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Taiwan's Kinmen Island caught in the middle of conflict with China

Video vocabulary

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

be

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US / bɪ /

UK / bi /

A1
  • verb
  • Being

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

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’

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

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

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

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

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

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

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)

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • 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
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say

do

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US / du: /

UK / du /

A1
  • other
  • Question words for 'do' verbs
  • verb
  • To act; to perform actions
  • To be enough; to be acceptable
  • To have a certain effect on something or someone

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

out

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US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

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

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

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)

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

think

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US / θɪŋk /

UK / θɪŋk /

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

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

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

more

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US / mɔ:(r) /

UK / mɔr, mor /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition; extra
  • Greater in amount, number, or size
  • adverb
  • To a greater degree; in greater quantity
  • For a longer period of time
  • determiner
  • Additional quantity
  • pronoun
  • A greater or additional number

when

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US / wen /

UK / wɛn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or during the time something happens
  • adverb
  • Word you use to ask about the time, or day
  • conjunction
  • Although
  • In the event that; if
  • pronoun
  • Which time

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

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

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

here

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

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

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

say

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US / seɪ /

UK / se /

A1
  • noun
  • Power to decide or greatly influence something
  • verb
  • To indicate or give information using language
  • To use words to tell your message
  • To ask someone to give information to others

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

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

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

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

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

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

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

also

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US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

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

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

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

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

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

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

start

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US / stɑ:t /

UK / stɑrt /

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

any

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US / 'enɪ /

UK / ˈɛni /

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

still

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US / stɪl /

UK / stɪl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Quiet; without sound
  • adverb
  • (Used of an action or condition that is ongoing)
  • noun
  • Machine or device for making alcohol
  • Photograph (not a video or moving image)

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

mean

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US / mi:n /

UK / min /

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

his

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US / hɪz /

UK / hɪz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Something belonging to a male person

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

great

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US / ɡreɪt /

UK / ɡret /

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

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

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

happen

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US / 'hæpən /

UK / ˈhæpən /

A1
  • verb
  • To take place or occur

every

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US / 'evrɪ /

UK / ˈɛvri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening at equal specified intervals/distance
  • determiner
  • Including each person or thing in a group

long

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US / lɒŋ /

UK / lɔŋ, lɑŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Large distance from one end to the other
  • Having many parts, e.g. a book with many chapters
  • adverb
  • For a large amount of time
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To have a strong desire for something or someone

same

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US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

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

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

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

bring

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US / brɪŋ /

UK / brɪŋ /

A1
  • verb
  • To take or go with someone to a place

few

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US / fju: /

UK / fju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Not many, a small number

real

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US / rɪəl /

UK / ˈriəl, ril /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Actually existing or happening, not imagined
  • Being important or special

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

hope

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US / həʊp /

UK / hop /

A1
  • noun
  • When you wish something will happen; what you wish
  • verb
  • To expect and want something to happen

both

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US / bəuθ /

UK / boθ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time
  • pronoun
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time

close

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US / kləʊz /

UK / kloʊz /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Almost; near
  • (Of a friend) well-known; liked by others
  • Being near or related
  • Similar; nearly the same
  • verb
  • To come progressively nearer to something
  • To end; to bring to an end
  • To make something shut; stop from being open

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”

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

stop

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US / stɒp /

UK / stɑ:p /

A1
  • noun
  • Action of finishing moving
  • Place to rest (often on a journey)
  • verb
  • To block or close something
  • To finish moving or to come to an end
  • To no longer do an activity; finish

old

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US / əʊld /

UK / old /

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

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

side

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US / saɪd /

UK / saɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition to the central or most important thing
  • Next to, or very close to, the right or left of
  • noun
  • Position or opinion that is opposite to another
  • Right or left part of a person's body
  • Feature of someone's personality
  • Straight edge of an object
  • One of two or more groups fighting each other
  • verb
  • To decide to agree with one point, not the other

between

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US / bɪˈtwi:n /

UK / bɪˈtwin /

A1
  • preposition
  • From one person, thing, or place, to another
  • In the space that separates two objects
  • Among two or more people who share something

enjoy

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US / ɪnˈdʒɔɪ /

UK / ɛnˈdʒɔɪ /

A1
  • verb
  • To take pleasure in something

couple

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US / 'kʌpl /

UK / ˈkʌpəl /

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

remember

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US / rɪ'membə(r) /

UK / rɪˈmɛmbɚ /

A1
  • verb
  • To give someone a gift, e.g. birthday, wedding
  • To hold a thought in your mind to not forget it
  • To bring a previous image or idea to your mind

