Advanced English Vocabulary Set 9 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
He had developed a vaccine using _________ forms of polio.
very dangerous and affects people very quickly
A
virulent
2
Q
It is _____-_______ that childhood experiences influence our adult behaviour.
clearly true and needing no more proof
A
self-evident
3
Q
I had to listen to Michael ___________ against the government.
to criticize strongly
A
fulminating
4
Q
We hope that the military regime will _______ from its acts of violence.
to stop doing something
A
desist
5
Q
He ___________ cruelty of all kinds.
to hate something very much
A
abominates
6
Q
A ____________ child， she went to university at the age of 15.
showing unusually early mental development or achievement
A
precocious
7
Q
I try to ___________ a sense of responsibility in my children.
to fix ideas， principles etc in sb’s mind
A
inculcate
8
Q
The British government __________ by breaking off diplomatic relations.
to do sth bad to sb because they have done something bad to you
A
retaliated
9
Q
I’m so tired， my poor ___________ brain can’t absorb any more.
confused
A
befuddled
10
Q
His speeches tend to be rather ____-______.
continuing to talk for too long or using too many words in a way that is boring
A
long-winded
11
Q
Strong winds and loose rocks made climbing ___________.
particularly dangerous because you cannot see the dangers very easily
A
treacherous
12
Q
He raised the water bottle to his ________ lips.
very dry
A
parched
13
Q
Morishita leads an ________ lifestyle.
very rich， spending a lot of money
A
opulent
14
Q
The media was criticized for its thoughtless ____________ into the domestic grief of the family.
the sudden arrival of sth into where they aren’t welcome
A
incursion
15
Q
She’s been making _________ attempts to learn the trumpet.
not impressive， ridiculous
A
risible
16
Q
____ ________ the country began to question the decisions their leaders were making.
in small stages
A
By degrees
17
Q
The doctor said only his legs are paralysed， not his whole body， but I think that will be ______ __________ to him.
won’t make him feel better
A
cold comfort
18
Q
He was ______ on the ________ answering the reporter’s questions.
able to react quickly to a situation
A
quick on the draw
19
Q
I was afraid my daughter would never find a husband， that she’d be _____ on the ________.
not married and people believe they are too old to get married
A
left on the shelf
20
Q
Jay made the trip north to be with his mother when she ______ her ____.
to die
A
breathed her last
21
Q
I advised her to take the job offer， but she has a ______ of her ____， so I don’t know what she’ll decide.
the ability to act or think independently
A
mind of her own
22
Q
I managed to brake just in time but it was a _____ _________.
when an accident or unpleasant situation almost happened and was only just avoided
A
near miss
23
Q
Court rulings often have a ______ _______， spreading into areas of law that weren’t part of the original cases.
to affect something else， which then affects other things
A
ripple effect
24
Q
The judge found himself on the ______ ____ from women for remarks he made about discrimination in the workplace.
in a situation that attracts criticism
A
firing line
25
We were quickly running out of money but managed to ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_ by getting a small loan.
to obtain a longer period before something happens
buy time
26
I saw this happen， and you can't just call me crazy and ______ me \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
to not give sth serious consideration
brush me aside
27
A movie was shot ___ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
away from the studio
on location
28
In under two years， it was transformed from a state-owned ______ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ into a successful company.
sb that is in trouble and needs help
lame duck
29
I had a two hour _____ \_\_\_\_\_ and nearly fell asleep at my desk in the afternoon.
when you drink alcohol instead of having a meal
liquid lunch
30
I'm not ___ the ________ for a car at the moment.
interested in buying sth
in the market
31
Stephen King ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ by electronically distributing his novella.
to become an important news story
made headlines
32
My boss has been ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ lately， but I keep wondering why!
very happy
all smiles
33
I really enjoy a good mystery story that ______ me _________ the whole time.
to cause you to be uncertain
keeps me guessing
34
Americans don't ________ \_\_\_\_\_\_ to being told what to say.
to not like sth that sb says or does
take kindly
35
The abortion issue is a political ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ in the United States.
sth difficult or dangerous to deal with
hot potato
36
Football players can't be _______ the ______ just because they are so valuable to team owners.
not having to obey rules
above the law
37
He may be old in years， but he's still ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ as a ______ and knows what he's talking about.
intelligent
as sharp as a tack
38
He was ___ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to admit he had made a mistake.
