www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

Word Book

A list of words used in Special English programs on radio, television and the Internet
EDITION

SpecialEnglish

Word Book

A list of words used in Special English programs on radio, television and the Internet

Voice of America Washington, D.C. 20237 www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

EDITION

4

AB D FG I K L N PQ S UV YZ

5

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Parts of Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Word List & Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Special Words & Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 Common Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 Common Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 Numbers, Days, Months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 Chemical Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Organs of the Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 Computer Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122 Business Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124 United States Branches of Government . . . . . . . . . .126 Map of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128 Map of the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130 Presidents of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

Table of Contents

6

7

The Voice of America has been broadcasting programs in Special English since 1959. Special English is VOA’s method of communicating with English learners around the world in a way that is easy to understand. The vocabulary is limited to about 1,500 words. The sentences are short. The speed is slower than normal. Special English programs are broadcast on the Voice of America, on radio stations around the world, on satellite television and on the Internet. These programs present the latest world news as well as information about science, medicine, education, economics, American history and life in the United States. This book explains the meaning of the words used in our broadcasts and on our Web site.The first edition was published in 1962. The list of words has changed since then, as the language itself has changed. We thank all those people at VOA who started the process and who helped make this edition possible. You can download transcripts and audio files of our programs at our Web site, www.VOASpecialEnglish.com. You can also get details of where to find our programs on radio and television. VOA Special English Washington, D.C. 2009

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

Foreword

8

baby

jump

happy

they

and

9

n. (noun) – a name word

v. (verb) - an action word

ad. (adjective/adverb) – a describing word

in

prep. (preposition) – a word used to show a relation

pro. (pronoun) – a word used in place of a noun

conj. (conjunction) – a joining word

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

Parts of Speech

10

a (an) – advise

A a (an) – ad. one; any; each able – v. having the power to do something about – adj. almost (“about half”); of or having a relation to (“We talk about the weather.”) above – ad. at a higher place abuse – n. bad treatment causing harm or injury accept – v. to agree to receive accident – n. something that happens by chance or mistake; an unplanned event accuse – v. to say a person is responsible for an act or crime; to make a statement against someone across – ad. from side to side; to the other side act – v. to do something activist – n. one who seeks change through action actor – n. someone acting in a play or show add – v. to put (something) with another to make it larger; to say more administration – n. the executive part of a government, usually headed by a president or prime minister admit – v. to accept (“admitted to the United Nations”); to express one’s guilt or responsibility (“He admitted that what he did was wrong.”) adult – n. a grown person advertise – v. to show or present the qualities of a product to increase sales

A

advise – v. to help with information, knowledge or ideas in making a decision

11

affect – album affect – v. to produce an effect on; to influence (“A lack of sleep affected the singer’s performance.”) afraid – ad. feeling fear after – ad. later; behind again – ad. another time; as before against – ad. opposed to; not agreeing with something age – n. how old a person or thing is agency – n. an organization that is part of a larger group (“an agency of the United Nations”) aggression – n. an attack against a person or country; the violation of a country’s borders ago – ad. of time past; before now agree – v. to have the same belief as someone; to be willing to do something agriculture – n. farming aid – v. to help; to support; n. help, assistance aim – v. to point a gun at; n. a goal or purpose air – n. the mixture of gases around the earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, that we breathe air force – n. a military organization using airplanes airplane – n. a vehicle with wings that flies airport – n. a place where airplanes take off and land album – n. a collection of recorded music

A www.VOASpecialEnglish.com airplane

12

alcohol – anniversary alcohol – n. a strong, colorless liquid, usually made from grain, used in drinks or in industrial products alive – ad. having life; not dead all – ad. everything; everyone; the complete amount ally – n. a nation or person joined with another for a special purpose almost – ad. a little less than completely alone – ad. separated from others along – ad. near or on (“along the road”) already – ad. before now; even now also – ad. added to; too although – conj. even if it is true that always – ad. at all times; every time ambassador – n. a nation’s highest diplomatic representative (to another government) amend – v. to add to or to change (a proposal or law) ammunition – n. the bullets or shells fired from guns among – ad. in or part of (a group) amount – n. the number, size or weight of anything anarchy – n. a lack of order; lawlessness ancestor – n. a family member from the past ancient – ad. very old; long ago and – conj. also; in addition to; with anger – n. a strong emotion against someone or something animal – n. a living creature that moves, such as a dog or cat

A

anniversary – n. a yearly celebration or observance of an event that happened in the past

13

announce – artillery announce – v. to make known publicly; to declare officially another – ad. one more; a different one answer – n. a statement produced by a question; v. to make a statement after being asked a question antibodies – n. special proteins produced in the blood that kill harmful bacteria any – ad. one or more of no special kind apologize – v. to express regret for a mistake or accident for which one accepts responsibility appeal – v. to take to a higher court, person or group for a decision; to call on somebody for help appear – v. to show oneself; to come into sight; to seem appoint – v. to name; to choose (“appoint a judge”) approve – v. to agree with; to agree to support archeology – n. the scientific study of past human life and activities area – n. any place or part of it argue – v. to offer reasons for or against something; to dispute; to disagree arms – n. military equipment; weapons army – n. military ground forces around – ad. on every side (of) arrest – v. to seize a person for legal action; to take as a prisoner arrive – v. to come to a place, especially at the end of a trip art – n. expressions or creations by humans, such as paintings, music, writing or statues artillery – n. big guns art

A www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 14

as – available as – conj. equally (“as fast as”); when; while ash – n. the part left after something burns ask – v. to question; to say something is wanted (“We ask the teacher questions every day.”) assist – v. to help astronaut – n. a person who travels in space astronomy – n. the scientific study of stars and the universe asylum – n. political protection given by a government to a person from another country at – prep. in or near (“at the edge”); where (“look at”); when (“at noon”) atmosphere – n. the gases surrounding any star or planet atom – n. a very small part of all things; the smallest part of an element that can join with parts of other elements attach – v. to tie together; to connect attack – n. a violent attempt to damage, injure or kill; v. to start a fight attempt – v. to work toward something; to try; to make an effort attend – v. to be present at attention – n. close or careful observing of, or listening to, someone or something (“The student paid attention to his teacher.”) automobile – n. a vehicle with wheels used to carry people; a car autumn – n. the time of the year between summer and winter

B

available – ad. present and ready for use; willing to serve or help. (“There was a list of available candidates.”)

15

average – base average – n. something (a number) representing the middle; ad. common; normal avoid – v. to stay away from awake – ad. not sleeping award – n. an honor or prize for an act or service away – ad. not near

B www.VOASpecialEnglish.com B baby – n. a newly born creature back – n. the part behind the front; ad. the other way from forward bacteria – n. living things that are one cell and can be seen only through a microscope; some cause disease bad – ad. wrong; acting against the law; not good balance – v. to make two sides or forces equal ball – n. something round balloon – n. a device of strong, light material that rises when filled with gas lighter than air ballot – n. a piece of paper used for voting ban – v. to not permit; to stop; n. an official restriction bank – n. an organization that keeps and lends money bar – v. to prevent or block barrier – n. anything that blocks or makes an action difficult base – n. a military center; v. to establish as a fact (“Her research was based on experiments.”) baby

16

battle – bird battle – n. a fight between opposing armed forces be – v. to live; to happen; to exist beat – v. to hit again and again beauty – n. that which pleases the eye, ear or spirit because – prep. for the reason that (“He left because he was sick.”) become – v. to come to be bed – n. a sleeping place before – prep. earlier begin – v. to do the first part of an action; to start behavior – n. the way in which a person or animal acts (“The child’s behavior was bad because he fought with other children.”) behind – ad. at the back of; in back of believe – v. to think; to feel sure of; to accept as true; to trust belong – v. to be owned by; to be a member of below – ad. lower than best – ad. the most good betray – v. to turn against; to be false to better – ad. more good than between – ad. in the space or time that separates; from one to the other (“talks between two nations”) big – ad. of great size; not small bill – n. a legislative proposal biology – n. the scientific study of life or living things in all their forms

B

bird – n. a creature that flies

17

bite – bottle bite – v. to cut with the teeth black – ad. dark; having the color like that of the night sky blame – v. to accuse; to hold responsible bleed – v. to lose blood blind – ad. not able to see block – v. to stop something from being done; to prevent movement blood – n. red fluid in the body blow – v. to move with force, as in air (“The wind blows.”) blue – ad. having the color like that of a clear sky boat – n. something built to travel on water that carries people or goods body – n. all of a person or animal; the remains of a person or animal boil – v. to heat a liquid until it becomes very hot bomb – n. a device that explodes with great force; v. to attack or destroy with bombs bone – n. the hard material in the body book – n. a long written work for reading border – n. a dividing line between nations born – v. to come to life; to come into existence borrow – v. to take as a loan both – ad. not just one of two, but the two together bottle – n. a container, usually made of glass, to hold liquid

B www.VOASpecialEnglish.com bed

18

bottom – burn bottom – ad. the lowest part of something box – n. something to put things into; a container, usually made of paper or wood boy – n. a young male person boycott – v. to refuse to take part in or deal with brain – n. the control center of thought, emotions and body activity of all creatures brave – ad. having no fear bread – n. a food made from grain break – v. to divide into parts by force; to destroy breathe – v. to take air into the body and let it out again bridge – n. a structure built over a waterway, valley or road so people and vehicles can cross from one side to the other brief – ad. short; not long bright – ad. giving much light; strong and clear in color bring – v. to come with something broadcast – v. to send information, stories or music by radio or television; n. a radio or television program brother – n. a male with the same father or mother as another person brown – ad. having the color like that of coffee budget – n. a spending plan build – v. to join materials together to make something building – n. anything built for use as a house, factory, office, school, store or place of entertainment bullet – n. a small piece of metal shot from a gun burn – v. to be on fire; to destroy or damage by fire

C

19

burst – cancel burst – v. to break open suddenly bury – v. to put into the ground and cover with earth bus – n. a public vehicle to carry people business – n. one’s work; buying and selling to earn money; trade busy – ad. doing something; very active but – conj. however; other than; yet buy – v. to get by paying something, usually money by – conj. near; at; next to (“by the road”); from (“a play by William Shakespeare”); not later than (“by midnight”)

C www.VOASpecialEnglish.com C cabinet – n. a group of ministers that helps lead a government call – v. to give a name to (“I call myself John.”); to ask for or request (“They called for an end to the fighting.”) calm – ad. quiet; peaceful; opposite tense camera – n. a device for taking pictures camp – n. a place with temporary housing campaign – n. a competition by opposing political candidates seeking support from voters; a connected series of military actions during a war can – v. to be able to; to have the right to; n. a container used to hold liquid or food, usually made of metal cancel – v. to end; to stop camera

20

cancer – cell cancer – n. a disease in which dangerous cells grow quickly and destroy parts of the body candidate – n. a person who seeks or is nominated for an office or an honor capital – n. the official center of a government; the city where a country’s government is capture – v. to make a person or animal a prisoner; to seize or take by force; to get control of car – n. a vehicle with wheels used to carry people; an automobile; a part of a train care – v. to like; to protect; to feel worry or interest career – n. a chosen profession; a person’s working life (“The actor’s career lasted for thirty years.”) careful – ad. acting safely; with much thought carry – v. to take something or someone from one place to another case (court) – n. a legal action case (medical) – n. an incident of disease (“There was only one case of chicken pox at the school.”) cat – n. a small animal that often lives with humans catch – v. to seize after a chase; to stop and seize with the hands cause – v. to make happen; n. the thing or person that produces a result ceasefire – n. a halt in fighting, usually by agreement celebrate – v. to honor a person or event with special activities cell – n. a small mass of living material that is part of all plants and animals

C

21

center – choose center – n. the middle of something; the place in the middle; a place that is the main point of an activity century – n. one hundred years ceremony – n. an act or series of acts done in a special way established by tradition chairman – n. a person leading a meeting or an organized group champion – n. the best; the winner chance – n. a possibility of winning or losing or that something will happen change – v. to make different; to become different charge – v. to accuse someone of something, usually a crime; n. a statement in which someone is accused of something chase – v. to run or go after someone or something cheat – v. to get by a trick; to steal from cheer – v. to shout approval or praise chemicals – n. elements found in nature or made by people; substances used in the science of chemistry chemistry – n. the scientific study of substances, what they are made of, how they act under different conditions, and how they form other substances chief – n. the head or leader of a group; ad. leading; most important child – n. a baby; a boy or girl children – n. more than one child choose – v. to decide between two or more carry