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

line

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US / laɪn /

UK / laɪn /

A1
  • noun
  • Border that divides two places or regions
  • Long crease in the skin, often from age
  • Mark that is long, straight and very thin
  • Row of words, letters or numbers that are written
  • Telephone connection
  • People waiting one behind the other; queue
  • Long thin wire, e.g. for electrical signal
  • verb
  • To put material along the inside of something

night

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US / naɪt /

UK / naɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Working during the very early morning
  • noun
  • Time when sun does not shine

month

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US / mʌnθ /

UK / mʌnθ /

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

front

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US / frʌnt /

UK / frʌnt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Opposite of back; the forward part of an object
  • noun
  • Behavior not showing a person's true feelings
  • Area where fighting in a war is happening
  • Place where air of different temperatures meets
  • verb
  • To have the forward part facing something
  • To lead a group of people, usually a band

family

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US / 'fæməlɪ /

UK / ˈfæmli /

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

experience

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US / ɪk'spɪərɪəns /

UK / ɪkˈspɪriəns /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing a person has done or that happened to them
  • An event at which you learned something
  • Knowledge gained by living life, doing new things
  • verb
  • To gain knowledge by doing things

continue

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US / kən'tɪnju: /

UK / kənˈtɪnju /

A1
  • verb
  • To do something without stopping, or after pausing
  • To start doing again after a break, pause, or stop

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

catch

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US / kætʃ /

UK / kætʃ, kɛtʃ /

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

late

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US / leɪt /

UK / let /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening near the end of a given time
  • Having died; having held some position recently
  • At a time after the expected time
  • adverb
  • At a time after the expected time

fight

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US / faɪt /

UK / faɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • An argument or quarrel
  • Act of trying to hurt someone by hitting them
  • A struggle to do a difficult task
  • verb
  • To argue or quarrel with someone about something
  • To try to hurt someone by hitting them
  • To struggle to do a difficult task

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

feeling

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US / ˈfi:lɪŋ /

UK / ˈfilɪŋ /

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

ago

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US / əˈgəʊ /

UK / əˈgoʊ /

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

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

system

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US / 'sɪstəm /

UK / ˈsɪstəm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Working in an organized, logical way
  • noun
  • Set of organized, planned ideas that work together

short

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US / ʃɔ:t /

UK / ʃɔrt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Measuring a small distance
  • Happening for a small amount of time
  • Unfriendly or rude
  • adverb
  • Less than what is needed
  • Suddenly stopping what you are saying or doing
  • noun
  • Burning out of an electric current
  • verb
  • (Of electric circuit) to spark because faulty

join

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US / dʒɔɪn /

UK / dʒɔɪn /

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

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

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

middle

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US / 'mɪdl /

UK / ˈmidl /

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

main

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US / meɪn /

UK / men /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Most important; most often used

difference

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US / 'dɪfrəns /

UK / ˈdɪfərəns, ˈdɪfrəns /

A1
  • noun
  • A thing or issue that people do not agree about
  • Not of the same kind; unlike other things

history

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US / 'hɪstrɪ /

UK / ˈhɪstəri /

A2
  • noun
  • Established pattern or record
  • Study of past events as an academic subject

explain

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US / ɪk'spleɪn /

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

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

hundred

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US / 'hʌndrəd /

UK / ˈhʌndrɪd /

A1
  • number
  • 100

thousand

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US / ˈθaʊznd /

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1,000

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

music

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US / 'mju:zɪk /

UK / ˈmjuzɪk /

A1
  • noun
  • Sounds that are sung or played to give pleasure
  • Academic study of rhythms and sounds
  • Written symbols that represent musical sounds

himself

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US / hɪmˈself /

UK / hɪmˈsɛlf /

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

party

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US / 'pɑ:tɪ /

UK / ˈpɑrti /

A1
  • noun
  • Social event often with food, drinks and dancing
  • Group of people who travel, do something together
  • One side in a legal action or conflict
  • Official political group
  • verb
  • To attend, meet, gather at an event to have fun

cost

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US / kɒst /

UK / kɔ:st /

A1
  • noun
  • A loss or damage occurring when meeting a goal
  • The price you pay for something
  • verb
  • To make someone suffer or lose something of value

rule

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US / ruːl /

UK / ruːl /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that is normal and usually happens
  • Governmental control or power over a region
  • Statement that says how things should be
  • verb
  • To decide legally, especially in court
  • To have control or influence
  • To mark with a straight line

