character

 character

= a person’s moral nature

Mark shows strong character in every deal he makes.  

Mark’s character guides him to treat clients with respect.

Susan’s character helps her handle school stress with positivity.

Susan’s character is seen in her love for sports and teamwork.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "character":

Synonyms:

morality

virtue

integrity

disposition

Antonyms:

immorality

corruption

dishonesty

cruelty

 

Question: In “Mark shows strong character,” what does “character” mean?

A) His favorite sport

B) His moral nature

C) His car model

D) His job title

The Mooncake, the Turf, and the Mechanical Rabbit

Mark shows strong character in every deal he makes. Naturally, he brought that same unshakeable grit to relaxing. Fresh off a massive corporate buyout, Mark drove his shiny red sports car up the mountain for a Mid-Autumn picnic with his university student niece, Susan, and his girlfriend, Chloe.

Tagging along was Daisy, Mark’s prototype robot rabbit, due for launch in a few months. Daisy looked like a plush toy, except it stared at Mark with clinical, unblinking crimson optics.

At the BBQ area, Mark parked himself at a picnic table, unwrapped a salted-egg-yolk mooncake, and entered a state of deep, meditative chewing. Meanwhile, Susan and Chloe headed to a nearby patch of dry grass to light candles and lanterns.

Fwoosh!

Susan dropped a burning candle. The turf caught fire.

Susan and Chloe panicked, scanning for water. None in sight. Restroom? A mile away.

Daisy’s internal fan whirred. Scanning emergency. Bounding across the grass at Olympic speed, Daisy unzipped its belly compartment, yanked out a fire-retardant picnic blanket, and smothered the flames in three seconds flat.

Susan gasped, "Daisy, you saved us!"

Daisy adjusted its floppy metal ears, synthesized a calm British accent, and chimed, "No worries, everyone. I am fully prepared for festive hazards."

Back at the table, Mark finished his last crumb. He hadn't noticed the smoke, the panic, or the charred turf. Blissfully zen, Mark patted Daisy’s metallic head and thought, Best prototype ever. It protects nature, puts out fires, and lets me focus on the mooncakes!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Questions

1. What does the sentence "Mark shows strong character in every deal he makes" mean in this story?

A) Mark has a loud and funny personality during negotiations.

B) Mark demonstrates integrity, firm principles, and moral strength in business.

C) Mark acts like a cartoon character when selling cars.

D) Mark has a weak physical build when signing contracts.

2. Based on the story, why didn't Mark react to the grass fire?

A) He was wearing noise-canceling headphones.

B) He was angry at Susan and Chloe.

C) He trusted Daisy completely and was absorbed in eating his mooncake.

D) He couldn't see the fire from inside his red sports car.

characteristic

characteristic

= a feature or quality that is typical of a person, thing, or group

Mark’s characteristic is being calm and focused during busy workdays. 

Mark’s characteristic is staying disciplined as a professional runner.

Susan’s characteristic is being curious and always interested in learning at university.

Susan’s characteristic is loving sports and staying energetic with friends.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "characteristic":

Synonyms:

trait

feature

attribute

quality

Antonyms:

exception

anomaly

oddity

inconsistency

Question: Which sentence uses “characteristic” correctly?

A) Mark likes fishing is a characteristic.

B) The characteristic of Mark is likes fishing.

C) Mark’s characteristic is liking fishing on weekends for meditation.

D) Fishing is a characteristic because it raining.

The Great Mooncake Escape

Mark’s characteristic is being calm and focused during busy workdays. Normally, spreadsheets didn't scare him, and board meetings melted away under his icy stare. However, with the Mid-Autumn Festival looming and a pantry mocking him with lotus-seed mooncakes, Mark had zero mood for corporate synergy.

He dialed his smart-home line.

"Hi, Mark speaking," a metallic voice buzzed back.

"Come to my office to replace me!" Mark shouted into the speaker.

"It's my pleasure!" the robot Mark chirped.

Donning Mark’s spare shiny suit, the android stepped out the door and marched straight to downtown on foot. Walking ten miles in designer loafers drained 87% of its battery, leaving joints clicking like a cheap stapler.

Just as the low-battery red eye blinked on the robot's chest, it kicked open the office door. Mark panicked, strapped on a bright orange emergency parachute, and scrambled backward toward the window ledge.

"Let's run 20 miles today before eating too much mooncakes!" Mark declared proudly to empty air.

With a dramatic leap, Mark pulled the cord—which immediately snagged on the air conditioner unit, slowly lowering him upside down past the third-floor window like a sad human lantern.

Inside, the robot plugged its power cable into the nearest desk socket, flashed a green LED, and started drafting Q3 reports with terrifying speed.

Hanging upside down outside, catching a cool autumn breeze, Mark sighed happily. The day was just perfect.

Questions 

Why did Mark have to leave his office through the window with a parachute?

A) He forgot his keys and locked himself out of the boardroom.

B) The robot Mark arrived to replace him, and Mark wanted to escape for his own festival training.

C) His shiny suit was too heavy to walk out the front door.

D) He wanted to test his parachute before eating mooncakes.

Based on the definition provided ("a feature or quality that is typical of a person, thing, or group"), which sentence uses characteristic correctly?

A) Mark bought a new characteristic suit for work.

B) Being calm and focused during crunch time is a well-known characteristic of Mark.

C) The robot characteristically plugged into the wall.

D) Mark ate a characteristic mooncake with salted egg yolk.

chart

 chart

= a visual representation of data or information, such as bar charts, line charts, pie charts, etc., used to illustrate trends, comparisons, or distributions

Mark uses a chart to compare his monthly sales with last year’s numbers.

Mark shows a chart to his team so they can track progress week by week.

Susan uses a chart to study trends for her university research.

Susan shows a chart in class to help explain the results of her project.

Susan creates a chart to compare prices at the cafeteria and nearby stores.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "chart":

Synonyms:

graph

diagram

table

plot

Antonyms:

confusion

disorder

uncertainty

chaos

Question: Which sentence uses the meaning of “chart” correctly?

A) Susan paints a chart on a wall.

B) Mark uses a chart to show comparisons and trends.

C) The students discuss charting in a long speech.

D) A chart is a type of food Susan eats.

The Peak Flying Fiasco

Mark used a chart to compare his monthly sales with last year’s numbers. The bars shot up like a skyscraper after an espresso shot.

“Must be my shiny red sports car and custom Italian suit,” Mark grinned, admiring his reflection in the coffee mug. “What screams ‘buy my software’ even louder? Vertical mobility!”

Enter the local rental hub.

“Here you are,” the agent handed over a sleek silver pod with propeller wings.

“Great. By the way, does it have a manual?” Mark asked.

“Only three hundred pages of panic-prevention tips,” the agent sighed, handing over a thick binder.

Forty-eight chaotic hours and one near-miss with a pigeon later, Mark mastered the flight switch. Brimming with overconfidence, he bumped into Susan, a tired university student rolling a squeaky, half-broken bicycle.

“First one to the Peak wins!” Mark declared, adjusting his aviator sunglasses.

Susan squinted at the flying pod. “Oh, the flying car looks very professional! Anyway, I’ll try my best to beat you, uncle Mark!”

The race kicked off. Mark zoomed past the base, while Susan huffed and puffed past shortcut stairs that cars couldn't touch. Five minutes in, gridlock paralyzed the mountain road. Mark watched Susan’s squeaky bicycle glide past the parked traffic.

“It’s time to fly! Losing is not an option!” Mark roared, hitting the vertical thrusters.

