Vocabulary Exercise #12: Synonyms of "To Hear and To Listen"

Communicative Objective: Describing Hearing And Listening

Context: Eavesdropping

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the verbs “to hear” and “to listen.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   eavesdrop: (verb) to intentionally, secretly, listen to a private conversation  

Example: Children often eavesdrop on their parents.

2.   heed: (verb) to listen to advice and follow it

Example: Troubled students rarely heed my advice.

3.   overhear: (verb) to unintentionally listen to something, unnoticed by the speaker(s)

Example: I overheard a couple squabbling on the train.

4.   pick up: (verb) to unintentionally listen to a broadcast sound

Example: In the northern U.S., we can pick up Canadian channels.

5.   tune in: (verb in) to intentionally find and listen to a broadcast   

Example: Be sure to tune in next week!

Part 2, Reading Exercise:

     As they are largely a stepping stone technology from landlines to mobile telephones, cordless telephones are slowly being rendered obsolete. In addition to limited ranges and short battery lives, one of the major drawbacks of cordless, or “portable,” phones is that they can often cause, and receive, significant interference.

     Although usually limited to static, this interference can include crossed calls, whereby users _____ other calls already in progress. Callers can actually _____ their neighbors’ conversations, sometimes leading to great embarrassment!

    It was not long before criminals discovered this failure in the technology and began to exploit it, attempting to _____ to the calls of those whom they wished to _____ on. They hoped to dig up dirt on their targets in order to blackmail them or pick up on some insider trader information from business leaders. By _____ stock tips, for example, they could profit from better-informed investments.

Vocabulary Class: 
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Exercise #11: Synonyms of "Smell"

Communicative Objective: Describing Smells

Context: New York

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the noun “smell.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1. aroma: (noun) positive synonym of smell, normally used for food

Example: I love the aroma of freshly baked bread.

2. fragrance: (noun) positive synonym of smell, used for a variety of smells

Example: She is wearing a lovely fragrance today.

3. odor: (noun) negative synonym of smell, normally used for smells associated with humans

Example: Body odor can be pretty bad on public transportation in the summer.

4. scent: (noun) positive synonym of smell, normally used for colognes, perfumes, flowers and animals

Example: Some predators hunt by picking up scents.

5. stench: (noun) very negative synonym of smell, normally reserved for the worst possible smells

Example: That stench is really foul!

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

     A city is less known for its smells than it is for its sights or its sounds, but every city has its own “bouquet.” Cairo’s seems flavored with the mango commonly found throughout the city and La Paz’s is tinged with the sulphur dioxide present in most of its gasoline. It is not surprising, then, that New York City, with its enormous diversity, is home to an equally enormous assortment of smells.

    Most notably, delicious _____ from New York City’s restaurants, numbered at 23,499 as of 2010, waft from doors on most streets. After dinner, the _____ of heavily cologned and perfumed bar and club patrons mingle in the air. 

    The _____ of millions of plants from the outer boroughs’ four botanical gardens drift over the city, the Bronx celebrating one of the world’s finest, covering 250 acres. Home to 843-acre Central Park, Manhattan is also perfumed with countless trees and flowers. 

     Finally, there are offensive smells as well, of course. Unpleasant _____ permeate buses and subways, especially during the hot summer months. Some subway stations and elevators even reek with the _____ of urine.

Vocabulary Class: 
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Exercise #10: Synonyms of "To Look and To See" (Part 2)

Communicative Objective: Describing Looking and Seeing

Context: Entering the United States

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the verbs “to look" and "to see." Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each.

1.   inspect: (verb) to look carefully and critically at something  

            Example: You should always carefully inspect something prior to purchase.

2.   notice: (verb) to visually become aware of something (usually abstract)

            Example: I noticed that she seemed tired.

3.   observe: (verb) to watch for a specific purpose    

            Example: The police are observing him because they are suspicious.

4.   scrutinize: (verb) to very carefully inspect (negative)   

            Example: Employers scrutinize prospective hires.

5.   spot: (verb) to detect or recognize (usually a physical object)

            Example: I spotted a quarter under the bed.

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or “ICE,” is the agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for, among other duties, enforcing U.S. customs laws. These customs laws govern what may, and what may not, enter the U.S.

     Most civilian interaction with ICE representatives occurs at U.S. ports of entry. Upon arrival in the United States, citizens, residents and visitors are _____ electronically and by ICE staff. They are also interviewed. Their luggage is _____.  

     ICE representatives look for unusual behavior in the people they interview. If they _____ something strange, such as a person acting nervously, the person’s luggage is flagged for review.

     The interviewer’s colleagues then _____ the person’s luggage, examining every inch. They sometimes _____ contraband, such as drugs or large amounts of cash. 

Vocabulary Class: 
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Exercise #9: Synonyms of "To Look and To See"

Communicative Objective: Describing Looking and Seeing

Context: People Watching 

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the verbs “to look” and "to see." Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   glance: (verb & count noun) to briefly and intentionally look at something (neutral) 

            Example: I sometimes glance at fellow subway passengers’ books.

2.   glare: (verb & count noun) to look at with anger (negative)  

            Example: My daughter glares at me when she is angry.

3.   glimpse: (verb & count noun) to briefly and unintentionally see something (neutral)

            Example: It is possible to glimpse mice in subway tunnels.

4.   ogle: (verb) to look at passionately (negative)  

            Example: Immature teenage boys usually ogle attractive women.  

5.   stare: (verb & noun) to look at intently for a longer than usual period (negative)   

            Example: Don’t stare! It’s not polite!

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

     “People watching” is a common activity on public transportation systems worldwide. It is an instructive, and usually entertaining, way of killing time while sitting on a bus or train.

    During a recent commute, I observed a toddler having a tantrum. The child was screaming at her embarrassed father over a toy. Some train riders _____ momentarily as the spectacle unfolded. A few others _____ as they were disturbed from their reading.

     A provocatively-dressed young woman got on at the next stop. I happened to _____ her as I folded my newspaper. Some passengers _____ at her relatively discreetly whereas some were obviously _____ her. 

Vocabulary Class: 
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com