masterMind

WORD LIST LEVEL 1

Unit 9  Competitive edge

WORDS AND PHRASES
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
the agony of phrase /ði ˌæɡəni əv dɪˈfit/ the extreme disappointment Argentina suffered the agony
defeat/loss ˈlɔs/ someone feels when they lose of defeat in the World Cup
a game, competition, etc. final.
a feeling of phrase /ə ˈfilɪŋ əv/ an emotional state of a Physical exercise can
particular type, for example sometimes produce a feeling
happiness or sadness of euphoria.
cell noun /sel/ the smallest part of a living Cancer is caused by a group
body or other structure of cells in the body increasing
that can operate as an in an uncontrolled way.
independent unit
circulation noun [non-count] /ˌsɜrkjəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/ the movement of blood Some herbs can help improve
around your body blood circulation.
cognitive noun /ˈkɑɡnətɪv a mental process that It is claimed that some vitamin
function ˌfʌŋkʃ(ə)n/ involves recognizing and supplements help improve the
understanding things memory and other cognitive
functions.
competitive adjective /kəmˈpetətɪv/ always trying to be more He’s an ambitious man, and
successful than other people extremely competitive.
competitiveness noun [non-count] /kəmˈpetətɪvnəs/ the state of wanting to be There’s a lot of
more successful than other competitiveness among the
people students.
compound noun /ˈkɑmˌpaʊnd/ a chemical substance that Water is a compound of
consists of two or more hydrogen and oxygen.
elements
conclude verb /kənˈklud/ to decide that something is The researchers concluded
true after looking at all the that the plant’s smell attracts
evidence you have wasps.
conclusion noun /kənˈkluʒ(ə)n/ something that you decide We still haven’t reached any
is true after thinking about it conclusion about why the
carefully and looking at all the plants responded in the way
evidence that they did.
experiment noun /ɪkˈsperɪmənt/ a scientific test to find out I’m OK with carrying out
what happens to someone experiments on plants.
or something in particular
conditions
experiment verb /ɪkˈsperɪmənt/ to perform scientific tests in I wouldn’t be OK with
order to find out what happens experimenting on animals.
to someone or something in
particular conditions
hormone noun /ˈhɔrˌmoʊn/ a natural substance in your The organs and tissues in
body that controls physical your body use hormones to
processes such as growth communicate with each other.
leaf noun /lif/ a flat thin green part of a The leaves of this plant are
tree or plant that grows on a dark green.
branch or stem

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masterMind LEVEL 1

Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

measure verb /ˈmeʒər/ to find the exact size, amount, It is hard to measure whether
speed, etc. of something plants feel pain or not.
using a special tool or special
equipment
measurement noun /ˈmeʒərmənt/ the exact size, degree, In the experiment,
strength, etc. of something, measurements were taken of
usually expressed in numbers the plants’ energy levels.
of standard units
medicinal adjective /məˈdɪsən(ə)l/ a medicinal substance is Some herbs have medicinal
capable of treating an illness properties.
mental function noun /ˈment(ə)l a process such as thinking or Doing puzzles and quizzes is
ˌfʌŋkʃ(ə)n/ remembering that happens in good for improving mental
the brain function.
participant noun /pɑrˈtɪsɪpənt/ someone who takes part in an There were over 1,000
event or competition participants in the city
marathon.
proof noun [non-count] /pruf/ information or evidence that Do you have any proof that
shows that something is plants can show emotions?
definitely true or definitely
exists
prove verb /pruv/ to provide evidence that The experiment was done to
shows that something is true prove the theory that plants
feel pain.
recall noun [non-count] /rɪˈkɔl; ˈriˌkɔl/ the process or activity or Information recall often gets
remembering something more difficult as you get older.
research noun [non-count] /ˈriˌsɜrtʃ/ the detailed study of something There hasn’t been very much
in order to discover new facts, research into plant emotions
especially in a university or yet.
scientific institution
research verb /rɪˈsɜrtʃ/ to make a detailed study of I’ve recently been researching
something in order to discover whether plants respond to
new facts external stimuli.
sharpness noun [non-count] /ˈʃɑrpnəs/ a mental state in which you Mental sharpness is essential
are quick to notice and react for a teacher.
to things
species noun /ˈspiʃiz/; /ˈspisiz/ a plant or animal group whose Over 120 species of birds have
members all have similar been recorded in the region.
features
study noun /ˈstʌdi/ a research project that The scientists did lots of
examines a problem or a experiments as part of a study
particular subject into plant emotions.
study verb /ˈstʌdi/ to learn about a problem Scientists have begun to study
or a particular subject using whether plants feel pain.
scientific methods
test noun /test/ an experiment you do to find This test has been designed
out whether something is true to show how sensitive a plant
or something works can be.
test verb /test/ to examine something to find Scientists test their theories by
out if it has a particular quality doing experiments.
the desire for phrase /ðə dɪˌzaɪr fər the feeling you have when you Many people are motivated by
something/to ˈsʌmθɪŋ/tə ˈdu want something very much the desire for money.
do something sʌmθɪŋ/
the fun of phrase /ðə ˌfʌn əv the enjoyment that you feel For some people the fun of
something/ ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ˈduɪŋ when you do something taking part is more important
doing sʌmθɪŋ/ than winning.
something

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masterMind LEVEL 1

Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

the joy of phrase /ðə ˌdʒɔɪ əv the feeling of extreme They were overwhelmed by
something/ ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ˈduɪŋ pleasure that you feel when the joy of seeing each other
doing sʌmθɪŋ/ you do something again.
something
the thrill of phrase /ðə ˌθrɪl əv the sudden feeling of Nothing can beat the thrill of
something/ ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ˈduɪŋ excitement and happiness victory.
doing sʌmθɪŋ/ that you feel when you do
something something
the will to win phrase /ðə ˌwɪl tə ˈwɪn/ the strong desire that To be a champion, you have to
someone feels to win a have the will to win.
competition, game, etc.
theorize verb /ˈθiəˌraɪz/ to develop ideas to explain Scientists theorized that plants
something release chemicals when they
are hurt.
theory noun /ˈθiəri/ one or more ideas that Scientists did the experiment
explain how or why something to prove their theory.
happens
vitality noun [non-count] /vaɪˈtæləti/ energy or enthusiasm Regular exercise can improve
health and vitality.

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masterMind LEVEL 1

Useful Expressions
Expression Topic / Category Sample Sentence
Although this information suggests … Synthesizing information Although this information suggests that
there is no/some proof here that … plant extracts can help some patients
with acne, there is no proof here that
they will work for everyone.
Are you saying …? Synthesizing information Are you saying that plants grow better
when there is music? That seems very
surprising!
In my opinion this is/isn’t relevant Synthesizing information Plant remedies are very popular, but in
because … my opinion this isn’t relevant because it
doesn’t prove that they are effective.
In other words … Synthesizing information Plant growth was best when the music
was only played for short periods at a
time. In other words, plants don’t seem
to like constant music.
So that means … Synthesizing information The scent is attractive to insects. So that
means more insects will visit the plant.
This information can help us prove/ Synthesizing information This information can help us prove
conclude … whether plant extracts can help with
skin conditions.

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