Unit 2 - Gold Experience B2

conjure up (a picture of)

Meaning: to make an image, memory, or idea appear in your mind

Example 1: The smell of the sea conjures up memories of my childhood.

Example 2: That description conjured up a picture of a quiet mountain village.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; conjure up + noun / conjure up a picture of + noun

Spanish: evocar; hacer aparecer mentalmente una imagen de

dress up (as sb/sth)

Meaning: to wear special clothes to look like a particular person or thing

Example 1: The children dressed up as superheroes.

Example 2: We dressed up for the party last night.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; dress up as + person/thing / dress up for + event

Spanish: disfrazarse de alguien/algo

end up (doing sth)

Meaning: to finally be in a particular situation, often unexpectedly

Example 1: We got lost and ended up walking for two hours.

Example 2: He studied law but ended up working in finance.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; end up + -ing / end up + place/adjective

Spanish: terminar haciendo algo

give up (doing sth)

Meaning: to stop doing something, especially because it is difficult

Example 1: She gave up trying to convince him.

Example 2: I don't want to give up learning English.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; give up + noun/-ing

Spanish: dejar/abandonar algo

have an impact on

Meaning: to have an effect or influence on something

Example 1: Interest rates have a big impact on investment decisions.

Example 2: Social media can have a strong impact on how people shop.

Pattern / Usage: collocation; have an impact on + noun

Spanish: tener un impacto en

live up to (sb's expectations)

Meaning: to be as good as someone expected or hoped

Example 1: The hotel didn't live up to our expectations.

Example 2: The new player has lived up to the hype so far.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; live up to + expectations/reputation/promise

Spanish: estar a la altura de las expectativas de alguien

look forward to (sth)

Meaning: to feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen

Example 1: I'm looking forward to the weekend.

Example 2: She looks forward to seeing her friends after work.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: look forward to + noun/-ing; 'to' is a preposition

Spanish: esperar algo con ganas

make sb feel better

Meaning: to improve someone's physical or emotional state

Example 1: A short walk usually makes me feel better.

Example 2: Talking to a friend can make you feel better after a bad day.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: make + person + feel + adjective

Spanish: hacer que alguien se sienta mejor

think up (an idea/plan)

Meaning: to create an idea or plan by thinking

Example 1: We need to think up a better name for the project.

Example 2: She thought up a clever way to save time.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; think up + idea/plan/solution

Spanish: idear; inventar una idea/plan

be blown away by

Meaning: to be extremely impressed or amazed by something

Example 1: I was blown away by the view from the top.

Example 2: We were completely blown away by her performance.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; be blown away by + noun

Spanish: quedar impresionadísimo/a por

be high on my list

Meaning: to be one of the things you most want to do or get

Example 1: Visiting Japan is high on my list.

Example 2: Improving my pronunciation is high on my list this year.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; be high on my/your list

Spanish: estar entre mis prioridades / muy arriba en mi lista

be over the moon about

Meaning: to be extremely happy about something

Example 1: She was over the moon about getting the job.

Example 2: I'm over the moon about the result.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; be over the moon about + noun/-ing

Spanish: estar feliz/encantadísimo por

fall in love with

Meaning: to begin to love someone or something very strongly

Example 1: He fell in love with the city on his first visit.

Example 2: She fell in love with travelling after her first solo trip.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: fall in love with + person/place/noun/-ing

Spanish: enamorarse de

get into the spirit/swing of things

Meaning: to start enjoying and joining in with an activity or situation

Example 1: It took me a while to get into the swing of things at my new job.

Example 2: Once the music started, everyone got into the spirit of things.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; get into the spirit/swing of things

Spanish: meterse en el ambiente/ritmo de las cosas

be down in the dumps about

Meaning: to feel sad or depressed about something

Example 1: He was down in the dumps about losing the match.

Example 2: Don't be down in the dumps about one bad result.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; be down in the dumps about + noun/-ing

Spanish: estar deprimido/a o bajoneado/a por

achieve a goal

Meaning: to successfully reach something you have been working towards

Example 1: She achieved her goal of running a marathon.

Example 2: Set a clear plan if you want to achieve your goal.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: achieve a goal

Spanish: alcanzar un objetivo

at the first sign of a problem

Meaning: as soon as there is the earliest indication that something is wrong

Example 1: Call me at the first sign of a problem.

Example 2: He tends to give up at the first sign of difficulty.

