a place until a thing happens

respond

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US / rɪ'spɒnd /

UK / rɪˈspɑnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To answer something or someone
  • To have a good reaction to e.g. medical treatment

massive

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US / ˈmæsɪv /

UK / ˈmæsɪv /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Very big; large; too big

shallow

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US / 'ʃæləʊ /

UK / ˈʃælo /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Not deep; short from top to bottom
  • Lacking interest in serious things; superficial

shift

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US / ʃɪft /

UK / ʃɪft /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of work) starting at a certain time, as at night
  • noun
  • A change in a persons plans, opinions or beliefs
  • Period of work starting at a certain time
  • verb
  • To change in position or direction
  • To move something from one place to another

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

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

sort

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US / sɔ:t /

UK / sɔrt /

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

radioactive

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US / ˌreɪdɪəʊ'æktɪv /

UK / ˌredioˈæktɪv /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Emitting harmful energy from nuclear activity

realize

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US / 'ri:əlaɪz /

UK / ˈriəˌlaɪz /

A1
  • verb
  • To become aware of or understand mentally

puzzle

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US / 'pʌzl /

UK / ˈpʌzəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Something challenging to explain or understand
  • Game requiring the player to find an answer
  • Game with many pieces, e.g. forming a picture
  • A problem requiring thought and skill to be solved
  • verb
  • To be a challenge to understand; confuse

use

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US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to employ something
  • Need to enable it to work
  • Permission to do something with something
  • Act of spending money
  • Operation of a machine for its function
  • verb
  • To have; to eat, drink, consume etc.
  • To need to operate or work
  • To operate a machine, e.g. a computer
  • To treat a person badly
  • To do something with, for a task or purpose

particle

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US / ˈpɑ:tɪkl /

UK / ˈpɑrtɪkəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Adverb or preposition that joins with a verb
  • Tiny piece or quantity of something

pulse

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US / pʌls /

UK / pʌls /

B1
  • noun
  • Regular beating of a heart
  • verb
  • To beat in a rhythm

separate

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US / 'sepəreɪt /

UK / 'sepəreɪt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being different from or unrelated to another
  • verb
  • To divide two things by being in between them
  • To live away from your husband or wife
  • To move things away from each other

subduct

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US / səbˈdʌkt /

UK / ˈsʌbdʌkt /

A1
  • noun
  • (Geology) to force one edge under another plate

soft

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US / sɒft /

UK / sɔft, sɑft /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having flowing curves rather than sharp edges
  • Easy to press, bend or cut; not hard or firm
  • Showing a sympathetic and gentle heart
  • Not rough to the touch; light in feel
  • (Of lights, music) not too bright; not too loud

accident

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US / ˈæksɪdənt /

UK / ˈæksɪdənt, -ˌdɛnt /

A1
  • noun
  • Sudden unplanned event causing damage, injury etc.

always

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US / 'ɔ:lweɪz /

UK / ˈɔlwez,-wɪz,-wiz /

A1
  • adverb
  • For a very long time
  • At all times; in every situation
  • For ever

after

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US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

UK / ˈæftɚ /

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

geological

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US / ˌdʒi:ə'lɒdʒɪkl /

UK / dʒɪəˈlɑdʒɪkl: /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning studies of the Earth's rocks and soil

liquid

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US / ˈlɪkwɪd /

UK / ˈlɪkwɪd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of wealth) being able to be spent as cash
  • In a state of being uncertain
  • Moving in a flowing manner, like water or oil
  • noun
  • Something that is similar to the state of water

mode

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US / məʊd /

UK / moʊd /

A2
  • noun
  • Fashion and design
  • Status or way of functioning

tragically

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US / 'trædʒɪklɪ /

UK / ˈtrædʒɪkl:ɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • In a very sad manner, usually due to a death

survivor

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US / səˈvaɪvə(r) /

UK / sərˈvaɪvə(r) /

A2
  • noun
  • Person, thing that continues to live or exist

thousand

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US / ˈθaʊznd /

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1,000

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

either

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US / ˈaɪðə(r) /

UK / ˈiðɚ, ˈaɪðɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One of two (used when there is a choice of two)
  • adverb
  • (After negative statements) likewise, in addition
  • conjunction
  • Used as the first of two connected things
  • determiner
  • Used as the first of two connected things
  • pronoun
  • The one or the other

here

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

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

occupy

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US / 'ɒkjʊpaɪ /

UK / ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ /

A2
  • verb
  • To enter and take control of land/property
  • To fill a time, a space, or an area
  • To live in a particular building
  • To fill someone's thoughts or make a person busy

prerequisite

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US / ˌpri:'rekwəzɪt /

UK / priˈrɛkwɪzɪt /

B2
  • noun
  • Necessary previous condition, thing, or action

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

beneath

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US / bɪ'ni:θ /

UK / bɪˈniθ /

A2
  • preposition
  • Not worthy of you; not good enough for you
  • Under; In or to a lower position; below

cause

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US / kɔ:z /

UK / kɔz /

A2
  • noun
  • Belief, goal or organization that people support
  • Reason for
  • verb
  • To make something happen; create effect or result

holistic

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US / həʊˈlɪstɪk /

UK / hoʊˈlɪstɪk /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Involving all of something

primary

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US / 'praɪmərɪ /

UK / ˈpraɪˌmɛri, -məri /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Most important, most basic or essential
  • Happening first; earliest
  • of or for the teaching of young children

stratosphere

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US / ˈstrætəsfɪə(r) /

UK / ˈstrætəˌsfɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Layer of Earth's atmosphere

action

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US / 'ækʃn /

UK / ˈækʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that a person or thing does
  • verb
  • To act to do something

