Spark: (verb) /sp(r)k/ Provide the stimulus for (an event or process):

the trial sparked a furious row

the severity of the plan sparked off street protests
The 1905 Russian Revolution was sparked off by a peaceful protest held on January 22nd.
The 1998 Biodevastation Gathering sparked subsequent events in Seattle, New Delhi,
Boston, San Diego and Toronto.
I'm always on the lookout for imagery that will spark my painting process.
Prompt: (verb)/prmpt/1) (Of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling):
the violence prompted a wave of refugees to flee the country
This may have been prompted by the fact that I have a job interview on Thursday.
The study has been prompted by the fact the number of retests has more than doubled since
1999.
The contract prohibits layoffs unless prompted by events beyond the company's control.
2) (prompt someone to/to do something) Cause someone to take a course of action:
curiosity prompted him to look inside
Of course, they could be prompted to write in response to emotions on a biochemical rather
than conscious level.
Winslow's instincts prompted her to change course three years ago to pursue her dream of
becoming an author.
That would of course prompt him to talk about the park yesterday.
Convention : (noun) /knven()n/ a way of writing, painting etc that is accepted as the usual or
right way:
the conventions of Greek architecture
Her later novels abandon the narrative conventions of 19th-century fiction.
Collocations:
ADJ. accepted, established, long-standing, old, traditional, well-established It's an established
convention that the part of the prince is played by a woman. | normal, standard, usual | polite Her
work refuses any concession to polite conventions of good taste. | arbitrary | rigid, strict | cultural,
legal, social the rigid social conventions of Victorian Britain | dramatic, fictional, literary, narrative,
operatic, poetic The novel refuses to conform to the narrative conventions of 19th century realism. |
orthographic, punctuation, rhetorical
QUANT. set
VERB + CONVENTION adhere to, conform to, follow, keep to, observe They followed the Greek
convention of pinning gifts of money to the bride's dress. | be bound by, be hidebound by Life with
the Leighs was not hidebound by rules or convention. | break (with), cut through, defy, flout She
knew that she had broken an important social convention. He had the freedom of spirit to cut
through convention. No young politician can afford to flout convention in this way.
CONVENTION + VERB demand sth, dictate sth Convention dictated that dangerous physical
action is the part of heroes, not heroines.
PREP. according to/by ~ By convention, the Queen gives the Royal Assent to all measures passed
by Parliament.
PHRASES a break with convention In a surprising break with convention, she wore a red wedding
dress. | a matter of convention

Custom: (noun) /kstm/ A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something
that is specific to a particular society, place, or time:
the old English custom of dancing round the maypole
[mass noun]: custom demanded that a person should have gifts for the child
Collocations:
ADJ. accepted, age-old, ancient, established, old, traditional | quaint | local | social
VERB + CUSTOM follow, observe, respect They still follow the custom of pinning money to the
bride's dress. | maintain, preserve, revive
CUSTOM + VERB die out, disappear The custom died out in the nineteenth century. | prevail,
survive These customs still prevail in remote areas.
PREP. according to a/the ~, in accordance with (a/the) ~ They poured wine round the trees in
accordance with local custom. | through ~ The rules have grown up through custom and are not laid
down by law. | ~ of
PHRASES as is/was the custom People threw coins onto the stage, as was the custom.
Refrain: (verb) [intransitive] /rfren/ to stop yourself from doing something. This word is often
used in official announcements or signs
refrain from: Please refrain from smoking in this area.
Collocations:
ADV. carefully, deliberately He deliberately refrained from expressing his opinion on the matter. |
wisely
PREP. from I refrained from laughing.
Tonal: (adjective) /tn()l/1) relating to the tone of something, especially a colour or sound the
tonal intensity of the colours
2) (music) relating to music written in a particular key
3) Relating to the tone of music, colour, or writing:
his ear for tonal colour
the poems tonal lapses
Exhibition: (noun) [countable] /eksb()n/ A public display of works of art or items of interest,
held in an art gallery or museum or at a trade fair:
an exhibition of French sculpture
[mass noun]: he never lent his treasures out for exhibition
It is part of the high-tech armoury used by the company to create visitor attractions,
exhibitions, museum galleries as well as tourist information centres.
Trade fairs and exhibitions, which herald every festival season, have already come up at
various spots in the city.
He has held several one-man exhibitions of his paintings.
Collocations:
ADJ. big, large | small | important, major a major exhibition of the painter's work | annual, summer |
international, local | private, public | permanent | changing, special, temporary The library has a
policy of mounting changing exhibitions. There is a series of special exhibitions throughout the
year. | touring, travelling a touring exhibition of Impressionist drawings | collaborative, joint | oneman, one-person, one-woman, solo By 1914 Picasso had held one-man exhibitions in England,
Germany and Spain. | retrospective | art, craft, photographic, etc. | trade the international food trade
exhibition in Cologne

