Improve your Skills: Reading for First, Unit 3, p.

22
Deducing the meaning of unfamiliar lexical items

deduce to form an opinion about something based on the information or evidence that
is available
SYNONYM INFER
deduce something (from something) We can deduce a lot from what people
choose to buy.
deduce (from something) that, what, how, etc… Can we deduce from your
silence that you do not approve?
lexical adj [usually before noun] (linguistics) connected with the words of a language
lexical items (= words and phrases)
Improve your reading skills
What is deducing ....?
work sth out (especially British English) to find the answer to something
SYNONYM SOLVE to work out a problem
work out what, where, etc… Can you work out what these squiggles mean?
1A
Why is deducing ...?
2B
How do you deduce ...?
ignore something to pay no attention to something
SYNONYM DISREGARD
He ignored all the ‘No Smoking’ signs and lit up a cigarette.
I made a suggestion but they chose to ignore it.
gist (of something) (usually the gist) [singular] the main or general meaning of a
piece of writing, a speech or a conversation
to get (= understand) the gist of an argument
I missed the beginning of the lecture—can you give me the gist of what he
said?
I'm afraid I don't quite follow your gist (= what you really mean).
physical adj [only before noun] connected with things that actually exist or are
present and can be seen, felt, etc. rather than things that only exist in a person’s mind
the physical world/universe/environment
the physical properties (= the colour, weight, shape, etc.) of copper
3B
How is deducing ...?
deduce to form an opinion about something based on the information or evidence that
is available
SYNONYM INFER
deduce something (from something) We can deduce a lot from what people
choose to buy.
deduce (from something) that, what, how, etc… Can we deduce from your
silence that you do not approve?
 lexical adj [usually before noun] (linguistics) connected with the words of a language
lexical items (= words and phrases)
4A
Get started
Students’ own answers
entertainment [uncountable, countable] films/movies, music, etc. used to entertain
people; an example of this
radio, television and other forms of entertainment
There will be live entertainment at the party.
It was typical family entertainment.
Develop your vocabulary
Ex. 1
1 industry
executive [countable] a person who has an important job as a manager of a company
or an organization
advertising/business/sales, etc. executives
a chief/senior/top executive in a computer firm
2 media
unwanted adj that you do not want
unwanted advice unwanted pregnancies
It is very sad when children feel unwanted (= feel that other people do not
care about them)
the media [uncountable + singular or plural verb] the main ways that large numbers
of people receive information and entertainment, that is television, radio, newspapers
and the Internet
the news/broadcasting/national media
The trial was fully reported in the media.
The media was/were accused of influencing the final decision.
scandal [countable, uncountable] behaviour or an event that people think is morally
or legally wrong and causes public feelings of shock or anger
a series of sex scandals to cause/create a scandal
The scandal broke (= became known to the public) in May.
3 fan
base [countable, usually singular] the people, activity, etc. from which
somebody/something gets most of their support, income, power, etc.
These policies have a broad base of support.
an economy with a solid manufacturing base
Twitter U a social networking service that allows you to send out short regular
messages about what you are doing, that people can access on the Internet or on their
mobile/cell phones
4 red-carpet
the media [uncountable + singular or plural verb] the main ways that large numbers
of people receive information and entertainment, that is television, radio, newspapers
and the Internet
 the news/broadcasting/national media
The trial was fully reported in the media.
The media was/were accused of influencing the final decision.
sensation [countable, usually singular, uncountable] very great surprise, excitement,
or interest among a lot of people; the person or the thing that causes this surprise / tin
giật gân
News of his arrest caused a sensation.
The band became a sensation overnight.
red carpet (usually the red carpet)[singular] a strip of red carpet laid on the ground
for an important visitor to walk on when he or she arrives
I didn't expect to be given the red carpet treatment!
The city always rolls out the red carpet for visiting heads of state.
designer adj [only before noun] made by a famous designer; expensive and having a
famous brand name
designer jeans designer labels
designer water
5 networking
social networking U communication with people who share your interests using a
website or other service on the Internet
a social networking site
tips for safe blogging and social networking
6 judging
judge (something) to decide the result of a competition; to be the judge in a
competition
She was asked to judge the essay competition.
panel [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of specialists who give their
advice or opinion about something; a group of people who discuss topics of interest
on television or radio
an advisory panel a panel of experts
We have two politicians on tonight's panel.
presenter (British English) a person who introduces the different sections of a radio
or television programme
a TV presenter a BBC sports presenter
Jenni Murray, presenter of ‘Woman’s Hour’
Ex. 3
1 celebrity
constantly adv all the time; repeatedly
Fashion is constantly changing.