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

government

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US / ˈgʌvənmənt /

UK / ˈɡʌvənmənt /

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

message

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US / 'mesɪdʒ /

UK / ˈmɛsɪdʒ /

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

war

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US / wɔ:(r) /

UK / wɔr /

A2
  • noun
  • Situation where armies fight each other

service

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US / 'sɜ:vɪs /

UK / 'sɝvɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • Work that a person does to assist others
  • Ceremony for religious purposes
  • Work or help that is provided by a company
  • Job that is performed by members of the military
  • Maintenance of machinery so it runs well, e.g. car
  • verb
  • To help or do work for someone, e.g. in a store
  • To maintain a piece of machinery so it runs well

battle

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US / 'bætl /

UK / ˈbætl /

A2
  • noun
  • Military fight between armies
  • Working hard to stop something; struggle
  • verb
  • To fight or struggle against someone or something
  • To work hard to stop something; struggle

recently

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US / ˈri:sntli /

UK / 'risṇtlɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just a while ago; not long ago

local

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US / ˈləʊkl /

UK / ˈloʊkl /

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

among

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US / əˈmʌŋ /

UK / əˈmʌŋ /

A1
  • preposition
  • In the center of several things

terrible

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US / ˈterəbl /

UK / ˈtɛrəbəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very bad; horrible

decade

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US / ˈdekeɪd /

UK / ˈdɛkˌed, dɛˈked /

B1
  • noun
  • Period of 10 years

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

tie

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US / taɪ /

UK / taɪ /

A2
  • noun
  • Item, such as string or wire, used to join things
  • Strong connection between people, countries
  • When both sides in a game, vote get same score
  • One match or game that is part of a bigger contest
  • Something that lessens a person's freedom
  • Thin piece of cloth worn round neck of shirt
  • Piece of wood/metal used to stop something moving
  • verb
  • To attach things (together) with a string or rope
  • To end a game, contest or vote with the same score
  • To require someone to be in a specific place

apart

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US / əˈpɑ:t /

UK / əˈpɑrt /

A2
  • adverb
  • Separate or different from another
  • Into separate parts
  • Separated by an amount of time or space

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

language

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US / ˈlæŋgwɪdʒ /

UK / ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ /

A1
  • noun
  • Words or signs used to communicate messages

global

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US / ˈgləʊbl /

UK / ˈgloʊbl /

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

tear

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US / teə(r) /

UK / tɛr /

A2
  • noun
  • Drop of salty water from the eye
  • Hole or rip in something after it has been damaged
  • verb
  • To move very quickly, often with carelessness
  • To remove something forcibly or roughly
  • To damage by pulling, resulting in a rough edge

father

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US / ˈfɑ:ðə(r) /

UK / ˈfɑðɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • A male parent
  • Man who is the first to do or invent something
  • verb
  • To create a child by making a woman pregnant

political

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US / pəˈlɪtɪkl /

UK / pəˈlɪtɪkəl /

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

suffer

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US / 'sʌfə(r) /

UK / ˈsʌfɚ /

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

prevent

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US / prɪ'vent /

UK / prɪˈvɛnt /

A2
  • verb
  • To stop something from happening or existing

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

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

willing

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US / 'wɪlɪŋ /

UK / ˈwɪlɪŋ /

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

trade

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US / treɪd /

UK / treid /

A2
  • noun
  • A specific industry, e.g. shoe making
  • Action of buying and selling things in business
  • The buying and selling of goods and services
  • Exchanging something for something else
  • Job often requiring physical skills, e.g. plumbing
  • verb
  • To buy, sell and exchange goods in business
  • To give something in return for something else

majority

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US / mə'dʒɒrətɪ /

UK / məˈdʒɔrɪti, -ˈdʒɑr- /

B1
  • noun
  • Amount that is more than half of a group

repeat

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US / rɪˈpi:t /

UK / rɪˈpit /

A2
  • noun
  • Action that is done again
  • Musical passage that is to be played again
  • Radio or television program that was shown before
  • verb
  • To do something over again
  • To say something you have learned and memorized
  • To relate something you have been told by another
  • To say something again

