VOCABULARY BANK © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition 1 VOCABULARY BANK 2 © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition VOCABULARY BANK © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition 3 VOCABULARY BANK 4 © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition VOCABULARY BANK © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition 5 VOCABULARY BANK 6 © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition VOCABULARY BANK © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition 7 VOCABULARY BANK 8 © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition VOCABULARY BANK Culture of EnglishSpeaking Countries Adele (Adele Laurie Blue Atkins) a contemporary British pop singer Aguilera, Christina an American pop singer and songwriter Amazon an American dot-com established in Seattle in 1994 focusing on e-commerce; It owns the biggest on-line shop in the world. American civil rights movement a social movement popular in the USA in the 50’s and 60’s of the 20th century; It aimed at abolishing racial segregation in the US using peaceful methods. Bath a town in England famous for its numerous monuments, which include the Roman Baths Batman a fictional superhero appearing in a series of comic books and many film adaptations the BBC (The British Broadcasting Corporation) the main British public radio and television broadcaster Bezos, Jeff the founder, Chief Executive Officer and president of Amazon.com Bond, James a fictional agent working for the British Secret Service who appears in many novels by Ian Fleming as well as a series of films starring various actors, most recently Daniel Craig Branson, Richard a British businessman and founder of Virgin Group the Brit School (The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology) a British secondary school which provides education and training for young people interested in a career in the arts, entertainment and communications industries Cambridge University the second oldest university in Great Britain, the first being Oxford University Camden Market a famous market located in one of London’s districts Captain America a fictional character who appeared in numerous comic books published by Marvel Comics and many film adaptations Carey, Mariah an American singer, composer, songwriter who is wellknown for her extraordinary voice of a five-octave range Central Park a park in New York City located in the centre of Manhattan Coober Peddy a town in South Australia which is often called the ‘opal capital of the world’; it is because of the mines where the most precious and expensive opals are found Cyrus, Miley an American actress, singer and songwriter Darwin, Charles a British naturalist, biologist and geologist; he is wellknown for his book The Origin of Species and the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection DiCaprio, Leonardo an American actor; he won an Oscar in 2016 Edinburgh the capital of Scotland Edinburgh Castle a castle in Edinburgh; it is one of the oldest fortresses in Great Britain the FA Cup (The Football Association Challenge Cup) a football competition which takes place in England every year; it is the oldest national football competition in the world Glastonbury Festival one of the biggest festivals of performing arts and music in the world; it is organised near the village of Pilton in Somerset, England Grandin, Temple an American psychologist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University; she is one of the first autistic people who has a successful professional career and is able to share insights from her autistic experience; she is known as a speaker on animal welfare and autism Harry Potter a series of very popular fantasy novels about the adventures of a young wizard, Harry Potter, written by J. K. Rowling Hidden Figures an American film from 2016 directed by Theodore Melfi Hubble, Edwin an American astronomer Hulk a fictional superhero and Bruce Banner’s alter ego, who appears in numerous comic books published by Marvel Comics and many film adaptations Humans a science fiction TV series produced in the USA and the UK Iron Man a fictional superhero and Tony Stark’s alter ego, who appears in numerous comic books published by Marvel Comics and many film adaptations Jackson, Michael an American musician, dancer, composer, singer, songwriter and entertainer who is often called the ‘King of Pop’ Jessie J a contemporary British pop singer Johnson, Katherine an AfricanAmerican mathematician, also known as ‘human computer’; Her work contributed greatly to the development of NASA’s Space Shuttle Programme. Knightley, Keira a British actress who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film Pride and Prejudice Lake District Cumbria a region in the county of Cumbria in England; The Lake District National Park is located in its central part. Lake Windermere a lake in the Lake District National Park Leibovitz, Annie an American portrait photographer who has received many prestigious photography awards Lewis, Leona a British singer, songwriter and composer who was the winner of the third series of The X Factor the London Dungeon an interactive