C www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 22

chromosome – close chromosome – n. a line of genes; most human cells contain 46 chromosomes circle – n. a closed shape that has all its points equally distant from the center, like an “O” citizen – n. a person who is a member of a country by birth or by law city – n. any important large town civilian – ad. not military civil rights – n. the political, economic and social rights given equally to all people of a nation claim – v. to say something as a fact clash – n. a battle; v. to fight or oppose class – n. a group of students who meet to study the same subject; also a social or economic group. (“They were members of the middle class.”) clean – v. to make pure; ad. free from dirt or harmful substances (“clean water”) clear – ad. easy to see or see through; easily understood clergy – n. a body of officials within a religious organization climate – n. the normal weather conditions of a place climb – v. to go up or down something by using the feet and sometimes the hands clock – n. a device that measures and shows time clock

C

close – v. to make something not open; ad. near to

23

cloth – committee cloth – n. a material made from plants, chemicals, animal hair and other substances clothes – n. what people wear cloud – n. a mass of fog high in the sky coal – n. a solid black substance used as fuel coalition – n. forces, groups or nations joined together coast – n. land on the edge of the ocean coffee – n. a drink made from the plant of the same name cold – ad. not warm; having or feeling great coolness or a low temperature collapse – v. to fall down or inward suddenly; to break down or fail suddenly in strength, health or power. (“The building collapsed in the earthquake.” “The government collapsed after a vote in parliament.”) collect – v. to bring or gather together in one place; to demand and receive (“collect taxes”) college – n. a small university colony – n. land controlled by another country or government color – n. the different effects of light on the eye, making blue, red, brown, black, yellow and others combine – v. to mix or bring together come – v. to move toward; to arrive command – v. to order; to have power over something comment – v. to say something about; to express an opinion about something committee – n. a group of people given special work

C www.VOASpecialEnglish.com coffee

24

common – congratulate common – ad. usual; same for all (“a common purpose”) communicate – v. to tell; to give or exchange information community – n. a group of people living together in one place or area company – n. a business organized for trade, industrial or other purposes compare – v. to examine what is different or similar compete – v. to try to do as well as, or better than, another or others complete – ad. having all parts; ended or finished complex – ad. of or having many parts that are difficult to understand; not simple compound – n. a substance containing two or more elements compromise – n. the settlement of an argument where each side agrees to accept less than first demanded computer – n. an electronic machine for storing and organizing information, and for communicating with others concern – n. interest, worry (“express concern about”); v. to fear (“to be concerned”) condemn – v. to say a person or action is wrong or bad condition – n. something declared necessary to complete an agreement; a person’s health conference – n. a meeting confirm – v. to approve; to say that something is true conflict – n. a fight; a battle, especially a long one congratulate – v. to praise a person or to express pleasure for success or good luck

C

25

Congress – copy
Congress – n. the organization of people elected to make the laws of the United States (the House of Representatives and the Senate); a similar organization in other countries connect – v. to join one thing to another; to unite; to link conservative – n. one who usually supports tradition and opposes great change consider – v. to give thought to; to think about carefully constitution – n. the written general laws and ideas that form a nation’s system of government contact – n. the act of touching or being close to a person or thing (“He was in contact with animals that had the disease.”) v. to meet or communicate with (“He wanted to contact his local official.”) contain – v. to hold; to include container – n. a box, bottle or can used to hold something continent – n. any of the seven great land areas of the world continue – v. to go on doing or being control – v. to direct; to have power over convention – n. a large meeting for a special purpose cook – v. to heat food before eating it cool – ad. almost cold cooperate – v. to act or work together copy – v. to make something exactly like another; n. something made to look exactly like another

C www.VOASpecialEnglish.com cook

26

corn – criticize corn – n. a food grain correct – ad. true; free from mistakes; v. to change to what is right corruption – n. actions taken to gain money or power that are legally or morally wrong cost – n. the price or value of something (“The cost of the book is five dollars.”); v. to be valued at cotton – n. a material made from a plant of the same name count – v. to speak or add numbers country – n. a nation; the territory of a nation; land away from cities court – n. where trials take place; where judges make decisions about law cover – v. to put something over a person or thing; n. anything that is put over a person or thing cow – n. a farm animal used for its milk crash – v. to fall violently; to hit with great force create – v. to make; to give life or form to creature – n. any living being; any animal or human credit – n. an agreement that payments will be made at a later time crew – n. a group of people working together crime – n. an act that violates a law criminal – n. a person who is responsible for a crime crisis – n. an extremely important time when something may become much better or worse; a dangerous situation criticize – v. to say what is wrong with something or someone; to condemn; to judge

D

27

crops – damage

D www.VOASpecialEnglish.com crops – n. plants that are grown and gathered for food, such as grains, fruits and vegetables cross – v. to go from one side to another; to go across crowd – n. a large number of people gathered in one place crush – v. to damage or destroy by great weight; to defeat completely cry – v. to express or show sorrow or pain culture – n. all the beliefs, traditions and arts of a group or population cure – v. to improve health; to make well (“The doctor can cure the disease.”); n. something that makes a sick person well (“Antibiotics are a cure for infection.”) curfew – n. an order to people to stay off the streets or to close their businesses current – n. movement of air, water or electricity; ad. belonging to the present time (“She found the report in a current publication.”) custom – n. a long–established belief or activity of a people customs – n. taxes on imports cut – v. to divide or injure with a sharp tool; to make less; to reduce

cow

D dam – n. a wall built across a river to hold back flowing water damage – v. to cause injury or destruction; n. harm; hurt or injury, usually to things

28

dance – degree dance – v. to move the body and feet to music; n. a series of steps, usually to music danger – n. a strong chance of suffering injury, damage or loss dark – ad. having little or no light (“The room was dark.”) date – n. an expression of time; a day, month and year daughter – n. a person’s female child day – n. twenty–four hours; the hours of sunlight dead – ad. not living deaf – ad. not able to hear deal – v. to have to do with (“The talks will deal with the problem of pollution.”); to buy or sell (“Her company deals in plastic.”) n. an agreement debate – v. to argue for or against something; n. a public discussion or argument debt – n. something that is owed; the condition of owing decide – v. to choose; to settle; to judge declare – v. to say; to make a statement decrease – v. to make less in size or amount deep – ad. going far down; a long way from top to bottom defeat – v. to cause to lose in a battle or struggle; n. a loss; the condition of having lost defend – v. to guard or fight against attack; to protect deficit – n. a shortage that results when spending is greater than earnings, or imports are greater than exports dance

D

define – v. to give the meaning of; to explain degree – n. a measure of temperature

29

delay – destroy delay – v. to decide to do something at a later time; to postpone; to cause to be late delegate – n. one sent to act for another; one who represents another demand – v. to ask by ordering; to ask with force democracy – n. the system of government in which citizens vote to choose leaders or to make other important decisions demonstrate – v. to make a public show of opinions or feelings (“The crowd demonstrated in support of human rights.”); to explain by using examples (“The teacher demonstrated the idea with an experiment.”) dense –ad. close together; thick denounce – v. to accuse of being wrong or evil; to criticize severely deny – v. to declare that something is not true; to refuse a request depend – v. to need help and support deplore – v. to regret strongly; to express sadness deploy – v. to move forces or weapons into positions for action depression – n. severe unhappiness; a period of reduced business and economic activity during which many people lose their jobs describe – v. to give a word picture of something; to give details of something desert – n. a dry area of land design – v. to plan or create plans for desire – v. to want very much; to wish for destroy – v. to break into pieces; to end the existence of

D www.VOASpecialEnglish.com desert

30

detail – disappear detail – n. a small part of something; a small piece of information detain – v. to keep or hold (“The police detained several suspects for questioning.”) develop – v. to grow; to create; to experience progress device – n. a piece of equipment made for a special purpose dictator – n. a ruler with complete power die – v. to become dead; to stop living; to end diet – n. usual daily food and drink different – ad. not the same difficult – ad. not easy; hard to do, make or carry out dig – v. to make a hole in the ground dinner – n. the main amount of food eaten at a usual time (“The family had its dinner at noon.”); a special event that includes food (“The official dinner took place at the White House.”) diplomat – n. a person who represents his or her government in dealing with another government direct – v. to lead; to aim or show the way (“He directed me to the theater.”); ad. straight to something; not through some other person or thing (“The path is direct.”) direction – n. the way (east, west, north, south); where someone or something came from or went to dirt – n. earth or soil

dig

D

disappear – v. to become unseen; to no longer exist

31

disarm – dog disarm – v. to take away weapons; to no longer keep weapons; to make a bomb harmless by removing its exploding device disaster – n. an event causing widespread destruction or loss of life, such as an earthquake or plane crash discover – v. to find or learn something discrimination – n. unfair treatment or consideration based on opinions about a whole group instead of on the qualities of an individual. (“He was accused of discrimination against people from other countries.”) discuss – v. to talk about; to exchange ideas disease – n. a sickness in living things, often caused by viruses, germs or bacteria dismiss – v. to send away; to refuse to consider dispute – v. to oppose strongly by argument; n. an angry debate dissident – n. a person who strongly disagrees with his or her government distance – n. the amount of space between two places or objects (“The distance from my house to your house is two kilometers.”) dive – v. to jump into water head first divide – v. to separate into two or more parts do – v. to act; to make an effort doctor – n. a person trained in medicine to treat sick people document – n. an official piece of paper with facts written on it, used as proof or support of something dog – n. a small animal that often lives with humans

D www.VOASpecialEnglish.com dog

32

dollar – dry dollar – n. United States money, one hundred cents donate – v. to present something as a gift to an organization, country or cause. (“She donated money to the Red Cross to help survivors of the earthquake.”) door – n. an opening for entering or leaving a building or room double – v. to increase two times as much in size, strength or number. down – ad. from higher to lower; in a low place dream – v. to have a picture or story in the mind during sleep; n. a picture or story in the mind during sleep; a happy idea about the future drink – v. to take liquid into the body through the mouth drive – v. to control a moving vehicle drop – v. to fall or let fall; to go lower drown – v. to die under water drug – n. anything used as a medicine or in making medicine; a chemical substance used to ease pain or to affect the mind dry – ad. not wet; without rain drink

E

33

during – effort during – ad. through the whole time; while (something is happening) dust – n. pieces of matter so small that they can float in the air duty – n. one’s job or responsibility; what one must do because it is right and just

E www.VOASpecialEnglish.com E each – ad. every one by itself early – ad. at or near the beginning, especially the beginning of the day; opposite late earn – v. to be paid in return for work done earth – n. the planet we all live on; the ground or soil earthquake – n. a sudden, violent shaking of the earth’s surface ease – v. to reduce; to make less difficult east – n. the direction from which the sun rises easy – ad. not difficult; not hard to do eat – v. to take food into the body through the mouth ecology – n. the scientific study of the environment and links among living and material things economy – n. the system by which money, industry and trade are organized edge – n. the line where something ends or begins education – n. the act of teaching effect – n. the result or change caused by something (“The storm had a serious effect on the economy.”) effort – n. an attempt; the work necessary to do something

eat

34

egg – enforce egg – n. the rounded object containing unborn young produced by female birds, fish or reptiles; a single cell in a female person or animal that can develop into a baby either – ad. one of two, but not the other elect – v. to choose by voting electron – n. a small part of an atom that has an electrical force electricity – n. a form of energy that flows through wires to provide heat and light, and power to machines

eggs

element – n. one of more than 100 substances known to science that cannot be separated into other substances embassy – n. the offices of an ambassador and his or her assistants embryo – n. a human or animal in the earliest stages of its development emergency – n. an unexpected and dangerous situation demanding quick action emotion – n. a strong feeling such as love, hate, fear or sadness employ – v. to give work in return for wages empty – ad. having nothing inside; v. to remove everything end – v. to stop; to finish; n. the part which comes last enemy – n. a person opposing or hating another; a person or people of the other side in a war energy – n. power used to do work, usually with machines; the ability and willingness to be active

E

enforce – v. to make something be done

35

engine – event engine – n. a machine that uses energy to cause movement or to do work engineer – n. a person who designs engines, machines, roads, bridges or railroads enjoy – v. to be pleased or satisfied by something enough – ad. as much as necessary enter – v. to come or go into environment – n. all surrounding things, conditions and influences that affect life; the natural world of land, sea, air, plants and animals enzyme – n. a special kind of protein; it produces changes in other substances without being changed itself equal – ad. the same in amount, size, weight or value; having the same rights equipment – n. things, tools or machines needed for a purpose or activity escape – v. to get free; to get away from; to get out of especially – ad. more than others (“We liked the food, especially the fish.”) establish – v. to bring into existence; to create estimate – v. to form an opinion about a value, size or amount using less than complete information ethnic – ad. of or concerning people belonging to a large group because of their race, religion, language, tribe or where their ancestors lived evaporate – v. to change from a liquid into a gas even – ad. in a way not thought possible (“They survived, even though the building was destroyed.”) event – n. that which happens, especially something of importance engine

E www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 36

ever – experience ever – ad. at any time every – ad. each one; all evidence – n. material or facts that prove something; a reason for believing evil – ad. not good; extremely bad exact – ad. having no mistakes; correct in every detail examine – v. to study closely example – n. a part that shows what the rest of a thing or group is like excellent – ad. extremely good except – prep. but for exchange – v. to trade; to give or receive one thing for another excuse – v. to take away blame; to pardon; to forgive; n. a reason (sometimes false) for an action execute – v. to kill exercise – n. an activity or effort for the purpose of improving the body or to stay in good health exile – v. to force a person to leave his or her country; to expel; n. a person who is forced to leave his or her country exist – v. to be; to live expand – v. to make larger; to grow larger expect – v. to think or believe that something will happen; to wait for an event expel – v. to force out; to remove from; to send away experience – v. to live through an event, situation or condition (“She experienced great pain.”); n. something that one has done or lived through (“The experience caused her great pain.”)

