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The creature that can munch through plastic waste

Video vocabulary

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

message

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US / 'mesɪdʒ /

UK / ˈmɛsɪdʒ /

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

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

open

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US / 'əʊpən /

UK / ˈopən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Available for use; accessible
  • Not being hidden; available for others to see
  • Being available for customers to enter or use
  • Allowing everyone to use or take part in
  • Not secret anymore
  • Not closed or shut
  • Willing to accept new ideas and thoughts
  • noun
  • Name for a tennis or golf competition
  • verb
  • To make accessible or able to be used, e.g. road
  • To start the activities or services of a business
  • To make a space or hole appear in something
  • To move or change so that it is no longer closed
  • To start something, e.g. a new business

other

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US / 'ʌðə(r) /

UK / ˈʌðər /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A thing different from that mentioned
  • determiner
  • (Something) else; not the first (one)
  • pronoun
  • Being the one and only thing of that category

big

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US / bɪɡ /

UK / bɪɡ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Popular
  • Serious
  • Large

anya

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US / 'æŋkʃəslɪ /

UK / ˈæŋkʃəslɪ /

A1

flushed

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US / flʌʃt /

UK / flʌʃt /

B1
  • verb
  • To redden in the face due to emotion
  • To make water pass through, as in a toilet

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

summer

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US / ˈsʌmə(r) /

UK / ˈsʌmɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Part of the year when the weather is hot
  • verb
  • To spend time in a place in the warm months

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

stanford

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US / ˈstænfəd /

UK / ˈstænfərd /

A1

valuable

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US / ˈvæljuəbl /

UK / ˈvæljuəbəl, ˈvæljə- /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being useful or important
  • Being worth a lot of money

chicken

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US / ˈtʃɪkɪn /

UK / ˈtʃɪkən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Acting like a coward
  • noun
  • A bird raised for its eggs and meat
  • Someone who is too afraid to do something

this

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US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

chemical

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US / ˈkemɪkl /

UK / ˈkɛmɪkəl /

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

commercial

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US / kəˈmə:ʃəl /

UK / kəˈmɚʃəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • noun
  • Radio or television advertisement

innocuous

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US / ɪˈnɒkjuəs /

UK / ɪˈnɑkjuəs /

C1
  • adjecitve
  • Having no bad or negative effect; harmless

also

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US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

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

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)

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

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

able

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US / 'eɪbl /

UK / ˈebəl /

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

multiple

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US / ˈmʌltɪpl /

UK / ˈmʌltəpəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having or involving more than one of something
  • noun
  • Number produced by multiplying a smaller number
  • Shop with many branches

university

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US / ˌju:nɪ'vɜ:sətɪ /

UK / ˌjunɪˈvɜrsəti /

A1
  • noun
  • High-level educational institution; college

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)

line

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US / laɪn /

UK / laɪn /

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

manufacturing

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US / ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərɪŋ /

UK / ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • The act of making things in factories
  • verb
  • To produce large numbers of products in a factory
  • To create a story or explanation that is not true

cool

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US / ku:l /

UK / kul /

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

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

pig

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US / pɪg /

UK / pɪɡ /

B1
  • noun
  • Animal that bacon, pork and ham come from
  • Greedy person
  • Someone disgusting, e.g. in being dirty or rude

through

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US / θru: /

UK / θru /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • having finished using or doing something
  • adverb
  • From the beginning of something until the end
  • preposition
  • Over, in, across an entire thing or place
  • Allowing you to pass between, or to
  • By a particular way or process; by the use of

why

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US / waɪ /

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Question word to ask for a reason
  • exclamation
  • (Used to express surprise or approval)

harm

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US / hɑ:m /

UK / hɑrm /

A2
  • noun
  • Damage or injury
  • verb
  • To damage, injure, or hurt someone or something

pause

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US / pɔ:z /

UK / pɔz /

A2
  • noun
  • A temporary break before continuing
  • Function on a device to stop and restart it
  • Sign to hold a musical note a bit longer
  • verb
  • To stop doing for a while before continuing

source

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US / sɔ:s /

UK / sɔrs, sors /

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

nutrient

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US / ˈnju:triənt /

UK / ˈnutriənt /

B1
  • noun
  • A chemical living things needs to be healthy

question

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US / 'kwestʃən /

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Issue or problems you are dealing with
  • What you ask about; issue
  • verb
  • To ask for or try to get information
  • To have or express concerns or uncertainty

face

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US / feɪs /

UK / fes /

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

grub

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US / ɡrʌb /

UK / ɡrʌb /

C1
  • noun
  • Worm-like larva of an insect

generation

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US / ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃn /

UK / ˌdʒɛnəˈreʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Act or process of producing or causing something
  • People born and living at about the same time

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

few

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US / fju: /

UK / fju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Not many, a small number

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

polystyrene

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US / ˌpɒliˈstaɪri:n /

UK / ˌpɑ:liˈstaɪri:n /

A1
  • noun
  • Polymer of styrene; a rigid transparent thermoplastic

send

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US / send /

UK / sɛnd /

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

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

notify

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US / 'nəʊtɪfaɪ /

UK / ˈnotəˌfaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • To inform; to communicate specific information

content

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US / 'kɒntent /

UK / ˈkɑnˌtɛnt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being happy or satisfied
  • noun
  • Information in something, e.g. book or computer

resume

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US / rɪ'zju:m /

UK / rɪˈzum /

B2
  • noun
  • A record of your achievements and qualifications
  • verb
  • To return to your seat, a place or position
  • To continue something after a pause or break

scale

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US / skeɪl /

UK / skel /

A2
  • noun
  • Size, level, or amount when compared
  • Small hard plates that cover the body of fish
  • Device that is used to weigh a person or thing
  • Range of numbers from the lowest to the highest
  • Dimensions or size of something
  • verb
  • To change the size of but keep the proportions
  • To climb something large (e.g. a mountain)
  • To remove the scales of a fish

polymer

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US / 'pɒlɪmə(r) /

UK / ˈpɑləmɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Chemical substance made up of simple molecules

tiny

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US / 'taɪnɪ /

UK / ˈtaɪni /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very, very small

subscribe

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US / səb'skraɪb /

UK / səbˈskraɪb /

B1
  • verb
  • To regularly pay to receive a service

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

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

powerful

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US / ˈpauəful /

UK / ˈpaʊəfəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having control or influence over
  • Having a lot of physical force, energy, strength

quite

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US / kwaɪt /

UK / kwaɪt /

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

whole

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US / həul /

UK / hol /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Complete or full; all of
  • Being in a good condition
  • noun
  • Complete amount or sum; total

crazy

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US / 'kreɪzɪ /

UK / ˈkrezi /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Mentally ill; mad
  • Not being sensible or practical
  • Really like someone or something very much
  • noun
  • Person acting in a manner that is strange and odd

yet

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US / jet /

UK / jɛt /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a later time (used after ‘not’)
  • (Used to emphasize that thing is, will be greater)
  • Eventually; at a future time
  • Until now; up to the present
  • conjunction
  • Adding to what has been said, often as a contrast

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

especially

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US / ɪˈspeʃəli /

UK / ɛˈspɛʃəli, ɪˈspɛʃ- /

A1
  • adverb
  • More than usual; extremely

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

research

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US / rɪ'sɜ:tʃ /

UK / rɪˈsɚtʃ, ˈriˌsɚtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Study done to discover new ideas and facts
  • Work done to find or discover knowledge
  • verb
  • To study in order to discover new ideas and facts

deal

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US / di:l /

UK / dil /

A1
  • verb
  • To cope with something - usually troubles
  • To give (something bad e.g. news) to
  • To buy and sell illegal drugs
  • To give out (cards, etc.) to; distribute
  • To do business with someone or to sell products

planet

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US / 'plænɪt /

UK / ˈplænɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • One of the bodies that orbit the sun

interested

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US / ˈɪntrəstɪd /

UK / ˈɪntrɪstɪd, -tərɪstɪd, -təˌrɛstɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having had your attention taken; curious
  • verb
  • To make someone want to know about something
  • To persuade to do, become involved with something

please

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US / pli:z /

UK / pliz /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used when you politely ask people for things
  • verb
  • To entertain someone, by dancing, singing etc.
  • To make someone happy by doing something

