slew

 slew

= a large number

= an excessive amount

Mark has a slew of meetings every Monday morning. 

On Sundays, Mark runs early with a slew of runners for community practice.

Susan has a slew of assignments to finish before exams start.

Susan loves sports, so she watches a slew of games during the season.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "slew":

Synonyms:

a number of

a bunch of

many

numerous

Antonyms:

few

a small number

scarce

limited

Question: Choose the best meaning of “slew” in: “There’s a slew of tasks today.”

A) a small number of tasks

B) a few tasks only

C) a large number of tasks

D) one single task

Reading comprehension

Mark was a successful businessman, but his calendar had a talent for screaming. Every Monday morning, his phone buzzed like it was starting a fire drill—because Mark had a slew of meetings. Again.

Chloe, his girlfriend, peeked at his schedule. “Babe, you’re not managing a company—you’re running a traveling circus.”

Mark sighed. “I need to reduce the workload without hurting progress. I can’t cancel everything. I still want results… and maybe lunch.”

Susan, a university student and part-time genius, arrived with a notebook and a spoon. “Don’t worry. We’ll organize the meetings. Not destroy them.”

She created “Meeting Jenga”: each meeting was a block. If Mark removed one block, the tower still had to stay standing. Mark looked terrified.

Chloe clapped. “So… reduce meetings, keep progress.”

Susan smiled. “Exactly. We’ll combine updates, shorten check-ins, and use one ‘super-email’ instead of five mini-planet meetings.”

By Monday afternoon, Mark was calm, Chloe was laughing, and Susan had earned a cookie.

And yes—Mark still had meetings… just fewer of the “slew” kind.

Question 1: In the story, what does “slew” mean?

A) a small number

B) a large number

C) one single meeting

D) no meetings

Question 2: Why did Mark want to reduce the workload?

A) to cancel all meetings

B) to avoid progress

C) to reduce meetings without hurting progress

D) to stop working forever

sanguine

 sanguine 

= to be optimistic or hopeful, especially in a confident and cheerful way

Mark remains sanguine about the future of his IT company despite market challenges.

Even after losing the race, Mark stayed sanguine and planned his training.

Japan’s economy minister offers a sanguine view on inflation, reassuring markets.

Susan stayed sanguine after missing out on the first event, knowing more chances would come.

Susan stays sanguine about balancing studies and her love for sports.

Some synonyms and antonyms for sanguine:

Synonyms:

optimistic

hopeful

confident

positive

Antonyms:

pessimistic

doubtful

gloomy

negative

Question: What does "sanguine" mean?

A) Pessimistic

B) Optimistic

C) Indifferent

D) Angry

Reading comprehension

Mark was excited to open his new startup company. His unique ideas were copied by rivals, which made him very mad and frustrated. Chloe, his girlfriend, tried to cheer him up, but Mark still felt worried about the future.

One day, Susan, a cheerful university student, visited Mark’s office. After discussing his problems with Susan, Mark began to remain sanguine about the future of his IT company despite market challenges. Susan’s calm and positive attitude helped him regain hope.

Inspired, Mark started dreaming up new ideas again. He joked, “Maybe I should invent a clone detector!” Susan laughed and said, “Or a coffee-proof computer!”

With Susan’s encouragement and Chloe’s tasty donuts, Mark learned that staying sanguine was the best way to outsmart the copycats.

Question 1:

What does "sanguine" mean in the story?

A) Angry

B) Hopeful

C) Confused

D) Sad

Question 2:

What helped Mark begin to feel confident again?

A) Talking with Susan

B) Giving up on ideas

C) Chloe’s coffee

D) Losing interest 

triumph

 triumph

= a great victory, success, or achievement, often after a struggle or challenge

Mark felt a triumph when his startup became profitable.

Winning the marathon was a triumph for Mark.

Susan felt triumph when she aced her final exams.

Cooking a perfect meal was a triumph for Susan.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "triumph":

Synonyms:

victory

success

achievement

win

Antonyms:

defeat

failure

loss

setback

 

 

What does "triumph" mean?

A) Failure

B) Victory

C) Problem

D) Delay

Reading comprehension

Mark felt a triumph when his startup became profitable. Excited, he wanted to triple sales next year but had no idea how. One day, Susan, a creative university student, visited his office with a quirky idea. "Why not sell coffee-flavored running shoes?" she suggested. Mark laughed, imagining runners sipping coffee while jogging.

Chloe, Mark’s girlfriend, joined in. "Or shoes that play music to motivate runners!" she said. Mark loved the ideas but worried about the cost.

Suddenly, his office fish, Mr. Bubbles, jumped out of the tank and splashed water everywhere. Mark said, "Maybe Mr. Bubbles wants to be part of the team!"

They all laughed, realizing creativity could come from anywhere. With Susan’s help, Mark planned a fun marketing campaign. Mark knew this teamwork would bring another triumph soon.