F

37

experiment – face experiment – v. to test; n. a test or trial carried out to prove if an idea is true or false, or to discover something expert – n. a person with special knowledge or training explain – v. to give reasons for; to make clear; to tell about; to tell the meaning explode – v. to break apart violently with a loud noise, like a bomb explore – v. to travel in a place that is not well known to learn more about it; to make a careful search; to examine closely export – v. to send to another country; n. something sent to another country, usually for sale express – v. to say clearly extend – v. to stretch out in area or length; to continue for a longer time extra – ad. more than normal, expected or necessary extraordinary – ad. far greater or better than the usual or normal extreme – ad. more than the usual or accepted extremist – n. a person with strong religious or political beliefs who acts in an extreme or violent way

F www.VOASpecialEnglish.com exercise

F face – n. the front of the head: eyes, nose, mouth; v. to look toward; to turn toward; to have before you, such as a problem or danger

38

fact – feed fact – n. something known or proved to be true factory – n. a building or group of buildings where goods are made fail – v. to not succeed; to not reach a goal fair – ad. just; honest; what is right fall – v. to go down quickly; to come down; to drop to the ground or a lower position false – ad. not true; not correct family – n. the group that includes children and their parents famous – ad. known very well to many people fan – n. a person who actively supports a sport, activity or performer (“The baseball fan attended every game his team played.”) far – ad. at, to or from a great distance farm – n. land used to grow crops and animals for food fast – ad. moving or working at great speed; quick fat – n. tissue in the bodies of humans and animals used to store energy and to keep warm; ad. thick; heavy father – n. the male parent; a man who has a child or children favorite – ad. liked more than others (“Ice cream was her favorite food.”) fear – v. to be afraid; to worry that something bad is near or may happen (“He feared falling down.”); n. a strong emotion when there is danger or trouble (“He had a fear that he would fall down.”) federal – ad. of or having to do with a national or central government

F

feed – v. to give food to

39

feel – fine feel – v. to have or experience an emotion; to know by touching female – n. a woman or girl; the sex that gives birth; ad. of or about women fence – n. something around an area of land to keep animals or people in or out fertile – ad. rich in production of plants or animals; producing much fetus – n. unborn young few – ad. not many; a small number of field – n. an area of open land, usually used to grow crops or to raise animals fierce – ad. extremely strong; violent; angry fight – v. to use violence or force; to attempt to defeat or destroy an enemy; n. the use of force; a battle fill – v. to put or pour something into a container until there is space for no more film – v. to record something so it can be seen again; to make a motion picture or movie; n. a thin piece of material for making pictures with a camera; a movie final – ad. at the end; last financial – ad. of or about the system that includes the use of money, credit, investments and banks find – v. to discover or learn something by searching or by accident; to decide a court case (“The jury finds the man guilty of murder.”) fine – n. a payment ordered by a court to punish someone for a crime; ad. very good; very small or thin

F www.VOASpecialEnglish.com family

40

finish – fluid finish – v. to complete; to end fire – v. to shoot a gun; n. the heat and light produced by something burning fireworks – n. rockets producing bright fire in the sky, used in holiday celebrations firm – ad. not easily moved or changed (“She is firm in her opinion.”) fish first – ad. coming before all others fish – n. a creature that lives and can breathe in water fission – n. a splitting; in atomic fission, the nucleus of an atom is split to produce nuclear energy fit – v. to be of the correct size or shape (“These shoes fit my feet.”) fix – v. to make good or right again flag – n. a piece of colored cloth used to represent a nation, government or organization flat – ad. smooth; having no high places flee – v. to run away from float – v. to be on water without sinking; to move or be moved gently on water or through air flood – v. to cover with water; n. the movement of water out of a river, lake or ocean onto land floor – n. the bottom part of a room for walking on (“The book fell to the floor.”); the level of a building (“The fire was on the first floor.”) flow – v. to move like a liquid flower – n. the colored part of plants that carry seeds fluid – n. any substance that can flow, such as a liquid

F

41

fly – former fly – v. to move through the air with wings, like a bird or airplane; to travel in an airplane or flying vehicle fog – n. a mass of wet air that is difficult to see through; a cloud close to the ground follow – v. to come or go after; to accept the rule or power of; to obey food – n. that which is taken in by all living things for energy, strength and growth fool – v. to make someone believe something that is not true; to trick; n. a person who is tricked easily foot – n. the bottom part of the leg; the part of the body that touches the ground when a person or animal walks for – prep. because of (“He is famous for his work.”); in exchange (“Give me one dollar for the book.”); through space or time (“They travelled for one hour.”); representative of (“I speak for all people.”); to be employed by (“She works for a computer company.”) force – v. to make someone do something or make something happen by using power; n. power, strength; strength used against a person or object; military power of a nation; a military group foreign – ad. of, about or from another nation; not from one’s own place or country forest – n. a place of many trees forget – v. to not remember forgive – v. to pardon; to excuse; to remove guilt form – v. to make; to start; to shape (“They formed a swim team.”); n. a kind (“Swimming is a form of exercise.”) former – ad. earlier in time; not now

F www.VOASpecialEnglish.com flower

42

forward – future forward – ad. the direction in front of; toward the front free – v. to release; ad. not controlled by another or by outside forces; not in prison; independent; not limited by rules; without cost freedom – n. the condition of being free freeze – v. to cause or to become very cold; to make or to become hard by cold fresh – ad. newly made or gathered; recent friend – n. a person one likes and trusts frighten – v. to cause great fear from – prep. having a person, place or thing as a beginning or cause (“It is a message from the president.”); at a place distant, not near (“The school is five kilometers from my home.”); because of (“He is suffering from cancer.”) front – n. the forward part; the opposite of back; the beginning; the first part fruit – n. food from trees and plants fuel – n. any substance burned to create heat or power full – ad. containing as much as a person or thing can hold; complete fun – n. anything that is pleasing and causes happiness funeral – n. a ceremony held in connection with the burial or burning of the dead fusion – n. a joining together; in atomic fusion, atomic particles are joined together to produce nuclear energy future – n. time after now (“We can talk about it in the future.”); ad. in the time to come (“All future meetings will be held in this room.”)

G

43

gain – girl

gain – v. to get possession of; to get more; to increase game – n. an activity with rules in which people or teams play or compete, usually sports gas – n. any substance that is not solid or liquid; any substance that burns to provide heat, light or power gather – v. to bring or come together into a group or place; to collect general – n. a high military leader; ad. without details; affecting or including all or almost all generation – n. a group of individuals born and living about the same time. (“The mother and daughter represented two generations.”) genes – n. parts of cells that control the growth and development of living things; genes from the mother and father are passed to the child; genes contain nucleic acid genetic engineering – n. the science of changing the genes of a living organism genocide – n. a plan of action to kill or destroy a national, religious, racial or ethnic group gentle – adj. soft; kind; not rough or violent get – v. to receive; to gain; to go and bring back; to become; to become the owner of gift – n. something given without cost girl – n. a young female person

fruit

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

G

G

44

give – grind give – v. to present to another to keep without receiving payment glass – n. a hard, clear material that is easily broken, used most often for windows or for containers to hold liquids go – v. to move from one place to another; to leave goal – n. that toward which an effort is directed; that which is aimed at; the end of a trip or race god – n. the spirit that is honored as creator of all things (“They believe in God.”); a spirit or being believed in many religions to have special powers gold – n. a highly valued yellow metal good – ad. pleasing; helpful; kind; correct; not bad goods – n. things owned or made to be sold govern – v. to control; to rule by military or political power government – n. a system of governing; the organization of people that rules a country, city or area grain – n. the seed of grass plants used for food, such as wheat, rice and corn; those plants that produce the seeds grass – n. a plant with long, narrow, green leaves gravity – n. the force that pulls things toward the center of the Earth gray – ad. having the color like that made by mixing black and white great – ad. very large or more than usual in size or number; very good; important green – ad. having the color like that made by mixing yellow and blue; having the color like that of growing leaves and grass grind – v. to reduce to small pieces by crushing

G

45

ground – hang ground – n. land; the earth’s surface; soil group – n. a number of people or things together; a gathering of people working for a common purpose grow – v. to develop or become bigger; to increase in size or amount guarantee – v. to promise a result; to promise that something will happen guard – v. to watch and protect a person, place or thing (“He guards the president.”); n. a person or thing that watches or protects (“He is a prison guard.”) guerrilla – n. a person who fights as part of an unofficial army, usually against an official army or police guide – v. to lead to; to show the way; n. one who shows the way guilty – ad. having done something wrong or in violation of a law; responsible for a bad action gun – n. a weapon that shoots bullets

G www.VOASpecialEnglish.com grain

H hair – n. the fine material that grows from the skin, especially from the head half – n. one of two equal parts of something halt – v. to come or cause to come to a stop; to stop hang – v. to place something so the highest part is supported and the lower part is not; to kill by hanging

46

happen – heat happen – v. to become a fact or event; to take place happy – ad. pleased; satisfied; feeling good; not sad hard – ad. not easily cut or broken; solid; difficult to do or understand; needing much effort or force harm – v. to injure; to damage; n. damage; hurt harvest – v. to gather crops; n. the crop after it is gathered hat – n. a head cover hate – v. to have strong emotions against; to consider as an enemy; opposite love have – v. to possess; to own; to hold he – pro. the boy or man who is being spoken about head – v. to lead; to command; n. leader; chief; the top part of something; the highest position headquarters – n. the center from which orders are given; the main offices of a business or organization heal – v. to return to good health; to cure; to become well health – n. the general condition of the body and mind; the condition of being free from sickness or disease hear – v. to receive sound through the ears; to receive news about heat – v. to make hot or warm; n. great warmth; that which is produced by burning fuel; energy from the sun hat

H

47

heavy – home heavy – ad. having much weight; not easy to lift; of great amount or force helicopter – n. a machine without wings that can fly up or down or remain in one place above the ground help – v. to give support; to assist; to make easier; n. support; aid here – ad. in, to or at this place hero – n. a person honored for being brave or wise hide – v. to prevent from being seen or found; to make secret high – ad. tall; far up; far above the ground; important; above others hijack – v. to seize or take control of a vehicle by force hill – n. a small mountain history – n. the written record or description of past events; the study of the past hit – v. to strike; to touch with force hold – v. to carry or support, usually in the hands or arms; to keep in one position; to keep as a prisoner; to contain; to possess; to occupy; to organize and be involved in (“The two sides hold talks this week.”) hole – n. an opening; a torn or broken place in something holiday – n. a day when one does not work; a day on which no work is done to honor or remember a person or event holy – ad. greatly honored in religion home – n. the building where a person lives, especially with family; the place where one was born or comes from; the area or country where one lives

H www.VOASpecialEnglish.com helicopter

48

honest – hunger honest – ad. truthful; able to be trusted honor – v. to obey; to show strong, good feelings for (“to honor one’s parents”); n. an award; an act of giving special recognition (“He received many honors for his efforts to help others.”) hope – v. to expect; to believe there is a good chance that something will happen as wanted; to want something to happen horrible – ad. causing great fear; terrible horse – n. a large animal often used for racing, riding or farm work hospital – n. a place where sick or injured people are given medical care hostage – n. a person captured and held as a guarantee that a demand or promise will be honored hostile – ad. ready to fight; ready for war hot – ad. having or feeling great heat or a high temperature hotel – n. a building with rooms, and often food, for travellers hour – n. a measure of time; sixty minutes house – n. a building in which people live; a country’s parliament or lawmaking group (“House of Representatives”) how – ad. in what way; to what amount however – conj. yet; but huge – ad. very big; of great size human – ad. of or about people humor – n. the ability to understand, enjoy or express what makes people laugh hunger – n. the need for food

