afford: to have enough money or time for (something)
I can’t afford a new car this year.
Can we afford to ignore his advice?

beg: to ask desperately
She begged her father for a loan until she could find a job.
I beg of you, please don’t hurt me!

cause: to make happen
The accident on the highway caused thousands to be late for work.
Did you hear that loud noise last night? I wonder what caused it.

confuse: to make unclear
Calculus has always confused me.
The teacher’s instructions confused some of the students.

damage: to break or partly destroy something
The explosion damaged his eardrums.
The flood damaged all their furniture.

embarrass: to make (someone) feel shame
I want you to behave and not embarrass me at the party.
His mother embarrassed him by showing pictures of him as a baby.

guarantee: to promise a refund if you don’t like something
The store guaranteed their customers’ satisfaction.
The online store guarantees delivery in five business days.

itch: to have an irritation on your body that needs to be scratched
My right ear has been itching ever since we went swimming yesterday.
My toes itch so bad that I can’t stop scratching them.

mend: to fix, to repair (clothing, heart, relationship)
How do you mend a broken heart?
I can mend those holes in your jeans, if you like.

possess: to have as your own
He possesses the ability to make people believe him.
We know that you possess two handguns.  Where’s the other?

prevent: to stop (something) from happening
I can’t prevent my teenage daughter from seeing her boyfriend.
Only you can prevent forest fires.

reflect: to bounce light back after hitting a surface
White roofs reflect sunlight back into space and help cool the earth.
The mirror reflected an image of a tired old man.

require: to need
This job requires someone with patience and organization.
He requires absolute silence when he’s studying.

shock: to surprise in a bad or strong way
She shocked her parents when she said she wasn’t going to university.
He enjoyed shocking his sister with a dead snake.

wonder: to think about curiously
I wonder what’s taking her so long. She should be here by now.
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to fly?

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the above vocabulary on the audio file below.

Use these flashcards to help you study.

When you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

by Ryan Holladay

an American artist and, with his brother Hays, co- founder of Bluebrain, a music and technology duo who create site-specific sound.

First preview the vocabulary below.  Then do the exercise by first reading a single question and then listening for the answer.  When you hear the answer, pause the video and answer the question.  Then read the next question and do the same thing.  If you get the answer wrong, then go back to where the answer is given and listen again.

Vocabulary:

familiar:  like you’ve seen it before
convey:  show you
specifically:  only
intersect:  come together
composition:  piece of music
gallery:  a store that displays art
dialog:  close relationship
exclusively:  only
mobile app:  a computer program for your smart phone
GPS:  technology that locates your position on earth
traverses:  crosses
landscape:  park
seemlessly:  smoothly
trajectory:  walking direction
perimeter:  border, boundary
intrinsic:  a necessary part of
currently:  these present days, now
bells and whistles:  fancy technology

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

by Savage Garden

an Australian pop duo consisting of singer Darren Hayes and instrumentalist Daniel Jones.  Formed in 1994, the duo achieved international success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  This is the title song from their second album, Affirmation, which was recorded in 1999.  The duo disbanded in 2001, and Hayes continued as a solo artist.

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people’s hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it’s bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I’m loved when I’m completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

I believe you can’t control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe you’re most attractive features are your heart and soul.
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

I believe forgiveness is the key to your own happiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

Until you say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, no, no,

Vocabulary:

argument:  words of disagreement
promote: cause
self-esteem:  how you feel about yourself
Karma:  the belief that what happens to you is the result of what you do to others
appreciate:  see the value in (something/someone)
burned:  hurt by a lover who leaves you
grass is no more greener on the other side:  things don’t get better just because you change location
sexuality:  male or female, gender
monogamy:  having only one special lover
features:  parts of your body
worth more:  more valuable
struggle:  hard work
financial freedom:  not having to worry about money
millionaires:  people with over a million dollars
forgiveness:  not continuing to be angry with someone
key:  the one thing that can cause something to happen
wedded bliss:  the joy of marriage
negates:  cancels
endorse:  support with words
TV evangelists:  religious teachers on TV
surviving:  continuing after
eternity:  time forever

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by Maya Penn

a young American entrepreneur whose company “Maya’s Ideas” creates eco-friendly clothing and accessories.  She is also a philanthropist, environmental activist, artist and animator.

