Words often confused
human /´hju:mən/ (noun + adjective) = a person as opposed to an animal when used in the noun form. When used as an adjective, it means connected with people, or having qualities such as kindness and generosity.
humane /´hju:mein/= adjective, indicates the quality of compassion
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) Conditions in prisons are more ____________ now.
2) I once thought that she was perfect but now I know that she´s all too ____________ .
3) It´s not ____________ to treat animals that way.
4) The people held each other´s hands and formed thus a ____________ chain.
biannual /bai´ænjuəl/ (adjective) = twice a year
biennial /bai´eniəl/ (adjective + noun) = As an adjective it means once every two years. As a noun, it refers to a plant that lives for two years
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) The plant did not flower this year as it is a ___________ .
2) As this course is ____________, it will not be taught next year.
3) The company holds ____________ meetings, in December and in June.
4) I go and see my dentist for ____________ check-ups.
insulate /´insjulait/ (verb) = to protect st by a material that prevents loss of heat or leaking of water, or stops unwanted sound
isolate /´aisəleit/ (verb) = to keep sb or st apart or cut off from others
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) They used a special type of fiberglass to ____________ the attic.
2) When he wants to work, he ____________ himself in his office and won´t talk to anyone.
3) Scientists have ____________ the gene that causes the disease.
4) She bought a jacket which is made of the material that is able to ____________ against cold.
illegible /i´led�ibl/ (adj.) = means that a piece of writing cannot be read, either because it is not
expressed clearly enough or because the letter shapes are difficult to see.
unreadable /an´ri:dəbl/ (adj.) = a piece of writing is too boring, unsuitable or difficult to read
illiterate /i´litərət/ (adj. + n.) = unable to read and write (about people)
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) Their education programme is successfully reducing the number of ____________ in the
country.
2) His ____________ handwriting is like that of the typical mad professor or doctor.
3) For some it is the greatest novel in the world. For others it is ____________ .
critic /´kritik/ (n) = someone who assesses an artistic performance or exhibition. Often used for people who
have this as their job.
critique /kri´ti:k/ (n) = a detailed review of a book, film or play.
critical /´kritikəl/ (adj.) = being in or approaching a state of crisis. Rrelating to or being a turning point or specially important juncture.
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) He says he never ever reads any ____________ because he dislikes and distrusts the
___________ who write them
2) She´s is reputed to be one of the best ____________ in the country.
3) She has a talent for ____________ thinking.
4) Yesterday I read an interesting ____________ of the Schikaneder exhibition. The
____________ cast a ____________ eye especially on his later works.
public /´pablik/ (n) = people as a whole, always used with „the“
audience /´o:diəns/(n) = a group of people who are watching a cultural event (theatre performance, cinema, concert, TV etc.
congregation /kaŋgri´geiſən/ (n) = refers only to the gathering at a religious service
spectators /spek´teitəz/ (n) = a group of people at a sporting event who intend to watch the event
onlookers /´anlukəz/ (n) = people who watch something but do not get involved as an audience or spectators, one who looks on something randomly or haphazardly or accidentally
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) The ____________ in the TV studio were instructed when to applaud.
2) The ____________ was addressed by the vicar in a straightforward manner.
3) A crowd of ____________ gathered to watch the two men fighting in the street.
4) This library is open to the ____________ all year round.
5) Some of the football match ____________ turned out to be violent rowdies, rioteers and
hooligans.
industrial /in´dastriəl/ (adj.) = relating to industry
industrious /in´dastriəs/ (adj.) = dilligent and hardworking
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) Her class of students are all extremely ____________
2) Norway has become an advanced ____________ country during the past 50 years.
3) Nations which are very ____________ have mostly become a highly developed ____________
countries.
innumerable /i´nju:mərəbl/ or innumerous /i´nju:mərəs/ (adj.) = too many tobe counted
innumerate /i´nju:mərət/ (adj.) = refers to a person without basic mathematical skill
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) About a fifth of school leavers are functionally ____________ , a situation described by the
confederation of British industry as disgraceful.
2) The stars are ____________ and no one has been able to count them.
3) Walking around the forest he found ____________ tracks of wildcats, foxes and boars.
4) He was so _____________ that he could not even get the most basic office job.
axis /´æksis/ (noun) = a line that a body rotates around
axes is the plural of both „axe“ and „axis“. However they are pronounced differently:
„axes“ meaning chopping tools is pronounced /´æksiz/, while the mathematical term
„axes“ is pronounced /´æksi:z/
Complete the sentences with the suitable words:
1) The earth revolves on its ____________ every 24 hours.
2) The landlubber destroyed two or three ___________ before he could fell the tree.
3) In the cellar was an ____________ covered with blood and wrapped in some old clothing.
4) It is the distance between the inner edges of the two apparent surfaces in the direction of the
reference ____________ .