brave enough to do sth
man enough
39
Most characters in his films are somewhat ________ than \_\_\_\_\_\_.
more exciting or interesting than ordinary people
larger than life
40
At the end of the second day's play， Ballasteros is _________ the \_\_\_\_\_\_.
to be likely to win
leading the field
41
My daughter is the _____ of my \_\_\_\_\_\_.
sb you love most
light of my life
42
He's probably got enough money to buy a little ranch somewhere and still have a _____ of ________ left over.
a large amount of money
chunk of change
43
The kid next door threw a rock at him， but Ted _____ the ________ and the rock didn't hit him.
to fall to the ground suddenly to avoid danger
hit the dirt
44
The mayor wants to ____ a _____ on spending.
stop sth from increasing
put a lid
45
Gone are the days when a university degree was a ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ for life.
sth you use to get regular amounts of money for the rest of your life
meal ticket
46
the rural \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
an area of land that is far from the coast， large rivers， or the places where people live
hinterland
47
It was a decision which _________ him to political obscurity.
to make sb be in a particular situation， especially a bad one
consigned
48
Both stand for precisely the same ____________ things.
not important
inconsequential
49
But what if everything was burned on a _____ sixty years ago?
a high pile of wood on which a dead body is placed to be burned in a funeral ceremony
pyre
50
From her point of view， failure to act would be a ________ of governmental duty.
when someone fails to do what they should do as part of their job
dereliction
51
Bill sat in ________ silence and refused to eat his lunch.
angry and silent， especially because you feel life has been unfair to you
sullen
52
There's no room for _________ if we want to stay in this competition!
a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder
complacency
53
How could a \_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_ poet be so oblivious to taste?
having given yourself a title or position without having a right to it
self-styled
54
Two suspects have been __________ by the police for questioning.
to officially prevent someone from leaving a place
detained
55
Sarah with her numerous \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
offspring
progeny
56
They viewed their achievements as an ________ of progress.
sth that is considered to be so good that it should be copied or imitated
exemplar
57
Her husband was a quiet， \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ man who spent much of his time in his study.
not wanting to attract attention to yourself or your achievements
self-effacing
58
Once at the airport， we were herded to the gate and __________ into a small room.
to keep people in a particular area， especially in order to control them
corralled
59
When she told her family she was gay， they reacted with a mixture of shock and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
disbelief
incredulity
60
Unions described the pay offer as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
so small that it not worth considering seriously
derisory
61
a \_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ politician
doing things only because they will give you an advantage
self-seeking
62
The term cyber-culture is _________ and seems to mean many different things to many different people.
vague and difficult to define
nebulous
63
You shouldn't ________ their efforts.
to make remarks or jokes that show you think sth is silly or useless
deride
64
It feels \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ spending so much on a pair of shoes.
allowing yourself to have or do things that you enjoy but do not need
self-indulgent
65
Hot liquid and ________ spilled over him， and he scrambled out from under the thing.
the inside parts of an animal or person's body， especially their intestines
entrails
66
If the insurance company won't pay for the damage， I'll be ____ a \_\_\_\_\_.
in a difficult situation
up a tree
67
We get regular pay raises that are supposed to ___ \_\_\_\_ _____ inflation.
to stay at the same level
keep pace with
68
We have been told the Social Security trust fund will _____ \_\_\_\_\_ in a few more years.
to be all used up
run dry
69
My mother and sister are always yelling at each other， and I find myself caught ___ \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_.
to experience the influence of opposing groups in a disagreement
in the middle
70
Someone had to stay at home and ____ the _______ while my mother was out.
to be left in charge of sth when sb is away
hold the fort
71
the _________ summer sun
extremely hot
sweltering
72
Victims of the disease found themselves __________ by society.
to deliberately avoid someone or something
shunned
73
A former student has donated a __________ sum of money to the college.
very generous
munificent
74
The new law removed the last __________ of royal power.
a small part or amount of sth that remains when most of it no longer exists
vestiges
75
Terrorist groups and the government have been engaged in a costly war of _____________ since 1968.
the gradual weakening and destroying of sth
attrition
76
The storm continued __________ throughout the night.
without becoming any weaker
unabated
77
She was granted _________ after killing her violent husband.
forgiveness and less severe punishment for a crime
clemency
78
Peter， you are an __________ flirt!
