A: I think it’s important that all people have the ability to read.
B: I agree with you, but that’s easier said than done.
ability
n. 1.能力，本领；2.才能，才智
to the best of one’s ability 尽自己最大努力

A: How many passengers are there aboard the ship?
B: Seventy-six, I think.
aboard
prep. 在（船、飞机、车）上，上（船、飞机、车）
ad. 在船（或飞机、车）上，上船（或飞机、车）

A: Are you planning on studying abroad?
B: I’d like to, but I’m not sure if I’ll have enough money.
abroad
ad. 1.到国外，在国外；2.在传播，在流传

A: I noticed your absence in class this morning.
B: I’m sorry, I overslept.
absence
n. 1.缺席，不在；2.缺席的时间，外出期；3.缺乏，不存在

A: I can’t believe the boss was absent from today’s meeting.
B: Neither can I .
absent
a. 1.缺席的，不在场的；2.缺乏的，不存在的；3.心不在焉的，出神的

A: We have absolute proof that you committed the crime.
B: That’s absolutely ridiculous!
absolute
a. 1.十足的，道地的；2.绝对的，完全的；3.不受任何限制（或约束）的

A: This paper absorbs water so quickly!
B: Yes, it’s great for cleaning up spills.
absorb
vt. 1.吸收；2.吸引…的注意，使全神贯注；3.把…并入，同化

A: Why aren’t you doing well in the class?
B: The material is so abstract that I have trouble understanding it.
abstract
a. 1.抽象的；2.抽象派的
n. 1.摘要，梗概；2.抽象派艺术作品
vt. 1.做…的摘要；2.提取，抽取
in the abstract 抽象地，在理论上

A: Labor is an abundant resource here.
B: One of many abundant resources, I’d like to point out.
abundant
a. 1.大量的，充足的；2.（in）丰富的，富裕的

A: I hate to see the abuse of animals.
B: It makes me sick.
abuse
n. 1.滥用，妄用； 2.虐待，伤害； 3.辱骂，毁谤
vt. 1.滥用，妄用； 2.虐待，伤害； 3.辱骂，毁谤

A: I really dislike reading academic books.
B: That may be so, but reading them is an important way to expand your knowledge.
academic
a. 1.学校的，学院的；2.学术的；3.纯理论的，不切实际的
n. 大学教师

A: The academy is an important part of the education system.
B: I couldn’t agree with you more.
academy
n. 1.研究院，学会；2.（中等以上）专门学校

A: Look how fast that car can accelerate!
B: I’ve never seen anything like it .
accelerate
v. （使）加快，（使）增速

A: I’m sorry, I’m having a little trouble understanding your accent.
B:I’ll try to speak more clearly.
accent
n. 1.口音，腔调； 2.重音，重音符号
vt. 重读

A: How’s work?
B: I feel like I’m finally gaining my co-worker’s acceptance..
acceptance
n. 1.接受，接纳；2.赞同，承认；3.容忍

A: I wish I had access to the public library.
B: it’s easy! Just go and get a card.
access
n. 1.通道，入口；2.接近，进入；接近（或进入、享用）的机会
vt. 存取（计算机文件）

A: How did you two meet?
B:To tell you the truth, it was completely accidental.
accidental
a. 意外的，偶然（发生）的

A: What sort of accommodation can you supply for me?
B: We’ve got a beautiful two-room double with a bath an shower.
accommodation
n. [常pl.] 住处，膳宿

A: Would you be willing to accompany me to the party tonight?
B: Sure , I’d love to .
accompany
vt. 1.陪伴，陪同；2.伴随，和…一起发生；3.为…伴奏（或伴唱）

A: What kind of job do you think I should get?
B: It all depends on what you want to accomplish in your life.
accomplish
vt. 达到（目的），完成（任务），实现（计划、诺言等）

A: The numbers in this table don’t seem to be in accord with reality.
B: I know, but these are the figures that we came up with.
accord
n. 1.一致，符合；2.（尤指国与国之间的）谅解，协议
vi. （with）相符合，相一致，相和谐
vt. 授予，赠与，给予
of one’s own accord 出于自愿，主动地
in accord with 与…一致，与…相符合
with one accord 一致地，一致同意地