The pod shot into the clouds, bypassed the jam, and hovered gloriously above the Peak. Except for one tiny oversight: every other rich tech-bro with a flying rental had the exact same idea. The Peak airspace looked like a airborne parking lot during a weekend clearance sale. Zero parking spots.

Trapped in mid-air, Mark circled like a confused bumblebee. Tap-tap. Susan rolled her broken bicycle right onto the scenic viewing platform, locked the kickstand, and pulled out an iced latte.

Looking up at the cloud-bound CEO, Susan proudly sang to Mark in the sky, “We are the champions, my friend… and we’ll keep on fighting till the end…!”

Mark settled for parallel-parking into a passing cloud.

Q1. Why did Susan win the race to the Peak?

A) She hired a helicopter to drop her off at the top.

B) She took shortcuts on her bicycle while Mark got stuck in the airborne/road traffic chaos and lack of landing space.

C) Mark forgot how to turn on the flying car engine.

D) Susan secretly rented a faster flying car than Mark.

Q2. What does the word chart mean in the sentence "Mark uses a chart to compare his monthly sales with last year’s numbers"?

A) A written diary tracking Mark’s daily workout routine.

B) A visual representation of data (like bars or lines) used to illustrate comparisons or trends.

C) A map showing the hiking trails leading up to the Peak.

D) A contract signed between Mark and his sales clients.

quash

 

quash

= to officially invalidate something 

= to suppress or put an end to something 

My boss promptly issued a statement to quash any speculation about the acquisition.

我老闆立刻發布了一份聲明，打消任何關於這次併購的猜測。

To quash the unrest among the team, Susan organized a meeting to clarify that she won't leave the team this season.

為了平息團隊之間的不安，Susan 安排了一場會議，說明她這個賽季不會離開團隊。

Mark's proposal was quashed during the meeting.

Mark 的提案在會議中被否決了。

Mark thought of a new idea, but it was quashed by the team.

Mark 想出了一個新點子，但被團隊給否定了。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "quash":

Synonyms:

Suppress

Cancel 

Abolish 

Antonyms:

Encourage

Promote

Support

Approve 

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

Which of the following best describes the verb "quash"?

A) To create or promote something new.

B) To suppress, extinguish, or put an end to something, often legally or forcefully.

C) To encourage a discussion or debate.

D) To celebrate or acknowledge a success.

background

 background

= personal and professional history

During the job interview, Mark highlighted his background in the IT industry and his track record of scaling tech startups.

Mark’s strong background in endurance running allowed him to comfortably complete the charity marathon without prior specialized preparation.

As a university student from a small town, Susan often uses her unique cultural background as inspiration for her creative writing assignments.

Susan explained that her foodie adventures started early due to her multicultural family background and frequent international travels.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "background":

Synonyms:

history

resume

record

upbringing

Antonyms:

ignorance

amnesia

forgetting

blank

Question: What does “background” mean in “personal and professional history”?

A) Past experiences and education

B) Only job responsibilities

C) Current schedule

D) Future plans

The Red Rocket and the Honda Honey

Mark, a successful businessman, and his girlfriend Chloe were enjoying their coffee at the weekend. Mark talked about his new sports car a lot, bragging about its speed and curves. When buying his new sports car, Mark mentioned that his engineering background helped him appreciate the vehicle's advanced aerodynamics.

Chloe, however, was not interested in it at all. Taking a sip of her latte, she rolled her eyes and said, "You are just driving at 50 kilometers per hour in city traffic. There is no need to drive your red shiny sports car! A tiny Honda S660 is already the best for you, my honey!"

Mark suddenly agreed with her on the parking nightmare, but, you know, Mark would never sell his precious sports car and buy a micro Honda S660.

After chatting a lot, they felt tired and finally drove back to his house. On the highway, Mark happily pressed the gas pedal. Suddenly, he saw a police car struggling to chase a speeding white hatchback. The police car was simply not fast enough to catch the clever escapee. Desperate, the officer leaned out of the window and shouted to Mark for help.

"Please block that front white car! We need to catch him now! This is an order!" the officer yelled.

Mark replied with total confidence, "Yes, sir!"

Channeling his inner race car driver, Mark chased the runaway vehicle, swerved gracefully, and blocked the road so that the police could catch the thief immediately.

Later, Mark received a shiny good citizen reward from the local government. And Chloe? Well, she finally understood the difference between a roaring sports supercar and a Honda S660—mostly because Mark talked about his heroics for the next three months.

Questions

According to the story, why did Mark appreciate the advanced aerodynamics of his new sports car?

A. Because a police officer explained it to him on the highway.

B. Because his engineering background helped him understand it.

C. Because Chloe read about it in a car magazine.

D. Because the Honda S660 manual recommended it.

Based on the definition provided in the text (background = personal and professional history), which sentence uses the word background with the same meaning?

A. She painted the kitchen wall with a blue background to match the curtains.

B. The suspect was standing in the background of the security camera footage.

C. His background in computer science helped him fix the software bug easily.

D. The photographer blurred the background to make the portrait stand out.

category

 category

= a group or class of things that share a common feature

Mark placed car reviews in the category of sports vehicles.

Mark checked the category of coffee flavors at the shop.

Susan listed her category of hobbies as sports and games.

Susan chose a category for her university projects and tasks.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "category":

Synonyms:

class

group

type

division

Antonyms:

individual

variety

mixture

randomness

Question: Which option best matches the meaning of “category”?

A) A single person

B) A group of similar items

C) A random event

D) A type of weather

The Great AI Art Disaster

Susan, a university student with no talent for brushstrokes, stared at a blank canvas for a whole week. Inspired by daily life, she finally entered the award competition in her age category.

Desperate, she called Mark—her successful businessman uncle and an eccentric character. At this moment, Mark paced his shiny red sports car stuck in a brutal traffic jam and yelled via Bluetooth, “Draw this misery! Capture my soul burning in gridlock while you flash a victory V-sign!”

Susan sketched Mark looking like a melted potato, groaning at the steering wheel, paired with herself cheesing like a tourist at Disneyland.

Mark slammed his palm on his horn and reviewed the painting she’d sent. “My facial expression looks like a tax audit gone wrong, Susan Bond! This won’t win squat.”

“So…?” Susan blinked.

Susan went to Mark’s house and saw the AI robot machine painting. “Use my Robo-Pablo—my AI art droid!”

Robo-Pablo whizzed across the canvas, airbrushing hyper-realistic tears of despair onto Mark’s cheeks and rendering a Ferrari emblem shinier than real life. Ten minutes later, Mark declared, “Victory is ours!”

Later, the judges agreed and awarded Susan first place. She held the shiny trophy high and high-fived Mark.

Then, Chloe—Mark’s hyper-observant girlfriend, who happened to be a judge at the regional design finals—zoomed in with a magnifying glass. “Babe, why does your ear have a USB-C port in this oil painting?”

Busted. The association stripped the title faster than Robo-Pablo could redraw a middle finger. Susan kept the trophy anyway—as a doorstop.

Questions

1. Why did Susan get disqualified from the art competition?

A) She drew her uncle Mark without asking permission.

B) The association discovered an AI robot helped paint the final details.

C) She missed the submission deadline by ten minutes.

D) Her drawing of the traffic jam was too realistic.

2. Which sentence best uses the word category as defined in the text (a group or class of things that share a common feature)?

A) Susan put her red sports car into the garage category.

B) Uncle Mark categorized his stress levels during the traffic jam from one to ten.