bad in a way that cannot be changed or improved
incorrigible
79
Fenton's remark drew ________ laughs.
showing that you think someone or something is stupid or silly
derisive
80
The business will soon become \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
able to earn enough money to support yourself
self-supporting
81
More vaccines are needed to __________ our stocks.
to put new supplies into something， or to fill something again
replenish
82
We have to be vaguely \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_， but no real sacrifices are demanded.
careful and sensible in the way you plan things， especially by saving money for the future
provident
83
Blackwell's arrival at that moment was \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
lucky
providential
84
We always _____________ to please our customers.
to try very hard
endeavor
85
the ________ feeling of silk on her skin
pleasing to your senses
sensuous
86
Everyone turned to look at Gordon and his ________ mistress as they entered the room.
that has large breasts and a soft curved body
voluptuous
87
He told me in _______ detail what would happen to me.
explicit
lurid
88
A speech ___________ did nothing to stop him from preaching.
a physical problem that makes sth difficult
impediment
89
We're cutting out __________ layers of managers.
more than needed
superfluous
90
There was no _________ way of phrasing what he wanted to say.
not likely to upset or embarrass other people
tactful
91
She took a long \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a period when sb， esp. someone in a university job， stops doing their usual work in order to study or travel
sabbatical
92
For a relatively small \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_， you can start a home hairdressing business.
the amount of money that you have to spend
outlay
93
Jamie is a friendly， __________ woman.
that likes to meet and talk to new people
outgoing
94
The 1970s saw the first __________ against the emerging women's movement.
a strong negative reaction by a number of people against recent events
backlash
95
His name has become a _______ for honesty in the community.
to be so well known for a particular quality that your name is used to represent that quality
byword
96
The sea made a splendid _________ to the garden.
the scenery behind sth
backdrop
97
By 1411 Hus had become so influential that Prague was laid under papal \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
an official order from a court telling someone not to do something
interdict
98
The organisation has been _________ to end all restrictions.
to order or try to persuade sb to do sth
enjoined
99
How do educators determine if a child is an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_?
sb who does not do as well at school or at work as they could do if they worked harder
underachiever
100
As he pushed the nose down for the final approach， he extended down the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
the wheels of a vehicle and the structure that holds them
undercarriage
101
Ducks are _________ on land.
awkward
ungainly
102
The city is grossly __________ companies to use the land.
to charge less than the correct amount of money for something
undercharging
103
He worked ___________ in Germany and Northern Ireland.
secretly in order to catch criminals or find out information
undercover
104
He sensed an __________ of resentment among the crowd.
a feeling， especially of anger or dissatisfaction， that people do not express openly
undercurrent
105
Online bookstores can _________ retailers by up to 30%.
to sell goods or a service at a lower price than another company
undercut
106
Without a pinstripe， you'd be \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
wearing clothes that are too informal for a particular occasion
underdressed
107
Its wealth was largely non-industrial and it contained an enormous pool of __________ and unemployed people.
working in a job where you cannot use all your skills
underemployed
108
The servants were overworked and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
not given enough food to eat
underfed
109
He's been involved in some __________ dealings.
dishonest， done secretely
underhand
110
Losing the witness will seriously __________ the government's case against Jones.
to gradually make sth less strong or effective
undermine
111
She felt _____________ in her smart suit.
dressed in clothes that are too formal for the occasion
overdressed
112
He was fined £40， with 28 days' imprisonment if the money was not produced \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
immediately
forthwith
113
A mechanic is coming to _________ the engine.
to repair or change the necessary parts in a machine， system etc
overhaul
114
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ buses
filled with too many people or things
overladen
115
More television coverage of the election would be \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
more than is necessary or desirable
overkill
116
Foreign firms have made little ________ in the U.S. market.
to make progress towards achieving sth
headway
117
See the diagram \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
on the other side of the page
overleaf
118
All food ___________ should be properly trained.
sb who touches， carries or moves sth as their job
handlers
119
Clay __________ chalk in the southern mountains.
to lie over sth
overlies
120
Be careful not to _________ the washing machine.
to put too many things or people on or into something
overload
121
Nobody could __________ the fact that box office sales were down.
fail to notice
overlook
122
A train was going by on the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a structure like a bridge that allows one road go over another
overpass
123
At his age， he didn't care _________ about impressing people.
