Cloze 1 (DBDHBB 24-25)

reading disorder

📌 A condition that affects a person's ability to read fluently, accurately, and with comprehension. It typically involves difficulties in recognizing words, decoding (sounding out) written language, and understanding what is read.

A child with a == may struggle to match letters with their sounds.

be set to do sth

📌 To be ready or likely to do something soon, or to be scheduled or expected to take action in the near future.

The company is == to launch its new product next month.

hark back to sth

📌 To recall, be reminiscent of, or be inspired by something from the past—whether it's a time, tradition, style, idea, or event.

The band's vintage sound == to the rock music of the 1970s.

wave of nostalgia

📌 A sudden, strong feeling of sentimental longing for the past, often triggered by memories, sights, sounds, or smells.

Hearing that old song brought a == over her.

emotional recall

📌 The process of deliberately bringing up past emotions or memories to re-experience the feelings associated with them. It's often used in acting or psychology to access genuine emotion.

The actor used == to portray grief by remembering a personal loss.

gain access to sth

📌 To succeed in entering, reaching, or obtaining the use of something—whether it's a place, information, system, or resource.

Only authorized personnel can == to the laboratory.

be privy to sth

📌 To be aware of or have access to information that is confidential or private, often not meant to be shared with the public.

She was == the company's plans for expansion before they were announced publicly.

in melting pot

📌 A place, situation, or environment where different people, ideas, or cultures come together and blend, often leading to a mixture or fusion of those elements.

New York City is often considered a == of cultures and languages.

undergo reversal

📌 To experience a complete change in direction, condition, or situation—often from one extreme to another, such as success to failure, improvement to decline, or vice versa.

The country's economic growth underwent a sudden == after the crisis.

staggering success

📌 An overwhelming or astonishing level of achievement, often far beyond expectations. It emphasizes how surprising or impressive the success is, sometimes to the point of disbelief.

The movie was a == success, breaking box office records worldwide.

be anything but typical

📌 To be very unusual, unique, or unexpected—the complete opposite of what is considered normal or standard.

Her reaction was == —she laughed when most people would have cried

make a gutsy move

📌 To take a bold, brave, or risky action—often in the face of uncertainty, danger, or criticism.

She made a == by quitting her job to start her own business.

plan the education of sb

📌 To design or organize the learning path, curriculum, or academic goals for a person, considering their needs, abilities, and future ambitions.

Parents often == of their children carefully to ensure future success.

a ruthless competitor

📌 A person or company that competes without mercy, compassion, or hesitation, often doing whatever it takes to win, even if it involves harsh or aggressive tactics.

In business, he earned a reputation as a == who crushed smaller rivals.

crush competition

📌 To defeat rivals completely and decisively, often by outperforming them, gaining a dominant advantage, or forcing them out of the market or contest.

The tech giant == with its latest product launch.

academic subject

📌 A specific area of study taught in schools, colleges, or universities, typically forming part of a formal education curriculum.

Mathematics, history, and biology are common == subjects in most schools.

make allowance for sb

📌 To take someone's circumstances, limitations, or special needs into account when judging or dealing with them—often showing understanding, patience, or leniency.

You should make == for him—he's just a child.

the rest of sth

📌 The remaining part of something after some has been used, mentioned, or dealt with.

You can finish the == the cake later.

mundane material

📌 Ordinary, dull, or commonplace material, typically lacking excitement or interest. It can describe things that are practical, routine, or not particularly remarkable.

He used == to create a simple yet functional piece of furniture.

museum pieces

📌 Objects or artifacts that are considered of historical, cultural, or artistic value, typically displayed in a museum. The term is also used metaphorically to refer to things that are outdated, old-fashioned, or no longer in use.

The museum displayed ancient tools and weapons as part of its collection of ==.

bring transformative changes

📌 To cause significant, fundamental, and often positive change that has a lasting impact on a system, organization, society, or individual. It refers to a shift that alters things profoundly, often leading to improvement or a completely new direction.

✅ Examples:

The new technology brought == to the healthcare industry.

have a profound impact on sth

📌 To greatly influence or significantly affect something in a deep, meaningful, or lasting way. It suggests a strong, often transformative effect.

The discovery of electricity had a == on society.

detect signs of disease

📌 To identify or notice early indicators or symptoms of an illness or medical condition, often through observation, tests, or examination.

It refers to the process of recognizing warning signs that suggest the presence of a disease.

✅ Examples:Doctors are trained to == signs of disease during routine check-ups.

enduring

lingering

unceasing

perennial

📌Something that lasts for a long time, even through CHALLENGES

. It implies strength or resilience.

Example: His == friendship never faded, no matter what.

📌 Something that stays longer than expected, often in a slow or UNWANTED way. It can feel like it doesn't go away quickly.

Example: The sadness from the news == in the room.

📌 Something that never stops. It continues without interruption.

Example: The rain was == throughout the night.

📌 Something that lasts for many years or happens every year. It's like it's always there or always returning. (not difficulty)

Example: Her love for books is ==—it never fa

be engraved on sb's memory/mind

📌to be very difficult to forget:

That last conversation we had is == on my memory forever.

as the name implies

📌suggest that the meaning or nature of something is evident or suggested by its name. It means that the name itself gives a clue or hint about what the thing is or what it represents.

"A sunflower, as the ==, is a flower that follows the sun."

consume microplastic pollution

📌the process by which organisms—particularly humans, animals, or marine life—ingest tiny plastic particles (microplastics), often through food, water, or air. These microplastics are fragments of larger plastic debris that have broken down over time and can be found in various environmental settings.

