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How to Escape the Rat Race and Find Freedom Like James Baldwin

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

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

all

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US / ɔ:l /

UK / ɔl /

A1
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally
  • determiner
  • Being every one of something
  • pronoun
  • 100% of something; the complete amount

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

like

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US / laɪk /

UK / laɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in status or kind to something else
  • Similar; the same
  • adverb
  • For example
  • preposition
  • Used as a filler; used to ad emphasis
  • In a way similar to the way something is done
  • Such as; for example
  • verb
  • To want to
  • To find something pleasing; to prefer something

go

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US / ɡəʊ /

UK / ɡo /

A1
  • noun
  • A turn in a game
  • verb
  • To attend or be at a place
  • To do an activity
  • To function properly
  • To move or travel to another place

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to

there

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US / ðɛə /

UK / ðɛr /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to illustrate the existence of something
  • In a particular respect
  • In that place or position, at that location

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

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

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

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

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

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

look

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US / lʊk /

UK / lʊk /

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

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

how

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US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To what degree? in what amount?
  • adverb
  • (Used to explain the way to do something)
  • exclamation
  • For what purpose or reason?
  • (Used to ask someone or something's condition)

way

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US / weɪ /

UK / we /

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

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

very

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US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

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

could

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US / kəd /

UK / kʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Past form of 'can' to mean have ability
  • Used to ask for something politely, or to offer

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

first

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US / fɜ:st /

UK / fɚst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 1st; Coming before all others in time or place
  • noun
  • Something that has not happened before
  • Position of the winner of a competition

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

who

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US / hu: /

UK / hu /

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

which

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US / wɪtʃ /

UK / hwɪtʃ,wɪtʃ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Question word to ask about a person's choice
  • pronoun
  • (Used to describe something previously mentioned)
  • Question word to decide either, or

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

off

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US / ɒf /

UK / ɔ:f /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of event) canceled; no longer occurring
  • Not having on; not wearing
  • Being somewhat wrong
  • adverb
  • Separated, removed, or away from a place or route
  • (Of a machine) no longer turned on or operating
  • (Of light, computer) no longer attached/connected
  • Far away in terms of time or space
  • preposition
  • Away or free from work
  • (Of foods, drink) old and bad to eat, drink
  • Extending or leading from something
  • No longer in or on some transport or vehicle

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

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

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

feel

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US / fi:l /

UK / fil /

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

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

next

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US / nekst /

UK / nɛkst /

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

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

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

watch

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US / wɒtʃ /

UK / wɑtʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Period of time someone is responsible for guarding
  • Device you wear on your wrist that shows the time
  • Official warning statement, e.g. of bad weather
  • verb
  • To keep in check, manage, or control something
  • To look at something for entertainment, e.g. TV
  • To guard a place or people; protect child, etc.
  • To look at carefully to work out what is happening
  • To protect and care for someone or something

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

another

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US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One more, but not this
  • determiner
  • One more added
  • pronoun
  • One more (thing)

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

he

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US / hɪ /

UK / hi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Object form of a male person you are talking about
  • Refer to a person whose sex is not stated or known

never

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US / 'nevə(r) /

UK / ˈnɛvɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Not ever; not at any time

always

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US / 'ɔ:lweɪz /

UK / ˈɔlwez,-wɪz,-wiz /

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

able

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US / 'eɪbl /

UK / ˈebəl /

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

move

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US / mu:v /

UK / muv /

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

life

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US / laɪf /

UK / laɪf /

A1
  • noun
  • All the living things e.g. animals, plants, humans
  • Period of time things live, from birth to death

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

hear

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

A1
  • verb
  • To be aware of sound; to perceive with the ear
  • To be told or find out information or facts
  • To consider or listen to a court case

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
  • verb
  • To agree to support a proposal at a meeting

