takeover

 takeover

= the act of gaining control or possession of something, typically a company or organization, often by acquiring a majority of its shares or assets

Mark discussed the takeover during his coffee break.

The takeover boosted Mark’s IT business profits.

Mark led a hostile takeover that changed the company’s leadership overnight.

The takeover of the student council interested Susan.

Susan was thrilled by the takeover announcement because it promised more activities and better food options.

Synonyms and Antonyms for "takeover":

Synonyms:

acquisition

capture

seizure

buyout

Antonyms:

release

surrender

relinquishment

loss

Question: What does "takeover" most commonly mean?

A) Giving up control

B) Gaining control

C) Losing possession

D) Sharing ownership

Reading comprehension

The Smooth Takeover

Mark discussed the takeover during his coffee break. He sat in the café, staring at his laptop, wondering how to buy the small bakery across the street. "Should I offer them cash? Or free donuts for life?" he muttered.

Suddenly, Susan, a university student wearing a giant banana costume for a campus party, plopped down at his table. "I heard you need a takeover plan!" she shouted, spilling her smoothie.

Mark sighed. "Yes, but this isn't a hostile takeover. I just want their croissant recipe."

Susan grinned. "Easy! Stage a flash mob! I'll bring my drama club. We'll dance until they surrender the keys!"

Just then, Chloe, Mark's girlfriend, walked in. She looked at Susan in the banana suit, then at Mark's serious business face. "Let me guess," Chloe said. "You're 'taking over' a bakery again?"

"It's a strategic acquisition!" Mark protested.

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Last month, you 'acquired' my mother's lasagna recipe by eating three plates and begging."

Mark smiled. "And it worked perfectly."

In the end, Mark simply walked over and asked the baker nicely. The baker said yes—if Mark promised to never wear a banana suit near the shop. Susan was disappointed, but she did get a free muffin.

Question 1: What does "takeover" mean in this story?

A. Mark wants to destroy the bakery.

B. Mark wants to gain control of the bakery by buying it.

C. Mark wants to work as a baker for free.

D. Mark wants to steal croissants without paying.

Question 2: Why did the baker finally agree to Mark's takeover?

A. Because Susan's flash mob scared him.

B. Because Mark offered one million dollars.

C. Because Mark asked nicely and promised no banana suits near the shop.

D. Because Chloe forced the baker to sell.

fallout

 fallout

= the negative consequences or results that follow an event or decision

The fallout from his bad investment cost Mark millions.

Mark’s decision to ignore warnings led to fallout in his business.

The fallout from a disagreement pushed Susan away from friends.

Susan faced fallout after failing to submit her assignment on time.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "fallout":

Synonyms:

consequence

repercussion

aftermath

result

Antonyms:

benefit

advantage

gain

success

Question:

What does "fallout" usually mean?

A) Positive result

B) Negative consequence

C) Surprise gift

D) Friendly meeting

Reading comprehension

Mark was excited to become a stock market genius. Recently, he read a lot of annual reports of listed companies to make a smart choice for his investment. But, oops! The fallout from his bad investment cost Mark millions. Poor Mark didn’t realize he was accidentally buying shares in "Fluffy Cat Toys" instead of the tech giant he wanted. Luckily, a security company made an error and didn’t let Mark buy the stakes—saving him from a bigger disaster.

One day, Susan, a bright university student, walked by and noticed Mark's stressed face. She said, "Why not learn how to make a good deal in the market?" Mark agreed, and they teamed up. Susan taught Mark the tricks, and after a few months, they won a lot in investments. Mark threw a big party to celebrate, and even Chloe, his girlfriend, couldn’t stop laughing at the "Fluffy Cat Toys" story!

Questions:

What does the phrase "fallout" mean in the story?

A) A happy ending

B) The negative consequences

C) A surprise gift

D) A lucky break

Why didn’t Mark lose more money?

A) He sold all his stocks quickly

B) The security company made an error

C) Susan warned him before buying

D) Chloe convinced him to stop

baffle

 baffle

= to confuse, perplex, or bewilder someone so that they are unable to understand or solve something

Mark's fishing technique baffled his friends.

The new software update baffled Mark completely.

The math problem baffled Susan at university. 

The complicated sports rules baffled Susan during the game.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "baffle":

Synonyms:

confuse

perplex

bewilder

puzzle

Antonyms:

clarify

explain

understand

enlighten

Question: 

What does "baffle" mean?

A) To confuse

B) To explain

C) To support

D) To enjoy

Reading Comprehension

The Weekend Fishing Mystery

Mark, a successful businessman, was determined to spend his weekend catching fish using a bold, unheard-of strategy. On Saturday, he brought his girlfriend, Chloe, to the lake to test it out. Instead of using normal bait, Mark tied bright yellow rubber ducks to his fishing line.

Mark's fishing technique baffled his friends. Everyone giggled and whispered that he would go home empty-handed. No one thought he would catch a single fish with floating bath toys.