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

element

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US / 'elɪmənt /

UK / ˈɛləmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Essential or particular part of something

radioactivity

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US / ˌreɪdɪəʊæk'tɪvətɪ /

UK / ˌredioækˈtɪvɪti /

B2
  • noun
  • Emission of electromagnetic rays in nuclear decay

prevalent

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US / ˈprevələnt /

UK / ˈprɛvələnt /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Being common; occurring frequently

serious

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US / ˈsɪəriəs /

UK / ˈsɪriəs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Giving something great energy or sincerity
  • Needing thought or concentration; important; grave
  • Being sincere about something; not joking

each

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US / i:tʃ /

UK / itʃ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Every one of two or more things
  • pronoun
  • Per one person or thing

ground

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US / graʊnd /

UK / ɡraʊnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Connection of electrical equipment to earth
  • Place where people play particular sports
  • Solid surface of the earth that we stand on
  • verb
  • To break (coffee, etc.) into tiny bits with machine
  • To make loud jarring noise by pressing hard
  • To make sharp or smooth through friction
  • To press together with force making a sound
  • To punish someone by not allowing them to go out
  • To hit the bottom
  • (Of boat) to hit the bottom so it cannot move
  • To prevent a plane from taking off
  • To place the ball over the goal line in rugby

happen

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US / 'hæpən /

UK / ˈhæpən /

A1
  • verb
  • To take place or occur

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)

again

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US / ə'ɡen /

UK / əˈɡɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • One more time, once more

different

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US / ˈdɪfrənt /

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not of the same kind; unlike other things

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

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

boundary

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US / 'baʊndrɪ /

UK / ˈbaʊndəri, -dri /

B1
  • noun
  • A division or border to separate two areas

energy

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US / 'enədʒɪ /

UK / ˈɛnədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Physical or mental strength

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

sustain

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US / sə'steɪn /

UK / səˈsten /

B2
  • verb
  • To lengthen or continue to do something
  • To support or maintain someone or something
  • To suffer something damaging or bad

resistance

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US / rɪ'zɪstəns /

UK / rɪˈzɪstəns /

A2
  • noun
  • Force that stops or slows movement of something
  • Refusal to accept something new or different

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

swing

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US / swɪŋ /

UK / swɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • Movement in a curved motion
  • Flowing, curved movement, e.g. of the arm
  • A back and forth motion, while hanging
  • Change in opinion or theme
  • Outdoor seat that hangs by two ropes, or chains
  • verb
  • To move something in a back and forth motion
  • To move in a back and forth motion, while hanging
  • To change opinion or mood, usually quickly

pry

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US / praɪ /

UK / praɪ /

C2
  • verb
  • To try to find out about others' private business
  • To move, raise, or open by levering something

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

fire

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US / 'faɪə(r) /

UK / faɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Heat and the flame produced when burning
  • Intense energy for or about something
  • verb
  • To apply heat to something to make it hard
  • To make a person leave their job; dismiss
  • To shoot a gun or weapon
  • To launch something into the sky, e.g. a rocket
  • To start working on something e.g. a project

force

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US / fɔ:s /

UK / fɔrs, fors /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of persons trained for military action; army
  • Pressure; attraction
  • The use of physical strength/violence to persuade
  • verb
  • To use physical strength or violence to persuade

confront

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US / kən'frʌnt /

UK / kənˈfrʌnt /

B1
  • verb
  • To make someone, e.g. who has lied, face the truth
  • (Of problem) to face someone who must deal with it

sea

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US / /

UK / /

A1
  • noun
  • Very large group of people, similar-looking things
  • Large body of salty water with land around it

search

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US / sɜ:tʃ /

UK / sɜ:rtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Examination of person to find something
  • Action to find an answer to a problem
  • Action of trying to find someone or something
  • verb
  • To examine a person's clothing to find something
  • To look for an answer or explanation to a problem
  • To look carefully for someone or something

then

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US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

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

step

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US / step /

UK / stɛp /

A1
  • noun
  • Movement done as part of a particular dance
  • Distance covered by one movement of a leg; stride
  • One part or stage in a process
  • Sound made by the feet while walking; footstep
  • Flat horizontal piece that forms stairs
  • verb
  • To raise and moving the foot to put it down

continent

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US / ˈkɒntɪnənt /

UK / ˈkɑntənənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Very large piece of land, e.g. Africa or Asia

fine

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US / faɪn /

UK / faɪn /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Good, acceptable or satisfactory
  • Of high quality; made with great skill
  • In a careful or exact manner; into small pieces
  • Being of high quality
  • Good; okay; no problem
  • (Of weather) good; not raining
  • noun
  • Money you have to pay because you broke a rule
  • verb
  • To pay money because you broke a law

five

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US / faɪv /

UK / faɪv /

A1
  • number
  • 5

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

live

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US / lɪv /

UK / liv /

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

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)

slide

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US / slaɪd /

UK / slaɪd /

A2
  • noun
  • Part of machines that slides backward and forward
  • Reduction in amount, price, quality
  • Metal or plastic device, used to hold back hair
  • Piece of glass to view object on using microscope
  • Action of moving by means of sliding
  • Sudden unexpected fall of mud or rock down a hill
  • Small piece of film with a photo on it
  • A child's play apparatus in a park for sliding
  • A backless shoe with an open toe
  • A slip on something wet or slippery
  • verb
  • To pass or move smoothly and rapidly into or out
  • To grow increasingly worse over time
  • To move smoothly and rapidly over a surface
  • (Mud or rock) to fall down a hill
  • To secretly pass something into or out of
  • To slip on something wet or slippery

simply

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US / ˈsɪmpli /

UK / ˈsɪmpli /

A1
  • adverb
  • In an easy or clear manner

fit

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US / fɪt /

UK / fɪt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Good looking; physically attractive
  • Proper or acceptable; morally or socially correct
  • noun
  • Sudden loss of body control; attack (of crying)
  • verb
  • To install a machine, equipment etc.
  • To adjust or change to the right size or shape
  • To be the right size and shape that you want

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

let

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US / let /

UK / lɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To allow someone to do something
  • Introducing a suggestion to do something together
  • To rent a house, etc. to others