C) Susan competed for the award in her age category against peers born in the same multi-year bracket.

D) Chloe categorized the AI robot as a dangerous household appliance.

brainstorm

 brainstorm

= to generate a large number of ideas, thoughts, or solutions about a particular topic or problem, usually in a spontaneous and creative way

Mark decided to brainstorm ideas for his new sports car project.

During his coffee break, Mark would brainstorm ways to improve his running pace.

Mark often brainstorms marketing strategies for his IT startup.

Susan decided to brainstorm ideas for her university project.

During her free time, Susan would brainstorm new ways to meet friends.

Synonyms and antonyms for "brainstorm"

Synonyms:

generate ideas

think creatively

mind map

idea session  

Antonyms:

block ideas

limit thoughts

restrict thinking

stifle creativity  

Question: What does "brainstorm" mean?

A) To organize files

B) To generate ideas

C) To read books

D) To run marathons

The Ultimate Friday Shortcut

Mark, a successful businessman, really wanted to enjoy more free time on Friday since he did not want to work hard near the weekend. Sitting at his desk, he started to brainstorm ideas on how to get it done quickly. Finally, he decided to buy an advanced AI robot to replace him every single Friday!

He bought all the parts and built a replica that looked exactly like him. Because it was packed with powerful AI chips, this robot was actually much smarter than the real Mark. When Friday arrived, the real Mark felt thrilled and let the robot take his place at the office.

The robot Mark walked into the building, greeted everyone cheerfully, and headed straight to the office. No one suspected a thing except Chloe, Mark's girlfriend, who happened to work at the same company. Confused by seeing two Marks, Chloe peeked into the room. By that time, the real Mark had already escaped out the window with a parachute!

"Mark, how are you?" Chloe asked, feeling suspicious.

"I am fine. I need to work right now. Let us chat later," the robot replied smoothly.

"If you are really Mark, do you know what color socks I am wearing?" Chloe challenged.

The robot used his built-in infrared scanner, looked down at her shoes, and proudly announced, "Black!"

Chloe gasped in surprise. "Oh, you are the real one!"

"Oh, come on! I have a razor-sharp mind and infrared detectors!" the robot bragged.

Suddenly, Chloe realized that a real human would never talk about infrared eyes. She demanded to know where Mark had gone. Realizing he was caught, the robot confessed that the real Mark had fled to enjoy his day off.

Chloe rushed out of the building and waited inside Mark's car. When the real Mark finally showed up, he was shocked to find her sitting in the driver's seat.

"What is going on here?" Chloe asked with a raised eyebrow.

Mark sighed and confessed everything. "I just needed a good day to enjoy my life! Don't worry, the robot is much smarter than me anyway. He can handle all the work!"

Smiling, Chloe locked the office doors remotely, hopped into the passenger seat, and they drove off to enjoy a wonderful Friday together.

Question 1

Why did Mark decide to buy an AI robot?

A) He wanted help to brainstorm ideas for a new business project.

B) He wanted to avoid working hard on Fridays and enjoy some free time.

C) He wanted Chloe to have someone smart to talk to at the office.

D) He needed someone to drive his car while he worked.

Question 2

Based on the story and the definition provided, what does it mean to "brainstorm" a list of ideas?

A) To copy someone else's homework or work tasks.

B) To generate a large number of creative ideas or solutions spontaneously.

C) To memorize a list of difficult technical rules.

D) To argue with coworkers about office policies.

calculate

 calculate

= to figure something out by using numbers, a method, or reasoning

Mark will calculate the cost before buying a sports car.

Mark can calculate his weekly running time for training.

Mark needs to calculate fuel expenses for his sports car trips.

Susan needs to calculate the cost of a new sports outfit.

Susan will calculate how long it takes to reach campus by bus.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "calculate":

Synonyms:

compute

determine

figure out

evaluate

Antonyms:

guess

estimate

improvise

ignore

Question: Which means “calculate” in the sentence?

A) Guess the answer quickly.

B) Compute the answer using a method.

C) Forget the numbers and stop.

D) Change the topic to something else.

The Ultimate Commute

Susan had a very important presentation at the university. Because the campus was miles away, Susan calculated how long it takes to reach campus by bus down to the exact minute. She felt fully prepared for her big morning.

Ten minutes into the ride, the bus slammed to a halt. A massive traffic jam blocked the road completely. Panicking, she called her uncle Mark, a successful businessman. Unfortunately, Mark could not rescue her because he was already at the university discussing an important deal with his professor clients.

Susan felt frustrated, but she was ready for anything. She quickly packed her laptop and mobile phone into a waterproof plastic bag and zipped it inside her sturdy backpack. Then, she unzipped her gym bag and swapped her heels for professional carbon-fibre running shoes built for speed. Without a second thought, she hopped off the bus and sprinted toward the campus.

The route was nearly twenty kilometers long, but Susan was an athlete who could handle the challenge. After running for about ten kilometers, she stopped to catch her breath and began to ponder. 'It will be much faster to go to the campus if swimming across the harbour,' she thought.

She weighed her options carefully. Should she keep running, or take a shortcut through the water? Impulsively, she chose to swim.

After an exhausting run and a freezing swim across the harbour, Susan finally arrived at the campus gates. She was dripping wet from head to toe, and a confused yellow rubber duck from the harbour was somehow stuck to her backpack. Despite smelling faintly of seaweed, Susan delivered her presentation with absolute perfection. Her professors were so impressed by her dedication that they praised her endlessly, proving that a little creativity goes a long way.

 

Questions 

Why did Susan decide to get off the bus and change her shoes?

A) She wanted to meet her uncle Mark for a quick business meeting.

B) A massive traffic jam delayed the bus, so she decided to run the rest of the way to her university presentation.

C) She forgot her laptop and had to run all the way back to her apartment.

D) Her carbon-fibre running shoes were much more comfortable for sitting on public transportation.

 

Based on the provided definition ("to figure something out by using numbers, a method, or reasoning"), which sentence uses the word calculate correctly?

A) Susan tried to calculate the heavy traffic jam by yelling at the bus driver.

B) Susan used math and reasoning to calculate how long the bus ride would take.

C) Susan forgot to calculate her waterproof plastic bag before jumping into the harbour.

D) Susan calculated her presentation by speaking very loudly to her professors.

assume

 assume

= to take something for granted or accept it as true without proof

Mark assumes his sports car will impress his clients.

Mark assumes his new software will boost sales quickly.

Mark assumes running every morning keeps him healthy.

Susan assumes the university library has all her books.

Susan assumes sports practice will help her stay fit.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "assume":

Synonyms:

presume

suppose

take for granted

believe

Antonyms:

doubt

question

disbelieve

reject

Question:

What does "assume" mean?

A) To doubt

B) To accept without proof

C) To reject ideas

D) To prove facts

The Shiny Mistake

Mark was a businessman who loved to impress people. When he had an important meeting with a new client, Mark assumed his sports car would impress his client.

He ran to his garage with buckets of detergent and polish. He scrubbed the bright red car until it shone like a giant apple. Next, he walked into his cloakroom and chose his most expensive silk suit. Looking in the mirror, Mark felt unstoppable. His girlfriend, Chloe, watched him and laughed, "Are you selling a contract or entering a fashion show?"

Mark just smiled confidently and sped off to the restaurant. When he arrived, he met his client, Mr. Dupont, and a young woman named Susan. Mark quickly flashed his brightest smile and adjusted his sparkling jacket.

"Bonjour! I am Susan," she said. "I am a university student doing an internship here. I will translate for Mr. Dupont because he only speaks French."