I

49

hunt – import hunt – v. to search for animals to capture or kill them; to seek; to try to find hurry – v. to do or go fast hurt – v. to cause pain, injury or damage husband – n. a man who is married

I www.VOASpecialEnglish.com I
I – pro. the person speaking ice – n. frozen water idea – n. a thought or picture in the mind; a belief identify – v. to recognize someone or something and to say who or what they are if – conj. on condition; provided that (“I will go if you go.”) ignore – v. to pay no attention to or refuse to consider (“The president ignored the protesters outside his office.”) illegal – ad. not legal; in violation of a law image – n. a reproduction of the appearance of a person or thing imagine – v. to make a picture in the mind; to form an idea immediate – ad. without delay; very near in time or place immigrant – n. a person who arrives in a country to live there import – v. to bring from another country; n. something brought from another country, usually for sale image

50

important – injure important – ad. having great meaning, value or power improve – v. to make better; to become better in – prep. inside; held by; contained by; surrounded by; during incident – n. an event or something that happens incite – v. to urge or cause an action or emotion, usually something bad or violent include – v. to have; to make a part of increase – v. to make more in size or amount independent – ad. not influenced by or controlled by another or others; free; separate individual – n. one person industry – n. any business that produces goods or provides services; the work and related activity in factories and offices; all organizations involved in manufacturing infect – v. to make sick with something that causes disease inflation – n. a continuing rise in prices while the value of money goes down influence – v. to have an effect on someone or something; to cause change inform – v. to tell; to give knowledge to information – n. knowledge; facts inject – v. to force a fluid into, such as putting medicine or drugs into the body through the skin

insect

I

injure – v. to cause harm or damage to a person or animal

51

innocent – Internet innocent – ad. not guilty of a crime; not responsible for a bad action insane – ad. mentally sick insect – n. a very small creature, usually with many legs and sometimes with wings inspect – v. to look at something carefully; to examine, especially by an expert instead – ad. in the place of; taking the place of instrument – n. a tool or device designed to do something or to make something insult – v. to say something or to do something that makes another person angry or dishonored intelligence – n. the ability to think or learn; information gathered by spying intelligent – ad. quick to understand or learn intense – ad. very strong; extremely serious interest – n. what is important to someone (“He acted to protect his interests.” “She had a great interest in painting.”); a share in owning a business; money paid for the use “of money borrowed interfere – v. to get in the way of; to work against; to take part in the activities of others, especially when not asked to do so international – ad. of or about more than one nation or many nations; of the whole world Internet – n. the extensive communications system that connects computers around the world in

I www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 52

intervene – job intervene – v. to come between; to come between in order to settle or solve invade – v. to enter an area or country by force with an army invent – v. to plan and make something never made before; to create a new thing or way of doing something invest – v. to give money to a business or organization with the hope of making more money investigate – v. to study or examine all information about an event, situation or charge; to search for the truth invite – v. to ask someone to take part in or join an event, organization or gathering involve – v. to take part in; to become a part of; to include iron – n. a strong, hard metal used to make machines and tools island – n. a land area with water all around it issue – n. an important problem or subject that people are discussing or arguing about it – pro. a thing, place, event or idea that is being spoken about (“The sky is blue, but it also has a few white clouds.”)

J jail – n. a prison for those waiting to be tried for a crime or for those serving sentences for crimes that are not serious jewel – n. a valuable stone, such as a diamond or emerald

jewels

K

job – n. the work that one does to earn money

53

join – knife join – v. to put together or come together; to become part of or a member of joint – ad. shared by two or more joke – n. something done or said to cause others to laugh judge – v. to form an opinion about; to decide a question, especially a legal one; n. a public official who decides problems of law in a court jump – v. to push down on the feet and move up quickly into the air jury – n. a group of people chosen to decide what is true in a trial just – ad. only (“Help me for just a minute.”); very shortly before or after the present (“He just left.”); at the same time (“He left just as I came in.”); what is right or fair (“The law is just, in my opinion.”) justice – n. the quality of being right, fair or lawful

K www.VOASpecialEnglish.com jump

K keep – v. to possess; to have for oneself kick – v. to hit with the foot kidnap – v. to seize and take away by force kill – v. to make dead; to cause to die kind – n. sort (“What kind of dog is that?”); ad. gentle; caring; helpful kiss – v. to touch with the mouth to show love or honor knife – n. a tool or weapon used to cut

54

know – law know – v. to understand something as correct; to have the facts about; to recognize someone because you have met and talked together before knowledge – n. that which is known; learning or understanding

L labor – n. work; workers as a group laboratory – n. a room or place where experiments in science are done lack – v. to be without; n. the condition of needing, wanting or not having lake – n. a large area of fresh water surrounded by land land – v. to come to the earth from the air (“Airplanes land at airports.”); n. the part of the earth not covered by water; the ground language – n. words and their use; what people speak in a country, nation or group large – ad. big; being of more than usual size, amount or number; opposite small laser – n. an instrument that makes a thin, powerful light last – v. to continue (“The talks will last three days.”); ad. after all others; the only one remaining (“She is the last person in line.”) late – ad. after the correct time; near the end; opposite early laugh – v. to make sounds to express pleasure or happy feelings launch – v. to put into operation; to begin; to send into the air or space

L

law – n. all or any rules made by a government

55

lead – lift lead – v. to show the way; to command; to control; to go first leak – v. to come out of or to escape through a small opening or hole (usually a gas or liquid) learn – v. to get knowledge about; to come to know a fact or facts leave – v. to go away from; to let something stay where it is left – ad. on the side that is toward the west when one is facing north; opposite right legal – ad. of or in agreement with the law legislature – n. a government lawmaking group lend – v. to permit someone to use a thing temporarily; to make a loan of money less – ad. smaller in amount; not as much let – v. to permit to do or to be; to make possible letter – n. a message written on paper; a communication in writing sent to another person level – n. the amount or height that something reaches or rises to; the position of something or someone liberal – ad. one who usually supports social progress or change lie – v. to have one’s body on the ground or other surface; to say something that one knows is not true life – n. the time between being born and dying; opposite death; all living things lift – v. to take or bring up to a higher place or level laugh

L www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 56

light – live light – n. a form of energy that affects the eyes so that one is able to see; anything that produces light; ad. bright; clear; not heavy lightning – n. light produced by electricity in the air, usually during a storm like – v. to be pleased with; to have good feelings for someone or something; ad. in the same way as; similar to limit – v. to restrict to a number or amount; n. the greatest amount or number permitted line – n. a long, thin mark on a surface; a number of people or things organized; one after another; the edge of an area protected by military forces link – v. to connect; to unite one thing or event with another; n. a relation between two or more things, situations or events liquid – n. a substance that is not a solid or gas, and can move freely, like water list – v. to put in writing a number of names of people or things; n. a written series of names or things listen – v. to try to hear literature – n. all the poems, stories and writings of a period of time or of a country little – ad. not tall or big; a small amount live – v. to have life; to exist; ad. having life; alive listen

M

57

load – magnet load – v. to put objects on or into a vehicle or container; n. that which is carried loan – n. money borrowed that usually must be returned with interest payments; something borrowed local – ad. about or having to do with one place lonely – adj. feeling alone long – ad. not short; measuring from beginning to end; measuring much; for much time look – v. to turn the eyes toward so as to see; to search or hunt for; to seem to be lose – v. to have no longer; to not find; to fail to keep; to be defeated loud – ad. having a strong sound; full of sound or noise love – v. to like very much; to feel a strong, kind emotion (sometimes involving sex); n. a strong, kind emotion for someone or something; opposite hate low – ad. not high or tall; below the normal height; close to the ground loyal – ad. showing strong friendship and support for someone or something luck – n. something that happens by chance lightning

M www.VOASpecialEnglish.com M machine – n. a device with moving parts used to do work magazine – n. a publication of news, stories, pictures or other information magnet – n. a piece of iron or other material that has a pulling force; this pulling force is called magnetism

58

mail – material mail – n. letters, papers and other things sent through an official system, such as a post office main – ad. the most important or largest major – ad. great in size, importance or amount majority – n. the greater number; more than half make – v. to produce; to create; to build; to do something or to carry out an action; to cause to be or to become male – n. a man or boy; the sex that is the father of children; ad. of or about men man – n. an adult male human manufacture – v. to make goods in large amounts many – ad. a large number or amount of map – n. a picture of the earth’s surface or a part of it march – v. to walk in a group like soldiers; to walk together in a large group to protest about something mark – v. to make a sign or cut on something market – n. a place or area where goods are sold, bought or traded; an economic system in which the prices of things are decided by how many there are and how much money people are willing to pay for them marry – v. to join a man and woman together as husband and wife; to become husband and wife (usually in a religious or civil ceremony) mass – n. an amount of matter having no special form and usually of a large size mate – v. to bring together a male and a female to create another creature material – n. the substance, substances or matter of which something is made or from which something can be made, such as wood, cloth or stone; anything that can be made into something else

M

59

mathematics – message mathematics – n. the science dealing with amounts, sizes and shapes, as explained by numbers and signs matter – n. anything that can be seen or felt; what things are made of may – v. a word used with an action word to mean permit or possible (“May I go?” “They may leave tomorrow.”) mayor – n. the chief official of a city or town government meal – n. food eaten to satisfy hunger, such as dinner mean – v. to want to; to give the idea of; to have the idea of measure – v. to learn the amount, size or distance of something; n. an action taken; a legislative proposal meat – n. the part of a dead animal used for food media – n. all public information organizations, including newspapers, television and radio medicine – n. a substance or drug used to treat disease or pain; the science or study of treating and curing disease or improving health meet – v. to come together with someone or something at the same time and place melt – v. to make a solid into a liquid by heating it member – n. one of a group memorial – n. something done or made to honor the memory of a person or event memory – n. a picture in the mind of past events; the ability to remember; a thing remembered mental – ad. about or having to do with the mind message – n. written or spoken news or information; a note from one person to another person or group mail

M www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 60

metal – minority metal – n. a hard substance such as iron, steel or gold method – n. the way something is done microscope – n. a device used to make very small things look larger so they can be studied middle – n. the center; a place or time of equal distance from both sides or ends; ad. in the center militant – n. someone active in trying to cause political change, often by the use of force or violence military – n. the armed forces of a nation or group; ad. of or about the armed forces microscope

militia – n. an army of citizens instead of professional soldiers; an armed force or private army milk – n. the white liquid produced by female animals to feed their young mind – n. the thinking, feeling part of a person mine – v. to dig useful or valuable substances out of the earth; n. a place in the earth where such substances are found; a bomb placed under the ground or under water so it cannot be seen mineral – n. a substance found in nature that is not an animal or a plant, such as coal or salt minister – n. a member of a cabinet; a high government official (“prime minister,”foreign minister”) minor – ad. small in size; of little importance minority – n. the smaller number; opposite majority

M

61

minute – morning minute – n. a measure of time; one of the sixty equal parts of an hour; sixty seconds miss – v. to fail to hit, see, reach or meet missile – n. any weapon that can be thrown or fired through the air and explodes when it reaches its target missing – ad. lost; not found mistake – n. a wrong action or decision; an action done without the knowledge that it was wrong mix – v. to put different things together to make one thing mob – n. a large group of wild or angry people model – n. an example; something, usually small, made to show how something will look or work moderate – ad. not extreme modern – ad. of the present or very recent time; the most improved molecule – n. the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist money – n. pieces of metal or paper used to pay for things month – n. one of the twelve periods of time into which a year is divided moon – n. the bright object often seen in the night sky that orbits the earth about every twenty–nine days moral – ad. concerning what is right or wrong in someone’s actions more – ad. greater in size or amount morning – n. the early part of the day, from sunrise until noon

M www.VOASpecialEnglish.com money

62

most – narrow most – ad. greatest in size or amount mother – n. the female parent; a woman who has a child or children motion – n. a movement; a continuing change of position or place mountain – n. a part of the earth’s surface that rises high above the area around it mourn – v. to express or feel sadness move – v. to change position; to put or keep in motion; to go movement – n. the act of moving or a way of moving; a series of acts or efforts to reach a goal movie – n. a motion picture; a film much – ad. great in amount murder – v. to kill another person illegally; n. the crime of killing another person music – n. the making of sounds by singing or using a musical instrument must – v. a word used with an action word to mean necessary (“You must go to school.”) mystery – n. something that is not or cannot be explained or understood; a secret

N name – v. to appoint; to nominate; to give a name to; n. a word by which a person, animal or thing is known or called narrow – ad. limited in size or amount; not wide; having a short distance from one side to the other

