Learning English vocabulary, especially abstract and academic words, has always been a big challenge for English learners because the majority of ESL learners simply memorize words out of context. Therefore, English learners cannot score high on standardized English tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, SAT, etc. with relatively long passages and contextualized words.
Vocabulary learning should be integrated with listening comprehension to become a more natural process. For this reason, our students can select any word, phrase, passage or the entire article in order to listen to the selected text. That is to say, LELB Society is genuinely talking to and interacting with our students.
As mentioned earlier, it’s a wrong approach to learning vocabulary out of context. At LELB Society, we provide our students with this exceptional opportunity to build up and expand academic vocabulary in real or authentic context extracted from novels, books, websites, plays, scripts of movies, poems, and the like. What’s more, our students can master advanced vocabulary in organized themes and subjects by clicking on the tags or keywords located at the bottom of each lesson. To browse our most frequently-used tags and keywords, click here and study all lessons.
Abstract words should become tangible in your mind for a longer retention. One perfect way to make abstract words tangible is to make appropriate associations between them and corresponding visual concepts, and using images and illustrations can help you achieve this goal. At LELB Society, we have illustrated thousands of advanced English vocabulary found in best-selling vocabulary books, such as 504 Absolutely Essential Words, 1100 Words You Need to Know and 601 Words You Need to Know to Pass Your Exam.
The images and illustrations are accessible only to our students or members.
Affinity Affinity /əˈfɪn.ɪ.ti/ (noun) feeling of identification, close similarity or connection among people, fellow feeling, empathy, sympathy, resemblance, correspondence, attraction, fraternity: Affinity in context I tried to restore the sense of affinity between John and his father by seeking a reconciliation. Although we should let bygones be bygones, I can never forget your reluctance to…
Façade Façade (noun) /fəˈsɑːd/ the visible front face of a large building – trace – shred – the false and deceptive appearance of someone or something – superficial appearance – impression – veneer – resemblance – likeness: Façade in context I was literally astounded at the fabulous façade of the great cathedral. Despite the charming…
Catastrophic Catastrophic (adj) /ˌkæt.əˈstrɒf.ɪk/ causing major disasters or death – disastrous – life-threatening – awful and terribly bad – devastating – calamitous – appalling – tragic – ominous – ruinous: Catastrophic in context Any minor shortcoming in the infrastructure of this town’s dam could have catastrophic consequences for the local people. The hurricane was a…
Over time Over time (adv) happening gradually and during a long period – sooner or later – after a while – ultimately – eventually – step by step: Over time in context Over time, he could get accustomed to the sultry and humid weather in Oklahoma. Over time, the once-struggling neighborhood transformed into a vibrant…
Exemplify Exemplify /ɪgˈzem.plɪ.faɪ/ (verb) to be a typical example of something, typify, represent, demonstrate, epitomize, characterize, illustrate: Exemplify in context The edifice exemplifies the Gothic architecture that was dominant in the 15th century. Jane’s dedication to her work and her ability to consistently deliver high-quality results exemplify the ideal employee in our organization. Her proactive…
Cynical Cynical /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/ (adj) pessimistic about people’s intentions, skeptical, negative, distrustful, sarcastic and mocking, contemptuous, scornful: Cynical in context They were cynical about the team`s chance of winning the championship. Who is a cynical person? A cynical person often exhibits a general distrust of others’ motives, believing that actions are driven by self-interest rather than…
Downbeat Downbeat /ˈdaʊn.biːt/ (adj) hopeless, pessimistic and gloomy – desperate – depressing and negative, somber Downbeat in context Life has so many downbeat and upbeat moments which are ephemeral. After hearing the unexpected news of the company’s major restructuring, the office atmosphere turned distinctly downbeat. The once lively chatter around the water cooler was replaced…
English Vocabulary about Social Life Affinity (noun) feeling of identification, similarity or connection among people, fellow feeling, empathy, sympathy, resemblance, correspondence, attraction: Watch this video on YouTube I tried to restore the sense of affinity between John and his father by seeking a reconciliation. Although we should let bygones be bygones, I can never forget…
Buoyant Buoyant /ˈbɔɪ.ənt/ (adj) cheerful and optimistic, sanguine, upbeat, jaunty, happy and lighthearted: A buoyant mood can be felt while doing physical exercise. quick to recover emotionally from traumas, resilient and flexible floating on the surface of a liquid, light, afloat, floating Buoyant in context The team entered the final quarter with a buoyant spirit,…
Expectant Expectant /ɪkˈspek.tənt/ (adj) hopeful for something pleasant in the future, eager, optimistic, hopeful, excited, upbeat, keen: Sara was expectant to pass the exam with flying colors because of her real effort. expecting the birth of a baby, pregnant, expecting, in the club, in the family way Expectant in context The room was filled with…