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

material

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US / məˈtɪəriəl /

UK / məˈtɪriəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Relevant; (of evidence) important or significant
  • Belonging to the world of physical things
  • noun
  • Cloth; fabric
  • Supplies or data needed to do a certain thing
  • Substance from which a thing is made of

rate

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US / reɪt /

UK / ret /

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

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

below

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US / bɪ'ləʊ /

UK / bɪˈlo /

A1
  • preposition
  • In a lower position, place, or level

magnitude

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US / ˈmægnɪtju:d /

UK / ˈmæɡnɪˌtud, -ˌtjud /

B2
  • noun
  • Number representing force of an earthquake
  • Size or importance
  • Number representing the brightness of a star

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

rigid

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US / ˈrɪdʒɪd /

UK / ˈrɪdʒɪd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Stiff rather than flexible
  • Very fixed in your opinion or habits

encounter

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US / ɪn'kaʊntə(r) /

UK / ɛnˈkaʊntɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • A chance meeting; unexpected or unplanned meeting
  • verb
  • To come up against a problem or trouble; meet
  • To meet someone or something unexpectedly

manner

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US / ˈmænə(r) /

UK / ˈmænɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • The way a person acts, talks, or behaves
  • Polite and respectful behavior to others
  • The way that something happens or is done

map

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US / mæp /

UK / mæp /

A1
  • noun
  • Diagram showing the geography of an area
  • verb
  • To draw a diagram to show the geography of an area
  • To find points of similarity between things

solution

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US / səˈlu:ʃn /

UK / səˈluʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Mix of a liquid and a solid or a gas
  • Way to solve or deal with a problem

submarine

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US / ˌsʌbməˈri:n /

UK / ˈsʌbməˌrin, ˌsʌbməˈrin /

B2
  • noun
  • Ship that travels above and below the sea

surface

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US / 'sɜ:fɪs /

UK / ˈsɚfəs /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Of the top layer; not deep or meaningful
  • noun
  • Top layer of the ground or of water
  • Nature or emotions that show, but may not be true
  • Outside or upper layer of something
  • verb
  • To give (road) a top layer
  • To appear after being hidden, unseen, or unknown
  • To come to the top of something; emerge
  • To come to the top level of water, mud, etc.

unanswered

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US / ʌnˈɑ:nsəd /

UK / ʌnˈɑːnsərd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Was not answered

earthquake

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US / ˈɜ:θkweɪk /

UK / ˈɜ:rθkweɪk /

B1
  • noun
  • Heavy shaking of the ground due to natural forces

into

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US / 'ɪntə /

UK / ˈɪntu /

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

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

rock

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US / rɒk /

UK / rɑk /

A1
  • noun
  • Type of popular music with a strong, loud beat
  • Strong, tough person who can be relied upon
  • Big stone; hard, solid substance forming mountains
  • verb
  • To be greatly upset by something, e.g. a death
  • To be extremely effective or pleasing
  • To play, sing along with, or dance to heavy music
  • To move back and forth or from side to side

stress

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US / stres /

UK / strɛs /

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

turn

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US / tɜ:n /

UK / tɚn /

A1
  • noun
  • Place where changing of direction happens
  • Your time or chance to perform a duty
  • Your chance to play or do in say a game
  • Unexpected change, as in the weather
  • verb
  • To become (a particular age)
  • To become a different quality, color, etc.
  • To change the direction of something, e.g. a car
  • To move in an opposite direction or position
  • To shape metal with a spinning tool

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

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

crevasse

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US / krəˈvæs /

UK / krɪˈvæs /

C1
  • noun
  • Deep crack in a mountain side, etc.

runaway

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US / ˈrʌnəweɪ /

UK / ˈrʌnəˌwe /

C2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of a victory) easy; hardly contested
  • Unhappy child who runs away from home
  • noun
  • Unhappy child who runs away from home

stand

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US / stænd /

UK / stænd /

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

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

explode

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US / ɪk'spləʊd /

UK / ɪkˈsplod /

B1
  • verb
  • To express an emotion in a sudden and loud way
  • To increase in number or amount very quickly
  • To burst or cause to burst into pieces

earth

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US / ɜ:θ /

UK / ɚθ /

A1
  • noun
  • Wire connecting an electrical device to the ground
  • The planet we live on
  • Soil in which we grow plants

few

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US / fju: /

UK / fju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Not many, a small number

combination

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US / ˌkɒmbɪ'neɪʃn /

UK / ˌkɑmbəˈneʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Series of letters or numbers needed to open a lock
  • Act or result of mixing things together

lava

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US / ˈlɑ:və /

UK / 'lɑ:və /

B2
  • noun
  • Very hot liquid rock flowing from a volcano

ocean

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US / 'əʊʃn /

UK / ˈoʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Large body of salt water; a large sea

under

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US / ˈʌndə(r) /

UK / ˈʌndɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In the same place as another thing, but lower
  • adverb
  • In a lower quantity or price than expected
  • preposition
  • According to the terms of an agreement or law
  • Managed or controlled by the authority of
  • Being of a lesser quality or amount than expected
  • Influenced or affected by something or someone
  • Less or lower in age, amount, size or number

begin

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US / bɪ'ɡɪn /

UK / ˈbeɡɪn /

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

cool

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US / ku:l /

UK / kul /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Steady and calm when facing difficulties
  • Almost cold; not warm or hot
  • Smart or stylish in a way (young) people admire
  • Unfriendly in an indirect way; distant
  • verb
  • To make something decrease in temperature
  • (Of an emotion, etc.) to become less strongly felt

mass

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US / mæs /

UK / mæs /

B1
  • noun
  • Religious ceremony in some Christian churches
  • Large amount or number of something
  • Main or largest part of something
  • Large number of people considered as a whole
  • Amount of matter that an object has
  • verb
  • To gather people or things into a large group

soon

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US / su:n /

UK / sun /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time not long from now

trap

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US / træp /

UK / træp /

A2
  • noun
  • Device used for catching animals
  • Vehicle pulled by a single horse
  • Area or hazard on a golf course
  • Someone's mouth
  • Uncomfortable event that is hard to escape
  • verb
  • To use a device to catch animals or people
  • To hold, e.g. a nerve, so that it cannot move
  • To catch or prevent someone from escaping
  • To trick someone
  • To put into a situation you can't escape from

catastrophically

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US / ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪkli /

UK / ˌkætəˈstrɑːfɪkli /

B2
  • adverb
  • With terrible or unfortunate consequences

control

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US / kən'trəʊl /

UK / kənˈtrol /

A1
  • noun
  • A device designed to operate a machine
  • Participant in experiment that is left untouched
  • Act to dominate or command; make manageable
  • A law limiting the growth or spread of something
  • A place which overseas or manages e.g. a factory
  • verb
  • To direct or influence the behavior of something

stuff

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US / stʌf /

UK / stʌf /

A1
  • noun
  • Generic description for things, materials, objects
  • verb
  • To push material inside something, with force

those

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US / ðəʊz /

UK / ðoz /

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

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

melt

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US / melt /

UK / mɛlt /

B1
  • verb
  • To disappear or to go away
  • To make, become soft or liquid due to heat
  • To become liquid through heating

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

solid

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US / 'sɒlɪd /

UK / ˈsɑlɪd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being able to be trusted; reliable
  • Substance that is hard or of fixed shape
  • Being well made and expected to last long
  • Having no space or emptiness inside
  • Being made entirely of one material or substance
  • noun
  • Something firm or hard; not gas or liquid

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)

middle

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US / 'mɪdl /

UK / ˈmidl /

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

never

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US / 'nevə(r) /

UK / ˈnɛvɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Not ever; not at any time

personal

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US / ˈpɜ:sənl /

UK / ˈpɚsənəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Done by or to a particular person; individual
  • Concerning a person's private life or feelings

send

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US / send /

UK / sɛnd /

A1
  • verb
  • To cause to behave or respond in a particular way
  • To cause mail or packages to go to another place
  • To move something quickly in a particular way
  • To give information or greetings to someone

stable

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US / 'steɪbl /

UK / ˈstebəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • In a position where something does not fall over
  • Having a chemical state that is not easily changed
  • Reacting in an even way; having good mental health
  • In good condition, and not likely to deteriorate
  • noun
  • Group of racing horses that belong to one owner
  • verb
  • To put horses in a stable

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)

range

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US / reɪndʒ /

UK / rendʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Cooking stove with multiple burners
  • Given distance from a point; how far plane can fly
  • Large grassy area where cattle wander and feed
  • Group or chain of mountains
  • Set of things with something in common
  • Limits within which something extends or varies
  • A set of products, e.g. so that people can choose
  • verb
  • To cover an area from one point to another
  • To extend to or vary within given limits
  • To put things in a row or in line
  • To wander or explore

tension

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US / 'tenʃn /

UK / ˈtɛnʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Feeling of anxiety and inability to relax
  • Degree to which something is stretched tight

somewhere

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US / 'sʌmweə(r) /

UK / ˈsʌmˌhwɛr, -ˌwɛr /

A1
  • adverb
  • At or to an unknown or unnamed place

check

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US / tʃek /

UK / tʃɛk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Decorated with squares made up of lines
  • noun
  • Paper showing how much you owe at a restaurant
  • Printed piece of paper you sign to pay for things
  • A mark on a form, equivalent to 'yes'; tick
  • Mark used to show that something is correct
  • Procedure to prevent errors or control something
  • verb
  • To confirm the details of something are correct
  • To leave your things with staff who look after it
  • To examine something to see if something is wrong
  • To examine in order to prevent errors/a problem

foundation

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US / faunˈdeiʃən /

UK / faʊnˈdeʃən /

C1
  • noun
  • Base or important starting point
  • Underground base on which building is constructed
  • Institution supported by a private fund
  • First cosmetic used when putting on makeup
  • Action of establishing an organization

correct

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US / kə'rekt /

UK / kəˈrɛkt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being suitable and appropriate for an occasion
  • True or accurate
  • verb
  • To fix a problem
  • To write marks on a piece of work to show mistakes
  • To punish in order to improve

oceanic

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US / ˌəʊʃiˈænɪk /

UK / ˌoʃiˈænɪk /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the ocean

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

rebuild

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US / ˌri:'bɪld /

UK / riˈbɪld /

A2
  • verb
  • To get back something that was lost, e.g. trust
  • To repair something that was damaged or destroyed

wonder

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US / 'wʌndə(r) /

UK / ˈwʌndɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Surprise caused by experiencing something amazing
  • verb
  • To feel curious about something
  • To think or consider about something over time

ask

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US / ɑ:sk /

UK / æsk /

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

die

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US / daɪ /

UK / daɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Cube with dots numbering 1-6 on it used in games
  • verb
  • To cease to function or work
  • (Of a thing) to stop being used or done
  • (Of a person) to stop living

coincidence

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US / kəʊˈɪnsɪdəns /

UK / koʊˈɪnsɪdəns /

B1
  • noun
  • Occurrence by chance, not design or planned
  • State in which two ideas or opinions are the same

grow

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US / ɡrəʊ /

UK / ɡro /

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

keg

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US / keɡ /

UK / kɛɡ /

C1
  • noun
  • Small barrel, e.g. for beer or rum

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

piece

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US / pi:s /

UK / pis /

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

source

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US / sɔ:s /

UK / sɔrs, sors /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Produces or provides what is wanted or needed
  • noun
  • Piece of information; a person giving information
  • Place from which something necessary comes
  • verb
  • To get, e.g. a raw material, from somewhere

within

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US / wɪˈðɪn /

UK / wɪðˈɪn, wɪθ- /

A1
  • adverb
  • Inside the limits of an area, time or range
  • preposition
  • From the inside of something

well

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US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