First preview the vocabulary below.  Then do the exercise by first reading a single question and then listening for the answer.  When you hear the answer, pause the video and answer the question.  Then read the next question and do the same thing.  If you get the answer wrong, then go back to where the answer is given and listen again.

Vocabulary:

animator:  a person who creates a movie with drawings
defining moment:  a time when you decide what you want to do in the future
virus:  a tiny computer program that messes up your computer
creatures:  animals and insects
spark:  to get (something) started quickly
movement:  action that is taken by a lot of people at the same time
eco-friendly:  not harming the environment
branding:  getting your company brand known
marketing:  selling your product to your customers
negative impact:  hurting the environment
toxic:  poisonous, harmful
inhales:  breathes in
sustainable future:  a future that is in balance and can continue forever
compromising: going against
diverse:  with lots of differences

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Before you can get a job, there is often an interview process where you meet the person who does the hiring.  It may seem like a scary thing to do, but if you prepare yourself, you can have a very good interview.  Here are some things you can do.

Long before the date of the interview, do some research online to find out about the company.  You should find out what products or services the company offers, how many employees work there, who the company’s competition is, and how long the company has been in operation.  In the interview you are often asked what you know about the company, and if you know very little, then your interview won’t go very well, so make sure you know these things.

It’s also a good idea to visit the company and see what people are wearing.  Go to your interview wearing the same kind of clothes as everyone there.  The way you dress tells the interviewer if you’ll fit in with the other employees.  Start practicing your answers to the common interview questions.  (See below)

On the day of your interview, prepare yourself well.  Clean your body, including washing your hair.  Afterwards, don’t put on too much perfume or after shave lotion.  Strong smells could make the interviewer uncomfortable or worse.  Arrive at the interview site at least fifteen minutes before your appointment.  After you tell the secretary your name, take a seat and relax.  Repeat to yourself, “This is MY job.  All I have to do is finish this interview, and they will offer me the job.”  By saying this again and again, you start to believe it.  When you believe it, you have a positive attitude.  When you bring this attitude into the interview, you have more confidence, so the interview goes much better.

When the interviewer comes out of his or her office, put a smile on your face, stand up and walk towards him ready to give a firm handshake, which is neither too strong nor weak.  At the same time look him in the eyes and say, “I’m pleased to meet you.”  Looking someone in the eyes makes a connection, and this will help in the interview.

After you both sit down in his office, he will start asking you questions.  Answer as honestly as you can.  Sometimes the interviewer will ask a question that has no good answer, such as, “What is your greatest weakness.”   When this happens, choose an answer that’s not so bad.  Say, “Sometimes I get a little nervous when I’m asked to do something I’ve never done before, but I’m learning to ask others for help.  The words “sometimes” and “a little” make your weakness sound smaller, and the part after “but” tells the interviewer that you’re trying to improve.  An answer like this will usually impress the interviewer.  Some people think a job interview is only about answering questions, but this isn’t true.  For every three or four questions you answer, you can ask a question yourself, such as, “Does the company have daycare service?”  If you ask the interviewer a question about the company, it shows that you’re interested in the company.

Don’t ask the money question too early in the interview.  Put that question after questions about benefits, such as medical and dental plans.  Use these words when you ask the money question:  “What can I expect in the way of salary?’  Don’t use:  “How much does the job pay?” because it sounds like you’re not as interested in the job.

If you follow the above guidelines, your job interview should go very well.  Below is a list of common interview questions that you should prepare.

•  Why would you like to work for our company?
•  What two or three things are most important to you in a job?
•  How do you work under pressure?
•  What do you know about our company?
•  What was the worst problem you had in your last job?
•  Why did you leave your last job?
•  Tell me about your last job.
•  Why should we hire you?
•  What are your weaknesses?
•  What are your strengths?
•  Tell me about yourself.
•  Where do you see yourself five years from now?
•  When were you most satisfied in your last job?
•  What did you like about your last job?
•  Why are you leaving your present job?

Click on the audio recording below to hear the lesson.  When you get to the interview questions, pause the audio after each question and give your best answer.

