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South African town running out of water - BBC News

Video vocabulary

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

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

clean

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US / kli:n /

UK / klin /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not marked in any way; blank
  • Done according to the rules or standards; fair
  • Free from disease or sickness
  • Being free from dirt or marks; washed
  • Behaving well; not breaking any rules; legal
  • adverb
  • Completely; entirely
  • verb
  • To make free from dirt or marks; washed
  • To make neat and orderly e.g. a room
  • To remove the inner parts of an animal

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

ten

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US / ten /

UK / tɛn /

A1
  • number
  • 10

two

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • number
  • 2

disruption

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US / dɪs'rʌpʃn /

UK / dɪs'rʌpʃn /

B2
  • noun
  • When a disturbance stops an activity in progress

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

reduce

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US / rɪ'dju:s /

UK / rɪˈdus, -ˈdjus /

A2
  • verb
  • To try to decrease, e.g. your weight if overweight
  • To boil a liquid until it has decreased in amount
  • To make something smaller in size, amount, level

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

critically

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US / 'krɪtɪklɪ /

UK / ˈkrɪtɪklɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • As part of the process of judging something
  • In a way that is serious or dangerous; vitally

major

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US / 'meɪdʒə(r) /

UK / ˈmedʒɚ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Main league; esp. referring to American baseball
  • Important, serious, or large in scope, size
  • noun
  • High-ranking officer in the army
  • Main subject you study at university
  • verb
  • To study a particular subject at university

poor

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US / pʊə(r) /

UK / pʊr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Inferior; below the normal standard
  • Deserving of pity or sympathy
  • Without money; not rich

avert

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US / əˈvɜ:t /

UK / əˈvɜ:rt /

B2
  • verb
  • To prevent something negative from happening
  • To turn (your eyes, gaze) away from something

drink

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US / drɪŋk /

UK / drɪŋk /

A1
  • noun
  • A liquid that you put in your mouth
  • verb
  • To put water in your body through your mouth

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

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

resident

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US / ˈrezɪdənt /

UK / ˈrɛzɪdənt, -ˌdɛnt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Someone who lives in a particular place
  • noun
  • Trainee doctor who works/lives in a hospital

familiar

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US / fəˈmɪliə(r) /

UK / fəˈmɪljɚ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Well-known or easily recognized

prompt

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US / prɒmpt /

UK / prɑmpt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Fast; in a quick manner; without delay
  • noun
  • Message on a computer requiring attention
  • Encouragement to ask someone else to talk
  • verb
  • To display a message to requires a user to act
  • To say something to encourage someone else to talk
  • To remind an actor of his or her lines (words)
  • To cause something to occur; be the cause of

such

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US / sʌtʃ /

UK / sʌtʃ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Being similar to
  • (Thing) as previously stated or referred to
  • adverb
  • (Used to emphasize the quality of an adjective)

water

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US / 'wɔ:tə(r) /

UK / ˈwɔtɚ, ˈwɑtɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Clear liquid that forms the seas, rivers and rain
  • Large area such as an ocean or sea
  • verb
  • (Of the eyes) to produce tears
  • (Mouth) to become wet at the thought of nice food
  • To pour liquids onto a plant to keep it alive

desalination

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US / ˌdi:ˌsælɪˈneɪʃn /

UK / ˌdiːˌsælɪˈneɪʃn /

C2
  • noun
  • Removal of salt (especially from sea water)

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

infrastructure

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US / 'ɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r) /

UK / ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃɚ /

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

resilience

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US / rɪˈzɪliəns /

UK / rɪˈzɪljəns /

B2
  • noun
  • Ability to recover quickly from something bad

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

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

dam

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US / dæm /

UK / dæm /

B1
  • noun
  • Wall built to stop the flow of water
  • verb
  • To build a wall to prevent a river from flowing

shortage

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US / ˈʃɔ:tɪdʒ /

UK / ˈʃɔ:rtɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • A lack of something necessary

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

drought

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US / draʊt /

UK / draʊt /

B1
  • noun
  • Long period of dry weather

face

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US / feɪs /

UK / fes /

A1
  • noun
  • Side or outer surface of something
  • An expression using mouth, nose, eyes etc.
  • Front part of the head where eyes, mouth etc. are
  • Characteristics you show in public
  • verb
  • To cover a surface with something like paint
  • To deal with a problem or responsibilities
  • To look toward; point in a certain direction