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

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

base

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US / beɪs /

UK / bes /

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

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

until

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US / ənˈtɪl /

UK / ʌnˈtɪl /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Up to; to a time when something happens
  • preposition
  • Before (a specific time)

any

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US / 'enɪ /

UK / ˈɛni /

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

effort

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US / ˈefət /

UK / ˈɛfət /

A2
  • noun
  • Amount of work used trying to do something

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

match

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US / mætʃ /

UK / mætʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that is equal to or the same as another
  • Small stick you strike to light a fire candle etc.
  • A sports competition between two people or teams
  • Person or thing that goes well with another
  • verb
  • To equal or be as good as something else
  • To work well or look good with something else

pose

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US / pəʊz /

UK / poʊz /

B1
  • noun
  • False behavior to gain respect or liking
  • verb
  • To be or exist as (a problem, threat etc.)
  • To suggest an idea, question or solution
  • To sit or stand while being painted or drawn
  • To put someone in a position to be photographed

underneath

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US / ˌʌndə'ni:θ /

UK / ˌʌndɚˈniθ /

B1
  • adverb
  • Hidden beneath the surface of something
  • On the lower side or bottom of something
  • preposition
  • Lower than, as in status; beneath
  • Located under or below something

wave

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US / weɪv /

UK / wev /

A2
  • noun
  • Movement of sound, air or energy
  • Deep and strong emotion that is suddenly felt
  • Slightly curved shape in hair
  • Frequency of movement of objects together
  • Up and down movement of water in a lake or sea
  • Signal with your hand to say hello or goodbye
  • verb
  • To cause to move side to side or back and forth
  • To swing back and forth as a result of the wind
  • To move your hand or arm to say hello or goodbye

affect

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US / ə'fekt /

UK / əˈfɛkt /

A2
  • verb
  • To cause a change in something else

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

release

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US / rɪ'li:s /

UK / rɪ'li:s /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of freeing someone from a duty or burden
  • Introduction of a new product, film, book, etc.
  • Relief from sadness, suffering or trouble
  • Act of freeing from a jail, cage, prison, etc.
  • verb
  • To free someone from a responsibility or burden
  • To allow a film, music etc. to be sold/distributed
  • To allow to leave a jail, cage, etc.; let out
  • To let go of something you are holding

spigot

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US / ˈspɪgət /

UK / ˈspɪɡət /

C2
  • noun
  • Plug for a bunghole in a cask; a tap

two

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • number
  • 2

anything

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US / ˈeniθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛniˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • A thing of any kind

along

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US / əˈlɒŋ /

UK / əˈlɔ:ŋ /

A1
  • adverb
  • As a companion; taken with someone
  • preposition
  • At a point on a line

fingernail

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US / ˈfɪŋgəneɪl /

UK / ˈfɪŋgərneɪl /

C1
  • noun
  • Nail at the end of a finger

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

hot

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US / hɒt /

UK / hɑ:t /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Angry or excited
  • Being very good at something
  • Having a high temperature
  • Popular and causing a great deal of excitement
  • Attractive in a sexually exciting way
  • (Of food) very spicy
  • Stolen; dangerous to buy or trade in

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

east

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US / i:st /

UK / i:st /

A1
  • noun
  • Direction where the sun rises
  • Geographic area including India, China, Japan etc.

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

nineteen

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US / ˌnaɪnˈti:n /

UK / naɪnˈtin /

A1
  • number
  • 19

rather

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US / 'rɑ:ðə(r) /

UK / ˈræðɚ, ˈrɑðɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Somewhat; fairly; not that much

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

unstable

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US / ʌnˈsteɪbl /

UK / ʌnˈstebəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of a chair, etc.) likely to move, fall etc.
  • Tending to overreact emotionally; not balanced

direct

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US / də'rekt /

UK / dɪˈrɛkt, daɪ- /

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

dormant

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US / ˈdɔ:mənt /

UK / ˈdɔrmənt /

C1
  • adjecitve
  • Temporarily not active/growing

drift

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US / drɪft /

UK / drɪft /

B1
  • verb
  • (Of sand, etc.) to be blown into heaps by the wind
  • (Of boats) to move without purpose on water
  • To move or live without a purpose or goal
  • To move slowly or effortlessly in water or air

volcano

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US / vɒlˈkeɪnəʊ /

UK / vɑ:lˈkeɪnoʊ /

B1
  • noun
  • Mountain through which hot liquid earth can erupt

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

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

leave

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US / li:v /

UK / liv /

A1
  • noun
  • Permission to do something
  • Vacation time; time off work
  • verb
  • To go away from; depart
  • To gift property to someone after you die
  • To allow something to continue happening
  • To let something remain unused or available
  • To let something or someone remain somewhere

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

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)

municipality

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US / mju:ˌnɪsɪˈpæləti /

UK / mjuˌnɪsəˈpælɪti /

B2
  • noun
  • Small city or town that has its own government

zone

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US / zəʊn /

UK / zoʊn /

B1
  • noun
  • Area of space designated for a particular use
  • verb
  • To divide an area for a particular reason

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

operate

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US / ˈɒpəreɪt /

UK / ˈɑ:pəreɪt /

A1
  • verb
  • To control or handle something, such as a machine
  • To control or manage something such as a business
  • To be working or being used
  • To perform surgery on someone

south

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US / saʊθ /

UK / saʊθ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Direction to your right when facing the rising sun
  • Coming from the opposite direction from north
  • noun
  • The direction to your right of the rising sun

urgent

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US / ˈɜ:dʒənt /

UK / ˈɜ:rdʒənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very important and needing immediate attention
  • That needs to be done quickly

whether

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US / ˈweðə(r) /

UK / ˈhwɛðɚ, ˈwɛð- /

A1
  • conjunction
  • If something will happen or not

especially

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US / ɪˈspeʃəli /

UK / ɛˈspɛʃəli, ɪˈspɛʃ- /

A1
  • adverb
  • More than usual; extremely

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

fifty

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US / 'fɪftɪ /

UK / ˈfɪfti /

A1
  • number
  • 50

formation

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US / fɔ:ˈmeɪʃn /

UK / fɔ:rˈmeɪʃn /

B1
  • noun
  • Process of creating; making a particular shape

zero

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US / ˈzɪərəʊ /

UK / ˈzɪroʊ /

A1
  • noun
  • Temperature when water turns to ice
  • number
  • Number 0
  • verb
  • To set a scale or other device to show 0

