Unit 3 Wordlist Language Hub Intermediate 

Part of
Word/Phrase speech IPA (UK) IPA (USA) Definition Sample sentence
Collocations: travel information
cancel a train phrase ˈkænsəl ə treɪn to decide that a scheduled Keith was late because
train will no longer run they had cancelled a train.
good service phrase ɡʊd ˈsɜː(r)vɪs ɡʊd ˈsɜrvɪs positive work or duties Kate was impressed by
done for a person or an the good service at the
organization restaurant.
heavy traffic phrase ˈhevi ˈtræfɪk a lot of vehicles that are Sorry I’m late – I was stuck
travelling in an area at a in heavy traffic.
particular time
overcrowded adjective ˌəʊvə(r)ˈkraʊdɪd ˌoʊvərˈkraʊdəd containing too many This train is overcrowded –
people I can’t find a seat.
road works phrase rəʊd wɜː(r)ks roʊd wɜrks repairs that are done to the There are road works here
surface of a road because they are changing
the road.
rush hour phrase rʌʃ ˈaʊə(r) rʌʃ ˈaʊr the time of day when there I hate travelling in rush
are a lot of cars on the road hour because everything
because most people are is so slow.
travelling to or from work
severe delay phrase sɪˈvɪə dɪˈleɪ sɪˈvɪr dɪˈleɪ a situation in which a plane, There is a severe delay on
train etc. leaves or arrives the motorway due to an
very late accident.
slight delay phrase slaɪt dɪˈleɪ a situation in which a plane, There is a slight delay to
train etc. leaves or arrives a the flight.
little bit late
traffic jam noun ˈtræfɪk ʤæm a line of vehicles waiting We were stuck in a
behind something that is traffic jam.
blocking the road
underground noun ˈʌndə(r)ˌɡraʊnd laɪn ˈʌndərˌɡraʊnd laɪn the route for a method of You have to take the
line transport which runs under underground line to
the surface of the ground get there.
Nouns ending in -ion
communication noun kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n kəˌmjunɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n the process of giving There was a breakdown in
information or of making communication.
emotions or ideas known to
someone
connection noun kəˈnekʃ(ə)n a relationship between I fail to see a connection
things or events between the two cases.
decision noun dɪˈsɪʒ(ə)n a choice that you make The committee should
after thinking carefully make its decision later
this week.
expectation noun ˌekspekˈteɪʃ(ə)n the belief that something The team set off without
will happen any expectation of
success.
expression noun ɪksˈprɛʃən a look on someone’s face You should have seen the
that shows what their expression on his face!
thoughts or feelings are
inspiration noun ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃ(ə)n a sudden feeling of She was the inspiration
enthusiasm, or a new idea for his new book.
that helps you to do or
create something
reaction noun riˈækʃ(ə)n the way that you feel My mother’s initial
or behave as a result of reaction was quite
something that happens unexpected.
situation noun ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃ(ə)n the set of conditions that If the situation had been
exist at a particular time in a different, their plan might
particular place have succeeded.

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This page may be photocopied and used within the class. 1
Unit 3 Wordlist Language Hub Intermediate 

Part of
Word/Phrase speech IPA (UK) IPA (USA) Definition Sample sentence
Gradable and ungradable adjectives
angry adjective ˈæŋɡri very annoyed He is very angry about the
way he’s been treated.
awful adjective ˈɔːf(ə)l ˈɔf(ə)l used for emphasizing how This wine tastes awful.
unpleasant someone or
something is
big adjective bɪɡ large in size That bag is too big to take
on the plane.
brilliant adjective ˈbrɪljənt very intelligent She is a brilliant scientist.
dirty adjective ˈdɜː(r)ti ˈdɜrti not clean I felt dirty, hungry and cold.
enormous adjective ɪˈnɔː(r)məs ɪˈnɔrməs very large in size or quantity We couldn’t finish the
enormous birthday cake.
excellent adjective ˈeksələnt extremely good It’s quite an old bike, but in
excellent condition.
fantastic adjective fænˈtæstɪk extremely good or pleasant It’s a fantastic view from
up here.
filthy adjective ˈfɪlθi very dirty The kitchen was filthy after
he had cooked.
furious adjective ˈfjʊəriəs extremely angry Roberts’ comments
provoked a furious public
response.
good adjective ɡʊd of a high quality or standard We saw a really good film
last night.
hilarious adjective hɪˈleəriəs extremely funny For some reason, she finds
his jokes hilarious.
huge adjective hjuːdʒ hjudʒ extremely large in size She arrived at the airport
carrying two huge
suitcases.
impossible adjective ɪmˈpɒsəb(ə)l ɪmˈpɑsəb(ə)l if something is impossible, We were faced with an
no one can do it or it impossible task.
cannot happen
massive adjective ˈmæsɪv very large or heavy There are the massive
columns at Luxor.
small adjective smɔːl smɔl not large in size, amount, or These shoes are too small
number for me.
superb adjective sʊˈpɜː(r)b suˈpɜrb of the highest quality The Hotel Gardesana offers
superb views of the lake.
terrible adjective ˈterəb(ə)l making you feel very upset The test came as a terrible
or afraid shock to the class.
tiny adjective ˈtaɪni extremely small The floor was covered in
tiny bits of paper.
wonderful adjective ˈwʌndə(r)f(ə)l ˈwʌndərfəl extremely good There was a wonderful
view from the window.

Published by Macmillan Education, a division of Springer Nature Limited. © Springer Nature Limited, 2019.
This page may be photocopied and used within the class. 2