too much
overmuch
124
His role in the group's success has been \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
to make sth seem more important than it is
overplayed
125
Entering the measurements is quite straight forward， except when it comes to the __________ measurement for set-in sleeves.
a hole in a shirt， dress， jacket etc that you put your arm through
armhole
126
She was determined to _________ everyone into believing her.
to try to make sb do sth， especially in a threatening way
browbeat
127
The company ___________ itself financially.
to try to do more than you have the power， ability， or money to do
overreached
128
The EU commission exercised its power to ___________ British policy.
change someone else's decision
override
129
A team leader was appointed to __________ the project.
supervise
oversee
130
The zigzag of harbour walls and ___________ below the cliff were deserted.
a wall built out into the sea to protect the shore from the force of the waves
breakwaters
131
He really ____ a ______ on her， telling her how much he loved her and then leaving her.
to hurt or damage
did a job
132
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_， look at all this food! Are you feeding an army?
I'm very surprised
Good grief
133
He ______ off the ______ in his twenties and started living on the streets.
to start behaving strangely or in a way that is not acceptable to society
went off the rails
134
As soon as they saw the soldiers coming， they ______ to their \_\_\_\_\_\_.
to run away quickly
took to their heels
135
She'll do any kind of redecorating you need， ___ a \_\_\_\_\_.
for a lot of money
for a price
136
Her recent conduct is _______ the \_\_\_\_\_\_.
unacceptable
beyond the pale
137
The family ________ \_\_\_\_\_ to a smaller house， cutting their mortgage payments in half.
to exchange sth expensive for sth that costs less
traded down
138
Do you mind if I _____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_? I'd like to see the show at the museum too.
to follow or go with sb when you were not invited
tag along
139
After playing so badly for the entire game， the team walked off ____ their _______ between ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
ashamed and embarrassed
with their tails between their legs
140
The principle of free health care for everyone is likely to _____ a ______ in the next ten years.
to fail and end
die a death
141
The president's message seemed to ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_ with most people who watched him on TV.
to be understood completely and have a strong effect
hit home
142
He filled the jug to the \_\_\_\_\_.
the very top edge of a container
brim
143
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of glass have been cemented into the top of the wall to stop people climbing over.
a piece of a broken glass， cup， container or similar object
Shards
144
Nobody spoke for at least five minutes and Rachel _________ in her chair with embarrassment.
to move from side to side in an awkward way because of nervousness， embarrassment or pain
squirmed
145
a ___________ cottage
old， beginning to fall down
tumbledown
146
Their teacher was away， so they had a day's __________ before their essays were due.
a pause or rest from something difficult or unpleasant
respite
147
At one point Truitte realized that he had been __________ Alvin by a large amount.
to pay someone too little for their work
underpaying
148
Her conduct throughout was \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
without fault and therefore impossible to criticize
irreproachable
149
I was carried out on a stretcher， with everyone __________ at me.
to look at sth for a long time， especially with your mouth open because you are surprised
gawping
150
Businesses were offered ____________ to move to the area.
a reason for doing something， especially sth that you will get as a result
inducements
151
Equal pay for equal work is a _________ principle.
deserving praise， even if not completely successful
laudable
152
Harley wasn't prepared for the fame and _________ that came with being a star athlete.
praise and admiration for sb that is more than they really deserve
adulation
153
Small plants were growing in the _________ of the rock.
a small space or crack in something or between things
interstices
154
She spoke in a rather _______ manner.
very formal and correct in your behaviour
starchy
155
Oil is Nigeria's _______ export.
forming the greatest or most important part of something
staple
156
Strikers brought production to a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a situation in which there is no movement or activity at all
standstill
157
A person who is constipated may also be __________ of faeces because there is leaking around the hard mass.
unable to control the passing of liquid or solid waste from your body
incontinent
158
She was cold and \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_.
unfriendly and formal
stand-offish
159
She was as ____________ as her mother had been.
likely to change your mind suddenly or behave in an unexpected way
capricious
160
Board games are a good _________ to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.
sth which is always ready for use， especially if a regular one fails
standby
161
And now I could feel my face getting hot， like I was working around a \_\_\_\_\_\_.
a special oven for baking clay pots， bricks etc
kiln
162
If so， you are taking your own first _________ steps into fiction.
shaking slightly， especially because you are nervous
tremulous
163
Mix the two solutions together and _________ the bottle.
to shake or mix a liquid quickly
agitate
164
His family are __________ to get him freed.
