Unit 10B: Speeches & Presentations

ahead (adv)

Definition: Further forward in space or time; in front. | Example: "We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change", said Barack Obama.

appropriate (adj)

Definition: Correct or suitable for a particular time, situation, or purpose. | Example: Be careful about telling jokes - they may not be appropriate.

at death's door (idm)

Definition: About to die. | Example: If you go on a hunger strike means that you refuse food until you are at death's door.

beforehand (adv)

Definition: Earlier, before something else happens or is done. | Example: I had carefully prepared my presentation in French, I intended it as a surprise, so I didn't say anything beforehand.

board (n)

Definition: A group of people who have power to make decisions and control a company or other organization. | Example: She has a seat on the board of directors.

capable (adj)

Definition: Having the ability or qualities necessary for doing something. | Example: You are capable of better work than this.

chain (v)

Definition: To fasten something with a chain; to fasten somebody/something to another person or thing with a chain, so that they do not escape or get stolen. | Example: The doors were always locked and chained.

cherish (v)

Definition: To love, protect and care for someone or something that is important to you. | Example: Freedom of speech is a cherished right in this country.

come up (v)

Definition: To move towards somebody, in order to talk to them. | Example: He came up to me and asked me the way to the station.

comfort (n)

Definition: A feeling of being less unhappy. | Example: If it’s any comfort to you, I’m in the same situation.

confident (adj)

Definition: Sure that something will happen in the way that you want or expect | Example: Dress carefully so that you feel confident about your appearance in front of an audience.

controversy (n)

Definition: A serious argument about something that involves many people and continues for a long time. | Example: What was the controversy about the words Armstrong actually said?

creed (n)

Definition: Belief. | Example: "Generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of people. Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can!", said Barack Obama.

cynic (n)

Definition: A person who doesn't believe that anything good can happen, and that thinks people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere. | Example: I'm too much of a cynic to believe that he'll keep his promise.

dissonant (adj)

Definition: Not in agreement. | Example: The first dissonant note of the debate came from the Opposition leader.

distracting (adj)

Definition: Preventing you from concentrating on something. | Example: Even if something distracting happens, try not to lose your concentration.

draw (drew – drawn) (v)

Definition: To move in the direction mentioned. | Example: The train drew into the station.

Dutch (adj)

Definition: The language used in the Netherlands, and in some parts of Belgium. | Example: It's just that we are all from the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.

go on (v)

Definition: To continue. | Example: We really can't go on living like this - we'll have to find a bigger house.

halfway through (idm)

Definition: In the middle of something. | Example: After speaking in French for 45 minutes, I was half way through my presentation and we had a break for coffee.

hunger strike (n)

Definition: Refusing to eat to protest about something. | Example: I think there are very few men today who would be prepared to adopt a "hunger strike" for any cause.

if need(s) be (ph)

Definition: If it is necessary. | Example: It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

in the way (ph)

Definition: It is used to describe something that blocks or prevents something else from happening, or makes it more difficult. It has a negative connotation. | Example: "We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change", said Barack Obama.

lawsuit (n)

Definition: A claim or complaint against somebody that a person or an organization can make in court (you FILE a lawsuit). | Example: He filed a lawsuit against his record company.

leap (n)

Definition: A large jump or sudden movement. | Example: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind", said Neil Armstrong.

make sense (v)

Definition: To have a clear meaning and be easy to understand. | Example: Why doesn't the sentence everybody heard make sense?

mankind (n)

Definition: All humans, thought about as one large group; the human race. | Example: The future of mankind is on his hands.

properly (adv)

Definition: In a way that is correct and/or appropriate. | Example: How much money do we need to do the job properly?

prove (v)

Definition: To show that something is true by providing facts, information etc. | Example: Did new technology prove him right or wrong?

railing (n)

Definition: A fence made of vertical metal bars; one of these bars. | Example: I chained my bike to the park railings.

release (n)

Definition: The act of setting a person or an animal free; the state of being set free. | Example: She can expect an early release from prison.

sacred (adj)

Definition: Very important, to be treated with great respect. | Example: Human life for us is sacred.

slide (n)

Definition: A small piece of film held in a frame that can be shown on a screen when you shine a light through it. | Example: His lecture was illustrated with slides taken during the expedition.

stand (v)

Definition: To stay in a particular place without moving. | Example: "We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change", said Barack Obama.

starve (v)

Definition: To suffer or die because you do not have enough food to eat; to make somebody suffer or die in this way. | Example: The animals were left to starve to death.

step (n)

Definition: The act of lifting one foot and putting it down on a different part of the ground, such as when you walk or run. | Example: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind", said Neil Armstrong.

strength (n)

Definition: The quality of being brave and determined in a difficult situation. | Example: You have shown great strength of character.

strike (n)

Definition: A period of time when an organized group of employees of a company stops working because of a disagreement over pay or conditions. | Example: Air traffic controllers are threatening to go on strike.

suffragette (n)

Definition: A member of a group of women who, in Britain and the US in the early part of the 20th century, worked to get the right for women to vote in political elections. | Example: The suffragette movement campaigned for votes for women in Britain and the US.

sum up (v)

Definition: To state the main points of something in a short and clear form. To summarize. | Example: To sum up, there are three main ways of addressing the problem.

surrender (v)

Definition: To give up, stop fighting. | Example: We shall never surrender, said Winston Churchill.

trial (n)

Definition: A formal examination of evidence in court by a judge and often a jury, to decide if somebody accused of a crime is guilty or not. | Example: He’s on trial for murder.

unlikely (adj)

Definition: Not likely to happen; not probable. | Example: The project seemed unlikely to succeed.