VERB + EXHIBITION have, hold, host The museum hosted a big exhibition of her work last year. |
house The old factory has been converted to house an exhibition. | attend, go to, see, visit | arrange,
organize, plan | display, mount, present, put on, show, stage They plan to stage an art exhibition in a
nearby town. | launch, open The mayor will open the exhibition next week. | sponsor | go on The
Mappa Mundi will go on permanent exhibition at Hereford Cathedral.
EXHIBITION + VERB open The exhibition opens at the Tate Gallery in July. | close, end | be on, be
on view, run, take place The exhibition runs from 11 April to 5 July. | continue | move (on) to The
exhibition moves on to the National Gallery, Washington, next month. | be called sth, be entitled sth
| comprise sth, cover sth, feature sth, include sth, show sth The exhibition includes drawings by
Rembrandt. | illustrate sth, trace sth an exhibition illustrating the history and development of the
university | be dedicated to sb/sth, be devoted to sb/sth an exhibition devoted to female painters
EXHIBITION + NOUN centre, gallery, hall, venue | space The new wing will provide 20,000 more
square feet of exhibition space. | stand Hundreds of firms had exhibition stands. | catalogue |
programme the gallery's exhibition programme for next year
PREP. on ~ A selection of her paintings is on exhibition at the Whitechapel Art Gallery. | ~ of an
exhibition of contemporary art | ~ on an exhibition on local history
Exposition: (noun) /ekspz()n/ 1) A large public exhibition of art or trade goods:
the exposition will feature exhibits by 165 companies
Similar to the inaugural event in Beijing two years ago, the exposition in Shanghai also
featured a wide range of exhibitions on world soccer.
The company promotes trade shows and expositions, and publishes books, including the
famous For Dummies series, among other activities.
With Georges being a supplier of equipment for the construction industry, their life was
going to trade shows and expositions.
2) Music The part of a movement, especially in sonata form, in which the principal themes are first
presented:
Thus a sonata exposition, which in Mozart or Beethoven may often have two contrasting
themes, is said to have a first subject and a second subject.
The exposition contains a first theme in two parts, transition, two secondary themes, and a
19-bar closing section.
His measured, lyrical exposition of the movement's second theme seemed to touch the very
soul of the music.
Temporary: (adjective) /temp()rri/ Lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent: a
temporary job
Collocations:
ERBS be The arrangement's only temporary.
ADV. very | strictly | relatively | only
Temporal : (adjective) (formal) /temp()rl/ relating to time:
The temporal sequence of the play is confusing for the audience.
temporal and spatial limits
Embalm: (verb) [transitive] /mbm/ Preserve (someone or something) in an unaltered state:
the band was all about revitalizing pop greats and embalming their legacy
reputation is embalmed, still, in the romantic notions inflicted upon it by his early, maudlin
admirers.

But by the time they came to embalm the nation thirty years later, each eliminated virtually
any reference to its external record from their retrospections.
The smug and superior manner in which the rest of the country has embalmed the region in
the 1960s, so as to better patronize it, has echoes of Europeans on an anti-American binge.
Embody: (verb) [transitive] /mbdi/ Provide (a spirit) with a physical form:
nothing of the personality of the Spirit as embodied in Jesus will be lost
The Mowachaht-Muchalaht believe Luna embodies the spirit of their late chief, Ambrose
Maquinna, who said he would return to them in the form of a whale after he died.
Add: Contribute (an enhancing quality) to something:
the suite will add a touch of class to your bedroom
He will entertain spectators and add a bit more quality to our batting.
And each has been a solid contributor, adding much-needed depth.
The decision to pay match fees to professionals has prompted him to give it another go,
adding some much needed quality and experience to the side.
Credit: (verb) [transitive] /kredt/ (credit someone with) Ascribe (an achievement or good quality)
to someone:
he is credited with painting one hundred and twenty-five canvases
But our Founding Fathers crafted and drafted a better Constitution than they have been
credited with.
It is not known when the mighty dogs first started to rescue people, but they are credited
with saving some 2,000 travellers over the past 200 years on the Saint Bernard Pass on the
border with Italy.
Serving as the Czech prime minister from 1993 to 1997, he was credited with successfully
transforming the Czech economy.
Collocations:
PREP. with I credited you with a little more sense.
PHRASES be credited as/with sth She is generally credited as having written over 50 novels. | be
credited to sb The work has been credited to a sixteenth century bishop. | be generally/widely
credited with sth He is widely credited with having started the Middle East peace process.
Cast: (verb) /kst/ Cause (uncertainty or disparagement) to be associated with something:
journalists cast doubt on the governments version of events
Research in Glasgow has cast doubt on the mental and physical tasks that police have been
using for three years to try to crack down on what is feared to be an epidemic of drug
driving.
But other nutrition experts cast doubt on whether fasting should be reintroduced as a
weight-loss technique.
Some scientific experts cast doubt on the letter's authenticity.
Verb form:
Present tense
I/you/we/they cast
he/she/it
casts
present participle
casting
past tense
cast
past participle cast

