American Culture and Customs 

3.  The U.S. Federal Government

4. legislative (a) /ˈledʒ.ɪ.slə.tɪv/ - relating to laws or the making of laws

Ex: The European Parliament [/ˈpɑː.lɪ.mənt/ - nghị viện] will have greater
legislative powers (= ability to make laws).

Congress is the legislative branch of government.

LẬP PHÁP

5. judicial (a) /dʒuːˈdɪʃ.əl/ - involving a law court [/kɔːt/ - tòa án]

Ex: the judicial branch of government

TƯ PHÁP

6. vice president (n) /ˌvaɪs ˈprez.ɪ.dənt/ - the person who has the position
immediately below the president in some countries, and who is responsible for
the president's duties if he or she is unable to do them

PHÓ TỔNG THỐNG

7. cabinet (n) /ˈkæb.ɪ.nət/ - a small group of the most important people in
government, who advise the President or Prime Minister and make important
decisions
Ex: The President is completing the selection of his new Cabinet.
NỘI CÁC
8. commander-in-chief (n) /kəˌmɑːn.dər.ɪnˈtʃiːf/ - a commander in charge of
all the armed forces of a country or of all the forces fighting in a particular
area or operation
Ex: The president of the United States is also commander in chief.
TỔNG TƯ LỆNH
9. second-in-command (n) /ˌsek.ənd.ɪn.kəˈmɑːnd/ - someone who is almost as
important as the person in charge (người đứng đầu, người phụ trách)
PHÓ TỔNG TƯ LỆNH
10. agent (n) /ˈeɪ.dʒənt/ - a person who acts for or represents another
Ex: Please contact our agent in Spain for further information.
a secret/foreign agent – đặc vụ, trinh thám/ đại sứ
 ĐẠI DIỆN
11. entrust (v) /ɪnˈtrʌst/ - to give someone a thing or a duty for which they are
responsible
Ex:
entrust sth to sb: He didn't look like the sort of man you should entrust your
luggage to.
entrust sb with sth: Two senior officials have been entrusted with organizing
the auction.
entrust sb to do sth: We entrust a board of Edinburgh's leading businessmen to
run the affairs of the organization.
GIAO PHÓ
12. the House of Representatives (n) /ˌhaʊs əv rep.rɪˈzen.tə.tɪvz/ -
the lower house of the parliaments of some countries, including the US,
Australia, and New Zealand
HẠ VIỆN
the Houses of Parliament

the House of Commons and the House of Lords

13. mint (v) /mɪnt/ - to produce a coin for the government

ĐÚC (TIỀN)
14. the Senate (n) /ˈsen.ət/ - one of the two groups of politicians who make laws
in some political systems such as in the US, Australia, and France, often having
different powers from the other group and different rules for members, for
example being elected for a longer period
Ex: The law has no chance of being passed by the Senate.
The French/Australian Senate
The US Senate has 100 members.
The UK doesn't have a senate; it has a House of Lords.
THƯỢNG (NGHỊ) VIỆN
15. declare (v) /dɪˈkleər/ - to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or
officially
Ex: They declared their support for the proposal
[ + (that) ] She declared (that) it was the best chocolate cake she had ever
tasted.
[ + obj + (to be) + noun/adj ] They declared themselves (to be) bankrupt.
[ + speech ] "I won't do it!" he declared.
America declared war on Japan in 1941 (= announced officially that it was at
war).
The government has declared war on (= announced that they intended to stop)
the drug dealers.
The country declared independence in 1952 (= announced that it was no longer
under the control of another country).
Idiom
I declare: used to express surprise
Ex: Well. I declare!
Phrasal verb
declare for/against sth: to give/not give someone or something your public
support
Ex: She declared for the new airport plan.
TUYÊN BỐ, CÔNG BỐ
16. navy (n) /ˈneɪ.vi/ - SEA FORCE - the part of a country's armed forces that
is trained to operate at sea
Ex”: My brother is an officer in the Navy.
Gabriel joined the navy in 1997
(navy blue) – dark blue
HẢI QUÂN
17. legislation (n) /ˌledʒ.ɪˈsleɪ.ʃən/ - a law or set of laws suggested by a
government and made official by a parliament
Ex: [ + to infinitive ] The government has promised to introduce legislation to
limit fuel emissions from cars.
a law or set of laws that is being created
Ex: New legislation offers a tax break for young families.
PHÁP LUẬT, PHÁP CHẾ, SỰ BAN HÀNH LUẬT PHÁP
18. the Supreme Court (n) UK /suːˌpriːm ˈkɔːt/ - the most important law court
in the US, the most important court in a country or state, especially the most
important court in the US
TÒA ÁN TỐI CAO
19. levy (v) /ˈlev.i/ US - (of a government or organization) to demand an
amount of money, such as a tax, from a person or organization
Ex: A new tax was levied on consumers of luxury goods.
The City Council can levy a fine of $250 for a first offence.
THU THUẾ, ĐÁNH THUẾ