Just as Mark was about to give up, Susan, a clever university student, walked over. She realized the ducks needed to sink, so she quickly attached heavy silver coins underneath them. Instantly, the shiny metal caught the sunlight underwater.

Suddenly, dozens of curious fish swam up to bite! Mark and Susan pulled in fish after fish until their buckets overflowed. Amazed by the silly success, everyone gathered at Mark’s house that night for a huge, delicious fish party to celebrate.

Questions

1. Why did Mark's friends laugh at his fishing technique?

A) He forgot to bring any fishing rods to the lake.

B) He was using rubber ducks as bait instead of normal bait.

C) He fell into the water while trying to catch a fish.

D) He asked the fish nicely to jump into his bucket.

2. In the story, the word "baffled" means that Mark's technique made his friends feel —

A) confused, because the idea seemed so unusual.

B) excited, because they wanted to try it immediately.

C) angry, because he was taking up too much space.

D) bored, because he took too long to set up.

impose

 impose 

= to force something (such as a rule, tax, or opinion) to be accepted or put in place by authority or power

The government decided to impose new taxes on luxury goods.

Mark didn’t want to impose his ideas on the team without asking.

The teacher imposed strict rules for the exam. 

Susan imposed a healthy eating plan on herself during exams. 

Susan imposed strict workout times to improve her sports skills.

Some synonyms and antonyms for impose:

Synonyms:

enforce

inflict

levy

dictate

Antonyms:

remove

lift

revoke

cancel

 

What does "impose" mean?

A) To remove something

B) To force something

C) To ignore rules

D) To relax limits

Reading comprehension

Mark's Bad Shopping Day

Mark's app went viral overnight. Money poured in like a broken fire hydrant. "I'm buying everything!" he shouted, dancing in his living room. He called Chloe and Susan to join his luxury shopping spree. He even wore sunglasses indoors to look rich and important.

At the mall, Mark grabbed a shiny watch. "I'll take three!" he said proudly. Susan, being a broke student, just wanted free food court samples. Chloe tried to stop Mark from buying a golden toilet brush. "It's practical," Mark argued with a straight face.

Suddenly, the news flashed on every screen: "The government decided to impose new taxes on luxury goods. Effective immediately." Mark's smile froze. The watch price doubled in seconds. The golden toilet brush now cost more than a small car.

"Well," Mark sighed, putting the watch back, "who needs luxury when you have student discount coupons?" Susan cheered and waved her thick coupon book. Chloe laughed. They spent the rest of the day eating free samples and window shopping instead.

Questions

1. Why did Mark stop buying luxury things at the mall?

A. Because Chloe hid his credit card.

B. Because the government decided to impose new taxes on luxury goods.

C. Because Susan ate all the free samples.

D. Because the mall was closing early.

2. What does "impose" mean in the sentence "The government decided to impose new taxes"?

A. To politely request something

B. To force a rule or tax to be accepted by authority

C. To cancel or remove something

D. To secretly hide information

skyrocket

 skyrocket

= to increase or rise very quickly and suddenly, often used to describe prices, numbers, or levels 

Mark's profits skyrocketed after launching his new app.

The price of Mark's favorite sports car has skyrocketed recently.

Susan's social media followers skyrocketed after posting sports videos.

Susan's energy levels skyrocket after eating her favorite meal.

Susan's confidence skyrocketed after winning the university race.

Some synonyms and antonyms for skyrocket:

Synonyms:

soar

surge

rocket

escalate

Antonyms:

plummet

decline

drop

fall

What does "skyrocket" mean?

A) To decrease quickly

B) To rise very fast

C) To stay the same

D) To move slowly

Reading comprehension

Mark was over the moon because Mark's profits skyrocketed after launching his new app. The app was a hit, and he owed it all to Susan’s creative idea. To celebrate, Mark threw a big party and invited Susan.

At the party, Mark said, “Susan, your idea made my app famous! I want you to be the full-time product manager as soon as possible.” Susan smiled but said, “Only if I get a lifetime supply of coffee!”

Chloe, Mark’s girlfriend, laughed and whispered, “Mark, don’t forget to include snacks too, or Susan might turn into a coffee zombie!”

Suddenly, the lights flickered, and the DJ played Susan’s favorite song. Everyone danced, and even the office plants seemed to join in. Mark thought, "This party just skyrocketed from boring to awesome!"

Susan winked and said, “Looks like your app isn’t the only thing skyrocketing tonight!”

Everyone laughed, and Mark knew this was just the beginning of their fun partnership.

Question 1:

What happened to Mark's profits after launching his new app?

A) They decreased slowly

B) They skyrocketed

C) They stayed the same

D) They disappeared

Question 2:

What does "skyrocket" mean in the story?

A) To rise quickly

B) To fall suddenly

C) To stay low

D) To stop moving

peckish

 

peckish

= (informal) to describe a feeling of slight hunger or a desire for a snack.

Mark, I’m feeling a little peckish. Do you have any snacks?

