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Sri Lanka's Uprising: Has it made any difference to life in the country? - BBC Newsnight

Video vocabulary

dawn

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US / dɔ:n /

UK / dɔn /

B1
  • noun
  • First light of day
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To begin to grow light as the sun rises
  • To begin to be understood for the first time

disastrous

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US / dɪˈzɑ:strəs /

UK / dɪˈzæstrəs /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having very unfortunate or terrible consequences

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

insecure

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US / ˌɪnsɪ'kjʊə(r) /

UK / ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊr /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Lacking confidence or certainty about yourself
  • Not being safe or stable

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)

compensate

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US / ˈkɒmpenseɪt /

UK / ˈkɑ:mpenseɪt /

A2
  • verb
  • To give (money) to as a form of correcting a loss

ease

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US / i:z /

UK / iz /

A2
  • noun
  • State of being comfortable or relaxed
  • verb
  • To make something less difficult, tight, stressed
  • To move slowly and purposely to get in small space

back

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US / bæk /

UK / bæk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Farthest from the front e.g. in a classroom
  • adverb
  • Have returned to a place you were before
  • noun
  • The part of a chair that the upper body leans upon
  • Location at the rear of something
  • The reverse of side something
  • Area on the rear of your body
  • verb
  • To bet money on something
  • To go backwards in a car
  • To support and encourage someone or some cause

and

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US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

invasion

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US / ɪnˈveɪʒn /

UK / ɪnˈveʒən /

B1
  • noun
  • Entry into a place to cause harm

any

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US / 'enɪ /

UK / ˈɛni /

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

composition

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US / ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃn /

UK / ˌkɑ:mpəˈzɪʃn /

A2
  • noun
  • Piece of writing, music etc.
  • A piece of music
  • Structure of a picture or image to make an effect

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

default

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US / dɪ'fɔ:lt /

UK / dɪˈfɔlt /

B2
  • noun
  • Automatic setting when no indicated preference
  • Failure to meet an agreement or make a payment
  • verb
  • To fail to meet as agreed; failure to pay
  • To return to a previously determined state

economically

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US / ˌi:kəˈnɒmɪkli /

UK / ˌikəˈnɑmɪklɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • In an efficient manner
  • In an efficient manner; without using much effort
  • In a way that relates to economics or finance

rupee

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US / ru:ˈpi: /

UK / ruˈpi, ˈrupi /

C1
  • noun
  • Monetary unit of some countries in South Asia

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

fish

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US / fɪʃ /

UK / fɪʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Animal that swims and lives in water
  • verb
  • To go fishing with a net or hook

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

out

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US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

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

over

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US / 'əʊvə(r) /

UK / ˈovɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Finished; no longer happening
  • Towards the ground/away from a standing position
  • noun
  • A set of six consecutive balls bowled in cricket
  • other
  • Finished
  • preposition
  • Showing the relation when a thing is above another
  • On or covering something
  • Above or across something
  • More than you need
  • From one side to the other
  • In the direction of; toward

ban

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US / bæn /

UK / bæn /

B1
  • noun
  • Official action preventing something happening
  • verb
  • To make something illegal or not allowed

early

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US / ˈɜ:li /

UK / ˈɜ:rli /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening or appearing before
  • adverb
  • Coming/happening before others in a time sequence
  • Happening sooner than expected

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

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

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

depend

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US / dɪˈpend /

UK / dɪˈpend /

B1
  • verb
  • Be controlled or determined by (someone/something)

struggle

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US / 'strʌɡl /

UK / ˈstrʌɡəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Strong efforts made to do something difficult
  • verb
  • To try very hard to do something difficult

since

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US / sɪns /

UK / sɪns /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a point before the present time
  • conjunction
  • For this reason; because
  • preposition
  • From the time in the past that

well

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US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