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

may

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US / meɪ /

UK / me /

A1
  • noun
  • 5th month of the year
  • other
  • Used to express a desire
  • Expresses permission, possibility or probability
  • Used to show that a thing could be true

friend

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US / frend /

UK / frɛnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Person who you like and enjoy being with

stay

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US / steɪ /

UK / ste /

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

until

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US / ənˈtɪl /

UK / ʌnˈtɪl /

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

least

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US / li:st /

UK / list /

A1
  • adverb
  • In the smallest or lowest way
  • noun
  • Something that is of the lowest or smallest degree

comment

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US / 'kɒment /

UK / ˈkɑmɛnt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something you say, giving an opinion; remark
  • verb
  • To say something that gives your opinion

create

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US / krɪ'eɪt /

UK / kriˈet /

A1
  • verb
  • To make, cause, or bring into existence

free

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US / fri: /

UK / fri /

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

matter

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US / 'mætə(r) /

UK / ˈmætɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Material all things are made of that fills space
  • Problem or reason for concern
  • verb
  • To be of great importance; to count

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

order

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US / 'ɔ:də(r) /

UK / ˈɔrdɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Religious or social group, as of nuns
  • Instructions to others to do what you want
  • State in which things are neat and organized
  • What you ask to buy, e.g. food in restaurant
  • Social or political control of an area
  • verb
  • To put things in a sequence, e.g. a, b, c
  • To give instructions to others to do what you want
  • To ask for something you want to buy, e.g. a meal

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

die

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US / daɪ /

UK / daɪ /

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

sense

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US / sens /

UK / sɛns /

A1
  • noun
  • Certain mental feeling or emotion
  • Normal or clear state of mind
  • Meaning of a particular word, phrase or text
  • verb
  • To perceive using sight, sound, taste touch etc.
  • To recognize the presence of something

cut

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US / kʌt /

UK / kʌt /

A1
  • noun
  • Act/instance of reducing the size or amount of
  • Small opening made using a sharp object, knife
  • A wound on someone's skin caused by a sharp object
  • verb
  • To reduce the size or amount of something
  • To use knife or scissors to divide, open surfaces

chance

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US / tʃɑ:ns /

UK / tʃæns /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening by luck; not planned
  • Taking a risk to try something
  • noun
  • The way something happens without planning
  • An opportunity; favorable circumstances, situation
  • The possibility that something will happen
  • verb
  • To occur just through luck; happen
  • To take a risk to try something

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

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

state

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US / steɪt /

UK / stet /

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

actual

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US / ˈæktʃuəl /

UK / ˈæktʃuəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Real or existing in fact, not imagined; real

result

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US / rɪ'zʌlt /

UK / rɪˈzʌlt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something produced through tests or experiments
  • Final score of a competition, election or game
  • verb
  • To be the outcome of other causes and effects

hate

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US / heɪt /

UK / het /

A1
  • noun
  • Severe, deep sense of dislike or anger
  • An object that you hate
  • verb
  • To have a very strong feeling of dislike for

view

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US / vju: /

UK / vju /

A1
  • noun
  • Opinion, belief, or idea about something
  • Things you are able to see from a specific place
  • verb
  • To have a particular opinion or idea about
  • To watch or see something, e.g. show on television

city

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US / 'sɪtɪ /

UK / ˈsɪti /

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

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

themselves

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US / ðəmˈselvz /

UK / ðɛmˈsɛlvz, ðəm- /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Reflexive form of 'they'

himself

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US / hɪmˈself /

UK / hɪmˈsɛlf /

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

death

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US / deθ /

UK / dɛθ /

A2
  • noun
  • When someone dies; the end of life

public

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US / 'pʌblɪk /

UK / ˈpʌblɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Owned by the government
  • Concerning society in general
  • Being available or accessible to people in general
  • Known or able to be known by all people

appear

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US / ə'pɪə(r) /

UK / əˈpɪr /

A1
  • verb
  • To be seen, become visible; come into sight
  • To seem to be
  • To act in a play, movie, or be mentioned in media

particular

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US / pəˈtɪkjələ(r) /

UK / pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ, pəˈtɪk- /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • One specific (one)
  • Having firm ideas about what is desirable
  • Being special or more than is typical

nine

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US / naɪn /

UK / naɪn /

A1
  • number
  • 9

anywhere

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US / ˈeniweə(r) /

UK / ˈeniwer /

A1
  • adverb
  • To any extent or degree (often used with not)
  • In, at or to any place
  • other
  • Use to indicate limits or variation

