Open Mind

WORD LIST upper intermediate

Unit 4  Ups and downs

WORDS AND PHRASES
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
as a phrase /ˌæz ə ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/ used for saying that one thing She was ill for a long time, and
consequence is the result of something you as a consequence had to give
have just mentioned up her job.
attitude noun /ˈætɪˌtjuːd/ someone’s opinions or feelings Try to have a more positive
about something, especially as attitude to your job.
shown by their behaviour
be behind phrase /biː bɪˌhaɪnd something that happens or is It’s the project leader’s
schedule ˈskedʒul/; /biː done later than the time that responsibility to make sure
bɪˌhaɪnd ˈʃedjuːl/ was planned things don’t get behind
schedule.
be in a good phrase /biː ɪn ə ɡʊd ˈmuːd/ to feel happy and cheerful I always feel in a good mood
mood after I’ve slept well.
budget noun /ˈbʌdʒɪt/ the amount of money that you We have to try to finish the
have to spend on something project within our budget.
cheerful adjective /ˈtʃɪə(r)f(ə)l/ behaving in a happy way ‘I’ll do everything I can to help
you’ she said, with a cheerful
grin.
content adjective /kənˈtent/ feeling happy and satisfied He knew he had done a good
job for the company and felt
content.
depressed adjective /dɪˈprest/ feeling very unhappy She had been through some
difficult experiences and was
feeling depressed.
design noun /dɪˈzaɪn/ the way that something is The new design is very
made so that it works in a attractive.
certain way or has a certain
appearance
distracted adjective /dɪˈstræktɪd/ not concentrating on what you Some of the students seem
are doing distracted and unable to focus
on their studies.
enjoyment noun [uncountable] /ɪnˈdʒɔɪmənt/ the feeling you have when you I get a lot of enjoyment from
like doing something helping other people.
focused adjective /ˈfəʊkəst/ concentrated on what you are You need to be focused to
doing achieve your ambitions.
furthermore adverb /ˈfɜː(r)ðə(r)ˌmɔː(r)/ used before a statement that The boss has earned the
is connected to what you have respect of his workers.
just said and adds something Furthermore, they know they
to it can trust him.
happiness noun [uncountable] /ˈhæpinəs/ the feeling of being happy Happiness is helping other
people.
logistics noun [plural] /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/ the practical arrangements He works as a logistics
that are necessary in order manager.
to organise something
successfully

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

income noun /ˈɪnˌkʌm/ money that someone gets from What is the average monthly
working income of workers in this
region?
negative adjective /ˈneɡətɪv/ harmful or bad Having a negative attitude is
bad for you and for the people
you work with.
optimistic adjective /ˌɒptɪˈmɪstɪk/ having a generally positive He thought the exam was easy
attitude and is optimistic about the
result.
pessimistic adjective /ˌpesəˈmɪstɪk/ having a generally negative She thought the exam was
attitude difficult and is pessimistic
about the result.
pleasure noun /ˈpleʒə(r)/ something that makes you feel Trying to be positive helps you
happy appreciate the pleasures of life.
positive adjective /ˈpɒzətɪv/ believing that good things will She has a very positive attitude
happen or a situation will get to life.
better
project noun /ˈprɒdʒekt/ a planned piece of work that This is a very exciting new
has a particular aim, especially project.
one that is organised by a
company or other organisation
project leader noun /ˈprɒdʒekt ˈliːdə(r)/ the person in charge of a He’s working as a project
project leader for a big company.
research and noun [uncountable] /rɪˈsɜː(r)tʃ ənd the work that companies do I’m looking forward to the
development dɪˈveləpmənt/ when they are developing new challenge of my new role in
products, services or methods research and development.
satisfy verb /ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ/ to make someone feel happy Just having a family didn’t
by giving them what they want satisfy her – she also wanted a
or need career.
state of well- phrase /ˌsteɪt əv welˈbiːɪŋ/ a feeling of general happiness After getting married, he felt a
being heightened state of well-being.
team-building noun [uncountable] /tiːm ˈbɪldɪŋ/ activities which help people Team-building exercises can
who work together to form help colleagues to get on with
good relationships with each each other.
other
wealth noun [uncountable] /welθ/ a large amount of money In spite of all her wealth, she
wasn’t a happy woman.

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
As a consequence … Discourse markers (signposts) Some people think that money will solve
all their problems. As a consequence,
they put all their energy into trying to
earn as much as possible.
As a result … Discourse markers (signposts) We left home late, and as a result we
didn’t arrive on time.
Consequently … Discourse markers (signposts) They’ve increased the number of staff.
Consequently, the service is better.
Furthermore … Discourse markers (signposts) She’s a very efficient project leader.
Furthermore, her staff know they can
trust her.
In addition … Discourse markers (signposts) The project is behind schedule and in
addition, the costs are rising.
In general … Discourse markers (signposts) In general, we can describe happiness
as an experience which involves positive
emotions.
Nevertheless … Discourse markers (signposts) She found the job difficult at first.
Nevertheless, she’s making good
progress.
On the other hand … Discourse markers (signposts) A job can last just a short time. On the
other hand, your family will always be
with you.
On the whole … Discourse markers (signposts) On the whole, school is a positive
experience for children.
That said … Discourse markers (signposts) Money doesn’t bring you happiness.
That said, it can make your life much
easier.
To a great extent … Discourse markers (signposts) To a great extent, a successful team is
one in which everyone is happy with
their role.
What’s more … Discourse markers (signposts) Happiness doesn’t depend on your age.
What’s more, it doesn’t depend on how
rich or poor you are.

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