ragtag

ragtag

= untidy or disorganized

邋遢/破爛;

What's going on? You look a bit ragtag.

怎麼了？你看起來有點邋遢。

After the camping trip, Susan came back looking a bit ragtag, with dirt on her clothes and messy hair.

露營回來後，Susan看起來有些邋遢，衣服上沾滿了泥土，頭髮也亂糟糟的。

Mark's clothes were ragtag after a day of playing outside.

Mark一整天在外面玩後，衣服變得很破爛。

Susan's hair was ragtag after running on a windy day at the sports ground.

Susan在運動場上風大的日子跑步後，頭髮亂糟糟的。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "ragtag":

Synonyms: 

Untidy

Messy 

Shabby

Antonyms:

Neat

Tidy

Organized 

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

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

A) Well-organized and meticulously planned.

B) Composed of disorganized, disparate, or mismatched elements, often in a haphazard manner.

C) Luxurious and extravagant in appearance.

D) Harmonious and coordinated in style.

 

anticipate

 anticipate

= to expect or look forward to something happening, often with some preparation or prediction

Mark anticipates a big client visit this Friday.

Mark anticipates launching a new app next month.

Susan anticipates trying new food at the campus café.

Susan anticipates winning the upcoming sports event.

Some synonyms and antonyms for "anticipate":

Synonyms:

expect

predict

foresee

await

Antonyms:

doubt

ignore

disregard

surprise

Question:

What does "anticipate" mean?

A) To ignore events

B) To expect something

C) To forget plans

D) To delay action

The Great Peak Disaster

Mark anticipated a big client visit this week. The deal was worth millions, and he had to go to the Peak in Hong Kong to sign the contract. To make sure everything went smoothly, he invited his friend Susan, a university student, to come along.

On the day of the meeting, Susan arrived at Mark’s home. Mark’s girlfriend, Chloe, smiled and said, "Good luck, you all!" Mark hopped into his shiny red sports car with Susan and started driving up the mountain.

"No worries, Mark. We will get there on time!" Susan reassured him.

Suddenly, a loud thunderstorm struck! Heavy rain flooded the entire road. Mark’s sports car got stuck in a giant puddle. Mark panicked, but Susan proudly pulled out two yellow plastic rubber ducks from her bag.

"Calm down! We swim!" Susan cheered. They got out of the car and paddled through the water with the plastic ducks.

Once they reached the foot of the trail, Susan pulled out heavy hiking boots and ropes. "I prepared everything!" she grinned. They spent a painful hour climbing up the muddy hill in the pouring rain.

Finally, drenched and covered in mud, they arrived at the luxury restaurant to meet the client. Mark proudly pulled the multi-million-dollar contract out of his backpack. Unfortunately, the paper had turned into a wet, soggy lump of mush.

The client looked at the dripping paper, laughed, and smiled, "Well, sign next time. Call my assistant to book an appointment next month!"

Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Mark and Susan have to swim with plastic ducks and hike up the mountain?

A) Mark wanted to exercise before meeting his big client.

B) Their sports car broke down in a flood during a sudden thunderstorm.

C) Chloe told them that hiking to the Peak would bring them good luck.

D) The client requested to meet them at the top of a muddy river.

2. Based on the story, which sentence correctly uses the word "anticipate"?

A) Mark anticipated the client visit by preparing for the important meeting.

B) Susan anticipated her plastic ducks because they were very heavy.

C) The thunderstorm anticipated the contract and turned it into wet mush.

D) Chloe anticipated to drive the red sports car up the Peak alone.

clarify

 clarify

= to make something clear or easier to understand by explaining it in more detail or in simpler term

Mark reviewed the financial report to clarify the company's recent profit increase. 

Mark studied the technical manual to clarify the operation of the new running app.

Susan read the university handbook to clarify the rules for club memberships.

Susan looked at a map to clarify the location of the new student center.

Synonyms and Antonyms for "clarify"

Synonyms:

explain

elucidate

illuminate

expound  

Antonyms:

confuse

obscure

blur

complicate  

Question:What does "clarify" most likely mean?  

A) Confuse

B) Make clear

C) Hide details

D) Delay action  

The Accidental Food Spy

Mark, a successful businessman, reviewed the financial report to clarify the company's recent profit increase. All the investors in the conference room clapped and hoped Mark could also do well next year. After a very long meeting, Mark miraculously managed to leave the office right on time.

Then, Mark and Chloe, his lovely girlfriend, drove back home.

"It's still very early, let's have a run before dinner," Mark suggested. Chloe agreed, and they went jogging together.

After a while, they passed by a cozy house that smelled like heaven. Mark whispered, "Oh my god, it's so delicious! It must be prawn with fried eggs!" Chloe agreed and wished they could just walk inside to eat. But crashing a stranger's house for dinner was out of the question, right?

The next day, Mark called Susan, a curious university student. "Susan Bond, I have a very important mission for you!"

Mark explained last night's mystery and begged Susan to figure out the recipe. Susan replied with absolute confidence, "Easy peasy! I'll go investigate tonight!"

Dressed in a black shirt and trousers, Susan grabbed a decoy pizza box. She also wore her high-tech AI glasses, designed to capture everything she saw whenever she blinked.

She walked up to the house and pressed the doorbell.

"Pizza delivery!" Susan shouted.

An adorable elderly couple opened the door, blinking in confusion. "Oh, we didn't order any pizza!"

Susan pretended to check her clipboard. "Wait, isn't this the right address?" Seizing her chance, she slipped past them. "Let me just check if this is the wrong house..."

Suddenly, Susan gasped, "Oh my god, that smell! It is amazing!"

The kind old couple chuckled, "It's nothing special, but you can try a bite if you want, little girl!"

Susan dashed into the kitchen, blinking rapidly to record every single ingredient with her AI glasses. After taking a big bite, she moaned in satisfaction. She boldly asked if they could teach her the secret recipe.

The sweet couple not only agreed but also invited Mark and Chloe over for a grand feast! From that day on, the gang became lifelong friends with the elderly chefs, proving that corporate espionage is best served with prawns and fried eggs.

Questions

What made Mark and Susan suspect the house was worth investigating?

A) They saw a large neon sign advertising a restaurant outside.

B) They smelled delicious food, which Mark guessed was prawn with fried eggs.

C) The elderly couple sent them an official invitation to dinner.

D) Susan delivered a real pizza to the house earlier that day.

 

Based on the story and the definition provided (to make something clear or easier to understand), why did Mark review the financial report?

A) To make the company's recent profit increase easier to understand.

B) To hide the company's financial losses from the investors.

C) To teach the elderly couple how to cook prawns and fried eggs.

D) To test out Susan's new AI glasses during a meeting.

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