enhance

 enhance 

= to intensify, increase, or improve the quality, value, extent, or fine details of something

Mark installed a custom performance chip to enhance the horsepower of his sports car.

Mark prefers manual brewing methods to enhance the natural flavor notes of the coffee.

Susan organized a study group to enhance her academic performance and make new friends.

Susan took a beginner's culinary class to enhance her knowledge of international cuisines.

Susan uses high-grade running shoes to enhance her stability during campus track practice.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "enhance":

Synonyms:

Boost

Elevate

Enrich

Improve

Antonyms:

Impair

Diminish

Reduce

Worsen

 

Question: 

Adding fresh herbs to the sauce will ________ its natural flavor.

A) enhance

B) diminish

C) ignore

D) remove

Reading comprehension

The Fastest Turtle in Town

Mark was a successful businessman who loved speed more than his morning coffee. One sunny morning, he looked at his shiny red sports car and sighed deeply. "This turtle is way too slow for a winner like me," he complained to himself. Then, Mark installed a custom performance chip to enhance the horsepower of his sports car. He also changed all the gears and added a giant spoiler that looked like a pizza tray. He even painted racing stripes on the sides.

The next day, he proudly parked his "supercar" outside a university café. Susan, a clever student, walked by and laughed loudly. "Nice toy, Mark! But driving too fast will violate the law, you know?" she teased with a grin.

Mark's face turned as red as his car. He had spent eight thousand dollars to enhance his vehicle, but the city speed limit was still fifty kilometers per hour. His girlfriend Chloe appeared and gently patted his shoulder. "At least it looks fast in the garage," she said.

Mark sighed. He had just wasted his money on a very expensive driveway decoration.

Question 1: 

Why did Mark install a custom performance chip in his car?

A) To decrease the speed and make it slower

B) To enhance the horsepower of his sports car

C) To change the color of the racing stripes

D) To make the car violate the law

Question 2: 

The word "enhance" means to improve, increase, or intensify the quality of something. 

Which sentence uses "enhance" correctly?

A) Mark wanted to enhance his car's speed by removing the wheels.

B) Susan studied hard to enhance her understanding of the law.

C) Chloe tried to enhance the silence by playing loud music.

D) The speed limit was installed to enhance the car's horsepower.

intervention

 intervention

= the act of becoming involved in a situation to change or improve it

Mark made a quick intervention during the meeting to clarify facts.

Mark's intervention in the software bug fixed the issue fast.

Susan’s intervention stopped a fight between classmates.

Susan’s intervention helped a lost student find the right classroom.

Her intervention persuaded the cafeteria to add more vegan options.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "intervention":

Synonyms:

involvement 

interference

Antonyms:

neglect

avoidance

withdrawal

noninterference

What does "intervention" mean?

A) Ignoring a problem

B) Getting involved to help

C) Avoiding responsibility

D) Leaving things alone 

Reading comprehension

Mark had a new client and an important meeting early in the morning. He wanted to boost his sales using the client’s platform. The client was tough and kept asking tricky questions. Mark made a quick intervention during the meeting to clarify facts. But the client still looked confused.

Suddenly, Susan, a friendly university student, walked by carrying a huge coffee. She saw Mark struggling and jumped in with a smile, explaining things in a simple way. The client laughed and said, “Now I get it!” Thanks to Susan’s surprise intervention, Mark got the important contract.

Later, Mark told Chloe, his girlfriend, “I almost lost the deal, but Susan saved the day.” Chloe teased, “Maybe you need a coffee-carrying sidekick more often!” Everyone laughed, and Mark promised to run his meetings with extra coffee and Susan’s help.

Multiple-Choice Questions:

What helped Mark get the contract?

A) His quick intervention alone

B) Susan’s helpful intervention

C) Chloe’s advice

D) The coffee machine

What does "intervention" mean in the story?

A) Ignoring problems

B) Becoming involved to improve things

C) Leaving the meeting early

D) Getting confused

impersonate

 impersonate

= to pretend to be someone else, usually by copying their appearance, voice, or behavior, often for entertainment, deception, or fraud

Mark impersonated his IT manager to gain access to the secure server.

The scammer claimed to be Mark, impersonating him online.

He tried to impersonate Susan to get access to her account.

The scammer was impersonating Susan and asking for money.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "impersonate":

Synonyms:

imitate

mimic

copy

pretend

Antonyms:

reveal

expose

authentic

original

Question:

What does "impersonate" mean?

A) To copy someone

B) To ignore someone

C) To help someone

D) To avoid someone

Reading comprehension

The web’s secure server was hacked, causing chaos everywhere. 

Mark, a successful businessman, tried everything. He even impersonated his IT manager to gain access to the secure server. Unfortunately, Mark couldn’t figure out the password—turns out, the real IT manager changed it last week and forgot to tell him! 

Meanwhile, Chloe, Mark’s girlfriend, was busy making coffee, totally ignoring the tech drama. Just when Mark was about to give up, Susan, a university student and part-time tech whiz, arrived. She laughed at Mark’s failed impersonation and quickly typed a few commands. 