study

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US / 'stʌdɪ /

UK / ˈstʌdi /

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

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

understand

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US / ˌʌndə'stænd /

UK / ˌʌndɚˈstænd /

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

would

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US / wʊd /

UK / wʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate something imagined
  • Used to ask or request something politely
  • Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
  • Used to indicate a preference
  • Used to indicate a reaction
  • Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
  • Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

brandon

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US / ˈbrændən /

UK / ˈbrændən /

A1

everywhere

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US / ˈevriweə(r) /

UK / ˈevriwer /

A1
  • adverb
  • Every place

hashtag

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US / ˈhæʃ.tæɡ /

UK / ˈhæʃ.tæɡ /

A1
  • noun
  • The symbol # on a phone or computer keyboard; Used on social media for describing the general subjec

she

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US / ʃɪ /

UK / ʃi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Female person or animal mentioned before
  • (Refers to female person mentioned before)

bacteria

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US / bæk'tɪərɪə /

UK / bækˈtɪriə /

B2
  • noun
  • The very small creatures that can cause disease

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

hard

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US / hɑ:d /

UK / hɑː(r)d /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Difficult to do; difficult to understand
  • (Of facts) not able to be misunderstood; clear
  • (Of alcohol) strong
  • Involving or requiring lots of work, effort, care
  • Being full of pain, trouble, and problems
  • Strong
  • (Of edge) clear; sharp
  • Difficult to bend, break or cut; solid
  • adverb
  • With lots of force, power, or impact

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

medium

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US / 'mi:dɪəm /

UK / ˈmidiəm /

A2
  • noun
  • Method of expressing ideas or feelings
  • Something available in a middle size or condition
  • Person who claims to communicate with the dead

about

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US / ə'baʊt /

UK / əˈbaʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • To be ready to; going to
  • Nearly; approximately; roughly
  • Near; next to; close to
  • In every direction; in the area of
  • preposition
  • Concerning or of (a topic)

different

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US / ˈdɪfrənt /

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

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

health

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US / helθ /

UK / hɛlθ /

A1
  • noun
  • (Person, company) being in a good condition; well

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

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

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

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

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

week

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US / wi:k /

UK / wik /

A1
  • noun
  • Period of seven days from Sunday to Saturday

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

friday

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US / ˈfraɪdeɪ /

UK / ˈfraɪdeɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Fifth day of the week; the day after Thursday

preserve

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US / prɪˈzɜ:v /

UK / prɪˈzɜ:rv /

B1
  • noun
  • Protected area of land with plants and animals
  • verb
  • To cook food so it can be kept for long periods
  • To protect something from harm, loss or damage
  • To keep or maintain unchanged or perfect

then

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US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

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

nothing

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US / 'nʌθɪŋ /

UK / ˈnʌθɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Item of little or no value, importance, interest
  • Number or value of zero
  • pronoun
  • Not anything, not a single thing

tell

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US / tel /

UK / tɛl /

A1
  • verb
  • To (strongly) advise a person to do something
  • To be able to guess
  • To say or communicate information to someone
  • To inform, but without speaking; indicate
  • To have a negative effect on someone
  • To order someone to do something; command
  • To recognize something based on certain signs
  • To report something to an authority
  • To explain something or teach someone something

chomp

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US / tʃɒmp /

UK / tʃɑ:mp /

C1
  • verb
  • To chew noisily and strongly

hydrogen

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US / ˈhaɪdrədʒən /

UK / ˈhaɪdrədʒən /

B1
  • noun
  • Lightest of all chemical elements

energy

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US / 'enədʒɪ /

UK / ˈɛnədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Physical or mental strength

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

great

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US / ɡreɪt /

UK / ɡret /

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

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

plasticizer

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US / ˈplastɪsaɪzə /

UK / ˈplæstəˌsaɪzər /

A1
  • other
  • A substance added to plastics or other materials to make them more pliable

type

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US / taɪp /

UK / taɪp /

A1
  • noun
  • Printed letters or blocks used for printing them
  • Group of things or people sharing common features
  • verb
  • To identify something belonging to a group
  • To write by touching keys on a keyboard