Pattern / Usage: fixed collocation; at the first sign of + noun

Spanish: ante la primera señal de un problema

book tickets

Meaning: to reserve and usually pay for tickets in advance

Example 1: We booked our train tickets online.

Example 2: You should book tickets early during the summer.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: book + tickets/flights/hotel

Spanish: reservar/comprar entradas o pasajes

bring in money

Meaning: to earn or generate money

Example 1: The new service should bring in more money.

Example 2: Tourism brings in a lot of money for the town.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb/collocation: bring in + money/revenue

Spanish: generar/traer dinero

cause severe damage to

Meaning: to seriously harm or destroy part of something

Example 1: The storm caused severe damage to several houses.

Example 2: Flooding can cause severe damage to roads.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: cause severe damage to + noun

Spanish: causar daños graves a

cheap travel

Meaning: travel that costs relatively little money

Example 1: Budget airlines have made cheap travel more accessible.

Example 2: Students often look for cheap travel options.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation

Spanish: viajes baratos

cope with a problem

Meaning: to manage a difficult problem successfully

Example 1: She stayed calm and coped with the problem well.

Example 2: Small businesses need to learn how to cope with unexpected problems.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: cope with + problem/difficulty/pressure

Spanish: lidiar con un problema

day excursion

Meaning: a short trip that lasts only one day

Example 1: We went on a day excursion to a nearby island.

Example 2: The hotel organises day excursions to the mountains.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation; go on a day excursion

Spanish: excursión de un día

enter details

Meaning: to type or write information into a form or system

Example 1: Enter your details before you continue.

Example 2: I entered my card details on the website.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: enter + details/information/data

Spanish: introducir/cargar datos

everyday words

Meaning: common words used in normal daily communication

Example 1: Try to explain the idea using everyday words.

Example 2: The guide avoids technical language and uses everyday words.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation

Spanish: palabras cotidianas

extremely helpful

Meaning: very useful or willing to help

Example 1: The receptionist was extremely helpful.

Example 2: Your feedback was extremely helpful when I revised the report.

Pattern / Usage: adverb + adjective collocation

Spanish: extremadamente útil

foreign visitors

Meaning: people who visit a country from another country

Example 1: The museum attracts thousands of foreign visitors.

Example 2: Signs in English can help foreign visitors.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation

Spanish: visitantes extranjeros

generally reliable

Meaning: usually dependable or accurate

Example 1: Public transport there is generally reliable.

Example 2: The website is generally reliable, but I still check important facts.

Pattern / Usage: adverb + adjective collocation

Spanish: generalmente confiable

global warming

Meaning: the long-term rise in the Earth's average temperature

Example 1: Global warming is changing weather patterns around the world.

Example 2: Scientists continue to study the effects of global warming.

Pattern / Usage: fixed noun collocation

Spanish: calentamiento global

have fun

Meaning: to enjoy yourself

Example 1: We had a lot of fun on the trip.

Example 2: Don't worry about winning—just have fun.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have fun / have fun doing + -ing

Spanish: divertirse

huge impact

Meaning: a very large effect or influence

Example 1: Technology has had a huge impact on the way we work.

Example 2: One decision can have a huge impact on the final result.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have a huge impact on + noun

Spanish: gran impacto

keep a record

Meaning: to regularly write down or store information for future use

Example 1: Keep a record of all your expenses.

Example 2: The app keeps a record of your daily progress.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: keep a record of + noun

Spanish: llevar un registro

local environment

Meaning: the natural and built surroundings in a particular area

Example 1: The project could affect the local environment.

Example 2: Residents want to protect the local environment.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation

Spanish: entorno local

make a living

Meaning: to earn enough money to support yourself

Example 1: She makes a living as a photographer.

Example 2: It's difficult to make a living from music.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: make a living as + job / from + activity

Spanish: ganarse la vida

make a reservation

Meaning: to arrange in advance to have a table, room, seat, etc.

Example 1: I'd like to make a reservation for two people.

Example 2: We made a hotel reservation online.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: make a reservation for + number/time

Spanish: hacer una reserva

make sure

Meaning: to check or do something so that you are certain it happens

Example 1: Make sure you lock the door before you leave.

Example 2: I called to make sure the booking was confirmed.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: make sure + clause / make sure to + verb

Spanish: asegurarse

mass tourism

Meaning: tourism involving very large numbers of visitors

Example 1: Mass tourism can put pressure on small coastal towns.