N

63

nation – news nation – n. a country, together with its social and political systems native – n. someone who was born in a place, not one who moved there natural – ad. of or about nature; normal; common to its kind nature – n. all the plants, animals and other things on earth not created by humans; events or processes not caused by humans navy – n. the part of a country’s military force trained to fight at sea near – ad. not far; close to necessary – ad. needed to get a result or effect; required need – v. to require; to want; to be necessary to have or to do negotiate – v. to talk about a problem or situation to find a common solution neighbor – n. a person or country that is next to or near another neither – ad. not one or the other of two nerve – n. a thin piece of tissue that sends information through the body to and from the brain neutral – ad. not supporting one side or the other in a dispute never – ad. at no time; not ever new – ad. not existing before; not known before; recently made, built, bought or grown; another; different news – n. information about any recent events, especially as reported by the media

N www.VOASpecialEnglish.com mother

64

next – nucleus next – ad. coming immediately after; nearest nice – ad. pleasing; good; kind night – n. the time between when the sun goes down and when it rises, when there is little or no light no – ad. used to reject or to refuse; not any; not at all noise – n. sound, especially when loud nominate – v. to name someone as a candidate for an election; to propose a person for an office or position noon – n. the middle of the day; twelve o’clock in the daytime normal – n. the usual condition, amount or form; ad. usual; what is expected north – n. the direction to the left of a person facing the rising sun not – ad. a word showing that something is denied or untrue (“She is not going.”) note – v. to talk about something already known; n. a word or words written to help a person remember; a short letter nothing – n. not anything; no thing now – ad. at this time; immediately nowhere – ad. not in, to or at any place nuclear – ad. of or about the energy produced by splitting atoms or bringing them together; of or about weapons that explode by using energy from atoms nucleic acid – n. a molecule that holds the genetic information necessary for life; there are two kinds of nucleic acid; DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)

O

nucleus – n. the center part of an atom or cell

65

nutrient – office nutrient – n. a food or substance that makes plants, humans or animals grow number – n. a word or sign used to show the order or amount of things

O www.VOASpecialEnglish.com O obey – v. to act as one is ordered to act object – v. to show that one does not like or approve; to protest; n. something not alive that can be seen or touched observe – v. to watch; to look at carefully; to celebrate or honor something (“They will observe the anniversary of the day she was born.”) occupy – v. to take and hold or to control by force ocean – n. the area of salt water that covers almost seventy–five percent of the earth’s surface; any of the five main divisions of this water of – prep. made from; belonging to; about; connected to; included among off – ad. away; at a distance; condition when something is no longer operating or continuing; not on; not connected offensive – n. a military campaign of attack; ad. having to do with attacking offer – v. to present or propose; n. the act of presenting or proposing; that which is presented or proposed office – n. a room or building where business or work is done; a public position to which one is elected or appointed night

66

officer – oppress officer – n. a person in the military who commands others; any person who is a member of a police force official – n. a person with power in an organization; a representative of an organization or government; ad. of or about an office; approved by the government or someone in power often – ad. many times oil – n. a thick liquid that does not mix with water and that burns easily; a black liquid taken from the ground and used as fuel old – ad. not young or new; having lived or existed for many years on – prep. above and held up by; touching the upper surface of (“The book is on the table.”); supported by (“He is on his feet.”); about (“The report on the meeting is ready.”); at the time of (“He left on Wednesday.”) once – ad. one time only only – ad. being the single one or ones; no more than (“We have only two dollars.”) open – v. to start (“They opened talks.”); ad. not closed; not secret operate – v. to do work or a job; to cut into the body for medical reasons opinion – n. a belief based on one’s own ideas and thinking oppose – v. to be against; to fight against opposite – ad. different as possible; completely different from; exactly the other way (“North is the opposite direction from south.”) oppress – v. to make others suffer; to control by the use of unjust and cruel force or power

O

67

or – own or – conj. giving another of two choices; giving the last of several choices orbit – v. to travel in space around a planet or other object; n. the path or way an object travels in space around another object or planet order – v. to give a command; to tell someone what to do; n. a command; the correct or normal way things are organized; a peaceful situation in which people obey laws organ – n. a part of the body that has a special purpose, such as the heart or brain organism – n. a living thing, often so small it can be seen only through a microscope organize – v. to put in order; to put together into a system other – ad. different; of another kind; the remaining one or ones of two or more (“That man is short; the other is tall.”) our – ad. of or belonging to us oust – v. to force to leave; to remove by force out – ad. away from the inside; opposite of in over – conj. above; covering; across, in or on every part of (“all over the world”) overthrow – v. to remove from power; to defeat or end by force owe – v. to pay or have to repay (usually money) in return for something received own – v. to have or possess for oneself

O www.VOASpecialEnglish.com officer

68

pain – passenger

P pain – n. a hurt or suffering somewhere in the body paint – v. to cover with a liquid color; to make a picture with liquid colors; n. a colored liquid used to cover or protect a surface paper – n. a thin, flat material made from plants or cloth often used for writing parachute – n. a device that permits a person or thing to fall slowly from an airplane or helicopter to the ground parade – n. a group of people and vehicles moving together to celebrate a special event or anniversary pardon – v. to forgive for a crime and release from punishment parent – n. a father or mother parliament – n. a government lawmaking group part – n. something less than the whole; not all of something particle – n. a very small piece of matter partner – n. a person who takes part in some activity in common with another or others. (“The two men were business partners.”) party – n. a group of people working together for a political purpose; a group of people or friends gathered together for enjoyment pass – v. to go by or move around something; to move along; to cause or permit to go passenger – n. a person travelling by airplane, train, boat or car who is not the pilot or driver

P

69

passport – person passport – n. an official government document that shows a person’s identity and citizenship and permits a citizen to travel to another country past – n. the time gone by; the time before; ad. recent; immediately before; former path – n. a narrow way for walking; a way along which something moves patient – n. a person being treated by a doctor for a health problem pay – v. to give money for work done or for something bought peace – n. the condition of freedom from war, fighting or noise; rest; quiet people – n. any group of persons; all the persons of a group, race, religion or nation (“the American people”) percent – n. a part of every hundred (“Ten is ten percent of one hundred.”) perfect – ad. complete or correct in every way; completely right or good; without mistakes perform – v. to speak, dance or sing in front of others period – n. an amount of time within events, restrictions or conditions permanent – ad. never changing; lasting for a very long time or for all time permit – v. to let; to make possible person – n. a man, woman or child paint

P www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 70

persuade – plastic persuade – v. to cause someone to do something by explaining or urging (“The police persuaded the criminal to surrender his weapon.”) physical – ad. of the body physics – n. the study of motion, matter and energy picture – n. something that shows what another thing looks like; an idea or representation of something as seen by the eye; a painting; what is made with a camera piece – n. a part of something larger pig – n. a farm animal used for its meat pilot – n. one who guides or flies an airplane or helicopter pipe – n. a long, round piece of material used to move liquid or gas pig

place – v. to put something somewhere; n. an area or a part of an area; space where a person or thing is; any room, building, town or country plan – v. to organize or develop an idea or method of acting or doing something (“They plan to have a party.”); n. an organized or developed idea or method (“The plan will not work.”) planet – n. a large object in space that orbits the sun (“Earth is a planet.”) plant – v. to put into the ground to grow; n. a living growth from the ground which gets its food from air, water and earth

P

plastic – n. a material made from chemicals that can be formed and made into things

71

play –popular play – v. to have fun; to not work; to take part in a sport; to make music on an instrument; n. a story acted in a theater please – v. to make one happy; to give enjoyment plenty – n. all that is needed; a large enough amount plot – v. to make secret plans; n. a secret plan to do something wrong or illegal poem – n. words and their sounds organized in a special way to express emotions point – v. to aim one’s finger toward; to aim; n. the sharp end of something poison – n. a substance that can destroy life or damage health police – n. a government agency responsible for guarding the public, keeping order, and making sure people obey the law; members of that agency policy – n. an established set of plans or goals used to develop and make decisions in politics, economics or business politics – n. the activities of government and of those who are in public office pollute – v. to release dangerous or unpleasant substances into the air, soil or water poor – n. people with little or no money; ad. lacking money or goods; of bad quality popular – ad. liked by many people; generally approved by the public

P www.VOASpecialEnglish.com plant

72

population – pregnant population – n. all the people in a place, city or country port – n. a city where ships load or unload goods; a place on a coast where ships can be safe from a storm position – n. a place; the way of holding the body; the way a thing is set or placed; a job (or level of a job) in an organization possess – v. to have; to own; to control or be controlled by possible – ad. able to be done; can happen or is expected to happen postpone – v. to delay action until a later time pour – v. to flow; to cause to flow poverty – n. the condition of being poor power – n. the ability to control or direct others; control; strength; ruling force; force or energy used to do work (“Water power turns the wheel.”) praise – v. to say good things about; to approve pray – v. to make a request to a god or spirit; to praise a god or spirit predict – v. to say what one believes will happen in the future. (“The weather scientist predicted a cold winter.”) pregnant – ad. carrying a child within the body before it is born; expecting to give birth to a baby pour

P

73

present – profit present – v. to offer for consideration (“We will present our idea to the committee.”); n. a gift (“I gave them a present for their anniversary.”); ad. now (“The present time is a good time.”); ad. to be at a place (“I was present at school yesterday.”) president – n. the chief official of a country that is a republic; the leader of an organization press – v. to urge strongly; n. newspapers, magazines and other publications pressure – n. the force produced when something is pushed down or against something else prevent – v. to keep or stop from going or happening price – n. the amount of money for which anything is bought, sold or offered for sale prison – n. a place where a person is kept as punishment for a crime private – ad. of or about a person or group that is secret; opposite public prize – n. something offered or won in a competition; something of value that one must work hard for probably – ad. a good chance of taking place; a little more than possible problem – n. a difficult question or situation with an unknown or unclear answer process – n. an operation or series of changes leading to a desired result produce – v. to make; to create; to cause something to be; to manufacture profession – n. a job that requires special training professor – n. a teacher at a college or university profit – n. money gained from a business activity after paying all costs of that activity

P www.VOASpecialEnglish.com pregnant

74

program – pull program – n. a plan of action; the different events or parts of a meeting or show progress – n. movement forward or toward improvement or a goal project – n. a planned effort to do something promise – v. to say one will do something; n. a spoken or written agreement to do something propaganda – n. ideas or information used to influence opinions property – n. anything owned by someone such as land, buildings or goods propose – v. to present or offer for consideration protect – v. to guard; to defend; to prevent from being harmed or damaged proteins – n. substances responsible for the growth of tissue and for fixing damaged tissue protest – v. to speak against; to object

prove – v. to show to be true provide – v. to give something needed or wanted public – ad. of or about all the people in a community or country; opposite private publication – n. something that is published such as a book, newspaper or magazine publish – v. to make public something that is written; to include something in a book, newspaper or magazine pull – v. to use force to move something toward the person or thing using the force; opposite push

P

75

pump – quiet pump – v. to force a gas or liquid up, into or through punish – v. to cause pain, suffering or loss for doing something bad or illegal purchase – v. to buy with money or with something of equal value; n. that which is bought pure – ad. free from anything that is different or that reduces value; clean purpose – n. the reason or desired effect for doing something; goal push – v. to use force to move something away from the person or thing using the force; opposite pull put – v. to place; to set in position

P www.VOASpecialEnglish.com Q quality – n. that which something is known to have or be (“An important quality of steel is its strength.”); amount of value or excellence (“Their goods are of the highest quality.”)

pull

question – v. to ask; to express wonder or disbelief; n. a sentence or word used in asking for information; a problem; an issue to be discussed quick – ad. fast quiet – ad. with little or no noise; having little or no movement; calm

76

race – react

R race – v. to run; to take part in a competition to decide who or what can move fastest; to take part in a campaign for political office; n. one of the major groups that humans can be divided into because of a common physical similarity, such as skin color radar – n. a device that uses radio signals to learn the position or speed of objects that may be too far away to be seen radiation – n. waves of energy from something that produces heat or light; energy from a nuclear substance, which can be dangerous radio – n. the system of sending and receiving signals or sounds through the air without wires raid – v. to make a sudden attack; n. a sudden attack carried out as an act of war, or for the purpose of seizing or stealing something railroad – n. a road for trains; a company that operates such a road and its stations and equipment rain – n. water falling from the sky raise – v. to lift up; to move to a higher position; to cause to grow; to increase rape – v. to carry out a sexual attack by force against a person rare – ad. not common; not usual; not often rate – n. speed; a measure of how quickly or how often something happens; the price of any thing or service that is bought or sold reach – v. to put a hand toward; to arrive at; to come to react – v. to act as a result of or in answer to

R

77

read – recover read – v. to look at and understand the meaning of written words or numbers ready – ad. prepared; completed; organized; willing real – ad. true; truly existing; not false realistic – ad. in agreement with the way things are reason – n. the cause for a belief or act; purpose; something that explains reasonable – ad. ready to listen to reasons or ideas; not extreme; ready or willing to compromise rebel – v. to act against a government or power, often with force; to refuse to obey; n. one who opposes or fights against the government of his or her country receive – v. to get or accept something given, offered or sent recent – ad. a short time ago recession – n. a temporary reduction in economic activity, when industries produce less and many workers lose their jobs recognize – v. to know or remember something or someone that was known, known about or seen before; to accept another nation as independent and establish diplomatic ties with its government record – v. to write something in order to have it for future use; to put sound or pictures in a form that can be kept and heard or seen again; n. a writing that shows proof or facts about something recover – v. to get again something that was lost, stolen or taken away (“The police recovered the stolen money.”); to return to normal health or normal conditions (“She is expected to recover from the operation.”)

