English Language Olympiad Revision - Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary terms, proper nouns, and quantitative data derived from the 2024-2025 English Language Olympiad school stage materials, covering topics such as sports, Irish culture, travel, and linguistics.

Hurling

A sport originating in Ireland involving a ball that can travel at speeds up to $150\,km/h$.

Hurley

The stick used in the game of hurling to carry or pick up the ball from the ground.

Irish-Gaelic

A language descended from the Celts who arrived in the British Isles at the end of the Bronze Age.

Scholarship

The field of academic study for which the Irish language gained renewed importance after Ireland's independence.

Aran Islands

A group of islands off the coast of Ireland where some learners of Irish, such as a woman from Melbourne, eventually go to work.

Eccentric

The manner in which Patrick O'Reilly's initial interest in learning the Irish language was perceived by others.

Rootless

A term describing a person who feels they have no origins; language is often used to combat this feeling.

Itinerary

A travel plan or route; the text mentions that a Moscow city break can be included in a European trip itinerary.

Sleighing

A traditional winter amusement mentioned in the context of visiting Moscow during the snowy season.

Inexpensive

An adjective identifying Moscow's public transport (metro) as being affordable for travelers.

Stale

A vocabulary term used to describe bread that is no longer fresh, often a cause for complaint in a restaurant.

Ripe

The stage at which fruit is fully developed and ready to eat; diners may complain if fruit does not meet this condition.

Bony

A specific complaint regarding fish that contains too many small bones.

Phonetic

An approach to spelling that focuses on the sounds of speech, famously championed by George Bernard Shaw.

Ghoti

An invented word using 'gh' from 'enough', 'o' from 'women', and 'ti' from 'nation' to illustrate the absurdity of English spelling.

$$12\,EUR$$

The approximate cost for a dorm bed in a hostel in Moscow according to the budget section of the text.

$$-16\,C$$

The typical average temperature in Moscow during the month of January.