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The Last Word on Consumerism
Collocations
conspicuous consumption valuable goods avid shopper offer a spectacle arresting spectacle marketing people a state of victimhood passive victimhood ever-increasing amount advertising industry create a desire false desire brand name the high street mortifying reading marketing executive a chorus of commentators crumbs of pleasure flicker of television … TV dinner evidence in support of sth data suggest profound source supply a consolation/salvation language springs to mind provide a joy give sb/sth coherence give sb/sth meaning shared language navigate the world teach a dogma consider logic social place exhilaratingly robust achieve a degree achieve swiftly water supply cliché of clichés
Syntax
noun + of leisure manipulate sb into noun/gerund at behest make sb + bare infinitive be made + full infinitive turn sb into sth the way + inf is + inf conspiracy + inf let + bare inf be engulfed in sth scamper after sth both … and … do + bare infinitive claim to sth key to sth sth is what matters sth so + adj that the very cliché of clichés be worth + gerund be on offer in the sale
Word Building
reputability ← repute, reputable oppression, suppress ← press skilful ← skill victimhood ← victim endlessly ← end aimlessly ← aim ever-increasing ← increase rivalry ← rival commodification ← commodity orthodoxy ← orthodox executive ← execute creature, creativity ← create happiness ← happy commentator ← comment philosopher ← philosophy consciousness ← conscious conspiracy ← conspire unnecessary ← necessary, need unhealthy ← health consumerism, consumer, consumption ← consume advertiser, advertising, advertisement ← advertise consolation ← console religious ← religion ownership ← own contemptible ← contempt naturally ← nature amusingly ← amuse cogently ← cogent possession ← possess evaluate ← value democratic ← democracy priesthood ← priest recognizable ← recognize precisely ← precise intangible ← tangible satisfying ← satisfy economically ← economy kindness ← kind wisdom ← wise affection ← affect
Idioms/Phrasal Verbs
at one’s nakedest not least the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table in the meantime leave sb alone leave out of sth the last word (on sth) Unit 3 Use of English
what makes sb tick reality show be a stranger to sb given + noun react to sb viewer vote for sb conflicting personality varied background sense of humour profile hopeful contestant sum up sb/sth take sth too far idealistic conscientious a strong sense of right and wrong well-organised a sense of order bring sth to sth ambitious it doesn’t matter get on give sb a high profile make sure take advantage (of sth/sb) quiet honest sensitive self-conscious take somebody out of himself/ herself mind sth confident curious be part of sth independent think for oneself taciturn be happy with one’s own company join in sth trustworthy supportive trouble-shooter argument reliable keep sth serious playful high-spirited undisciplined impatient suffer fools gladly not suffer fools gladly introvert extravert enjoy oneself quick-tempered assertive self-opinionated why would/should sb …? get away with sth bring sb in line (bring sb) in line think positively sociable confrontational trample over sb/sth empathise with sb caring empathetic sincere warm-hearted sentimental feel at home sensible sensitive sympathise with sb
*** bring sb/sth with sb voluntary helpful the chances are that on the phone compulsory do sth as part of sth sort out a problem keep sth to oneself be(come) withdrawn more than usual do sth about sth work sth trhough practical information straightaway there’s a right time for sth force sth/sb on sb bring it back to sb/sth go on about sth be there for sb
*** turn round laugh sth off be embarrassed stop sb from + ing stand out in a crowd cast list mistake sb for sb awkward be/get mildly irritated be/get fed up with sth/sb get sth wrong choose carefully sound like sb/sth do a research without (much) success happen + inf at reception fit the bill perfectly stand sth make fun of sb long + inf in one's late teens/twenties go out with sb get one's tongue round split up sth sticks hearb sb do/doing sth that is/was the end of sth posh name carry status recruitment agency work for sb foreign sounding name complicated name get an interview flood in make sb redundant newsreader do the trick go through a divorce devote sth to sth/sb make a snap decision lack relevance emotional relevance tease sb introduce oneself to sb that was that apply for a job take sth/sb seriously on .. day in a job
*** sincere apology tread on sth cultural attitude gender difference personal relationship acknowledge sth owe a debt of gratitude to sb self-righteous past mistake unsuccessful apology feel uncomfortable say sorry regard sth/sb as sth/sb sign of weakness be quoted + inf apologise for sth