Mark grinned, "Oh, Susan! We really have a great serendipity!"

He then leaned toward Mr. Dupont, waiting for a compliment on his shiny suit or fast car. Instead, Mr. Dupont tapped the table with a white cane and put on heavy black sunglasses. Mark’s jaw dropped. His client was completely blind! He couldn't see the sparkling car or the fancy suit at all.

For three long hours, Mark sweated through his expensive suit while Susan translated endless business numbers. Finally, Mr. Dupont smiled and signed the contract.

As Mark walked back to his immaculate car, covered in sweat and exhausted, he chuckled to himself. He realized that appearance is not important after all—especially when your client can only hear your voice!

Questions

1. According to the story, why was Mark's expensive suit and shiny sports car unnecessary for the meeting?

A) The client cancelled the meeting at the last minute.

B) The client was blind and could not see Mark's appearance.

C) Chloe made Mark change into casual clothes before leaving.

D) Susan told Mark that French clients prefer simple outfits.

2. In which sentence is the word "assume" used correctly based on its definition?

A) Mark assumes his sports car will impress his client, even though he has never met him before.

B) Mark assumes his car with soap and water until it becomes very shiny.

C) Mark assumes to the restaurant quickly so he will not be late.

D) Mark assumes the contract to Mr. Dupont so he can sign it.

proceed

 

proceed

= to continue something as planned  

If the installation of the software is successful, the operating system will proceed to restart the computer automatically.

如果軟體安裝成功，作業系統將會自動進行重新啟動電腦。

Once I finish this report, I will proceed to the next task.

等我完成這份報告之後，我就會接著進行下一個任務。

If everyone agrees, we can proceed to vote on the proposal.

如果大家都同意，我們就可以進行對這項提案的投票。

If the rain stops, we will proceed with the picnic.

如果雨停了，我們就會照常進行野餐。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "proceed":

Synonyms

Continue

Advance

Go on

Move forward 

Antonyms

Stop 

Cease

Discontinue

Abort

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

In the context of its common usage, which of the following best defines the verb "proceed"?

A) To stop or pause in an action.

B) To move forward or continue with a course of action.

C) To criticize or oppose a decision.

D) To be uncertain and hesitative in making decisions.

authentic

 authentic

= to be real, genuine, and not fake or copied

Mark chose an authentic coffee bean brand for better flavor.

Mark joined a local club to learn authentic fishing techniques.

Susan wants to make authentic friendships, not surface-level ones.

Susan made authentic connections while trying to meet more friends.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "authentic":

Synonyms:

real

genuine

original

true

Antonyms:

fake

false

counterfeit

imitation

 

Question: Which option best means “authentic” in the sentence?

“A seller offered an authentic product.”

A) copied and fake

B) real and genuine

C) secret and private

D) boring and old

The Cosmic Time Disaster

Mark was a successful businessman who rarely wore anything on his wrists except expensive suits. However, when he saw an advertisement for an upcoming charity event, his eyes locked onto the ultimate authentic 1969 astronaut watch. He turned to his girlfriend, Chloe, and declared with total confidence, "I will buy this one!"

Chloe rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Are you crazy? You don't even wear a watch!" she snapped, knowing his phone already told time just fine.

Ignoring her warning, Mark decided to go all-in. Before the auction, he needed a tactical advantage, so he contacted his niece, Susan, a sharp university student.

Mark proudly called Susan and announced, "Susan Bond, I have a very important mission for you."

While Susan was sitting in the library and just switching on her laptop for her assignment, she sighed, "What can I help you, uncle Mark?"

"Quickly do some research for this timepiece," Mark demanded. "I need to know how much it is worth before the bidding."

Susan chuckled. "It's easy, just ask AI!"

"And," Mark added seriously, "I need to know who will bid against me and exactly how much they will offer."

"That's also easy, just ask AI!" Susan replied before hanging up.

After hours of preparation, Mark crafted a bulletproof bidding strategy. On the day of the event, the auction went live online, and Mark logged in with an unbreakable smile. He felt completely unstoppable.

The bidding climbed rapidly, but Mark placed the winning offer and secured the prize. Just as he started to celebrate, the master of ceremonies accidentally knocked the precious item off the podium. The vintage treasure smashed hard against the hardwood floor and shattered into a hundred tiny pieces.

Mark dropped to his knees and shouted, "Oh my god, my watch!"

Susan and Chloe exchanged glances and said, "Oh, it really hurts, but it really saved your pocket, Mark!"

Questions

Why did Chloe think Mark was crazy for wanting to buy the watch?

A) Because it was too expensive for a businessman.

B) Because he didn't even wear a watch.

C) Because the auction was already over.

D) Because the watch belonged to an astronaut.

Based on the definition provided in the text, what does the word authentic mean in the story?

A) Extremely old and fragile.

B) Very expensive and shiny.

C) Real, genuine, and not fake or copied.

D) Designed specially for space travel.

wrench

 wrench

= to twist or pull something suddenly and forcefully, often causing pain or damage

Mark wrenched the cables apart to fix the IT network issue.

Mark wrenched the door handle when it got stuck.

Susan wrenched her backpack strap when it got tangled. 

Susan wrenched her ankle while trying to make a quick turn.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "wrench":

Synonyms:

twist

jerk

pull

yank

Antonyms:

release

loosen

relax

let go

What does "wrench" mean as a verb?

A) To twist gently

B) To twist violently 

C) To hold carefully

D) To push slowly

Reading comprehension

One day, Mark was working hard on his computer. Suddenly, his computer couldn’t access the WiFi. Mark wrenched the cables apart to fix the IT network issue. He pulled and twisted the cables like a pro, but nothing happened. Mark was frustrated because he was preparing a very important business proposal for next week. He checked everything again and again but didn’t know how to solve the problem.

Just then, Susan, a university student who worked part-time delivering invoices, walked into Mark’s office. She was carrying a big stack of papers and looked a little lost. Mark shouted, “Susan, I need your help!”

Susan smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’m good with tech stuff!” She bent down, unplugged one cable, plugged it back in, and suddenly, the WiFi was working perfectly. Mark was amazed.

Then Chloe, Mark’s girlfriend, came in with coffee and asked, “Did you fix it, or did Susan?” Mark laughed and said, “Susan saved the day! I just wrenched the cables apart and made it worse!”

Everyone laughed, and Mark promised to let Susan handle all tech problems from now on.

Question 1: What did Mark do to try to fix the WiFi problem?

A) He rebooted the computer.

B) He wrenched the cables apart.

C) He called a technician.

D) He drank coffee.

Question 2: What does "wrench" mean in the story?

A) To gently pull cables.

B) To twist or pull something suddenly and forcefully.

C) To fix the computer carefully.

D) To relax and wait.

approach

 approach

= to come near or nearer to someone or something in distance or time

The weekend approached, and Mark planned his meditation run.

The new IT project deadline is approaching for Mark.

The university event approached, and Susan got excited.

The professor approached Susan to ask a question.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "approach":

Synonyms:

come near

advance

draw near

move closer

Antonyms:

retreat

withdraw

recede

move away

Question:

Which sentence shows the correct use of "approach" as a verb meaning "to come near"?

A) Mark approached the finish line quickly.

B) Susan enjoys eating delicious food.

C) Mark reads books every weekend.

D) Susan makes many new friends.

The Sneaky Reservoir Runners

The weekend approached, and Mark planned his meditation run. Mark was a very successful businessman, but his brain was completely fried from endless corporate meetings. He needed absolute silence. Opening his map app, he found a picture-perfect reservoir surrounded by sunny mountains and cheerful, singing birds.