Heat the sauce, stirring constantly.
2 eye
in the public eye well known to many people through newspapers and television
She doesn't want her children growing up in the public eye.
craft [singular] all the skills needed for a particular activity
chefs who learned their craft in top hotels
 the writer’s craft
3 performance
act [countable] one of several short pieces of entertainment in a show
a circus/comedy/magic act
4 costume
costume [countable, uncountable] the clothes worn by actors in a play or film/movie,
or worn by somebody to make them look like somebody/something else
The actors were still in costume and make-up.
She has four costume changes during the play.
suit a set of clothes made of the same cloth, including a jacket and trousers/pants or a
skirt
a business suit a pinstripe suit
a two-/three-piece suit (= of two/three pieces of clothing)
5 talented
performer a person who performs for an audience in a show, concert, etc.
a brilliant/polished/seasoned performer
overcome something to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem that has
been preventing you from achieving something
She overcame injury to win the Olympic gold medal.
The two parties managed to overcome their differences on the issue.
fame U the state of being known and talked about by many people
to achieve/win instant fame
to rise/shoot to fame overnight
6 audiences
audience [countable] a number of people or a particular group of people who watch,
read or listen to the same thing
An audience of millions watched the wedding on TV.
TV/cinema/movie audiences
appreciate somebody/something [transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to
recognize the good qualities of somebody/something
You can't really appreciate foreign literature in translation.
His talents are not fully appreciated in that company.
acting [uncountable] the activity or profession of performing in plays, films/movies,
etc.
She started her acting career while still at school.
Ex. 3
1c
broadcast (something) to send out programmes on television or radio
The concert will be broadcast live (= at the same time as it takes
place) tomorrow evening.
Most of the programmes are broadcast in English.
transmit (something) (from…) (to…) to send an electronic signal, radio or
television broadcast, etc.
signals transmitted from a satellite
 The ceremony was transmitted live by satellite to over fifty countries.
2d
reality TV U television shows that are based on real people (not actors) in real
situations, presented as entertainment
3a
the ratings [plural] a set of figures that show how many people watch or listen to a
particular television or radio programme, used to show how popular a programme is
The show has gone up in the ratings.
The BBC is currently ahead in the ratings war.
view something (formal) to watch television, a film/movie, etc.
The show has a viewing audience of six million (= six million people watch
it).
an opportunity to view the movie before it goes on general release
figure [countable, usually plural] a number representing a particular amount,
especially one given in official information
the latest trade/sales/unemployment, etc. figures
Viewing figures for the series have dropped dramatically.
take sb/sth on to decide to do something; to agree to be responsible for
something/somebody
I can't take on any extra work.
We're not taking on any new clients at present.
lead [countable] the main part in a play, film/movie, etc.; the person who plays this
part
Who is playing the lead?
the male/female lead
tune in (to something) to listen to a radio programme or watch a television
programme
episode one part of a story that is broadcast on television or radio in several parts
The soap opera is ending after 175 episodes.
4b 5e
paparazzo (also pap) (pl. paparazzi) a photographer who follows famous people
around in order to get interesting photographs of them to sell to a newspaper
Develop your reading skills
deduce to form an opinion about something based on the information or evidence that
is available
SYNONYM INFER
deduce something (from something) We can deduce a lot from what people
choose to buy.
deduce (from something) that, what, how, etc… Can we deduce from your
silence that you do not approve?
lexical adj [usually before noun] (linguistics) connected with the words of a language
lexical items (= words and phrases)
Ex. 1
1 b adjective
 applause U the noise made by a group of people clapping their hands and sometimes
shouting to show their approval or enjoyment
Give her a big round of applause!
The audience broke into rapturous applause.
deafening adj very loud
deafening applause
The noise of the machine was deafening.
2 c verb
luck U chance; the force that causes good or bad things to happen to people
SYNONYM FORTUNE
to have good/bad luck
I put the loss of the money down to pure bad luck.
sell out/be sold out (of tickets for a concert, sports game, etc.) to be all sold
The tickets sold out within hours.
This week's performances are completely sold out.
3 a noun
homeland [usually singular] the country where a person was born
Many refugees have been forced to flee their homeland.
the ratings [plural] a set of figures that show how many people watch or listen to a
particular television or radio programme, used to show how popular a programme is
The show has gone up in the ratings.