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

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

chaos

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US / 'keɪɒs /

UK / ˈkeˌɑs /

B1
  • other
  • State of utter confusion or disorder

job

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US / dʒɒb /

UK / dʒɑ:b /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that must be done
  • Regular work at which you earn money

sovereign

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US / ˈsɒvrɪn /

UK / ˈsɑ:vrən /

B2
  • noun
  • King, queen, emperor etc. of a country

such

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US / sʌtʃ /

UK / sʌtʃ /

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

commodity

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US / kə'mɒdətɪ /

UK / kəˈmɑdɪti /

B1
  • noun
  • Something useful or valuable, usually for sale

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

metropolitan

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US / ˌmetrəˈpɒlɪtən /

UK / ˌmetrəˈpɑ:lɪtən /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a very large city

resort

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US / rɪ'zɔ:t /

UK / rɪ'zɔ:rt /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of choosing something to help with a problem
  • Vacation hotel or complex; area for holidays

sharp

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US / ʃɑ:p /

UK / ʃɑrp /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being very clear and easy to see
  • (Of clothes) nicely or stylishly
  • Being able to think, see, or understand quickly
  • Having a thin edge or point that is able to cut
  • Requiring a quick or sudden change in direction
  • Having a flavor that is very strong and distinct
  • adverb
  • At precisely the time given
  • Suddenly; immediately (of directions)
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • A musical tone

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

animal

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US / ˈænɪml /

UK / ˈænəməl /

A1
  • noun
  • A living creature that is not a plant or person

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)

nation

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US / 'neɪʃn /

UK / ˈneʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Area or region controlled by a government and army

reel

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US / ri:l /

UK / ril /

C1
  • verb
  • To wind something in on a reel; pull something in

those

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US / ðəʊz /

UK / ðoz /

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

though

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US / ðəu /

UK / ðo /

A1
  • adverb
  • Although, despite the fact that

crisis

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US / 'kraɪsɪs /

UK / ˈkraɪsɪs /

B1
  • noun
  • Unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty

digital

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US / ˈdɪdʒɪtl /

UK / ˈdɪdʒɪtl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Using electronic signals or computers

actually

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US / ˈæktʃuəli /

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to add new (often different) information

million

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US / ˈmɪljən /

UK / ˈmɪljən /

A1
  • number
  • 1,000,000

fisherfolk

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US / ˈfɪʃəfəʊk /

UK / /

A1
  • noun
  • People who fish for a living

global

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US / ˈgləʊbl /

UK / ˈgloʊbl /

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

four

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US / fɔ:(r) /

UK / fɔr, for /

A1
  • number
  • 4

eat

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US / i:t /

UK / it /

A1
  • verb
  • To put food in your mouth

population

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US / ˌpɒpjuˈleɪʃn /

UK / ˌpɑpjəˈleʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Number of people who live in a country, area etc.

reality

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US / rɪ'ælətɪ /

UK / riˈælɪti /

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

rationing

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US / ˈræʃənɪŋ /

UK / ˈræʃənɪŋ /

B2
  • noun
  • Act of rationing, as during a war
  • verb
  • To restrict the amount someone can eat, use etc.

ordinary

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US / 'ɔ:dnrɪ /

UK / ˈɔ:rdneri /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Normal or usual

debt

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US / det /

UK / dɛt /

A2
  • noun
  • Sum of money owed to someone that is not yet paid

sort

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US / sɔ:t /

UK / sɔrt /

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

sometime

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US / ˈsʌmtaɪm /

UK / ˈsʌmˌtaɪm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • At an unknown time in the future

normal

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US / 'nɔ:ml /

UK / ˈnɔrməl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Standard or regular way of doing something
  • Having standard mental or physical ability, health

market

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US / ˈmɑ:kɪt /

UK / ˈmɑ:rkɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • Need or demand for a particular product or service
  • Area or region where a certain product is sold
  • Public event where people sell goods on tables
  • Institution where stocks are bought and sold
  • verb
  • To publicize products to get you to buy; advertise

inflation

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US / ɪn'fleɪʃn /

UK / ɪnˈfleʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of filling something with air or gas
  • Continual rise in the prices of products

input

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US / ˈɪnpʊt /

UK / ˈɪnˌpʊt /

A2
  • noun
  • Advice or ideas that someone provides
  • verb
  • To put in information, advice or opinions