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

urge

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US / ɜ:dʒ /

UK / ɚdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • A strong desire for something
  • Strong pressure on someone to do something
  • verb
  • To drive something forward
  • To ask or encourage someone to do something

news

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US / nju:z /

UK / nu:z /

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

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

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

blame

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US / bleɪm /

UK / blem /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of saying someone did something bad
  • verb
  • To say someone is responsible for something bad

amount

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US / ə'maʊnt /

UK / əˈmaʊnt /

A1
  • noun
  • Quantity of something
  • verb
  • To add up to a certain figure

aid

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US / eɪd /

UK / ed /

A2
  • noun
  • Action of giving help to others
  • Money or help given to those who need it
  • verb
  • To help others and provide things

benefit

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US / 'benɪfɪt /

UK / ˈbɛnəfɪt /

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

crisis

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US / 'kraɪsɪs /

UK / ˈkraɪsɪs /

B1
  • noun
  • Unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty

address

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US / ə'dres /

UK / əˈdrɛs /

A1
  • noun
  • Exact street location of a place
  • A formal speech to a group of people
  • verb
  • To write the place someone lives on a letter
  • To refer to someone or something formally
  • To make a formal speech to a group of people
  • To try to find a solution to; think about

bay

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US / beɪ /

UK / be /

B1
  • noun
  • Part of an ocean or lake partly surrounded by land

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

prevent

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US / prɪ'vent /

UK / prɪˈvɛnt /

A2
  • verb
  • To stop something from happening or existing

slow

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US / sləʊ /

UK / sloʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Lacking activity, busyness or excitement
  • (Clock) showing time earlier than the actual time
  • Having difficulty understanding simple things
  • Moving or happening without speed; not fast
  • verb
  • To move, with less speed than before
  • To move or go without much speed

role

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US / rəʊl /

UK / rol /

A2
  • noun
  • Character played by an actor
  • Part you play in an activity; job; responsibility

cyclic

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US / ˈsaɪklɪk /

UK / ˈsaɪklɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • A series of regular and repeated actions

fix

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US / fɪks /

UK / fɪks /

A2
  • noun
  • Answer to a problem
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something
  • To attach something so it will not move or change
  • To dishonestly arrange the result of a game
  • To make an animal unable to produce young
  • To make something whole or able to work again

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

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

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

africa

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US / 'æfrɪkə /

UK / ˈæfrɪkə /

A1
  • noun
  • Continent between the Atlantic and Indian oceans

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

against

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US / əˈgenst /

UK / əˈɡenst /

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

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

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

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

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

less

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US / les /

UK / lɛs /

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

play

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US / pleɪ /

UK / pleɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Loose, free movement between two objects
  • Single action in a sports game
  • Performance in which people act in a theater
  • verb
  • To act as a character in a movie, or on stage
  • To perform music on an instrument
  • To use a device, e.g. a video game
  • To do something for enjoyment and fun
  • To do or perform a game or sport

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

body

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US / ˈbɒd.i /

UK / ˈbɑdi /

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

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

outside

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US / ˌaʊtˈsaɪd /

UK / aʊtˈsaɪd, ˈaʊtˌsaɪd /

A2
  • adverb
  • Beyond the limits or edges of some place, thing
  • noun
  • Area around or near something, such as a building
  • preposition
  • Beyond the limits or edges of some place, thing

run

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US / rʌn /

UK / rʌn /

A1
  • noun
  • Journey between two places made by ship or car
  • Series of similar things or successes and failures
  • Act of running; exercise of running
  • verb
  • To depart or travel according to a schedule
  • To cause an animal to move in a certain direction
  • (Of an engine) to be operating
  • To start or use a computer program
  • To flow in a certain direction, like a liquid
  • To manage or operate a business
  • To operate or drive something
  • (Of a road) to go from one place to another
  • To move your legs faster than walking

ones

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US / wʌnz /

UK / wʌnz /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1, a single person or thing

brace

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US / breɪs /

UK / bres /

B2
  • noun
  • Structure that strengthens a joint
  • verb
  • To prepare yourself for a struggle/difficult time

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

also

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US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

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

alternative

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US / ɔ:lˈtɜ:nətɪv /

UK / ɔlˈtɚnətɪv, æl- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • A different choice
  • noun
  • Something different you can choose

climate

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US / ˈklaɪmət /

UK / ˈklaɪmɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Typical weather conditions in a particular place

litre

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US / ˈli:tə(r) /

UK / ˈlitɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Metric unit for measuring liquid or gas