R www.VOASpecialEnglish.com read

78

red – repeat red – ad. having the color like that of blood reduce – v. to make less or smaller in number, size or amount; to cut reform – v. to make better by changing; to improve; n. a change to a better condition refugee – n. a person who has been forced to flee because of unjust treatment, danger or war refuse – v. to reject; to not accept, give or do something register – v. to have one’s name officially placed on a list of people permitted to vote in an election or take part in an educational program regret – n. a feeling of sadness or sorrow about something that is done or that happens reject – v. to refuse to accept, use or believe relations – n. understandings or ties between nations; members of the same family; people connected by marriage or family ties release – v. to free; to permit to go; to permit to be known or made public religion – n. a belief in, or the honoring of, a god or gods remain – v. to stay in a place after others leave; to stay the same remains – n. a dead body remember – v. to think about the past; opposite forget remove – v. to take away or take off; to put an end to; to take out of a position or office repair – n. work done to fix something repeat – v. to say or do again

R

79

report – restaurant report – v. to tell about; to give the results of a study or investigation; n. the story about an event; the results of a study or investigation; a statement in which the facts may not be confirmed represent – v. to act in the place of someone else; to substitute for; to serve as an example repress – v. to control or to restrict freedoms by force request – v. to ask for; n. the act of asking for require – v. to need or demand as necessary rescue – v. to free from danger or evil research – n. a careful study to discover correct information resign – v. to leave a position, job or office resist – v. to oppose; to fight to prevent resolution – n. an official statement of agreement by a group of people, usually reached by voting resource – n. anything of value that can be used or sold respect – v. to feel or show honor to a person or thing (“All citizens should respect the law.”) responsible – ad. having a duty or job to do (“He is responsible for preparing the report.”); being the cause of (“They were responsible for the accident.”) rest – v. to sit, lie down or sleep to regain strength; n. that which remains; the others restaurant – n. a place where people can buy and eat meals

R www.VOASpecialEnglish.com repair

80

restrain – risk restrain – v. to keep controlled; to limit action by a person or group restrict – v. to limit; to prevent from increasing or becoming larger result – v. to happen from a cause; n. that which follows or is produced by a cause; effect retire – v. to leave a job or position because one is old or in poor health return – v. to go or come back; to bring, give, take or send back revolt – v. to protest violently; to fight for a change, especially of government rice – n. a food grain rich – ad. having much money or goods; having plenty of something ride – v. to sit on or in and be carried along; to travel by animal, wheeled vehicle, airplane or boat right – n. what a person legally and morally should be able to do or have (“It is their right to vote.”); ad. agreeing with the facts; good; correct; opposite wrong; on the side that is toward the east when one is facing north; opposite left riot – v. to act with many others in a violent way in a public place; n. a violent action by a large group of people rise – v. to go up; to go higher; to increase; to go from a position of sitting or lying to a position of standing risk – n. the chance of loss, damage or injury rice

R

81

river – rubber river – n. a large amount of water that flows across land into another river, a lake or an ocean road – n. a long piece of hard ground built between two places so people can walk, drive or ride easily from one place to the other rob – v. to take money or property secretly or by force; to steal robot – n. a machine that moves and performs work rock – n. a hard piece of mineral matter rocket – n. a device shaped like a tube that moves through air or space by burning gases and letting them escape from the back or bottom, sometimes used as a weapon roll – v. to turn over and over; to move like a ball room – n. a separate area within a building with its own walls root – n. the part of a plant that is under the ground and takes nutrients from the soil rope – n. a long, thick piece of material made from thinner pieces of material, used for tying rough – ad. not flat or smooth; having an uneven surface; violent; not made well round – ad. having the shape of a ball or circle rub – v. to move something over the surface of another thing rubber – n. a substance made from the liquid of trees with the same name, or a similar substance made from chemicals

R www.VOASpecialEnglish.com rope

82

ruin – satisfy ruin – v. to damage severely; to destroy rule – v. to govern or control; to decide; n. a statement or an order that says how something must be done run – v. to move quickly by steps faster than those used for walking rural – ad. describing areas away from cities which may include farms, small towns and unpopulated areas.

S sabotage – v. to damage or destroy as an act against an organization or nation sacrifice – v. to do without something or to suffer a loss for a belief, idea, goal or another person sad – ad. not happy safe – ad. away from harm or danger sail – v. to travel by boat or ship sailor – n. a person involved in sailing a boat or ship salt – n. a white substance found in sea water and in the ground, used to affect the taste of food same – ad. not different; not changed; like another or others sand – n. extremely small pieces of crushed rock found in large amounts in deserts and on coasts satellite – n. a small object in space that moves around a larger object; an object placed in orbit around the earth sad

S

satisfy – v. to give or provide what is desired, needed or demanded

83

save – seed save – v. to make safe; to remove from harm; to keep for future use say – v. to speak; to express in words school – n. a place for education; a place where people go to learn science – n. the study of nature and the actions of natural things, and the knowledge gained about them sea – n. a large area of salt water, usually part of an ocean search – v. to look for carefully season – n. one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth’s position toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); a period of time based on different weather conditions (“dry season”, “rainy season”); a period during the year when something usually happens (“baseball season”) seat – n. a thing to sit on; a place to sit or the right to sit there (“a seat in parliament”) second – ad. the one that comes after the first secret – n. something known only to a few and kept from general knowledge; ad. hidden from others; known only to a few security – n. freedom from danger or harm; protection; measures necessary to protect a person or place (“Security was increased in the city.”) see – v. to know or sense through the eyes; to understand or know seed – n. the part of a plant from which new plants grow

S www.VOASpecialEnglish.com sail

84

seek(ing) – serve seek(ing) – v. to search for (“They are seeking a cure for cancer.”); to try to get (“She is seeking election to public office.”); to plan to do (“Electric power companies are seeking to reduce their use of coal.”) seem – v. to appear to be (“She seems to be in good health.”) seize – v. to take quickly by force; to take control of quickly; to arrest self – n. all that which makes one person different from others sell – v. to give something in exchange for money Senate – n. the smaller of the two groups in the governments of some countries, such as in the United States Congress send – v. to cause to go; to permit to go; to cause to be carried, taken or directed to or away from a place sense – v. to come to know about by feeling, believing or understanding; n. any of the abilities to see, hear, taste, smell or feel sentence – v. to declare the punishment for a crime; n. the punishment for a crime separate – v. to set or keep people, things or ideas away from or independent from others; ad. not together or connected; different series – n. a number of similar things or events that follow one after another in time, position or order serious – ad. important; needing careful consideration; dangerous serve – v. to work as an official; to be employed by the government; to assist or help

S

85

service – sheep service – n. an organization or system that provides something for the public (“Schools and roads are services paid for by taxes.”); a job that an organization or business can do for money; military organizations such as an army, navy or air force; a religious ceremony set – v. to put in place or position; to establish a time, price or limit settle – v. to end (a dispute); to agree about (a problem); to make a home in a new place several – ad. three or more, but not many severe – ad. not gentle; causing much pain, sadness or damage sex – n. either the male or female group into which all people and animals are divided because of their actions in producing young; the physical activity by which humans and animals can produce young shake – v. to move or cause to move in short, quick movements shape – v. to give form to; n. the form of something, especially how it looks share – v. to give part of something to another or others; n. a part belonging to, given to or owned by a single person or a group; any one of the equal parts of ownership of a business or company sharp – ad. having a thin edge or small point that can cut or hurt; causing hurt or pain she – pro. the girl or woman who is being spoken about sheep – n. a farm animal used for its meat and hair

S www.VOASpecialEnglish.com sheep

86

shell – side shell – v. to fire artillery; n. a metal container that is fired from a large gun and explodes when it reaches its target; a hard outside cover shelter – v. to protect or give protection to; n. something that gives protection; a place of safety shine – v. to aim a light; to give bright light; to be bright; to clean to make bright ship – v. to transport; n. a large boat shock – v. to cause to feel sudden surprise or fear; n. something that greatly affects the mind or emotions; a powerful shake, as from an earthquake shoe – n. a covering for the foot shoot – v. to cause a gun or other weapon to send out an object designed to kill; to use a gun short – ad. lasting only for a small period of time; not long; opposite tall should – v. used with another verb (action word) to show responsibility (“We should study.”), probability (“The talks should begin soon.”), or that something is believed to be a good idea (“Criminals should be punished.”) shout – v. to speak very loudly show – v. to make something be seen; to make known; n. a play or story presented in a theater, or broadcast on radio or television, for enjoyment or education; something organized to be seen by the public shrink – v. to make or become less in size, weight or value sick – ad. suffering physically or mentally with a disease or other problem; not in good health sickness – n. the condition of being in bad health side – n. the outer surfaces of an object that are not the top or bottom; parts away from the middle; either the right or left half of the body

S

87

sign – skin sign – v. to write one’s name; n. a mark or shape used to mean something; evidence that something exists or will happen; a flat piece of material with writing that gives information signal – v. to send a message by signs; n. an action or movement that sends a message silence – v. to make quiet; to stop from speaking or making noise; n. a lack of noise or sound silver – n. a valued white metal similar – ad. like something else but not exactly the same simple – ad. easy to understand or do; not difficult or complex since – prep. from a time in the past until now (“I have known her since we went to school together.”) sing – v. to make music sounds with the voice single – ad. one only sink – v. to go down into water or other liquid sister – n. a female with the same father or mother as another person sit – v. to rest on the lower part of the body without the support of the legs; to become seated situation – n. the way things are during a period of time size – n. the space occupied by something; how long, wide or high something is skeleton – n. all the bones of a human or other animal together in their normal positions skill – n. the ability gained from training or experience skin – n. the outer covering of humans and most animals

S www.VOASpecialEnglish.com shoes

88

sky – soldier sky – n. the space above the earth slave – n. a person owned or controlled by another sleep – v. to rest the body and mind with the eyes closed slide – v. to move smoothly over a surface slow – v. to reduce the speed of; ad. not fast in moving, talking or other activities small – ad. little in size or amount; few in number; not important; opposite large smash – v. to break or be broken into small pieces by force; to hit or move with force smell – v. to sense through the nose; n. something sensed by the nose (“the smell of food cooking”) smoke – v. to use cigarettes or other tobacco products by burning them and breathing in the smoke; n. that which can be seen rising into the air like a cloud from something burning smooth – ad. having a level surface; opposite rough snow – n. soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky, usually in winter or when the air temperature is very cold so – ad. in such a way that (“He held the flag so all could see it.”); also; too (“She left early, and so did we.”); very (“I am so sick.”); as a result (“They were sick, so they could not come.”); conj. in order that; for the purpose of (“Come early so we can discuss the plans.”) social – ad. of or about people or a group soft – ad. not hard; easily shaped; pleasing to touch; not loud soil – n. earth in which plants grow soldier – n. a person in the army

S

89

solid – spend solid – ad. having a hard shape with no empty spaces inside; strong; not in the form of a liquid or gas solve – v. to find an answer; to settle some – ad. of an amount or number or part not stated; not all son – n. a person’s male child soon – ad. not long after the present time; quickly sort – n. any group of people or things that are the same or are similar in some way; a kind of something sound – n. fast–moving waves of energy that affect the ear and result in hearing; that which is heard south – n. the direction to the right of a person facing the rising sun space – n. the area outside the earth’s atmosphere where the sun, moon, planets and stars are; the area between or inside things speak – v. to talk; to say words with the mouth; to express one’s thoughts to others and exchange ideas; to give a speech to a group special – ad. of a different or unusual kind; not for general use; better or more important than others of the same kind speech – n. a talk given to a group of people speed – v. to make something go or move faster; n. the rate at which something moves or travels; the rate at which something happens or is done spend – v. to give as payment; to use (“He spends much time studying.”)