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

cup

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US / kʌp /

UK / kʌp /

A1
  • noun
  • Small round container used for drinking
  • Silver trophy teams compete to win
  • Unit of measurement for foods or liquids
  • verb
  • To make the shape of a bowl with your hands

isolate

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US / ˈaɪsəleɪt /

UK / ˈaɪsəˌlet /

B1
  • verb
  • To identify, consider, or deal with separately
  • To keep in a place or situation apart from others
  • To separate something from another substance

show

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US / ʃəʊ /

UK / ʃo /

A1
  • noun
  • False display of love, emotion or action
  • An event for displaying or promoting goods
  • Play, opera or theater production
  • Presentation that is broadcast on TV or radio
  • verb
  • To be easily seen or displayed
  • To display your emotions or feelings
  • To let someone see something; display
  • To explain or teach how something is done
  • To lead someone somewhere; point them to something
  • To prove something to be true, correct
  • To reveal or allow something to be seen

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

bioreactors

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US / /

UK / /

A1
  • other

gut

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US / ɡʌt /

UK / ɡʌt /

B1
  • noun
  • Stomach and internal organs of digestion
  • Guts courage; emotional strength
  • verb
  • To destroy the inside of a building , e.g. by fire
  • To remove the internal parts of an animal or fish

pursue

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US / pə'sju: /

UK / pɚˈsu /

B1
  • verb
  • To follow and try to catch, or to reach a goal
  • To try to achieve or get something over time

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

vat

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US / væt /

UK / væt /

B2
  • noun
  • A large open vessel for holding or storing liquids
  • Value added tax; a sales tax placed on goods

naturally

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US / ˈnætʃrəli /

UK / ˈnætʃərəli, ˈnætʃrə- /

A2
  • adverb
  • In the expected or usual way
  • Without the aid of someone or something

post

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US / pəʊst /

UK / post /

A1
  • noun
  • Message delivered or shared in an online group
  • Piece of wood, metal in the ground for support
  • Job or position within an organization or company
  • Place where a soldier, etc. is ordered to go
  • verb
  • To send a letter or package using stamps
  • To share a message on an internet discussion group
  • To send a soldier somewhere to do a job
  • To put a message in public for everyone to see

throw

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US / θrəʊ /

UK / θroʊ /

A1
  • noun
  • Arm movement to make a thing fly through the air
  • Loose cloth or blanket (usually over a chair)
  • Forcibly putting someone on the ground
  • verb
  • To use your arm to make something fly in the air
  • To move part of your body suddenly and forcefully
  • To confuse or upset someone
  • (E.g. judo) to forcibly put someone on the ground
  • To put something somewhere suddenly and roughly

pretty

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US / 'prɪtɪ /

UK / ˈprɪti /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being attractive to the eye in a simple way
  • adverb
  • Very; to a great degree

discover

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US / dɪˈskʌvə(r) /

UK / dɪˈskʌvɚ /

A2
  • verb
  • To find something new that was not known before

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

evolutionarily

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US / /

UK / /

B2
  • adverb
  • In a slowly changing and adapting manner

huge

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US / hju:dʒ /

UK / hjudʒ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very very large

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

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

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

regular

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US / ˈregjələ(r) /

UK / ˈrɛɡjəlɚ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having an equal amount of space or time in between
  • Occurring or being done frequently
  • Being normal, usual, or average
  • noun
  • Customers who frequently visit a place
  • Soldier who has a permanent job in the army

thank

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US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

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

carbon

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US / 'kɑ:bən /

UK / ˈkɑrbən /

B1
  • noun
  • Chemical element with an atomic number of 6

marine

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US / mə'ri:n /

UK / məˈrin /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Of the ocean or ocean plants and animals
  • Concerning sailing or doing business by sea
  • noun
  • Soldier trained to serve on land and sea

somehow

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US / ˈsʌmhaʊ /

UK / ˈsʌmˌhaʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • In a way that is not known or certain

styrofoam

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US / 'staɪrəfəʊm /

UK / 'staɪrəfoʊm /

A1
  • noun
  • Light resilient foam of polystyrene

too

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition, also; with emphasis
  • Say that something is more than you want

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

stabilizer

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US / ˈsteɪbəlaɪzə(r) /

UK / ˈstebəˌlaɪzɚ /

C2
  • noun
  • Device used to make something stable or balanced

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

try

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US / traɪ /

UK / traɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of putting the ball over the rugby goal line
  • verb
  • To make an effort, to attempt to do something
  • To examine someone or something in a court of law
  • To test to see if it is good or you like it
  • To make a person go through hardship; test
  • To examine something to see if it works

