Bright Ideas

Reading pages 20-21

flattery (n) /ˈflætəri/
the act of giving excessive compliments or
praise, often in order to gain sth from sb
pixel (n) /ˈpɪksl/
● Flattery will get you everywhere with
a unit that is the smallest individual part of
Professor Huggins; he just loves being praised
a picture on a digital screen ● One small
for his work! ➣ flatter (v), flattering (adj)
photograph can contain a million pixels.
➣ pixelate (v) seminal (adj) /ˈsemɪnl/
very important and having a major influence
heart rate monitor (n) /hɑːt reɪt ˈmɒnɪtə(r)/ a on developments ● Lesley played a seminal
piece of equipment used to check the pace of role in forming the company.
your heart ● From the movements on
the heart rate monitor, it was clear that the downfall (n) /ˈdaʊnfɔːl/
unconscious patient was beginning to recover. the cause of the end of sth being in a powerful
position ● The years of plague were a major
hideously (adv) /ˈhɪdiəsli/
factor in the downfall of ancient Athens.
in a disgusting or extremely unpleasant way
● The restaurant was hideously decorated with hanker (v) /ˈhæŋkə(r)/
plastic Santas and glittery red streamers. strongly desire sth ● No matter how many
➣ hideous (adj) gadgets Eric has, he’s constantly hankering for
more. ➣ hankering (n)
cheap and nasty (expr) /tʃiːp ənd ˈnɑːsti/ not
costing much, but of poor quality ● On the website mind you (expr) /maɪnd juː/
these boots seemed to be a great used informally to add a detail what you
bargain, but they turned out to be just a cheap already said ● Andrea’s just locked herself
and nasty disappointment. out of her email account. Mind you, I’m
not surprised – she can never remember
minimalist (adj) /ˈmɪnɪməlɪst/ passwords.
in a style that uses simple ideas or not using
any more than what is absolutely necessary diehard (adj) /ˈdaɪhɑːd/
● The play was staged on a minimalist set with with a fixed belief or goal; stubborn ● Even
a simple wooden frame and black background, diehard gamers will find the new version of
which carried a powerful sense of tragedy. WipeOut really challenging. ➣ diehard (n)
➣ minimalism (n), minimal (adj), minimally (adv) iconic (adj) /aɪˈkɒnɪk/
slew (n) /sluː/ symbolising a particular ideal or concept;
a great number or amount ● The government famous ● Mark Zuckerburg has reached iconic
was subject to a slew of criticism over the status with the success of Facebook. ➣ icon (n)
proposed changes to the education system. not be fussed (about sth) (expr) /nɒt biː fʌst
sleek (adj) /sliːk/ əˈbaʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
smooth, shiny and seemingly elegant not be bothered about sth; not much interested
● Gwyneth wore a sleek black dress which in sth ● I’m not fussed about which brand
made her look even more elegant than usual. name the phone is, so long as it functions
➣ sleek back/down (v), sleekness (n), efficiently. ➣ fuss (v), fuss (n), fussy (adj)
sleekly (adv) brim (v) /brɪm/
radical (adj) /ˈrædɪkl/ be full of sth ● Brimming with enthusiasm,
completely different and new ● Jean hardly Antonia waited for her new tablet to arrive in
recognised her old school friend due to the the post. ➣ brim (n)
radical change in her appearance. sport (v) /spɔːt/
➣ radical (n) wear sth proudly; show off a possession you’re
render (v) /ˈrendə(r)/ proud of ● People who go around sporting
cause sth to be in a certain state ● The latest their new smartphones in public places are
update on this program has rendered it totally prime targets for thieves.
useless. I must find a way to revert to the zeitgeist (n) /ˈzaɪtɡaɪst/
earlier version. the common spirit or prevailing attitude typical
generic (adj) /dʒəˈnerɪk/ of a particular period in history ● The book
common to a group or a range of things rather perfectly captured the zeitgeist of early 20th
than specific ● The word ‘device’ is a generic century Ireland.
term for any piece of equipment designed for a
specific job. ➣ generically (adv)
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 genie pants (n) /ˈdʒiːni pænts/ precede (v) /prɪˈsiːd/
