UNIT 5: STUFF OF LIFE 1 READING

1. stuff /stVf/ noun [uncount] the basic material or substance people use for making something: cht liu What stuff is this jacket made of? Ci o vt ny lm t cht liu g? Real life is the stuff of all good novels: Thc t cuc sng l nguyn liu cho tt c cc cun tiu thuyt hay. the stuff of sth: the most necessary, important or typical part/feature of sth. 2. nickname /nIkneIm/ verb [transitive] to give someone a nickname: t bit danh (cho ai) They nicknamed her the Squirrel. nickname noun [count] an informal name that your friends or family call you that is not your real name: bit danh 3. trigger /trIgC/ noun [count] the part of a gun that you move with your finger to make the gun fire: c sng 4. come a long way to improve a lot or make a lot of progress: c nhiu ci tin Computers have come a long way since the huge mainframes of the 1950s. 5. worn /wc:n/ [adjective] something that is worn looks old and damaged because it has been used a lot: mn a pair of worn blue jeans 6. weather /weDC/ verb [intransitive or transitive] if something weathers or is weathered, its appearance changes because of the effects of wind, rain, etc.: (lm cho ci g) thay I hnh dng, mu sc v tc ng ca nng, gi, ma Wind and sun had weathered his face. weather noun [uncount] the conditions that exist in the atmosphere relating to temperature, PRECIPITATION (=rain, snow, etc.), and other features: thi tit 7. sentimental /,sentImentl/ [adjective] relating to emotions instead of reason: tnh cm I kept the clock purely for sentimental reasons. sentimentally adverb sentimentalize /,sentImentlaIz/ verb [intransitive or transitive] to think about or describe something in a way that is emotional and not based on reason: vit, ni hoc i x vi ai mt cch tnh cm This book sentimentalizes the suffering of the disabled: Cun sch bi ly ha ni au ca ngi tn tt sentiment /sentImCnt/ noun [uncount] feelings of sympathy, sadness, or love that may seem inappropriate: tnh cm 8. autograph /c:tCgra:f/ verb [transitive] if someone famous autographs a book, photograph, etc., they sign their name on it: vit tn ca mnh (ln ci g) He was autographing copies of his latest novel. autograph noun [count] a famous persons name that they sign for someone else to keep: bt tch My mother got Frank Sinatras autograph in the 1970s. 9. estimate /estImeIt/ verb [transitive] to say what you think an amount or value will be, either by guessing or by using available information to calculate it: c tnh Its difficult to estimate the cost of making your house safe. estimate /estImCt/ noun [count] an amount that you guess or calculate using the information available: s c lng, s c tnh According to official estimates, over 25% of carbon emissions come from the United States. estimated adjective: An estimated 300,000 people came to the demonstration. 10. signature /sIgnItSC/ noun [count] a persons name written in a special way by that person: ch k 11. associate /CsCUsIeIt/ noun [count] someone you work with, especially in business: ngi cng tc a business associate 12. scratch /skrAtS/ verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to move something sharp against a hard surface and make a noise: co xc scratch at: I could hear the dog scratching at the back door. scratch ones head: suy ngh nt c 2 [transitive] INFORMAL to write something very quickly and carelessly 13. fix /fIxxks/ verb [transitive] to repair something: sa Jessica fixed my watch. have/get something fixed: I have to get my car fixed. 14. right /raIt/ [adverb] 1

1 exactly: ngay, thng The wind was right in our faces: Gi thi thng vo mt chng ta 2 immediately: ngay I must answer that phone, but Ill be right back: Ti s tr li in thai nhng ti s tr li ngay right away: ngay tc khc I want it typed right away, please. 3 correctly or accurately: You did it right the first time. 4 in the direction of your right side: Turn right at the corner. 15. off /Of/ [preposition] not on something not on the top or surface of something, especially after being on it: xung hoc ra khi (mt v tr trn ci g) falling off a ladder: ng xung t mt ci thang The ball rolled off the table: Qu bng ln ra khi bn. 16. unseen /Vn'si:n/ [adjective] not seen or known about by anyone. the unseen hand that holds the camera unseen [adverb] without being seen by anyone: He hid unseen under the desk. 17. pick /pIk/ verb [transitive] to choose someone or something from a group: la chn, chn lc Out of all the girls he could have gone out with, he picked me. pick up phrasal verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] AMERICAN to make a place clean and neat: dn dp 2 [transitive] to lift something up and take it away: ly i Pick up a pamphlet for me too. 3 INFORMAL to buy something. a market where you can pick up some amazing bargains.