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

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

extract

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US / 'ekstrækt /

UK / ɪkˈstrækt /

B1
  • noun
  • Essential ingredient of a natural thing
  • Part taken from a longer written work
  • verb
  • To get a substance out of a plant, etc.
  • To get a person to share secret information
  • To remove something by pulling or cutting

forward

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US / 'fɔ:wəd /

UK / ˈfɔrwəd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Toward what is ahead; in front
  • Acting in a socially aggressive manner; pushy
  • adverb
  • Toward the front in place; in front
  • Toward a future time; to a more advanced state
  • verb
  • To send something to another address or person

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

rainfall

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US / ˈreɪnfɔ:l /

UK / ˈrenˌfɔl /

B1
  • noun
  • Water falling from the sky

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

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

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

able

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US / 'eɪbl /

UK / ˈebəl /

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

correspondent

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US / ˌkɒrəˈspɒndənt /

UK / ˌkɔrɪˈspɑndənt, ˌkɑr- /

B1
  • noun
  • Journalist, as one reporting from other countries

cape

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US / keɪp /

UK / kep /

B1
  • noun
  • Clothing without sleeves worn over the shoulders
  • Large area of land that sticks out into a sea

environmentalist

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US / ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentəlɪst /

UK / ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentəlɪst /

B1
  • noun
  • One working for the protection of nature

term

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US / tɜ:m /

UK / tɚm /

A1
  • noun
  • Conditions applying to an agreement, contract
  • Length of time something is expected to happen
  • Fixed period of weeks for learning at school
  • The (precise) name given to something
  • verb
  • To call; give a name to

three

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US / θri: /

UK / θri /

A1
  • number
  • Number 3

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

amplify

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US / 'æmplɪfaɪ /

UK / ˈæmpləˌfaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • To increase the effect of something
  • To add more details to a story or something said

dangerously

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US / 'deɪndʒərəslɪ /

UK / ˈdendʒərəslɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • In a dangerous way; so that someone could be hurt

impact

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US / 'ɪmpækt /

UK / ˈɪmˌpækt /

A2
  • noun
  • A striking effect or result to hit with force
  • Very strong influence
  • Act or force of one thing hitting something else
  • verb
  • To hit or strike someone or something with force

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

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

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

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

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

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

include

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US / ɪnˈklu:d /

UK / ɪnˈklud /

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

sick

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US / sɪk /

UK / sɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a physical or mental illness
  • Morally wrong; perverted

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

city

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US / 'sɪtɪ /

UK / ˈsɪti /

A1
  • noun
  • Area with many buildings, roads and people

leakage

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US / ˈli:kɪdʒ /

UK / ˈlikɪdʒ /

B1
  • noun
  • Escape of a fluid from some container

ball

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US / bɔ:l /

UK / bɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • Large dance where people dress formally
  • Small round object often used in a game or sport

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

place

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US / pleɪs /

UK / ples /

A1
  • noun
  • Particular location, area or region
  • verb
  • To put someone in a particular type of situation
  • To put something in a certain location or position

despite

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US / dɪˈspaɪt /

UK / dɪˈspaɪt /

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

mix

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US / mɪks /

UK / mɪks /

A2
  • noun
  • A combination of more than two things
  • verb
  • To combine two or more things to make one
  • To meet and get along with others, e.g. at a party

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

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

plan

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US / plæn /

UK / plæn /

A1
  • noun
  • Drawing of how something should be done or made

township

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US / ˈtaʊnʃɪp /

UK / ˈtaʊnˌʃɪp /

B1
  • noun
  • Administrative division of a county

without

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US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

suburb

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US / ˈsʌbɜ:b /

UK / ˈsʌbɜ:rb /

B1
  • noun
  • Residential area on the outskirts of a city

community

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US / kə'mju:nətɪ /

UK / kəˈmjunɪti /

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

choice

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US / tʃɔɪs /

UK / tʃɔɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Of good quality or taste; desirable
  • noun
  • Decision between two or more possibilities

rely

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US / rɪ'laɪ /

UK / rɪˈlaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • Depend on with full trust or confidence

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)

low

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US / ləʊ /

UK / lo /

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

nelson

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US / 'nelsn /

UK / 'nelsn /

A1
  • noun
  • Any of several wrestling holds in which an arm is passed under the opponent's arm from behind and th
  • other
  • English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar

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

elderly

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US / ˈeldəli /

UK / ˈeldərli /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being very old