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

basic

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US / 'beɪsɪk /

UK / ˈbesɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • At the most important or easiest (beginner) level

third

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US / θɜ:d /

UK / θɜ:rd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 3rd: Number after second

strike

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US / straɪk /

UK / straɪk /

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

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

new

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US / nju: /

UK / nu, nju /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not old, recently born, built or made
  • Being or doing something for the first time
  • Not felt, seen or known previously
  • Having been recently bought or obtained

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

warn

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US / wɔ:n /

UK / wɔrn /

A2
  • verb
  • To tell someone about possible danger

thousand

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US / ˈθaʊznd /

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1,000

agonize

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US / ˈægənaɪz /

UK / ˈæɡəˌnaɪz /

A1
  • verb
  • To suffer painfully over something; be in agony

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

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

understand

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US / ˌʌndə'stænd /

UK / ˌʌndɚˈstænd /

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

sri

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US / ʃriː /

UK / ʃriː /

A1
  • noun
  • A title of respect used before the name of a man, a god, or a sacred book.

really

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US / ˈri:əli /

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to stress something that is said; definitely
  • In a true or accurate manner
  • Very

conjunction

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US / kənˈdʒʌŋkʃn /

UK / kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Combination of things or events
  • Word that joins parts of a sentence, e.g. 'and'

security

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US / sɪ'kjʊərətɪ /

UK / sɪˈkjʊrɪtisə'kjurətɪ /

A2
  • noun
  • Department in a company in charge of protection
  • Financial document, like stocks, bonds and notes
  • Person paid to protect property and people
  • Things done to protect people, buildings etc.
  • Condition of being safe from danger or harm

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

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

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

segment

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US / ˈsegmənt /

UK / ˈsɛɡmənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Part divided from the other parts of something
  • verb
  • To separate something into different parts

recent

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US / 'ri:snt /

UK / ˈrisənt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening or beginning not long ago

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

dairy

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US / ˈdeəri /

UK / ˈderi /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or made from milk
  • noun
  • Building for storing milk or making cheese/butter
  • Company that sells milk, cheese or butter

meal

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US / mi:l /

UK / mil /

A1
  • noun
  • Food for eating at a particular time, e.g. dinner
  • Grain that has been ground into a powder

business

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US / ˈbɪznəs /

UK / ˈbɪznɪs /

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

south

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US / saʊθ /

UK / saʊθ /

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

protein

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US / ˈprəʊti:n /

UK / ˈprəʊˌtiːn /

B1
  • noun
  • Group of molecules made from amino acids

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

legacy

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US / 'leɡəsɪ /

UK / ˈlɛɡəsi /

B2
  • noun
  • Literature, arts etc. from previous generations
  • Something left or given by a person who has died

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

food

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US / fu:d /

UK / fud /

A1
  • noun
  • What people and animals eat to live
  • Things taken in by plants to maintain life
  • A particular style or type of cooking, e.g. Asian

repair

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US / rɪˈpeə(r) /

UK / rɪˈper /

A2
  • noun
  • How well cared for a thing is; physical condition
  • Action to fix or restore something that is broken
  • verb
  • To fix or restore something that is broken
  • To fix or correct the damage that one has caused

expect

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US / ɪk'spekt /

UK / ɪkˈspɛkt /

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

fuel

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US / 'fju:əl /

UK / ˈfjuəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Material used to produce heat or power when burned
  • verb
  • To give power to (a mob, anger, etc.); incite
  • To provide gas or petrol for something

thank

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US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

