As I'm sure you already know, a riot broke out in the capital of the USA recently as Donald Trump supporters invaded the US Congress. In the aftermath, Trump has been removed and banned from numerous social media platforms. On today’s episode, we will look at the events of January 6th, and then discuss the idea of free speech. Free speech has been a major talking point after the banning of Trump. Should social media sites have the right to ban users because of what they say or believe? CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST To evacuate (v) - to move people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe The police evacuated the village shortly after the explosion To discredit (v) - to cause people to stop respecting someone or believing in an idea of person Evidence of links with criminals discredited the mayor To intimidate (v) - to frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to so something that you want them to do They were intimidated into accepting a pay cut by the threat of losing their jobs To cover (v) - to report the news about a particular important event She is covering the American election for BBC television To excuse (v) - to forgive someone We cannot excuse him for these crimes Freely (adv) - without being controlled or limited Exotic foods are freely available in supermarkets To moderate (v) - to manage a public discussion The local TV anchorman is going to moderate the debate Personality (n) - a famous person The show is hosted by a popular TV personality --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

How expensive is the city you live in? Recently, the Economist Intelligence Unit has released its ranking of the most expensive cities in the world. The episode will look at the results of this ranking, as well as talk about some of the trends in price increases or decreases and the reasons behind these trends! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/06/40-what-is-the-most-expensive-city-in-the-world-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST To rank (v) - to have a position a higher or lower than others, or to be considered to have such a position She ranked the bottle in order of size along the shelf Inexpensive (adj) - not costing a lot of money That is an inexpensive perfume To drop (v) - to move to a lower level, or cause something to move to a lower level We had to drop our prices because of the recession Habit (n) - something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it Members of the public were asked about their shopping habits To embrace (v) - to accept something enthusiastically He embraced the opportunity Vice (n) - a moral fault or weakness in someone’s character My one real vice is chocolate To cope (v) - to deal successfully with a difficult situation It must be really hard to cope with three young children and a job To plummet (v) - to fall very quickly and suddenly House prices have plummeted in recent months --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

Brexit. I’m sure you must have heard about Brexit at some point in the last four years, and the UK finally left the EU on January 1st 2020. I often get asked about Brexit by English students and foreign friends, and one of the biggest challenges people face is the vocabulary. It can be complicated, confusing, and full of political and economic jargon! So on this episode, I will introduce some of the key vocabulary that could help you to understand and read about Brexit! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/04/39-brexit-all-the-essential-vocabulary-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST Departure (n) - the act leaving somewhere, or an occasion when this happens Our departure was delayed because of bad weather Union (n) - the act or the state of being joined together The debate on European political and monetary union continues To coin (v) - to invent a new word or expression, or to use one in a particular way for the first time Allen Ginsberg coined the term “flower power” Divisive (adj) - used to describe something that causes great and sometimes unfriendly disagreement within a group of people The Vietnam war was an extremely divisive issue in the US To trigger (v) -  to cause something to start Some people find that certain food trigger their headaches To reach (v) - to achieve something after careful thought or discussion After hours of discussion, the committee finally reached a decision Tariff (n) - a charge for services or on goods entering a country The US has imposed new tariffs on chocolate from Brazil Regulation (n) - an official rule or the act of controlling something New safety regulations have been brought in contention (n) - the disagreement that results from opposing arguments There’s a lot of contention about that issue - for every person firmly in favour, there’s someone fiercely against it --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

2020 is almost over! What a strange and unforgettable year it has been! In this episode, we are going to look at New Year’s resolutions. And if you listen until the end, I will give you some suggestions for English learning related New Year’s resolutions that you can try yourself! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/30/38-new-years-resolutions-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST To alter (v) - to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change We’ve had to alter some of our plans To socialise (v) - To spend time when you are not working with friends or with other people in order to enjoy yourself I tend to not socialise with my colleagues resolution (n) - a promise to yourself to do or to not do something I made a resolution to give up chocolate trait (n) - a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behaviour His sense of humour is one of his better traits Cliché (n) - a saying or remark that is very often made and is therefore not original and not interesting People always use cliches in job interviews unachievable (adj) - an unachievable task, ambition, etc. is one that is impossible to achieve It may be an unachievable goal, but you set your targets as high as you possibly can spontaneously (adv) - in a way that is natural, often sudden, and not planned or forced Hundred of people spontaneously appeared at the house for a party satisfied (adj) - pleased because you have got what you wanted, or because something has happened in the way that you wanted Some people are never satisfied! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, let's talk about money. Whether you love the idea of money, or hate it, money is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of our modern world! As an important part of our culture, money has obviously impacted our language. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different ways to refer to or talk about money; although I can't introduce you to all of these, this episode will give you a few interesting alternatives to add to your vocabulary. I’ll also suggest a few money-related idioms you could try to use! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/28/37-money-essential-english-vocabulary/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST Good (n) - things for sale, or the things that you own There is a 25 percent discount on all electrical goods until the end of the week To barter (v) - to exchange goods for other things rather than for money He bartered his stamp collection for her comics. To negotiate (v) - to have formal discussions with someone in order to reach an agreement with them I’m negotiating for a new contract Currency (n) - the money that is used in a particular country at a particular time 19 European countries use the Euro as their currency Slang (n) - very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written “Chicken” is slang for someone who isn’t brave Colloquial (adj) - (of words and expressions) informal and more suitable for use in speech than in writing English is full of colloquial terms and phrases Simultaneously (adv) - in a way that is simultaneous (= happening or being done at exactly the same time) Two children answered the teacher’s question simultaneously Budget (n) - the amount of money you have available to spend The school budget is going to be cut again Mainstream (adj) - considered normal, and having or using ideas, beliefs, etc. that are accepted by most people This is the director’s first mainstream Hollywood film COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q. What currency does Ireland use? A. Euro Q. “I have no money” - What idiom would describe me? A. Broke/Short on money Q. “I am rich” - What idiom would describe me? A. Loaded/Filthy rich --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