Example 2: The island is trying to reduce the effects of mass tourism.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation

Spanish: turismo masivo

natural disaster

Meaning: a destructive event caused by natural forces, such as an earthquake or flood

Example 1: The region is preparing for possible natural disasters.

Example 2: A major natural disaster can damage the economy for years.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation

Spanish: desastre natural

on her third attempt

Meaning: when she tries something for the third time

Example 1: She passed the driving test on her third attempt.

Example 2: He reached the summit on his third attempt.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase: on + possessive + first/second/third attempt

Spanish: en su tercer intento

provide jobs

Meaning: to create or offer employment

Example 1: The new factory will provide jobs for local people.

Example 2: Tourism provides thousands of jobs in the region.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: provide jobs for + people

Spanish: generar/proporcionar empleos

package tour

Meaning: a holiday in which transport, accommodation, and often activities are sold together

Example 1: We booked a package tour to Greece.

Example 2: Package tours can be convenient for first-time travellers.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation

Spanish: paquete turístico

quality of life

Meaning: the level of health, comfort, happiness, and general well-being in someone's life

Example 1: The city has a high quality of life.

Example 2: Long commutes can reduce your quality of life.

Pattern / Usage: fixed collocation: quality of life

Spanish: calidad de vida

reach the summit

Meaning: to arrive at the top of a mountain

Example 1: They reached the summit just before sunset.

Example 2: Only half the group managed to reach the summit.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: reach the summit/top

Spanish: alcanzar la cima

run into problems

Meaning: to unexpectedly experience difficulties

Example 1: We ran into problems when the supplier delayed the order.

Example 2: You may run into problems if you leave everything until the last minute.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb/collocation: run into + problems/difficulties

Spanish: encontrarse con problemas

severe damage

Meaning: very serious physical harm or destruction

Example 1: The building suffered severe damage in the fire.

Example 2: The storm caused severe damage along the coast.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation: severe damage

Spanish: daños graves

spend time

Meaning: to use time doing something or being with someone

Example 1: I spend a lot of time listening to English podcasts.

Example 2: We spent the afternoon walking around the old town.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: spend time + -ing / spend time with + person

Spanish: pasar/dedicar tiempo

take a long time

Meaning: to require a lot of time to happen or complete

Example 1: Learning a language takes a long time.

Example 2: It took me a long time to get used to the new routine.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: it takes/took + person + time + to + verb

Spanish: llevar mucho tiempo

take risks

Meaning: to do things that may have a negative result but could bring a benefit

Example 1: Entrepreneurs often need to take calculated risks.

Example 2: You won't grow if you're never willing to take risks.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: take a risk / take risks

Spanish: correr riesgos

think twice

Meaning: to consider something carefully before deciding to do it

Example 1: Think twice before posting something online.

Example 2: I'd think twice about investing all my money in one company.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; think twice before + -ing / think twice about + -ing

Spanish: pensarlo dos veces

travel light

Meaning: to travel with very little luggage

Example 1: I always travel light on short trips.

Example 2: If you're moving between cities, it's easier to travel light.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase

Spanish: viajar con poco equipaje

user friendly

Meaning: easy to use or understand

Example 1: The app is simple and user friendly.

Example 2: We need a more user-friendly website for new customers.

Pattern / Usage: compound adjective; often hyphenated before a noun: user-friendly

Spanish: fácil de usar

scenery

Meaning: the natural features of a place that you can see

Example 1: The mountain scenery was spectacular.

Example 2: We stopped several times to enjoy the scenery.

Pattern / Usage: uncountable noun; NOT 'sceneries' in normal use

Spanish: paisaje; vistas

slope

Meaning: a surface or piece of land that rises or falls at an angle

Example 1: The cabin is built on a steep slope.

Example 2: We skied down the slope in the afternoon.

Pattern / Usage: noun; steep/gentle slope

Spanish: pendiente; ladera

stream

Meaning: to watch or listen to media over the internet without downloading the whole file first

Example 1: We streamed the match live.

Example 2: I usually stream music while I work.

Pattern / Usage: verb; stream + film/music/game

Spanish: arroyo

volcano

Meaning: a mountain with an opening through which lava, ash, and gases can escape

Example 1: The island has an active volcano.

Example 2: Thousands of tourists visit the volcano every year.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun; plural: volcanoes/volcanos

Spanish: volcán

waterfall

Meaning: a place where water falls vertically over a rock edge

Example 1: We hiked to a beautiful waterfall.