A: Why didn’t you sign the contract?
B: Because that company’s behavior is not in accordance with international law.
accordance
n. 一致，和谐，符合
in accordance with 与…一致，依照，根据

A: When should I make my presence known?
B: Wait for my instructions and then proceed accordingly
accordingly
ad. 1.照着，相应地；2.因此，所以，于是

A: Why are you holding me in this jail cell?
B: We’d like to hear your account of the events of last night.
account
n. 1.记述，描述，报告；2.帐，帐户；3.解释，说明
vi. 1.（for）说明…的原因，是…的原因；2.（在数量、比例方面）占
of no account 不重要的
on account of 为了…的缘故，因为，由于
on no account 绝不，绝对不
take account of 考虑到，顾及，体谅
take…into account 见take account of ：考虑到，顾及，体谅

A: My accountant thinks she can save me lots of money on my taxes this year.
B: That sounds great!
accountant
n. 会计人员，会计师

A: You shouldn’t let the dirty dishes accumulate in the sick!
B: I know, I should wash them right away.
accumulate
vt. 堆积，积累，积聚
vi. 累积，聚积

A: When shooting a gun, accuracy is very important.
B: You only need to tell me that once.
accuracy
n. 准确（性），精确（性）

A: If the weatherman’s predictions are accurate, it should rain tomarrow.
B: I hope not. Then we’d have to reschedule our baseball game.
accurate
a. 1.正确无误的；2.准确的，精确的

A: How dare you accuse me of stealing your computer?
B: I’m sorry, but you were the only one who had access to it.
accuse
vt. 指控，控告，指责

A: I’m not really accustomed to the style of the new boss.
B: It’ll take us al some time to get used to the change.
accustomed
a. 1. (to)习惯于…的，适应了的；2. 通常的，惯常的

A: The new testing system rewards students based on achievement
B: Well, what was the old system like?
achievement
n. 1.成就，成绩；2.达到，完成，实现

A: Be careful! This acid can burn through your skin!
B: Maybe I should wear gloves.
acid
n. 酸，酸性物质
a. 1.酸的，酸味的；2.尖刻的，刻薄的

A: I’m so embarrassed that I don’t know what to do.
B: You should just acknowledge your mistake and move on.
acknowledge
vt. 1.承认，承认…的权威（或主张）；2.告知收到，确认；3.对…表示谢忱，报偿

A: Was that your girlfriend?
B: No, we’re not even good friend. She’s really just an acquaitance
acquaintance
n. 1.相识的人，熟人；2.认识，相识，了解

A: What do you think is the best way to acquire knowledge about fishing?
B: Go fishing!
acquire
vt. 1.取得，获得；2.学到

A: The acquisition of wealth should not be the only goal of your life.
B: I know, but I still would have liked to have gotten a raise.
acquisition
n. 1.取得，获得，习得；2.获得物，增添的人（或物）

A: How many acres of land are you hoping to bay?
B: Anywhere between ten and twenty.
acre
n. 英亩

A: If you really like the girl, then you should take action
B: But I get nervous every time I talk to her .
action
n. 1.行动，行动过程；2.已做的事，行为；3.作用；4.情节
out of action 不（再）起作用，不（再）运转

A: What would you say is your favorite activity ?
B: I’d have to say bowling.
acrivity
n. 1.活动，行动；2.活跃，活力

A: Why do you think he is so successful?
B: His acute sense of reason puts him a level above everyone else.
acute
a. 1.严重的，激烈的；2.敏锐的；3.（疾病）急性的；4.尖的，锐的

A: That is the silliest ad I have every seen!
B: Why would anyone want to buy that product?
ad
n. 见advertisement

A: If you want to survive in this business, you’ve got to learn to how to adapt
B: I’m doing the best I can.
adapt
vt. 1.使适应，使适合；2.修改，改编
vi. (to) 适应

A: How are you going to have room for the new baby?
B: We’re going to build an addition onto our house.
addition
n. 1.加，加法；2.增加的人（或物）
in addition 另外，加之
in addition to 除…之外（还）