Hello and Merry Christmas! This episode is probably being released on Christmas eve, so there is no better time to learn some Christmassy words!! Learn some festive themed idioms, phrases, and sayings to boost your Christmas vocabulary! TRANSCRIPT!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/23/36-christmas-special-christmas-idioms-phrases-and-sayings-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary list Intrinsic (adj) - being an extremely important and basic characteristic of a person or thing Maths is an intrinsic part of the school curriculum To associate (v) - to connect someone or something in your mind with someone or something else Most people associate this brand with good quality Ecstatic (adj) - extremely happy The new president was greeted by an ecstatic crowd Loosely (adv) - not exactly The film is loosely based on a novel by John Smith Illogical (adj) - not reasonable, wise, or practical, usually because directed by the emotions rather than by careful thought It is an illogical statement, because if one part is true, then the other must be false Insignificant (adj) - small or not noticeable, and therefore not considered important Why bother arguing about such an insignificant amount of money? Intention (n) - something that you want and plan to do I’ve no intention of changing my plans just to fit in with his --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, I'm hoping to give you some tips to improve your writing skills! Writing is one of the key language skills, and often students want to know how they can get better! We’ll look at some of the reasons writing is important to practice, and then I'll offer some advice on how to improve! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/21/35-how-to-improve-your-writing-skills/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST To reinforce (v) - to make something stronger The pockets on my jeans are reinforced with double stitching Aspect (n) - one part of a situation, problem, subject, etc. Which aspects of your job do you most enjoy? Element (n) - a part of something The movie has all the elements of a blockbuster Flow (n) - if discussions or ideas flow, people talk and exchange information in a relaxed way Ideas flow more easily in an atmosphere of trust Factor (n) - a fact or situation that influences the result of something People’s voting habits are influenced by political, social, and economic factors Perfection (n) - the state of being complete and correct in every way In his quest for physical perfection, he spends hours in the gym To express (v) - to communicate what you think or feel, by speaking or writing, or in some other way Children often express themselves in painting To analyse - to study or examine something in detail, in order to discover more about it Researchers analysed the purchases of 6,300 households --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode we are going to discuss the controversy and debate surrounding zoos! Are zoos vital organisations because they promote scientific research and public education, and save animals on the verge of extinction? Or are zoos terrible prisons with no educational value that damage animals physically and psychologically? TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/16/34-should-zoos-exist-a-discussion-of-the-benefits-and-controversies-surrounding-zoos-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST Controversial (adj) - causing disagreement or discussion The book was very controversial To struggle (v) - to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something I’ve been struggling to understand this article all afternoon Logistically (adv) - in a way that involves the careful organization of a complicated activity In theory, this is a great idea, but logistically, it's a nightmare Aristocrat (n) - a person of high social rank who belongs to the aristocracy Many aristocrats were killed in the French Revolution Conservation (n) - the protection of plants, animals, and natural areas from the damaging effects of human activity Wildlife conservation is an important idea in a number of African countries Biodiversity (n) - the number and types of plants and animals that exist in a particular area in the world, and the problems of protecting this Much of this area’s biodiversity is threatened by climate change Captive (adj) - (of a person or animal) having limited ability to move or act freely because of being kept in a space If it is successful, releasing captive animals into the wild could restore the population to over 500 this year! Habitat (n) - the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives With so many areas of forest being cut down, a lot of wildlife is losing its natural habitat Detrimental (adj)- causing harm or damage These chemicals have a detrimental impact on the environment Comprehension Questions Q. Why was Calgary zoo struggling to feed its pandas? A. They could not buy/import enough bamboo!’ Q. Where is the world's oldest operational zoo? A. Tiergarten Schönbrunn in Austria Q. What is the leading cause of death of gorillas in captivity? A. Heart disease --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, we are going to look at how to ask great questions! Asking questions is one of the most important skills in daily life, but most people do not realise we can practice and improve! I’ll look at why questions are important, the mistakes we often make when asking questions, and then some tips on how to improve! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/14/how-to-ask-excellent-questions-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List To clarify (v) - to make something clear or easier to understand by giving more details or a simpler explanation Could you clarify the first point please? I don’t understand it completely. Tremendous (adj) - very great in amount or level, or extremely good They were making a tremendous amount of noise last night respective (adj) - relating or belonging to each of the separate people or things you have just mentioned Everyone would walk to school together then afterwards we’d go to our respective classes To fuel (v) - something that fuels a feeling or a type of behaviour increases it or makes it stronger The president’s speech fuelled speculation that she is about to resign eager (adj) - wanting very much to do or have something, especially something interesting or enjoyable He is very eager to meet you apathetic (adj) - showing no interest or energy and unwilling to take action, especially over something important Young people today are so apathetic about politics To bias (v) - to cause someone or something to have a bias (bias is the action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgement) I don’t want to bias your judgement! Intrusive (adj) - affecting someone in a way that annoys them or makes them feel uncomfortable The journalists intrusive questioning made me uncomfortable transparent (adj) - open and honest, without secrets We are committed to being totally transparent about our decisions --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

Today, i want to introduce you to some of the Oxford English Dictionary’s 2020 words of the year. For the first time ever, the Oxford Dictionary was unable to choose one single standout word from the previous 12 months. Instead, as a consequence of the unprecedented events of 2020, they have highlighted a number of highly significant developments in our vocabulary! So I’m going to introduce you to some of the words and phrases included in the “Word of the Year” report! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/10/32-the-oxford-dictionary-words-of-the-year-2020-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List Unprecedented (adj) - never having happened or existed in the past This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an unprecedented level Prominent (adj) - very well known and important He is a prominent politician in his country Lexicographer (n) - a person whose job is to write dictionaries My friend wants to be a lexicographer momentous (adj) - very important because of effects on future events Whether or not to move overseas was a momentous decision for the family To encompass (v) - to include different types of things The festival is to encompass everything from music, theatre, and ballet to literature, cinema, and the visual arts Linguistic (adj) - connected with language or the study of language She is researching the linguistic development of young children Epidemiologist (n) - someone who studies diseases and how they are found, spread, and controlled in groups of people They are epidemiologists studying the causes of diseases To impeach (v) - to make a formal statement saying that a public official is guilty of a serious offence in connection with their job, especially in the US The governor was impeached for wrongful use of state money --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

Today we will discuss the failure of Quibi! I guess many of you are asking, “what is Quibi?” You’re probably not alone. Quibi was supposed to be the next big thing in online videos, attracting billions of dollars in investments before it launched earlier this year. On the 1st December, however, Quibi ended for ever. We’ll look at the history of Quibi, its unique selling points, and talk about why it failed. TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/08/the-downfall-of-quibi-the-story-of-an-expensive-failure-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List Platform (n) - a method of communication or entertainment like television, radio, or the internet This podcast is available on a number of podcasting platforms, including Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Google podcasts! content (n) - the information and experiences that are directed to an end-user or audience She has been producing Youtube content for 5 years! To tailor (v) - to adjust something to suit a particular need or situation Their services are tailored to client’s needs amalgamation (n) - the action or process of uniting or merging two or more things Opera is an amalgamation of singing, acting, and stagecraft Orientation (n) - arrangement or direction The building has an east-west orientation To consume (v) - to use something such as fuel, energy, money, content or time, especially in large quantities This device will monitor how much energy your household appliances are consuming at any time To break down (Phrasal v) - to break down something such as idea or statement means to separate it into smaller parts in order to make it easier to understand or deal with The report breaks down the results region by region Up-and-coming (adj) - likely to achieve success soon or in the near future She is an up-and-coming actress Comprehension Questions Q. What two words were combined to make the name Quibi? A. Quick Bites Q. How much money did the company raise? A. $1.8 billion Q. How many subscribers did Quibi have when it shut down? A. 400,000 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