Mark，我有點餓了。你有什麼零食嗎？

I know it's a short session, but I'm starting to feel a bit peckish. Can someone pass around the snacks?

我知道這是一段很短的時間，但我好像有點餓了。有人可以把零食分一分嗎？

I thought I was full, but now I'm feeling a little peckish. Maybe I’ll grab a sandwich.

我以為我已經飽了，但現在我又有點餓。也許我去拿一個三明治。

Susan, I thought we had a big lunch, but I’m feeling a bit peckish. Do you have any snacks in your bag?

Susan，我以為我們吃了很大的午餐，但我現在有點餓了。你包包裡有零食嗎？

Some synonyms and antonyms for "peckish":

Synonyms

Hungry 

Snacking

Munchy 

Antonyms

Full

Satisfied 

Stuffed 

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

What does the term "peckish" mean?

A) Extremely hungry

B) Slightly hungry

C) Satisfied or full

D) Indifferent to food

vulnerability

 vulnerability

= the state of being open to harm, damage, or attack

The sports car’s vulnerability to theft worries Mark.

Mark's vulnerability to injury is a concern during long runs.

In sports, Susan hides her vulnerability to stay strong.

Susan learns to manage vulnerability during tough exams.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "vulnerability":

Synonyms:

weakness

susceptibility

exposure

fragility

Antonyms:

strength

protection

security

invulnerability

Question: 

What does "vulnerability" mean?

A) Being strong and safe

B) Open to harm or risk

C) Feeling very confident

D) Always successful

Reading comprehension

The Garage Guard

Mark was a very rich businessman who loved expensive vehicles. But lately, the local economy was terrible, and thieves were everywhere. The sports car’s vulnerability to theft worries Mark greatly every single night.

To solve this, Mark asked Susan, a smart university student, to build a ultimate security system.

The next day, Susan arrived with her special secret weapon: a giant, dramatic attack goose named Sir Honks-a-Lot.

"Is this a joke?" Mark asked, staring at the aggressive bird. "My girlfriend, Chloe, wanted a high-tech laser alarm!"

"Lasers are expensive," Susan replied calmly. "A furious goose is cheap and terrifying."

That midnight, a sneaky thief crept into the dark garage. Before he could even touch a car door, Sir Honks-a-Lot let out a blood-curdling screech and chased the thief down the driveway while biting his pants.

Mark watched from his window, sipping tea. His luxury sports cars were finally safe, thanks to a college student and a crazy goose.

 

Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Susan bring a goose to Mark's garage?

A) Mark wanted to give his girlfriend Chloe a cute farm pet.

B) She wanted to sell the bird to help the bad economy.

C) It was an affordable and scary way to protect Mark's cars from thieves.

D) Sir Honks-a-Lot was trained to drive Mark's sports cars away.

2. In the story, "the sports car’s vulnerability to theft" means that Mark's cars were:

A) Easily open to being stolen or harmed by thieves.

B) Too fast for normal people to drive safely.

C) Completely protected by expensive high-tech laser alarms.

D) Broken down and unable to run smoothly.

showcase

 showcase

= to present, display, or highlight something in a way that emphasizes its best features

Mark showcases rare books from his favorite authors.

Mark showcases smart solutions in the IT project reports. 

Susan showcases her cooking ideas when she shares new recipes. 

Susan showcases her talents in beginner sports activities.

Some synonyms and antonyms for “showcase”:

Synonyms:

present

display

highlight

feature

Antonyms:

hide

conceal

downplay

ignore

 

Question: What does “showcase” most closely mean?

A) Hide

B) Present clearly

C) Ignore

D) Interrupt

Reading comprehension

Mark invited Susan to come home for a BBQ party. Before the party, Mark showcased rare books from his favorite authors. Susan’s eyes widened like they’d just spotted free dessert. She whispered, “Those books are amazing! Can I borrow one?”

Mark smiled politely. “No.”

Susan frowned, then quickly sat down and opened her notebook—like she was planning a serious business deal. “I have a university strategy,” she said. “I’ll borrow the book… using the BBQ.”

Mark blinked. Chloe walked in, holding a spatula. “What kind of plan is that?” Chloe asked.

Susan pointed at the bookshelf and announced, “Tonight’s theme is Literature Meets Fire! If the book looks at the flame, it can’t resist… it will ‘lend’ itself.”

Chloe and Mark stared.

Then Susan started a pretend “book interview” beside the BBQ grill. Mark, too curious to stop it, leaned closer—right next to the shelf. Susan calmly slipped one book into a paper bag labeled “Spare Napkins.”

At the party, everyone cheered. The only thing roasted was Mark’s pride.

 

 Question 1: What did Mark do before the BBQ party?

A) He borrowed books to Susan

B) He showcased rare books

C) He hid the books in the fridge

D) He sold books online

Question 2: How did Susan try to get the book home?

A) She asked and got it

B) She cooked it in the BBQ grill

C) She used a “BBQ plan” and took it in a bag

D) She broke the shelf for it

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

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