museum in London where infamous historical events from the British history are recreated with the help of actors and special effects the London Eye an observation wheel located by the River Thames from which it is possible to see the panoramic view of London; It was opened in 1999. Madame Tussauds a museum of wax figures in London Manhattan the smallest and the most populated district of New York City located on the island of Manhattan; the name of a county in the state of New York Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) a private polytechnic university founded in the USA in 1861; It is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Muamba, Fabrice a retired English football player who moved to England at the age of 11 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Musketeers a British TV series – an adaptation of the novel The Three Musketeers by Alexander © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition 1 VOCABULARY BANK Dumas NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration) an agency of the US Federal Government, which is responsible for the space exploration programme National Museum of Scotland a museum located in Edinburgh; It houses the collections of Scottish antiquities, culture and history as well as science and technology, natural history and world cultures. National Portrait Gallery an art museum in London Newton, Isaac an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, historian and theologian Obama, Barack an American politician; he was the 44th president of the USA (2009-2017) Obama, Michelle First Lady of the USA (2009-2017); She is a lawyer and married to Barack Obama, expresident of the USA. Oliphant, Sarah a backdrop painter who creates scenic backdrops for top photographers, film producers and fashion designers the Oscars the Academy Awards which are given by the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences every year to recognise achievements in the film industry the Oscars ceremony an event organised by the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences every year; During the ceremony, Oscars are given to the winners in 24 film categories. Oxford Street the main shopping street in London Phelps, Michael an American swimmer, 23 times Olympic champion, 26 times world champion Pirates of the Caribbean a series of American adventure films Queen Elizabeth II the head of the British Royal Family, who has been the Queen of the United Kingdom since 1953 the Roman Baths a site located in Bath; it includes buildings which were used for public bathing in the Roman times Rowling, J.K. a British writer and author of the Harry Potter series of novels the Royal Family Queen Elizabeth II and members of her close family Sally Lunn bun a type of sweet cake; it is the specialty of the town of Bath 2 Science Museum a museum in London Scotland a country located to the north of England; It is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Scottish coming from Scotland Segregation legally approved racial separation of people into ‘colored’ and ‘white’ in the USA until the middle 60’s Shakespeare, William an English playwright, poet and actor; he wrote plays, such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare’s Globe a theatre in London; It is a contemporary reconstruction of the Globe Theatre from Queen Elizabeth I and Shakespeare’s time. Somerset a county in South West England Sparrow, Jack the main character of a series of adventure films, Pirates of the Caribbean, who is played by Johnny Depp Spiderman a fictional superhero and Peter Parker’s alter ego, who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics and in many film adaptations Star Wars a famous series of science fiction films Superman a fictional superhero and Clark Kent’s alter ego, who appears in comic books and film adaptations Tate Modern a British national gallery of international contemporary art in London Thriller Michael Jackson’s 6th solo album, which is the bestselling album in history Turing, Alan a British mathematician, cryptoanalyst; he is considered to be the father of theorethical computer science and artificial intelligence Twitter a social networking site the UK the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland War Horse a war film directed by Steven Spielberg which was produced in the USA and the UK Watson, Emma a British actress and model who first appeared in the Harry Potter film series Welsh coming from Wales Wonder Woman an American action film inspired by a series of comic books about a female superhero The X Factor a reality TV programme whose aim is to find singing talents The X-Files a very popular American TV series including elements of horror, thriller, drama, mystery and supernatural The X-Men a group of fictional superheroes who appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics and in film adaptations by Marvel Studios © Pearson Education Limited Focus 2 Second Edition Accepting suggestions Regards, Contacting That sounds fantastic! I’d love to (go). people Well, it’s worth a try. Ways to contact people I suppose it’ll work. If you have any information, please contact/call/leave a message