How much do you know about the history of your languages? Where do the words come from, and why do we use them? Today’s episode will look at the recent news Germany is removing some words of Nazi origins from its phonetic alphabet. Although most German’s were unaware of the history of these terms, the regular use has been considered problematic. Are there any words in your languages that have offensive origins? Transcript - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/06/30-germany-removes-nazi-words-from-the-german-phonetic-alphabet-how-much-do-you-know-about-the-history-of-your-vocabulary-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List Take… for granted (Phrasal V) - to believe something to be the truth without even thinking about it I didn’t realise you hadn’t been to college -I suppose I just took it for granted Quirk (n) - an unusual habit or part of someone’s personality, or something that is strange or unexpected There is a quirk in the rules that allows you to invest money without paying tax Mutually (adv) - felt or done by two or more people or groups in the same way It will be a mutually beneficial project Unintelligible (adj) - not able to be understood He muttered something unintelligible Despicable (adj) - very unpleasant or bad, causing strong feelings of dislike He’s a despicable human being Phonetic (adj) - using special signs to represent the different sounds made by the voice in speech Pronunciations are shown in this dictionary using the International Phonetic Alphabet Bureaucratic (adj) - relating to a system of controlling or managing a country, company, or organization that is operated by a large number of officials The company was inefficient because it was highly bureaucratic Notorious (adj) - famous for something bad The company is notorious for paying its bills late --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode we are going to discuss the news that China has landed another probe on the surface of the moon. The Chinese mission intends to collect rock samples to bring back to Earth; the first time this will happen for over 40 years. Why is China interested in space exploration? Are we on the verge of a new space race? What is the scientific importance of moon rocks? We’ll look at all these questions and more on today’s episode! TRANSCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/03/china-lands-on-the-moon-are-we-on-the-verge-of-a-new-space-race-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary Ensuing (adj) - happening after something and because of it An argument broke out and in the ensuing fight someone got hurt Proxy war (n) - a war fought between groups or smaller countries that each represent the interests of other larger powers, and may have help and support from these The USA and USSR fought a proxy war in Korea Capability (n) - the ability to do something These tasks are beyond my capabilities Probe (n) - a small spacecraft, with no one travelling in it, sent into space to make measurements and send back information to scientists on earth There is currently a space probe heading towards the sun! To analyse (v) - to study or examine something in detail, in order to discover more about it Researchers analysed the purchases of 6300 households Volcanic (adj) - of, or relating to, or made by a volcano They were not expecting the volcanic eruption Overdrive (n) - a state of great activity, effort, or hard work The cast of the play was in overdrive rehearsing for the first performance Lunar (adj) - of or relating to the moon The lunar eclipse was beautiful Comprehension Questions Q. How much material does the Chinese probe hope to bring back to Earth? A. about 2kg Q. Where on the moon is China planning to land? A. Close to an area known as Mons Rümker Q. What private companies are involved in space exploration? A. Space-X, Virgin Galactic, and Boeing --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode we are going to discuss the news that Tesla is now worth over $500 billion! This is considerably more than any other car manufacturer! Is Tesla really worth $500 billion? Why has the company's value increased so much over the last year? How can a company that produces few cars be worth more than many of its competitors combined? TRANSCRIPT!!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/01/28-is-tesla-really-worth-500-million-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary list Gruelling (adj) - extremely tiring and difficult, and demanding great effort and determination Runners are taking part in a gruelling 100-mile race in the mountains Value (n) - the amount of money that can be received for something. Also included in this episode are the verb ‘to value’ (meaning to give a judgement about how much money something should be sold for) and the noun ‘valuation’ (which is the act of saying how much something is worth) The value of the pound fell against other currencies Profitable (adj) - making or likely to make a profit Over the years it has developed into a highly profitable business Quarterly (adj,adv) - done or produced four times a year The magazine will be produced quarterly Consecutive (adj) - following one after another without interruption We’ve had five consecutive days of rain -fold (suffix) - multiplied by the stated number - if i start with $5, then it increases threefold, i now have $15! In the last 50 years, there has been a 33-fold increase in the amount of chemicals used in farming To deem (v) - to consider or judge something in a particular way The area has now been deemed safe Consistently (adv) - in a way that does not change The president has consistently denied the rumours To fluctuate (v) - to change, especially continuously and between one level or thing and another Vegetable prices fluctuate according to the season Irrational (adj) - not using reason or clear thinking It’s totally irrational, but i’m frightened of mice Comprehension Questions! Q. What are the three companies I mentioned listed on the S&P 500 index? A. apple, Microsoft, and Amazon Q. How much was a Tesla share in January? How much are they now (at the time i’m writing)? A. $86 in January. Almost $550 now! Q. How many cars did Tesla sell in 2019? A. 367,500 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

‘Ahead of the pack,’ ‘smooth sailing,’ ‘corner the market.’ English is full of idioms like these three I just mentioned. In order to be able to work, study, or live in a native English speaking environment, understanding and comprehending idioms is a vital skill! For that reason, this episode will introduce you to some common idioms that are especially useful for business situations. However, they will also be beneficial to anyone who wants to study abroad, understand English TV shows or movies, or even just enjoys studying languages! TRANSCRIPT!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/29/incredibly-useful-english-idioms-ideal-for-business-english-ielts-study-abroad-and-more-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary To accelerate (v) - to move more quickly, or to make something happen faster or sooner He accelerated rapidly to pass a car! Glitch (n) - a small problem or fault that prevents something from being successful or working as well as it should The system has been plagued with glitches ever since its launch! Initiative (n) - a new plan or process to achieve something or solve a problem The government launched their new education initiative last week! To blink (v) - when you blink, you close and then open your eyes quickly once or several times, and when an eye blinks, it does this You’ve got something in your eye - try blinking a few times! Standard (n) - a level of quality This essay is not of an acceptable standard - do it again! Manufacturer (n) - a company that produces goods in large numbers Japan is a major manufacturer of vehicles! Towering (adj) - very high or very great The baseball player hit a towering home run! Howling (adj) - (of wind) blowing hard and making a lot of noise The hurricane’s howling winds just missed the island! Gale (n) - a very strong wind Hundreds of old trees were blown down in the gales! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, we are going to look at the idea of free education. Should university be free? This question has been debated for many years. The costs have been rising every year, and more and more graduates are struggling with large amounts of debt. In particular, poorer students are normally those who need to borrow the most money. Should they be punished for wanting to educate themselves?  Should taxpayers pay for the education of other people? All of these questions will be addressed in today’s episode of thinking in English! Full Transcript: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/26/should-university-be-free-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary Proportion (n) - the number or amount of something when compared to the whole Children make up a large proportion of the world’s population! Tuition (n) - teaching, especially when given to a small group or one person, such as in a college or university All students receive tuition in maths! To saddle with (Phrasal v) - to give someone a responsibility or problem that they do not want and thus will cause them a lot of work or difficulty The company is saddled with debt! Crippling (adj) - causing serious injuries or harm The bomb attack dealt a crippling blow to tourism in the country! Default (n) - a failure to do something, such as pay a debt, that you legally have to do Any default on your mortgage payments may mean you will lose your house! Burden (n) - something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about Buying a house is often a large financial burden on young people! Notably (adv) - important and deserving attention Other sports have had work stoppages, most notably baseball! Vocational (adj) - providing skills and education that prepare you for a job The school offers vocational programs in welding, electrical work, and construction Amenity (n) - something, such as a swimming pool or shopping centre, that is intended to make life more pleasant or comfortable for the people of a town, hotel, or other place The council is spending money on many new public amenities! Comprehension Questions Q. How much debt does the average UK graduate have? A. £40,000 Q. Name 3 things I mentioned that the GI bill paid for. A. 3 of the following - 22,000 dentists, 67,000 doctors, 91,000 scientists, 238,000 teachers, 240,000 accountants, 450,000 engineers, three Supreme Court Justices, three presidents , many congressmen, at least one Secretary of State, 14 Nobel Prize winners, at least 24 Pulitzer Prize winners, many entertainers Q. True or false. Bernie Sanders is an opponent of free education. A. False --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