military

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US / 'mɪlətrɪ /

UK / ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri /

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

speaker

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US / 'spi:kə(r) /

UK / ˈspikɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Electronic device for making or broadcasting sound
  • Person who makes a speech before a group

necessary

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US / 'nesəsərɪ /

UK / ˈnɛsɪˌsɛri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Needed or required; unavoidable

rely

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US / rɪ'laɪ /

UK / rɪˈlaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • Depend on with full trust or confidence

economy

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US / ɪ'kɒnəmɪ /

UK / ɪˈkɑnəmi /

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

island

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US / ˈaɪlənd /

UK / ˈaɪlənd /

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

bomb

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US / bɒm /

UK / bɑm /

B1
  • noun
  • An explosive device
  • verb
  • To attack with explosives
  • To fail or be completely unsuccessful

mixed

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US / mɪkst /

UK / mɪkst /

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

forth

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US / fɔ:θ /

UK / fɔrθ, forθ /

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

oppose

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US / əˈpəʊz /

UK / əˈpoʊz /

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

freedom

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US / 'fri:dəm /

UK / ˈfridəm /

B1
  • noun
  • State of being free, not being controlled

knife

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US / naɪf /

UK / naɪf /

A1
  • noun
  • Long piece of metal you use for cutting things
  • verb
  • To attack someone with a sharp long blade
  • To move through something easily and quickly

fellow

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US / 'feləʊ /

UK / ˈfɛlo /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being of the same kind
  • noun
  • Man or a boy
  • Student paid to study and teach after college

conflict

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US / 'kɒnflɪkt /

UK / ˈkɑnˌflɪkt /

A2
  • noun
  • Argument or struggle between two or more parties
  • verb
  • To have opposite ideas; to disagree; To not match

citizen

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US / 'sɪtɪzn /

UK / ˈsɪtɪzən /

B1
  • noun
  • Person who belongs to and has rights in a country

portion

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US / 'pɔ:ʃn /

UK / ˈpɔrʃən, ˈpor- /

B1
  • noun
  • Serving of food that is intended for one person
  • Part of something shared that belongs to a whole
  • verb
  • To separate something to divide among people

tower

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US / 'taʊə(r) /

UK / ˈtaʊɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Tall, narrow building
  • Tall metal structure for broadcasting, or the view
  • verb
  • To be very good at something

vast

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US / vɑ:st /

UK / væst /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being very large in size or amount

steel

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US / sti:l /

UK / stil /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Made of, or partly made of, a strong silvery metal
  • noun
  • Very strong or determined character in a person
  • Very strong metal made of iron, etc.
  • verb
  • To prepare yourself for something difficult

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

frozen

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US / 'frəʊzn /

UK / ˈfroʊzn /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Hard, solid because it is below zero degrees
  • verb
  • To store an item of food in a cold place
  • To make someone to not want to communicate
  • To stop moving and be still; stay the same

territory

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US / 'terətrɪ /

UK / ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri, -ˌtori /

B1
  • noun
  • Area of land defended by an animal
  • Area of particular knowledge or experience
  • Area owned or controlled by a government, person
  • Area of land with a specific defining feature

crucial

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US / 'kru:ʃl /

UK / ˈkruʃəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Extremely important or necessary

civil

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US / ˈsɪvl /

UK / ˈsɪvəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Of citizens of a country; not military, criminal
  • Acting in a polite, but not truly friendly manner

china

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US / ˈtʃaɪnə /

UK / ˈtʃaɪnə /

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

kilometre

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US / ˈkɪləmi:tə(r) /

UK / ˈkɪləmiːtər /

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

household

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US / 'haʊshəʊld /

UK / ˈhaʊsˌhold /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in everyday use; common
  • noun
  • Concerning a home
  • Family or other group living together in a house

pride

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US / praɪd /

UK / praɪd /

A2
  • noun
  • Sense of your own importance and worth
  • verb
  • To be proud of something you did

passenger

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US / 'pæsɪndʒə(r) /

UK / ˈpæsəndʒɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who is traveling in a vehicle

democratic

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US / ˌdeməˈkrætɪk /

UK / ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of government) giving the people power, a vote
  • Having certain aspects of democracy

singer

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US / ˈsɪŋə(r) /

UK / ˈsɪŋɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Person who sings, often as a profession

chinese

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US / ˌtʃaɪˈniːz /

UK / ˌtʃaɪˈniːz /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the culture and people of China