S www.VOASpecialEnglish.com smell

90

spill – station spill – v. to cause or permit liquid to flow out, usually by accident spirit – n. the part of a human that is not physical and is connected to thoughts and emotions; the part of a person that is believed to remain alive after death split – v. to separate into two or more parts; to divide or break into parts sport – n. any game or activity of competition involving physical effort or skill spread – v. to become longer or wider; to make or become widely known spring – n. the time of the year between winter and summer spy – v. to steal or get information secretly; n. one who watches others secretly; a person employed by a government to get secret information about another country square – n. a flat shape having four equal sides stab – v. to cut or push into or through with a pointed weapon stand – v. to move into or be in a position in which only the feet are on a surface; to be in one position or place star – n. a mass of gas that usually appears as a small light in the sky at night, but is not a planet; a famous person, usually an actor or singer start – v. to begin; to make something begin starve – v. to suffer or die from a lack of food state – v. to say; to declare; n. a political part of a nation station – n. a place of special work or purpose (“a police station”); a place where passengers get on or off trains or buses; a place for radio or television broadcasts

S

91

statue – straight statue – n. a form of a human, animal or other creature usually made of stone, wood or metal stay – v. to continue to be where one is; to remain; to not leave; to live for a time (“They stayed in New York for two years.”) steal – v. to take without permission or paying steam – n. the gas that comes from hot water steel – n. iron made harder and stronger by mixing it with other substances step – v. to move by lifting one foot and placing it in a new position; n. the act of stepping; one of a series of actions designed to reach a goal stick – v. to attach something to another thing using a substance that will hold them together; to become fixed in one position so that movement is difficult (“Something is making the door stick.”); n. a thin piece of wood still – ad. not moving (“The man was standing still.”); until the present or a stated time (“Was he still there?”); even so; although (“The job was difficult, but she still wanted to do it.”) stone – n. a small piece of rock stop – v. to prevent any more movement or action; to come or bring to an end store – v. to keep or put away for future use; n. a place where people buy things storm – n. violent weather, including strong winds and rain or snow story – n. the telling or writing of an event, either real or imagined stove – n. a heating device used for cooking straight – ad. continuing in one direction without turns step

S www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 92

strange – sudden strange – ad. unusual; not normal; not known street – n. a road in a city, town or village stretch – v. to extend for a distance; to pull on to make longer or wider strike – v. to hit with force; to stop work as a way to seek better conditions, more pay or to make other demands strong – ad. having much power; not easily broken, damaged or destroyed structure – n. the way something is built, made or organized; a system that is formed or organized in a special way; a building struggle – v. to try with much effort; to fight with; n. a great effort; a fight study – v. to make an effort to gain knowledge by using the mind; to examine carefully stupid – ad. not able to learn much; not intelligent subject – n. the person or thing being discussed, studied or written about submarine – n. an underwater ship substance – n. the material of which something is made (a solid, liquid or gas) substitute – v. to put or use in place of another; n. a person or thing put or used in place of another subversion – n. an attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or government, usually secretly succeed – v. to reach a goal or thing desired; to produce a planned result such – ad. of this or that kind; of the same kind as; similar to

S

sudden – ad. not expected; without warning; done or carried out quickly or without preparation

93

suffer – surplus suffer – v. to feel pain in the body or mind; to receive or experience hurt or sadness sugar – n. a sweet substance made from liquids taken from plants suggest – v. to offer or propose something to think about or consider suicide – n. the act of killing oneself summer – n. the warmest time of the year, between spring and autumn sun – n. the huge star in the sky that provides heat and light to earth supervise – v. to direct and observe the work of others supply – v. to give; to provide; n. the amount of something that can be given or sold to others support – v. to carry the weight of; to hold up or in position; to agree with others and help them reach a goal; to approve suppose – v. to believe, think or imagine (“I suppose you are right.”); to expect (“It is supposed to rain tonight.”) suppress – v. to put down or to keep down by force; to prevent information from being known publicly sure – ad. very probable; with good reason to believe; true without question surface – n. the outer side or top of something (“The rocket landed on the surface of the moon.”) surplus – n. an amount that is more than is needed; extra; (“That country has a trade surplus. It exports more than it imports.”) study

S www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 94

surprise – sympathy surprise – v. to cause a feeling of wonder because something is not expected; n. something not expected; the feeling caused by something not expected surrender – v. to give control of oneself or one’s property to another or others; to stop fighting and admit defeat surround – v. to form a circle around; to be in positions all around someone or something survive – v. to remain alive during or after a dangerous situation suspect – v. to imagine or believe that a person is guilty of something bad or illegal; n. a person believed to be guilty suspend – v. to cause to stop for a period of time swallow – v. to take into the stomach through the mouth swear in – v. to put an official into office by having him or her promise to carry out the duties of that office (“The chief justice will swear in the president.”) sweet – ad. tasting pleasant, like sugar swim – v. to move through water by making motions with the arms and legs

surprise

T

sympathy – n. a sharing of feelings or emotions with another person, usually feelings of sadness

95

system – tear system – n. a method of organizing or doing something by following rules or a plan; a group of connected things or parts working together for a common purpose or goal

T www.VOASpecialEnglish.com T take – v. to put a hand or hands around something and hold it, often to move it to another place; to carry something; to seize; to capture; to begin to be in control (“The president takes office tomorrow.”) talk – v. to express thoughts in spoken words; n. a meeting for discussion tall – ad. higher than others; opposite short tank – n. a large container for holding liquids; a heavy military vehicle with guns target – n. any person or object aimed at or fired at taste – v. to sense through the mouth (“The fruit tastes sweet.”) tax – n. the money a person or business must pay to the government so the government can provide services tea – n. a drink made from the plant of the same name teach – v. to show how to do something; to provide knowledge; to cause to understand team – n. a group organized for some purpose, often for sports tear – v. to pull apart, often by force tea

96

technical – terrorist technical – ad. involving machines, processes and materials in industry, transportation and communications; of or about a very special kind of subject or thing (“You need technical knowledge to understand how this system works.”) technology – n. the use of scientific knowledge and methods to produce goods and services telephone – n. a device or system for sending sounds, especially the voice, over distances telescope – n. a device for making objects that are far away appear closer and larger television – n. a device that receives electronic signals and makes them into pictures and sounds; the system of sending pictures and sounds by electronic signals over a distance so others can see and hear them on a receiver tell – v. to give information; to make known by speaking; to order; to command temperature – n. the measurement of heat and cold temporary – ad. lasting only a short time tense – ad. having fear or concern; dangerous; opposite calm term – n. a limited period of time during which someone does a job or carries out a responsibility (“He served two terms in Congress.”); the conditions of an agreement that have been accepted by those involved in it terrible – ad. very bad; causing terror or fear territory – n. a large area of land terror – n. extreme fear; that which causes great fear terrorist – n. a person who carries out acts of extreme violence as a protest or a way to influence a government

T

97

test – there test – v. to attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing (“The scientists will test the new engine soon.”); n. an attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing (“The test of the new engine takes place today.”); a group of questions or problems used to find out a person’s knowledge (“The students did well on the language test.”) than – conj. connecting word used to link things that may be similar, but are not equal (“My sister is taller than I am.”) thank – v. to say that one has a good feeling toward another because that person did something kind (“I want to thank you for helping me.”) that – ad. showing the person, place or thing being spoken about (“That man is a soldier.”); pro. the person, place or thing being spoken about (“The building that I saw was very large.”) the – pro. used in front of a name word to show that it is a person or thing that is known about or is being spoken about theater – n. a place where movies are shown or plays are performed them – pro. other people being spoken about then – ad. at that time; existing; and so theory – n. a possible explanation of why something exists or how something happens using experiments or ideas, but which is not yet proven (“Other scientists are debating his theory about the disappearance of dinosaurs.”) there – ad. in that place or position; to or toward that place

T www.VOASpecialEnglish.com telescope

98

these – time these – pro. of or about the people, places or things nearby that have been spoken about already they – pro. those ones being spoken about thick – ad. having a large distance between two opposite surfaces (“The wall is two meters thick.”); having many parts close together (“The forest is very thick.”); almost solid, such as a liquid that does not flow easily; opposite thin thin – ad. having a small distance between two opposite surfaces; not fat; not wide; opposite thick thing – n. any object think – v. to produce thoughts; to form ideas in the mind; to consider; to believe third – ad. coming after two others this – pro. of or about the person, place or thing nearby that has been spoken about already

tool

threaten – v. to warn that one will do harm or cause damage through – prep. in at one end and out at the other; from front to back; from top to bottom; with the help of; by throw – v. to cause to go through the air by a movement of the arm tie – v. to join or hold together with some material; n. anything that joins or unites; links or connections (“The two nations have strong trade ties.”) time – n. that which is measured in minutes, hours, days and years; a period that can be identified in hours and minutes and is shown on a clock; a period when an event should or will take place

T

99

tired – tradition tired – ad. having less strength because of work or exercise; needing sleep or rest tissue – n. living material; a group of cells that are similar in appearance and do the same thing to – prep. showing the direction of an action; showing the person or place toward which an action is directed; showing a goal or purpose today – n. this day together – ad. in one group; at the same time or place; in cooperation tomorrow – n. the day after today tonight – n. this night too – ad. also; as well as; more than is necessary tool – n. any instrument or device designed to help one do work top – n. the upper edge or surface; the highest part; the cover of something torture – v. to cause severe pain; n. the act of causing severe pain in order to harm, to punish or to get information from total – n. the complete amount touch – v. to put the hand or fingers on toward – prep. in the direction of; leading to town – n. a center where people live, larger than a village but not as large as a city trade – v. to buy and sell or exchange products or services; n. the activity of buying, selling or exchanging products or services tradition – n. a ceremony, activity or belief that has existed for a long time throw

T www.VOASpecialEnglish.com 100

traffic – trick traffic – n. the movement of people, vehicles or ships along a street, road or waterway tragic – ad. extremely sad; terrible train – v. to teach or learn how to do something; to prepare for an activity; n. an engine and the cars connected to it that move along a railroad transport – v. to move goods or people from one place to another transportation – n. the act or business of moving goods or people trap – v. to catch or be caught by being tricked; to be unable to move or escape; n. a device used to catch animals travel – v. to go from one place to another, usually for a long distance treason – n. the act of fighting against one’s own country or of helping its enemies treasure – n. a large collection of money, jewels or other things of great value treat – v. to deal with; to act toward in a special way; to try to cure treatment – n. the act of treating; the use of medicine to try to cure or make better treaty – n. a written agreement between two or more nations tree – n. a very tall plant that is mostly wood, except for its leaves trial – n. an examination in a court of a question or dispute to decide if a charge is true tribe – n. a group of families ruled by a common chief or leader

U

trick – v. to cheat; to fool a person so as to get something or make him or her do something

101

trip – under trip – n. a movement from one place to another, usually a long distance troops – n. a number of soldiers in a large controlled group trouble – n. that which causes concern, fear, difficulty or problems truce – n. a temporary halt in fighting agreed to by all sides involved truck – n. a heavy vehicle used to carry goods true – ad. correct; not false trust – v. to believe that someone is honest and will not cause harm try – v. to make an effort; to take court action against a person to decide if he or she is guilty or innocent of a crime tube – n. a long, round structure through which liquids or gases can flow; a long, thin container in which they can be kept turn – v. to change direction; to move into a different position; to change color, form or shape

U www.VOASpecialEnglish.com train

U under – prep. below; below the surface of; less than; as called for by a law, agreement or system (“The river flows under the bridge.” “Such action is not permitted under the law.”)

