Open Mind

Pre-intermediate WORD LIST

UNIT FOUR
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
accident noun [count.] /ˈæksɪd(ə)nt/ a crash involving a car, train, They have had a car accident.
plane or other vehicle
according to preposition /ˌəˈkɔː(r)dɪŋ ˌtuː/ used for saying where According to the weather
information or ideas have presenter it will rain tomorrow.
come from
active adjective /ˈæktɪv/ taking positive action in order Most people are good at
to make something happen, active listening.
rather than just hoping that it
will happen
advice noun [uncount.] /ədˈvaɪs/ an opinion that someone gives My teacher gave me some
you about the best thing to do useful advice.
in a particular situation
agree verb /əˈɡriː/ to have the same opinion as Do you agree with this writer?
someone else
almost certainly adverb /ˌɔːlməʊst nearly but not completely The answer is almost certainly
ˈsɜː(r)t(ə)nli/ yes.
amazing adjective /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/ very surprising That’s amazing!
appropriate adjective /əˈprəʊpriət/ suitable or right for a particular Answer any questions and
situation or purpose make any appropriate
suggestions.
bakery noun [count.] /ˈbeɪkəri/ a building where bread, cakes The bread is made in the local
etc are made or sold bakery.
be associated phrase /ˌbi əˈsəʊsiˌeɪtɪd to be connected with How did fortune cookies
with wɪð/ something in some way become associated with
Chinese food?
be joking phrase /ˌbi ˈdʒəʊkɪŋ/ to say something that is not ‘I’ve won the lottery’ ‘You’re
true in order to see if someone joking!’
will believe you, so that you
can laugh about it
body language noun [uncount.] /ˈbɒdi ˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ/ the movements or positions Good listeners use ‘interested’
of your body that show other body language.
people what you are thinking
or feeling
bored adjective /bɔː(r)d/ feeling impatient or dissatisfied I knew he wasn’t listening as he
because you are not interested had a bored facial expression.
in something or because you
have nothing to do
brilliant adjective /ˈbrɪljənt/ spoken used for showing that ‘I’ve just passed my driving
you are very pleased about test.’ ‘Brilliant.’
something
celebrity noun [count.] /səˈlebrəti/ a famous person, especially in I saw lots of celebrities at the
entertainment or sport film premiere.
chop suey noun [count.] /ˌtʃɒp ˈsuːi/ a Chinese meal consisting of I ordered chop suey in the
meat cut into long thin pieces Chinese restaurant.
with vegetables
closed adjective /kləʊzd/ if a door, window, lid etc is His arms were folded, so
closed, it is covering an open he was using ‘closed’ body
area, passage or hole language.

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

concert noun [count.] /ˈkɒnsə(r)t/ an event at which an orchestra, I was so disappointed when
band or musician plays or sings I didn’t get tickets for the
in front of an audience concert.
confused adjective /kənˈfjuːzd/ unable to understand I’m confused. Can you say that
something or think clearly again, please?
about it
conversation noun [count.] /ˌkɒnvə(r)ˈseɪʃ(ə)n/ a talk between two or more In a ten-minute conversation
people, usually a private and with your boss, parents or
informal one friends, they really listen to you
for only two and a half to five
minutes.
dessert noun [count.] /dɪˈzɜː(r)t/ sweet food that you eat after I love sweet foods, so I always
the main part of a meal have dessert in restaurants.
I love ice cream.
develop verb /dɪˈveləp/ to improve your abilities, skills Active listening is one of the
or knowledge most important skills you can
develop.
disagree verb /ˌdɪsəˈɡriː/ to have an opinion that is ‘I think reality shows are
different from the opinion that boring.’ ‘I disagree. I think they
another person has are interesting.’
disappointed adjective /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/ unhappy because something I was so disappointed when
that you hoped for or I didn’t get tickets for the
expected did not happen concert.
or because someone or
something was not as good as
you expected
driver noun [count.] /ˈdraɪvə(r)/ someone who drives a vehicle My brother is a bad driver.
He goes too fast.
embarrassed adjective /ɪmˈbærəst/ ashamed of something and I just hit my teacher’s car.
worried about what other I’m so embarrassed.
people will think of you
exhausted adjective /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/ extremely tired and without Have you ever been to dance
enough energy to do anything classes before? They make you
else really exhausted.
experience noun [count.] /ɪkˈspɪəriəns/ something that happens to What was your biggest life-
you or a situation that you are changing experience?
involved in
expression noun [count.] /ɪkˈspreʃ(ə)n/ a look on someone’s face that I could tell he wasn’t listening
shows what their thoughts or as he had a bored facial
feelings are expression.
eye contact noun [uncount.] /ˈaɪ ˌkɒntækt/ a situation in which two people It is important to make eye
look at each other’s eyes contact in job interviews.
facial adjective /ˈfeɪʃ(ə)l/ on your face Your facial expressions show
what you are thinking.
fail verb /feɪl/ to be unsuccessful when you I’m so unhappy as I’ve just
try to do something failed my driving test.
feeling noun [count.] /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ an emotional state, for My father doesn’t like showing
example anger or happiness his feelings.
find verb /faɪnd/ to discover something or to I found some money under the
see where it is by searching sofa.
for it
focus verb /ˈfəʊkəs/ to concentrate on something When you are listening to
and pay particular attention someone, stop what you’re
to it doing and focus on the
speaker.