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

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

country

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US / ˈkʌntri /

UK / ˈkʌntri /

A1
  • noun
  • An area of land that is controlled by a government
  • Open land that is away from towns and cities

bit

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US / bɪt /

UK / bɪt /

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

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

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

extensive

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US / ɪkˈstensɪv /

UK / ɪkˈstɛnsɪv /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Large; full or complete

medicine

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US / ˈmedsn /

UK / ˈmɛdɪsɪn /

A2
  • noun
  • Something used in treating illness or pain
  • Science of preventing, treating, or curing disease

very

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US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

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

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

queue

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US / kju: /

UK / kju /

B1
  • noun
  • Line of people or cars waiting for something

painful

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US / ˈpeɪnfl /

UK / ˈpenfəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Causing or feeling physical pain or hurt

everything

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US / 'evrɪθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • All of the things mentioned

dollar

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US / ˈdɒlə(r) /

UK / ˈdɑ:lə(r) /

A1
  • noun
  • A basic unit of money equal to 100 cent

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

tourist

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US / ˈtʊərɪst /

UK / ˈtʊrɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • Someone who travels to a place for pleasure

return

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US / rɪ'tɜ:n /

UK / rɪ'tɜ:rn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Do again; repeated
  • noun
  • Faulty or unwanted product sent back to a company
  • Enter key; the main key on the computer keyboard
  • Profit made as a result of a business activity
  • Process of going back to a previous way or state
  • verb
  • To hit something back to the other player or team
  • To come back after being away from somewhere
  • To repay someone's actions, kindness etc.
  • To put, bring, take, give, or send something back
  • To occur again

everyone

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US / ˈevriwʌn /

UK / ˈɛvriˌwʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Every person; everybody

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

install

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US / ɪnˈstɔ:l /

UK / ɪnˈstɔl /

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

agree

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US / əˈgri: /

UK / əˈɡri /

A1
  • verb
  • To have the same opinion as someone else

ago

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US / əˈgəʊ /

UK / əˈgoʊ /

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

deceptive

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US / dɪˈseptɪv /

UK / dɪˈsɛptɪv /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Causing someone to believe what is not true

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

lesson

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US / 'lesn /

UK / ˈlɛsən /

A1
  • noun
  • Something done to learn or teach something; class
  • Wisdom or knowledge received from an experience

find

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US / faɪnd /

UK / faɪnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Object discovered by chance
  • Things that have been discovered from searching
  • verb
  • To become aware of something that is happening
  • To discover or meet by chance
  • To decide if someone is guilty of a crime, or not
  • To learn through study, research, or effort
  • To discover something by looking for it

each

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US / i:tʃ /

UK / itʃ /

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

city

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US / 'sɪtɪ /

UK / ˈsɪti /

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

ukraine

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US / ju:'kreɪn /

UK / ju:'kreɪn /

A1
  • other
  • A republic in southeastern Europe; formerly a European soviet; the center of the original Russian st

ours

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US / ˈaʊəz /

UK / aʊrz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Belonging to us

picker

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US / 'pɪkə(r) /

UK / 'pɪkər /

A2
  • noun
  • Person/machine that picks, e.g. fruit from plants

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’

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

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

even

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US / 'i:vn /

UK / ˈivən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in influence, power, possibility etc.
  • Being divided equally or fairly
  • (Of teams/contest) with similar chances of success
  • Smooth, level, or regular
  • Can be divided by 2; ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0
  • At a regular, equally steady manner
  • Remaining steady and unchanging
  • adverb
  • (When this is surprising) as well; too
  • (Used to compare two things/stress the difference)
  • verb
  • To make something level; to flatten
  • To make something equal

different

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US / ˈdɪfrənt /

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

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

boat

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US / bəʊt /

UK / bot /

A1
  • noun
  • Small form of transport for traveling on water
  • verb
  • To travel on a lake or river