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

risk

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US / rɪsk /

UK / rɪsk /

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

remind

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US / rɪ'maɪnd /

UK / rɪˈmaɪnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To cause someone to remember what they forgot

american

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US / əˈmerɪkən /

UK / əˈmɛrɪkən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the culture and people of the USA
  • noun
  • Person from the USA

dress

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US / dres /

UK / drɛs /

A1
  • noun
  • Women's garment with a top part and a skirt
  • Clothing suitable for a time period or occasion
  • verb
  • To prepare food (e.g. salad) before cooking or eating
  • To decorate something for display e.g. a mannequin
  • To put clothes on
  • To clean, care for and apply a cover to a wound

upon

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US / əˈpɔn, əpən /

UK / əˈpɑn, əˈpɔn /

A1
  • preposition
  • More formal term for 'on'

opinion

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US / əˈpɪnjən /

UK / əˈpɪnjən /

A2
  • noun
  • Court judge's statement why a decision was made
  • A person's thoughts on a topic

interest

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US / 'ɪntrəst /

UK / ˈɪntrɪst, -tərɪst, -ˌtrɛst /

A1
  • noun
  • Best or most advantageous thing for someone
  • Activity or subject one enjoys doing or learning
  • Fee for borrowing money
  • verb
  • To make someone want to know about something
  • To persuade to do, become involved with something

escape

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US / ɪ'skeɪp /

UK / ɪˈskep /

A2
  • noun
  • Act to briefly ignoring boring or bad things
  • The 'esc key' on a keyboard
  • Act of getting away from where you are being kept
  • verb
  • To avoid something undesirable, dangerous or bad
  • To get away from a place where you are being kept
  • (Gas, water) to come out from a pipe, container
  • To not to be noticed or remembered by someone

creative

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US / krɪ'eɪtɪv /

UK / kriˈetɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having the ability to make something new

society

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US / sə'saɪətɪ /

UK / səˈsaɪɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • A group who meet to share values or interests
  • Group of people living together
  • Upper class of a community

competition

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US / ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃn /

UK / ˌkɑmpɪˈtɪʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Fighting against others to win something

america

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US / ə'merɪkə /

UK / əˈmɛrɪkə /

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

belong

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US / bɪ'lɒŋ /

UK / bɪˈlɔŋ /

A1
  • verb
  • To be a welcomed as a new member of a group
  • To own something
  • To be in the right place or situation

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

differently

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US / 'dɪfrəntlɪ /

UK / ˈdɪfərəntlɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In another and different manner

grant

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US / ɡrɑ:nt /

UK / ɡrænt /

A2
  • noun
  • Money given for education or research
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To admit an opinion is true but not fully agreeing
  • To give or let someone do what they want

expectation

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US / ˌekspekˈteɪʃn /

UK / ˌɛkspɛkˈteʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Belief or hope that something is going to happen

capital

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US / 'kæpɪtl /

UK / ˈkæpɪtl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Main, or major
  • noun
  • Writing the first letter of a word in big letters
  • Official main city of a country, province or state
  • Collective name for money, shares, and assets
  • Money that is used for a business

prison

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US / 'prɪzn /

UK / ˈprɪzən /

A2
  • noun
  • Place the court puts criminals as punishment; jail

internal

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US / inˈtə:nəl /

UK / ɪnˈtɚnəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being or happening in the body
  • Being, happening in a country, state, organization
  • Within or inside; interior; not external

swap

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US / swɒp /

UK / swɑp /

B2
  • noun
  • A trade or exchange of goods without using money
  • verb
  • To exchange goods without spending money; trade

unusual

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US / ʌnˈju:ʒuəl /

UK / ʌnˈjuʒuəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being rare or uncommon; not ordinary; strange

writer

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US / ˈraɪtə(r) /

UK / ˈraɪtɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Professional who writes books, articles etc.

