Unit 51
Words 1001–1020 · difficulty, purchase, shoot, announce, unless, independent
difficulty
#1001noun
A problem or situation that makes something hard to do or understand.
She had difficulty finding her keys this morning.
Many students have difficulty understanding this grammar rule.
We had difficulty opening the jar, so Dad helped us.
The traveler had difficulty carrying her heavy suitcase upstairs.
He is having difficulty breathing after running too far.
purchase
#1002noun, verb
to buy something, or something that you buy
I made a purchase at the supermarket after work.
You can purchase a train ticket at the station.
The company purchased new computers for the office.
We compared prices before purchasing a kitchen table.
Her online purchases arrived in one large box.
shoot
#1003verb, noun
To fire a gun or weapon, or to take a photograph with a camera.
The photographer will shoot our family pictures in the park.
The police officer told the man not to shoot.
She shot a short video for her school project.
The soccer player shot the ball into the goal.
Be careful when you shoot the basketball near the window.
announce
#1004verb
to tell people officially or publicly about something
The teacher announced the test date to the class.
They announced their wedding plans to their families.
The airline announced that our flight was delayed.
The shop announced a special discount for students.
The doctor announced that my test results were normal.
unless
#1005conjunction
Used to say that something will happen or be true only if something else does not happen.
I won't go outside unless the rain stops.
You cannot enter unless you show your passport.
We will miss the train unless we leave now.
She never drinks coffee unless she feels very tired.
Don't buy the shoes unless they feel comfortable.
independent
#1006adjective
able to live, work, or act without help from other people
She became independent when she moved into her own apartment.
Our company is independent and does not belong to a larger group.
The teacher wants students to become independent learners.
He enjoys traveling independently and choosing his own schedule.
The patient is now independent enough to walk without help.
recommend
#1007verb
To suggest something as a good choice or suitable for someone.
Can you recommend a good restaurant near the hotel?
My doctor recommended drinking more water every day.
The teacher recommended this book for our English class.
Our guide recommended taking the train to the city center.
She recommended the blue jacket because it fits me well.
survey
#1008noun, verb
A set of questions used to learn what people think or do.
The school conducted a survey about students' favorite foods.
Please complete this short survey after your visit.
The survey showed that most customers wanted cheaper prices.
Workers surveyed local residents about traffic near the new factory.
Engineers surveyed the land before building the new road.
majority
#1009noun
Most of the people or things in a group or situation.
The majority of students walk to school every day.
The majority of people chose the cheaper train ticket.
A majority of workers wanted shorter hours on Fridays.
The majority of guests ate the vegetarian meal at the wedding.
The doctor said the majority of patients recovered quickly.
stick
#1010noun, verb
a thin piece of wood; to attach, remain, or follow something
The children collected sticks in the park for a small fire.
Please stick the label on the front of the box.
This glue will stick the broken pieces together.
I missed the bus, so I stuck to my original travel plan.
The muddy path made my shoes stick to the ground.
request
#1011noun, verb
a polite or formal ask for something, or to ask for something
I sent a request for more information about the course.
The hotel requested our passports at check-in.
She requested a glass of water with her meal.
Our teacher asked us to request permission before leaving.
The patient requested an appointment with the doctor next week.
rich
#1012adjective, noun
Having a lot of money, or containing a lot of a valuable or pleasant quality.
She grew up in a rich family near the city.
This chocolate cake is rich and very filling.
The soil here is rich, so vegetables grow quickly.
The country is rich in natural resources.
The sauce tastes too rich for me after a large meal.
wind
#1013noun, verb
Moving air, or to turn something around and around.
The strong wind blew leaves across the garden.
Please close the window because the wind is cold.
We walked along the beach in the warm evening wind.
The wind knocked over our umbrella during lunch.
Wind the string around the wooden spool carefully.
none
#1014pronoun, determiner
Not any person or thing; not one of a group.
None of the students knew the answer.
There is none left in the refrigerator.
None of my friends can come tonight.
I checked three shops, but none had my size.
None of the buses stopped at the station.
exchange
#1015noun, verb
To give something and receive something similar in return.
We exchanged gifts after dinner with our family.
Can I exchange this shirt for a larger size?
The students exchanged ideas during the group project.
They exchanged phone numbers before leaving the party.
Our train changed at the exchange station in the city.
budget
#1016noun, verb
A plan for spending limited money; to plan how to spend limited money.
I am on a tight budget, so I cook at home.
We need to make a budget for next month.
The school has a small budget for new books.
This hotel is perfect for travelers on a budget.
We are budgeting carefully to save for a new car.
famous
#1017adjective
Known by many people because of great success, talent, or importance.
She became famous after singing on a television show.
This city is famous for its beautiful old buildings.
We ate at a famous restaurant near the harbor.
My brother wants to visit the famous museum in Paris.
The doctor gave us advice from a famous health expert.
blood
#1018noun
The red liquid that flows through your body and carries oxygen.
There was blood on his shirt after the accident.
The nurse took a blood sample from my arm.
She lost a lot of blood after cutting her hand.
Blood relatives often share similar eyes and hair.
The smell of blood attracted a shark near the boat.
appropriate
#1019adjective
Suitable or right for a particular person, place, situation, or purpose.
Please wear appropriate clothes for the job interview.
This movie is not appropriate for young children.
The teacher chose an appropriate book for the class.
Is this the appropriate bus for the airport?
She used an appropriate amount of salt in the soup.
block
#1020noun, verb
A block is a solid piece or an area that stops movement or action.
The children built a tower from wooden blocks.
A fallen tree blocked the road after the storm.
Please block the cold air under the door.
Our hotel is only two blocks from the train station.
She blocked the rude messages from her phone.