president

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US / ˈprezɪdənt /

UK / ˈprɛzɪdənt,-ˌdɛnt /

A2
  • noun
  • Person in charge of a country, or organization

particularly

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US / pəˈtikjuləli /

UK / pɚˈtɪkjələli, pəˈtɪk- /

A2
  • adverb
  • Specially; more than others

get

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US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To become affected by illness or disease
  • To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
  • To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
  • To go somewhere to obtain something
  • To (cause to) do a particular thing
  • To obtain, receive or be given something
  • To currently have
  • To prepare for use
  • To understand something being said or read

soar

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US / sɔ:(r) /

UK / sɔr, sor /

B2
  • verb
  • (Of prices, etc.) to increase a lot in a short time
  • To fly or rise high in the air

place

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US / pleɪs /

UK / ples /

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

fund

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US / fʌnd /

UK / fʌnd /

A2
  • noun
  • Money collected, saved, or provided for a purpose
  • A specific account into which you put money
  • verb
  • To supply money for something

lanka

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US / ˈlɑːŋkə /

UK / ˈlæŋkə /

A1

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

down

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US / daʊn /

UK / daʊn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being sad, sick, or unhappy
  • Not operating, working, or functioning as expected
  • adverb
  • In a sitting or lying position
  • Towards or on the ground, floor, or bottom
  • Written or copied onto a piece of paper or book
  • noun
  • A period of play in American Football
  • The soft, smooth hairs that cover a bird's body
  • preposition
  • Along something's path, course, or direction
  • Going from a higher position to a lower position
  • verb
  • To eat or drink very quickly and without stopping

access

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US / 'ækses /

UK / ˈæksɛs /

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

requirement

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US / rɪ'kwaɪəmənt /

UK / rɪˈkwaɪrmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • A demand that someone does something
  • Something that is a necessity

number

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US / ˈnʌmbə(r) /

UK / ˈnʌmbɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Symbols such as 1, 2, 56, 793
  • Particular song or dance performed during a show
  • Total quantity or amount of things
  • verb
  • To put numbers on things
  • To assign a sequence within a group, series, set
  • To claim to be part of a larger group, series, set

education

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US / ˌedʒuˈkeɪʃn /

UK / ˌɛdʒəˈkeʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Academic field studying the practice of teaching
  • Process of giving or receiving teaching

three

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US / θri: /

UK / θri /

A1
  • number
  • Number 3

tragedy

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US / 'trædʒədɪ /

UK / ˈtrædʒɪdi /

B1
  • noun
  • Play that has a sad ending with many deaths
  • Very sad event that usually involves death

reliant

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US / rɪˈlaɪənt /

UK / rɪˈlaɪənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Depending on another for support

bad

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US / bæd /

UK / bæd /

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

wage

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US / weɪdʒ /

UK / wedʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Money paid to a worker for the hours they worked
  • verb
  • To start (war, etc.) to achieve a particular goal

universe

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US / ˈju:nɪvɜ:s /

UK / ˈjunəˌvɚs /

B2
  • noun
  • All of space that contains planets and stars
  • Things surrounding a person, affecting their life

outside

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US / ˌaʊtˈsaɪd /

UK / aʊtˈsaɪd, ˈaʊtˌsaɪd /

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

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

adequate

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US / ˈædɪkwət /

UK / ˈædɪkwɪt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Enough; good enough for what is needed

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

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

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

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

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

import

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US / 'ɪmpɔ:t /

UK / ˈɪmpɔrt /

A2
  • noun
  • Goods brought into a country from another
  • Importance of a matter or issue
  • verb
  • To bring goods from one country into another

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

less

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US / les /

UK / lɛs /

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

farming

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US / ˈfɑ:miŋ /

UK / ˈfɑrmɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of growing crops or raising animals
  • verb
  • To use land for raising plants or animals for food