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

fold your arms phrase /ˌfəʊld jə(r) ˈɑː(r) to cross one arm or hand over The student folded her
mz/ the other arms when she was being
interviewed by the teacher.
forget verb /fə(r)ˈɡet/ to stop thinking, worrying or We usually laugh at the
caring about something or fortunes in fortune cookies,
someone leave them on our plates and
forget about them.
fortunate adjective /ˈfɔː(r)tʃənət/ used about a situation or event It was fortunate that you were
that is lucky for you at home when I called.
fortune cookie noun [count.] /ˈfɔː(r)ˌtʃən kʊki/ a hard thin Chinese biscuit that I laughed at the fortune in my
has a piece of paper inside fortune cookie!
with a message about your
future on it
get verb /ɡet/ to obtain, receive or be given My sister has just got a
something promotion at work.
have verb /hæv/, /əv/ or /həv/ used for saying that something I had a bad accident last year.
happens to you or you
experience something
horoscope noun [count.] /ˈhɒrəˌskəʊp/ a description of someone’s I always read my horoscope.
character and the likely events
in their life that is based on
astrology (=the position of the
stars and the date they were
born)
horrible adjective /ˈhɒrəb(ə)l/ very unpleasant I’ve never felt so scared before!
It was horrible!
ignore verb /ɪɡˈnɔː(r)/ to not consider something or Not everyone ignores the
to not let it influence you advice given in horoscopes.
immigrant noun [count.] /ˈɪmɪɡrənt/ someone who comes to live in It is possible that the custom
a country from another country travelled to California with
Japanese immigrants in the
19th century.
important adjective /ɪmˈpɔː(r)t(ə)nt/ something that is important Have you ever made an
has a major effect on someone important life change?
or something, for example
because it affects someone’s
life or the way a situation
develops
in common phrase /ˌɪn ˈkɒmən/ to have the same interests or Good listeners have a number
opinions as someone else of things in common.
in general phrase /ˌɪn ˈdʒen(ə)rəl/ as a whole, without giving In general, my life has been
details good lately.
interested adjective /ˈɪntrəstɪd/ wanting to know about or take Good listeners also use verbal
part in something techniques to indicate that
they are interested in what the
other person is saying.
interesting adjective /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/ something that is interesting ‘I’m studying philosophy.’ ‘How
makes you want to know about interesting!’
it or take part in it
introduce verb /ˌɪntrəˈdjuːs/ to bring something into Use a phrase to introduce your
existence or use for the first opinion.
time
invention noun [count.] /ɪnˈvenʃ(ə)n/ a machine, tool or system that Fortune cookies may be an
someone has made, designed American invention.
or thought of for the first time
lately adverb /ˈleɪtli/ within the recent past How have things been lately?

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

lean verb /liːn/ to move your body so it is When you are interested in
closer to or further from what someone is saying you
someone or something, for lean a little bit towards the
example by bending at the speaker.
waist
literature noun [uncount.] /ˈlɪtrətʃə(r)/ books or other printed There have been many
information about a subject references to fortune cookies
in Japanese literature.
lose verb /luːz/ to be unable to find someone I lost my wallet last night.
or something
lottery noun [count.] /ˈlɒtəri/ a game designed to raise If I won the lottery I’d buy
money by selling lottery tickets a car.
that people buy hoping that
their numbers are chosen by
chance in the draw so that they
win a money prize
lucky adjective /ˈlʌki/ bringing you good luck I have a lucky number.
miss verb /mɪs/ to be too late for a train, bus I’ve just missed the last bus.
etc
money noun [uncount.] /ˈmʌni/ the coins and pieces of paper I found some money in my coat
that you can use to pay for pocket.
things
noise noun [count.] /nɔɪz/ a sound I heard a strange noise outside.
non-verbal adjective /ˌnɒn ˈvɜː(r)b(ə)l/ not involving words or speech Body language is non-verbal
communication.
normally adverb /ˈnɔː(r)m(ə)li/ in most situations or cases We normally find fortune
cookies in Chinese restaurants.
obtain verb /əbˈteɪn/ to get something that you When we are obtaining
want or need, especially by information, we don’t listen to
going through a process that is everything.
difficult
obviously adverb /ˈɒbviəsli/ used for emphasising that you Fortune cookies obviously
know people already know come from China, right?
or understand what you are
talking about
occurrence noun [count.] /əˈkʌrəns/ something that happens, I had a lucky occurrence last
especially something year.
unexpected and unpleasant
open adjective /ˈəʊpən/ used about someone who is He uses a lot of open gestures
honest and does not keep when he talks.
things secret
opinion noun [count.] /əˈpɪnjən/ the attitude that you have What is your opinion of the
towards something, especially film?
your thoughts about how good
it is
organised adjective /ˈɔː(r)ɡənaɪzd/ an organised person arranges My brother isn’t at all
and plans activities carefully organised.
and effectively
origin noun [count.] /ˈɒrɪdʒɪn/ the place or moment where What is the origin of the
something begins to exist tradition?
personally adverb /ˈpɜː(r)s(ə)nəli/ mainly spoken used for Personally, I don’t think it’s a
emphasising that you are useful idea.
giving your own opinion

