Open Mind

Pre-intermediate WORD LIST

UNIT EIGHT
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
active adjective /ˈæktɪv/ used about a period or event I like to do something active
that is full of busy activity in my free time, like playing
tennis.
advice column noun [count.] /ˌədˈvaɪs ˌkɒləm/ a part of a newspaper or I wrote a letter to an advice
magazine where someone column in my favourite
gives advice to people by magazine.
answering letters about their
problems. The British word is
agony column
advise verb /ədˈvaɪz/ to give your opinion to Do you think your worried
someone about the best thing friend should advise her
to do in a particular situation friend?
angry adjective /ˈæŋɡri/ very annoyed The last time I got really angry
was last month.
anonymous adjective /əˈnɒnɪməs/ if someone is anonymous, no The author of the book wanted
one knows their name to be anonymous.
aquarium noun [count.] /əˈkweəriəm/ a building with aquariums I took my nephew to the
where people can go to look at aquarium in London.
fish and other water animals
argue verb /ˈɑː(r)ɡju/ if people argue, they speak My girlfriend and I argue all
to each other in an angry way the time.
because they disagree
arrange verb /əˈreɪndʒ/ to make plans for something My friend arranged for me to
to happen, for example by go on a blind date.
agreeing a time and place
ask out phrasal verb /ˌɑːsk ˈaʊt/ to invite someone to go with A man I like asked me out last
you to a cinema, restaurant etc night!
because you want to start a
romantic relationship with them
behaviour noun [uncount.] /bɪˈheɪvjə(r)/ the way that someone behaves My brother is unhappy about
his girlfriend’s behaviour.
better adjective /ˈbetə(r)/ used for saying that someone I stayed in bed for two days
is not as ill as they were before, until I got better.
or that something is not as
painful as it was before
blind adjective /blaɪnd/ unable to realise or admit the They say that love is blind.
truth about something
blind date noun [count.] /ˌblaɪnd ˈdeɪt/ an arrangement in which I met my husband on a blind
two people who have never date.
met before spend some time
together, in order to find out
whether they like each other
enough to start a relationship
bored adjective /bɔː(r)d/ feeling impatient or dissatisfied I get really bored on beach
because you are not interested holidays.
in something or because you
have nothing to do
boyfriend noun [count.] /ˈbɔɪˌfrend/ a man or boy that you are I have been going out with my
having a romantic relationship boyfriend for six months.
with

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

celebrate verb /ˈseləˌbreɪt/ to do something enjoyable in We celebrated my friend’s
order to show that an occasion birthday.
or event is special
classic car noun [count.] /ˌklæsɪk ˈkɑː(r)/ a high-quality car built My dad goes to classic car
between 1925 and 1948 shows.
consider verb /kənˈsɪdə(r)/ to think about something Consider the options.
carefully before making a
decision or developing an
opinion
convince verb /kənˈvɪns/ to persuade someone to do Should I try to convince her to
something split up with him?
couple noun [count.] /ˈkʌp(ə)l/ two people who are married Nowadays couples pay equally
or involved in a romantic on a date.
relationship with each other
cultural adjective /ˈkʌltʃ(ə)rəl/ relating to music, literature and I like to go to art galleries and
other arts other cultural places.
date noun [count.] /deɪt/ an arrangement to meet I went on a date with Marcus
someone who you are last night.
having or starting a romantic
relationship with
differences noun [uncount.] /ˈdɪfrənsɪz/ disagreements about Do you think James and his
something girlfriend can resolve their
differences?
different adjective /ˈdɪfrənt/ not the same as another Maybe we’re just too different.
person or thing or not the
same as before
disaster noun [count./ /dɪˈzɑːstə(r)/ something that is annoying or Our first date was a disaster!
uncount.] a failure, but is not really very
bad
divorced adjective /dɪˈvɔː(r)st/ no longer married because It is sad that so many couples
the marriage has been legally get divorced nowadays.
ended
engaged adjective /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/ if two people are engaged, My girlfriend and I have just
they have formally agreed to got engaged.
get married
expert adjective /ˈekspɜː(r)t/ expert help or advice is given Debbie gives expert advice.
by someone who has a lot of
skill or knowledge
female adjective /ˈfiːmeɪl/ a female person or animal Only female penguins can
belongs to the sex that can lay eggs.
produce babies or eggs
fine adjective /faɪn/ if you are fine, your health I was ill but I feel fine now.
is good and you have no
problems
flea market noun [count.] /ˈfliː ˌmɑː(r)kɪt/ a market where old things are I like shopping at flea markets.
sold at low prices
gallery noun [count.] /ˈɡæləri/ a public building where you There is an exhibition at the
can look at paintings and other local art gallery.
works of art
girlfriend noun [count.] /ˈɡɜː(r)lˌfrend/ a woman who you are having a I haven’t got a girlfriend at the
romantic relationship with moment.
go out phrasal verb /ˌɡəʊ ˈaʊt/ to have a romantic relationship Did you know that Sophie is
with someone and spend a lot going out with Ed?
of time with them

