Vocabulary · Audiobook read-along
Vocabulary from The marvellous land of Snergs
The marvellous land of Snergs by E. A. Wyke-Smith introduces these 48 key English words — graded A2–C2, each with a short definition and an example. Learn them before you read, or review them after. In the reader you can tap any word to hear it and see it highlighted in the sentence.
A2 words (10)
- absence/ˈæbsəns/A2
- the state of being absent“he was surprised by the absence of any explanation”
- absolutely/ˌæbsəˈlutli/A2
- completely and without qualification“an absolutely magnificent painting”
- active/ˈæktɪv/A2
- chemical agent capable of activity“`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice”
- admit/ədˈmɪt/A2
- declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of“He admitted his errors”
- adopt/əˈdɑpt/A2
- choose and follow“She followed the feminist movement”
- advise/ədˈvaɪz/A2
- give advice to“The teacher counsels troubled students”
- affair/əˈfɛr/A2
- a vaguely specified concern“several matters to attend to”
- afraid/əˈfreɪd/A2
- filled with fear or apprehension“afraid even to turn his head”
- aid/eɪd/A2
- a resource“visual aids in teaching”
- amazed/əˈmeɪzd/A2
- affect with wonder“Your ability to speak six languages amazes me!”
B1 words (10)
- adventure/ədˈvɛnʧər/B1
- a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)“When you buy these stocks you are gambling”
- advocate/ˈædvəˌkeɪt/B1
- a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea“The travel agent recommended strongly that we not travel on Thanksgiving Day”
- allege/əˈlɛʤ/B1
- report or maintain“He alleged that he was the victim of a crime”
- altogether/ˌɔltəˈgɛðər/B1
- informal terms for nakedness“in the raw”
- anchor/ˈæŋkər/B1
- a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving“faith is his anchor”
- anger/ˈæŋgər/B1
- a strong emotion“The news angered him”
- angle/ˈæŋgəl/B1
- the space between two lines or planes that intersect“he angled his way into the room”
- anxious/ˈæŋʃəs/B1
- eagerly desirous“anxious to see the new show at the museum”
- apologize/əˈpɑləˌʤaɪz/B1
- acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing“I apologized for being late”
- apology/əˈpɑləˌʤi/B1
- an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone“he wrote a letter of apology to the hostess”
B2 words (10)
- absent/ˈæbsənt/B2
- go away or leave“He absented himself”
- absorb/əbˈzɔrb/B2
- become imbued“The liquids, light, and gases absorb”
- absurd/əbˈsərd/B2
- a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless“The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth”
- ache/eɪk/B2
- a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain“Were you hurting after the accident?”
- admiration/ˌædmərˈeɪʃən/B2
- a feeling of delighted approval and liking“a small token in admiration of your works”
- adorn/əˈdɔrn/B2
- make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.“Decorate the room for the party”
- advancement/ədˈvænsmənt/B2
- encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something“advancement of knowledge”
- adventurous/ædˈvɛnʧərəs/B2
- willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises“adventurous pioneers”
- advisable/ədˈvaɪzəbəl/B2
- worthy of being recommended or suggested“such action is neither necessary nor advisable”
- afar/əˈfɑr/B2
- (old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance“we traveled afar”
C1 words (9)
- acquiesce/ˌækwiˈɛs/C1
- to agree or express agreement“The Maestro assented to the request for an encore”
- afresh/əˈfrɛʃ/C1
- again but in a new or different way“start afresh”
- amiable/ˈeɪmiəbəl/C1
- disposed to please“an amiable villain with a cocky sidelong grin”
- amiss/əˈmɪs/C1
- not functioning properly“something is amiss”
- antic/ˈæntɪk/C1
- a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement“Hamlet's assumed antic disposition”
- approvingly/əˈpruvɪŋli/C1
- in an approving manner“she nodded approvingly”
- ardourC1
- a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)“they were imbued with a revolutionary ardor”
- arouse/əraʊz/C1
- call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)“arouse pity”
- astonishment/əˈstɑnɪʃmənt/C1
- the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising“he looked at me in astonishment”
C2 words (9)
- advisability/ˌædˌvaɪzəˈbɪlɪti/C2
- the quality of being advisable“they questioned the advisability of our policy”
- agoneC2
- gone by“two years ago”
- athirstC2
- (usually followed by `for') extremely desirous“athirst for knowledge”
- befoolC2
- make a fool or dupe of“The immigrant was duped because he trusted everyone”
- belikeC2
- with considerable certainty“He is probably out of the country”
- bewilder/bɪˈwɪldər/C2
- be a mystery or bewildering to“This beats me!”
- boastfullyC2
- in a boastful manner“he talked big all evening”
- boisterouslyC2
- in a carefree manner“she was rollickingly happy”
- briskenC2
- become brisk“business brisked up”