UNIT 4 - Destination C1&C2

Change and technology

adapt (v)

to change your ideas or behaviour so that you can deal with a new situation

adjust (v)

to change sth slightly in order to make it better, more accurate and more effective

alternate (v)

(of two things) happening or following one after the other regularly

alternate (adj)

happening on one day, week, etc., but not on the day, week, etc. that immediately follows

alternative (adj)

sth that you can choose instead of sth

amend (v)

to make changes to a document, law, agreement, etc., esp. in order to improve it

conservative (adj)

not willing to accept much change, esp. in the traditional values of society

convert (v)

• to change or to make sth change from one form, purpose, system, etc. to another

• to change your religion or beliefs; to make somebody change their religion or beliefs

convert (n)

someone who has changed their beliefs in an important way

decay (v)

to be gradually destroyed as a result of a natural process of change, or to destroy sth in this way

decay (n)

the gradual destruction of sth as a result of a natural process of change

deteriorate (v)

to become worse

distort (v)

to change sth such as information so that it is no longer true or accurate

dynamic (adj)

continuously changing, growing or developing

endure (v)

• to suffer sth unpleasant or difficult in a patient way over a long period

• to last for a long time

evolve (v)

to develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complicated form; to develop something in this way

mature (adj)

behaving in the sensible way who would expect an adult to behave

modify (v)

to change sth slightly, esp. in order to improve it or to make it less extreme

novel (adj)

new or unusual

persist (v)

to continue to do or say sth in a determined way

radical (adj)

new, different and likely to have a great effect

refine (v)

to make some changes to sth in order to improve it

reform (v)

to improve a situation by correcting things that are wrong or unfair, or make a system work more effectively

reform (n)

a change intended to correct a situation that is wrong or unfair or to make a system work more effectively

revise (v)

• to change your opinion or judgment of someone or sth

• to change, improve, or to make additions to sth such as book, law, or piece of writing

shift (v)

to change from one state, position, etc. to another

shift (n)

a change in sth

spoil (v)

to affect sth in a way that makes it worse, less attractive or less enjoyable

status quo (n phr)

the present situation

steady (v)

to hold sth firmly without shaking or moving it

steady (adj)

• firmly held in a particular position without moving or shaking

• staying at the same level, speed, value, etc.

substitute (v)

to take the place of somebody/something else; to use somebody/something instead of somebody/something else

substitute (n)

a person or thing that you use or have instead of the one you normally use or have

sustain (v)

to provide enough of what somebody/something needs in order to live or exist

uniform (adj)

not varying; the same in all parts and at all times

breakthrough (n)

a discovery or achievement that comes after a lot of hard work

broadband (adj)

able to send different types of communication signals at the same time

broadband (n)

a high-speed Internet connection

consumer electronics (n phr)

electrical equipment, which is available for the public to buy

(game) console (n phr)

a small electronic device for playing video games

manual (adj)

operated by people rather than automatically or using computers

manual (n)

a book containing instructions for doing sth, esp. for operating a machine

network (v)

to connect computers together so that each can send and receive information to and from the other computers

primitive (adj)

belonging to a very simple society with no industry, etc.

a leopard can’t change its spots

used for saying that someone will never change their behaviour or character

all mod cons

all modern conviniences

break the mould

change a situation by doing sth that is very different from what most people usually do or have done in the past

change your tune

change your opinion or attitude

have a change of heart

change your opinion abour sth or decide not to do sth you were planning to do

know sth inside out

be very familiar with

reinvent the wheel

waste time and effort trying to do sth that someone else has already done well

stick to your guns

refuse to change whar you are saying or doing despite the opposition or criticism of other people

the tools of the trade

the skills and equipment that you need on order to do your job

turn over a new leaf

change your life by starting to be a better person or stopping bad habit

back up (phr v)

• make a copy of your information

• give support to someone by telling other people that you agree with them

change around

move things so that they are in different places or positions

change into

• stop being in one state, condition, or form and start being in one another, or make sth to do this

• take off the clothes or a piece of clothing you are wearing and put on different ones

change out of

take off the clothes or a piece of clothing you are wearing and put on different ones

do away with

get rid of

do up

• repair, paint and improve an old building, car, boat, etc.

• fasten (an item of clothing)

fade away

disappear slowly

key in

put information into a computer or other electronic machine using keys or a keyboard

make into

change someone or sth so that they become sth else

mix up

• put things together without any order

• think that one person/thing is another person/thing

switch on/off

start/stop a machine/light/etc. working

take apart

separate an object into pieces

test out

try using sth to find out whether it works correctly or is satisfactory

turn into

change or develop into sth different or to make sth in this way

use up

use all of a supply of sth

wear out

use sth a lot so that it no longer works, or can no longer be used