To celebrate the 25th episode of Thinking in English, today I've made a slightly different episode! I decided it's time to introduce myself to all of the listeners, let you know my background, and talk about why I started Thinking in English!! Transcript! - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/24/25-who-am-i-my-self-introduction-and-why-i-started-thinking-in-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List Milestone (n) - an important event in the development or history of something or in someone’s life We’ve been married now for 20 years, a real milestone Stereotypical (adj) - with the qualities that people usually expect of a particular type of person or thing, although this idea may be wrong Managers need to leave behind their stereotypical ideas about women Institution (n) - a large and important organization, such as a university or bank This institution is over 800 years old! To fascinate (v) - to interest someone a lot Science has always fascinated me! To comprehend (v) - to understand something completely He doesn’t seem to comprehend the scale of the problem! Colonial (adj) - relating to a colony or colonisation Various parts of Africa have suffered under colonial rule! Dissertation (n) - a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done in order to receive a degree at college or university Ann did her dissertation on Karl Marx Immense (adj) - extremely large in size or degree They spent an immense amount of time getting the room ready for their guests! Indigenous (adj) - naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from another place The indigenous people of Australia have suffered for many years! To scupper (v) - to cause something such as a plan or an opportunity to fail Arriving late for the interview scuppered my chances of getting the job! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode I want to look at the future of transport! Virgin Hyperloop trialled their new technology earlier this month, raising a number of questions about how we will move around in the future. Will cars no longer be needed? How will we travel? Is hyperloop the solution? These questions, and more, will be answered on today’s episode of Thinking in English!! Transcript Available!!! - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/22/24-virgin-hyperloop-and-the-future-of-transportation-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary list urban (adj) - relating to towns and cities Over 82% of Texans live in urban areas congested (adj) - to be crowded or blocked; congested road have too much traffic and it is difficult to move Congested roads are normal on holiday weekends To trial (v) - to test something in a formal way to discover how effective or suitable it is We will trial the new drug in several hospitals Pod (n) - a detachable or self-contained unit on an aircraft, spacecraft, vehicle, or vessel, having a particular function The spacecraft has an escape pod for two people vacuum (n) - a space without any gas or other matter in it, or a space from which most of the air or gas has been removed Edison knew that he had to create a vacuum inside the lightbulb levitation (n) - the act of rising or floating, or making someone rise or float, in the air without any physical support Some superheroes have the power of levitation To exceed (v) - To be greater than a number or amount, or to go past an allowed limit The final cost should not exceed $5000 hypothetical (adj) - imagined or suggested but not necessarily real or true Estimated return is based on a hypothetical $1000 investment To project (v) - to calculate an amount or number expected in the future from information already known Government spending is projected to rise by three percent next year Comprehension Questions Q. What speed did this month's hyperloop test reach? A. 107 mph or 172 kmph Q. How long will it take you to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai using hyperloop? A. 12 minutes Q. Who first suggested the idea of hyperloop? A. Elon Musk --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode we will look at the recent announcement that the UK will ban all new fossil fuel powered vehicles by 2030! As part of the UK’s “green industrial revolution”, people will be encouraged to move to electric cars instead of petrol or diesel powered ones. What else is part of the “green new deal”?  Does it go far enough? We’ll look at these questions and more in this episode of Thinking in English! Transcript!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/19/uk-bans-new-fossil-fuel-vehicles-by-2030/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List fossil fuel (n) - fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago Many governments around the world are trying to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources hybrid (n) - something that is a mixture of two very different things. So, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with an engine that used both petrol and another type of energy, usually electricity Most car manufactures now offer hybrids pole position (n) - the leading or best possible position The supermarket chain is aiming to gain pole position in chosen markets famine (n) - a situation in which there is not enough food for a great number of people, causing illness and death Another crop failure could result in widespread famine Drought (n) - a long period when there is little or no rain This year a severe drought has ruined the crops Emissions (n) - an amount of a substance that is produced and sent out into the air that is harmful to the environment, especially carbon dioxide There are many health risks caused by vehicle emissions Greenhouse gas (n) - one of several gases, especially carbon dioxide, that prevent heat from the earth escaping into space, causing the greenhouse effect We need a global system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions Subsidy (n) - money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen The company received a substantial government subsidy offshore (adj) - away from or at a distance from the coast The wind was blowing offshore pressing (adj) - urgent or needing to be dealt with immediately The most pressing question is what do we do next? Shadow (adj) - used in the title of important politicians in the main opposition party (= the party not in government): Shadow Foreign Secretary or Shadow Chancellor Comprehension Questions Q. Which country will ban fossil fuel cars 5 years before the UK? A. Norway Q. Road vehicles produce how much of the EU’s carbon dioxide emissions? A. Around 30% Q. Who is the UK’s shadow business secretary? A. Ed Miliband --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode we’ll look at the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which brings together 15 Asian and Oceanic countries into the largest free trade agreement in the world. We’ll discuss the idea of free trade, look at the details of the agreement, and finally think about some criticisms of RCEP! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/18/22-the-worlds-largest-trade-deal-what-is-rcep-and-what-is-free-trade-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List trade (n) - the activity of buying and selling, or exchanging, goods and/or services between people or countries 70 percent of the country’s trade is with Europe gross domestic product (n) - the total value of goods and services produced by a country in one year Apple makes more money than some countries' gross domestic products! Intricacy (n) - complicated details I enjoyed the film, but i couldn’t follow all the intricacies of the plot Imports (n) - goods bought by one country from another They have restrictions on foreign imports Exports (n) - a product that you sell in another country Coffee is one of Brazil’s main exports Tariff (n) - a charge or list of charges either for services or goods entering a country Prices and tariffs change all the time, so it’s difficult to say what you will get for your money Limitations (n) - if someone or something has limitations, they are not as good as they could be Despite his limitations as a manger, he always brings projects to completion on time Component (n) - a part that combines with other parts to from something bigger The factory supplies electrical components for cars Comprehension Questions! Q. How much of the global gross domestic product comes from RCEP members? A. Around 30% Q. What percentage of tariffs will RCEP eliminate? A. Up to 90% Q. Who criticised RCEP as being ‘low ambition’? A. Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode I want to introduce a few phrasal verbs that are suitable for formal English! Phrasal verbs can be confusing; are they formal or informal? How do we use them? When do we use them? Hopefully by the end of this episode you’ll be able to use seven phrasal verbs that are perfect for business, IELTS or TOEFL exams, and other formal situations! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/15/21-phrasal-verbs-perfect-for-formal-situations-ideal-for-ielts-toefl-business-university-and-much-more-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List To distinguish (v) - to notice or understand the difference between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another It is important to distinguish between business and pleasure To specify (v) - to explain or describe something clearly and exactly He said we should meet but didn’t specify a time indirect (adj) - happening in addition to an intended result, often in a way that is complicated or not obvious Indirect effects of the war include disease and food shortages Boastful (adj) - praising yourself and what you have done He was confident, not boastful jet lag (n) - the feeling of tiredness and confusion that people experience after making a long journey by plane to a place where the time is different from the place they left Every time i fly to the USA, I get really bad jet lag Venture (n) - new activity, usually in business, that involves risk or uncertainty She advised us to look abroad for more lucrative business ventures To reduce (v) - to become or to make something become smaller in size, amount, degree, importance, etc Do nuclear weapons really reduce the risk of war? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode I want to discuss the idea of Universal Basic Income. This is a highly debated and controversial topic, with strong arguments on both sides! Would providing all residents or citizens of a country with small amounts of money on a regular basis improve people's lives? Or is it an Expensive Waste of Money?  Or are there better methods? We’ll address these questions and more in this episode of Thinking in English Transcript! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/12/20-what-is-universal-basic-income-a-good-idea-or-an-expensive-waste-of-money/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List unprecedented (adj) - never having happened or existed in the past Unemployment has reached an unprecedented level To adapt (v) - to change, or to change something, to suit different conditions or uses Sometimes we have to adapt the design to suit the customers requirements unconditionally (adj) - in a way that is complete and not limited in any way He thanked his mother for being unconditionally supportive Automation (n) - the use of machines and computers that can operate without needing human control Automation will reduce the need for a large, highly skilled workforce Detractor (n) - someone who criticizes something or someone, often unfairly His detractors claim that his personality makes him unsuitable for leadership Proponent (n) - a person who speaks publicly in support of a particular idea or plan of action He is one of the leading proponents of capital punishments To attribute (v) - to say or think that something is the result of a particular thing Her success can be attributed to three main factors Implementation (n) - the act of starting to use a plan or system There will be a delay in implementation of the new regulations To exacerbate (v) - to make something that is already bad even worse This attack will exacerbate the already tense relationship between the two communities To empower (v) - to give someone official or legal authority, or the freedom or confidence to do something We empower our sales staff to make decisions without always having to consult their boss Comprehension Questions Q. The Namibian UBI trial gave 1000 people how much money? A. 100 Namibian dollars every month Q. What did research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Finland, France, Italy, and the UK conclude? A. It “would not prove to be an effective tool for reducing poverty.” Q. Why did the Swiss government oppose UBI? A.They believe it would encourage fewer people to work and exacerbate the labour and skills shortages. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode I want to introduce you to eight incredibly useful business English idioms! These idioms will make you sound like a native speaker in no time! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/11/19-eight-useful-business-english-idioms/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] Vocabulary List crucial (adj) - extremely important or necessary Her work has been crucial to the project’s success To appreciate (v) - to recognize how good someone or something is and to value him, her, or it There’s no point buying him expensive wines - he doesn’t appreciate them Norm (n) - an accepted standard or a way of behaving or doing things that most people agree with Europe has a variety of cultural, political and ethical norms Auditor (n) - someone whose job is to carry out an official examination of the accounts of a business and to produce a report The external auditors come in once a year Engage in small talk (idiom) - to chat with someone about simple topics such as the weather or one’s career If you think that girl is pretty, why don’t you go over and engage in small talk? To arise (v) - to happen If any complications arise, let me know and i’ll help Idioms covered Big picture By the book Get down to business Hands are tied Learn the ropes On the same page See eye to eye Touch base --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, we will look at democracy. What is democracy? What does democracy look like? Is democracy the best type of government? Transcript! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/08/18-what-is-democracy-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!!!  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST Under the spotlight (idiom) - if someone or something is under the spotlight, they are thoroughly examined, especially by journalists and the public The new tax law has put his earnings under the spotlight ultimate (adj) - most important My managers will make the ultimate decision about who to employ Feasible (adj) - able to made, done, or achieved With some extra resources, the project will be feasible contemporary (adj) - existing or happening now I don’t like contemporary art To govern (v) - to control and direct the public business of a country, city, group of people etc The country is governed by a military regime Assembly (n) - the process of coming together, or the state of being together The constitution protects freedom of assembly To incorporate (v) - to include something as part of something larger This car incorporates several new safety features judicial (adj) - relating to or done by courts or judges or the legal system The supreme court is the judicial branch of the government consolidated (adj) - made stronger and more certain His power was consolidated after his reelection legitimacy (n) - the quality of being legal, reasonable and acceptable The lawyers expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of military action Comprehension Questions Q.Where did democracy start? A.Ancient Greece Q.Who is one of my favorite philosophers? A.Rousseau Q.Who said “democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others”? A.WInston Churchill --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, I want to introduce you to a traditional British festival and celebration that you probably haven't heard of before! Bonfire Night, held on November 5th every year, is a day when we set off fireworks, light fires, and so on! However, it is the history connected to religious disagreements and failed terrorist plots that is the most interesting part! Transcript here!!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/06/bonfire-night-a-unique-british-festival-with-an-explosive-history/ Contact us! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail: [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST ubiquitous (adj) - seeming to be everywhere Many languages are under threat from the ubiquitous spread of English To repress (v) - to control what people do, and prevent feelings, desires, or ideas from being expressed The government repressed all reports from the region unified (adj) - brought together, combined, or united The politicians find themselves unusually unified on this policy To persecute (v) - to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs Religious minorities were persecuted during his regime The establishment (n) - the important and powerful people who control a country or an organization, especially those who support the existing situation Critics said judges were on the side of the establishment uprising (n) - an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, by many people in one area of a country against those who are in power There was a popular uprising in the capital Conspirator (n) - a person who plans secretly with other people to do something bad, illegal, or against someone's wishes He was a conspirator in the revolution To smuggle (v) - to take things or people to or from a place secretly and often illegally She was caught trying to smuggle 26 kilos of heroin out of the country elaborate (adj) - containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts They are making elaborate preparations for the wedding Tyranny (n) - government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited power over the people in their country or state and use it unfairly or cruelly COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q.When is Bonfire Night? A.5th November Q. How is bonfire night celebrated in the UK? A.Fireworks, Bonfires, burning models, eating toffee apples! Q.Where did the gunpowder plot conspirators plan to blow up? A.House of Lords (Parliament) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, we will discuss the question should euthanasia or assisted suicide be legal? With New Zealand recently voting in support of an euthanasia  law, we will look at some of the arguments and debates surrounding the issue! Transcript!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/04/16-should-we-have-the-right-to-die/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod GMAIL: [email protected] BLOG: thinkinginenglish.blog VOCABULARY LIST referendum (n) - a vote in which all the people in a country or area are asked to give their opinion about or decide an important political or social question A nationwide referendum will be held to decide the issue deliberately (adv) - intentionally; on purpose He did it deliberately to annoy me To relieve (v) - to make an unpleasant feeling, such as pain or worry, less strong She was give painkillers to relieve the pain Suffering (n) - physical or mental pain that a person or animal is feeling War causes widespread human suffering terminal (of a disease or illness) (adj) - leading to gradual death She has terminal cancer Compassionate (adj) - showing a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them The public’s response to the crisis appeal was generous and compassionate dignity (n) - calm, serious, and controlled behaviour that makes people respect you I think everyone should be able to die with dignity Burden (n) - something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about My elderly mother worries that she is a burden to me Physician (n) - a medical doctor, especially one who has general skill and is not a surgeon My brother is a physician incompatible (adj) - not able to exist or work with another person or thing because of basic differences Maintaining high quality is incompatible with increasing output Comprehension Questions Q.What country voted in support of euthanasia recently? A.New Zealand Q.What is the euthanasia law called in that country? A.End of Life Choice Act Q.is the American Medical Association for or against euthanasia? A.Against --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, the final episode in this series on US election vocabulary, we will look at the Election Day. Who can vote? Where do they vote? How do they voter? When will the results be announced? When will the winner become president? These questions, and the vocabulary connected to them, will be answered in today's episode of Thinking in English! If you haven’t already, make sure you listen to episodes 6, 9, and 12 for even more political vocabulary!! FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/01/15-election-day-vocabulary/ INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod BLOG: thinkinginenglish.blog EMAIL: [email protected] VOCABULARY LIST To go to the polls (v) - to vote The USA will go to the polls on November 3rd To cast (v) - to vote All the votes in the election have now been cast and counting has begun absentee (n) - someone who is absent If you can’t vote on election day, you can vote using an absentee ballot intimidation (n) - the action of frightening or threatening someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do As the election approaches, it will be difficult to prevent voter intimidation and fraud invalidation (n) - the action of stopping a document, ticket, law, etc. from being legal or officially acceptable Voting fraud led to the invalidation of the election To tamper (v) - to make changes to something that you should not, usually without enough knowledge of how it works or when you are trying to damage it I could see immediately that the lock had been tampered with suppression (n) -the act of preventing something from being seen or expressed or from operating The suppression of free speech electorate (n) - all the people who are allowed to vote The electorate chose Barack Obama as the next President of the USA surge (n) - a sudden and great increase There has been a surge in house prices recently --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode, we will look at the spookiest holiday in the western world. What are the origins of Halloween? Why do we dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, and trick or treat? All of these questions, and more, will be discussed on this episode of Thinking in English! FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/30/14-what-is-halloween/ Contact us! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Gmail: [email protected] Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog VOCABULARY LIST Clad (adj) - (of people) dressed, or (of things) covered A strange figure appeared in the doorway, clad in white Garment (n) - a piece of clothing He’s fussy about how his garments fit To sacrifice (v) - to kill an animal or person and offer them to a god or gods They sacrificed a sheep to their god Sacrifice (n) - the animal or thing that is offered/sacrificed The people offered a sheep as a sacrifice To dress up (phrasal v) - to put on special clothes in order to change your appearance He dressed up as a cowboy for the party To celebrate (v) - to take part in special enjoyable activities in order to show that a particular occasion is important We always celebrate our wedding anniversary by going out to dinner Bonfire (n) - a large fire that is made outside to burn unwanted things, or for pleasure We built a bonfire on the beach To land (v) - to arrive on land from the sea or air We should land at Paris Airport in 15 minutes Roots (plural n) - origins This city can trace its roots back to roman times COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS When is Halloween? 31st October Which ancient festival was the origin of Halloween? Samhain How much do Americans spend on Halloween annually? $6billion --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/27/13-local-citizenship/ On today’s episode, we will discuss the idea of Local citizenship! When national governments can’t, or don’t want to, deal with immigrant populations, it falls to local governments and decision makers to make proactive policies! CONTACT US INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail: [email protected] VOCABULARY To be concentrated (passive v) - to bring or come together in a large number or amount in one particular area Most of the country’s population is concentrated in the north To delegate (v) - to give a particular job, duty, right, etc. to someone else so that they do it for you As a boss you have to delegate responsibilities to your staff To devolve (v) - to cause power or responsibility to be given to other people To be a good manager, you must know how to devolve responsibility downwards vague (adj) - not clearly expressed, known, described, or decided I do have a vague memory of meeting her many years ago Decision-maker (n) - a person who decides things, especially at a high level in an organisation She faces long hours and extreme pressure in her position as the top decision-maker in the company Proactive (adj) - taking action by causing change and not only reacting to change when it happens Companies are going to have to be more proactive about environmental management fortunate (adj) - lucky You’re very fortunate to have found such a nice house supplementary (adj) - added to something else in order to improve it or complete it Teachers often create supplementary materials for their classes To contradict (v) - to say the opposite of what someone else has said, or to be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q. What are some of the social and economic problems caused by ignoring immigrant issues? A.Poverty, dissatisfaction, racism, and crime are just a few Q. Where did I used to live? A.Japan Q. True or false? Former Prime Minister Shizo Abe said “Japan is an immigrant country” A.False --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