type of loose-fitting wide trousers ● The head occur or exist before sth else ● Months of trial
teacher does not approve of students wearing and error on the part of the research team
baggy genie pants to school. preceded the launch of the smartwatch.
➣ precedent (n)
beanie (n) /ˈbiːni/
a type of small brimless hat ● Don’t forget to scoff (v) /skɒf/
wear your scarf and beanie; it’s freezing out talk in a mocking way about sth that you
there! consider stupid ● In the past, the idea of a
horseless carriage was scoffed at in the way
testament (n) /ˈtestəmənt/
people recently scoffed at driverless vehicles.
sth that proves sth else is true or exists
● A statue of the dog was erected in Edinburgh sold on sth (expr) /səʊld ɒn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
as a testament to his loyalty to his master. enthusiastic about; convinced that sth is
useful/desirable ● Pavlos is sold on the idea
measure up (phr v) /ˈmeʒə(r) ʌp/
be as good as expected ● The new printer of getting a 3D printer. Now all he needs is the
didn’t quite measure up to what we expected, cash to buy one.
given the rave reviews. ➣ measurement (n) hefty (adj) /ˈhefti/
larger than normal ● It’s not surprising you got
demographic (n) /ˌdeməˈɡræfɪk/
such a hefty fine since you had parked all day
a group of customers within a particular
age group, gender, interest group ● The in front of the police station.
website aims to appeal to the fifty-something fork out (phr v) /fɔːk aʊt/
demographic. ➣ demographic (adj) pay a lot for sth ● Few parents are wealthy
enough to fork out for all the latest gadgets
spec (n) /spek/
their children demand.
a specification; a detail of the design or
materials used in sth ● Just tell us what you jam (v) /dʒæm/
want and we can build a new PC according to become unable to operate or move ● We
your specs. ➣ spec (v) returned the printer within a day of buying it
because the paper was constantly jamming.
overexpose (v) /ˌəʊvərɪkˈspəʊz/
affect the quality of an image by using a tinge (n) /tɪndʒ/
camera setting that lets too much light in a small amount of a particular colour
● It took some practice to master the phone’s ● Something was wrong with the colour setting
camera settings so as not to overexpose the on the camera, so all the prints came out with
photos. ➣ overexposure (n) a greenish tinge. ➣ tinge (v)
asking price (n) /ˈɑːskɪŋ praɪs/ the last straw (expr) /ðə lɑːst strɔː/
the starting price decided by the seller ● In my the final setback after a series of them, that
opinion, the house isn’t worth the asking price; makes sth impossible to deal with or accept
perhaps they would accept a lower offer. ● We’ve been having problems with our new
neighbours, but the last straw came when they
underwhelming (adj) /ˌʌndəˈwelmɪŋ/
tried to install a satellite dish and it fell on top
not likely to impress or excite ● Despite the
overwhelming cost of the tickets, I’m afraid the of our car.
band’s actual performance was disappointingly durable (adj) /ˈdjʊərəbl/
underwhelming. ➣ underwhelm (v) made to be strong and long-lasting ● The
✎ Opp: overwhelming smartphone cover was made of durable plastic
that protected it from accidental damage.
deviate (v) /ˈdiːvieɪt/
➣ durability (n)
change or do sth differently from normal
● Whilst J. K. Rowling deviated from her withstand (v) /wɪðˈstænd/
usual style to write adult fiction, Jo Nesbo has be strong enough to remain unharmed through
deviated in the opposite direction, moving from an extreme condition ● Liz was so relieved
crime fiction to children’s stories. ➣ deviation that her glasses managed to withstand being
(n), deviant (adj) driven over after she had dropped them on the
road.
incorporate (v) /ɪnˈkɔːpəreɪt/
bring sth in to make it a part of sth else ● An outweigh (v) /ˌaʊtˈweɪ/
unbreakable screen has been incorporated in be more important than sth else ● The
the tablet’s design. ➣ incorporation (n) convenience of having a dual sim phone
outweighs the costs.
element (n) /ˈelɪmənt/
a necessary part or a quality of sth ● Front-
facing cameras have become an essential
element of phones for selfie addicts.
➣ elementary (adj)