A: Do you have any additional questions?
B: No, thanks, you’ve answered them all.
additional
a. 添加的，额外的，另外的

A: If we can’t find adequate housing in the city, we’re going to have to move to another state.
B: That would really be a pit.
adequate
a. 1.充足的，足够的；2.适当的，胜任的

A: How was the concert?
B: I don’t know if I can even find the right adjective to describe it!
adjective
n. 形容词

A: I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before you find a job.
B: Maybe I need to adjust my attitude
adjust
vt. 1.校正，校准，调节；2.调节，改变…以适应
vi. （to） 适应

A: I’ve just about had it with the administration !
B: Really? What’s the problem?
administration
n. 1.管理，经营，支配；2.管理部门，行政机关，政府；3.实行，执行

A: I applied to six school, and got four offers of admission .
B: Congratulations!
admission
n. 1.准许进入，准许加入；2.入场费，入场券；3.承认，供认

A: I think maybe we should adopt a child.
B: I’m not sure if we can afford it.
adopt
vt. 1.收养；2.采取，采纳，采用；3.正式通过，批准

A: Sometimes I get tired of being an adult. And want to just play like a child.
B: I think we all feel that way sometimes.
adult
n. 成年人（或动物）
a. 1.成年的，充分长成的；2.成年人的，适宜于成年人的

A: Are you going to sign up for the advanced course, or the beginner one?
B: I think I might sign up for the intermediate course.
advanced
a. 1.超前的，先进的；2.高级的，高等的；3.年迈的，后阶段的

A: Why did your team lose the game?
B: They had a big advantage over us, being so much taller.
advantage
n. 1.优点，有利条件，有利因素；2.利益，好处
take advantage of 利用，占…的便宜
to advantage 有力地，使优点突出地

A: Do you know what an adverb is ?
B: I think I remember from school that it is usually a word that modifies a verb.
adverb
n. 副词

A: If we want our magazine to be successful, we need to find advertisers.
B: But who would want to advertise I a magazine about potatoes?
advertise
vt. 1.为…做广告，宣传；2.（在报刊，电视，广播等中）公告，告布
vi. 登广告，做广告，登公告

A: It’s imperative that we build our brand name.
B: Well, if we want to do that, we’re going to need a killer advertisement.
advertisement
n. 1.广告，公告，启事；2.广告活动，宣传

A: I’ve decided to quit my job.
B: I really don’t think that’s an advisable course of action.
advisable
a. 可取的，适当的，明智的

A: What did the doctor say?
B: She advocated that I quit smoking.
advocate
vt. 拥护，提倡，主张
n. 1.拥护者，提倡者；2.辩护者，律师

A: It’s important to remember that your own actions affect the lives of others.
B: Thanks for reminding me.
affect
v. 影响

A: Why do you think he ‘s angry all the time?
B: Maybe his mother didn’t show him enough affection when he was a child.
affection
n. 喜爱，感情，爱慕之情

A: So, you went to the concert. Then what?
B: Afterwards, he drove me home and kissed me goodnight.
afterward(s)
ad. 以后，过后，后来

A: Do you know of a good travel agency?
B: We were very happy with the one that organized our trip to the Bahamas
agency
n. 1.代理行，经销处；2.（政府等的）专业行政部门

A: Would you mind helping me plan the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting?
B: Sure, no problem.
agenda
n. 议事日程

A: What do you do for a living?
B: I’ve been a real estate agent for the past 15 years.
agent
n. 1.代理人，代理商，经纪人；2.政府特工人员，政府代表；3.动因，原因；4.剂

A: Why didn’t you hire the candidate from Michigan?
B: I was really turned off by his aggressive manner.
aggressive
a. 侵犯的，侵略的，挑衅的；2.敢作敢为的，有进取心的

A: This software has been a great aid in completing my homework.
B: It’s amazing what computers can do.
aid
n. 1.帮助，援助，救助；2.助手，辅助物，辅助手段
vt. 帮助，援助，救助

A: Before boarding the aircraft, remember to remove anything sharp from your luggage.
B: Don’t worry, I’ll remember.
aircraft
n. 飞机，航空器