FULL TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/25/12-even-more-us-political-vocabulary-english-vocabulary-lesson/ On today’s episode, we will continue our series of episodes focusing on vocabulary to help you understand the US election! With less than two weeks left, there is no better time to learn some new political words! Contact us! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail: [email protected] VOCABULARY To compromise (v) - to accept that you will reduce your demands or change your opinion in order  to reach an agreement with someone Well, you want $400 and i say $300, so lets compromise on $350 Psychological (adj) - relating to the human mind and feelings We are concerned with the physical and psychological well-being of our employees uncompromisingly (adv) - in a way that is fixed and not changing, even when this may cause difficulties She was uncompromisingly hostile to him To drift (v) - to move slowly, especially as a result of outside forces, with no control over direction No one notices that the boat had begun to drift out to sea irrelevant (adj) - not related to what is being discussed or considered and therefore not important These documents are largely irrelevant to the present investigation To bear (v) - to have or continue to have something The stone plaque bearing his name was smashed to pieces interpretation (n) - an explanation or opinion of what something means The rules are vague and open to interpretation To opt (v) - to make a choice, especially of one thing or possibly instead of others Mike opted for early retirement To funnel (v) - to send something directly and intentionally No one knows who has been funneling weapons to the rebels --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE!! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/23/11-tea-over-sea-and-cha-over-land-the-history-of-tea-colonialism-and-globalisation/ On today’s episode, we will look at the history of word tea. With few exceptions, there are only 2 words for tea around the world. How did this happen? How is it connected to globalisation and colonialism? Contact us! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Gmail: [email protected] Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog Vocabulary List beverage (n) - a drink of any type. Hot beverages include tea, coffee, and hot chocolate puzzling (adj) - difficult to explain or understand Interstellar is a rather puzzling film Colonialism (n) - control by one country over another and its economy, or support for such control The impact of colonialism is still felt throughout Africa Globalisation (n) - the development of closer economic, cultural, and political relations among all the countries of the world as a result of travel and communication becoming easy Optimists say globalisation means more cultural choices for everyone Dialect (n) - a form of language that people speak in a particular part of a country, containing some different words and grammar The poem is written in a northern dialect Coastal (adj) - positioned on, or relating to the coast In the UK, coastal towns are very busy in summer Approximately (adv) - close to a particular number or time although not exactly that number or time The job will take approximately three weeks, and cost approximately £1,000 COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q. What is the name of the ancient trade route between China and the Middle East? A.The Silk Road Q. What country spread the word tea around the world? A.The Netherlands (Dutch people) Q.Where did Portugal trade from in Asia? A. Macao --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/21/10-giant-cat-unearthed-in-the-peruvian-desert/ On today’s episode, we will look at the new discovery of a giant cat carved into the hills of Peru. The Nazca lines are one of the most impressive and mysterious ancient sites, with an unknown history and complicated design! Contact us!  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Gmail: [email protected] Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog VOCABULARY LIST To unearth (v) - to discover something in the ground Building at the site was halted after human remains were unearthed earlier this month To depict (v) - to represent or show something in a picture or story The cave paintings depict a variety of human, bird and mythological figures and patterns To etch (v) - to cut a pattern, picture, etc., in a surface Rory ordered a baseball bat with his own name etched in the wood Feline (n) - a member of the cat family A wildlife park with tigers and various other felines Erosion (n) - the fact of soil, stone, etc. being gradually damaged and removed by the waves, rain, or wind Coastal erosion caused the cliff to collapse fertile (adj) - fertile land can produce large number of good quality crops In order to turn the deserts into fertile and productive land, engineers built a 800-mile canal speculation (n) - the activity of guessing possible answers to a question without having enough information to be certain News of the president’s illness fuelled speculation that an election will be held later in the year Ritual (n) - a set of fixed actions and sometimes words performed regularly, especially as part of a ceremony Coffee and the newspaper are part of my morning ritual Comprehension Question Q. Where are the Nazca lines located?  A. Peru Q. How long is the cat etched into the hill?  A. 37m or 120 ft Q. In 2014, which organisation activists smudged the surface of a Nazca Line during a demonstration calling for action on climate change?  A. Greenpeace --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/18/more-vocabulary-for-the-us-presidential-election/ Today’s episode is the second in a short series focusing on vocabulary to help you understand the US presidential election. If you haven’t already, please listen to episode 6, titled Vocabulary for the US Presidential Election Get in touch! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Gmail: [email protected] Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog  VOCABULARY LIST Nuance (n) -  a slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound etc Linguists explore the nuances of language Candidate (n) - a person who is competing to get a job or elected position There are three candidates standing in the election Weakness (n) - a particular part or quality of someone or something that is not good or effective His main weakness as a worker is his inability to follow orders veteran (adj) - having been involved in a particular activity for a long time She is a veteran campaigner for human rights office (n) - a position of authority and responsibility in a government or other organisation The new President takes office on January 20th To nominate (v) - to officially suggest someone for an election, job, position, or honour He has been nominated by the Green party as their candidate in the next election To allocate (v) - to decide officially that something should be given to a particular person The primary election allocated all the delegates to Donald Trump Ballot (n) - a system of secret voting Representatives were elected by ballot Obligated (adj) - morally or legally forced to do something I felt obligated to speak up and defend my friend’s reputation Battleground (n) - a place where an argument or competition is happening Pennsylvania and Ohio are key battlegrounds in this year’s election Comprehension Questions Q. Joe Biden was a Senator in which state? A. Delaware Q. How many electoral college votes does a Presidential candidate need to win? A. 270 Q. True or False? If i vote for a Republican President and a Republican Senator, i am split ticket voting A. False --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