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

episode

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US / 'epɪsəʊd /

UK / ˈɛpɪˌsod /

B1
  • noun
  • One separate event in a series of events
  • Show which is part of a larger story

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

eat

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US / i:t /

UK / it /

A1
  • verb
  • To put food in your mouth

livestock

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US / ˈlaɪvstɒk /

UK / ˈlaɪvˌstɑk /

B2
  • noun
  • Any animals kept for use or profit

newsletter

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US / ˈnju:zletə(r) /

UK / ˈnu:zletə(r) /

B2
  • noun
  • Report or open letter giving news to a group

toxic

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US / ˈtɒksɪk /

UK / ˈtɑksɪk /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Poisonous; harmful
  • (Of relationships) harmful; causing conflict

monday

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US / ˈmʌndeɪ /

UK / ˈmʌndeɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Second day of the week; the day after Sunday

bond

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US / bɒnd /

UK / bɑnd /

A2
  • noun
  • Rope, chain or other thing used to tie someone up
  • Closeness that is shared between people or groups
  • Loan that a government must buy back by a set date
  • Written agreement to pay back borrowed money
  • Joint or connection, often using glue
  • verb
  • To develop a close relationship with
  • To become joined or connected, e.g. using glue

programming

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US / ˈprəʊgræmɪŋ /

UK / ˈproʊgræmɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Writing computer code for a piece of software
  • TV or radio shows broadcast by a station
  • verb
  • To make someone act or think in a certain way
  • To write computer code for a piece of software

use

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US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

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

industry

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US / 'ɪndəstrɪ /

UK / ˈɪndəstri /

A1
  • noun
  • Hard work; being busy working
  • Factories or businesses that make certain products

ingredient

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US / ɪnˈgri:diənt /

UK / ɪnˈɡridiənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Food item used when making a meal or drink
  • Quality necessary to be something to work well

majority

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US / mə'dʒɒrətɪ /

UK / məˈdʒɔrɪti, -ˈdʒɑr- /

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

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

channel

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US / 'tʃænl /

UK / ˈtʃænəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Long hole dug in the ground, e.g. to move water
  • TV or radio station or its programs
  • Method or way of sending or receiving information
  • Narrow passage through which water travels
  • Method or route used for sending or getting things
  • verb
  • To dig a long hole for carrying water
  • To send (e.g. money) to a certain place or person
  • To direct water or liquid through a passage
  • To direct energy or feelings into something

flame

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US / fleɪm /

UK / flem /

A2
  • noun
  • The red part you can see in fire
  • verb
  • To glow
  • To burn or glow in a fire
  • To glow (as in the sun or sunset)
  • To send angry messages over the Internet; to troll

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

environment

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US / ɪn'vaɪrənmənt /

UK / ɛnˈvaɪrənmənt, -ˈvaɪən- /

A1
  • noun
  • Natural world in which plants and animals live
  • The entire surrounding conditions of something

chock

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US / tʃɒk /

UK / tʃɒk /

C2
  • noun
  • Block of wood used to prevent wheels moving

hey

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US / heɪ /

UK / he /

A1
  • exclamation
  • What you say when you want someone's attention

issue

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US / 'ɪʃu: /

UK / ˈɪʃu /

A2
  • noun
  • Important topic discussed, debated or argued over
  • Single edition of a magazine
  • verb
  • To make something available to be used or sold
  • To deliver a statement, etc. in an official manner

call

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US / kɔ:l /

UK / kɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • A order or request for action
  • The sound an animal makes, often when in danger
  • A correct prediction, e.g. a decision in a game
  • A short visit to a place or person
  • A decision by a referee or umpire in a game
  • verb
  • To make a request or order for action
  • (Animal) to make sounds to warn of danger
  • To announce the date of an election
  • To make a judgment about something
  • To give someone or something a name
  • To guess in advance the result or outcome
  • To visit a place or person for a short time
  • To phone someone
  • To speak, announce or shout in a loud voice

clip

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US / klɪp /

UK / klɪp /

B1
  • noun
  • A metal holder used for keeping things together
  • Brief part of a television show or movie
  • verb
  • To attach things together using a metal pin
  • To cut a small section or piece out from something
  • To hit something briefly at an angle