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

hatch verb /hætʃ/ if an egg hatches or is hatched, The egg hatches.
it breaks open so that the baby
bird, fish, insect etc inside can
come out
hiking noun [uncount.] /ˈhaɪkɪŋ/ the activity of walking for long We went hiking in the woods.
distances in the countryside
honeymoon noun [count.] /ˈhʌniˌmuːn/ a holiday that two people take We went to Bali for our
after they get married honeymoon.
hospital noun [count.] /ˈhɒspɪt(ə)l/ a place where people stay I was in hospital with food
when they are ill or injured and poisoning.
need a lot of care from doctors
and nurses
hungry adjective /ˈhʌŋɡri/ feeling that you want to eat I am so hungry – I haven’t
eaten since breakfast.
hunt verb /hʌnt/ to catch and eat other animals The female penguin goes into
the ocean to hunt.
husband noun [count.] /ˈhʌzbənd/ the man that a woman is She was living in England when
married to she met her husband.
ice noun [uncount.] /aɪs/ water that has frozen and The female penguin travels
become solid over the ice to reach the
ocean.
ill adjective /ɪl/ not healthy because of a I was really ill with the flu.
medical condition or an injury
impress verb /ɪmˈpres/ if someone or something Do you want to impress
impresses you, you admire someone on a first date?
them
incubate verb /ˈɪŋkjʊbeɪt/ if a bird incubates its eggs or Male penguins incubate the
if they incubate, it keeps them eggs.
warm until the young birds
inside come out
independent adjective /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/ not depending on other Baby penguins become
people for help or preferring independent at about two
to do things by yourself months old.
inspire verb /ɪnˈspaɪə(r)/ to give someone the Are you inspired by these
enthusiasm to do or create ideas?
something
invite verb /ɪnˈvaɪt/ to ask someone to come to see I invited Bill to come to the
you or to spend time with you cinema with me.
socially
lay verb /leɪ/ if a female animal such as The female lays an egg.
a bird or fish lays an egg, it
produces the egg by pushing it
from its body
legal adjective /ˈliːɡ(ə)l/ according to the law When people get married they
enter into a legal partnership.
male adjective /meɪl/ belonging to the sex that does The male bird builds a
not give birth structure made of twigs.
marriage noun [count./ /ˈmærɪdʒ/ the relationship between two My great-grandparents are still
uncount.] people who are husband and very happy together after 60
wife or a similar relationship years of marriage!
between people of the
same sex
married adjective /ˈmærid/ someone who is married I don’t want to get married
has been formally joined in until I am thirty.
marriage with another person

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

museum noun [count.] /mjuːˈziːəm/ a building where many I like visiting archaeological
valuable and important objects museums.
are kept so that people can go
and see them
none of your phrase /ˌnʌn əv jə(r) spoken; used for telling Maybe it’s none of my
business ˈbɪznəs/ someone rudely that you are business.
not going to tell them about
something because it does not
affect or involve them
occasion noun [count.] /əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/ a special or important time or We go out for a meal on
event special occasions.
ocean noun [count.] /ˈəʊʃ(ə)n/ mainly American; a large area The ocean influences the
of salt water that lies along the climate of coastal cities.
coast of a country. The usual
British word is the sea
outdoors adverb /ˌaʊtˈdɔː(r)z/ not in a building I love eating outdoors in the
summer.
pair noun [count.] /peə(r)/ a male and female animal who Male and female penguins
breed (=produce baby animals) form a pair.
parade noun [count.] /pəˈreɪd/ a public celebration in which There was a big carnival
a large group of people move parade.
through an area, often with
decorated vehicles and bands
playing music
partnership noun [count.] /ˈpɑː(r)tnə(r)ʃɪp/ a relationship between two Marriage is a legal partnership.
or more people, groups or
countries involved in an activity
together
pass verb /pɑːs/ to put something into The female penguin passes the
someone’s hand or into a egg to the male.
position where they can take it
penguin noun [count.] /ˈpeŋɡwɪn/ a black and white bird that I saw some penguins at the
lives by the sea around zoo.
Antarctica and cannot fly
picnic noun [count.] /ˈpɪknɪk/ a meal eaten outside, I love having picnics on the
especially in the countryside beach.
problem noun [count.] /ˈprɒbləm/ something that causes trouble We are still together despite
or difficulty having a few problems.
reach verb /riːtʃ/ to arrive somewhere After a long tiring journey we
reached the hotel.
relationship noun [count.] /rɪˈleɪʃ(ə)nʃɪp/ a romantic relationship, We had a relationship but it
especially one that continues ended.
for a long time
reproduce verb /ˌriːprəˈdjuːs/ to have babies or to produce Emperor penguins reproduce
young animals or plants twice a year.
return verb /rɪˈtɜː(r)n/ to go back to a place where Joe hasn’t returned from China
you were earlier or to come yet.
back from a place where you
have just been
romantic adjective /rəʊˈmæntɪk/ making you have feelings of We had a romantic meal.
love and excitement
run out phrasal verb /ˌrʌn ˈaʊt/ to use all of something and not Have you run out of ideas for
have any left things to do on dates?