"I'm going to recharge my soul in total solitude," Mark announced peacefully.

"Can we come?" asked his girlfriend, Chloe, and Susan, a university student.

Mark sighed deeply. "Chloe and Susan, no way. It’s for my meditation. Please don't disturb me. Just leave me alone."

Susan rolled her eyes and sighed, "Alright, I will go shopping with your girlfriend Chloe!"

Saturday morning arrived. Mark put on his trendy running gear, plugged in his noise-canceling headphones, and closed his eyes to stretch. What Mark didn't know was that Chloe and Susan had secretly followed him in a bright pink sports car.

As Mark began his slow, peaceful jog around the water, Chloe and Susan tiptoed right behind him. Susan wore giant, noisy sunglasses, and Chloe tiptoed in ridiculously loud, squeaky sneakers. Every time Mark stopped to breathe deeply and embrace nature, the girls quickly hid behind small wooden benches and thin bushes, giggling uncontrollably.

A wild goose suddenly honked loudly at Susan, causing her to leap straight into a bush. Mark turned around, but only saw a rustling shrub. He smiled serenely, thinking, Ah, nature is so alive today.

They followed him for five full kilometers without getting caught. Mark finished his run feeling completely refreshed and peaceful, while Chloe and Susan had the time of their lives playing secret agents. In the end, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful weekend!

 

 

Questions 

Why did Mark refuse to let Chloe and Susan join his run?

A) He wanted to race against professional runners.

B) He needed quiet time alone to meditate and recharge.

C) He was going to a dangerous mountain trail.

D) He wanted to go shopping by himself.

Which of the following sentences uses the word "approached" correctly to show that time or distance is coming nearer?

A) Mark approached his shoes under the bed before going out.

B) Susan approached a funny story to her university friends.

C) As the final exam date approached, Susan started studying in the library.

D) The water reservoir approached very delicious during the hot afternoon.

apply

 apply

= to make a formal request or submission

Susan applied to volunteer at the university sports day.

Susan applied to join the campus basketball team.

Mark applied for a business loan to expand his company.

Mark applied to join the professional running club.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "apply":

Synonyms:

request

submit

petition

seek

Antonyms:

reject

deny

refuse

withdraw

Question: What does "apply" mean in this sentence?

"Mark applied for a business loan."

A) To reject something

B) To make a formal request

C) To cancel a request

D) To finish an activity

The Accidental Agent

Susan was a university student who loved running, but her feet had been aching terribly for weeks. Realizing she couldn't compete, she felt sad. Instead of giving up on the event entirely, Susan decided to apply for a volunteer position to help at the university sports day.

Her application was accepted, and she was assigned to media duty. When she arrived, the coordinator handed over an iPhone and ordered her to capture photos and videos of the track events.

Meanwhile, Mark, a successful businessman, had just completed a deal with a professor near the sportsground. Looking around, he tried to find a good place to watch the sprinting race. Seeing Susan with a camera instead of running shoes, Mark sighed to his girlfriend Chloe, "Oh, Susan Bond didn't join the race, just filming it. What a waste!"

The 100-meter sprinting race was about to start. Susan and the runners were both ready.

BANG!

After the gunshot echoed across the field, the athletes took off. Instinct took over, and Susan also ran while filming the race. Backwards, sideways, and sprinting at full speed, Susan sped past the frontrunners! She crossed the finish line first, leading the top athlete by more than two seconds—all while keeping the iPhone perfectly steady.

The entire crowd burst into applause, assuming she was just an extraordinarily responsible volunteer dedicated to getting the perfect close-up shot.

Mark turned to the professor in complete shock and said, "Susan is really ready to be a secret agent!"

Questions

1. Why did Susan decide to volunteer at the university sports day?

A) She wanted to win a camera from the university.

B) Her feet were hurting, so she could not run in the competition.

C) Mark asked her to film his business deal with the professor.

D) Chloe persuaded her to join the media team.

2. What does the word "applied" mean in the sentence: "Susan applied to volunteer at the university sports day."?

A) She put on sports shoes to get ready for the race.

B) She made a formal request to join as a helper.

C) She fixed a broken camera with tools.

D) She forced the professor to give her a job.

ransomware

 ransomware

= a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid

Mark’s company was hit by ransomware, locking all their data.

After the ransomware attack, Mark had to pay to recover his files.

Susan’s university laptop was infected with ransomware during exams.

Ransomware forced Susan to lose access to her research files.

To avoid ransomware, Susan regularly backs up her study notes.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "ransomware":

Synonyms:

Malware

Virus

Trojan

Spyware

Antonyms:

Antivirus

Firewall

Security

Protection

Question:

What does ransomware do?

A) Deletes files

B) Encrypts files

C) Speeds up computer

D) Repairs system

The Ferrari Rescue

Mark's company was hit by ransomware, locking all their data. Every computer was hacked and frozen. No one could open a single file until the ransom was paid. Mark was going crazy. He had no idea what to do — pay the money or refuse? So he jumped into his shiny red Ferrari and drove to the beach to breathe some fresh air and think.

Suddenly, he remembered Susan. She was just a university student, but she was amazing with computers. Mark called her immediately. "Susan! My whole company is under attack! Please help!"

Susan arrived with her laptop and a large cup of bubble tea. She looked at the locked screens, smiled, and said, "Uncle Mark, did you know your girlfriend, Chloe, makes a backup every Friday while watching cat videos?"

In ten minutes, Susan restored everything from Chloe's secret backup. The hackers got nothing. Mark was so happy that he bought Chloe a new laptop and Susan a lifetime supply of bubble tea.

Questions

1. What does "ransomware" mean?

A) A computer program that helps businesses make more money

B) A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid

C) A security tool that protects Ferrari cars

D) A university course about computer science

2. Why couldn't Mark use his company's computers at the beginning of the story?

A) Because Susan forgot to charge her laptop

B) Because Chloe accidentally deleted all the files

C) Because Mark's company was hit by ransomware, locking all their data

D) Because Mark drove his Ferrari over the computers

precursor

 

precursor

= something that comes before another thing 

Some symptoms may be precursors to various health problems.

有些症狀可能是各種健康問題的先兆。

 

Mark noticed that frequent stomachaches were a precursor to his increased stress levels.

Mark 注意到，頻繁的胃痛是他壓力變大的先兆。

Mark thought that the changes in weather patterns could be precursors to natural disasters.

Mark 認為天氣型態的變化可能是自然災害的先兆。

The dark clouds were a precursor to the coming storm.

烏雲密布是暴風雨即將來臨的先兆。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "precursor" in English:

Synonyms:

Forerunner 

Predecessor 

Antonyms:

Result

Consequence

Outcome 

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

Which of the following best describes the term "precursor"?

A) A final outcome that has been achieved.

B) A warning sign that indicates a future event.

C) A substance or entity that comes before and indicates the approach of something else.

D) An established fact that requires no further explanation.

strand

 strand

= to leave someone or something stuck or trapped in a difficult or isolated situation, often unable to move or escape

The storm stranded Mark in the parking garage for hours.

Susan was stranded in the campus elevator during a power cut.

The sudden rain stranded Susan far from the cafeteria.

The bus delay stranded Susan at the university gate for an hour.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "strand":

Synonyms:

trap

maroon

immobilize

leave helpless

Antonyms:

free

release

rescue 

 

Question: Choose the correct meaning of stranded.