✅ Examples:Marine animals are known to == pollution, mistaking it for food.

pay tribute to sth

📌show respect, admiration, or honor towards a person, event, or thing, often through an act, speech, or gesture that acknowledges its significance or impact.

✅ Examples:The community gathered to pay == to the firefighters who saved lives during the disaster.

delve in

📌investigate, explore, or examine something deeply and thoroughly, especially when trying to understand complex details, ideas, or hidden aspects.

✅ Examples:The researcher decided to == to ancient manuscripts to uncover historical truths.

be looked upon as sth

📌be regarded, viewed, or considered in a particular way by others. It often reflects public perception, judgment, or opinion about someone or something.

✅ Examples:She is == as a role model in her community.

be conscious of

📌be aware of something, especially in a deliberate or mindful way. It often involves recognizing the presence, importance, or effect of an issue, thought, or action.

✅ Examples:We should be == of our environmental impact.

mark sb off the mass

📌distinguish a person from others due to unique qualities, actions, or characteristics that draw attention or recognition.

✅ Examples:Her creativity and confidence == her == mass.

emotions run high

📌people are feeling intense emotions—such as anger, excitement, sadness, or joy—often in a charged or stressful situation. It suggests a heightened emotional atmosphere.

✅ Examples:Emotions ran == during the final moments of the championship game.

on the premise

📌based on the idea, assumption, or belief that something is true. It sets the foundation or reasoning for an action, argument, or decision.

✅ Examples:The book was written == that childhood experiences shape adult behavior.

engender approach to sth

📌causing or giving rise to a particular way of dealing with or thinking about an issue, often by inspiring or shaping that method or perspective.

(Note: This phrase is not commonly used as a fixed expression, but it can be grammatically correct in specific contexts.)

✅ Examples:The crisis == a new approach to public health.

do a disservice to sb

📌to harm, misrepresent, or treat someone unfairly, often by acting in a way that negatively affects their reputation, efforts, or well-being—intentionally or not.

✅ Examples: Spreading false rumors == to hardworking students.

succumb to sth

📌give in to a force, pressure, or temptation—whether physical, emotional, or moral—often resulting in defeat, surrender, or failure to resist.

✅ Examples:

After a long battle with cancer, he finally == to the illness.

She == to the temptation of checking her phone during the exam.

crippling debt

📌an overwhelming or severe amount of debt that significantly restricts a person's or organization's ability to function financially. It implies a burden so heavy that it limits freedom, stability, or progress.

✅ Examples:Many college graduates face == debt after finishing their studies.

control the urge

📌resist or manage a strong desire or impulse to do something, especially when acting on it might be inappropriate, unwise, or harmful.

✅ Examples:He struggled to == the urge to speak out during the heated meeting.

hold true

📌valid, accurate, or applicable over time or across different situations. It often refers to principles, beliefs, or facts that continue to be relevant or correct.

✅ Examples:The saying "hard work pays off" still == today.

crack up

📌To suddenly start laughing uncontrollably.

✅ Examples:He == up at the joke and couldn't stop laughing.

📌To suffer a mental or emotional breakdown due to stress or pressure.

After months of nonstop pressure, she finally == up.

prove to be

📌turn out to be something over time, especially as evidence, experience, or results reveal the true nature or value of a person, thing, or situation.

✅ Examples:

The new method == effective in reducing errors.

He == a loyal and dependable friend.

conjure up

📌bring something to mind vividly, often as an image, memory, or idea; it can also mean to produce something as if by magic.

✅ Examples:The smell of rain == memories of my childhood.

restore the brain

📌help the brain recover its normal function, clarity, or energy—often after stress, fatigue, or damage. It can refer to physical healing, mental rejuvenation, or cognitive recovery.

✅ Examples:Sleep helps == after a long day of thinking and problem-solving.

Sleep-inducing tablet

📌a type of medication or supplement that helps a person fall asleep by promoting drowsiness or calming the nervous system. It's often used to treat insomnia or other sleep-related issues.

✅ Examples:The doctor prescribed a == tablet to help her manage jet lag.

sought-out

📌something or someone that is actively searched for, desired, or pursued because of high value, quality, or importance. It's the past participle of "seek out."

✅ Examples:She is a == speaker in the field of education.

Be the best of the best

📌be superior even among the top performers or highest-quality individuals—standing out as the absolute finest in a group of already excellent contenders.

✅ Examples:She trained hard to be the == in competitive swimming.

open up sth

📌make something accessible, available, or clear by removing barriers, starting a process, or revealing it. It can also refer to sharing one's feelings or thoughts more openly.

✅ Examples:The company decided to == a new branch in the city.

catch sb out

📌to show that someone is doing wrong:

I suspected he wasn't telling me the truth, and one day I == him == when I found some letters he'd written.

📌to trick someone into making a mistake:

The examiner will try to == you ==, so stay calm and think carefully before you speak.

📌to put someone in a difficult situation:

A lot of people were == by the sudden change in the weather.

on the spectrum of

📌a range or scale of something, usually describing a broad set of possibilities or variations between extremes. It is often used to categorize or position something along a continuum.

Her skills in painting are == of modern art techniques.

→ Her abilities range from traditional methods to more contemporary artistic styles.

The discussion about climate change is == of science and politics.

→ The topic spans both scientific facts and political debates.