james

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US / dʒeimz /

UK / dʒemz /

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

bind

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US / baɪnd /

UK / baɪnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To cover a wound, as with a bandage
  • To put pages and a cover together to create a book
  • To be limited by a law, agreement, or contract
  • To join people who share something into a group
  • To wrap something with rope

village

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US / 'vɪlɪdʒ /

UK / ˈvɪlɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Small town in the country

observe

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US / əbˈzɜ:v /

UK / əbˈzɜ:rv /

A2
  • verb
  • To celebrate a particular holiday/religious event
  • To obey or follow laws, rules, or customs
  • To watch carefully; to make a comment

french

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US / frentʃ /

UK / frentʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the culture and people of France
  • noun
  • Person's name

whatsoever

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US / ˌwɒtsəʊ'evə /

UK / ˌhwɑtsoˈɛvɚ,ˌhwʌt-,ˌwɑt,ˌwʌt- /

B2
  • determiner
  • Used to add emphasis to an idea being expressed

narrow

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US / 'nærəʊ /

UK / ˈnæro /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not wide; short from one side to the other
  • Limited; not broad in scope
  • verb
  • To become thinner or less wide

behave

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US / bɪˈheɪv /

UK / bɪˈhev /

A2
  • verb
  • To act correctly
  • To act in a particular way
  • To react in a particular way in a given case

visitor

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US / ˈvɪzɪtə(r) /

UK / ˈvɪzɪtɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Someone who goes to a place to see it (or someone)

restrict

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US / rɪ'strɪkt /

UK / rɪˈstrɪkt /

A2
  • verb
  • To prevent a person from doing something

absurd

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US / əb'sɜ:d /

UK / əbˈsɚd, -ˈzɚd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • So foolish as to be difficult to believe

france

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US / frɑːns /

UK / fræns /

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

strive

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US / straɪv /

UK / straɪv /

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

paris

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US / 'pærɪs /

UK / ˈpærɪs /

A1
  • other
  • Sometimes placed in subfamily Trilliaceae

tribe

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US / traɪb /

UK / traɪb /

B1
  • noun
  • Racial group united by language, religion, customs

anonymous

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US / ə'nɒnɪməs /

UK / əˈnɑnəməs /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Unknown; with no name revealed

liberate

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US / 'lɪbəreɪt /

UK / ˈlɪbəˌret /

B2
  • verb
  • To free someone or something that was captured

detach

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US / dɪˈtætʃ /

UK / dɪˈtætʃ /

B1
  • verb
  • To send away a military unit on a special mission
  • To separate something from something larger

undertake

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US / ˌʌndə'teɪk /

UK / ˌʌndɚˈtek /

A2
  • verb
  • To begin; attempt; take on responsibility for

exile

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US / 'eksaɪl /

UK / ˈɛɡˌzaɪl, ˈɛkˌsaɪl /

B2
  • noun
  • State of being forced to leave your country
  • One forced to leave their home and live elsewhere
  • verb
  • One forced to leave their home and live elsewhere

provincial

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US / prəˈvɪnʃl /

UK / prəˈvɪnʃəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • People living out of a main city
  • Unsophisticated; narrow-minded

indifferent

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US / ɪnˈdɪfrənt /

UK / ɪnˈdɪfərənt, -ˈdɪfrənt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Neutral; not taking sides
  • Not caring; without feeling

judgemental

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US / dʒʌdʒˈmentl /

UK / dʒʌdʒˈmentl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having opinions that assess others; critical

assimilate

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US / ə'sɪməleɪt /

UK / əˈsɪməˌlet /

B2
  • verb
  • To adapt and become part of a new culture
  • To absorb and integrate new information

intrude

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US / ɪn'tru:d /

UK / ɪnˈtrud /

B2
  • verb
  • To enter, get involved where you are not wanted

crucially

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US / ˈkru:ʃɪəlɪ /

UK / ˈkruʃəlɪ /

B1
  • verb
  • To an extremely important or necessary degree

baldwin

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US / ˈbɔ:ldwin /

UK / ˈbɔldwɪn /

A1
  • other
  • An American eating apple with red or yellow and red skin
  • English statesman; member of the Conservative Party