for Alison on (0961224466). Agreeing with an opinion If you are interested in …, call (John/Ms White) on (0961224466). I (completely) agree that/with … I WRITING BANK couldn’t agree more that/with … That’s fine with me. To join us, call … If you have I think so too. seen it, please … Call me on … for more details. Apologising Informal phrases I’m really sorry (that) ... Sorry to bother you. Sorry I haven’t written for so long./Sorry for not writing for so long. I’m writing to tell you how sorry I am to ... (about) … It will never happen again. Maintaining contact Drop me a line sometime. I hope to hear from you soon. Give me a call later. Let me know if you can make it or not. I was glad to hear about … Let me know as soon as possible. Formal phrases I apologise for … I lost (my bag/passport/coat/dog). Please accept my apology for … Describing features It is/was … Closing formulas: emails and letters Size huge/tiny/35cm x 25cm Informal phrases Shape round/rectangular/square/narrow Best wishes, Colour white/red and brown/light/dark green Bye for now/See you! Material made of leather/plastic/linen Love,/Take care!/All the best, Formal phrases Age n ew/young/old/six years old/modern/ancient It has/had (two handles/a leather strap/a blue cover two pockets/short sleeves/a black tail). Yours sincerely, Reasons for search I keep (all my files there). It was something I borrowed/got as a birthday present. It is of great value./It’s a really precious thing. I can’t live without it. It means a lot to me. Expressing opinion I believe/think/feel (that) … Disagreeing with an opinion I really believe (that) … I disagree that/with …/ I don’t agree that/with … In my opinion/view, …/To my mind, … I am totally against … The way I see it, … I see what you mean but … It seems/appears to me (that) … I see your point but … My opinion is that … As far as I’m afraid I can’t agree with … I am concerned, … I’m not convinced about … I don’t think it’s the best solution. Expressing preferences I really enjoy/like/love … because … 1 WRITING BANK Encouraging participation I prefer … to … I’d like to …/I hope to … 2 I find … boring/dull. I don’t like/I can’t Come on, don’t be afraid/it’s not difficult/it’s easy! stand/I really hate … It’s not really my Why don’t you come and meet some interesting people/ see some great things? thing. Come and tell us what you think. Come and have fun! Don’t miss it! Giving advice You should/ought to … You’d better … Ending emails and letters If I were you, I would … It might be a Informal phrases good idea (for you) to … Why don’t you It was good to hear from you. …? Email me soon. Have you thought of/about …? I’d better get going./I must be going now./Got to go now. Looking forward to your news/to hearing from you again. Say hello to … Give my love/my regards to (everyone at home). I’d like to invite you to … I’d like you to come … Have a nice (trip). Would you come to …? If you want, you can bring a friend. See you (soon/in the summer). I’m writing to invite you to (Madrid/my party). Write soon. I’m having (a party). Keep in touch! I hope you’ll be able to join us/to make it. Formal phrases You are welcome to … Join I look forward to hearing from you/your reply. us today! I hope to hear from you soon. Come and meet me … Why don’t you come …? I’m sorry, but I can’t join you. I’m not really into … I’ve got some Making requests and enquiries Informal phrases Can you …, please?/Could you …? doubts about it. I don’t see how it could work. Actually, I would prefer not to. Do you think you could …? Let me know if you can (come). Starting emails and letters Could you tell me …? Informal phrases Formal phrases It was good to hear from you. Would it be possible for you to …? I hope you’re doing well/you’re fine/you’re OK. I’d be grateful if you could … WRITING BANK I wonder if I could ask you to/for … I’m writing to ask for your help/advice … How are things with you? I’m writing to enquire about … I’m writing to tell you … Thanks for Making suggestions your letter. I think I/you/we should (go to) … Perhaps I wonder if you remember/have heard … I I/you/we could (go to) … wanted to/must tell you about … What do you think about (going to) …? I just wanted to ask/remind/thank you … What/How about (going to) …? Just a quick email to tell you … Neutral How do you feel about …? Would you like me to …? Why don’t we (go) …? Let’s (go to) … Shall we (go phrases I am writing to thank you for … Telling a story It all happened some time ago. to) …? It was three years ago. Do you fancy (going to) … ? While I (was playing), … Opening formulas: emails and letters First, Informal phrases Then, Dear Margaret, Finally, Hi Anne, Suddenly, Neutral phrases Unfortunately, Dear Mr and Mrs Edwards, Fortunately, Dear Ms Brennon, It was the best/worst time ever. We had a great/awful time when we were … Refusing suggestions It doesn’t sound very good. I don’t think I fancy it. Thanking Informal phrases Thank you so much. It was so/really/very kind of you to … Neutral phrases I really appreciate your help. Thank you for sending it back to me. I am really grateful for your help. Thank you for doing me a favour. It’s very kind of you.