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 furnace (n) /ˈfɜːnɪs/ causality (n) /kɔːˈzæləti/
a piece of equipment enclosed by walls on the scientific principle that everything has
all sides and closed on top that is heated a cause ● Causality is simply the basic
to a high enough temperature to melt hard relationship between the cause of something
materials, such as metal or glass ● Until now, and its effect. ➣ causal (adj)
furnaces for melting iron ore have been heated
infrared (adj) /ˌɪnfrəˈred/
by fossil fuels. using invisible electromagnetic waves longer
aviation (n) /ˌeɪviˈeɪʃn/ than those of visible light ● Infrared radiation is
the practical business of designing and used in scientific and medical applications.
building aircraft ● The modern age of aviation
censor (n) /ˈsensə(r)/
began with the design of hot air balloons in the sb who checks the content of books, films,
18th century. ➣ aviator (n) and other media to remove parts considered
unsuitable for a particular audience ● As the
Compound nouns film contained some violent scenes, the censor
had rated it unsuitable for young children.
asking price heart rate monitor ➣ censor (v), censorship (n)
carbon dioxide micro-organism
computer literacy quantum theory sensor (n) /ˈsensə(r)/
cybernetic implant test tube a piece of equipment that reacts to sound,
genie pants light or movement, etc. to cause a device to
operate or show sth ● The light above our
front door is triggered by a sensor that detects
movement. ➣ sensory (adj)
Vocabulary pages 22-23-24 erode (v) /ɪˈrəʊd/
wear away the surface of sth ● The sides of
deduce (v) /dɪˈdjuːs/ the riverbank had been eroded dramatically by
reach a conclusion about sth on the basis the heavy rains. ➣ erosion (n)
of existing evidence ● Judging from the tyre
eradicate (v) /ɪˈrædɪkeɪt/
tracks at the scene of the accident, the police get rid of ● Insect-borne diseases are not easy
deduced that the driver had been exceeding to eradicate, especially in a humid climate.
the speed limit. ➣ deduction (n), deducible (adj) ➣ eradication (n)
deduct (v) /dɪˈdʌkt/ polio (n) /ˈpəʊliəʊ/
take sth away from a total amount ● A small the disease poliomyelitis, which affects the
transaction fee will be deducted from the central nervous system ● Polio has become
payment into your bank account. ➣ deduction rare in the UK since the introduction of child
(n), deductible (adj) inoculation programmes.
eminent (adj) /ˈemɪnənt/ fission (n) /ˈfɪʃn/
respected and important, often within a the act of splitting the central part of an atom
certain profession ● An eminent underwater ● The discovery of nuclear fission opened
photographer produced the unique images radical new possibilities in the field of electric
for the magazine. ➣ eminence (n), eminently power generation as well as the creation of
(adv) atomic weapons.
imminent (adj) /ˈɪmɪnənt/ fusion (n) /ˈfjuːʒn/
seemingly about to happen ● Seeing the the act of combining two or more things
rapidly gathering clouds, we realised a storm together to form one ● The artistic fusion of
was imminent. ➣ imminence (n), imminently sound and light gave the restaurant a relaxing
(adv) atmosphere.
emit (v) /iˈmɪt/ entail (v) /ɪnˈteɪl/
give off; send out ● The whale emitted a high- involve ● If you tell us what exactly the project
pitched sound before disappearing under the entails, we can give an accurate estimate for
surface. ➣ emission (n) the job.
melatonin (n) /ˌmeləˈtəʊnɪn/ uranium (n) /juˈreɪniəm/
a chemical substance that affects skin colour a heavy, silver-coloured metal ● Uranium is
in the body ● Melatonin is an essential used in the production of nuclear energy.
hormone which affects our sleep patterns.