Question 1:

What did Mark feel when his startup became profitable?

A) Failure

B) Triumph

C) Confusion

D) Sadness

Question 2:

What creative idea did Susan suggest to help Mark triple sales?

A) Coffee-flavored running shoes

B) Music-playing shoes

C) Fish in the office

D) Selling more coffee

patronizing

 

patronizing

= showing someone believes they are superior to others 

The CEO’s patronizing remarks about the buyout highlighted his arrogance.

CEO 對這次併購的居高臨下的說法凸顯了他的傲慢。

Her patronizing tone during the meeting frustrated the team, making them feel undervalued.

她在會議中的那種帶施捨感的口氣讓團隊很挫折，覺得自己不被重視。

Susan found the patronizing attitude of the salesperson disrespectful, as he assumed she knew nothing about the product.

Susan 覺得那位銷售人員居高臨下的態度很不尊重，因為他以為她對這個產品一無所知。

His patronizing behavior during the presentation alienated the audience rather than engaging them.

他在簡報時那種帶輕視意味的行為，反而疏遠了聽眾，而不是讓他們投入。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "patronizing":

Synonyms 

Arrogant

Snobbish 

Antonyms

Respectful

Humble

Approachable

Supportive 

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

What does the term "patronizing" mean?

A) To provide generous support

B) To treat someone with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority

C) To encourage someone positively

D) To express gratitude openly

mayday

 mayday

= an international distress signal used to indicate a life-threatening emergency, especially in situations requiring immediate help, such as during accidents, natural disasters, or emergencies at sea or in the air

Susan’s sports team paused when a mayday was announced nearby.

While exploring campus, Susan overheard a mayday from the security office.

Mark heard a mayday call from a boat stuck in the storm.

While fishing, Mark listened to a mayday signal on his radio. 

Mark's sports car radio interrupted with a mayday message about a fire.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "Mayday":

Synonyms:

Distress call

SOS

Emergency signal

Help request

Antonyms:

Safe signal

All clear

Normal communication

Routine message

What does "mayday" mean in a disaster context?

A) Routine message

B) Emergency distress call

C) Friendly greeting

D) Weather update

Reading comprehension

Susan was practicing volleyball at the university when suddenly a loudspeaker announced, "Mayday! Mayday! Wildfire nearby!" Susan’s sports team paused when a mayday was announced nearby. Everyone looked worried.

Susan quickly grabbed her phone and called Mark. “Mark, the wildfire is getting close! Can you come help me leave?” she said, trying not to drop her volleyball.

Mark, a successful businessman, was enjoying his coffee when he heard Susan’s urgent call. “Hold tight, Susan! I’m on my way with my super-fast car!” he replied.

Minutes later, Mark arrived, parking his shiny sports car beside the court. Susan jumped in, and they sped away, dodging imaginary flames.

Just then, Chloe appeared with a giant water gun. “Need backup?” she laughed, ready for the wild volleyball-firefight adventure.

They all laughed as they escaped safely, volleyballs bouncing all around.

Questions:

What does the word "mayday" mean in the story?

A) A volleyball cheer

B) A distress signal

C) A funny joke

D) A new sports move

Why did Mark come to the university?

A) To join Susan’s volleyball team

B) To help Susan leave because of the wildfire

C) To watch a game

D) To bring coffee

map something out

 map something out

= to plan or arrange the details of something carefully and clearly in advance

Mark mapped out his business strategy for the next year.

Mark mapped out his training schedule for the marathon.

Susan mapped out a workout routine to stay fit.

Susan mapped out her weekend plans with friends.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "map something out":

Synonyms:

plan

outline

schedule

arrange

Antonyms:

improvise

wing it

neglect

ignore

What does "map something out" mean?

A) Ignore details

B) Plan carefully

C) Forget steps

D) Delay action

Reading comprehension

Mark was staring at his laptop, worried. "I want to double my business revenue next year, but I have no idea how," he said. Mark mapped out his business strategy for the next year, but it looked more like a spaghetti mess than a plan. His girlfriend, Chloe, suggested, "Why not ask Susan? She's smart and loves planning things."

Susan, the university student, arrived with a big smile. "Let’s make it fun!" she said. She brought sticky notes, colored pens, and even a toy dinosaur to "help with creativity". Mark laughed but agreed. Susan helped him organize ideas, even making a "revenue rocket" chart with the dinosaur flying up.

In the end, Mark realized that mapping out a plan with Susan’s help was not only smart but also hilarious. Chloe joked, "Next time, bring the dinosaur to every meeting!"

Multiple-Choice Questions:

What did Mark do to prepare for next year?

A) Ignored his business

B) Mapped out his business strategy

C) Took a vacation

D) Sold his business

What does "map something out" mean in the story?

A) Plan carefully

B) Forget everything

C) Do it quickly

D) Stop working