4 LISTENING
18. backpack /bAkpAk/ noun [count] a large bag that you carry on your back, especially when you are going climbing or walking: ba l 19. manage /mAnIdZ/ verb [intransitive or transitive] to succeed in doing something, especially something that needs a lot of effort or skill: gii quyt, xoay s I dont know how you manage. I dont think I can manage a long walk today. manage to do something: I managed to escape by diving into the river. 20. either /i:DC/ or /aIDC/ used in negative statements referring to both of two people or things. Jackie could play the piano and sing, whereas I couldnt do either: Jackie c th chi piano v ca ht, cn ti khng bit ci no ht. either of: I didnt like either of the candidates: Ti khng thch ng vin no ht (2 ng vin). 21. possession /pCzeSn/ noun [count usually plural] something that you own: ti sn Their family home and possessions were destroyed in the fire. possess /pCzes/ verb [transitive] FORMAL to own a physical object: s hu They were all found guilty of illegally possessing firearms. 22. hardly /ha:dlI/ [adverb] used for saying that something is almost not true or almost does not happen at all, and is often used with words like any and ever : hu nh khng It hardly ever rains here in the summer: y hu nh khng ma vo ma h Note: Hardly is not related to the word hard. hard /ha:d/ [adjective] difficult to do: kh Some of the questions were very hard. hard [adverb] using a lot of effort: cc lc The Chinese team have worked very hard to get this far in the competition. 23. appreciate /CprISIeIt/ verb [transitive never progressive] to understand the true nature of a situation, and realize why it is important or serious: REALIZE: hiu, nhn ra I began to appreciate the difficulties my father had faced. appreciate how/why/what etc.: Doctors are only now beginning to appreciate how dangerous this drug can be. appreciation /C,prISIeISn/ noun [singular or uncount] the ability to understand the true nature of a situation, and realize why it is important or serious: s am hiu v thng thc 2

She shows little or no appreciation of good music: C y t ra t am hiu hoc khng thng thc c nhc hay. 24. unusual /Vn ju:ZuCl/ adjective 1 different from other people or things in a way that is interesting, attractive, or impressive: c sc, c bit The designers have chosen unusual color combinations. 2 not normal, common, or ordinary: l, khc thng Residents should contact the police if they notice anything unusual. opposite USUAL unusually/Vnju:ZuClI/ adverb 25. band /bAnd / noun [count] a flat narrow piece of cloth with the ends joined together to form a circle: She wore a band around her hair. a hat band

6 LANGUAGE IN ACTION: WHATS IT CALLED?

26. frame /freIm/ noun [count] a structure that forms a border for a picture or mirror and holds it in place: khung frame verb [transitive] to put a picture or photograph in a frame: ng khung Thats a nice photo you ought to have it framed. 27. turn /tE:n/ verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to change the position of your body or head so that you are facing in a different direction: quay (ngi) She turned and smiled at me. He turned his head and looked around the room. 2 [transitive] to make something move in a circle: xoay Turning this wheel will start the machine. turn on phrasal verb [transitive] to start using a piece of equipment by pressing a button or moving a switch: SWITCH ON: m Is your computer turned on? turn off phrasal verb[transitive] to stop using a piece of equipment by pressing a button or moving a switch: SWITCH OFF: tt Will you turn the television off, please? turn up phrasal verb [transitive] to increase the amount of sound, heat, or light produced by a piece of equipment by pressing a button or moving a switch: vn ln hn (m thanh, sc nng, nh sng) Add the mussels, turn up the heat, and leave them to steam until all are fully open. opposite TURN DOWN