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 ingenuous (adj) /ɪnˈdʒenjuəs/ unorthodox (adj) /ʌnˈɔːθədɒks/
honest and blindly trusting ● I’d advise you unconventional; different from what is normally
not to be so ingenuous but to consider his done ● Her unorthodox teaching methods
proposal very carefully before you accept. were questioned at first, but they have shown
➣ ingenuously (adv) positive results. ➣ unorthodoxly (adv)
✎ Opp: orthodox
ingenious (adj) /ɪnˈdʒiːniəs/
very clever ● Virtual clouds are an ingenious painstaking (adj) /ˈpeɪnzteɪkɪŋ/
way to save or share data. ➣ ingenuity (n), with great care and effort ● With painstaking
ingeniously (adv) attention to detail, the technician removed and
decompose (v) /ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz/ replaced the faulty hardware. ➣ painstakingly
slowly break down or become destroyed (adv)
naturally ● If you don’t eat those grapes soon, tangible (adj) /ˈtændʒəbl/
they’ll start to decompose. ➣ decomposition (n) able to be seen and touched ● Detectives are
pretty certain that he is the thief, but he can’t
disintegrate (v) /dɪsˈɪntɪɡreɪt/
break up into very small pieces ● The dress be charged without tangible evidence.
➣ tangibly (adv)
was so old that its fabric had begun to
✎ Opp: intangible
disintegrate. ➣ disintegration (n)
dissolve (v) /dɪˈzɒlv/ scrutiny (n) /ˈskruːtəni/
make sth solid become part of a liquid close examination ● The politician’s personal
● The honey dissolved quickly in the hot tea. emails have become subject to public scrutiny.
➣ scrutinise (v)
hurtle (v) /ˈhɜːtl/
move very quickly ● The spaceship began breach (n) /briːtʃ/
to break up as it hurtled through the Earth’s a break in a system or agreement which
atmosphere. causes it to fail ● Pete was fired from
the company as a result of his breach of
micro-organism (n) /ˌmaɪkrəʊˈɔːɡənɪz(ə)m/ confidentiality. ➣ breach (v)
a tiny living thing ● Steve looked into the
microscope to examine the micro-organisms in computer literacy (n) /kəmˈpjuːtə(r)
the piece of wood. ˈlɪtərəsi/
the ability to use and understand computers
radioactivity (n) /ˌreɪdiəʊækˈtɪvəti/ well ● Vincent’s level of computer literacy isn’t
the dangerous radiation sent out as a result proficient enough for him to design his own
of nuclear fission ● Dangerous levels of website. ➣ literate (adj)
radioactivity were recorded across the country
when the nuclear reactor exploded. spreadsheet (n) /ˈspredʃiːt/
➣ radioactive (adj)
a computer program in which data is recorded
in rows and columns for calculations or plans,
circumference (n) /səˈkʌmfərəns/ etc. ● All our financial accounts are recorded
the measurement straight around a circle or on monthly spreadsheets, which are backed
a curved object ● The circumference of the up on the cloud.
Moon is almost 11,000 km.
mimic (v) /ˈmɪmɪk/
obsolete (adj) /ˈɒbsəliːt/ copy the way sb/sth acts or speaks ● The anti-
no longer produced, often due to being virus scan detected a potential threat which
replaced by sth new ● I doubt if it’s possible to was simply a harmless program that mimicked
repair your ten-year-old printer as it’s probably the pattern of phishing bug. ➣ mimic (n),
obsolete by now and you’ll never find new mimicry (n)
parts. ➣ obsolescence (n)
at your fingertips (expr) /æt jɔːr ˈfɪŋɡətɪps/
outdated (adj) /ˌaʊtˈdeɪtɪd/ get and use sth very easily ● Ben made sure
old-fashioned, therefore, not useful he had all the data at his fingertips before
● Unfortunately, our school’s computers are so submitting his proposal.
outdated that they keep breaking down.
up and running (expr) /ʌp ənd ˈrʌnɪŋ/
utilitarian (adj) /ˌjuːtɪlɪˈteəriən/ functioning correctly ● A few delays held up
made for a practical purpose rather than for the start of the project, but it’s now up and
appearance ● Kate hated wearing her dull running on schedule.
grey school uniform, denouncing it as an
utterly utilitarian style. ➣ utilitarianism (n) think outside the box (expr) /θɪŋk ˌaʊtˈsaɪd
ðə bɒks/
aesthetically (adv) /iːsˈθetɪkli/ have imaginative and original ideas ● If
in a way related to the look of sth ● The humans were incapable of thinking outside
garden offered an aesthetically pleasing the box, they wouldn’t have survived past the
riot of colour in spring. ➣ aesthetic (adj), Stone Age.
aestheticism (n)