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

fossil

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US / 'fɒsl /

UK / ˈfɑsəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Plant or animal that became rock after many years

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

study

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US / 'stʌdɪ /

UK / ˈstʌdi /

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

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

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

enter

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US / 'entə(r) /

UK / ˈɛntɚ /

A1
  • verb
  • To start a career or an education
  • To become a competitor in a contest
  • To add or type information in a computer
  • To go into a room, building etc.

africa

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US / 'æfrɪkə /

UK / ˈæfrɪkə /

A1
  • noun
  • Continent between the Atlantic and Indian oceans

expect

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US / ɪk'spekt /

UK / ɪkˈspɛkt /

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

seven

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US / ˈsevn /

UK / ˈsɛvən /

A1
  • number
  • Number 7

significant

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US / sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt /

UK / sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

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

want

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US / wɔnt /

UK / wɑnt, wɔnt /

A1
  • noun
  • Something you desire or wish for
  • State or condition of poverty
  • verb
  • To desire or wish for something; hope for a thing

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

quite

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US / kwaɪt /

UK / kwaɪt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Not very; fairly
  • Very; In a complete or total manner

maybe

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US / ˈmeɪbi /

UK / ˈmebi /

A1
  • adverb
  • Possibly but not certainly; perhaps

size

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US / saɪz /

UK / saɪz /

A1
  • noun
  • How big or small a thing is
  • Standard measurements for clothing, shoes
  • verb
  • To make something to fit a particular measurement
  • To organize or group from small to large

survive

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US / sə'vaɪv /

UK / sɚˈvaɪv /

A2
  • verb
  • To continue to live despite illness or trouble

ago

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US / əˈgəʊ /

UK / əˈgoʊ /

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

design

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US / dɪˈzaɪn /

UK / dɪˈzaɪn /

A1
  • noun
  • The way something is planned, to fulfill a purpose
  • verb
  • To plan in a particular way to fulfill a purpose
  • To think of a plan

move

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US / mu:v /

UK / muv /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of moving a playing piece in chess, etc.
  • An action; doing something
  • Step taken to achieve a goal
  • verb
  • To cause someone to have certain emotions
  • To cause something to change to a different place
  • To change where people live or a business operates
  • To take action to do or achieve something

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

america

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US / ə'merɪkə /

UK / əˈmɛrɪkə /

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

fast

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US / fɑ:st /

UK / fæst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In a way that is difficult to move or change
  • Moving or able to move quickly
  • Showing time that is later than the actual time
  • adverb
  • With a great deal of speed
  • noun
  • Period of time when a person chooses not to eat
  • verb
  • To refuse food for a long time

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”

top

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US / tɒp /

UK / tɑp /

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

prairie

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US / ˈpreəri /

UK / ˈpreri /

B2
  • noun
  • Large, flat, area of land covered in grass

add

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US / æd /

UK / æd /

A1
  • verb
  • To include as well
  • To put two things or numbers together, e.g. 2+2

anchor

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US / 'æŋkə(r) /

UK / ˈæŋkɚ /

B2
  • noun
  • Metal hook on a rope used to stop boats moving
  • Person who presents a news program on TV
  • verb
  • To lower an anchor to hold a boat or ship in place

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

coherent

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US / kəʊ'hɪərənt /

UK / koˈhɪrənt, -ˈhɛr- /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of language, ideas) logical and well-organized

mountain

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US / 'maʊntən /

UK / ˈmaʊntən /

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

tsunami

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US / tsu:ˈnɑ:mi /

UK / tsʊˈnɑmi /

B2
  • noun
  • Huge sea wave often caused by an earthquake

volume

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US / ˈvɒlju:m /

UK / ˈvɑljum, -jəm /

A2
  • noun
  • Number or amount of something e.g. sales
  • Amount of space that something takes up
  • One book that is part of a set of books
  • Level of sound produced by radio or television

very

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US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

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

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

bit

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US / bɪt /

UK / bɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • Device put in a horse's mouth to control it
  • Small piece of something
  • verb
  • (E.g. of fish) to take bait and be caught

look

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US / lʊk /

UK / lʊk /

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

tap

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US / tæp /

UK / tæp /

A2
  • noun
  • Faucet; the place you can get water from a pipe
  • Light hit, generally one that makes a sound
  • verb
  • To access a liquid (e.g. in a tree) through a hole
  • To move feet/fingers to make light regular sounds
  • To spy one someone electronically
  • To hit something or someone lightly
  • To remove from an object e.g. oil from the ground

atlantic

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US / æt'læntɪk /

UK / ætˈlæntɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Of the ocean between Africa and the Americas

military

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US / 'mɪlətrɪ /

UK / ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the army or navy
  • noun
  • Army or armed forces

pressure

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US / 'preʃə(r) /

UK / ˈprɛʃɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Anxiety caused by difficult problems
  • Force, weight when pressing against a thing
  • Strong persuasion to do something
  • verb
  • To apply force to something
  • To persuade or force someone to do something

archipelago

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US / ˌɑ:kɪˈpeləgəʊ /

UK / ˌɑ:rkɪˈpeləgoʊ /

C1
  • noun
  • Group of several small islands

introduce

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US / ˌɪntrəˈdju:s /

UK / ˌɪntrəˈdus, -ˈdjus /

A1
  • verb
  • To open an essay to set the scene
  • To guide or explain something, e.g. a town
  • To begin the use of a new thing or practice
  • To make someone known to another by name
  • To insert or put something inside another thing

oppose

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US / əˈpəʊz /

UK / əˈpoʊz /

A2
  • verb
  • To fight against someone in a contest or game

movement

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US / ˈmu:vmənt /

UK / ˈmuvmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Part of a piece of classical music
  • Group with a shared interest or goal
  • Group sharing the same idea to change society, art
  • Action you do when exercising, e.g. in a gym
  • Part of a piece of music