Example 2: The waterfall is especially impressive after heavy rain.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun

Spanish: cascada

alone

Meaning: without other people

Example 1: I prefer travelling alone sometimes.

Example 2: She was alone in the office when the phone rang.

Pattern / Usage: adjective/adverb; alone ≠ lonely

Spanish: solo/a

appeal to

Meaning: to attract or interest someone

Example 1: The idea appeals to young travellers.

Example 2: This kind of work doesn't really appeal to me.

Pattern / Usage: verb; appeal to + person

Spanish: atraer; resultar atractivo para

awestruck

Meaning: filled with a strong feeling of admiration and amazement

Example 1: We stood there awestruck by the size of the canyon.

Example 2: The children were awestruck when they saw the northern lights.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; awestruck by + noun

Spanish: impresionado/a; maravillado/a

be scared of heights

Meaning: to feel afraid when you are high above the ground

Example 1: I'm scared of heights, so I stayed away from the edge.

Example 2: She's scared of heights but still went up the tower.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase: be scared of + noun/-ing

Spanish: tener miedo a las alturas

can't believe it

Meaning: used to show strong surprise or disbelief

Example 1: I got the job—I can't believe it!

Example 2: I can't believe it took us only twenty minutes.

Pattern / Usage: spoken phrase; can’t believe + clause

Spanish: no lo puedo creer

can't wait

Meaning: to be very excited about something that will happen

Example 1: I can't wait to see you this weekend.

Example 2: She can't wait for the holidays to start.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: can't wait to + verb / can't wait for + noun

Spanish: no veo la hora; no puedo esperar

deserted

Meaning: empty because there are no people there

Example 1: The streets were completely deserted at night.

Example 2: We found a deserted beach outside the town.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: desierto/a; abandonado/a

easily accessible

Meaning: easy to reach, enter, use, or obtain

Example 1: The museum is easily accessible by bus.

Example 2: All the information is easily accessible online.

Pattern / Usage: collocation; accessible by/from/to

Spanish: de fácil acceso

exotic

Meaning: unusual and interesting because it comes from a distant place or culture

Example 1: They served several exotic fruits.

Example 2: She loves travelling to exotic destinations.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: exótico/a

gain confidence

Meaning: to become more confident over time

Example 1: Speaking regularly helped me gain confidence.

Example 2: You gain confidence by doing things that initially feel difficult.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: gain confidence in + noun

Spanish: ganar confianza

have access to

Meaning: to be able to use, enter, or obtain something

Example 1: All employees have access to the online platform.

Example 2: Many rural areas still don't have access to reliable internet.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have access to + noun

Spanish: tener acceso a

impressive

Meaning: causing admiration because something is very good, large, or skilful

Example 1: Her presentation was really impressive.

Example 2: The building looks impressive from the outside.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: impresionante

incredible

Meaning: extremely good, large, or difficult to believe

Example 1: The view from the top was incredible.

Example 2: It's incredible how quickly technology changes.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: increíble

medieval

Meaning: connected with the Middle Ages in European history

Example 1: We visited a medieval castle.

Example 2: The old town still has its medieval walls.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: medieval

remote

Meaning: far away from towns, cities, or other people

Example 1: They stayed in a remote village in the mountains.

Example 2: The beach is beautiful but quite remote.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; remote area/location

Spanish: remoto/a; alejado/a

spoil the day

Meaning: to make a day less enjoyable or successful

Example 1: The rain didn't spoil the day.

Example 2: One argument was enough to spoil the whole day.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: spoil + day/holiday/mood

Spanish: arruinar el día

stunning

Meaning: extremely attractive or impressive

Example 1: The hotel has stunning views of the sea.

Example 2: She looked stunning in the photo.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; strong positive adjective

Spanish: impresionante; espectacular

superb

Meaning: excellent; extremely good

Example 1: The food was superb.

Example 2: He gave a superb performance in the final.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: excelente; magnífico/a

unspoilt

Meaning: not changed or damaged by modern development

Example 1: The island still has several unspoilt beaches.

Example 2: We spent the weekend in an unspoilt mountain village.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; British spelling

Spanish: intacto/a; no estropeado por el desarrollo

vast

Meaning: extremely large in area, amount, or degree

Example 1: The country has vast natural resources.

Example 2: A vast number of people watched the final.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; vast area/amount/majority

Spanish: vasto/a; enorme

wild

Meaning: living or growing naturally, or not controlled by people

Example 1: We saw wild animals from the boat.

Example 2: The landscape is beautiful and wild.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanis