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Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Vocabulary for understanding everyday problems, asking for help, and offering solutions.
/ˈɪʃuː/
An important topic or problem for debate or discussion.
A standard synonym for problem.
/ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən/
A circumstance that complicates something; a difficulty.
Replaces 'an extra problem'.
/dɪˈlɛmə/
A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.
A problem where you must choose between two bad options.
/prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
A formal word for a highly bad situation.
/ˈsɛtbæk/
A reversal or check in progress.
Replaces 'something that delayed us'.
/ˈɒbstəkəl/
A thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.
Replaces 'something in the way'.
/ˈhɪndrəns/
A thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone.
A highly formal synonym for obstacle.
/ˈbæriər/
A circumstance or obstacle that keeps people or things apart or prevents communication or progress.
A strong wall or obstacle.
/ˈhɜːrdəl/
A problem or difficulty that must be overcome.
An obstacle you must jump over to succeed.
/ɡlɪtʃ/
A sudden, usually temporary malfunction or irregularity of equipment.
A small technical problem.
/snæɡ/
An unexpected or hidden obstacle or drawback.
A small, unexpected problem.
/ˌmælˈfʌŋkʃən/
A failure to function in a normal or satisfactory manner.
The formal word for a machine breaking.
/ˈdiːfɛkt/
A shortcoming, imperfection, or lack.
A broken part or mistake in a product.
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
A mechanical failure.
When something completely stops working.
/dɪsˈrʌpʃən/
Disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.
When a process is paused or stopped by a problem.
/ˌɪntəˈrʌpʃən/
An act, arrangement, or period of interrupting someone or something.
When someone or something stops you from talking or working.
/ˌɪnkənˈviːniəns/
Trouble or difficulty caused to one's personal requirements or comfort.
A highly polite way to describe a problem you caused someone.
/ˈhæsəl/
Irritating inconvenience.
A slightly informal word for a very annoying problem.
/əˈsɪstəns/
The action of helping someone with a job or task.
The formal word for help.
/ˈɡaɪdəns/
Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty, especially as given by someone in authority.
Help in the form of advice or directions.
/səˈpɔːrt/
Give assistance to, especially financially; enable to function or act.
A standard synonym for help.
/ˌɪntərˈvɛnʃən/
The action or process of intervening.
When someone steps in to stop a problem.
/eɪd/
Help, typically of a practical nature.
Usually refers to giving money, food, or tools to help.
/ˈrɛmɪdi/
A means of counteracting or eliminating something undesirable.
Often used metaphorically for fixing a non-medical problem.
/səˈluːʃən/
A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
The standard word for how to fix a problem.
/ˌrɛzəˈluːʃən/
The action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.
A highly formal word for finishing a problem.
/fɪks/
A solution to a problem, especially an easy or temporary one.
A slightly less formal synonym for solution.
/ˈwɜːrkəraʊnd/
A method for overcoming a problem or limitation in a program or system.
A way to get around a problem without actually fixing the root cause.
/əˈproʊtʃ/
A way of dealing with something.
Replaces 'the way we will handle the problem'.
/ˈstrætɪdʒi/
A plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim.
A big, overall plan.
/ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/
One of two or more available possibilities.
Another option when the first one fails.
/ˈɒpʃən/
A thing that is or may be chosen.
A standard synonym for choice.
/səˈdʒɛst/
Put forward for consideration.
The most basic word for offering an idea.
/ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/
Put forward (someone or something) with approval as being suitable for a particular purpose or role.
To say something is a very good idea.
/ədˈvaɪz/
Offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.
Formal help or suggestion, usually from an expert.
/prəˈpoʊz/
Put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others.
A highly formal word for suggesting a plan.
/ɜːrdʒ/
Try earnestly or persistently to persuade (someone) to do something.
To suggest something very strongly.
/ˈkaʊnsəl/
Give advice to (someone).
A highly formal word for giving expert advice.
/dɪˈrɛkt/
Tell or show (someone) the way.
To show someone where to go.
/ɡaɪd/
Show or indicate the way to (someone).
A standard synonym for lead.
/stɪər/
Guide or control the movement of (a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft).
To physically guide a vehicle, or guide a conversation.
/ˈnævɪɡeɪt/
Plan and direct the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transport.
Replaces 'finding your way through something complex'.
/ruːt/
A way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination.
The way you travel to get somewhere.
/pæθ/
A way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading.
Often a walking route.
/ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən/
The place to which someone or something is going or being sent.
Where you are trying to go.
/ˈlændmɑːrk/
An object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance, especially one that enables someone to establish their location.
A famous or highly visible object used for directions.
/ˌɪntərˈsɛkʃən/
A point or line common to lines or surfaces that intersect. A road junction.
Where two roads meet.
/ˈævənuː/
A broad road in a town or city, typically having trees at regular intervals along its sides.
A large, important street.
/ˈbʊləvɑːrd/
A wide street in a town or city, typically one lined with trees.
Another highly formal synonym for a large street.
/ˈbaɪpæs/
A road passing around a town or its center to provide an alternative route for through traffic.
A road that goes around the heavy traffic.
/ˈʃɔːrtkʌt/
An alternative route that is shorter than the one usually taken.
A faster way to go.
/ˈdiːtʊər/
A long or roundabout route taken to avoid something or to visit somewhere along the way.
When you are forced to take a different route.
/kəˈmjuːt/
Travel some distance between one's home and place of work on a regular basis.
The trip to work.
/ˈtrænsɪt/
The carrying of people, goods, or materials from one place to another.
A formal word for buses and trains.
/kənˈfjuːzd/
(Of a person) unable to think clearly; bewildered.
When you don't understand the problem or the directions.