to argue strongly in public for sth you want， especially a political or social change
agitating
165
New elements are being __________ onto our traditional form of government.
to add smh very different to sth， so that it becomes part of it
grafted
166
The grand jury ____________ local authorities for their handling of the riots.
to prove that sb is not guilty of sth
exculpated
167
an __________ fortress
so strong that it cannot be entered by force
impregnable
168
All of those _______ egotistical talk show hosts annoy me.
speaking easily but without thinking carefully
glib
169
a ____________ demand for silence
that is not polite or friendly and shows that the person speaking expects to be obeyed immediately
peremptory
170
Martha had to have several skin \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a piece of healthy skin or bone taken from sb's body and put in or on another part of their body that has been damaged
grafts
171
a young man with a naturally __________ temperament
that remains calm and happy and does not often get annoyed
equable
172
Louise was so tired that she went to bed _______ a _________ for once.
without complaining
without a murmur
173
You interrupted my _______ of ________ - Now I can't remember what I was going to say.
a series of connected thoughts
train of thought
174
Officials in Washington say the peace process is in ______ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
in extreme danger or difficulty
dire straits
175
You ______ your ________ there are a lot of politicians who are more interested in getting elected than they are in solving problems.
to be certain that sth will happen or be true
bet your life
176
For women， a natural look in hairstyles _____ the ______ this spring.
to be the most popular
led the way
177
A district attorney has an awful burden ____ his \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
as a personal responsibility
on his shoulders
178
Rumours still abound about Saling's next project but the actress has so far refused to ____ her \_\_\_\_\_.
to let other people know what you are planning to do
tip her hand
179
I listen to the Sunday morning show when they play all the ________ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a record that was very popular in the past and that people still know and like today
golden oldies
180
If the accident was caused by company negligence， then _______ will \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
when people will lose their jobs as punishment for making serious mistakes
heads will roll
181
Shops in this part of the city shut at 5.30pm ___ the \_\_\_\_.
exactly on that time
on the dot
182
There's been so much ______ and ________ here， I think we should try to provide a smile.
the feeling that a situation is bad and is not likely to improve
gloom and doom
183
His victory in the French Open proved to be a _______ \_\_\_\_\_\_ after he failed to win another title for the next five years.
sth which seems to show that a situation is improving when it is not
false dawn
184
Share options are offered to top executives as _________ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
financial arrangements given by a company to an important employee in order to influence them to stay with the company
golden handcuffs
185
Henman is the ______ \_\_\_\_ of British tennis this season.
sb who is succesful and admired
golden boy
186
He likes a drop of the ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
alcoholic drink
hard stuff
187
Her achievements ___ great ________ to her parents.
to bring praise and respect to sb for sth they have done
do great credit
188
His wife left him in May and during the following months he _______ the _______ of despair.
to experience extreme sadness
plumbed the depths
189
What does the _______ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ expect from a new Labour government?
the large numbers of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly
silent majority
190
The Decameron is widely regarded as Boccaccio's _____ \_\_\_\_\_\_.
an artist's or writer's best piece of work
chef d'oeuvre
191
When the missing money was noticed， he chose to disappear rather than _______ the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
to accept criticism or punishment for sth that you have done
face the music
192
When he sent me flowers and a note， I was ______ the \_\_\_\_\_\_.
extremely happy
over the moon
193
The corruption scandal is being kept ____ the ______ by a series of new revelations.
very strong or active
on the boil
194
He spends all day stretched out on the sofa and never ______ a ________ to help.
to not help sb because you're lazy
lifts a finger
195
Job listings are updated continuously on our website， so you can ____ a ______ on your competition.
to get an advantage by doing sth before sb else
get a jump
196
Here lies Henry Stanford， who _________ this _________ January 13th 1867.
to die
departed this life
197
She has tried to resist attempts by the ______ \_\_\_\_\_\_ to halt the reform process.
a group of people who have worked in an organization for a long time and do not want it to change
old guard
198
If you feel you've had a ____ \_\_\_\_\_\_， you can always sue me.
unfair treatment
raw deal
199
Government officials say there was a __________ of _______ between the two leaders during the six-hour talks in Pretoria.
when two people find that they have the same ideas and opinions and find it easy to agree with each other
meeting of minds
200
He _____ the _______ when they found out that he'd lied about his qualifications.
to lose your job
got the sack