FULL TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE!!!: https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/2020/10/16/8-multiculturalism-a-solution-to-the-problems-of-diversity/ On today’s episode, we will discuss some ways different countries try to deal with immigrants. Some countries try to exclude immigrants from society, while others try to assimilate them. But could Multiculturalism be a better alternative? Contact us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Gmail: [email protected] Blog: https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/ VOCABULARY LIST Society (n) - the people who live in a particular country or area and their way of life and customs: We live in a multicultural society Desirable (adj) - worth having and wanted by most people Medicine is regarded as a highly desirable career Immigrant (n) - a person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently The USA has a large immigrant population exclusionary (adj) - causing someone or something not to be allowed to take part in an activity or to enter a place: The police set up an exclusionary zone around the crime scene assimilation (n) - causing, or making, someone become part of a group, country, society etc The assimilation of immigrants into American culture has been a constant feature of US history. multicultural (adj) - relating to or including people from different cultures: This company has a multicultural workforce To Regulate (v) - to control something, especially by making it work in a particular way: You can regulate the temperature in the house by adjusting the thermostat. Discrimination (n) - treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc The law has done little to prevent racial discrimination and inequality Identity (n) - who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others: I think my job gives me a sense of identity --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

TODAY'S TRANSCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/2020/10/14/7-what-is-in-subways-bread/ On today’s episode, we will discuss the recent news that a court in Ireland has decided Subway’s bread is not bread, as well as looking at some of the implications Contact us! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog: https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/ email: [email protected]  VOCABULARY LIST To scan (v) - to look through a text quickly in order to find a piece of information that you want or to get a general idea of what the text contains Scan the newspaper article quickly and make a note of the main points. intriguing (adj) - very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious She has a very intriguing personality customisable (adj) - used to describe something that you can change according to a customer's or user's particular needs: We offer customizable ringtones for your phone. accustomed (adj) - familiar with something: She quickly became accustomed to his messy ways savoury (adj) - Savoury food is salty or spicy and not sweet in taste: Pie can be sweet or savoury To rule (v) - to decide officially The government has ruled that the refugees must be deported. provision (n) - a statement within an agreement or a law that a particular thing must happen or be done We have inserted certain provisions into the treaty to safeguard foreign workers common sense (n ) - good sense and sound judgement in practical matters Windsurfing is perfectly safe as long as you have/use some common sense Comprehension Questions Q. What percentage of Subway bread is Sugar?  A. 10% Q. What country’s supreme court ruled on this decision?  A. Ireland Q. What does VAT mean?  A. Value Added Tax --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