to sb inappropriate behaviour learn sth from sb/sth office worker minor disagreement in the workplace blame sb for sth interpersonal difficulty grow into sth small argument major problem sulk admit that one is/was wrong minor office feud get back at sb mislead sb about sth lead sb +inf question sth come easily to sb match noun magnificent gift admit a mistake powerful please sb glib real feeling polite formula social situation heartfelt take sth + inf back down lose an argument be guilty of sth/-ing sth is in the past times are changing counselor vulnerable increase respect for sb diminish respect particularly be bad at sth/-ing committed single-minded change one’s mind hurt sb’s feelings be not the case rush into the position of + -ing do sth wrong when it comes to sth/sb balance of power one-way street re-evaluate sth be willing to do sth be angry with sb over sth merit sth outburst prepare the terrain for sb be healthy for sb + inf get sth wrong fallible point sth out psychotherapist conduct a seminar effective means of/for sth resolve a dispute large percentage fill a lawsuit against sb co-worker employee give an apology stubborn considering it’s not suprising arise out of sth trivial matter escalate into sth complain to sb about sth by the same token be big accept an apology be responsible for sth promulgate a lie come + inf misinformation enable sth/sb + inf loving relationship be all about sth/-ing path to sth mean it increase the potency rewarding
*** work out a compromise copy sth off the Internet cheat act naturally behave badly change of arrangement take revenge on sb seek + inf get even with sb deeply rooted human nature desire for sth confront sb work out a solution highly evolved instinctive reaction be wronged act of revenge forgive and forget settle a problem through negotiation/confrontation positive move work through negative emotions risk +-ng find oneself in a situation rapidly get out of hand explain one’s feelings be down (of a network)
*** stranger acquaintance siblings it looks to me as if my guess is that I get the impression that on second thoughts I wouldn’t be surprised if long-term relationship young couple be in a relationship
*** the truth behind sth know instinctively genuine smile scientific basis for sth recent research + suggest recognize whether put a smile on for show long-term tradition set out + inf stimulate a muscle facial muscle thereby false smile be associated with sth contractions of a muscle induce sth artificially facial expression reaction to sth monitor sth happy face eye area tell-tale crinkle sad face neutral face distinguish between sth and sth make an assessment play a role in sth serve as sth gesture of conciliation offer a truce
*** tough cookie Scrooge high flyer killjoy Jekyll and Hyde busybody Peter Pan cold fish Walter Mitty wannabe sponger dark horse
Unit 6
typical everyday argument serious issue resolve an issue have the same/different ideas about sth unreasonable condition impose a condition give some/no ground win an argument strategy for sth/-ing sth reduce anxiety parental anxiety counter sth with sth logical argument convince sb of sth continued need for sth recall sth reach a compromise (solution) remain calm be home by … persuade sb + inf get inside sb’s head in the first place come up with a solution sensible solution reassure sb get a cab home exactly the sort of thing As long as you live under my roof you’ll live by my rules. classic phrase lose an argument lay down a law for no reason go mental stay cool be reasonable that way sound mature scream at sb annoying do homework get into trouble strike a deal do chores mate hate it when … ridiculously + adj baggy jeans midriff-baring top some down to sth It’s not that big a deal. cause a fight back down obvious avoid an argument what + (aux.v) + subject + look like dig sth out be likely/unlikely/sure + inf unsuitable clothes feel hypocritical + -ing what it feels like + inf be judged by one’s appearance why should/would I …? raise allowance tricky equally + adj/part leave sb with sth get sth off (of) sb weigh up advantages and disadvantages think sth through sound irresponsible get a raise interfere with sth score points with sb get one’s priorities right