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

seawater

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US / 'si:wɒtə /

UK / ˈsiˌwɔtɚ, -ˌwɑtɚ /

B2
  • noun
  • Water from the sea; salt water

suffer

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US / 'sʌfə(r) /

UK / ˈsʌfɚ /

A2
  • verb
  • To experience pain, illness, or injury

town

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US / taʊn /

UK / taʊn /

A1
  • noun
  • Small city
  • Part of city with shops and entertainments

hundred

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US / 'hʌndrəd /

UK / ˈhʌndrɪd /

A1
  • number
  • 100

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

mismanagement

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US / ˌmɪs'mænɪdʒmənt /

UK / ˌmɪs'mænɪdʒmənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Management that is careless or inefficient

authority

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US / ɔ:ˈθɒrəti /

UK / əˈθɔrɪti, əˈθɑr-, ɔˈθɔr-, ɔˈθɑr- /

A2
  • noun
  • The power to give orders to people
  • Person who is an expert on a particular topic
  • Expert knowledge on a given subject
  • The power to decide or approve things
  • a group of people who have the official power to make decisions

race

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US / reɪs /

UK / res /

A2
  • noun
  • Speed contest between people, animals or vehicles
  • People who share physical features or culture
  • verb
  • To take part in a running or swimming competition
  • To move or go at a very fast pace
  • To take someone, something to a place very quickly

here

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

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

lose

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US / lu:z /

UK / luz /

A1
  • verb
  • To be unable to keep in check or control something
  • To decrease in value or quantity (e.g. weight)
  • To stop having certain qualities or abilities
  • To stop having or being entitled to
  • To fail to win something that is being contested
  • To be unable to find something you once had
  • To be dependent on someone (used with 'not')

supply

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US / sə'plaɪ /

UK / səˈplaɪ /

A2
  • noun
  • Availability of products and services for use
  • Specific things needed to perform a certain task
  • verb
  • To give or sell goods to others for their use

four

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US / fɔ:(r) /

UK / fɔr, for /

A1
  • number
  • 4

million

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US / ˈmɪljən /

UK / ˈmɪljən /

A1
  • number
  • 1,000,000

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

already

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US / ɔ:lˈredi /

UK / ɔlˈrɛdi /

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

cook

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US / kʊk /

UK / kʊk /

A1
  • noun
  • A person who prepares food
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To heat food until it is ready to eat

itself

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US / ɪtˈself /

UK / ɪtˈsɛlf /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Referring to it

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

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

warn

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US / wɔ:n /

UK / wɔrn /

A2
  • verb
  • To tell someone about possible danger

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

calendar

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US / ˈkælɪndə(r) /

UK / ˈkæləndɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • A table showing the days, months and years

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

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

sure

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US / ʃʊə(r) /

UK / ʃʊr /

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

third

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US / θɜ:d /

UK / θɜ:rd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 3rd: Number after second

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

ensure

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US / ɪn'ʃʊə(r) /

UK / ɛnˈʃʊr /

A2
  • verb
  • To make something sure, certain, or safe

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

accessible

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US / əkˈsesəbl /

UK / ækˈsɛsəbəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Able to be entered, reached or used

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”

prolong

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US / prə'lɒŋ /

UK / prəˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɑŋ /

B2
  • verb
  • To make continue for a longer amount of time

fear

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US / fɪə(r) /

UK / fɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Unpleasant feeling caused by being aware of danger
  • verb
  • To be afraid of or nervous about something

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

heavy

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US / 'hevɪ /

UK / ˈhɛvi /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Greater in amount, degree, or severity than usual
  • Involving serious or strong emotions
  • Having a lot of weight

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

worry

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US / ˈwʌri /

UK / ˈwɜ:ri /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that causes trouble or concern
  • verb
  • To cause concern or trouble over something

precarious

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US / prɪˈkeəriəs /

UK / prɪˈkɛriəs /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Not secure; likely to fall over/off; dangerous

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

dry

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US / draɪ /

UK / draɪ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of humor) clever, but not obvious; ironic
  • Without water; not wet
  • (Of wine, etc.) not sweet
  • Without butter or jam
  • verb
  • To remove liquid or water from something

insulate

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US / 'ɪnsjʊleɪt /

UK / ˈɪnsəˌlet, ˈɪnsjə- /

B2
  • verb
  • To prevent heat, electricity, sound from passing
  • To protect from a particular influence or danger

possible

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US / ˈpɒsəbl /

UK / ˈpɑsəbəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being able or appropriate for a task or purpose
  • Having a chance of happening, or being true

ago

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US / əˈgəʊ /

UK / əˈgoʊ /

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

install

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US / ɪnˈstɔ:l /

UK / ɪnˈstɔl /

A2
  • verb
  • To set up equipment so that it is ready to use
  • To place someone officially in a job position

management

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US / 'mænɪdʒmənt /

UK / ˈmænɪdʒmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • People who are in control of a business or group
  • The process of running an organization

organization

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US / ˌɔ:gənaɪˈzeɪʃn /

UK / ˌɔrɡənɪˈzeʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Group of people with a particular purpose