1.  America: Land of Opportunity

1. Prestigious (a) /presˈtɪdʒ.əs/ - very much respected and admired, usually
because of being important

Ex: a prestigious literary award / a prestigious university

CÓ UY TÍN

2. the forefront (n) /ˈfɔː.frʌnt/ - the most noticeable or important position

Ex: She was one of
the politicians at/in the forefront of the campaign to free the prisoners.
His team is at the forefront of scientific research into vaccines.

the most noticeable or important position in a particular market, activity,

or group

at/in the forefront of (doing) sth: The company is at

the forefront of developing new technology to address CO2 emissions.
come/move to the forefront UK technology companies are only now coming to
the forefront.
bring sth/push sth to the forefront  Who brought this overbilling to
the forefront?
HÀNG ĐẦU
 4.  Christmas – A holiday of Traditions
1. denomination (n) /dɪˌnɒm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ - a religious group that has
slightly different beliefs from other groups that share the same religion
Ex: Protestantism [/ˈprɒt.ɪ.stən.tɪ.zəm/ - đạo Tin lành] and Roman
Catholicism [/kəˈθɒl.ɪ.sɪ.zəm/ - đạo Thiên Chúa, công giáo] are both
denominations of the Christian faith.
GIÁO PHÁI
2. protestant (n) /ˈprɒt.ɪ.stənt/ - a member of the parts of the Christian
Church that separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th
century NGƯỜI THEO ĐẠO TIN LÀNH
CATHOLIC (n) /ˈkæθ(ə)lɪk/ - a member of the Roman Catholic Church
NGƯỜI THEO ĐẠO THIÊN CHÚA, CÔNG GIÁO
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/catholic_2

