Heartland English School – Word of the Day

Theme: THE ACADEMIC WORD LIST – U,V,W

*The Academic Word List is a list of 570 words which frequently appear in academic texts*

https://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist

Word:  whereas (adv.)

Pronunciation: /wεr-æz/

Meaning:  While, in contrast, however

• I like to use a paper dictionary whereas he prefers to look up words online.
• Whereas Winnipeg winters are very cold, the summers are warm and beautiful.

Theme: THE ACADEMIC WORD LIST – U,V,W

*The Academic Word List is a list of 570 words which frequently appear in academic texts*

https://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist

Word:  valid (adj.)

Pronunciation: /væ-lId/

Meaning:  Able to be accepted, often legally

• You need to show valid ID to board an airplane, for example, a passport.  Your Heartland student card would not be good enough.
• If you miss a test at university for a valid reason, they may be able to help you.

Theme: THE ACADEMIC WORD LIST – U,V,W

*The Academic Word List is a list of 570 words which frequently appear in academic texts*

https://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist

Word:  vary (v.)

Pronunciation: /vε-ri/

Meaning:  Change in amount, level, or quality

• The price of gas varies. Right now it is about $1.40 per litre.
• You should vary your diet. Don’t eat the same foods every day.

Theme: THE ACADEMIC WORD LIST – U,V,W

*The Academic Word List is a list of 570 words which frequently appear in academic texts*

https://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist

Word:  undergo (v.)

Pronunciation: /Λn-d∂r-go/

Meaning: Experience something, have this happen to you

• Princess Street is undergoing repairs.
• He underwent an operation.
• Heartland has undergone many changes since it first opened.

Theme: THE ACADEMIC WORD LIST – U,V,W

*The Academic Word List is a list of 570 words which frequently appear in academic texts*

https://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist

Word:  unique (adj.)

Pronunciation: /yu-nik/

Meaning: Special, different

• Some people have a unique name. I read about a girl who was named “O”.
• His clothes are so unique. He makes them himself.

Theme: ice idioms

Phrase: the tip of the iceberg

Meaning: the small, visible part of a much larger situation or problem that remains hidden

Example: What you know about the problems between your mother and I are only the tip of the iceberg.

Example: As with many injuries, the damage we can see is only the tip of the iceberg.

Theme: ice idioms

Phrase: as cold as ice

Meaning: acting in a very unfriendly or unfeeling way

Example: My boyfriend went cold as ice on me and now we barely speak.

Example: She was using polite words, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

Example song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjwV5w0IrcA

Theme: ice idioms

Phrase: on thin ice

Meaning: in a precarious or risky situation

Example: Be careful, you’re skating on thin ice.

Example: Because of his explosive temper, you always feel like you are on thin ice when around him.

Theme: ice idioms

Phrase: put on ice/keep on ice

Meaning: to delay doing anything about a plan or idea

Example: The whole deal was put on ice when the stock market fell sharply.

Example: I’m keeping my plans for a new car on ice until I finish college.

Theme: ice idioms

Phrase: break the ice

Meaning: to do or say something to get conversation going at the start of a party or when people meet for the first time.

Example: Teachers will often give students an activity to break the ice at the start of the semester.

Example: Everybody at the party was uncomfortable until somebody finally broke the ice.