Unit 124

Words 2461–2480 · opera, contest, brush, embarrass, gallery, genetic

StudyPracticeListening · Speaking · Reading · Writing

  1. opera

    #2461

    noun

    A dramatic story performed by singers and an orchestra.

    1. We watched an opera at the theater during our visit to Vienna.

    2. My sister loves opera and listens to it while cooking dinner.

    3. The school music club performed a short opera for parents.

    4. The opera singer practiced her difficult part every morning.

    5. Tickets for the popular opera sold out before we could buy them.

  2. contest

    #2462

    noun, verb

    a competition, or to compete against someone to win something

    1. She won first prize in a local baking contest last weekend.

    2. Our school is holding a singing contest next Friday afternoon.

    3. They entered a photography contest during their trip to Italy.

    4. He contested the parking ticket because his car was legally parked.

    5. The two teams are contesting the final match at the sports center.

  3. brush

    #2463

    noun, verb

    a tool with bristles for cleaning, grooming, or painting; to clean or touch lightly

    1. I brush my teeth twice a day to keep them healthy.

    2. She brushed her hair before leaving for work.

    3. Please brush the dirt off your jacket before sitting down.

    4. He used a small brush to paint the wooden model.

    5. The cat brushed against my leg while I prepared dinner.

  4. embarrass

    #2464

    verb

    to make someone feel ashamed, shy, or uncomfortable in front of other people

    1. I embarrassed myself when I forgot my manager's name during the meeting.

    2. Please don't embarrass me by telling everyone about my mistake.

    3. His parents embarrassed him by dancing in the restaurant.

    4. She felt embarrassed when her stomach suddenly made a loud noise in class.

    5. The waiter embarrassed us by spilling soup onto our clothes.

  5. gallery

    #2465

    noun

    A place where people display and sell works of art.

    1. We visited an art gallery during our trip to the city.

    2. The gallery is showing paintings by a young local artist this month.

    3. She bought a beautiful photograph from the gallery near our hotel.

    4. The school gallery displayed students' drawings for their families.

    5. The shopping center has a small gallery of modern furniture upstairs.

  6. genetic

    #2466

    adjective

    Related to the genes passed from parents to their children.

    1. Some diseases are caused by genetic changes passed from parents to children.

    2. The test can show whether a health problem is genetic.

    3. Scientists are studying the genetic differences between these two plants.

    4. The farmer chose genetic varieties of tomatoes that grow well in cold weather.

    5. Genetic research may help doctors find better treatments for cancer.

  7. aggressive

    #2467

    adjective

    behaving in an angry or forceful way, often ready to fight or argue

    1. The aggressive dog barked loudly and tried to bite the visiting postman.

    2. His aggressive behavior made everyone uncomfortable during the family dinner.

    3. The sales assistant used aggressive tactics to persuade customers to buy expensive products.

    4. The football team played aggressive football and scored two goals before halftime.

    5. Doctors recommended aggressive treatment because the disease was spreading quickly.

  8. chest

    #2468

    noun

    The front part of your body between your neck and stomach.

    1. She felt a sharp pain in her chest after climbing the stairs.

    2. He kept the small wooden chest under his bed at home.

    3. The nurse listened to the patient's chest with a stethoscope.

    4. The child carried a heavy chest filled with old toys upstairs.

    5. The runner took a deep breath and lifted his chest proudly.

  9. format

    #2469

    noun, verb

    The way information is arranged, or to arrange it in a particular way.

    1. Please save the report in PDF format before sending it to the manager.

    2. The museum changed the format of its tours to make them more interactive.

    3. This recipe is formatted as a short list of clear cooking steps.

    4. The teacher formatted the students' answers into a simple table for review.

    5. The podcast is available in several formats, including audio and video.

  10. literary

    #2470

    adjective

    Connected with books, writing, or the study of literature.