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

rate

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US / reɪt /

UK / ret /

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

little

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US / 'lɪtl /

UK / ˈlɪtl /

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

investment

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US / ɪnˈvestmənt /

UK / ɪnˈvɛstmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something purchased hoping its value will increase
  • Act of giving time, energy to see a future reward

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

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

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

live

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US / lɪv /

UK / liv /

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

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

snake

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US / sneɪk /

UK / snek /

B1
  • noun
  • An animal with a long body, no arms or legs
  • verb
  • To move like a snake
  • To wind in a long path like the shape of a snake

compromise

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US / 'kɒmprəmaɪz /

UK / ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz /

B1
  • noun
  • When you lessen your demands to get agreement
  • verb
  • To weaken your position or views
  • To lessen your demands so as to reach agreement
  • To put something at risk or in danger

price

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US / praɪs /

UK / praɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • Cost of something in money
  • verb
  • To determine or set the cost of something

half

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US / hɑ:f /

UK / hæf, hɑf /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not complete
  • adverb
  • Partly; somewhat
  • noun
  • One of two equal periods of game time in a sport
  • The part you get when one is divided into two;

chemical

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US / ˈkemɪkl /

UK / ˈkɛmɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Made of various elements
  • noun
  • Basic substance produced by mixing elements

world

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US / wɜ:ld /

UK / wɜrld /

A1
  • noun
  • All the humans, events, activities on the earth
  • Political division due to some kind of similarity

sector

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US / ˈsektə(r) /

UK / ˈsɛktɚ, -ˌtɔr /

A2
  • noun
  • Part that a place is divided into
  • Area; type of industry or business

month

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US / mʌnθ /

UK / mʌnθ /

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

estimate

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US / 'estɪmət /

UK / ˈɛstəˌmet /

A2
  • noun
  • Guess or calculation of cost, size or value
  • verb
  • To guess or calculate the cost, size or value of

fall

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US / fɔ:l /

UK / fɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • Season after summer and before winter; Autumn
  • A drop in amount; decrease
  • Dropping from a standing position to the ground
  • verb
  • To drop in amount; to decrease
  • To come down from a higher position suddenly
  • To go from standing to the ground, by accident

end

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US / end /

UK / ɛnd /

A1
  • noun
  • The point where a process or activity stops
  • A point that marks the limit of something; finish
  • Goal or desired result
  • The tip, edge or limit of something
  • verb
  • To be the last part of something

appearance

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US / əˈpɪərəns /

UK / əˈpɪrəns /

A2
  • noun
  • The way a person looks to others
  • The way that something looks

slightly

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US / ˈslaɪtli /

UK / ˈslaɪtli /

B1
  • adverb
  • Only a little

often

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US / ˈɔfən /

UK / ˈɔfən,ˈɑfən,ˈɔftən,ˈɑf- /

A1
  • adverb
  • Many times; frequently; on many occasions

moment

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US / 'məʊmənt /

UK / 'moʊmənt /

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

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

tea

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US / ti: /

UK / ti /

A1
  • noun
  • A full meal eaten around 5-7 p.m (in the UK)
  • Drink made when you put dried leaves in hot water
  • Snack with a hot drink and cake, in the afternoon

economic

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US / ˌi:kəˈnɒmɪk /

UK / ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk, ˌikə- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning trade, industry, and money

clear

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US / klɪə(r) /

UK / klɪr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Empty; without anything in it or on it
  • Being certain and without doubt
  • Being without any streaks, spots, or cracks
  • Easy to understand; well-explained; obvious
  • adverb
  • Completely; entirely; through the whole of
  • Away from; free from
  • verb
  • To recover from or remove a problem
  • To get rid of the entire contents of
  • To give permission for something to happen
  • To make a place or surface empty by removing
  • To prove that someone is not guilty or to blame