In seconds, the server was safe again! Mark was amazed and asked, “How did you do that?” Susan grinned, “Sometimes, you don’t need to pretend. You just need to know the real password!” Chloe cheered, “Next time, try asking for help before impersonating, Mark!”

MC Questions:

What did Mark do to try to access the secure server?

A) Asked Chloe for help

B) Impersonated his IT manager

C) Called the police

D) Restarted the computer

What does "impersonate" mean in the story?

A) To be honest

B) To pretend to be someone else

C) To fix a problem quickly

D) To ask for help politely

part ways with (someone / something)

 

part ways with (someone / something)

= to end a relationship

= to give up something

After collecting his toys for so many years, Mark decided to part ways with them and find a new hobby.

收藏玩具這麼多年之後，Mark 決定和它們道別，找一個新的興趣。

After pondering for several months, Susan chose to part ways with her best friends because their values had diverged.

想了好幾個月之後，Susan 選擇和她最好的朋友們分道揚鑣，因為彼此的價值觀已經漸行漸遠。

After years of working together, Mark decided to part ways with the company to pursue his passions.

在一起合作了好幾年之後，Mark 決定和這家公司分開，去追尋他的熱情。

Susan realized it was time to part ways with her old habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Susan 意識到，是時候和自己的舊習慣說再見，並採取更健康的生活方式了。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "part ways with":

Synonyms

Separate from

End a relationship with

Give up

Discontinue 

Antonyms

Reunite

Join 

Continue 

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

What does the phrase "part ways with (someone / something)" typically mean?

A) To acquire something new

B) To end a relationship or stop using something

C) To improve or enhance something

D) To share something with others

scrap

 scrap

= to cancel or abandon a plan, project, or idea

Mark decided to scrap the new app after the beta tests failed.

Mark scrapped his plan to buy a sports car this year.

Mark scrapped the IT upgrade due to budget cuts.

Susan scrapped her plan to join the basketball team. 

Susan scrapped her weekend hiking trip due to exams.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "scrap":

Synonyms:

cancel

abort

discard

drop

Antonyms:

continue

pursue

keep

maintain

What does it mean to scrap a plan?

A) To finish it

B) To start it

C) To cancel it

D) To share it

Reading comprehension

Mark was very excited. He was writing a new app that would make everyone laugh. But after testing, nobody laughed. Mark decided to scrap the new app after the beta tests failed. He was sad and wanted to give up. Just then, Susan walked by his office and saw him looking upset. She said, "Why don’t you add funny cat videos? Everyone loves cats!" Mark laughed and thought, "That’s a great idea!"

Together, they worked hard. Chloe, Mark's girlfriend, even helped by making silly sounds for the app. After a few weeks, the app was ready and launched. Suddenly, it became super popular! People laughed everywhere.

Mark’s boss was so happy that he gave Mark a shiny new sports car as a bonus. Mark smiled and said, "Thanks, Susan! And thank you, funny cats!" Everyone agreed—sometimes, scrapping a plan leads to something better.

Questions:

What does "scrap" mean in the story?

A) To finish the app

B) To cancel the app

C) To start the app

D) To share the app

Why did Mark decide to scrap the new app?

A) Because it made everyone laugh

B) Because the beta tests failed

C) Because Susan helped him

D) Because Chloe made sounds

rodent

 rodent

= A type of small mammal characterized by a pair of continuously growing incisors in both the upper and lower jaws, which they use for gnawing. Examples include mice, rats, squirrels, and beavers.  

Mark’s sports car garage was cleaned to keep rodents away.

Mark heard that FEHD told Langham Place to fix the rodent problem by August 6 or they will be prosecuted.

His fishing gear was ruined by a rodent chewing on the lines.

Susan saw a rodent run past her dormitory last night.

While playing soccer, Susan noticed a rodent near the field.

Some synonyms and antonyms for rodent:

Synonyms:

gnawer

mammal

chewer

vermin

Antonyms:

predator

carnivore

hunter

large mammal

Question:

What is a rodent known for?

A) Flying in the sky

B) Growing incisors

C) Swimming in water

D) Singing loudly

Reading comprehension

Mark was proud of his shiny sports car, but one day he found some mice in his garage. "Oh no! Rodents!" he shouted. Mark’s sports car garage was cleaned to keep rodents away, but these mice seemed to have a secret party there every night. Mark tried traps, but the mice were too smart—they even wore tiny sunglasses!

Susan, a university student and Mark’s new friend, came to help. She brought a "mouse disco ball" to scare the rodents with flashing lights and music. The mice stopped their party and ran away, probably confused about the disco.

Chloe, Mark’s girlfriend, laughed when she saw the disco ball. "Only you, Mark, would need a disco to stop mice!" she said.

In the end, Mark thanked Susan, and the garage was finally mouse-free. No more rodent parties—just Mark’s sports car shining bright.

Multiple-choice questions:

1. What did Mark find in his garage?

A) Cats

B) Rodents

C) Birds

D) Dogs

2. What helped to scare the mice away?

A) Traps

B) Loud music and lights

C) Food

D) Water