28. screwdriver /skru:,drIvC/ noun [count] a tool used for turning tua vt 29. screw /skru:/ noun [count] a thin pointed piece of metal used for fastening one thing to another: inh vt

screws: ci

30. whatever /wOtevC/ can be used as a relative pronoun (starting a relative clause that is the subject, object, or complement of another clause):bt c ci g You can choose whatever you like. 31. mime /maIm/ noun [uncount] the use of only the movements of your body and face to tell a story or express yourself: din t bng iu b a. [count] a play performed using mime: kch cm b. [count] an actor who performs using mime: din vin kch cm mime verb [intransitive or transitive] to tell a story or express yourself without words, using only the movements of your body and face: din kch cm 32. gesture /dZestSC/ noun [count] a movement that communicates a feeling or instruction: c ch, iu b make a gesture: Ellen rose from the table, and they made the gesture of rising too. 33. substitute /sVbstItju:t/ noun [count] something that is used instead of something else: vt thay th We couldnt get cream, so we used yogurt as a substitute. a substitute form of energy substitute verb [transitive] to use something new or different instead of what is normally used: thay th substitute something for something: You can substitute chicken for beef if you dont like red meat. substitution /,sVbstItju:Sn/ noun [count or uncount] the action of replacing someone or something with someone or something else: s thay th The substitution was made just minutes before the end of the game.

8 LISTENING
34. toaster oven /tCUstC VvCn/ noun [count] a piece of electrical equipment used for making toast: l nng 35. drive someone crazy INFORMAL to annoy someone by doing something: lm ai pht in ln Will you stop that humming, youre driving me crazy! 36. figure out phrasal verb [transitive] to be able to understand something or solve a problem: hiu c hoc nhn ra vn We had to figure out the connection between the two events. 37. that /DAt/ (adv) [usually in negatives or questions] MAINLY SPOKEN to a very great degree: ti mc , nh th, n th Three years? I cant wait that long. 38. ignore /Ignc:r/ verb [transitive] to not consider something or not let it influence you: l i We had ignored the fact that it was getting darker. 39. heat /hi:t/ verb 1 [transitive] or heat up to make something hot: lm ci g nng ln Heat the oil gently in a large frying pan. 2 [intransitive] to become hot: nng ln Is the soup heating up? heat noun [singular or uncount] the quality of being hot, or how hot something is: sc nng The firefighters were driven back by the intense heat and smoke. 40. burn /bE:n/ (past tense and past participle burned or burnt) verb 1 [transitive] to damage or destroy something with fire: t Demonstrators burned flags outside the embassy. 2 [intransitive] if a fire or flame burns, it produces light and heat: chy A fire was burning in the hearth. burning adjective [only before noun] very important: rt quan trng, cp thit one of the most burning issues of the day: mt trong nhng vn nng bng nht hin nay. 41. whoops /wUps/ (interjection) dng khi syt b tai nn, lm v ci g Whoops! I nearly dropped the tray: i! Ti syt nh ri ci khay. 42. microwave /maIkrCUweIv/ noun [count] or microwave oven: cooks food very quickly by passing electricity through it, instead of by heat: l microwave verb [transitive] to cook food in a microwave. an oven that vi ba

12 READING
43. invent /Invent/ verb [transitive] to design or create something such as a machine or process that did not exist before: pht minh He invented the technique that allows scientists to examine DNA. invention /InvenSCn / noun [uncount] the act of inventing something: hnh ng pht minh, sng to invention of: Global communication was transformed by the invention of the Internet. inventor /InventC / noun [count] someone who has invented something or whose job is to invent things: ngi pht minh 44. slipper /slIpC/ noun [count] a soft comfortable shoe that you wear in your house: trong nh dp i

to 45. itch /ItS/ noun [singular] an unpleasant feeling on your skin that makes you want SCRATCH it (=rub it with your nails): s nga ngy itch verb [intransitive] if your skin itches, you have an unpleasant feeling that makes you want to SCRATCH it (=rub your skin with your nails): b hoc gy ra nga 46. grid /grId/ noun [count] a pattern of straight lines that cross each other to form squares: mng vung streets laid out on a grid pattern 47. locate /lCUkeIt/ verb [transitive] to find out the exact place where someone or something is: xc nh v tr Locate a town on a map. location / lCUkeISn/ noun [count] the place or position where someone or something is or where something happens: Have they managed to pinpoint the location of the boat yet? 4

