Open Mind

WORD LIST upper intermediate

Unit 6 Living traditions

WORDS AND PHRASES
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
be bombarded phrase /ˌbiː bɒmˈbɑː(r)dɪd to receive so many phone When I come back from
with wɪð/ messages, emails, etc that you holiday, I’m always bombarded
find it difficult to deal with with emails.
them or answer them all
ceremony noun /ˈserəməni/ a formal public event with When is the graduation
special words and traditions ceremony?
clean out phrasal verb /kliːn ˈaʊt/ to make a place or container I need to clean out all my desk
clean or neat by removing drawers.
objects that are not wanted
cross off phrasal verb /krɒs ˈɒf/ to remove a word or name I can cross some things off the
from a list list now.
disrupt verb /dɪsˈrʌpt/ to interrupt something and Our conversations are always
prevent it from continuing being disrupted by calls on the
phone.
distraction noun /dɪˈstrækʃ(ə)n/ something that interrupts what Emails are becoming a real
you are doing and prevents distraction in the workplace.
you from concentrating on
something else
festival noun /ˈfestɪv(ə)l/ a series of performances The festival consisted of
of movies, plays, music student productions of music
or dancing that is usually and drama.
organised in the same place at
the same time each year
fresher noun /ˈfreʃə(r)/ a student who is in their first He’s a fresher at Oxford
year at university University.
go over phrasal verb /ɡəʊ ˈəʊvə(r)/ to check something carefully Before I start work, I mentally
go over all the things I have to
do that day.
go through phrasal verb /ɡəʊ ˈθruː/ to search a place carefully I go through my wardrobe and
find something to wear.
graduation noun [uncountable] /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃ(ə)n/ the act of receiving a diploma The graduation ceremony
or degree after finishing a takes place after all the exams.
course at school or university
high-ranking adjective /ˌhaɪˈræŋkɪŋ/ having an important position High-ranking officers often
within an organisation eat together, away from the
ordinary soldiers.
initiation noun /ɪˌnɪʃiˈeɪʃ(ə)n/ a process or ceremony in which University students sometimes
someone becomes a member have to participate in initiation
of an organisation rituals.
institution noun /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃ(ə)n/ a large organisation such as The university is an important
a bank, hospital, university or institution.
prison
line up phrasal verb /ˌlaɪn ˈʌp/ to put things in a row so that She had lined up all her books
they look neat neatly on the shelf.

LE
P IAB
© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2015. This page may be photocopied and used within the class. 1 O CO
OT
PH
Open Mind UPPER INTERMEDIATE

Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

manage verb /ˈmænɪdʒ/ to deal with something Young people who are trying
effectively to study often have problems
managing distractions.
mascot noun /ˈmæskɒt/ an animal, person or object The football team has a dog as
that is considered to be lucky its mascot.
or is used as a symbol of a
team or organisation
organisation noun /ˌɔː(r)ɡənaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/ a group of people who have a Many universities tell freshers
particular shared purpose or that it is a good idea to join an
interest, for example a political organisation.
party or a charity
put on phrasal verb /pʊt ˈɒn/ to cover part of your body with I always put on my clothes in
a piece of clothing the same order.
ritual noun /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ a formal ceremony New members have to take
part in initiation rituals.
social noun [uncountable] /ˌsəʊʃəl the creation and sharing Social networking is a product
networking ˈnetwɜː(r)kɪŋ/ of information and ideas in of the digital age in which we
online communities, accessed live.
via mobile and web-based
technologies
symbolic adjective /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/ representing something The lion is symbolic, as it
important represents strength and pride.
tradition noun /trəˈdɪʃ(ə)n/ an old custom, belief or story In England it is traditional to
give a cake to someone on
their birthday.
wardrobe noun /ˈwɔː(r)drəʊb/ a large cupboard where you I think it’s time you tidied out
can hang your clothes your wardrobe!
wedding noun /ˈwedɪŋ/ a ceremony in which two There will be lots of flowers at
people get married the wedding.
work out phrasal verb /wɜː(r)k ˈaʊt/ to plan something carefully, in I usually work out what I’m
great detail going to wear all week.

LE
P IAB
© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2015. This page may be photocopied and used within the class. 2 O CO
OT
PH
Open Mind UPPER INTERMEDIATE

Useful Expressions
Expression Topic / Category Sample Sentence
Don’t you get tired of …? Managing distractions Don’t you get tired of cleaning your
room every day?
Get someone to help you … Managing distractions Get someone to help you organise your
desk.
I would advise you to … Managing distractions I would advise you to tell your teacher if
you start falling behind in your work.
It might be a good idea to … Managing distractions It might be a good idea to plan your day
in advance.
You need to get used to … Managing distractions You need to get used to ignoring text
messages and emails while you work.

LE
P IAB
© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2015. This page may be photocopied and used within the class. 3 O CO
OT
PH