POPE (n) /pəʊp/ US /poʊp/ - (the title of) the leader of the Roman
Catholic Church
Ex: Pope John Paul II
GIÁO HOÀNG
3. secular (a) /ˈsek.jə.lər/ - not having any connection with religion
Ex: We live in an increasingly secular society, in which religion has less and
less influence on our daily lives.
THẾ TỤC, TRĂM NĂM, TRƯỜNG KỲ
4. put up : dựng lên - put up a Christmas tree
5. string (n) /strɪŋ/ - (a piece of) strong, thin rope made by twisting very thin
threads together, used for fastening and tying things
Ex: a package tied with string
a ball/piece of string
When you pull the strings, the puppet's arms and legs move.
DÂY, SỢI, DẢI
a set of objects joined together in a row on a single rope or thread
Ex: a string of beads/pearls
A string of onions hung from a beam in the kitchen.
CHUỖI, XÂU, ĐOÀN
6. tinsel (n) /ˈtɪn.səl/ - long pieces of thin, shiny material used as decoration,
especially at Christmas
 Ex: a Christmas tree decorated with tinsel
DÂY KIM TUYẾN
7. jolly (a) /ˈdʒɒl.i/ - happy and smiling
Ex: a jolly smile/manner/mood
She's a very jolly, upbeat [/ʌpˈbiːt/ - lạc quan, vui vẻ >< downbeat] sort of
a person
VUI VẺ, THÚ VỊ, VUI NHỘN
8. keepsake (n) /ˈkiːp.seɪk/ - a small present, usually not expensive, that is
given to you by someone so that you will remember that person VẬT
LƯU NIỆM
9. elaborate (a) /iˈlæb.ər.ət/ - containing a lot of careful detail or many
detailed parts
Ex: You want a plain blouse to go with that skirt - nothing too elaborate.
They're making the most elaborate preparations for the wedding.
He came out with such an elaborate excuse that I didn't quite believe him.
TỈ MỈ, CÔNG PHU, PHỨC TẠP
10. synchronize (v) /ˈsɪŋ.krə.naɪz/ - to (cause to) happen at the same
time
Ex: The show was designed so that the lights synchronized with the music.
XẢY RA ĐỒNG THỜI, CÙNG LÚC
When people synchronize their watches, they make sure that all their watches
show the same time
Ex: We'd better synchronize our watches if we all want to be there at the same
time.
ĐỒNG BỘ HÓA
11. carol (n) /ˈkær.əl/ - a happy or religious song, usually one sung at
Christmas
Ex: a carol concert
"Silent Night" is my favourite (Christmas) carol.
BÀI HÁT MỪNG (THƯỜNG VÀO GIÁNG SINH)
 5.  New Year's Day – A Holiday of New Beginnings
1. stroke (of time) (n) /strəʊk/ - one of the sounds that some clocks make at
particular times, especially by ringing a bell once for each number of the hour
Ex: How many strokes did you count?
TIẾNG CHUÔNG ĐỒNG HỒ
2. literal (n) /ˈlɪt.ər.əl/ - TẦM THƯỜNG, PHÀM TỤC, THEO NGHĨA ĐEN
3. hangover (n) /ˈhæŋˌəʊ.vər/ - a feeling of illness after drinking too much
alcohol
Ex: I had a terrible hangover the next morning
CẢM GIÁC NÔN NAO
4. recover (v) /rɪˈkʌv.ər/ - to become completely well again after an illness or
injury
Ex: It took her a long time to recover from/after her heart operation.
He never really recovered from the shock of his wife dying.
BÌNH PHỤC, HỒI PHỤC
5. resolution (n) /ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃən/ - a promise to yourself to do or to not do
something
Ex: [ + to infinitive ] I made a resolution to give up chocolate
SỰ QUYẾT TÂM, SỰ KIÊN QUYẾT
6.tournament (n) /ˈtʊə.nə.mənt/ - a competition for teams or single players in
which a series of games is played, and the winners of each game play against
each other until only one winner is left
Ex: a tennis/chess/golf tournament
They were defeated in the first round of the tournament
CUỘC ĐẤU
7. bowl (n) /bəʊl/ - a large ball used in the game of bowls
QUẢ BÓNG GỖ
8. wee hours (n) /ˈwiː ˌaʊ.əz/ (also wee small hours, small hours) - the early
hours of the morning, between twelve o'clock at night and the time when the sun
rises
Ex: He was up until the wee hours trying to finish his work
 6.  MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY – TO
REMEMBER A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
1. civil rights (n) /ˌsɪv.əl ˈraɪts/ - the rights that each person has in a society,
whatever their race, sex, or religion
Ex: Civil rights include freedom, equality in law and in employment, and the