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ghastly (adj) ˈ/ɡɑːstli/ more or less (expr) /mɔː(r) ɔː les/
terrrible ● Are you feeling okay? You look approximately; nearly ● Rabies is more or
absolutely ghastly. less non-existent in our country, thanks to
immunisation.
quantum theory (n) /ˈkwɒntəm ˈθɪəri/
the theory of physics around the idea that safe and sound (expr) /seɪf ənd saʊnd/ out of
energy exists in indivisible units ● I don’t danger; not harmed ● It was a rough
know anyone at all who understands quantum flight through the storm clouds, but we landed
theory! safe and sound at the airport.
ahead of the curve (phr) /əˈhed əv ðə kɜːv/ more time after time (expr) /taɪm ˈɑːftə(r) taɪm/
advanced than a current trend ● Instead of repeatedly; regularly ● Time after time, our
copying other companies’ products, it’s head teacher has warned us not to bring
better to develop original ideas to keep ahead mobile phones into the classroom.
of the curve. ➣ curve (v)
touch and go (expr) /tʌtʃ ənd gəʊ/
advent (n) /ˈædvent/ a difficult situation that may have an
the arrival of a new invention ● Before the unpleasant outcome ● I was confident about
advent of email, we had to wait days or weeks taking the exam, but it was touch and go on
to receive letters. the day when I realised how hard it actually
negligence (n) /ˈneɡlɪdʒəns/ was.
not giving enough care and attention ● The wear and tear (expr) /weə(r) ənd teə(r)/
car wasn’t so much old as falling apart due damage to things from normal everyday use
to the owner’s negligence. ➣ negligent (adj), ● Most modern phones are not designed to
negligently (adv) last through years of wear and tear.
centenarian (n) /ˌsentɪˈneəriən/ hitch (n) /hɪtʃ/
sb who is 100 years old or more ● It’s amazing a minor problem or delay ● Frank managed
how many centenarians are still alive and well to install the new program without a hitch by
on the island. following the step-by-step guide.
precedent (n) /ˈpresɪdənt/ grain (n) /ɡreɪn/
an action or decision in the past which was a small seed of a plant such as rice; a small
the same or similar to one that happened hard piece or amount of sth ● Nura took a few
later ● Such devastating storms are without grains of rice and planted them to grow food
precedent in this part of the country; we’ve for her family. ➣ grainy (adj)
never seen anything like it! ➣ precede (v),
fungi (n) /ˈfʌŋɡiː/
precedence (n)
plural of fungus; organisms like a plant without
persevere (v) /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə(r)/ leaves that grows on othe plants or trees and
keep on trying despite adverse conditions in damp areas ● The north side of the tree was
● Despite the high fees, Martin decided to covered in fungi. ➣ fungal (adj)
persevere with the course until he completed
progenitor (n) /prəʊˈdʒenɪtə(r)/
his masters degree. ➣ perseverance (n),
an ancestor ● The ancient calculating device
persevering (adj)
found in the Antikythera shipwreck is regarded
carbon dioxide (n) /ˌkɑːbən daɪˈɒksaɪd/ as a progenitor of the computer. ➣ progeny (n)
the gas emitted when people or animals genome (n) /ˈdʒiːnəʊm/
breathe out, by plants or by burning ● Plants
the genetic material of a living thing
and trees take in carbon dioxide in the daylight
● A human genome fits into a cell nucleus
and emit it at night. that’s just the size of a pinpoint. ➣ genomics (n)
back and forth (expr) /bæk ənd fɔːθ/ mutation (n) /mjuːˈteɪʃn/
from own side to another and back again a change in the structure of sth; a genetic
● Jerry walked back and forth, impatiently variation ● The city’s population was affected
waiting for the train. by a deadly mutation of the flu virus. ➣ mutate
back to front (expr) /bæk tə frʌnt/ (v), mutant (adj)
with the wrong side facing ● I got dressed in
spring (v) /sprɪŋ/
such a rush after swimming that I put on my
move suddenly and quickly ● George sprang
sweater back to front and didn’t notice till I was
to his feet as soon as the phone rang.
on the bus.
➣ spring (n)
little by little (expr) /ˈlɪtl baɪ ˈlɪtl/
in slow and steady steps ● Little by little, the
sea level is rising along our coast.