/lɒst/
Unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts.
When you don't know where you are.
/dɪsˈɔːriɛntɪd/
Make (someone) lose their sense of direction.
A highly advanced synonym for lost or confused.
/pərˈplɛkst/
Completely baffled; very puzzled.
A highly formal synonym for completely confused.
/ˈriːfʌnd/
A repayment of a sum of money.
Common when returning a defective item.
/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/
An act of giving one thing and receiving another (especially of the same type or value) in return.
To swap an item for a different one.
/ˈwɔːrənti/
A written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time.
A promise that they will fix it.
/rɪˈsiːt/
A printed or written statement acknowledging that something has been paid for or that goods have been received.
Proof that you bought it.
/ˌɡærənˈtiː/
A formal promise or assurance (typically in writing) that certain conditions will be fulfilled.
A standard synonym for warranty.
/ˌriːɪmˈbɜːrsmənt/
Repayment for money you've already spent.
Getting money back that you spent on work.
/ˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən/
Something, typically money, awarded to someone as a recompense for loss, injury, or suffering.
Money given to make up for a problem.
/dɪˈfɛktɪv/
Imperfect or faulty.
The formal word for broken or made poorly.
/ˈfɔːlti/
Working badly or reliably because of imperfections.
A standard synonym for defective.
/ˈbroʊkən/
Having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order.
The most basic word for not working.
/ˈdæmɪdʒd/
Harm done to something such that it is broken or impaired.
Usually refers to physical harm.
/ˈkɒmprəmaɪzd/
Made vulnerable or to function less effectively.
A formal word for weakened or damaged.
/ɪnˈɒpərəbəl/
Not able to be suitably operated or used.
A highly formal synonym for broken.
/ˌmɪsˈpleɪst/
Put (an object) in the wrong place and so lose it temporarily.
A polite word for losing something.
/ˈstoʊlən/
Taken (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
When someone takes your item.
/rɪˈkʌvər/
Find or regain possession of (something stolen or lost).
To get a lost item back.
/rɪˈtriːv/
Get or bring (something) back; regain possession of.
A formal synonym for getting something.
/loʊˈkeɪt/
Discover the exact place or position of.
A formal synonym for finding.
/faɪnd/
Discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly.
The most basic word for discovering something.
/ˈmɪsɪŋ/
(Of a thing) not able to be found because it is not in its expected place.
When something is gone.
/ˈæbsənt/
Not present in a place, at an occasion, or as part of something.
Usually refers to a person not being there.
/ˌʌnəˈveɪləbəl/
Not able to be used or obtained.
When you can't get an item or speak to a person.
/dɪˈleɪd/
Make (someone or something) late or slow.
When something is late.
/poʊstˈpoʊnd/
Cause or arrange for (something) to take place at a time later than that first scheduled.
Moved to a later date.
/ˌriːˈskɛdʒuːld/
Schedule (something) again or differently.
Setting a new time for an appointment.
/ˈkænsəld/
Decide or announce that (a planned event) will not take place.
When an event is not happening anymore.
/əˈbændənd/
Having been deserted or cast off.
To completely give up on something.
/ˈklærɪfaɪ/
Make (a statement or situation) less confused and more clearly comprehensible.
Asking someone to explain something better.
/ɪkˈspleɪn/
Make (an idea, situation, or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail.
The most basic word for making something clear.
/ɪˈlæbəreɪt/
Develop or present (a theory, policy, or system) in detail.
To give more details about something.
/ˈspɛsɪfaɪ/
Identify clearly and definitely.
To give exact details.
/ˈdiːteɪl/
Describe item by item; give the full particulars of.
Often used as a verb to mean 'explain fully'.
/ɪkˈspænd/
Give a fuller version or account of.
A standard synonym for elaborate.
/ˈsɪmplɪfaɪ/
Make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand.
To make it easier to understand.
/ˈsʌməraɪz/
Give a brief statement of the main points of (something).
To give the short version.
/riˈfreɪz/
Express (an idea or question) in an alternative way, especially for the purpose of clarification.
To say it again in a different way.
/riˈwɜːrd/
Put (something) into different words.
A standard synonym for rephrase.
/ˈpærəfreɪz/
Express the meaning of (the writer or speaker or something written or spoken) using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity.
A highly formal synonym for rephrase.
/ˌmɪsʌndərˈstænd/
Fail to interpret or understand (something) correctly.
When you don't get what someone is saying.
/ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːrprɪt/
Interpret (something or someone) wrongly.
A highly advanced synonym for misunderstand.
/kənˈfjuːz/
Make (someone) bewildered or perplexed.
A standard word for not understanding.
/ˈmʌdəl/
Bring into a disordered or confusing state.
To mix things up in your head.
/ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd/
Grasp mentally; understand.
A formal synonym for understand.
/ɡræsp/
Comprehend fully.
To finally understand something complex.
/ˌʌndərˈstænd/
Perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker).
The most basic word for getting the meaning.
/ˈfɒloʊ/
Understand the meaning or tendency of.
Often used in conversation to check if someone understands.
/kætʃ/
Hear or understand.
Often used when you didn't hear something properly.
/ˈɛmpəθaɪz/
Understand and share the feelings of another.
To feel what someone else is feeling.
/ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/
Feel or express sympathy.
To feel sorry for someone.
/rɪˈleɪt/
Feel sympathy with; identify with.
To understand because you've been through it.
/ˈkʌmfərt/
Ease the grief or distress of.
To make someone feel better.
/kənˈsoʊl/
Comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment.
A highly formal synonym for comfort.
/ˌriːəˈʃʊər/
Say or do something to remove the doubts or fears of (someone).
To tell someone not to worry.