48. obvious /ObvICs/ (adj) clear to almost anyone: hin nhin, r rng The most obvious explanation is not always the correct one. obviously (adv) 49. essence /esCnts/ noun [singular] the most important part of something, usually the part that gives it its general character: thc cht, bn cht essence of: The essence of their argument is that life cannot be explained by science. essential /Isentl/ (adj) most basic and necessary: ct li essential services such as hospitals and public transportation 50. contradiction /,kOntrCdIkSnIsentl/ noun [count or uncount] a difference in two or more statements, ideas, stories, etc. that makes it impossible for both or all of them to be true: mu thun, s tri ngc contradiction between: He sees no contradiction between his religious beliefs and his membership of the party. contradictory /,kOntrCdIktCrI/ (adj) contradictory statements, information, ideas, or beliefs disagree with each other and cannot both or all be true: mu thun, tri ngc 51. typical /tIpIkl/ (adj) like most things of the same type: in hnh, c trng, c th Its a typical working-class community. typically (adv) 52. process / prCUses/ noun [count] a series of actions that have a particular result: tin trnh, qu trnh Learning a language is a slow process. process of: the complex process of legally changing your name in the process: trong khi ang lm I started moving the china ornaments but I dropped a vase in the process: Ti bt u dn cc trang tr bng s nhng ang lm th nh ri ci bnh. 53. materialism /mCtICrIClIsm/ noun [uncount] the belief that money and possessions are the most important aspects of human existence: s qu thin v vt cht, ch ngha vt cht 54. evolve / IvOlv/ verb [intransitive] to gradually change and develop over a period of time: tin trin, pht trin evolve into: Theyre hoping the trade talks might evolve into a political dialogue. evolution noun [uncount] the way in which something gradually changes and develops: s tin trin evolution of: the evolution of language evolutionary (adj) 55. philosophy /fIlOsCfI/ [noun, uncount] the study of theories about the meaning of things such as life, knowledge, and beliefs: trit hc He studied politics and philosophy. 56. humor /hju:mC/ noun [uncount] the quality that makes something funny: tnh cht vui nhn, bun ci a novel full of humor humorous (adj) funny: vui nhn humorously (adv) 57. sole /sCUl/ adjective [only before noun] the sole person or thing is the only one of a particular type: ONLY: duy nht She is the sole survivor of the crash. 58. corporation /kc:pCreISn/ noun [count] a large company or business organization: tp an American tobacco corporations 59. contribute /kOntrIbjUSn/ verb [intransitive or transitive] to give money, goods, or your time and effort in order to achieve something, especially when other people are also helping: ng gp contribute to: Many local businesses offered to contribute to the school rebuilding fund. contribution noun [count] something that you do that helps to achieve something or to make it successful: ng gp contribution to: her major contribution to the peace process make a contribution: Community police have made a very positive contribution to crime prevention. contributor noun [count] someone who gives money, goods, or their time or effort in order to help to achieve something: ngi ng gp contributor to: a major contributor to the campaign 60. bother /brVDC/ verb [transitive] to annoy someone by interrupting them when they are busy or want to be left alone: lm phin, lm lo lng I called your office because I didnt want to bother you at home. bother noun MAINLY BRITISH [uncount] trouble or difficulty caused by doing something when this is annoying but not very serious: INCONVENIENCE: s phin phc, bt tin 5

It will be an awful lot of bother going by bus. 61. think up /TINk Vp/phrasal verb [transitive] to invent or imagine something, especially an excuse: ngh ra, sng to Shed have to think up a good reason for being late.