A) Free from danger

B) Stuck in place

C) Very excited to travel

D) Sleeping peacefully

The Duck Deal

Mark woke up excited. Today, he would drive his shiny red Ferrari to meet his most important client. He put on his best suit and walked to the parking garage. But then—BOOM! Thunder crashed. Rain poured down like a waterfall.

Mark looked at his Ferrari. "No way," he said. "I am NOT drowning my baby."

The storm stranded Mark in the parking garage for hours. He paced back and forth. He kicked a tire. He even tried to negotiate with the rain. "Please stop? I will pay you!" The rain did not listen.

Mark was frustrated. Then he had an idea. He called Susan, his clever university student neighbor.

"Help! I'm trapped!" Mark shouted.

Susan arrived on a giant inflatable duck. She wore goggles and a raincoat. "Hop on!" she yelled.

Mark stared. "That is... a pool toy."

"And your Ferrari is a car. Your point?" Susan grinned.

Mark sighed, climbed onto the duck, and floated through the flooded street. The client saw them arrive and immediately signed the deal. "Anyone who rides a duck to a meeting is clearly a genius," the client said.

Mark smiled. Maybe supercars were overrated anyway.

Questions

1. What does the word "strand" mean?

A. To decorate something with colorful lights

B. To leave someone stuck or trapped in a difficult situation, unable to move or escape

C. To wash a car with soap and water

D. To drive very fast on a highway

2. Why was Mark stranded in the parking garage?

A. Because Susan borrowed his Ferrari

B. Because he lost his car keys inside the garage

C. Because the heavy storm and rain made it too dangerous to drive outside

D. Because his client told him to wait there

adapt

 adapt

= to change something to suit new conditions

Mark had to adapt his business strategy after market changes.

Mark quickly adapted his running routine to avoid injury.

Susan adapted quickly to the university’s new online system.

Susan adapted her diet to include more healthy foods.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "adapt":

Synonyms:

adjust

modify

acclimate

alter

Antonyms:

resist

reject

ignore

refuse

Question: What does "adapt" mean?

A) To stay the same

B) To change to fit

C) To refuse to change

D) To forget easily

The Singing Toaster

Mark had to adapt his business strategy after market changes. Last month, he launched a fancy smart toaster that could sing "Happy Birthday" while toasting bread. Sadly, nobody bought it. Zero sales. Not even his neighbor's cat seemed interested in the musical breakfast machine.

Mark sat alone at a luxury restaurant, staring blankly at the expensive menu. He was too stressed to eat. Suddenly, Susan, a waitress and hardworking university student, walked over with a bright smile. "Hi there! What can I get you today?" she asked politely.

Mark looked up with wild, desperate eyes. "I don't need food! I need a business strategy!" he cried.

Susan blinked in confusion. "Um… our special today is grilled salmon with lemon sauce?"

"No! My singing toaster is failing terribly! Help me save my company!" Mark begged.

Susan sighed, pulled out her university notebook, and said, "Sir, I study marketing. Maybe stop making toasters sing? People just want warm toast, not a morning concert."

Mark's eyes went wide. "Brilliant! You are a genius!"

He finally ordered the salmon. It tasted like sweet victory.

Questions

1. Why did Mark have to adapt his business strategy?

A) Because Susan wanted him to order grilled salmon

B) Because his smart toaster had zero sales after market changes

C) Because he was tired of eating at luxury restaurants

D) Because he wanted to become a restaurant manager

2. In the story, what does "adapt" mean?

A) To sing loudly while toasting bread

B) To change something to suit new conditions

C) To order expensive food at a restaurant

D) To ignore advice from university students

suspend

 suspend

= to temporarily stop, delay, or halt something

Susan suspended her soccer practice after hurting her ankle. 

Susan suspended her social media accounts temporarily. 

Susan suspended her lunch plans to study for exams.

Mark decided to suspend his business trip due to bad weather.

Mark had to suspend his running training because of an injury.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "suspend":

Synonyms:

pause

interrupt

defer

hang

Antonyms:

continue

resume

advance

proceed

Question:

What does "suspend" mean in the sentence: "They decided to suspend the meeting"?

A) Keep going with it

B) Stop it for a while

C) Start it early

D) Cancel it forever

The Great Laptop Showdown

Susan’s basketball tryout was a double disaster: she didn’t make the team, and her ankle swelled up like a giant melon. Because of this, Susan suspended her soccer practice after hurting her ankle. Confined to her couch, she was miserably bored and completely unable to walk without hobbling.

Her best friend Mark, a super-successful businessman who treated every daily decision like a multi-million-dollar merger, rushed over with his girlfriend, Chloe. Chloe showered Susan with ice packs, pillows, and endless sympathy, hoping she would recover soon. Mark, however, had a different solution: "You need a new laptop to pass the time! Let's use your student discount."

At the tech store, war broke out. Susan, a broke student, pointed at the cheapest, most basic laptop. "This one! It saves money!"

Mark gasped as if she had suggested buying a calculator. "Nonsense! Time is money! You need the ultimate model with the fastest CPU, quantum cooling, and a built-in espresso machine!"

"I just need to type essays, Mark!" Susan groaned.

They bickered endlessly over gigabytes and price tags. Mark drew complex budget charts on napkins, while Susan dramatically pretended to fall asleep. They argued for hours until the shopkeeper started turning off the lights and sweeping around their feet.

With two minutes left before closing, Susan pulled out a quarter. "Heads, cheap one. Tails, expensive one."

She flipped it. Tails. Mark cheered as if he had won the Super Bowl, completely forgetting that Susan was the one paying for it.

Questions

1. According to the story, why did Susan stop going to her soccer practice?

A) She decided to focus only on her university basketball team.

B) She was too busy arguing with Mark at the tech store.

C) She injured her ankle during her basketball tryouts.

D) She bought a new computer and wanted to play games all day.

2. In the sentence "Susan suspended her soccer practice after hurting her ankle," what does the word "suspended" mean?

A) She permanently quit the soccer team forever.

B) She temporarily paused her practice until she gets better.

C) She changed the time of her practice to the evening.

D) She enjoyed her soccer practice even more than before.

sprawl

 sprawl

= to spread out the body, usually arms and legs, in a relaxed or awkward way while lying down or sitting

Mark sprawled on the couch after a long day at work.

After his morning run, Mark sprawled on the grass to catch his breath.

Susan sprawled on the grass during the university sports day.

After a long lecture, Susan sprawled on her dorm bed to rest.

Susan sprawled on the bench, trying to relax before her next class.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "sprawl":

Synonyms:

lounge

stretch

recline

flop

Antonyms:

sit

stand

curl

huddle

Question: What does "sprawl" mean?

A) Sit upright

B) Spread out loosely

C) Walk slowly

D) Stand straight

The Horror Movie Night

Mark sprawled on the couch after a long day at work. He was too tired to move, like a melted ice cream on a hot summer day.

"Chloe, what's for dinner?" he asked weakly.

Chloe smiled. "I made a very special dish today — it's called Nothing!"

Mark sighed and ordered pizza online. While waiting, Chloe opened Netflix. Mark, feeling silly, picked the scariest horror movie he could find.

Soon, the doorbell rang. Susan, a cheerful university student with pizza in her hands, walked in. She glanced at the TV — a zombie was eating a sandwich made of brains.

"Oh wow, this film is absolutely crazy!" Susan shouted, her eyes wide open.

Before Mark could say "thank you," Susan sat down on the couch, grabbed a slice of pizza, and yelled, "Don't pause it! I need to see what happens next!"