affordability

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US / əˌfɔːdəˈbɪlɪti /

UK / əˌfɔrdəˈbɪləti /

B1
  • noun
  • Cheap enough to buy something you want

increase

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US / ɪn'kri:s /

UK / ɪnˈkris /

A1
  • noun
  • Fact of increasing; amount something grows by
  • verb
  • To make or become larger in size or amount

crop

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US / krɒp /

UK / krɑp /

B1
  • noun
  • Plants grown on a farm for food, e.g. corn or rice
  • Section of short, thick hair
  • verb
  • To cut something to a shorter length or size

break

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US / breɪk /

UK / brek /

A1
  • noun
  • Time you stop an activity before continuing
  • End of a relationship
  • An escape from a place such as a jail
  • (Lucky) advantage or benefit from something
  • Find a solution or answer to a problem or crime
  • Change in the weather
  • verb
  • To create a new record e.g. running the 100m dash
  • To form a crack in something
  • To burst or become damaged
  • To end a relationship
  • To escape from a place such as a jail
  • To train a wild animal e.g. a horse
  • To separate into pieces by force, or by dropping
  • To act against a law, rule, or promise
  • To become known suddenly, as in the news
  • To not do what you promised e.g. not keep promises
  • To solve a crime, or answer a problem
  • To stop functioning properly
  • To suddenly start, open or commence
  • To change in pitch suddenly, as in a voice
  • To fall on the shore, as in waves
  • To begin or change suddenly; the dawn or weather
  • To defeat by causing the person to lose their will

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

government

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US / ˈgʌvənmənt /

UK / ˈɡʌvənmənt /

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

six

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US / sɪks /

UK / sɪks /

A1
  • number
  • 6

part

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US / pɑ:t /

UK / pɑ:rt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To some degree; half; not fully
  • noun
  • Division of a book
  • Ratio of something, e.g. 3 of gin, 1 of tonic
  • A line in a person's hair, made with a comb
  • Character an actor plays on stage, movie, or TV
  • Some, but not all of a specific thing
  • Role in causing something to happen
  • verb
  • To make a line in a person's hair, by using a comb
  • To move two things apart creating a space
  • To leave someone, or to break off a relationship

parallel

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US / 'pærəlel /

UK / ˈpærəˌlɛl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of two lines) at equal distance from each other
  • (Of computer operation) happening at the same time
  • Very similar and often occurring at the same time
  • noun
  • A line on a map a set distance from the equator
  • verb
  • To be equal to, or like, something else
  • To compare

last

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US / lɑ:st /

UK / læst /

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

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

coast

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US / kəʊst /

UK / kost /

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

before

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US / bɪˈfɔ:(r) /

UK / bɪˈfɔr,-ˈfor /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time earlier than the present; previously
  • conjunction
  • In advance of something happening
  • preposition
  • In front of someone or something

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)

meat

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US / mi:t /

UK / mit /

A2
  • noun
  • Flesh of a dead animal that you eat
  • Something that is important or significant

expert

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US / 'ekspɜ:t /

UK / ˈɛkˌspɚt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having special knowledge or skill
  • noun
  • Skillful person with special knowledge