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

sociable adjective /ˈsəʊʃəb(ə)l/ a sociable person is friendly My girlfriend isn’t as sociable
and enjoys being with other as I am.
people
special adjective /ˈspeʃ(ə)l/ different from and usually We celebrate on special
better than what is normal or occasions.
ordinary
split up phrasal verb /ˌsplɪt ˈʌp/ to end a marriage or a My sister and her boyfriend
romantic relationship have split up.
sporty adjective /ˈspɔː(r)ti/ a sporty person likes playing I like to do sporty activities.
sport and plays regularly
submit verb /səbˈmɪt/ to formally give something Submit your letters to ‘Dear
to someone so that they can Debbie’.
make a decision about it
thirsty adjective /ˈθɜː(r)sti/ feeling that you want or need Can I have a glass of water,
to drink something please – I am very thirsty.
tired adjective /ˈtaɪə(r)d/ needing to rest or sleep I’m really tired so I am going
to bed.
together adverb /təˈɡeðə(r)/ used for saying that people are We’ve been together for two
with each other or are doing years now.
something with each other
tour noun [count.] /tʊə(r)/ a journey in which you visit We went on a tour of Florence.
several places for pleasure
travel verb /ˈtræv(ə)l/ to go a particular distance He travelled all night to get
home.
true adjective /truː/ based on facts or things that I think that’s a true story.
really happen and not made up
unhappy adjective /ʌnˈhæpi/ feeling sad or upset Phil’s behaviour is making his
girlfriend unhappy.
unusual adjective /ʌnˈjuːʒʊəl/ not normal, common or Would you rather do
ordinary something unusual on a date?
upset adjective /ʌpˈset/ very sad, worried or angry They got divorced after five
about something years and he was really upset.
wait verb /weɪt/ to delay doing something Let’s wait until the others
until someone arrives or until arrive.
something else happens
wife noun [count.] /waɪf/ the woman that a man is My wife Cheryl and I went to
married to Paris on our honeymoon.
work out phrasal verb /ˌwɜː(r)k ˈaʊt/ to be successful or to end in a He would rather wait to see
particular way how things work out.
worried adjective /ˈwʌrid/ unhappy because you are I got really worried yesterday
thinking about your problems when I lost my wallet.
or about bad things that could
happen
would rather phrase /ˌwʊd ˈrɑːðə(r)/ used for saying that you would I’d rather not go on a date with
prefer to do something or other couples.
that you would prefer that
something happened
zoo noun [count.] /zuː/ a large place where many We saw lots of endangered
types of wild animals are kept, animals at the zoo.
usually in cages, so that people
can see them

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Useful Expressions
Useful Expressions
I think … is a good/bad place to meet
people because …
Meeting people (at) … is a good/bad
idea because you can/can’t …
Dating customs in … are the same as/
similar to/different from customs …
I would/wouldn’t like to pay equally …
In my country, young people always/
never …
What do you like …?
What do you prefer to …?
Would you rather do something
unusual/normal/active/relaxing?
Another idea is to …
How about …?
Why don’t you …?
You could …
I like the way they …
I think going out in groups is (weird).
I think men paying for everything is (a
good idea).
To me, men and women paying equally
(makes sense).
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Topic / Category
Giving opinions
Giving opinions
Talking about dating customs
Talking about dating customs
Talking about dating customs
Talking about preferences
Talking about preferences
Talking about preferences
Making suggestions
Making suggestions
Making suggestions
Making suggestions
Giving opinions about dating customs
Giving opinions about dating customs
Giving opinions about dating customs
Giving opinions about dating customs
Sample Sentence
I think the supermarket is a bad place
to meet people because you are too
busy shopping.
Meeting people at a friend’s house is
a good idea because you can get to
know them.
Dating customs in Thailand are different
from customs in the UK, as girls don’t
take a female friend on a date with a
boy in the UK.
I would like to pay equally on a date.
In my country, young people never have
arranged marriages.
What do you like doing?
What do you prefer to do?
Would you rather do something
unusual?
Another idea is to go to a dancing
lesson.
How about playing tennis?
Why don’t you go on a tour of your city?
You could go to a festival.
I like the way they pay equally when
they go out.
I think going out in groups is weird.
I think men paying for everything is a
good idea.
To me, men and women paying equally
makes sense.
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