Unit 4 – A good story

P46 – Vocabulary
terrific adjective /təˈrɪfɪk/ INFORMAL
very good
a terrific opportunity
You look terrific!

terrifying adjective /ˈterə.faɪ.ɪŋ/ (aterrador)

extremely frightening
He told her of his terrifying experience. 
It was absolutely terrifying.

review noun /rɪˈvjuː/

a report in a newspaper, magazine, or programme that gives an opinion about a new book, film, etc.
Derek writes film/theatre/book reviews for the newspapers.
The play got excellent reviews when it was first seen.

criticism noun [C  or U ]/ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/ 

the act of giving your opinion or judgment about the good or bad qualities of something or
someone, especially books, films, etc.
literary criticism
If you have any constructive (= helpful) criticism of the project, I'd be glad to hear it.

critic noun [C ] /ˈkrɪtɪk/

someone whose job is to give their opinion about something, especially films, books, music, etc.
She's a film/theatre critic for the "Irish Times".
The play has been well received by the critics.

frenetic adjective /frəˈnetɪk/ 

involving a lot of excited movement or activity
After weeks of frenetic activity, the job was finally finished.
She rushes from job to job at a frenetic pace.

star verb  /stɑː/ (protagonizar / estar protagonizado por, aparecer como protagonista)

If a film, play, etc. stars someone, or if someone stars in a film, play, etc., they are the main actor in it
David Oyelowo starred in the movie "Selma".

plot noun [C ]  /plɒt/

the story of a book, film, play, etc.
The movie has a very simple plot.
There's an unexpected twist in/to the plot towards the end of the movie.

revolt noun [C  or U ] /rɪˈvəʊlt/ (rebelión, sublevación)

an attempt to get rid of a government by using violence
Troops were called in to crush/put down the revolt.
The army is in revolt (against its commanders).

cast noun /kɑːst/ (reparto, elenco)

the actors in a film, play, or show
After the final performance the director threw a party for the cast.
Part of the movie's success lies in the strength of the supporting cast.

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feature verb /ˈfiːtʃə/ (tener la actuación de, contar con)
to include someone or something as an important part
a new movie featuring Ryan Gosling

as for
with regard to; concerning (en cuanto a, con relación a)
As for the money, we’ll talk about that later.

gripping adjective /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/ (fascinante, apasionante)

Something that is gripping is so interesting or exciting that it holds your attention completely
I found the book so gripping that I couldn't put it down.
P50 – Listening
handsome adjective /ˈhænsəm/
A handsome man is attractive, good-looking
He was tall, dark, and handsome.
wrinkle noun /ˈrɪŋ·kl/
a small line on your face that you get when you grow old
Her face was a mass of wrinkles.
rave verb /reɪv/
to talk about something you enjoy or admire in an excited way, to praise something very much
She raved about/over the clothes she had seen at the Paris fashion shows.

handkerchief noun /ˈhæŋkətʃiːf/
a piece of cloth that you use for drying your nose or eyes

tearjerker noun /ˈtɪəˌdʒɜːkə/ INFORMAL
a film, book, or story that is very sad and makes you cry
Bring a pile of tissues with you when you see that film – it’s a real tearjerker!

gratuitous adjective /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/

said or done without a good reason, in a way that offends someone; unnecessary
children’s books which include gratuitous violence

point out phrasal verb

to tell someone something that they did not already know or had not thought about 
He was always very keen to point out my mistakes.
Thank you for pointing this out to me.

gist noun /dʒist/

the main idea and meaning of what someone has said or written
The gist of his argument is that full employment is impossible. 
Don’t worry about all the details as long as you get the gist of it.

P51 – Vocabulary
take up phrasal verb
to become interested in a new activity and to spend time doing it
Roger took painting up for a while, but soon lost interest.

take after phrasal verb

to look or behave like an older relative 
Jenni really takes after her mother.

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take to somebody/something phrasal verb
to start to like someone or something 
Sandra took to it straight away. 
Charles was an odd character whom Kelly had never really taken to.

take on phrasal verb

to start to employ someone
We’re taking on 50 new staff this year.

take off phrasal verb

to suddenly start to be successful or popular
Her singing career had just begun to take off.

take something in phrasal verb

to understand completely the meaning or importance of something
I had to read the letter twice before I could take it all in.
It was an interesting exhibition, but there was too much to take in at once.

take notice
to pay attention to something
I asked him to drive more slowly, but he didn’t take any notice.
Don’t take any notice / Take no notice of what your mother says – she’s just in a bad mood.

P52 – Reading
despise verb dɪˈspaɪz/ 
to dislike and have a low opinion of someone or something 
She despised her neighbours.
She despised him for the way he treated her sister.

sip verb /sɪp/

to drink something slowly, taking very small mouthfuls 
She was sitting at the table sipping her coffee.

snort verb /snɔːt/

to suddenly express strong feelings of anger, disapproval, or disagreement, either by speaking or in
a sound that you make
"And you call that a first-class service?" snorted one indignant customer.

countless adjective /ˈkaʊntləs/ 

very many, or too many to be counted
There are countless arguments against this ridiculous proposal.
I've heard it played countless times on the radio.