Vocabulary: Interview with St Nicholas

Question 1

What does announce mean?

Announce

He officially announced his resignation at today’s press conference.

Answer 1

to say something officially, especially about a decision or plans

Announce can be used in other ways similar to this.

Question 2

What does celebrations mean?

celebrations

The most important thing about St Nicholas celebrations is the singing.

Answer 2

A collection of events to commemorate a very special occasion

Christmas, 50th Wedding Anniversary, The End of a War

Question 3

What does challenges mean?

challenges

The list of challenges seems endless.

Answer 3

a set of obstacles or tasks to overcome

Question 4

What does consume mean in this instance?

consume (1)

The electricity industry consumes large amounts of fossil fuels.

Answer 4

to use something, especially fuel, energy or time

Question 5

What does consume mean in this instance?

consume (2)

Red meat should be consumed in moderation.

Answer 5

to eat or drink something

Question 6

What does consume mean in this instance?

comsume (3)

Carolyn was consumed with guilt.

Answer 6

to be filled with a strong feeling

Question 7

What does decades mean in this instance?

decades

A few decades ago, I converted our vessel to run on hydrogen.

Answer 7

several years but less than one hundred

A decade is ten years.

Question 8

What does despite mean in this instance

despite

Her voice was shaking despite all her efforts to control it.

Answer 8

used to show that something happened or is true although something else might have happened to prevent it

Question 9

What does due mean in this instance?

due

The prices of those presents did rise enormously due to inflation.

Answer 9

because of

Due has several uses in English. This is just one of them.

Question 10

What does fuel mean in this instance?

fuel (1)

The car has a 65-litre fuel tank.

Answer 10

any material that produces heat or power, usually when it is burnt

Question 11

What does fuel mean in this instance?

fuel (2)

The new information adds fuel to the debate over safety procedures.

Answer 11

a thing that is said or done that makes something, especially an argument, continue or get worse

Question 12

What does global mean in this instance?

global

This year the global economy will grow by about 4 per cent.

Answer 12

covering or affecting the whole world

Question 13

What does limits mean in this instance?

limits

She knew the limits of her power.

Answer 13

a point at which something stops being possible or existing

Question 14

What does pleasant mean in this instance?

pleasant

Giving a child a pat on the head is far more pleasant.

Answer 14

fun, attractive, or giving pleasure

Question 15

What does remains mean in this instance?

remains (verb)

It remains exciting, I hope for a good outcome.

Answer 15

to continue unchanged

Question 16

What does sharpest mean in this instance?

sharpest

Gerald isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Answer 16

Gerald is not very intelligent.

Question 17

What does stuff mean in this instance?

stuff

What’s all that sticky stuff on the carpet?

Answer 17

used to refer to a substance, material, group of objects, etc. when you do not know the name, when the name is not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about

Question 18

What does tax mean in this instance?

tax

Two things in life are certain, death and taxes.

Answer 18

money that you have to pay to the government so that it can pay for public services. People pay tax according to their income and businesses pay tax according to their profits. Tax is also often paid on goods and services.

Question 19

What does technique mean in this instance?

technique

Researchers used advanced techniques to analyse the brain scans.

Answer 19

a particular way of doing something, especially one in which you have to learn special skills

Question 20

What does global warming mean in this instance?

global warming

What effects of global warming have you already seen?

Answer 20

the increase in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide

Question 21

What does waving mean in this instance?

waving

The people on the bus waved and we waved back.

Answer 21

to move your hand or arm from side to side in the air in order to attract attention, say hello, etc.

Question 22

What does whether mean in this instance?

whether

He seemed undecided whether to go or stay.

Answer 22

used to express a doubt or choice between two possibilities