16:英検対策準1級(Eiken Grade Pre-1)

31: Eiken Grade Pre-1 Vocabularies Lesson 31

Part 1: Vocabulary words

1. Materialism noun [muh-teer-ee-uh-liz-uhm]

a belief that money, possessions and other physical things are the most important things in life

◼ Example: People who start to embrace the theory of materialism put emphasis on the physical matters rather than spiritual and intellectual values.
◻ Note: A materialistic person is one who believes in the theory of materialism.

2. Motive noun [moh-tiv]

something that causes someone to act or do something

◼ Example: The teacher’s motive for teaching is to make a big difference in students’ lives.
◻ Note: What’s your motive for studying English?

3. Option noun [op-shuhn]

A choice from a set of possibilities

◼ Example: Failure will help you choose the best option in life.
◻ Note: Do you believe that everyone has options?

4. Patent noun [pat-nt]

the legal right given to an inventor to use and sell an invention for a particular number of years

◼ Example: The patent application for his invention will be filed on the 23rd of July, 2013.
◻ Note: The word patent derives from the Latin word patere, which means "to lay open".

5. Pottery noun [pot-uh-ree]

ceramic materials, such as dishes, bowls, ceramic ware and other objects, made out of clay

◼ Example: It’s amazing how people can create wonderful pottery from clay.
◻ Note: A place where ceramic wares are being made is also called pottery.

6. Recession noun [ri-sesh-uhn]

the time when a country’s economy is facing a huge crisis, which usually leads to unemployment and low productivity

◼ Example: The unemployed should not blame the recession for their situation.
◻ Note: Has your country ever experienced arecession?

7. Sewerage noun [soo-er-ij]

the removal of human waste and waste from houses and buildings through a sewage system or passages

◼ Example: Improper sewerage will cause a flood.
◻ Note: Does your country have a sewerage system?

8. Spell verb [spel]

to form a word by giving the letters one by one

◼ Example: When calling customer service, customers will often be asked to spell out their names.
◻ Note: Could you please spell your name?

9. Spite noun [spahyt]

bad or malicious desire for someone; grudge

◼ Example: It was pretty obvious that his argument was based on personal spite rather than on objective facts.
◻ Note: In spite of means ‘in disregard’.

10. Surrounding noun [suh-roun-ding]

the environment that is around something

◼ Example: The surrounding should be spotless in order to attract investors.
◻ Note: Describe your surroundings.

Part 2: Exercise 1

Give the word being asked for each number.

◼ Materialistic

◼ Patent

◼ Pottery

◼ Sewerage

◼ Spite

◼ Option

◼ Motive

◼ Recession

◼ Spell

◼ Surrounding

___________1. The legal right given to an inventor to use and sell an invention for a particular number of years

___________ 2. Ceramic materials, such as dishes, bowls, ceramic ware and other objects, made out of clay

___________ 3. The time when a country’s economy is facing a huge crisis, which usually leads to unemployment and low productivity

___________ 4. To form a word by giving the letters one by one

___________ 5. The environment that is around something

____________6. An attitude which desires evil things for others

___________ 7. The removal of human waste and waste from houses and buildings through a sewage system or passages

___________ 8. A choice from a set of possibilities

___________ 9. Something that causes someone to act or do something

___________ 10. A belief that money, possessions and other physical things are the most important things in life

Part 2: Exercise 2

Choose the correct words to complete the sentences below.


1) Everywhere around Singapore seems spotless since loitering is illegal in that country. They strictly enforce the law because such clean ___________ are pleasant to the eyes of tourists.

a. Surroundings

b. Patents

c. Options

d. Pottery

2) The inventor of the flying car received an official document from the government that grants him to use and sell his invention for five years. The _____________ was issued on the 25th of July, 2013.

a. Surrounding

b. Patent

c. Option

d. Pottery

3) Life is like a multiple choice test because you have to choose the best choice in order to get a good score, if not a perfect one. In life, you also need to choose the best ______________ to have a bright and stable future.

a. Surrounding

b. Patent      

c. Option

d. Pottery

4) There are many ceramic wares made of clay that are being imported from Asian countries. People in those countries not only consider _____________ as their means of living but also they can show their artistic side through it.

a. Surrounding

b. Patent

c. Option

d. Pottery

5) The underground pipes that carry the waste from houses and buildings will pump the ____________ into the sea. Therefore, the waste should be treated to avoid water pollution.

a. Sewerage

b. Spell

c. Spite

d. Recession

6) In a contest where you will be asked to give the answer by writing down the letters one by one, you should have good listening skills. If you don't hear the words clearly, you will not be able to ___________ the words correctly.

a. Sewerage

b. Spell

c. Spite

d. Recession

7) People who don't think about the spiritual world do terrible things that make other people get hurt and suffer. Indeed, evil shows ____________ towards good and holy people.

a. Sewerage

b. Spell

c. Spite

d. Recession

8) When a __________ strikes, unemployment and bankruptcy rates rise. A slowdown of economic activity and productivity will always affect the development of a country.

a. Sewerage

b. Spell

c. Spite

d. Recession

9) Nobody likes to be with someone who believes that money and possessions are the most important things in life. True enough, ___________ people have a hard time looking for a partner in life.

a. Motive

b. Materialistic

c. Spite

d. Recession

10) All students have only one reason why they are studying very hard and that is to have a more secure future. Such a ___________ makes them so eager to get a diploma that will eventually land them a good job.

a. Motive

b. Materialistic

c. Spite

d. Recession