VOA Special English Word Book

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VOA Special English Word Book
a (an) - ad. one; any; each able - v. having the power to do something about - ad. almost ("about half"); of or having a relation to ("We talk about the weather.") above - ad. at a higher place abuse - n. bad treatment causing harm or injury accept - v. to agree to receive accident - n. something that happens by chance or mistake; an unplanned event accuse - v. to say a person is responsible for an act or crime; to make a statement against someone across - ad. from side to side; to the other side act - v. to do something activist - n. one who seeks change through action actor - n. someone acting in a play or show add - v. to put (something) with another to make it larger; to say more administration - n. the executive part of a government, usually headed by a president or prime minister admit - v. to accept ("admitted to the United Nations"); to express one‘s guilt or responsibility ("He admitted that what he did was wrong.") adult - n. a grown person advertise - v. to show or present the qualities of a product to increase sales advise - v. to help with information, knowledge or ideas in making a decision affect - v. to produce an effect on; to influence ("A lack of sleep affected the singer‘s performance.") afraid - ad. feeling fear after - ad. later; behind again - ad. another time; as before against - ad. opposed to; not agreeing with something age - n. how old a person or thing is agency - n. an organization that is part of a larger group ("an agency of the United Nations") aggression - n. an attack against a person or country; the violation of a country‘s borders ago - ad. of time past; before now agree - v. to have the same belief as someone; to be willing to do something agriculture - n. farming aid - v. to help; to support; n. help, assistance aim - v. to point a gun at; n. a goal or purpose air - n. the mixture of gases around the earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, that we breathe air force - n. a military organization using airplanes airplane - n. a vehicle with wings that flies airport - n. a place where airplanes take off and land album - n. a collection of recorded music alcohol - n. a strong, colorless liquid, usually made from grain, used as a drug or in industrial products alive - ad. having life; not dead all - ad. everything; everyone; the complete amount ally - n. a nation or person joined with another for a special purpose almost - ad. a little less than completely alone - ad. separated from others along - ad. near or on ("along the road") already - ad. before now; even now also - ad. added to; too although - conj. even if it is true that always - ad. at all times; every time ambassador - n. a nation‘s highest diplomatic representative (to another government) amend - v. to add to or to change (a proposal or law) ammunition - n. the bullets or shells fired from guns among - ad. in or part of (a group) amount - n. the number, size or weight of anything anarchy - n. a lack of order; lawlessness ancestor - n. a family member from the past ancient - ad. very old; long ago and - conj. also; in addition to; with anger - n. a strong emotion against someone or something animal - n. a living creature that moves, such as a dog or cat anniversary - n. a yearly celebration or observance of an event that happened in the past announce - v. to make known publicly; to declare officially another - ad. one more; a different one answer - n. a statement produced by a question; v. to make a statement after being asked a question any - ad. one or more of no special kind apologize - v. to express regret for a mistake or accident for which one accepts responsibility appeal - v. to take to a higher court, person or group for a decision; to call on somebody for help appear - v. to show oneself; to come into sight; to seem appoint - v. to name; to choose ("appoint a judge") approve - v. to agree with; to agree to support archeology - n. the scientific study of past human life and activities area - n. any place or part of it argue - v. to offer reasons for or against something; to dispute; to disagree arms - n. military equipment; weapons army - n. military ground forces around - ad. on every side (of) arrest - v. to seize a person for legal action; to take as a prisoner arrive - v. to come to a place, especially at the end of a trip art - n. expressions or creations by humans, such as paintings, music, writing or statues artillery - n. big guns as - conj. equally ("as fast as"); when; while ash - n. the part left after something burns ask - v. to question; to say something is wanted ("We ask the teacher questions every day.") assist - v. to help astronaut - n. a person who travels in space astronomy - n. the scientific study of stars and the universe asylum - n. political protection given by a government to a person from another country at - prep. in or near ("at the edge"); where ("look at"); when ("at noon") atmosphere - n. the gases surrounding any star or planet attach - v. to tie together; to connect attack - n. a violent attempt to damage, injure or kill; v. to start a fight attempt - v. to work toward something; to try; to make an effort attend - v. to be present at attention - n. close or careful observing of, or listening to, someone or something (“The student paid attention to his teacher.”) automobile - n. a vehicle with wheels used to carry people; a car autumn - n. the time of the year between summer and winter available - ad. present and ready for use; willing to serve or help. (“There was a list of available candidates.”) average - n. something (a number) representing the middle; ad. common; normal avoid - v. to stay away from awake - ad. not sleeping award - n. an honor or prize for an act or service away - ad. not near
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