flee

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US / fli: /

UK / fli /

B1
  • verb
  • To leave somewhere urgently, to avoid danger

democracy

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US / dɪ'mɒkrəsɪ /

UK / dɪˈmɑkrəsi /

B1
  • noun
  • System of government in which everyone is equal

representative

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US / ˌreprɪˈzentətɪv /

UK / ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Acting or speaking for other people
  • Typical of a particular group or thing
  • noun
  • Typical example of a particular category
  • Politician who acts on behalf of the people
  • A person who acts as an agent or sales person

shelter

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US / 'ʃeltə(r) /

UK / ˈʃɛltɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Place to protect people/animals from abuse
  • Structure that covers or protects things
  • State of being protected from danger, bad weather
  • verb
  • To give animals, people a place away from abuse
  • To find protection from danger/bad weather

invasion

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US / ɪnˈveɪʒn /

UK / ɪnˈveʒən /

B1
  • noun
  • Entry into a place to cause harm

activist

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US / ˈæktɪvɪst /

UK / ˈæktəvɪst /

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

broadcast

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US / 'brɔ:dkɑ:st /

UK / ˈbrɔdˌkæst /

A2
  • noun
  • Program sent out from a radio or TV station
  • verb
  • To send out signals by radio or television

bunker

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US / ˈbʌŋkə(r) /

UK / ˈbʌŋkɚ /

B2
  • noun
  • Section of a golf course that contains sand

geoff

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US / dʒɛf /

UK / /

A1

strive

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US / straɪv /

UK / straɪv /

B2
  • verb
  • To work hard/make effort to achieve something

ancestor

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US / 'ænsestə(r) /

UK / ˈænˌsɛstɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • A person from your family that lived in the past

shell

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US / ʃel /

UK / ʃɛl /

B1
  • noun
  • Hard outer cover of an egg, fruit, nut, or seed
  • Hard metal container containing a bullet
  • verb
  • To remove the outer covering of peas, nuts etc.
  • To fire shells (weapons) at

forge

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US / fɔ:dʒ /

UK / fɔ:rdʒ /

B1
  • noun
  • A furnace to melt and shape metals with heat
  • verb
  • To create something by hammering hot metal
  • To form something new, such a relationship
  • To make a false copy to deceive others

stabilize

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US / 'steɪbəlaɪz /

UK / ˈstebəˌlaɪz /

B1
  • verb
  • To make stable/consistent, with no major changes

litter

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US / 'lɪtə(r) /

UK / ˈlɪtɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • All the baby animals born at once from one mother
  • Objects thrown on the ground as waste in public
  • verb
  • To give birth to more than one animal at once
  • To throw objects on the ground as waste in public

necessity

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US / nəˈsesəti /

UK / nəˈsɛsɪti /

B1
  • noun
  • Something that you must have or do

vow

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US / vaʊ /

UK / vaʊ /

B2
  • noun
  • Very serious promise
  • verb
  • To make a serious, often a religious, promise

workshop

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US / ˈwɜ:kʃɒp /

UK / ˈwɜ:rkʃɑ:p /

B1
  • noun
  • A brief intensive course for a small group

communist

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US / ˈkɒmjənɪst /

UK / ˈkɑmjənɪst /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Believer in communism

bombing

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US / ˈbɒmɪŋ /

UK / ˈbɑ:mɪŋ /

B1
  • noun
  • Dropping, attacking or throwing of bombs
  • verb
  • To attack with explosives
  • To fail or be completely unsuccessful

tourism

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US / ˈtʊərɪzəm /

UK / ˈtʊrɪzəm /

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

ireland

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US / 'aɪələnd /

UK / 'aɪrlənd /

A1
  • noun
  • An island comprising the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

mainland

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US / 'meɪnlænd /

UK / ˈmenˌlænd, -lənd /

B2
  • noun
  • Main land mass of a country or continent

beijing

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US / ˌbeɪˈdʒɪŋ /

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A1
  • proper noun
  • The capital of China, in the northeast of the country; population 8,580,400 (est. 2006). Beijing bec

poise

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  • Way of behaving with confidence/emotional control
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remnant

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shuttle

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  • Vehicle carrying passengers between two places
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  • To move passengers between two nearby places

rehearse

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  • verb
  • To practice e.g. play, speech before a performance

artillery

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ferry

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  • Passenger boat on a regular schedule
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teresa