A: Do you prefer to fly small airlines or large ones?
B: I fly whichever will sell me the cheapest ticket.
airline
n. [常pl.] 航空公司

A: I’m worried that my sickness will become serious.
B: Relax. A minor sore throat is no cause for alarm.
alarm
n. 1.惊恐，忧虑；2.警钟，报警器，闹钟；3.报警
vt. 使惊恐，使担心

A: Can I get you a beer?
B: No thanks. If I drink too much alcohol, my face turns red.
alcohol
n. 含酒精的饮料，酒精

A: Be sure to stay alert when you’re walking alone at night.
B: I’ll be fine. I’ve lived in the city all of my life.
alert
a. 警觉的，留神的，注意的
vt. 1.向…报警，使警惕；2.使认识到，使意识到
n. 1.警戒（状态），戒备（状态）；2.警报
on the alert 警戒着，随时准备着，密切注意着

A: You two look almost exactly alike!
B: Well, we’re twins.
alike
a. 同样的，相象的
ad. 1.一样地，相似地；2.同样程度地

A: Exactly how is an alliance with their company in our best interests?
B: The chief advantage is that we can consolidate our production lines.
alliance
n. 结盟，联盟

A: Why should I give you a raise in your allowance?
B: Because I do more chores now than I used to .
allowance
n. 津贴，补贴，零用钱
make allowance(s) for 1.考虑到，顾及；2.体谅，原谅

A: They’ve been our allies for fifteen years, and I think we should help them
B: But sometimes you’ve got to abandon a sinking ship.
ally
n. 1.同盟国，同盟者；2.支持者
v. （使）结盟，（使）联合

A: How do I get to the bank?
B: Just follow the road that runs alongside the river.
alongside
ad. 在旁边，沿着边，并排地
prep. 1.在…旁边，沿着…的边；2.和…在一起

A: How many vowels are there in the English alphabet?
B: Five, I think.
alphabet
n. 字母表

A: I’m trying to find a way to alter my image.
B: You could start by cutting your hair.
alter
v. 改变，改动，变更

A: Isn’t there an alternative to moving to another country?
B: Not if we want to survive financially.
alternative
a. 1.两者择一的，供选择的，供替代的
n. 1.取舍，抉择，供选择的东西；2.选择的自由，选择的余地

A: I’m having a strong reaction to the high altitude of the mountain.
B: Rest for a few days, and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
altitude
n. 1.高度，海拔；2.[pl.]高处，高地

A: What are you going to do with all of those aluminum cans?
B: Recycle them.
aluminium = aluminum
n. 铝

A: You are quite the golfer!
B: I’m just an amateur, but I try to practice a lot.
amateur
n. 1.业余爱好者，业余运动员；2.外行，粗通某一行的人
a. 1.业余爱好的，业余（身份）的

A: This magician we’re going to see will amaze you with some of his tricks.
B: We’ll see. I’m not easily amazed.
amaze
vt. 使大为惊奇，惊愕

A: When you go abroad, you should remember that you’re acting as an ambassador for your county.
B: I’m not so sure about that. As far as I’m concerned, I’m just representing myself.
ambassador
n. 大使，使节，派驻国际组织的代表

A: I wish I still had the ambition of my youth.
B: I like you just the way you are.
ambition
n. 1.抱负，雄心，野心；2.企望得到的东西

A: If the ambulance had gotten here earlier, his life might have been saved.
B: Now is not the time to place blame.
ambulance
n. 救护车

A: I really hate him.
B: Amid all of the things you hate about him, he must have at least some qualities that you find endearing.
amid
prep. 在…中间，在…之中，被…围绕

A: What’s the best way to lose weight?
B: Just remember that what you eat is more important than the amount you eat.
amount
n. 1.量，数量，数额；2.总额，总数
vi. 1.（to）合计，共计；2.（在意义、价值面）等同，接近

A: I was just trying to amuse you .
B: Well, I didn’t think it was funny.
amuse
vt. 1.逗乐，逗笑；2.给…提供娱乐（或消遣）

A: What do you think about the country’s economic situation?
B: I’d really need to do some further analysis before I could give you an answer on that.
analysis
n. 分析，分析报告