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 proceed (v) /prəˈsiːd/ deteriorate (v) /dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt/
continue to do sth; go on (to do sth after doing become worse ● John decided to emigrate
sth else) ● After reading the instructions, after his hopes of finding work deteriorated
Mavis proceeded to connect the new router. rapidly as local businesses closed.
➣ proceedings (n) ➣ deterioration (v), deteriorated (adj)

originate (v) /əˈrɪdʒɪneɪt/ test tube (n) /test tjuːb/

come from a particular place/source ● The a glass tube used in scientific experiments and
game of chess is thought to have originated in medical tests ● An array of test tubes filled
Asia or the Middle East. ➣ originator (n) with strange liquids were perched on the rack
next to his microscope.
crucial (adj) /ˈkruːʃl/
of critical importance ● Regular back-ups are frontier (n) /ˈfrʌntɪə(r)/
crucial to avoid losing important data. a limit ● Alexander Fleming broke the frontiers
➣ crucially (adv) of medical science when he discovered
penicillin in 1928.
shed light on (expr) /ʃed laɪt ɒn/
give a clue to explain the cause of sth ● If you loom (v) /luːm/
could shed some light on exactly what the job appear suddenly, often in a manner that is
involves, we could give you an estimate for the threatening ● A huge dark shape loomed in
costs. the doorway.
sift (v) /sɪft/ brew (v) /bruː/
examine sth in detail ● Jason had to sift slowly begin to form; seem likely to happen
through years of paperwork to find his birth ● Trouble had been brewing on the borders
certificate. ➣ sifter (n) long before war finally broke out. ➣ brew (n),
brewery (n)
literary (adj) /ˈlɪtərəri/
Research & Science to do with literature ● Gwen wrote her thesis
verbs on the literary works of 19th century female
anticipate hanker authors. ➣ literature (n)
brim hurtle
envisage (v) /ɪnˈvɪzɪdʒ/
decompose incorporate
imagine ● I cannot envisage having a robot to
deduce jam clean the house.
deteriorate mimic
deviate originate dread (v) /dred/
disintegrate overexpose have a fear that sth terrible will happen
dissolve persevere ● I dread to think what would happen if there
emit precede was an accident on the metro line. ➣ dread
entail proceed (n), dreadful (adj), dreadfully (adv)
envisage render resounding (adj) /rɪˈzaʊndɪŋ/
eradicate scoff loud or great ● Anna’s first novel was a
erode sift resounding failure, but her second had more
exceed unveil sales. ➣ resoundingly (adv)
flag withstand
in the pipeline (expr) /ɪn ðə ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn/
scheduled or planned for the future

Grammar pages 25-26-27

unveil (v) /ˌʌnˈveɪl/
reveal sth that has been covered ● The
prince’s official portrait was unveiled at a
flag (v) /flæɡ/
special ceremony.
put a mark on sth that needs future attention
● Lulu skimmed through the mass of emails in on the cards (expr) /ɒn ðə kɑːdz/
her in box and flagged up the ones which were likely to happen; predictable ● Your promotion
urgent. ➣ flag (n) was always on the cards as you’ve been
working so hard all these years.
exponentially (adv) /ˌekspəˈnenʃəli/
in a way that increases progressively keep sb posted (expr) /kiːp ˈsʌmbədi
faster ● Air pollution over the city increases ˈpəʊstid/
exponentially with the burning of fossil fuels give sb regular information on a situation
upon the onset of winter. ➣ exponent (n), ● Keep me posted on how things go after your
exponential (adj) operation.