    1. She enjoys literary novels about family, friendship, and difficult choices.

    2. The university offers a literary course about famous English writers.

    3. The bookshop has a literary section near the front entrance.

    4. His literary style is clear, gentle, and easy for beginners to understand.

    5. The festival brings together literary fans, poets, and local authors.

  11. govern

    #2471

    verb

    To control and lead a country, organization, or group of people.

    1. The elected party governs the country with support from smaller groups.

    2. Strong laws govern how companies treat their workers and customers.

    3. The school is governed by a board of teachers and parents.

    4. Local rules govern where shops can build new entrances and signs.

    5. Their friendship is governed by trust, honesty, and respect.

  12. embrace

    #2472

    verb, noun

    to accept something eagerly or hold someone closely in your arms

    1. She embraced her mother tightly after returning home from a long trip.

    2. Many companies are embracing flexible working to support their employees.

    3. Our school has embraced new ideas for teaching science and mathematics.

    4. The hotel embraced local food traditions by serving fresh regional dishes.

    5. He embraced the chance to travel abroad and learn about another culture.

  13. praise

    #2473

    noun, verb

    To express strong approval or admiration for someone or something.

    1. The teacher praised Mia for her excellent science project.

    2. His manager praised him for finishing the difficult report early.

    3. We praised the chef for preparing such a delicious meal.

    4. Her parents praised her after she helped clean the kitchen.

    5. The doctor praised me for exercising regularly and eating healthy food.

  14. silent

    #2474

    adjective

    Making little or no sound; not speaking or talking.

    1. The room became silent when the teacher entered.

    2. Please stay silent while the baby is sleeping.

    3. The audience was silent during the emotional speech.

    4. He gave me a silent nod and left the room.

    5. The doctor asked her to remain silent during the examination.

  15. pump

    #2475

    noun, verb

    A device that moves liquid or air, or the action of moving it.

    1. The bicycle pump is beside the garage door.

    2. Please pump some air into the flat tire.

    3. The doctor used a small pump to give him medicine.

    4. The water pump stopped working during the hot afternoon.

    5. She pumped gas into the car before starting the long journey.

  16. publisher

    #2476

    noun

    A person or company that prepares and sells books, magazines, or other printed materials.

    1. The publisher accepted her first novel after reading the opening chapters.

    2. Our school uses textbooks from a well-known educational publisher.

    3. The publisher released a new cookbook featuring simple family recipes.

    4. The magazine publisher asked the writer to send photographs by Friday.

    5. A small publisher printed my travel guide and sold it online.

  17. celebration

    #2477

    noun

    An event or party held to mark a special occasion or achievement.

    1. We had a small birthday celebration at home with cake and close friends.

    2. The school held a celebration to welcome new students at the start of term.

    3. Our team planned a celebration after winning the final match.

    4. The restaurant offered free dessert during its anniversary celebration.

    5. They joined a street celebration while visiting the city during the holiday.

  18. golf

    #2478

    noun, verb

    A game played by hitting a small ball into holes using clubs.

    1. My father plays golf every Saturday with his friends.

    2. We watched a golf tournament on television after dinner.

    3. She bought new golf clubs before her holiday in Spain.

    4. Our manager invited the team to play golf this weekend.

    5. He has been golfing regularly to get more exercise.

  19. compensation

    #2479

    noun

    Money or something else given to someone because of loss, damage, or work.

    1. The company offered compensation after the flight was canceled.

    2. She received compensation for the injury she suffered at work.

    3. The hotel gave us compensation for the uncomfortable room.

    4. He asked for compensation after the store delivered the wrong table.

    5. Good compensation helps attract talented workers to difficult jobs.

  20. classical

    #2480

    adjective

    Related to the art, literature, music, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.

    1. She enjoys listening to classical music while cooking dinner.

    2. The museum has a beautiful collection of classical Greek statues.

    3. Our teacher showed us classical paintings from the eighteenth century.

    4. He studied classical literature at university and became a writer.

    5. The restaurant serves classical French dishes with fresh local ingredients.

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