*** married couple have a good influence on sb be/remain/appear unaffected by sb/sth social pressures be sensitive to sth well-mannered untypical bahaviour babysitter view sth/sb provide sb with an opportunity challenge authority mark a turning point in sth turn down an offer give some/no reason for sth reveal sb’s attitude towards sb accuse sb of sth/-ing give false information strict parent believe in sth discipline good manners be flabbergasted at sth manage sth against the background of sth peer group expect sth of sb run riot get away with sth be embarrassed there’s nothing wrong with sth/-ing boisterous when the moment’s right social skill pick up on sth have effect on sb/sth row bomb about be used to + -ing end up + -ing keep an eye on sb pop smw put it to sb that for half the price spiel and all that check sth out on the Internet find a trace of sth get the message all right from then on
*** be cross with sb small/large family refer to congratulate on pay for/to apologise for/to result in concentrate on boast about benefit from coincide with refrain from suffer from specialize in insist on confide in confess to react to apply for/to compare with/to contrast with worry about/for learn about/from strong influence influence + long last it’s claimed that background play an important role in sth successful relationship be up to sb + inf decide on the truth of sth upbringing determine sth relate to sb according to sb/sth relationship expert difficult family life impact on sth/sb verb be dictated by sth be convince by sth lead inevitably to sth make friends choose a partner have a say in sth be satisfied with sth make a choice bottom line remind sb about/of sth complain to sb about sth hear about/from sb for ages agree on/with sth arrive late for sth dinner party be understanding
***
rambling typical of sth/sb extended family nuclear family unmarried suburban villa no question of –ing move in with sb in-laws following sth independent-minded be fun on one’s own rent a place camera operator for a channel financial journalist brand new purchase a flat spring up multi-national company set up headquarters set up call centres undeveloped area south of sth forsake a system joint-family system shifting social mores push sb towards home ownership driver of a trend evolving business give sb access to sth home loan rising employment mobile workforce pursue a career take on a job in droves give rise to sth Dinks = double income, no kids cover a monthly mortgage payment go against convention break with established tradition peer pressure be instrumental in –ing account for argue in favour of sth flexible structure provide an explanation for sth marked change undermine traditional family patterns the more the merrier be set + inf make a comeback carry out research research + reveal move out of sth booming prices student loan pay back a loan afford the cost of sth residential care bond with sb do childcare old folks in return for sth look after sb set-up be (not) all good news heyday contribute to sth stern Victorian in part rightful owner head of the household tenant little more than wroght-iron nameplate bear a name vanish front gate never to be seen again guest speaker whole unexpected allow sb sth self-worth gain from sth fragmented family cult of sth self-fulfillment basic social unit throughout history reside swh household cite a study contentment lifelong romance with sb spouse largely be characterized by sth be bound by duty quest for sth economically productive respected work help with chores raise children excerpt grow apart romance + wear off maintain (a web of) relationships with sb sibling in contrast move to the suburbs find oneself + adj/part be isolated from sb/sth long-term relationship be forced into sth inescapable intimacy source of conversation responsive share a feeling discontent focus on sth seek + inf challenge a prediction inaccurate in its findings research anecdote unreasonable be aware of sth tensions come as a surprise to sb confirm sth contradict sth reconsider a/one’s belief emphasize a point reduce sb’s status put pressure on sth
be well-documented fundamentally affect challenge the importance of sth have an effect on sb unmatchable drift away marriage + break up carry on share a life memories + remain with sb
Unit 4 reach an understanding of sth logical be out of a job reference to sth/sb in other words need for sth experimentation experiment hypothesis verification excitement come from sth unexpected findings throw sth up predict the outcome of sth why bother + bare inf observe sth/sb measure sth attempt + inf make sense of sth create a model predict sth be it … or … working of sth what is called reductionist approach break sth down into sth simplest component behave in some way lead to sth ever-increasing knowledge have the potential for sth be responsible for sth/sb maximize sth the former the latter at the expense of sth/sb for the most part discovery use for the benefit of sb humankind