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

drill

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US / drɪl /

UK / drɪl /

B1
  • noun
  • A machine that makes holes with a metal bit
  • Exercise done to learn military skills
  • Disciplined practice, as of soldiers marching
  • verb
  • To make a deep hole to find oil, gas etc.
  • To put a hole in something by using a boring tool
  • To train in something through repetition

activist

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US / ˈæktɪvɪst /

UK / ˈæktəvɪst /

B1
  • noun
  • A person who tries to change a government, society

fetch

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US / fetʃ /

UK / fɛtʃ /

A2
  • verb
  • To go and get something and bring it back

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
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • South Africa's Nelson Mandela Bay is facing a severe water crisis, with authorities rushing to prevent taps from running dry. Known as Day Zero, this crisis could leave nearly two million residents without access to water. The situation is a result of a prolonged drought and mismanagement of the water infrastructure. With less than ten days of water supply left, over a hundred suburbs and townships are already experiencing a shortage. The levels of water in dams are critically low, preventing any significant extraction. The fear of reaching Day Zero is exacerbated by the forecast of heavy rainfall in the near future. However, it is the poorest townships that are already bearing the brunt of the crisis, with limited access to only three taps for hundreds of people. To cope, residents have to rely on fetching water from the Brumandal Dam, putting a strain on their daily lives. The situation is particularly concerning for those who are sick, disabled, or elderly. Climate change has worsened water scarcity over the past seven years, but mismanagement of water resources has also contributed to this crisis. Daily leakages result in the loss of millions of liters of water, accounting for one-third of the city's water supply. Efforts are now underway to fix over 3,000 leaks and prevent further water shortage.
  • Subtitles section
  • Authorities in South Africa's Nelson Mandela Bay are racing against time to prevent taps running dry.
  • This is known as Day Zero and will see close to two million residents without water.
  • A prolonged drought and poor management of water infrastructure has been blamed for the crisis.
  • Our correspondent Nomsa Maseko visited the area.
  • A warning many here in Cabeja have become familiar with as the city braces itself for the arrival of Day Zero.
  • Residents have been urged to use water sparingly.
  • With less than ten days left of supply, taps are fast becoming dry in more than a hundred suburbs and townships.
  • Water levels in many dams, including this one, are critically low.
  • No significant amount of water can be extracted from here.
  • And with heavy rainfall forecast in the near future, the fear of reaching Day Zero is dangerously close.
  • But the poorest townships are already suffering.
  • There are only three taps for hundreds of people that live here.
  • And on most days, they don't work.
  • When there is no water, we rely and struggle to go and fetch the water in Brumandal Dam.
  • And we take it because we don't have an alternative and we don't have a choice.
  • So we need, because the body needs the water to drink and we need to cook.
  • What is worrying us more is those people that are sick and those ones that are disabled and the elderly people.
  • Environmentalists have said water scarcity has been amplified by climate change over the last seven years.
  • But mismanagement has also played a role.
  • Millions of litres are lost every day despite water shortages.
  • A third of the city's water supply is lost through leakages such as this one.
  • They are now working to fix more than 3,000 of them to prevent taps from running dry.
  • Activists have warned of a possible humanitarian crisis, prompting aid organizations to address government's slow response.
  • We drill the balls into schools, which makes it much more precarious in terms of providing water to the school, so there's no disruption in the school calendar, and as well as installing taps outside.
  • So 24-7, the community in those areas can benefit of getting accessible to clean drinking water.
  • Babeja is the second South African city to face this major crisis after Cape Town averted its own water shortages four years ago.
  • We are also investing in the desalination Of seawater in the medium-long term to ensure that our water mix will be able to reduce the impact of drought going forward.
  • As I have said, we have got a four-year cyclic.
  • The idea is then to be able to insulate and future-proof the city from a water resilience point of view.
  • Plans are in place to make sure that no other city faces water scarcity.
  • Nomsa Masego, BBC News, Babeja, South Africa.