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

wax

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US / wæks /

UK / wæks /

B1
  • noun
  • Substance naturally produced inside the earhole
  • Soft substance that melts, used for candles
  • verb
  • (Of the moon) to get bigger, like a full circle
  • To remove body hair by applying a paste and pulling
  • To speak emotionally about a particular memory
  • To apply a greasy substance to protect a surface

august

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US / ɔːˈɡʌst /

UK / ɔːˈɡʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (of person) Well known and respected
  • noun
  • 8th month of the year

put

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US / pʊt /

UK / pʊt /

A1
  • phrasal verb
  • to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch
  • verb
  • To move or place a thing in a particular position
  • To rate something in importance or value
  • To write or say something in a certain manner

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

degrade

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US / dɪ'ɡreɪd /

UK / dɪˈɡred /

B2
  • verb
  • To reduce in amount or strength
  • To treat something poorly or without respect

hopefully

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US / ˈhəʊpfəli /

UK / ˈhopfəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a manner wishing something to happen

until

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US / ənˈtɪl /

UK / ʌnˈtɪl /

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

fortuitously

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US / fɔːˈtjuːɪtəsli /

UK / fɔːrˈtuːɪtəsli /

C1
  • adverb
  • By accident or chance

larva

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US / ˈlɑ:və /

UK / ˈlɑ:rvə /

B2
  • noun
  • Wormlike young form of some insects

keep

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US / ki:p /

UK / kip /

A1
  • noun
  • Large, strong tower in the middle of a castle
  • Money spent on you so you can live in a place
  • verb
  • To continue doing something; not to stop
  • To stop balls going in a goal in sports
  • To not give back or return something
  • (Of food) to not spoil or not rot
  • To take possession of something to own, e.g. a pet
  • To have and continue to hold something
  • To do something that you have promised or agreed
  • To stay in a certain place or condition
  • To maintain the rules

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

cnn

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US / ˌsiː en ˈen /

UK / ˌsiː en ˈen /

A1
  • abbreviation
  • Cable News Network.

enjoy

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US / ɪnˈdʒɔɪ /

UK / ɛnˈdʒɔɪ /

A1
  • verb
  • To take pleasure in something

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

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

feed

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US / fi:d /

UK / fid /

A2
  • noun
  • Food given to animals
  • verb
  • To give food, e.g. to animals or a baby
  • To push something through an opening
  • To provide necessary supplies to

full

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US / fʊl /

UK / fʊl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Containing all the parts; complete
  • Containing or holding as much as possible
  • Having had enough food
  • adverb
  • In a direct manner; completely

polyethylene

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US / ˌpɔliˈeθili:n /

UK / ˌpɑliˈɛθəˌlin /

A1
  • noun
  • Lightweight thermoplastic; used especially in packaging and insulation

recycle

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US / ˌri:'saɪkl /

UK / riˈsaɪkəl /

A2
  • verb
  • To use old ideas or concepts again
  • To send used things to be turned into new things

bioreactor

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US / ˈbaɪəʊriːˌæktə /

UK / ˈbaɪoriˌæktər /

A1
  • noun

problem

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US / ˈprɒbləm /

UK / ˈprɑbləm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Causing trouble
  • noun
  • Something difficult to deal with or causes trouble
  • Question to show understanding of a math concept

scientist

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US / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

UK / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who is trained in a science

azuz

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US / ˌɑ:zəbaiˈdʒɑ:n /

UK / ˌæzəbaɪˈdʒɑn, ˌɑzə- /

A1

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

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)

waste

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US / weɪst /

UK / west /

A2
  • noun
  • Materials left over after a process has finished
  • verb
  • To kill or severely harm someone
  • To use valuable things ineffectively

discovery

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US / dɪ'skʌvərɪ /

UK / dɪˈskʌvəri /

A2
  • noun
  • Learning something for the first time

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
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retardant

