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.

pint

 

pint

= a unit of measurement for volume ((UK: 568 cc) / US: 473 cc) )

Mark ordered three pints of beer at the pub last night.

Mark 昨晚在酒吧點了三杯啤酒。

He bought a pint of milk from the grocery store.

他在雜貨店買了一品脫牛奶。

After a long run, I enjoyed a refreshing pint of water.

跑了很久之後，我喝到一杯清涼的水，覺得很舒服。

During the picnic, we shared a pint of lemon juice.

野餐的時候，我們一起分享了一杯檸檬汁。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "pint":

Synonyms:

Cup

Mug

Glass 

Antonyms:

Gallon 

Liter (in metric measurements) 

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

What does the term "pint" refer to?

A) A type of food

B) A unit of measurement for liquid, equal to 16 fluid ounces

C) A type of bird

D) A cooking technique

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