choice

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US / tʃɔɪs /

UK / tʃɔɪs /

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

fishing

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US / ˈfɪʃɪŋ /

UK / ˈfɪʃɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • The act of catching fish
  • verb
  • To go fishing with a net or hook
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • Sri Lanka's Uprising: Has it made any difference to life in the country?Six months ago, Sri Lanka was facing sovereign debt default and economic chaos. However, since then, a new president has been installed and an international monetary fund bailout has been agreed upon. Despite these changes, the question remains: have the lives of ordinary Sri Lankans actually improved?One area of concern is the agricultural sector, which a quarter of the population depends on for their livelihood. Sri Lankan tea pickers, for example, earn around a thousand rupees per day, which is a little less than three US dollars. Although inflation has eased slightly, food prices in Sri Lanka were still 65% higher last month compared to the previous year.According to the United Nations, over 8 million people, more than a third of the country's population, are currently estimated to be food insecure. This means that they do not have an adequate number of meals and are compromising the composition of their meals. Access to animal proteins such as meat, fish, and dairy products is limited, and many people are forced to rely on non-nutritious commodities.The issue of food security is far from resolved, and the high cost of food is leading some individuals to make difficult choices between eating, healthcare, and education. Furthermore, Sri Lankan farming is still recovering from the negative effects of a government ban on chemical fertilizer imports in 2021. The subsequent increase in global fertilizer prices, exacerbated by the invasion of Ukraine, has only added to the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.Inflation remains a significant problem in Sri Lanka, and the tea pickers are not expecting their wages to rise to compensate for this. While there is a desire for wage increases across various sectors, the reality of the business must be taken into account.It is clear that the uprising in Sri Lanka has not yet translated into tangible improvements in the lives of its citizens. Challenges such as food insecurity, high inflation, and the struggling agricultural sector continue to impact the country's population. As developments unfold, it remains to be seen whether the new president and the international monetary fund bailout will bring about the positive change that is desperately needed.
  • Subtitles section
  • Six Months ago in Sri Lanka, amid sovereign debt default and economic chaos, there was a revolution.
  • A new president has since been installed.
  • An international monetary fund bailout has been agreed.
  • But half a year on, are the lives of ordinary Sri Lankans actually any better?
  • Is a new day dawning for the country's agricultural sector, on which a quarter of the population depends?
  • Sri Lankan tea pickers like these earn a day rate of around a thousand rupees, a little less than three US dollars.
  • And though inflation in the country has eased slightly since last year, food prices in Sri Lanka last month was still 65% higher than a year earlier.
  • More than 8 million people, more than a third of Sri Lanka's population, are today estimated to be food insecure by the United Nations.
  • They are not eating an adequate number of meals, as well as their composition of their meals are compromised.
  • They're not having access to animal proteins such as meat, fish or dairy product.
  • And they're resorting to commodities which are not nutritious.
  • When it comes to food security, it's far from over.
  • The high cost of food is forcing some to make agonising choices between eating, medicine and investment in education.
  • Sri Lankan farming is still reeling from the disastrous legacy of a short-lived government ban on chemical fertiliser imports in 2021.
  • And now the soaring price of those inputs on global markets in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
  • And it's a tragedy because last year was a good year for tea prices.
  • Had we had that crop, it was ours for the taking.
  • Inflation is very high in Sri Lanka.
  • Do the tea pickers expect wages to rise to compensate them for that?
  • Of course, not only pickers, everyone would like a wage increase.
  • But we have to look at the reality of the business.
  • I understand the requirement for higher wages, but that has to be taken in conjunction with the affordability.
  • The fuel queues that snaked around this country six months ago have gone, thanks to a digital rationing system.
  • Tourists are returning.
  • But experts warn that appearances can be deceptive.
  • I think there are sort of parallel universes really in Sri Lanka.
  • I mean, if you go out sometime in the metropolitan cities, particularly in Colombo, you'll see one part of society living as though everything is back to normal, because now we've got our fuel, you can basically access most imported goods,
  • And things seem to be okay.
  • But I think if you go out a little bit, and not even outside, there's another segment of society that is really struggling, because of the high cost of living, access to basic services.
  • A different world from the capital, Colombo, can be found a two-hour drive south down the coast.
  • A million people in Sri Lanka are estimated to be reliant on fishing for their living.
  • The cost of boat fuel for these fisherfolk in Beriwala is still four times higher than before the crisis struck last year, making each trip into an economic gamble.
  • Places like this feel like the sharp end of Sri Lanka's economic crisis at the moment.
  • It's clear that in some parts of the country, life has got somewhat better in recent months, but in places like this, it's really just as painful as it was before the fall of the government.
  • After a bad storm, there's often an extensive repair job.
  • This is a lesson a still economically broken Sri Lankan knows well.