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  • Introduction to Video Content
  • Plastic waste is one of the major environmental issues we face today, especially in the marine environment. As scientists and researchers search for effective ways to tackle this problem, a surprising solution has emerged - mealworms. These small larvae, commonly found almost everywhere, have the ability to eat and degrade certain types of plastic.Anya Brandon, a scientist at Stanford University, has been studying the eating habits of mealworms and their potential as agents in recycling plastic waste. It was discovered in 2015 that mealworms can consume polystyrene, sparking a new line of research and investigation into how these tiny insects are able to break down plastics.The exact reason behind the mealworms' ability to eat plastics is still unknown, and ongoing research is being conducted to shed light on this phenomenon. There are other insects that primarily consume wax, which is also composed of long-chain polymers like plastics. Evolutionarily, it appears that these insects have acquired the capability to break down both natural polymers and synthetic plastics.Furthermore, Brandon's initial findings revealed that mealworms are not limited to consuming just polystyrene. They have also shown an appetite for other types of plastic waste. In fact, approximately 1,000 mealworms are able to consume around 2 grams of plastic in a week, suggesting their potential efficacy in plastic degradation.While mealworms have been used as a source of food for livestock in the past, their ability to consume plastics opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for their utilization. With further research and development, these insects could potentially be employed in large-scale efforts to recycle plastic waste and mitigate its impact on the environment.As we continue to grapple with the consequences of plastic pollution, exploring alternative solutions and innovations, such as the mealworm's plastic-eating ability, is crucial. By harnessing the potential of these tiny creatures, we may be able to address the plastic crisis and work towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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  • Hey, thanks for watching CNN10.
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  • 1,000 mealworms can eat about 2 grams of plastic a week.
  • So, it would take 3 or 4,000 mealworms to eat this styrofoam cup about a week.
  • That's Anya Brandon, a scientist at Stanford University.
  • She studies how these eat this, and yet can still be used to feed these.
  • So, we all know that plastics are a huge issue facing the environment, especially in the marine environment, and we're all looking for good ways on how to deal with all this plastic waste that we have.
  • And we found that mealworms, these tiny, innocuous insects found pretty much everywhere, can eat and degrade a few different types of plastic.
  • Mealworms are basically the larvae of a type of darkling beetle.
  • They do have a commercial use as food for livestock like pigs and chickens.
  • But then it was discovered in 2015 that these little grubs could eat polystyrene, and a whole new line of research opened up, one that Brandon has pursued.
  • So, why these little mealworms are able to eat plastics is still an open question.
  • We're still trying to research that.
  • There's other insects out there that eat predominantly wax, which is also full of long-chain polymers.
  • And it looks like somehow, evolutionarily, these insects that are used to eating and breaking down these naturally existing big polymers are fortuitously able to break down some of these plastics that we're putting into the world.
  • Brandon's first discovery was that it wasn't just polystyrene that mealworms chomped down on.
  • They ate polyethylene, too.
  • That's really cool because one issue that we have with plastic waste is that it's really hard to recycle multiple types of plastics together.
  • This is how they do it.
  • Plastic has no nutrients in it, so it's the energy from breaking down the plastic's polymer bonds that the mealworms are after.
  • They do this using a powerful bacteria in their gut, which breaks down the majority of the plastic into nothing but hydrogen and carbon.
  • But there are other ingredients in plastics that are not quite so easy to break down.
  • There's all sorts of crazy chemicals used in plastics manufacturing, from stabilizers to plasticizers to flame retardants.
  • And that's a problem because we know that some of these chemicals can be toxic.
  • When Brandon looked into this, she found that some degraded plastics did come out the other end of the mealworm.
  • And flushed out with them came all the chemicals that could do harm further up the food chain.
  • So they're not bioaccumulating.
  • That means that this mealworm is still a valuable feed source, which is great.
  • But it's not the feed industry Brandon is interested in for her research.
  • For her, it's a question of scaling up.
  • And to do that, she needed to understand how a mealworm does what it does.
  • So we're looking and trying to isolate the bacteria from the mealworm gut to be able to scale those up in these big vats that we call bioreactors that are just chock full of bacteria.
  • You can throw your plastic in and hopefully it'll all break down.
  • Tell us what you're doing to preserve the health of the planet for future generations.
  • Send us your messages on social media using the hashtag calltoearth.
  • Thanks for watching.
  • Please don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter at CNN10.com.
  • And we'll see you in August for daily episodes of CNN 10. I'm Carl Azuz.