On today’s episode we will begin a series of episodes, which will run probably for the next three weeks, and will focus on the key vocabulary you need to understand the US election. Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/2020/10/11/6-vocabulary-for-the-us-presidential-election/ INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Check out our blog! - https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/ Send us an email! - [email protected] VOCABULARY LESSON To elect (v) - to decide on or choose, especially to choose a person for a particular job, by voting The President is elected for a four-year term of office. Requirement (n) - something that you must do, or something you need A good degree is requirement for many jobs Legislation (n) - a law or set of laws that is being created: New legislation offers a tax break for young families. To Veto (v) - to refuse to allow something My boss vetoed my taking any more time off this year. Assume (v) - to take or begin to have responsibility or control The new president assumes office at midnight tonight. To incapacitate (v) - to make someone unable to work or do things normally, or unable to do what they intended to do: The accident left me incapacitated for seven months. Suspicious (adj) - making you feel that something illegal is happening or that something is wrong: Her behaviour was very suspicious Characterisation (n) - a description of the most typical or important characteristics of someone or something: I don’t agree with your characterization of my hometown as a boring place to live. To emphasise (v) - to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to: I'd just like to emphasize how important it is for people to learn foreign languages. Federal (n) - relating to the central government, and not to the government of a region, of some countries such as the US the federal government COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q. Who is Joe Biden’s running mate? A. Kamala Harris Q. What are the only three requirements to become US president? A. To be 35 years of age, a natural born US citizen, and lived in the USA for at least 14 years Q. How many members does the House of Representatives have? A. 435 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

FULL TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE -- https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/2020/10/09/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-citizen/  On today’s episode, we will discuss citizenship. What does it mean to be a citizen, how do you become a citizen, and what is the future of citizenship?   Contact us!  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod   Our blog : https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/   Our email:  [email protected]   Vocabulary List   Citizenship (n) - the state of being a member of a particular country and having rights because of it:   He was granted Canadian citizenship.   Universal (adj) - Existing everywhere or involving everyone   Music is often thought of as a universal language   allegiance (n) - Loyalty or support for a ruler, country, group, or belief   Soldiers have to swear allegiance to the King   inclusion (n) - the act of including someone or something in a group   She is being considered for inclusion in the Olympic team   exclusion (n) -the act of not allowing someone or something to take part in an activity or join a group   Her exclusion from the list of Oscar nominees was shocking   To naturalise (v) - to make someone a legal citizen of a country they were not born in   He is a naturalised US citizen mutually   exclusive (adj) - to things that cannot happen together, or incompatible   Flexibility and productivity are not mutually exclusive   contribution (n) - something that you give or do to help produce or achieve something together with other people, or to help make something successful   All contributions, no matter how small, will be much appreciated   benefits (n) - money given by the government to people who need financial help, for example because they cannot find a job   Unemployment benefit   Comprehension Questions   Q. What is a naturalised citizen?   A. A person who becomes a citizen of a country after they are born   Q. How much does it cost to become a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis in 2020?   A. A $150,000 contribution to the country’s “Sustainable Growth Fund” and a minimum real estate investment of $200,000   Q. If your mother is from Qatar, but your father is not, are you a native Qatari citizen?   A. No, you are not.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

FULL TRANSCRIPT NOW AVAILABLE: https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/  On today’s episode, we will discuss the fastest people in human history, and think about what the future holds for mankind’s speed!   Please contact us!   INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Gmail: [email protected]  Vocabulary list   Charitable (adj)  - giving money, food, or help free to those who are in need   the entire organization is funded by charitable donations.   relative (adj) - If something is relative to something else, it changes according to the speed or level of the other thing:   The amount of petrol a car uses is relative to its speed.   To rocket (v) - to travel by rocket, or to rise, increase, or move very quickly   The astronauts were rocketed into space.   Mach (n) - a measurement of speed that is calculated by dividing the speed of an object, especially an aircraft, by the speed of sound   circumnavigate (v) - to travel the whole way around something   He circumnavigated the globe in 80 days   To dub (v) - to give something or someone a particular name, especially describing what you think of it, him, or her:   She was dubbed by the newspapers "the Angel of Death".   To ratify (v) - to make an agreement official:   Many countries have now ratified the UN convention on the rights of the child.   To clock (v) - to take a particular time exactly to do or complete something:   He clocked ten seconds in the 100 metres   ramp up (Phrasal V) - to increase activity or the level of something   The company announced plans to ramp up production to 10,000 units per month to meet demand.   Comprehension Questions   Q. In what position did marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge finish in the 2020 London marathon   A. 8th   Q. In what year did the Apollo 10 mission reach the fastest speed ever recorded in human history?    A. 1969   Q. What country did T8 come from?  A. Australia --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support

FULL TRANSCRIPT NOW AVAILABLE: https://thinkinginenglish741418158.wordpress.com/  On today’s episode, we will discuss the recent discovery of signs of life on the Planet Venus, talk about why it is surprising, and think about whether searching for alien life is important.   Check out our social media and send us a message!  Email: [email protected]  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Vocabulary List   Phosphine (n) - a gas, a mixture of hydrogen and phosphorus   Extraterrestrial (adj) - not from the planet earth   In those rocks may lie the best chance of finding extraterrestrial life   atmosphere (n) - mixture of gases around a planet   These factories are releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere   Astrobiologist (n) - a scientist studying the possibility of life in other parts of the universe   Astrobiologists believe there may be life on Saturn’s moon Titan   inhospitable (adj) - an area not suitable to live in   Nothing can live in this inhospitable environment   Scorching (adj) - very hot   it was a scorching summer day   habitability (n) - potential for life to live on a planet   They are using this telescope to determine that planets habitability   To flourish (v) - grow or develop healthily   Parts of the city continue to flourish   Desolate (adj) - empty and not attractive, with no people or nothing pleasant in it   The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape   Comprehension Questions   Q. What gas has been discovered in the atmosphere of Venus?   A. Phosphine   Q. How hot can the surface of Venus be?   A. Up to 470 degree Celsius    Q. What country’s spacecraft is currently orbiting Venus?   A. Japan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support