grandstand

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US / ˈɡrænstænd /

UK / ˈɡrænstænd /

C2
  • noun
  • Large covered seating area at a stadium

intermittently

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US / ˌɪntə'mɪtəntlɪ /

UK / ˌɪntə'mɪtəntlɪ /

B2
  • adverb
  • Irregularly; off and on

idiocy

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US / 'ɪdɪəsɪ /

UK / ˈɪdiəsi /

C2
  • noun
  • Extreme stupidity

disloyal

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US / dɪsˈlɔɪəl /

UK / dɪsˈlɔɪəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • No longer faithful to someone

asphyxiate

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US / əsˈfɪksieɪt /

UK / æsˈfɪksiˌet /

A1
  • verb
  • To deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing

unsigned

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US / 'ʌn'saɪnd /

UK / ʌn'saɪnd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Lacking a signature

inwardly

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US / ˈɪnwədli /

UK / ˈɪnwərdli /

B1
  • adverb
  • Toward the inside or center; within yourself

parochial

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US / pəˈrəʊkiəl /

UK / pəˈrokiəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Connected with a church parish

moralistic

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US / ˌmɒrəˈlɪstɪk /

UK / ˌmɔ:rəˈlɪstɪk /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Demanding adherence to moral rules

unobserved

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US / ˌʌnəbˈzɜːvd /

UK / ˌʌnəbˈzɜːrvd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Not observed; unseen

prurient

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US / ˈprʊəriənt /

UK / ˈprʊriənt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Characterized by lust
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • How to Escape the Rat Race and Find Freedom Like James BaldwinThe American writer James Baldwin first went to Paris in 1948 as a 24-year-old and stayed in the city for much of the next nine years and intermittently in France until his death in 1987. Baldwin felt asphyxiated in America due to the expectations of his family and judgmental friends, the sense of being observed and intruded upon, and the moralistic and prurient society. In order to be creative and free, Baldwin made the inwardly liberating move of going into exile. In Paris, public opinion no longer mattered, and he could create, take risks, and become himself without the constraints of his past life. Crucially, Baldwin had no interest in assimilating into French society but rather sought to be an internal exile, someone who can behave like a visitor in their own land. In our own lives, we should strive to become internal exiles, cutting ourselves off from narrow views, provincial competition, and grandstanding.
  • Subtitles section
  • The American writer James Baldwin first went to Paris in 1948 as a 24-year-old and was to stay in the city for much of the next nine years and in France, intermittently, until his death in 1987.
  • Baldwin had felt asphyxiated in America.
  • His family had expectations of him that he hated.
  • His friends were judgmental.
  • He felt observed and intruded upon.
  • Society was moralistic and prurient.
  • As a result, he couldn't be creative or free and had the sense of being watched and commented upon all the time.
  • It was like being always at school or in prison.
  • So Baldwin undertook that most inwardly liberating of moves.
  • He went into exile.
  • From Paris, it no longer mattered what they were saying.
  • Public opinion could appear as it always should have done, parochial and absurd.
  • No one knew him in the French capital.
  • They'd never heard of his family.
  • It was as if he had, in a good way, died and been granted a chance of a second, unsigned life.
  • In France, he could create, take risks, dress differently, make unusual friends and become himself.
  • Crucially, Baldwin had no interest whatsoever in assimilating into French society.
  • He wasn't looking to swap one narrow village for another.
  • It was exile he was after.
  • That very particular state in which one is free not to belong anywhere in particular.
  • To escape all tribes in order to be unobserved, anonymous and detached.
  • It may not always be possible for us to become actual exiles.
  • But we should, at the very least, strive to become internal exiles.
  • That is, people who can behave like visitors in their own lands.
  • No longer bound by local idiocies.
  • Able to cut themselves off from the mean and restricted views of so-called friends or disloyal families.
  • And to grow indifferent to provincial competition and grandstanding.
  • James Baldwin and his fellow exiles are there to remind us just how much we long to be free.