Vocabulary:

affect:  to make a change on something/someone
Too much sugar affects my health in a bad way.
Your lateness affects everyone in the class.

commit:  to do what is necessary to achieve a goal.
You must commit to practicing the violin everyday if you want to get good.
She’s willing to commit to this relationship.

demand:  to strongly ask for
I demand to see the manager.
She demanded to be included in the meeting.

discard:  to throw away
I’m keeping this one but discarding all the rest.
Please discard your old batteries at the recycle center.

explode:  to expand rapidly with force and a loud noise
They heard a bomb explode inside the bank.
At nine o’clock, the sky exploded with fireworks.

gather:  to collect together, to come together
The campers gathered wood for the fire.
The children gathered together to hear the story.

interrupt:  to rudely stop someone else’s activity
I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner, but this is important.
The fire alarm interrupted their final exam.

last:  to continue in time
How long will this movie last?
If you take care of this car, it should last you another ten years.

moan:  to make sounds of being hurt, to complain
Stop moaning and finish your homework.
He could hear the wounded soldiers moaning in the dark.

prepare:  to get ready
She prepared a wonderful dinner for their anniversary.
The village was not prepared for the earthquake.

reach:  to get to (a place)
He had to reach the top shelf to get a role paper towels.
When they reached the beach, everyone ran towards the ocean.

replace:  to change one thing for another
In my coffee I replace sugar with honey.
Please replace the top on the toothpaste when you’re finished.

sparkle:  to shine by reflecting light
Her diamond sparkled in the sunlight.
Her eyes sparkle when she laughs.

suggest:  to introduce an idea for possible action
Her mother suggested that she start a diary.
I suggest we have a barbecue this weekend.

whisper:  to talk without using your voice
In the library everyone is supposed to whisper.
He whispered something in her ear and then left.

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the above vocabulary on the audio file below.

Use these flashcards to help you study.

When you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Anton:  Hey, Pete.  Guess what I did?   I took up skiing.  Why don’t you do the same?

Pete:  Are you out of your mind?  It’s too dangerous.  And besides, I don’t usually go in for cold-weather sports.  But that’s just me.  How do you like it?

Anton:  Let me tell you.  Once skiing gets in your blood, you’ll be hooked.

Pete:  You think so?  What’s it like?

Anton:  When I’m skiing down the slope, I feel like a million dollars.  Of course, I have to be on the ball and keep an eye out for snowboarders and other skiers.  Collisions can happen at the drop of a hat.  But mostly it’s fun.

Pete:  Well, I don’t know.

Anton:  Listen, if you take lessons, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.  Then you and I can ski together for the rest of the season.  How does that sound?

Pete:  Actually, I have a hunch I might get a kick out of it.  Okay, then.  I’ll do it.

Vocabulary:

slope:  a clear part of a mountain that slants down.
snowboarders:  people who use a board, not skis, to come down a mountain.
collisions:  running into someone or something.

Idioms:

• take up                                                                      start doing (an activity) for the first time
• out of one’s mind                                                crazy, irrational
• go in for                                                                     enjoy doing (a sport, hobby)
• get in one’s blood                                                 become something one wants to do all the time
• be hooked (on something)                             need to do (something) all the time
• feel like a million dollars                                 feel very good
• on the ball                                                                 paying attention
• keep an eye out (for someone/thing)       look (for someone/thing) while doing other things
• at the drop of a hat                                              immediately and without a plan
• get the hang of (something)                            learn how to do (something)
• have a hunch                                                            think something may be true
• get a kick out of (something)                         get great enjoyment from (something)

Notes:

Often people ask the question, “Guess what I did?” and then answer it immediately
with “I took up skiing” as a way of introducing a topic.

Get the hang of is future,  have (or have got) the hang of is present, and got the hang of is past.  Examples:   I want to get the hang of this new technology.  I have the hang of this new technology.  I got the hang of this new technology in only two days.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

by Apollo Robbins.

an American sleight-of-hand artist, security consultant and deception specialist.  He is considered the best in the world at what he does.  In his Las Vegas shows he takes things from people’s jackets, pants, purses, wrists, fingers and necks and then returns them at the end.  People don’t notice what he does.

First preview the vocabulary below.  Then do the exercise by first reading a single question and then listening for the answer.  When you hear the answer, pause the video and answer the question.  Then read the next question and do the same thing.  If you get the answer wrong, then go back to where the answer is given and listen again.