The BBC is currently ahead in the ratings war.
view something (formal) to watch television, a film/movie, etc.
The show has a viewing audience of six million (= six million people watch
it).
an opportunity to view the movie before it goes on general release
episode one part of a story that is broadcast on television or radio in several parts
The soap opera is ending after 175 episodes.
4 e conjunction 5 d adverb
tremendously adv to a very great degree
tremendously exciting
People vary tremendously in their individual dietary requirements.
Ex. 2
1 very loud 2 reserving a ticket 3 how many people watch a show
4 although 5 very
deduce to form an opinion about something based on the information or evidence that
is available
SYNONYM INFER
deduce something (from something) We can deduce a lot from what people
choose to buy.
deduce (from something) that, what, how, etc… Can we deduce from your
silence that you do not approve?
interactive adj that involves people working together and having an influence on each
other
 The school believes in interactive teaching methods.
Ex. 3
set sth up to create something or start it
to set up a business
A fund will be set up for the dead men's families.
put sth on to produce or present a play, a show, etc.
The local drama club is putting on ‘Macbeth’.
relate to something/somebody to be connected with something/somebody; to refer to
something/somebody
We shall discuss the problem as it relates to our specific case.
The second paragraph relates to the situation in Scotland.
face [transitive] if you face a particular situation, or it faces you, you have to deal
with it
face something the problems faced by one-parent families
be faced with something She's faced with a difficult decision.
playwright a person who writes plays for the theatre, television or radio
Opposite dramatist
involved adj [not usually before noun] giving a lot of time or attention to
somebody/something
involved (with something/somebody) She was deeply involved with the local
hospital.
involved (in something/somebody) I was so involved in my book I didn't
hear you knock.
stage something to organize and present a play or an event for people to see
to stage a ceremony/an event/an exhibition
The local theatre group is staging a production of ‘Hamlet’.
enthusiastic adj feeling or showing a lot of excitement and interest about
somebody/something
an enthusiastic supporter an enthusiastic welcome
enthusiastic about somebody/something You don't sound very enthusiastic
about the idea.
enthusiastic about doing something She was even less enthusiastic about
going to Spain.
tackle something to make a determined effort to deal with a difficult problem or
situation
The government is determined to tackle inflation.
I think I'll tackle the repairs next weekend.
awful adj (informal) used to emphasize something, especially that there is a large
amount or too much of something
It's going to cost an awful lot of money.
There's not an awful lot of room.
throw yourself/something into something to begin to do something with energy and
enthusiasm
Suggested answers
1 in 2012
2 things young people have to face in their everyday lives
face [transitive] if you face a particular situation, or it faces you, you have to deal
with it
face something the problems faced by one-parent families
be faced with something She's faced with a difficult decision.
3 writing and directing
involvement (in/with something) U the act of taking part in something
SYNONYM PARTICIPATION
US involvement in European wars
4 They have a negative image of young people
5 positive
6 They worked with energy and enthusiasim.
energy [uncountable] the ability to put effort and enthusiasm into an activity, work,
etc.
It's a waste of time and energy.
She's always full of energy.
enthusiasm [uncountable] a strong feeling of excitement and interest in something
and a desire to become involved in it
enthusiasm (for something) I can't say I share your enthusiasm for the idea.
enthusiasm (for doing something) She never lost her enthusiasm for
teaching.
Ex. 4
deduce to form an opinion about something based on the information or evidence that
is available
SYNONYM INFER
deduce something (from something) We can deduce a lot from what people
choose to buy.
deduce (from something) that, what, how, etc… Can we deduce from your
silence that you do not approve?
1 tackle 2 issues 3 an awful lot 4 stage
5 threw themselves into it 6 set up
put sth on to produce or present a play, a show, etc.
The local drama club is putting on ‘Macbeth’.
Ex. 5
1N
make a fool of yourself to do something stupid which makes other people think that
you are a fool
I made a complete fool of myself in front of everyone!
embarrassing adj making you feel shy, awkward or ashamed
an embarrassing mistake/question/situation
It can be embarrassing for children to tell complete strangers about such
incidents.
2P
 show-stopper (informal) a performance that is very impressive and receives a lot
of applause from the audience
press (often the Press) [singular + singular or plural verb] newspapers and magazines
the local/national/foreign press
the popular/tabloid press (= smaller newspapers with a lot of pictures and
stories about famous people)
The story was reported in the press and on television.