cap

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US / kæp /

UK / kæp /

B1
  • noun
  • Covering for the end or top of something
  • Small, soft hat often with a front visor or shade
  • An upper limit on the amount of (e.g. budget)
  • verb
  • To cover the top or end of an object
  • To limit the amount of usage of something

crawl

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US / krɔ:l /

UK / krɔl /

B1
  • noun
  • Very slow progress (e.g. traffic)
  • Swimming by moving your arms forward then back
  • verb
  • To move very slowly or cautiously
  • To move along with the body close to the ground
  • To walk like an insect

string

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US / strɪŋ /

UK / strɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • A line of connected objects
  • Thick thread; thin rope
  • verb
  • To tie or connect things together with a thread

anytime

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US / 'enɪˌtaɪm /

UK / ˈɛniˌtaɪm /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time you choose, it's not important when

datum

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US / ˈdeɪtəm /

UK / ˈdetəm, ˈdætəm, ˈdɑtəm /

B1
  • noun
  • Item of factual information

gosh

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US / gɔʃ /

UK / ɡɑʃ /

C2
  • exclamation
  • Expression showing surprise

collapse

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US / kə'læps /

UK / kəˈlæps /

B1
  • verb
  • To fold (e.g. a stroller) down to make it smaller
  • To suddenly fall down or break apart into pieces
  • To fall down suddenly due to being ill or tired

southern

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US / ˈsʌðən /

UK / ˈsʌðərn /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a region in the south
  • Being in or toward the south

plate

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US / pleɪt /

UK / plet /

A2
  • noun
  • Flat dish used for eating or serving food
  • Smooth, thin piece of metal applied in a layer
  • Small, flat piece of metal with information on it
  • verb
  • To put a layer of metal on something to protect it

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

air

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US / eə(r) /

UK / er /

A1
  • noun
  • Mixture of gases around the earth that we breathe
  • A person's manner intended to impress others
  • verb
  • To expose to the outside, to dry or freshen
  • To broadcast a TV or radio show
  • To open a subject to discussion and debate

challenge

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US / 'tʃælɪndʒ /

UK / ˈtʃæləndʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
  • Act of formally inviting someone to compete
  • A question to determine correctness of something
  • verb
  • To formally invite someone to compete at something
  • To question the correctness of something

draw

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US / drɔ: /

UK / drɔ /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that attracts people to visit a place
  • A lottery or prize
  • Result of a game, contest where the score is equal
  • verb
  • To attract attention to someone or something
  • To get closer to or approach something or someone
  • To influence a person's involvement in something
  • To move an object by pulling
  • To create an image using pen or pencil and paper
  • To take one thing out of a container, etc.
  • (Of 2 teams) to finish a game with the same score

ice

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US / aɪs /

UK / aɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • Frozen gas or liquid, esp. water
  • Sweet food made of frozen cream, or juices
  • verb
  • To make something cold by putting on frozen water
  • To spread a sweet and creamy substance on a cake

resistant

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US / rɪˈzɪstənt /

UK / rɪˈzɪstənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not affected by something
  • Being opposed to or wanting to prevent something

blow

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US / bləʊ /

UK / blo /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that causes you difficulty or sadness
  • Act of making air come out of your mouth
  • A hit or strike from an object
  • verb
  • To move something using air
  • To make air come quickly out of your mouth
  • To clear something by forcing air through it

volcanic

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US / vɒlˈkænɪk /

UK / vɑ:lˈkænɪk /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • (E.g. of a temperament) easily angered; violent
  • Of or relating to a volcano or volcanoes

away

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US / ə'weɪ /

UK / əˈwe /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not present
  • adverb
  • Disappear completely
  • Doing something with a lot of energy
  • Not here; far from here; in a different direction
  • To a different area, location

polar

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US / ˈpəʊlə(r) /

UK / ˈpolɚ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the areas near the North or South poles

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

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

foot

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US / fʊt /

UK / fʊt /

A1
  • noun
  • Base of something such as a mountain or vase
  • Length of 12 inches or about 25 cm
  • Lowest part of the leg we use to stand on

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

hole

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US / həʊl /

UK / hol /

A2
  • noun
  • An empty space, as in the ground, in a sock etc.
  • Fault or weakness in a plan, idea or explanation
  • Opening into or through something
  • An awkward or difficult situation
  • Dirty or unpleasant place with poor facilities
  • verb
  • (Golf) to get the ball into the hole

magma

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US / 'mæɡmə /

UK / 'mæɡmə /

B2
  • noun
  • Hot liquid rock from the Earth's crust

moment

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US / 'məʊmənt /

UK / 'moʊmənt /

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

quake

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US / kweɪk /

UK / kwek /

B2
  • noun
  • Short for earthquake
  • verb
  • To shake physically, due to fear or anxiety
  • (Of buildings) to shake forcefully

crust

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US / krʌst /

UK / krʌst /

B2
  • noun
  • Hard outer layer of something, e.g. the earth
  • Hard crisp outer layer of bread, baked goods

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)

century

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US / 'sentʃərɪ /

UK / ˈsɛntʃəri /

A1
  • noun
  • Period of 100 years

coast

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US / kəʊst /

UK / kost /

A2
  • noun
  • Land near the sea or ocean
  • verb
  • To progress in something without trying hard
  • (Of a vehicle) to move forward without power

