Learning English

6 Minute English

Nouns ending in –ment:

enjoyment
the process of enjoying something (feeling pleasure in something)

replacement
someone or something that replaces another (takes its place or does its job)

announcement
something which is announced (said publicly and officially, giving information)

disappointment
the state of being disappointed (unhappy because something did not happen, or was not as good as you hoped)

excitement
the state of being excited (happy and enthusiastic)

Nouns ending in –ence:

absence
the state of being absent (not being there)

confidence
the state of being confident (having belief in your own or someone else’s abilities)

independence
the state of being independent (free from control by someone or something else)

patience
the ability to be patient (able to wait or do something for a long time without getting annoyed)

difference
the state of being different

silence
the state of being silent (making no noise)

Nouns ending in –ance:

performance
(here) an occasion where people perform (act, sing, dance or play music)

guidance
information which guides you (helps or advises you)

insurance
an agreement which insures you (you pay money to a company, who then give you money if you have an accident)

assistance
help (from the verb assist)

dominance
being dominant (more important or stronger than anything else)

Session 1 Activity 3

Suffixes

-less = 'without'

• worthless, tasteless

-able = creates an adjective meaning that the subject can do something OR that something can be done to it

• excitable, loveable, breakable

-er = it's a job or skill

• presenter, teacher, train driver

-ive = makes an adjective from a verb

• attractive, abusive, protective

Prefix

un- = 'not' the word that comes after

• unemployed, unworthy, unfair

Session 2

splosh
a word to describe the sound and experience of stepping in something wet and soggy.

to look forward
to something to feel happy that something enjoyable is going to happen in the future

a lie-in
an enjoyable and relaxing time when you can sleep late or stay in bed late in the morning

Session 3

spring cleaning
a deep clean - usually of a home (often done at the beginning of spring)

admin
(short for administration) tasks which people need to complete to manage the day-to-day running of a business

taking the lead
accepting the responsibility for dealing with a situation

incentive
a reward that makes people want to do something or work harder

lost for words
unable to speak because you are surprised or angry

Session 4

extreme sport
a sport that is dangerous and exciting, like skydiving

terrain
ground; especially when considering the physical features (hilly terrain, desert terrain)

navigate
find the direction from one point to another

categories
different forms of something (here: of the same sport)

altitude
height above sea level

free fall
falling from the sky without a parachute

deploying
putting into use

hooked
addicted, wanting more

adrenaline junkies
people who are addicted to extreme excitement mixed with fear

bolder
braver

into the void
into the air, into nothing

aerodynamic
having a shape that makes it easier to be float or travel through air

stunts
exciting and brave actions done by people with specific skills

pounding
beating heavily

daredevil
someone who does dangerous things for excitement and to impress others

wimps
people who are not strong or brave

wrinkled
not smooth

thrills
strong feelings of excitement

Session 5

governess
an old-fashioned word meaning a woman who lives with a family and teaches the children

unfortunate
describing someone who is in an embarrassing or unpleasant situation

Reverend
form of address to a Christian priest

butler
the most important male servant in a house

wicked
morally bad

deceiving (to deceive)
tricking people into believing something to be true when it isn't

reckless
acting without thinking of the possible effects of your actions

emigrating (to emigrate)
leaving one country to go and live in another

reform
to change someone's behaviour so they are a better person