*** randomly for a reason be positive/negative about sth Murphy’s Law spread jam on a piece of bread accidentally dictate annoyingly be coated with sth drive hastily reach a date for the first time break down (about a car) engineer with + organization/company Air Force coin a term tolerance to sth human being ejection jet aircraft project + involve accelerate sth/sb to a speed volunteer passenger in excess of sensor glue sth to sth attach sth get stuck (on) the wrong way round project manager keep a list deem be vital to sth be integral to sth aviation industry manufacturing industry pick up on sth be included in a dictionary two-pin plug (a)symmetrical label sth this way up sth matters plug sth in make sth + adj + in shape this is not to say that have some/little/no use be irrelevant to sth sod be derived form sth catastrophic poor soul countless draw noun, verb fancy sth tot pedigree scientific evidence be down to sth alarm clock + go off ultrareliable register an occasion cause a problem start smoothly sad fact/truth run out of sth hitch-hike petrol station oncoming traffic from behind drive on the right/wrong side of the road scientific application basic premise work on a basis eliminate a possibility disaster failure trust probability be around walk the planet make one’s way be confronted by sth take a route safety ambush go wrong result in sth catastrophe throwaway comment drop … side down integral part wide spectrum technical culture employ a law act upon sth circle principle defensive design pronounce shortly afterwards safety record put down to sth circumvent folk variant refer to sth finagle be popularized science fiction depict sth frontier culture miner worship sth/sb prophet look (up)on sth be associated with sth precise technique sensible technique stresses of modern life new-fangled technology
*** make a discovery by chance mishap make a breakthrough by accident mould Petri dish fluke … years previously bacteria sample sterile it is/was this that give sb an idea compound show resistance to sth bacterial growth anaesthetic come about carnation bloom botanist greenhouse light sth be the reason incredible property be exposed to sth according to legend accidentally be contaminated by sth sap particular miraculously x-ray vital tool diagnostic tool physicist cathode gas tube be wrapped in sth show up on a screen fluorescent human skeleton record sth on a photographic negative
*** debate sth latest discovery genetics special interest evolution put sth in a category popular science academic work obsession with sth breeding experiment medieval times racy style no one can deny that thorough research follow up a lead ancient manuscript focus of a book give an insight in sth breed sb transfer genes from … to … produce sth DNA it is this fact that justify a claim make a claim book’s cover cover reads genetically engineered hype precise meaning until long after sth environmental factor determine sth partly diet + be made up of sth carotenoid go red enjoy sth all the way through book’s ending come as a disappointment to sb judge sth by the standards of today/the time a good read highly recommended
*** fancy seeing sb here initially compared to sth graduate appointment to be honest bother sb prospects are there move up a grade review a post Any regrets? challenging be well equipped get sb doing sth do an experiment take sb out on a trip be fun get back in touch with sb dead keen come in with sth the bottom line stick to a curriculum be in trouble broaden one’s horizons Any news of sb? start a family job share obvious idea do a term on/off be surprised by sth keep calm no big deal hurdle go from … to … strong character downside make a snap decision map sth out in advance unambitious when it comes to sth work commitment white-water rafting hold the fort resilient spat hassle-free there sb is/was read a meter at the back of sth go everywhere (of a liquid) clear sth up no way make excuses come clean unreliable have issues with sb be straight with sb
*** hold one’s breath footballer have a risk of injury twist one’s ankle/knee pull a muscle warm up make a (good) living hack into a computer personal information get sth illegally bookmark a page prioritise sth make the best use of sth conduct an experiment on sb test/try sth on sb utterly hilarious bitterly disappointed with sth reaction to sth hugely successful approach to sth deeply grateful enormously impressed completely absorbed in sth take a holiday express one’s point of view provide proof of identity a pack of lies a twist of fate develop a sense of curiosity be not rocket science root of the problem come out of the blue foot the bill be not exact science hear from sb totally unexpected take a risk with sth precise prediction of profit
*** test one’s knowledge test out a theory take sth over little chance of sth/-ing funding for further research research into some matter/a subject grab a coffee climb to top of the stairs elderly be short of breath do further research block sth finance committee total eclipse block out sth overturned vehicle buy sth in bulk get a special deal from a supplier invest sth in sth global warming in the dark no big deal weather + deteriorate turn back pass through sth see sth on one’s left/right turn sth over on the back be in the process of –ing apply for a job with … pharmaceutical company extract sth from sth at a stage
Date: 2015-12-17; view: 378
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