So Mark, Chloe, and Susan watched the terrifying movie together. Mark never got his couch back that night.

Question 1: 

What does "sprawl" mean in the story?

A. To run very fast after work

B. To spread out the body in a relaxed way while lying down

C. To cook dinner quickly on the couch

D. To answer the doorbell for the delivery girl

Question 2: 

Why did Susan stay at Mark's home?

A. Because Mark invited her to have dinner

B. Because Chloe asked her to cook pizza

C. Because she wanted to finish watching the crazy horror movie

D. Because she was too tired to go back to the university

shatter

 shatter

= to break something suddenly and violently into many small pieces

Susan’s dreams of joining the basketball team shattered after the tryouts.

The surprise exam shattered Susan’s plans for a relaxing weekend.

The impact of the crash shattered Mark’s sports car windshield.

Mark’s hopes of winning the race shattered after he twisted his ankle.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "shatter":

Synonyms:

break

crack

fracture

splinter

Antonyms:

mend

fix

heal

repair

Question:

What does "shatter" mean?

A) To fix something

B) To break suddenly

C) To clean carefully

D) To hold tightly

The Great Basketball Rescue

It was the second day of the semester, and Susan was loving university life. With practically zero homework, she was completely relaxed. Today was the university basketball team tryout, and Susan was confident she would easily make the team.

There was only one small problem: she was absolute rubbish at basketball. Clang! Another shot bounced off the rim. Airball! The ball hit a passing bird instead of the net.

Just then, Mark, a super-successful businessman in a thousand-dollar suit, walked past the court after signing a huge deal with the professors. Seeing Susan struggle, Mark cupped his hands and shouted, "Susan! Susan Bond! Don't give up! You can do it!"

Spurred on by his sudden yelling, Susan suddenly transformed into Michael Jordan. She dribbled like a wizard and scored five dramatic points in a row!

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. Susan’s dreams of joining the basketball team shattered after the tryouts.

She burst into tears. Mark walked up, tapped her shoulder, and said, "Hey, you're pretty good! Don't mind the result—enjoy the day! Besides, don't waste time on basketball. As a secret agent in training, I have lots of missions waiting for you!"

Susan stopped crying instantly. "Missions?"

"First mission: buying iced lattes," Mark declared. They walked straight to a cozy café, put the basketball disaster behind them, and happily drank their coffee.

Questions

1. According to the story, why did Susan stop crying after failing the tryouts?

A) She decided to train harder for the basketball team next year.

B) Mark offered her a coffee and mentioned she had secret missions to do.

C) Chloe invited her to join a different university club instead.

D) The basketball coach changed his mind and gave her a second chance.

2. Which sentence uses the word "shattered" in the SAME way as the story?

A) The glass vase fell off the table and shattered into tiny pieces on the floor.

B) After losing the final match, the young player's hopes of winning the championship were completely shattered.

C) The loud thunder shattered the peaceful silence of the early morning.

D) He accidentally dropped his phone, and the screen shattered completely.

pixie

 

pixie

= a small fairy or sprite in folklore

The story is about a pixie that helps a farmer while he sleeps.

這個故事講的是一個小精靈在農夫睡覺時幫助他。

After Mark claimed a pixie had stolen his lunch, his friends couldn't help but laugh at his wild imagination.

Mark 說有個小精靈偷了他的午餐之後，他的朋友們忍不住笑他天馬行空的想像力。

"You know, I heard a story about a pixie that helps lost hikers," Mark said to his friends, trying to lift their spirits during the tough hike.

「你知道嗎，我聽過一個故事：有個小精靈會幫助迷路的健行者。」Mark 跟他的朋友們說著，想在這段艱難的路程中振作他們的精神。

Mark's imaginative tales about pixies often drew laughter, but his sister found the stories comforting during long nights alone.

Mark 關於小精靈的那些充滿想像力的故事常常引人發笑，但他的妹妹在漫長的夜晚一個人待著時，反而覺得這些故事令人安慰。

Some synonyms and antonyms for the word "pixie":

Synonyms:

Fairy

Sprite

Elf 

Antonyms:

Giant 

Beast

Monster

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

What does the term "pixie" refer to?

A) A type of mythical creature known for being small and mischievous

B) A variety of flower

C) A style of clothing

D) A traditional dance

imbalance

 imbalance

= a lack of equality or proportion between two or more things

Mark noticed an imbalance in his work-life schedule.

The imbalance in his coffee intake affected his sleep.

Susan felt an imbalance in her study and social life.

The imbalance in her daily routine affected her mood.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "imbalance":

Synonyms:

Disproportion

Inequality

Disparity

Distortion

Antonyms:

Balance

Equality

Harmony

Stability

Question:

What does "imbalance" mean?

A) Equal distribution

B) Lack of balance

C) Perfect harmony

D) Stable condition

The Robot Waiters

Mark noticed an imbalance in his work-life schedule. He was so busy thinking about money that he forgot to eat, sleep, or even smile. One sunny Tuesday, he decided to fix this serious problem by visiting his own restaurant for a relaxing two-hour lunch break.

While slowly eating his expensive salad, he started calculating. "If I replace my human waiters with AI robots, I will save a huge fortune!" he thought excitedly.

Just then, Susan, a curious university student, walked by. She saw Mark talking to himself and sat down. "What are you doing?" she asked. Mark explained his brilliant robot plan. Susan nodded and said, "Interesting idea, but robots can be very weird."

One month later, the robots arrived. They carried plates perfectly, but they never stopped talking. Mark was checking the kitchen when he heard one robot shout, "Manchester United beautifully beat Ipswich. Excellent!" 

Another robot immediately replied, "They are not good enough! You should love Real Madrid. They have Mourinho!"

Susan, who was visiting that day, saw the scene with Mark. Mark covered his ears in frustration. "They're just too loud. It's not McDonald's!" he cried.

Susan thought for a moment and smiled. "Just mute them!" she said.

Mark quickly pressed the mute buttons. The restaurant became beautifully silent. The robots still worked hard, but they finally stopped arguing about football. In the end, this smart investment made Mark save lots of money every month. He even had time to relax—and finally took Chloe out for a quiet, human-served dinner.

Questions

1. In the story, what does "imbalance" mean when Mark notices "an imbalance in his work-life schedule"?

A) A perfect equality between work and rest.

B) A successful business plan.

C) A robot that serves food quickly.

D) A lack of equality or proportion between two or more things.

2. Which situation from the story best shows an "imbalance"?

A) Mark worked all day but forgot to eat, sleep, or smile.

B) The robots carried plates perfectly and talked about football.

C) Susan visited the restaurant and gave Mark good advice.

D) Mark saved lots of money every month after buying the robots.

earmark

 earmark

= to designate or set aside funds for a specific purpose

Mark decided to earmark part of his bonus for a new sports car.

Mark earmarked funds to upgrade the office’s IT infrastructure.

Susan earmarked some money for joining the university gym.

Susan earmarked cash to buy tickets for the basketball game.

Susan earmarked part of her budget for trying new restaurants.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "earmark":

Synonyms: 

allocate

designate

set aside

reserve

Antonyms:

withhold

confiscate

reclaim

divert

Question: What does "earmark" mean?

A) To hide money

B) To spend randomly

C) To set aside for purpose

D) To lose money

The Bonus

Mark decided to earmark part of his bonus for a new sports car. After all, he was a successful businessman, and successful businessmen absolutely needed shiny red toys that went "vroom." He dragged his girlfriend Chloe to every luxury showroom in the city. Chloe stared at the Lamborghinis, yawned loudly, and said, "They all have four wheels and make noise. Just pick one." Mark sighed deeply. She was definitely not helping.