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

piece noun [count.] /piːs/ an individual object of a Fortune cookies have fortunes
particular type on pieces of paper inside
them.
popular adjective /ˈpɒpjʊlə(r)/ a popular activity, place, thing It is a very popular tradition.
etc is one that many people
like
prediction noun [count.] /prɪˈdɪkʃ(ə)n/ a statement about what you Do you believe in horoscope
think will happen in the future predictions?
or the process of making such
a statement
promotion noun [count.] /prəˈməʊʃ(ə)n/ a move to a higher level in a I am trying to get a promotion
company, institution or sport at work.
proud adjective /praʊd/ feeling happy about I feel proud of myself. I passed
your achievements, your my driving test!
possessions or people who you
are connected with
really adverb /ˈrɪəli/ very or very much She looked really happy.
receive verb /rɪˈsiːv/ to get something that I received some directions from
someone gives or sends to you the garage.
reference noun [count.] /ˈref(ə)rəns/ a comment that mentions There are references to fortune
someone or something cookies in Japanese literature.
relationship noun [count.] /rɪˈleɪʃ(ə)nʃɪp/ the way in which two or more Becoming an active listener
people or groups behave can help your social
towards and are involved with relationships.
each other
remember verb /rɪˈmembə(r)/ to bring a fact back into your We remember only about
mind that you knew before 25–50% of what we hear.
researcher noun [count.] /rɪˈsɜː(r)tʃə(r)/ someone who does research, There are many researchers
especially someone who works collecting information.
for a television or film company
collecting relevant facts and
ideas
respond verb /rɪˈspɒnd/ to react by doing what is He didn’t respond when I told
needed, suitable or right for a him the news.
particular situation
scared adjective /skeə(r)d/ frightened or worried My sister is scared of flying.
similar adjective /ˈsɪmɪlə(r)/ things that are similar share Has a prediction from a fortune
some qualities, but are not cookie, horoscope or a similar
exactly the same source ever come true for you?
similarly adverb /ˈsɪmələ(r)li/ used for showing that two People really listen to you for
ideas are related or connected only two and a half to five
minutes. Similarly, when we are
getting information, we don’t
listen to everything.
skill noun [count.] /skɪl/ the ability to do something Active listening is a skill you
well, usually as a result of can develop.
experience and training
speaker noun [count.] /ˈspiːkə(r)/ someone who is talking Make eye contact with the
speaker.
suggestion noun [count.] /səˈdʒestʃ(ə)n/ an idea or plan that you offer Can you make a suggestion?
for someone to consider
surprising adjective /sə(r)ˈpraɪzɪŋ/ unusual or unexpected A surprising number of people
have won lottery money with
numbers from fortune cookies!

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

technique noun [count.] /tekˈniːk/ a method of doing something Use verbal and non-verbal
using a special skill that you techniques.
have developed
test noun [count.] /test/ a set of written or spoken I hope I don’t fail the end-of-
questions used for finding out year test.
how much someone knows
about a subject. A test is less
formal than an exam
theory noun [count.] /ˈθɪəri/ one or more ideas that There are two theories about
explain how or why something where fortune cookies came
happens from.
thrilled adjective /θrɪld/ very pleased and excited I was thrilled when I won the
lottery.
travel verb /ˈtræv(ə)l/ to spread from one place to The custom travelled to
another in a way that affects or California.
influences a lot of people
uncomfortable adjective /ʌnˈkʌmftəb(ə)l/ feeling embarrassed or I’ve never met my girlfriend’s
nervous mum before. I feel a little
uncomfortable.
unfortunately adverb /ʌnˈfɔː(r)tʃ(ə)nətli/ used for saying that something Unfortunately, most people
is sad or disappointing are not very good at listening
actively.
verbal adjective /ˈvɜː(r)b(ə)l/ using words or relating to Use verbal and non-verbal
words techniques to show you are
listening.
win verb /wɪn/ to get something as a prize I won a competition in the local
for defeating other people or newspaper.
because you are lucky
wonder verb /ˈwʌndə(r)/ to think about something Have you ever wondered
because you want to know where fortune cookies started?
more facts or details about it

Useful Expressions
Useful Expressions
I (really) disagree with statement …
because …
I agree with statements … and …
Statement … is true for me because …
Topic / Category Sample Sentence
Expressing agreement and I really disagree with statement 2
disagreement because rich people don’t seem to be
happy.
Expressing agreement and I agree with statements 1 and 3.
disagreement
Expressing agreement and Statement 4 is true for me because
disagreement I’m very competitive.

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