English Exam Preparation: Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering terms and definitions across Entertainment and The Arts, Education and Learning, and Money and Finance topics.

Star-studded cast

A cast made up of famous actors.

Rave reviews

Extremely positive opinions from critics.

Box-office hit

A very successful film in terms of ticket sales.

Critically acclaimed

Highly praised by critics.

Cultural pursuit

An activity connected with art or culture.

Visual arts

Art forms such as painting, sculpture, and photography.

Literary masterpiece

An outstanding work of literature.

Blockbuster movie

A very popular and commercially successful film.

Curtain call

The moment performers return to the stage to receive applause.

Steal the show

Attract the most attention in a performance.

Paint a grim picture

Describe a situation as very serious or negative.

In the limelight

Receiving a lot of public attention.

Act out (a role)

Perform a character.

Bring down the house

Make the audience react with great enthusiasm.

Tune in

Watch or listen to a programme.

Be engrossed in (a book)

Be completely absorbed in something.

Break into song

Suddenly start singing.

Highly acclaimed performance

A performance praised a lot.

Set the scene

Create the context or atmosphere.

Art for art’s sake

The idea that art does not need a practical purpose.

Binge-watching

Watching several episodes in one sitting.

Standing ovation

When the audience stands and applauds enthusiastically.

Street performance

Entertainment performed in a public place.

Opening night

The first public performance.

Catchy tune

A melody that is easy to remember.

Riveting

Extremely interesting and exciting.

Disjointed

Lacking clear connection or organization.

Venue

The place where an event is held.

Cram for exams

Study intensively at the last moment.

Past papers

Previous exam papers used for practice.

Thesis

A formal academic research paper.

Portfolio work

A collection of a student’s work.

Selective schooling

Education where entry depends on ability.

Comprehensive schooling

Education open to all students regardless of ability.

Scholarship

Money awarded to support a student’s education.

Lifelong learning

Continuous learning throughout life.

Literacy

The ability to read and write.

Numeracy

The ability to understand and use numbers.

Bury yourself in books

Study very hard.

Drop out

Leave a course before finishing it.

Brush up on

Improve existing knowledge of something.

Sail through (exams)

Pass very easily.

Fall behind

Fail to keep up with others.

Playing truant

Missing school without permission.

Trainee

A person learning a job.

Gap year

A year taken off before university or work.

Assessment criteria

Standards used to judge performance.

Syllabus

The outline of a course.

Academic rigor

The level of challenge and seriousness in study.

Critical thinking

Careful analysis and reasoned judgement.

Discipline

Control, order, or a field of study.

Disposable income

Money left after paying essential expenses.

Make ends meet

Have just enough money to live on.

Credit crunch

A period when borrowing money becomes difficult.

Interest rates

The percentage charged for borrowing money.

Economic downturn

A period of reduced economic activity.

Tax relief

A reduction in the amount of tax paid.

Budgeting skills

The ability to plan how to use money wisely.

Financial aid

Money given to help someone pay for education or other needs.

Splash out on (luxury)

Spend a lot of money on something.

Fork out

Pay money unwillingly.

Bail out

Rescue financially.

Cough up

Pay money, often reluctantly.

Scrape by

Manage with very little money.

Rake in money

Earn a lot of money.

Foot the bill

Pay the cost.

Rolling in it

Very rich.

Set you back

Cost you a particular amount.

Cash up

Count the money taken in a business.

Debt-ridden

Having a lot of debt.

Lucrative investment

An investment that makes a lot of money.

Allowance

Money given regularly, especially to a child.

Legacy

Money or property left to someone after death.

Expenditure

Money spent.

Mortgage

A loan used to buy property.

Bankrupt

Unable to pay debts.

Subsidy

Money given by a government or organization to support something.

Down payment

An initial payment when buying something on credit.

Overdrawn

Having taken out more money than is in your bank account.

Golden handshake

A large payment given when someone leaves a job.

Income

Money received regularly for work or investment.