right to vote.
POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
the rights of each person in a society, including equality under the law and in
employment and the right to vote
Ex: In the 1960s, civil rights were extended by law to include all Americans.
QUYỀN CÔNG DÂN
2. assassinate (v) /əˈsæs.ɪ.neɪt/ - to murder a famous or important person, esp.
for political reasons or in exchange for money
Ex: President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, in 1963.
a plot to assassinate the president
ÁM SÁT
3. protest (v) /prəˈtest/ - to show that you disagree with something by standing
somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.
Ex: A big crowd of demonstrators (n, /ˈdem.ən.streɪ.tər/, người biểu tình)
were protesting against cuts in health spending.
especially US Outside, a group of students were protesting research cuts.
PHẢN ĐỐI, KHÁNG NGHI, CHỐNG LẠI
4. segregation (n) /ˌseɡ.rɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/ (OF RACES, SEXES) - the policy of
keeping one group of people apart from another and treating them differently,
especially because of race, sex, or religion
Ex: The system of racial segregation that used to exist in South Africa was
called apartheid.
The community fought to end segregation in schools and housing.
the segregation of employment by gender
"racial segregation" : "sự phân biệt chủng tộc"
SỰ PHÂN BIỆT
(n) (KEEPING APART) - the act of keeping one person or thing separate
from another person or thing
Ex: the segregation of the healthy from the sick
SỰ CÁCH LY
(BIOLOGY) - the separation of pairs of alleles [/əˈliːl/] (= different forms of
the same gene) during meiosis [/maɪˈəʊ.sɪs/, sự phân bào] (= the cell division
that happens as part of the process of producing young animals or plants) so
that they pass separately to separate gametes (= reproductive cells)
Mendel's first law states that genes do not blend, but pass intact from one
generation to the next, after segregation.
Fertilization triggers segregation of chromosomes.
SỰ PHÂN LY
5. march (n) /mɑːtʃ/ (PUBLIC EVENT) - an event in which a large number of
people walk through a public place to express their support for something, or
their disagreement with or disapproval of something
Ex: She's going on a march on Saturday in protest over the closure of the
hospital.
CUỘC DIỂU HÀNH
(SOLDIERS' WALK) - a walk, especially by a group of soldiers all walking
with the same movement and speed
CUỘC HÀNH QUÂN
6. enforce (v) /ɪnˈfɔːs/ - to make people obey a law, or to make a particular
situation happen or be accepted
Ex: It isn't always easy for the police to enforce speed limits.
The new teacher had failed to enforce any sort of discipline.
TUÂN THEO/ THI HÀNH PHÁP LUẬT
7. vigil (n) /ˈvɪdʒ.əl/ - an act of staying awake, especially at night, in order to
be with a person who is very ill or dying, or to make a protest, or to pray
Ex: His parents kept vigil beside his bed for weeks before he died.
Supporters of the peace movement held an all-night candlelit vigil outside the
cathedral.
SỰ THỨC ĐỂ CẦU NGUYỆN, SỰ THỨC KHUYA, NGÀY ĂN CHAY
TRƯỚC LỄ, KINH CẦU BAN ĐÊM
 7.  Valentine's Day – A Holiday of Love and Friendship
1. commemorate (v) /kəˈmem.ə.reɪt/ - to remember officially and give respect
to a great person or event, especially by a public ceremony or by making a
statue or special building
Ex: Gathered all together in this church, we commemorate those who lost their
lives in the war.
A statue has been built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the poet's
birthday.
KỶ NIỆM, TƯỞNG NHỚ
2. purchase (v) /ˈpɜː.tʃəs/ - to buy something
Ex: Tickets must be purchased two weeks in advance [trước].
MUA
3. festivity (n) /fesˈtɪv.ə.ti/ - the parties, meals, and other social activities with
which people celebrate a special occasion
Ex: Come in and join the festivities!
NGÀY HỘI, LỄ
4. allegedly (adv) /əˈledʒ.ɪd.li/ - used when something illegal or wrong is said to
have been done, but has not been proved
Ex: That's where he allegedly killed his wife.
She was arrested for allegedly stealing a car.