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upcoming (adj) /ˈʌpkʌmɪŋ/
planned to happen soon ● Walter was feeling Useful expressions
a bit nervous about his upcoming driving test.
Adverbial & Expressions with
anticipate (n) /ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt/ Adjectival Verbs
expect an outcome and prepare for it; look ahead of the curve keep sb posted
forward to sth that’s about to happen ● Try
back and forth put sth into
to anticipate what type of questions you’ll be back to front perspective
asked in the interview. ➣ anticipation (n)
in the offing shed light on
warehouse (n) /ˈweəhaʊs/ in the pipeline think outside the box
a store where goods are kept before being little by little not be fussed about
sold or sent to shop ● Our lost cat was found more or less
sleeping in a furniture warehouse near our on the cards Phrasal Verbs
home. safe and sound measure up
likelihood (n) /ˈlaɪklihʊd/ sold on sth fork out
possibility ● In all likelihood, driverless buses the last straw
will soon be a common sight in our cities. time after time
➣ likely (adj) touch and go
up and running
nanofibre (n) /ˈnænəʊfaɪbə(r)/ wear and tear
a light flexible fabric made using nano-
technology ● These nanofibre climbing boots
are incredible light and waterproof.
cybernetic implant (n) /ˌsaɪbəˈnetɪk
Speaking page 29
ɪmˈplɑːnt/ automated (adj) /ˈɔːtəmeɪtid/
an implant made to enhance human abilities
made to operate by a machine to reduce
using cybernetics (the study of how machines
human labour ● The process of car
communicate information compared with how
manufacturing has become almost entirely
the human brain communicates information)
automated, cutting the need for factory
● Cybernetic implants could be used to help
workers. ➣ automate (v), automation (n),
patients with physical disabilities.
automatic (adj), automatically (adv)
exceed (v) /ɪkˈsiːd/
striking (adj) /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/
go beyond what is expected ● His generous
noticeable and interesting; atrractive in an
offer exceeded our expectations. ➣ excess
unusual way ● There was a striking similarity
(n), excessive (adj), excessively (adv)
between the girls, although they were not
doom (n) /duːm/ related. ➣ strike (v), strikingly (adv)
an inevitable unpleasant event ● A sense
of doom hung over the dull graffiti-covered
boarded-up shops and empty marketplace. Writing pages 30-31
➣ doom (v) reluctantly (adv) /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
forthcoming (adj) /ˌfɔːθˈkʌmɪŋ/ unwillingly ● Reluctantly, we bid our friendly
willing to give help or information; upcoming hosts goodbye and headed for the airport to
● Tom wasn’t very forthcoming about his catch our homebound flight. ➣ reluctant (adj),
research. It all seems highlt confidential. reluctance (n)
in the offing (expr) /ɪn ðə ˈɒfɪŋ/ techie (n) /ˈteki/
likely to happen in the near future ● The a computer expert or enthusiast ● My internet
company has a revolutionary new design in connection simply froze, and I had to call the
the offing which they hope to present at the techie on the 24-hour helpline to get back
next car exhibition. online again. ➣ technical (adj), technically
(adv)
impending (adj) /ɪmˈpendɪŋ/
about to happen (usually for sth negative) drone (n) /drəʊn/
● As the tremors increased, the villlagers a small remote-controlled aircraft used for
evacuated to escape the impending volcanic aerial photography or for military purposes
eruption. ● Eric used his drone to take some
spectacular aerial photos of the lake.

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 thought-provoking (adj) /θɔːt prəˈvəʊkɪŋ/ cartilaginous (adj) /ˌkɑːtɪˈlædʒɪnəs/
inspiring serious thoughts about sth ● While with a skeleton made of cartilage (strong white
some 20th century works of science fiction tissue) ● Sharks are an example of huge
were pure fantasy in their time, it’s quite cartilaginous animals ➣ cartilage (n)
thought-provoking how close they’ve come to
serenity (n) /səˈrenəti/
reality. peaceful calmness ● The soft lighting created
put sth into perspective (expr) /pʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ an atmosphere of serenity. ➣ serene (adj),
ˈɪntə pəˈspektɪv/ serenely (adv)
compare things to make a reasoned eel (n) /iːl/
judgement about sth ● When you see people a snakelike fish ● The sight of the long wriggly
living on the streets, it puts our idea of home eels was enough to put me off swimming in
comforts into perspective. the lake.
stingray (n) /ˈstɪŋreɪ/
Technology a large flat fish with a long tail that has a
dangerous sting ● As he was scuba diving,
Nouns Marios almost stood on a stingray which was
advent mutation lying on the sea bed.
aviation nanofibre
biofluorescence neon physiologically (adv) /ˌfɪziəˈlɒdʒɪkli/
breach pixel in a way connected with how a living
causality precedent thing functions ● Human beings’ organs
are physiologically similar to many other
circumference progenitor
mammals. ➣ physiology (n), physiologist (n),
drone radioactivity
physiological (adj)
element scrutiny
fission sensor surreal (adj) /səˈriːəl/
frontier spec more dreamlike rather than realistic
furnace spreadsheet ● Swimming close to the dolphins was a
fusion techie surreal experience. ➣ surrealism (n),
genome tinge surrealist (n)
hitch uranium
likelihood
Adjectives
automated obsolete
cartilaginous outdated

Video 2: Neon Seas

crucial painstaking
eminent radical
forthcoming seminal
page 32 generic sleek
iconic surreal
neon (n) /ˈniːɒn/ imminent tangible
a gas that gives a bright light when electricity impending thought-provoking
infrared unorthodox
goes through it ● A bright green neon sign was ingenuous upcoming
flashing continuously outside the hotel window, ingenious utilitarian
making it impossible for me to sleep. minimalist
biofluorescence (n) /ˌbaɪəʊˌflɔːˈresns/
the naturally ability to absorb light and
transform it to a different colour ● The
biofluorescence of fish and other creatures
makes the sea bed a colourful place.
➣ biofluorescent (adj)

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