Unit 126
Words 2501–2520 · personnel, imagination, disagree, throat, insight, tackle
personnel
#2501noun
The people who work for an organization, especially a large one.
Airport personnel checked our passports before we boarded the plane.
Hospital personnel helped the injured cyclist into an examination room.
School personnel welcomed parents during the first meeting of the year.
Hotel personnel brought extra towels to our room after dinner.
The store hired more personnel before the busy holiday shopping season.
imagination
#2502noun
The ability to form ideas or pictures in your mind, especially about things that are not real.
Use your imagination to picture how the living room could look with new furniture.
The children used their imagination to turn a cardboard box into a spaceship.
Her vivid imagination helped her write an exciting story for school.
You need a little imagination to make a tasty meal from leftovers.
The artist's imagination brings ordinary places to life in her paintings.
disagree
#2503verb
To have a different opinion from someone or something.
I disagree with you, but I understand why you feel that way.
The students disagreed about which restaurant to choose after class.
My manager disagreed with my plan, so we discussed another solution.
We disagree on whether taking the train or bus is cheaper.
The doctors disagreed about the best treatment, so they asked for another opinion.
throat
#2504noun
The passage in your neck through which food and air pass.
My throat hurts, so I am going to drink some warm tea.
The doctor looked at my throat and said I had a mild infection.
Please clear your throat before you start speaking to the class.
This dry sandwich made my throat feel rough during the train journey.
The two managers were at each other's throats after the meeting.
insight
#2505noun
a clear understanding of a person, situation, or problem
The teacher gave us useful insight into why the experiment had failed.
Talking to local people gave us insight into daily life in Japan.
Her personal experience gave her valuable insight into living with diabetes.
The interview offered fresh insights into what customers really want.
I suddenly had an insight that my friend felt left out.
tackle
#2506verb, noun
to deal with a difficult problem, task, or person
We need to tackle the growing pile of laundry before our guests arrive.
The team tackled the budget problem during Monday's meeting.
She tackled her hardest school assignment before going out with friends.
The defender tackled the striker just outside the penalty area.
He bought new fishing tackle before traveling to the lake.
forever
#2507adverb, noun
For all time, or for a very long time; an endless period of time.
I will remember this wonderful holiday forever.
It seemed to take forever to finish the long meeting.
They promised to be best friends forever.
This soup is delicious, but it takes forever to cool down.
We cannot stay here forever; our train leaves soon.
exceed
#2508verb
to be greater than a number, amount, or level
Her final exam results greatly exceeded everyone's expectations this year.
Please make sure your suitcase does not exceed the airline's weight limit.
We exceeded our grocery budget after buying fresh fruit and coffee.
The number of visitors exceeded the museum's daily capacity during the holiday.
You should not exceed the recommended daily amount of this medicine.
expenditure
#2509noun
The money that is spent on something.
The family reduced its monthly expenditure by cooking at home more often.
The company is reviewing its expenditure on travel and office supplies.
Government expenditure on public transport increased after fuel prices rose.
The school planned its expenditure on new science equipment carefully.
Unexpected medical expenditure made it difficult for Maya to pay rent.
joy
#2510noun
a strong feeling of great happiness
The children shouted with joy when their father came home from work.
She felt great joy after passing her final school exam.
The wedding brought joy to everyone gathered around the happy couple.
He finds joy in cooking a healthy meal for his family.
The travelers shared their joy when they finally reached the beautiful beach.
pregnant
#2511adjective
Having a baby developing inside your body.
She is six months pregnant and has started preparing the baby's room.
The doctor confirmed that Maya was pregnant during her appointment.
A pregnant customer tried on a larger coat at the clothing shop.
The airline advised pregnant passengers to check with their doctors before flying.
The pregnant manager took regular breaks during the busy afternoon at work.
reliable
#2512adjective
Able to be trusted to work well, arrive on time, or do what is expected.
Our old car is reliable and starts every morning, even in cold weather.
She is a reliable employee who always finishes her work before the deadline.
The hotel recommended a reliable taxi service for our trip to the airport.
This shop sells reliable kitchen appliances at reasonable prices.
He needs a reliable friend to look after his dog during his hospital visit.
gear
#2513noun, verb
equipment or clothing used for a particular activity; to change a machine’s gears
You need warm gear for hiking in the mountains during winter.
The hotel provides basic cooking gear in every apartment.
She bought new sports gear before joining the school team.
The mechanic checked the gears after the car began making strange noises.
He geared up quickly and joined his friends for the cycling trip.
click
#2514noun, verb
to press a computer button, or make a short, sharp sound
Click the button to save your changes before closing the document.
I clicked on the hotel photo to check the room before booking.
I heard a click as the camera took our family photograph.
The two colleagues clicked immediately and worked well together.
The answer finally clicked when my teacher drew a simple example.
poet
#2515noun
a person who writes poems
The poet read her new poem aloud at the local library.
At the bookshop, I bought a collection by my favorite poet.
Our English teacher asked us to study a poem by a famous poet.
The young poet won a prize for her first collection.
The poet’s words helped me feel less alone during a difficult week.
fortune
#2516noun
Luck, especially good luck, or a large amount of money.
She had the good fortune to meet a kind doctor during her trip.
He made a fortune selling homemade bread at the weekend market.
Their family lost most of its fortune after the business failed.
We visited a fortune teller who read my friend's future.
My fortune cookie said I would make a new friend soon.
ceremony
#2517noun
A formal event held for a special occasion.
The wedding ceremony began at noon, and everyone stood quietly.
Our school held a graduation ceremony for students and their families.
The award ceremony took place in a hotel after the competition.
They attended a traditional tea ceremony during their trip to Japan.
The opening ceremony welcomed visitors before the new museum opened.
pile
#2518noun, verb
a group of things placed on top of each other; to put things into a group
There was a pile of dirty clothes beside the washing machine.
Please pile the books neatly on the desk before class starts.
We collected a pile of leaves in the garden yesterday.
The waiter brought a pile of pancakes with butter and fruit.
A pile of suitcases blocked the hotel hallway after the trip.
pig
#2519noun, verb
a farm animal with a flat nose, kept for meat; also, to eat too much
The farmer fed the pigs before taking the children to school.
We had roast pig with rice and vegetables at the village festival.
The children watched a pig rolling happily in the mud.
After the exam, we pigged out on pizza at our friend's house.
He called his brother a pig for leaving dirty dishes everywhere.
mixture
#2520noun
A combination of different things, substances, or qualities.
Stir the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved.
The cake mixture needs to rest for ten minutes before baking.
The teacher used a mixture of games and questions to keep students interested.
Her feelings were a mixture of excitement and worry before the journey.
This cleaning mixture should be kept away from children and pets.