used when something is said to be true but has not been proved
Ex: It’s a collection of recipes which allegedly can be prepared in 30 minutes.
Two oil companies allegedly spent $6 million trying to free two surviving grey
whales trapped in the Arctic ice.
CHO RẰNG, BỊ CÁO BUỘC
5. (right/just) around the corner - very close to the place that you are
Ex: There’s a deli around the corner.

A time or event that is just around the corner is coming very soon
Ex: It's still cold today, but spring is just around the corner.

delicatessen (n) /ˌdel.ɪ.kəˈtes.ən/ (informal deli) - a small shop that sells high-
quality foods, such as types of cheese and cold cooked meat, often from other
countries, and, especially in the United States, sandwiches made using these
foods
Ex: Smoked sausage can be found in most delicatessens.
Have you tried that Greek deli on Church Street?

(usually deli, deli counter) - a counter in a supermarket where you can get
different types of cheese, cold cooked meat, prepared salads, etc.
Ex: The new store will have a pharmacy inside, along with a delicatessen,
bakery, and seafood department.
Ask for our sliced ham at the deli counter.
CỬA HÀNG BÁN CÁC MÓN ĂN NGON
 8.  ST. PATRICK'S DAY – A HOLIDAY TO
CELEBRATE THE IRISH
1. homosexuals /ˌhəʊ.məˈsek.ʃu.əl/ - a person who is sexually
attracted to people of the same sex and not to people of the opposite
sex
ĐỒNG TÍNH LUYẾN ÁI
2. patron (n) /ˈpeɪ.trən/ - a person or group that supports an activity
or organization, especially by giving money
Ex: The Princess Royal is a well-known patron of several charities.
(THÁNH/ THẦN) BẢO TRỢ
arts patron/patron of the arts The company has been a longtime
patron of the arts.
3. drive (v) (FORCE) - to force someone or something to go
somewhere or do something
Ex: They used dogs to drive the sheep into a pen.
A post had been driven (= hit hard) into the ground near the tree.
By the end of the year, most of the occupying troops had been driven
from the city.
[ + to infinitive ] In the end, it was his violent behaviour that drove
her to leave home.
DỒN, XUA, ĐÁNH ĐUỔI
drive sb mad, crazy, etc. - to make someone extremely annoyed
Ex: My mother-in-law has been staying with us this past week and she's
driving me crazy.
He leaves dirty clothes all over the floor and it's driving me mad.
KHIẾN AI ĐÓ ĐIÊN LIÊN
drive sb wild - to make you very excited, especially sexually
When he runs his fingers through my hair, it drives me wild!

(PROVIDE POWER) - to provide the power to keep a machine

working, or to make something happen
Ex: The engine drives the wheels.
Water drives the turbines that produce electricity.
If you drive a ball, especially in golf or baseball, you hit it hard so that it
travels a long way:
 Ex: Slater drove the ball down the fairway.
LÀM CHO MÁY CHẠY
driving while intoxicated LAW (abbreviation DWI) - the crime of
operating a motor vehicle after having drunk more alcohol than you
are legally allowed to
Ex: Smith was arrested and charged with DWI.
LÁI XE KHI SAY XỈN
4. shamrock (n) /ˈʃæm.rɒk/ - a plant that has three round leaves on
each stem
synonym
clover (n) /ˈkləʊ.vər/ - a small plant with three round leaves on
each stem, often fed to cows
CỎ BA LÁ
5. bagpipe (a – before noun) /ˈbæɡ.paɪp/ - related to or played on
bagpipes (= a Scottish or Irish instrument played by blowing
through a pipe into a bag)
Ex: bagpipe music
He plays with the university bagpipe band.
KÈN TÚI
6. Stiff (a) /stɪf/ synonym (FIRM) - not easily bent or moved
Ex: The handle on this door is rather stiff
The man's body was (as) stiff as a board when it was found in the
snow.
CỨNG RẮN, CHẮC CHẮN
If you are stiff or part of your body is stiff, your muscles hurt when they
are moved
Ex: Sitting still at a computer terminal all day can give you a stiff neck.
CỨNG ĐƠ