Vocabulary:

pickpocket:  a person who takes things from other people’s pockets.
attention:  when your eyes and mind are on the same thing.
predicting:  saying what something will be in the future.
misdirection:  looking at the wrong thing.
icon:  little picture that identifies a computer program (app).
perceptions:  things that you see or hear and understand
process:  think about
data:  information

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Adjectives and adverbs are similar words but are used differently.  Let’s see how each is used.

Adjectives give more information about a noun (person, place or thing).  They usually have no –ly on the end, except for costly, daily, early, friendly, lovely, monthly, only, timely, weekly, and yearly.  Adjectives are placed before the noun they describe. 

Examples:
There’s an early flight that leaves at 6:00.
Tuesday is the only day I can meet you.
This is a safe place to talk about your feelings.
He cut himself on the sharp edge of the metal.

Adjectives are also placed after the verbs: be, appear, become, feel, look, seem, sound, smell, and taste.  [Notice that there is no action with these verbs.]

Examples:
His uncle is honest.
The road up the mountain appeared long and steep.
I’m feeling a little sick, so I think I’ll stay home.
The decorations for the party look wonderful.
His idea to advertise on-line sounds doable.

Adjectives are also used after make (someone/something).

Examples:
She makes me angry when she does that.
The seafood made everyone ill.
Changing the rules made the game fair for everyone.

Sometimes nouns can also be used as adjectives.

Examples:
There’s a police car parked down the street.
I need to book a hotel room for this weekend.
His father is the school counsellor.
He often plays video games after school.

Past or present participles can also be used as adjectives.

Examples:
The car needed a new steering wheel.
It was a very interesting lecture last night.
They replaced the broken window the following day.
She felt embarrassed to be there.

Adverbs give more information about a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an independent clause.  Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to an adjective, such as:  slow – slowly, easy – easily, weak – weakly.  They are placed before the adjective or adverb they modify, but if they end in -ly, they are placed after the verb or before an independent clause.

Examples:
She sings beautifully.
You’re really strong for a girl.
I’m not feeling very well.
Generally, I feel healthy.

Adverbs of frequency, such as always, often, and sometimes, can be placed before the verb.

Examples:
She always waits for me outside the cafeteria.
I often find that people are nice.
They sometimes wonder if we’re a little crazy.

If there are two verbs, the adverb is placed between them.

Examples:
I can really taste the difference between these colas.
She was slowly walking to the exit when I noticed her.
They have stubbornly refused to consider our proposal.

For adverbs that end in –al, like eternal, special, and radical, the ending is –ally (double l).

Examples:
The men were eternally grateful for their rescue.
This car is specially made for handicapped people.
The house was radically different from when he was young.

Some adjectives and adverbs are exactly the same.  They are:  long, far, fast, funny, hard, late, pretty and right.

Examples:
Have you been waiting long?
It’s been a long day.
He can throw the ball far.
It is a far trip to my homeland.
The kids fell asleep pretty fast.
She’s a fast learner.
She dances funny.
That was a funny joke
We all studied hard for the test.
That was a hard lesson to learn.
She comes late every day?
The bus is late again.
The food in the cafeteria is pretty awful.
All the boys think she is pretty.
He did it right.
That’s not the right way

The adjective good and the adverb well can be a problem sometimes.  Use good to modify nouns, and use well to modify verbs and adjectives.

Examples:
She has a good idea for the party.
That soup tasted really good.
I didn’t know you could sing so well.
The trail up the mountain was well used.

To review:  Adjectives and adverbs modify different things.  Adjectives can only modify nouns, but adverbs can modify verbs, as well as adjectives and other adverbs.  The adverb is usually the adjective + ly, but there are exceptions.  Study this page, and when you think you’re ready, take the quiz that follows, and see how well you know this grammar.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

by Pharrell Williams

an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and fashion designer.  Pharrell is the lead singer and drummer of the funk-rock band, N*E*R*D.  He wrote this song for the animated movie Despicable Me 2, released in July, 2013.

It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don’t hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you, don’t waste your time
Here’s why

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said I’ll tell you about it
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said I’ll tell you about it
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Vocabulary:

wanna:  want to
this and that:  about different things
hold back:  keep your thoughts and feelings inside
no offense:  I’m not saying anything bad
waste your time:  spend your time for no result
Bring me down… can’t nothing:  Nothing can make me unhappy

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only