Brief Summary
This video focuses on expanding your English vocabulary with advanced terms from a New York Times article about the American presidential election. It covers pronunciation tips, definitions, and examples of words and phrases like "hurl," "invective," "strikingly," "retribution," "give rise to," "take on," "figure," "cast," "enity," and "step aside." The lesson includes practice sentences and encourages viewers to use the new vocabulary in their own speech and writing.
- Learn advanced vocabulary from a news article.
- Improve pronunciation with specific tips for American English.
- Understand the meaning and usage of complex phrases and words related to politics and conflict.
Introduction
The video introduces a lesson on advanced English vocabulary taken from a news article concerning the American presidential election. The aim is to improve viewers' English skills, focusing on pronunciation and vocabulary expansion. The instructor highlights the importance of learning these words to discuss various topics, including potentially sensitive ones like politics, with greater confidence and accuracy.
Pronunciation of "Atlanta" and Similar Words
The lesson begins by addressing the pronunciation of "Atlanta," noting that the first 't' is held while the second is often silent, commonly pronounced as "Atlanta" by most Americans. This pronunciation pattern is also found in words like "interview," "international," and "Santa." Additionally, the lesson touches on the common elision in phrases like "I want it," which is often pronounced "I want it" or "I want uh."
Analysing the First Paragraph: "Hurl," "Invective," and "Strikingly"
The instructor examines a paragraph from the article, focusing on the phrase "they hurled insults and invective in strikingly personal terms." "Hurl" means to throw something with force, but in this context, it means to shout insults or verbally attack someone. "Invective" is defined as rude, insulting language used when someone is very angry. The adverb "strikingly" means noticeably or unusually, indicating that the personal nature of the insults was shocking.
Understanding "Retribution" and Paragraph Recitation
The meaning of "retribution" is explored, defining it as vengeance or severe punishment for a serious offense. Examples of its usage include demanding retribution for a crime or fearing retribution from enemies. The paragraph is then reread, encouraging viewers to repeat and practice their pronunciation and accent.
Phrasal Verb "Give Rise To" and "Take On"
The lesson moves on to the phrase "giving rise to urgent questions," explaining that "give rise to" means to cause something to happen. The phrasal verb "take on" is also examined, meaning to challenge or fight. The instructor uses examples such as taking someone on in a game of chess or a boxer challenging a champion.
Meaning of "Figure" and "Cast"
The word "figure" is defined as an important or notable person in the context of the article. The verb "cast" is explained as portraying or describing someone in a particular way. For example, to cast someone as dangerous means to describe them as dangerous. The paragraph is repeated again for pronunciation practice.
Understanding "Enity" and "Step Aside"
The word "enity" is introduced, meaning hatred or intense hostility. The phrasal verb "step aside" is defined as withdrawing from an important job or position. The instructor provides examples such as stepping aside to focus on health or allowing someone else to take the lead.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
The video concludes by encouraging viewers to create their own sentences using the new vocabulary and to practice speaking them aloud. The importance of continuous reading in English is emphasised to expand vocabulary and improve fluency. The instructor also promotes additional resources, including online courses for further English learning.