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huddle

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affinity

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taiwan

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  • A government on the island of Taiwan established in by Chiang Kai-shek after the conquest of mainlan
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nationalist

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tang

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blacksmith

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taiwanese

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fervent

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  • Introduction to Video Content
  • Taiwan's Kinmen Island, also known as Jingmen Island, is a place caught in the middle of a conflict with China. This small Taiwanese territory is located far from Taipei, but it is just a couple of kilometers away from mainland China. The island has a long history of being at the forefront of battle, with remnants of war still scattered across its landscape.
    Blacksmith Wu Sangdong runs a workshop on Jingmen Island, where he forges household knives. What makes his knives unique is the steel he uses, which comes from old Chinese bombs and artillery shells that landed on the island during the civil war in 1949. Over the years, Wu has had no shortage of materials as the Chinese fired on the island hundreds of thousands of times, supplying him with shells for his workshop.
    Wu's family, like many others on the island, experienced the horror of the artillery battle. They would often find themselves huddled in shelters and bunkers, waiting for the bombing to stop. Now, with tensions rising between China and Taiwan, Wu fears that history is poised to repeat itself. The Chinese government has made it clear that it is willing to take Taiwan by force if necessary, and its military has been conducting invasion drills as a show of strength.
    While the majority of Taiwanese oppose joining China, the sentiments on Jingmen Island are more mixed. Some residents, like a 66-year-old man whose father fought the Chinese military, are not afraid of the communists' potential arrival. He believes that Chinese and Taiwanese people are the same, with the same ancestors and language, and that they should no longer fight against each other.
    This sense of affinity between Chinese and Taiwanese people is also fueled by necessity. Jingmen Island is a place that has been deeply affected by conflict, and the shared history and culture between the two sides have created a complex web of emotions and connections. As tensions continue to simmer, the fate of Kinmen Island remains uncertain, with its residents bracing themselves for the possibility of an uncertain future.
  • Subtitles section
  • Blacksmith Wu Sangdong runs this workshop on Taiwan's Jingmen Island.
  • He prides himself on making something good out of something terrible.
  • Wu forges household knives made with steel from old Chinese bombs.
  • Artillery shells that landed here decades ago.
  • And on this island he's not running short of material.
  • I was only a few months old when the artillery battle started but the fighting continued for many years he says.
  • Jingmen Island is caught in the middle of a frozen conflict.
  • This Taiwanese territory is far from Taipei but just a couple of kilometers from mainland China.
  • And 74 years ago Jingmen became a front line.
  • This island is littered with remnants of war.
  • A civil war that in 1949 saw Jingmen Island torn apart from the mainland.
  • The communists took control of mainland China and the nationalists fled taking control of Taiwan and Jingmen Island among others.
  • Over 20 years the Chinese fired on the island hundreds of thousands of times supplying shells for Wu's workshop.
  • He says the shelling happened every other night.
  • His family and others huddled in shelters and bunkers waiting for the bombing to stop.
  • Now he fears history is poised to repeat.
  • The Chinese government has vowed to take Taiwan by force if necessary.
  • Its military running drills rehearsing an invasion.
  • The vast majority of Taiwanese oppose joining China but in Jingmen Island feelings are mixed.
  • If the communists are coming let them come says this 66-year-old.
  • His father fought the Chinese military and he grew up under the bombing but still.
  • Chinese and Taiwanese people are the same he says.
  • Same ancestors and language.
  • Chinese people will no longer fight their own people.
  • That affinity is also explained by necessity.
  • Beijing recently started supplying drinking water to stabilize the island's supply and a ferry service now shuttles passengers back and forth to China.
  • A significant portion of Jingmen's economy relies on tourism and small-scale trade with China says this local representative of Taiwan's ruling party.
  • But closer ties with communist China doesn't mean they're willing to give up their democratic freedoms.
  • Every day this speaker tower broadcasts music and a message to China by the late Taiwanese singer and pro-democracy activist Teresa Tang.
  • It is my fervent hope that our fellow citizens on mainland China can enjoy the same democracy and freedom that we have here it says.
  • We enjoy our system our political system here.
  • This Jingmen congresswoman explains the main difference between Taiwanese mainlanders and islanders.
  • The island I think more than Taiwan did experience real war.
  • And people here remember what it cost.
  • It is crucial that we strive to prevent any war Wu says.
  • It would bring great suffering to both sides.
  • Jeff Semple, Global News, Jingmen, Ireland.