1. anomaly (n.)
-a person or thing that is different from what is usual, or not in agreement with something else and therefore not satisfactory
-example: Statistical anomalies can make it difficult to compare economic data from one year to the next.
2. overhaul (v.)
-to repair or improve something so that every part of it works as it should
-example: I got the engine overhauled.
3. subsidize (v.)
-to pay part of the cost of something
-example: 500 dollars would help to subsidize the training of an unemployed teenager.
4. gaffe (n.)
- a remark or action that is a social mistake and not considered polite
-example: I made a real gaffe - I called his new wife 'Judy' which is the name of his ex-wife.
5. demystify (v.)
-to make something easier to understand
-example: What I need is a book that will demystify the workings of a car engine for me.
6. spree (n.)
- a short period of doing a particular, usually enjoyable, activity much more than is usual
-example: I went on a drinking/shopping/spending spree on Saturday.
7. scrutinize (v.)
-to examine something very carefully in order to discover information
-example: He scrutinized the men's faces carefully/closely, trying to work out who was lying.
8. bogus (adj.)
- false, not real or not legal
-example: On investigation, his claim was found to be bogus.
9. plaster (v.)
-to make something stick in a flat smooth layer
-example: The torrential rain had plastered her hair to her head.
10. pitfall (n.)
-a likely mistake or problem in a situation
-example: The store fell into one of the major pitfalls of small business, borrowing from suppliers by paying bills late.
11. convert (v.)
- to (cause something or someone to) change in form, character, or opinion
-example: Could we convert the small bedroom into a second bathroom?
12. prime (adj.)
-main or most important
-example: This is a prime example of 1930s architecture.
13. flora (n.)
-all the plants of a particular place or from a particular time in history
-example: an amazing variety of coastal flora.
14. aptitude (n.)
-a natural ability or skill
-example: My son has no/little aptitude for sport.
15. fatal (adj.)
-a fatal illness or accident, etc. causes death
-example: This illness is fatal in almost all cases.
16. emulate (v. )
-to copy something achieved by someone else and try to do it as well as they have
-example: They hope to emulate the success of other software companies.
17. marshal (v.)
-to bring together or organize people or things in order to achieve a particular aim
-example: The fighting in the city followed reports of the rebels marshalling their forces in the countryside.
18. pare (v.)
- a. to cut away the outer layer from something, especially a fruit or a vegetable
-example: He was busy paring apples in the kitchen.
19. avert (v.)
-(1) to turn away your eyes or thoughts
-(2) to prevent something bad from happening; avoid
-example: I averted my gaze/eyes while he dressed.
20. ethos (n.)
-the set of beliefs, ideas, etc. about social behaviour and relationships of a person or group
-example: The ethos of the traditional family firm is under threat.
21. sublime (adj.)
-(1) extremely good, beautiful or enjoyable
-(2) very great
-example: The book contains sublime descriptive passages.
21. avid (adj.)
-extremely eager or interested
-example: He took an avid interest in the project.
22. outright (adj.)
-complete
-example: Outsiders are regarded with outright hostility.
23. frivolity (n.)
-silly and thoughtless behaviour, or silly and not important things
-example: You shouldn't treat such a serious subject with frivolity.
24. primordial (adj.)
-(1) existing at or since the beginning of the world or the universe
-(2) basic and connected with an early stage of development
-example: The planet Jupiter contains large amounts of the primordial gas and dust out of which the solar system was formed.
25. windfall (n.)
-an amount of money that you win or receive from someone unexpectedly
-example: Investors each received a windfall of 3000 dollars.
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