3N
flop (informal) a film/movie, play, party, etc. that is not successful
OPPOSITE HIT a box-office flop
The share sale has been a flop with investors.
4P
plot [countable, uncountable] the series of events that form the story of a novel, play,
film/movie, etc.
a conventional plot about love and marriage
The book is well organized in terms of plot.
intriguing adj very interesting because of being unusual or not having an obvious
answer
These discoveries raise intriguing questions.
an intriguing possibility He found her intriguing.
on the edge of your seat very excited and giving your full attention to something
The game had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happened next.
5P
star-studded adj including many famous performers
a star-studded cast
cast [countable + singular or plural verb] all the people who act in a play or
film/movie
The whole cast performs/perform brilliantly.
members of the castan all-star cast (= including many well-known actors)
flock [intransitive] to go or gather together somewhere in large numbers
+ adv./prep. Thousands of people flocked to the beach this weekend.
flock to do something People flocked to hear him speak.
Ex. 6
1b
limelight (usually the limelight) [uncountable] the centre of public attention
to be in the limelight to stay out of the limelight
to steal/hog the limelight (= take attention away from other people)
pose (for somebody/something) to sit or stand in a particular position in order to be
painted, drawn or photographed
The delegates posed for a group photograph.
They posed briefly for photographs before driving off.
quiet adj without many people or much noise or activity
a quiet street They lead a quiet life.
 the media [uncountable + singular or plural verb] the main ways that large numbers
of people receive information and entertainment, that is television, radio, newspapers
and the Internet
the news/broadcasting/national media
The trial was fully reported in the media.
The media was/were accused of influencing the final decision.
2a
lead [countable] the main part in a play, film/movie, etc.; the person who plays this
part
Who is playing the lead?
the male/female lead a lead role
costume [countable, uncountable] the clothes worn by actors in a play or film/movie,
or worn by somebody to make them look like somebody/something else
The actors were still in costume and make-up.
She has four costume changes during the play.
fit [intransitive, transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be the right shape
and size for somebody/something
I tried the dress on but it didn't fit.
fit somebody/something I can't find clothes to fit me.
give up to stop trying to do something
They gave up without a fight.
She doesn't give up easily.
3b
steal the show [no passive] to attract more attention and praise than other people in a
particular situation
As always, the children stole the show.
British bands stole the show at this year’s awards.
ruin something to damage something so badly that it loses all its value, pleasure, etc.;
to spoil something
SYNONYM WRECK
The bad weather ruined our trip.
That one mistake ruined his chances of getting the job.
My new shoes got ruined in the mud.
upset to make somebody/yourself feel unhappy, anxious or annoyed
SYNONYM DISTRESS
upset somebody/yourself This decision is likely to upset a lot of people.
it upsets somebody that… It upset him that nobody had bothered to tell him
about it.
it upsets somebody to do something It upsets me to think of her all alone in
that big house.
performer a person who performs for an audience in a show, concert, etc.
a brilliant/polished/seasoned performer
4c
run something to be in charge of a business, etc.
 to run a hotel/store/language school
He has no idea how to run a business.
interfere to get involved in and try to influence a situation that does not concern you,
in a way that annoys other people
I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions.
interfere in something The police are very unwilling to interfere in family
problems.
insist [intransitive, transitive] to demand that something happens or that somebody
agrees to do something
I didn't really want to go but he insisted.
insist on something/somebody doing something (formal) She insisted on
his/him wearing a suit.
insist that… He insists that she come.
(British English also) He insists that she should come.
5b
magnificent adj extremely attractive and impressive; deserving praise
SYNONYM SPLENDID
The Taj Mahal is a magnificent building.
She looked magnificent in her wedding dress.
You've all done a magnificent job
scene [countable] a part of a film/movie, play or book in which the action happens in
one place or is of one particular type
The movie opens with a scene in a New York apartment.
love/sex scenes.
bring the house down to make everyone laugh or cheer, especially at a performance
in the theatre
applause U the noise made by a group of people clapping their hands and sometimes
shouting to show their approval or enjoyment
Give her a big round of applause!
The audience broke into rapturous applause.
wild adj full of very strong feeling
wild laughter The crowd went wild.
collapse [intransitive] to fall down or fall in suddenly, often after breaking apart
SYNONYM give way
The roof collapsed under the weight of snow.