Unit 15: Birth and death: from cradle to grave

Question 1

conception

A child is born about 40 weeks after conception takes place.

(n): contraception

Answer 1

time when sperm and egg meet and a baby starts to form

Question 2

fertilised

Answer 2

made to start developing into new life

Question 3

fertility drugs

Answer 3

drugs that help a woman to become pregnant

Question 4

IVF

Answer 4

process that fertilises a woman’s egg in a laboratory; babies born this way are sometimes referred to as test tube babies

in vitro fertilisation

Question 5

be induced

I was admitted and the baby was induced at 35 weeks.

(n): induction

Answer 5

be helped medically to start the process of labour

Question 6

midwife

(n): midwifery

Answer 6

person medically trained to help women when they are giving birth.

Question 7

caesarean section

Answer 7

operation in which the mother’s abdomen and womb are cut open to allow the baby to be removed

Question 8

ripe old age

Answer 8

living well into old age

Question 9

pensioner

Answer 9

elderly person, receiving an old age pension from the state

Question 10

sheltered accomodation

Answer 10

special housing where care staff also live

Question 11

doddery

Answer 11

weak and unable to walk well, usually because of old age

Question 12

gaga

Answer 12

unable to think clearly because of old age

Question 13

dementia

Answer 13

an illness that causes problems with memory loss

Question 14

wake

Answer 14

gathering of family and friends after a funeral

Question 15

cremation

Answer 15

service at a place called crematorium, where a dead body is burnt

Question 16

condolences

Please accept my condolences. I was sorry to learn of your loss.

Answer 16

expressions of sympathy

Question 17

be at death’s door | be on your last legs

Answer 17

being very close to death

Question 18

fatalities

Answer 18

dead people

Question 19

perish

Thousands perished at the hands of the invading forces.

(adj): perishable, perished, perishing
(n): perisher, perishables

Answer 19

(people or animals) die, especially in a sudden violent way

Question 20

slaughter

Answer 20

violently killed

Question 21

the deceased

Answer 21

the dead person

Question 22

bequeath

He bequeathed his daughter his entire state.

(n): bequest

Answer 22

leave sth in a will

Question 23

>< testate

intestate

(n): intestacy

Many people die intestate because they thought they were too young to make a will.

Answer 23

not having made a will