Then Susan, a broke university student who was selling lemonade outside the dealership, walked by. "Excuse me, sir," she said. "I heard you want the best vehicle money can buy?" Mark nodded proudly, expecting expert advice. Susan pointed to a bright pink bicycle with a basket, a bell, and a tiny flag. "This is absolutely perfect for you."

Mark burst out laughing. "Why?!"

"Well, your bonus is huge, but parking in this city costs more than my four years of tuition. Also, with rush-hour traffic, this bike is actually faster. Oh, and the basket perfectly fits your ego."

Mark stared at the bicycle. He bought it. Chloe finally smiled. And Mark learned that sometimes, the best sports car in the world has two wheels, a bell, and zero parking fees.

Questions

1. What does the word "earmark" mean in the story?

A) To spend money quickly without thinking

B) To designate or set aside funds for a specific purpose

C) To share money with friends and family

D) To hide money so no one can find it

2. Why did Mark earmark part of his bonus?

A) He wanted to buy a bicycle for Susan.

B) He set aside part of his bonus specifically to purchase a new sports car.

C) He needed to pay for Chloe's university tuition.

D) He wanted to put all his money in a bank account.

hallucination

 hallucination

= any false or mistaken perception or belief

Mark had a hallucination that his sports car was faster than anyone else's on the road.

Mark’s hallucination that he missed his flight caused him unnecessary panic. 

Susan experienced a hallucination of hearing her name when no one called it.

Susan thought she saw her crush at the cafeteria, but it was a hallucination.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "hallucination":

Synonyms:

illusion

delusion 

Antonyms:

reality

truth

fact

certainty

 

Question:A false perception is called a:

A) wish

B) hallucination

C) memory

D) idea

The Fastest Man on the Road

Mark had a hallucination that his sports car was faster than anyone else's on the road. One day, the successful businessman went to a fancy car showroom and saw a shiny red supercar. It was so beautiful that he signed the deal immediately without even asking his girlfriend Chloe for advice. After waiting more than two weeks, the agent finally drove the car to his home for delivery.

Mark jumped into the driver's seat, revved the engine loudly, and shouted, "I am the fastest man on the road!" Suddenly, Susan, a poor university student, fell from the sky with a parachute. She was delivering pizza to Mark's neighbour and heard everything. She sighed, "No way, Mark! You're wrong. I can beat you easily!"

Mark laughed so hard that Chloe had to wipe tears from his eyes. But they planned a race for the next week. Mark would drive his new supercar, and Susan would use her rusty old bicycle. The first one to reach the Peak would win.

"Get set, go!" Mark shouted. He zoomed off like a rocket, but five minutes later, he was stuck in a terrible traffic jam. Meanwhile, Susan pedalled happily through small streets without any disturbance. She used her bicycle to reach the Peak and fought hard to win.

Susan waited for more than twenty minutes. When Mark finally arrived, she said proudly, "I really knew I would win. So, a lifetime of repairing bicycle tyres, alright?"

Mark looked at his empty fuel tank and replied, "Sure!" 

Question 1: In the story, Mark had a hallucination that his sports car was faster than anyone else's. What does "hallucination" mean?

A. A false or mistaken belief

B. A special type of supercar

C. A traffic jam on the road

D. A new pizza delivery service

Question 2: Who won the race to the Peak?

A. Mark in his supercar

B. Susan on her bicycle

C. They arrived at the same time

D. Mark gave up early

dedicated

 dedicated

= being devoted to a task or purpose with strong commitment and loyalty

Mark remains dedicated to training as a professional runner.

Mark is a dedicated businessman who works late every night. 

Susan remains dedicated to her fitness and wellness goals.

Susan is dedicated to balancing school and social life.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "dedicated":

Synonyms:

committed

devoted

loyal

faithful

Antonyms:

indifferent

uncommitted

disloyal

negligent

 

Question: What does "dedicated" mean?

A) Lazy and careless

B) Devoted and committed

C) Indifferent and neutral

D) Confused and distracted

The Slowest Millionaire

Mark was a very successful businessman. He made lots of money every year. One day, he tried to chase a taxi and almost passed out. "Money cannot buy breath!" he cried. So Mark decided to keep fit and go running every day.

At first, Mark's progress was not good enough. He ran like a confused penguin. His expensive shoes were too shiny to be fast. Even his neighbor's cat beat him in a race. Mark felt sad.

Then, he asked Susan for help. Susan was a university student who ate salad for breakfast. She gave him lots of ideas to stay healthy and run fast. "Drink water, sleep early, and stop checking your stock prices while running!" she said.

Mark's girlfriend Chloe laughed when she saw him in tiny running shorts. "You look like a lost tomato!" she said.

But Mark did not give up. Mark remains dedicated to training as a professional runner. Now he runs every morning. He is still slow, but at least the cat is afraid of him now. And Chloe? She now joins him, wearing even tinier shorts.

Questions

1. What does "dedicated" mean?

A) Lazy and sleepy

B) Being devoted to a task with strong commitment and loyalty

C) Rich and famous

D) Fast and healthy

2. Why is Mark described as "dedicated" in the story?

A) He makes lots of money every year.

B) He stops running because Chloe laughs at him.

C) He continues training every day even when running is difficult.

D) He buys the most expensive running shoes.

embroil

 embroil 

= to involve someone deeply in a conflict, argument, or difficult situation, often in a way that is confusing or complicated

Mark was embroiled in a legal dispute over his tech startup. 

Mark got embroiled in a debate about the best running shoes.

Susan was embroiled in a misunderstanding with new friends.

Susan found herself embroiled in a debate over the best food spots.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "embroil":

Synonyms:

entangle

involve

ensnare

conflict

Antonyms:

exclude

free

release

untangle

Question: What does "embroil" mean?

A) To free from trouble

B) To involve deeply in conflict

C) To ignore completely

D) To finish something quickly

Solar System for Sale 

Mark was a successful businessman who always dreamed big. One day, he started his own tech startup and began selling solar systems to his clients. Business was booming until suddenly, a huge company sued him. They claimed Mark was using their patented chips in every solar panel he sold.

Mark was embroiled in a legal dispute over his tech startup. He sat in his office, pulling his hair out. "Should I pay them for every solar system I sell? Or should I reinvent the whole thing?" he groaned.

That's when Susan, his neighbor's daughter and a clever university student, knocked on his door. She was holding a bag of potato chips.

"Mark, why don't you just use potatoes instead of chips?" she asked with a straight face.

Mark stared at her. "Potatoes?"

"Yeah! Potato-powered solar panels. No one has patented that yet," Susan grinned.

Mark laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair. Within a week, he launched "SpudPower" — the world's first potato-based solar system. The lawsuit was dropped, and his clients loved the eco-friendly idea. Mark even put a tiny potato logo on every panel.

Sometimes the best solution is just thinking outside the chip bag.

Question 1: 

What does "embroiled" mean in the story?

A) To cook something in boiling water

B) To be deeply involved in a complicated conflict or difficult situation

C) To start a new business successfully

D) To sell products at a very low price

Question 2: Which sentence uses "embroiled" correctly?

A) Mark was embroiled in a delicious bowl of soup for lunch.

B) The cat was embroiled in a sunny nap on the sofa.

C) After the argument, both neighbors became embroiled in a messy feud that lasted for months.

D) Susan was embroiled in her favorite book and finished reading it quickly.