Conceive: (verb) /knsiv/ [intransitive/transitive] [usually in negatives or questions] to imagine

something or think of doing something:
I find the whole scenario hard to conceive.
conceive of:
How can they even conceive of doing such an appalling thing?
Noted: /ntd/ (adjetivo) Well known; famous:
the restaurant is noted for its high standards of cuisine
a noted patron of the arts
Sensitive: (adjective) /senstv/ 1) reacting quickly or strongly to something:
A new generation of satellites will carry particularly sensitive instruments.
Bats have extremely sensitive ears.
light-sensitive materials
sensitive to:
Coral is very sensitive to changes in water temperature.
2) likely to become angry or upset easily:
If Id known she was so sensitive, I wouldnt have teased her.
sensitive to:
Kyle takes his work seriously and is sensitive to criticism.
3) showing that you care about someone or something and do not want to cause offence
This is a case that needs sensitive and skilful handling.
sensitive to:
The police should be more sensitive to the needs of local communities.
4) Having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings:
I pay tribute to the Minister for his sensitive handling of the bill
The Yorkshire Euro MP may not be the first person you'd think of if you were looking for a
sensitive appreciation of the modern woman.
One is Mary's uniquely sensitive appreciation of the myriad ways in which the case for
academic freedom may be advanced.
I now have a more sensitive appreciation of how devastating war really is.
Collocations:
1) able to understand other people's feelings
VERBS be | become | make sb Her experiences had made her sensitive to other people's troubles.
ADV. deeply, extremely, highly, unusually, very a highly sensitive, caring man | increasingly | quite
PREP. to Horses are very sensitive to their riders' moods.
2) easily upset/annoyed
VERBS be, seem | become | remain
ADV. acutely, deeply, extremely, morbidly, painfully, particularly, terribly, very | a bit, pretty, rather
PREP. about Teenagers are often very sensitive about their appearance. | to He was acutely sensitive
to criticism.
3) needing to be dealt with carefully
VERBS be | become | remain

ADV. extremely, highly, particularly, very this highly sensitive issue | fairly, rather, somewhat a
somewhat sensitive question | commercially, environmentally, politically, socially commercially
sensitive information
4) reacting quickly/more than usual to sth
VERBS be | become
ADV. extremely, highly, morbidly, painfully, particularly, unusually, very | quite
PREP. to Her eyes are very sensitive to light.
5) able to measure very small changes
VERBS be The bat's hearing is remarkably sensitive.
ADV. acutely, especially, exquisitely, extremely, highly, keenly, remarkably, very The equipment is
highly sensitive. | fairly, quite | enough, sufficiently The probe is sensitive enough to detect the
presence of a single microbe.
PREP. to sensitive to the slightest movement
Score: /sk(r)/A written representation of a musical composition showing all the vocal and
instrumental parts arranged one below the other.
Ideally, one might wish for translations to the texts of the vocal examples and a few more
musical scores for the CDs, so that one could follow more of the points being made.
Many were the instruments and singers interchanging scores and vocal lines during the
Baroque Era.
The top floor features bedrooms, the Maestro's old study-work room, and copious shelving
for books, musical scores and the like.
Collocations:
ADJ. full | music/musical | orchestral, piano, vocal the vocal score of The Magic Flute | film
VERB + SCORE play, read, write
PREP. in a/the ~ a mistake in the piano score
Diverge: (verb) [intransitive] /dav(r)d/ (Of an opinion, theory, or approach) differ:
the coverage by the columnists diverged from that in the main news stories
(as adjective diverging) diverging concepts of nation-building
Although not thoroughly tested in the courts at the time of writing, legal opinion diverges
widely on these questions.
Our experiences and opinions diverge in areas and on issues I consider most important to
the larger body politic.
Today's offering suggests two issues where our opinions diverge.
Suffuse: (verb) [transitive] /sfjuz/ to spread over or through something:
A warm glow suffused her body.
Her cheeks were suffused with colour.
Where a dark grey curtain had hidden the hills from sight, a rosy glow gradually deepened
and suffused every mountain top in sight.
Sweet and spicy flavors, including date, pomegranate, coriander, and cumin, suffuse the
foods spread out on a nearby buffet.
Lyricist: (noun) [countable] /lrsst/ someone whose job is to write words for songs.
Pluck: (verb) /plk/ Sound (a musical instrument or its strings) with ones finger or a plectrum:
she picked up her guitar and plucked it idly

I sat with the lute in my lap, trying to reach for forgotten notes as my fingers plucked the
strings.
I watched her fingers pluck the strings gracefully, feeling her courage getting greater with
the song.
She started strumming, and plucking the strings, and finally singing.
Play it by: (phrase) to decide what to do as a situation develops rather than planning what you will
do before you start:
We dont know how many people are going to come, so well play it by ear.
Shimmer: (way of shinning) Shine with a soft, slightly wavering light:
the sea shimmered in the sunlight
(as adjective shimmering) shimmering candlelight