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

island

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US / ˈaɪlənd /

UK / ˈaɪlənd /

A1
  • noun
  • Area of land that is surrounded by water

last

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US / lɑ:st /

UK / læst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Most recent; the latest
  • The one before
  • adverb
  • Final; with nothing following; after all others
  • Most recent; the latest
  • determiner
  • The one at the end
  • verb
  • To remain or continue for a certain period of time

miracle

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US / 'mɪrəkl /

UK / ˈmɪrəkəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Amazing, seemingly impossible thing that happened

tyson

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US / ˈtaɪsən /

UK / /

A1
  • Subtitles section
  • Seven point two magnitude earthquake struck near the eastern Aleutian Islands last night.
  • Southern California rocked by a five one magnitude quake.
  • Massive effort to try and search for survivors from the devastating earthquake there.
  • So, you know, a century ago, we knew very little about Earth.
  • Well, we knew it had volcanoes and earthquakes and landmasses and oceans and polar ice caps.
  • But how did it get that way?
  • Was it always that way?
  • were unanswered questions at the time.
  • It really wasn't until the the the the nineteen fifties where direct measurements were made in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the crust of the Earth was separating.
  • And why do we have good data on that?
  • Well, the military wants to know what its submarines will confront under sea below detection.
  • So maybe those few continents that look like they fit together as puzzle pieces, maybe that idea was correct all along.
  • That idea had been posed for quite some time.
  • Just take a look at the west coast of Africa and the east coast of South America.
  • They look like they kind of fit.
  • Is that just coincidence?
  • Or maybe they used to be one landmass and then separated.
  • The question about whether they were together has been a long one.
  • I mean, people have wondered this.
  • They checked fossils on the east coast of South America and on the west coast of Africa, and they matched.
  • But when you take a step back and realize, oh my gosh, Earth's crust moves.
  • And you say, well, at what rate?
  • Turns out it moves
  • The continents drift on Earth's surface at about the rate that your fingernail grows.
  • That's not very fast in any given moment, but it adds up, and the crust is basically rigid.
  • So if it's gonna separate or come together at that rate, eventually tension will build and something's gotta give.
  • So either the two landmasses pry each other upwards, you might get mountain ranges that way,
  • They can separate, and then you get these sort of earthquake crevasses.
  • Or one landmass can what's called subduct, can be drawn underneath the other as the other one crawls up on its back, basically.
  • So a lot of different things can happen when the landmasses encounter one another.
  • It's because Earth is still hot.
  • We have a combination of heat left over from the formation of the Earth, plus heat sources that come from radioactive elements that are still within the Earth's volume.
  • And radioactivity sends particles out that have energy, particles get trapped, and it heats up the volume, okay?
  • We still have this source of energy.
  • And it is so hot that below the crust,
  • Below the crust, the material of the Earth is not solid.
  • It's like liquid, basically.
  • It is a soft enough solid that it is not stable.
  • And you have convection of zones below it that force land masses above it to respond.
  • If this is what's happening, oh my gosh, in one swing, you can explain earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, all in one coherent, holistic understanding of what's going on on Earth.
  • This string of islands, there's a hole from the mantle that punches up through the crust.
  • And when that happens, you get the magma, you know, the molten rock, it comes up and you get lava and you get a volcano.
  • Then the volcano goes dormant.
  • But you still have continental drift.
  • So what happens?
  • The crust shifts on top of that hotspot.
  • The hotspot is waiting there to sort of do its thing again, but it's not going to do it anytime soon.
  • You have continental drift, then it's time to be a volcano again.
  • It punches through the crust, makes another island volcano.
  • Then that goes dormant, the continents keeps moving, and you get another one.
  • This is how you get volcanic chains of islands in the world.
  • We have a word for them, they're archipelagos.
  • It's because of continental drift.
  • Tragically, the zones where you have these plate movements, the boundaries, that's where all the action is.
  • That's where the mountains are.
  • That's where the earthquakes are.
  • That's where the volcanoes are.
  • And you can see, you can map this in the world, where you are more likely than not to expect significant geologic forces to operate.
  • And so, no, it's not an accident that you'll find an earthquake over here and not over there.
  • Or that volcanoes are more prevalent there but not over here.
  • By the way, it doesn't mean you would still feel an earthquake, even if you're far away from one of these zones.
  • It doesn't mean your air wouldn't be affected by a volcano that exploded thousands of miles away as the plumes circle the Earth as it enters the stratosphere.
  • No, we're all still affected by it.
  • And especially when you have municipalities that are near these rings of fire, we call them,
  • In those municipalities, it becomes not just simply urgent, but it should be a prerequisite that anything you build in those areas has some resistance to an unstable earth beneath its feet.
  • In the past, they'd look at what buildings survived and which ones didn't, and they'd study those and say, let's build more of those kinds of buildings, okay?
  • So we can now basically make earthquake resistant buildings, because that's where you're going to die in an earthquake.
  • If you're just standing out in the middle of the prairie and there's an earthquake, no, you're fine, all right?
  • It's when the stuff we build that we occupy collapses.
  • because it cannot sustain the movement of the ground below it.
  • And so you can make buildings where the foundation of the building shifts beneath the building and the building doesn't then move with it.
  • Sliding, this is all manners of engineering solutions.
  • to enabling a building to survive an earthquake.
  • And by the way, we're not asking for engineering miracles here.
  • Only design your building so that it doesn't collapse.
  • You still might have to move out.
  • You might have to still rebuild it or re anchor it or whatever, but you don't want it to collapse.
  • And that becomes the challenge.
  • Earthquakes are very serious when they happen under the ocean rather than on land.
  • It's a pulse of energy that gets introduced into the ocean.
  • That energy has to go somewhere, so it begins to move from the ground zero point, from the epicenter of the earthquake.
  • And as it comes to shallower and shallower land, the size of the wave grows and grows, and thus you get tsunamis.
  • It's one of the primary causes of tsunamis in the world.
  • Oceanic earthquakes, as opposed to land based earthquakes.
  • Earth is not going to cool off anytime soon.
  • Earthquakes are here to stay.
  • Volcanoes are here to stay.
  • We got to learn to live with them until the day where we have so good at geoengineering that we could just sort of go in the Earth and release the stress.
  • or the volcano's building up pressure, tap it.
  • We tap kegs with spigots.
  • Maybe there's a way to release some of that pressure and control it so that it never blows catastrophically.
  • I don't know.
  • That's in the future of geoengineering, but right now we're in runaway mode when volcanoes go off and rebuild mode after earthquakes.
  • That's a little bit of What's Up With That.
  • I'm Neil deGrasse Tyson, your personal astrophysicist.
  • Keep looking up.