102

understand – value understand – v. to know what is meant; to have knowledge of unite – v. to join together universe – n. all of space, including planets and stars university – n. a place of education that usually includes several colleges and research organizations unless – conj. except if it happens; on condition that (“I will not go, unless the rain stops.”) until – conj. up to a time; before up – ad. to, in or at a higher position or value urge – v. to advise strongly; to make a great effort to get someone to do something urgent – ad. needing an immediate decision or action us – pro. the form of the word “we” used after a preposition (“He said he would write to us.”) or used as an object of a verb (“They saw us yesterday.”) use – v. to employ for a purpose; to put into action usual – ad. as is normal or common; as is most often done, seen or heard

V vacation - n. a holiday; a period of time for travel, pleasure or rest, especially one with pay given to an employee vaccine – n. a substance containing killed or weakened organisms given to a person or animal to produce protection against a disease valley – n. a long area of land between higher areas of land value – n. the quality of being useful, important or desired; the amount of money that could be received if something is sold

V

103

vegetable – volcano vegetable – n. a plant grown for food vehicle – n. anything on or in which a person or thing can travel or be transported, especially anything on wheels; a car or truck version – n. the form of something with different details than earlier or later forms very – ad. extremely (“He was very late.”) veto – v. to reject or refuse to approve victim – n. someone or something that is injured, killed or made to suffer; someone who is tricked victory – n. a success in a fight or competition video – n. a method of recording images and sound without a traditional film camera to be shown on a television, computer or other device village – n. a very small town violate – v. to fail to obey or honor; to break (an agreement) violence – n. the use of force to cause injury, death or damage virus – n. a kind of organism that causes disease visa – n. the official permission given to a person to enter a country where he or she is not a citizen visit – v. to go to or come to a place for a short time for friendly or business reasons voice – n. the sound made by creatures, especially humans, for speaking volcano – n. a hill or mountain around a hole in the earth’s surface that can explode, sending hot, melted rock and ash into the air

V www.VOASpecialEnglish.com vegetables

104

volunteer – water volunteer – n. a person who chooses to do something without being asked, usually without being paid vote – v. to choose a candidate in an election; n. a choice or decision expressed by the voice, by hand or by writing

W wages – n. money received for work done wait – v. to delay acting; to postpone walk – v. to move by putting one foot in front of the other wall – n. the side of a room or building formed by wood, stone or other material; a structure sometimes used to separate areas of land want – v. to desire; to wish for; to need war – n. fighting between nations, or groups in a nation, using weapons warm – ad. almost hot; having or feeling some heat warn – v. to tell of possible danger; to advise or inform about something bad that may happen wash – v. to make clean, usually with water waste – v. to spend or use without need or care; to make bad use of; n. a spending of money, time or effort with no value gained or returned; something thrown away as having no value; the liquid and solid substances that result from body processes and are passed out of the body watch – v. to look at; to observe closely; to look and wait for water – n. the liquid that falls from the sky as rain or is found in lakes, rivers and oceans

W

105

wave – well wave – v. to move or cause to move one way and the other, as a flag in the wind; to signal by moving the hand one way and the other; n. a large mass of water that forms and moves on the surface of a lake or ocean way – n. a path on land or sea or in the air; how something is done; method we – pro. two or more people, including the speaker or writer (“He and I will go together, and we will return together.”) weak – ad. having little power; easily broken, damaged or destroyed; opposite strong wealth – n. a large amount of possessions, money or other things of value weapon – n. anything used to cause injury or to kill during an attack, fight or war wear – v. to have on the body, as clothes weather – n. the condition of the atmosphere resulting from sun, wind, rain, heat or cold Web site – n. a collection of information prepared by a person or organization on the World Wide Web of the Internet week – n. a period of time equal to seven days weigh – v. to measure how heavy someone or something is welcome – v. to express happiness or pleasure when someone arrives or something develops well – ad. in a way that is good or pleasing; in good health; n. a hole in the ground where water, gas or oil can be found

W www.VOASpecialEnglish.com weigh

106

west – who west – n. the direction in which the sun goes down wet – ad. covered with water or other liquid; not dry what – pro. used to ask about something or to ask for information about something (“What is this?”); ad. which or which kind (“He wants to know what you would like to drink.”) wheat – n. a grain used to make bread; the plant that produces the grain wheel – n. a round structure that turns around a center when – ad. at what time; at any time (“When will she come home?”); conj. during or at the time (“I studied hard when I was in school.”) where – ad., conj. at, to or in what place (“Where is his house?” “The house where he lives is in the old part of the city.”) whether – conj. if it be the case or fact that (“He did not know whether he was right or wrong.”) which – pro. used to ask about what one or what ones of a group of things or people (“Which program do you like best?” “Which students will take the test?”) while – n. a space of time (“Please come to my house for a while.”); conj. at or during the same time (“It may not be a good idea to eat while you are running.”) white – ad. having the color like that of milk or snow who – pro. what or which person or persons that (“Who wants to go?”); the person or persons (“They are the ones who want to go.”)

wheel

W

107

whole – wise whole – ad. the complete amount; all together; not divided; not cut into pieces why – ad. for what cause or reason (“Why did she do it?”); conj. the reason for which (“I do not know why she did it.”) wide – ad. having a great distance from one side to the other; not limited wife – n. a woman who is married wild – ad. living and growing in natural conditions and not organized or supervised by humans; angry; uncontrolled will – v. a word used with action words to show future action (“They will hold talks tomorrow.”) willing – ad. being ready or having a desire to (“They are willing to talk about the problem.”) win – v. to gain a victory; to defeat another or others in a competition, election or battle wind – n. a strong movement of air window – n. an opening in a wall to let in light and air, usually filled with glass winter – n. the coldest time of year, between autumn and spring wire – n. a long, thin piece of metal used to hang objects or to carry electricity or electronic communications from one place to another wise – ad. having much knowledge and understanding; able to use knowledge and understanding to make good or correct decisions

W www.VOASpecialEnglish.com window

108

wish – wreck wish – v. to want; to express a desire for with – prep. along or by the side of; together; using (“He fixed it with a tool.”); having (“the house with the reddoor”) withdraw – v. to take or move out, away or back; to remove without – prep. with no; not having or using; free from; not doing witness – n. a person who saw and can tell about an action or event, sometimes in a court of law woman – n. an adult female human wonder – v. to ask oneself; to question (“She wonders if it is true.”); n. a feeling of surprise wonderful – ad. causing wonder; especially good wood – n. the solid material of which trees are made word – n. one or more connected sounds that form a single part of a language work – v. to use physical or mental effort to make or do something; n. the effort used to make or to do something; that which needs effort; the job one does to earn money world – n. the earth; the people who live on the earth worry – v. to be concerned; to continue thinking that something, possibly bad, can happen worse – ad. more bad than worth – n. value measured in money wound – v. to injure; to hurt; to cause physical damage to a person or animal; n. an injury to the body of a human or animal in which the skin is usually cut or broken wreck – v. to damage greatly; to destroy; n. anything that has been badly damaged or broken

Z

109

wreckage – zoo wreckage – n. what remains of something severely damaged or destroyed write – v. to use an instrument to make words appear on a surface, such as paper wrong – ad. not correct; bad; not legal; opposite right

Z www.VOASpecialEnglish.com X x–ray – n. a kind of radiation that can pass through most solid material, often used in medicine

Y year – n. a period of time equal to twelve months yellow – ad. having the color like that of gold or the sun yes – ad. used to express agreement or to permit yesterday – n. the day before today yet – ad. at some time before now (“Have they arrived yet?”); now; at this time (“I cannot tell you about it yet.”); conj. however (“The sun was shining, yet it was cold.”) you – pro. the person or persons being spoken to young – ad. in the early years of life; not old

Z zero – n. the number meaning none or nothing zoo – n. a place where animals are kept for the public to look at and study write

110

111

Special Words and Information
Common Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 Common Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 Numbers, Days, Months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 Chemical Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Organs of the Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 Computer Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122 Business Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124 United States Branches of Government . . . . . . . . . .126 Map of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128 Map of the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130 Presidents of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

112

113

Common Prefixes anti – against, opposed to (anti-government)

dis – not (dishonest, disobey)

mis – badly, wrongly (mistreat, misunderstand)

pro – for, supporting (pro-labor, pro-government)

re – to do again (reorganize, reunite)

self – used to show that the person or group acting is the one affected by the action, or to show that the action is done only by its own effort or power (self-declared, self-appointed)

un – not (unusual, unhappy)

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

114

115

Common Expressions a lot of – much or many (“We had a lot of rain.”)

carry out – to do; to put into effect (“Please carry out the plan.”)

pass a bill – approve (“Congress is expected to pass a bill to cut taxes.”)

take steps – to start to do something (“The government will take steps to halt inflation.”)

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

116

Numbers
0 zero 1 one 2 two 3 three 4 four 5 five 6 six 7 seven 8 eight 9 nine 10 ten 20 twenty 50 fifty 100 one hundred 1,000 one thousand 1,000,000 one million 1,000,000,000 one billion 1,000,000,000,000 one trillion

117

Days of the Week
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Months of the Year
January February March April May June July August September October November December

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

118

119

Chemical Elements
(in order of atomic weight) hydrogen helium carbon nitrogen oxygen sodium magnesium aluminum silicon phosphorus sulfur chlorine potassium calcium titanium iron nickel copper zinc silver tin iodine platinum gold mercury lead radon radium uranium plutonium

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

120

121

Some Organs of the Body breast – produces mothers’ milk to feed a baby heart – pumps blood through the body

intestines – tubes through which food passes after it is broken down in the stomach; a part of the intestines also removes solid wastes from the body

kidneys – clean liquid wastes from the body

liver – makes some proteins and enzymes; removes poisons from the blood

lungs – take in and expel air from the body

prostate – a part of the male reproductive system

stomach – breaks down food for the body to use

uterus – a part of the female reproductive system where a fetus develops

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

122

Computer Terms blog - n. short term for Web log, a personal Web site where people write about whatever they want

database - n. information gathered and stored in a computer in a systematic way so computers can search it

e-mail - n. electronic mail that is sent over a computer system or wireless telephone network

hardware - n. the physical equipment of a computer or a device that is connected to a computer

mouse - n. a small hand-held device used to control a computer

network - n. a group of computers or other devices, such as telephones, connected by telecommunications links

processor - n. the brain of a computer which carries out software instructions that operate the hardware of the computer and devices attached to it. Also called a CPU or chip.

123

server - n. a powerful computer that serves a network of computers and processes their requests

software - n. electronic instructions given to computers and devices connected to them

World Wide Web - n. part of the Internet that can be easily searched using software called a browser

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

124

Business Terms account - n. a record of financial dealings. For example, a bank account is a record of how much money a person or company has in a bank

bond - n. an agreement to pay interest on a loan, generally for a period of years, until the loan is repaid. A bond can be bought or sold.

capital - n. money or property used to create more wealth

contract - n. a legal agreement between people or groups to do, provide or trade something

corporation - n. a business that is organized as a legal company separate from its owners and workers

dividend - n. part of a company's earnings that is given to shareholders. Not all stocks pay dividends.

index - n. a way of measuring the value of a group of securities. For example, a stock index measures the value of a group of stocks.

125

security - n. evidence of ownership that has financial value, such as a stock or bond. Security can also mean a financial contract that has value.

stock - n. a share in ownership of a company. The stock of public companies is traded on stock exchanges.

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

126

United States Branches of Government

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Constitution The Constitution of the United States describes the structure of the government. Governmental power and functions in the United States rest in three branches of government: the legislative, judicial, and executive.

127

Senate

House of Representatives

The Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch makes laws for the nation.

Departments

President

Executive Agencies

Vice-President

Independent Agencies

The Executive Branch
The executive branch enforces the laws of the land.

District Court

Supreme Court

Court of Appeals

Other Federal Courts

The Judicial Branch
Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they break the rules of the Constitution.

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

128

Map of the United States

129

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

130

Map of the World

131

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

132

Presidents of the United States
George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson James Madison James Monroe John Quincy Adams Andrew Jackson Martin Van Buren William Henry Harrison John Tyler James Knox Polk Zachary Taylor Millard Fillmore Franklin Pierce James Buchanan Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant Rutherford Birchard Hayes James Abram Garfield Chester Alan Arthur
Federalist DemocraticRepublican DemocraticRepublican DemocraticRepublican DemocraticRepublican Democratic Democratic Whig Whig Democratic Whig Whig Democratic Democratic Republican Democratic/ National Union Republican Republican Republican Republican

1789–97 1797–1801 1801–9 1809–17 1817–25 1825–29 1829–37 1837–41 1841 1841–45 1845–49 1849–50 1850–53 1853–57 1857–61 1861–65 1865–69 1869–77 1877–81 1881 1881–85

133

Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison Grover Cleveland William McKinley Theodore Roosevelt William Howard Taft Woodrow Wilson Warren Gamaliel Harding Calvin Coolidge Herbert Clark Hoover Franklin Delano Roosevelt Harry S. Truman Dwight David Eisenhower John Fitzgerald Kennedy Lyndon Baines Johnson Richard Milhous Nixon Gerald Rudolph Ford Jimmy Carter Ronald Wilson Reagan George Herbert Walker Bush Bill Clinton George Walker Bush Barack H. Obama

Democratic Republican Democratic Republican Republican Republican Democratic Republican Republican Republican Democratic Democratic Republican Democratic Democratic Republican Republican Democratic Republican Republican Democratic Republican Democratic

1885–89 1889–93 1893–97 1897–1901 1901–9 1909–13 1913–21 1921–23 1923–29 1929–33 1933–45 1945–53 1953–61 1961–63 1963–69 1969–74 1974–77 1977–81 1981–89 1989–93 1993–2001 2001–2009 2009–

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

134

Notes

135

www.VOASpecialEnglish.com

SpecialEnglish
330 Independence Ave. SW Washington, DC 20237 e-mail: special@VOANews.com www.VOASpecialEnglish.com