Unit 15 · Interchange Upper Intermediate Vocabulary List

to formally forbid something from being done, particularly by law

"The law prohibits underage drinking."

"School rules prohibit students from using their mobile phones during class unless it is an emergency situation."

not having a legal or official romantic partner

"He is unmarried now."

"The unmarried woman focused on her career and traveled around the world."

the activity of jumping down from a flying plane with a parachute

"Skydiving and parachuting."

"Parachuting out of an airplane requires courage and proper training to land safely on the ground."

not being taken care of or looked after, especially due to a lack of attention or absence of a responsible person

"The bag was left unattended."

"The unattended bag at the airport caused a security scare and the police evacuated the terminal until they could examine it."

to act in a specific way in order to make others believe that something is the case when actually it is not so

"Children pretend to be superheroes often."

"The little boy likes to pretend that he is a brave knight fighting a fierce dragon."

preventing sound from entering or leaving a room or space, typically through the use of special materials or construction techniques

"The studio is soundproof."

"The soundproof studio was perfect for recording music because no outside noise could disturb the session."

a person, entity, or organization that possesses, controls, or has legal rights to something

"The dog waits for its owner to return."

"The owner of the small bookstore knew every regular customer by their first name."

a long piece of rope, leather strap or light chain used for guiding and controlling a dog or other animals

"Strong dog leash."

"She bought a strong dog leash to walk her large pet safely in the city."

a hard hat worn by soldiers, bikers, etc. for protection

"The helmet protected him."

"The bicyclist always wears a helmet to protect his head in case he falls or gets hit by a car."

causing a lot of strong public disagreement or discussion

"A controversial decision."

"The controversial decision to build the factory near the school angered many parents and teachers in the community."

to use power or influence to frighten or harm someone weaker or more vulnerable

"Do not bully smaller children."

"Older students should not bully younger ones because it causes serious emotional harm and creates a hostile school environment."

the fact or condition of not having a home

"Homelessness is increasing."

"The city built several new shelters to address the growing homelessness problem among veterans and families."

the process of picking up garbage and waste from households or public areas for disposal or recycling

"Trash collection is every Tuesday."

"Trash collection is every Tuesday and residents must put their bins out by seven in the morning."

the absence or insufficiency of something, often implying a deficiency or shortage

"There is a lack of water."

"The severe lack of funding meant that the research project could not be completed as planned."

having a price that a person can pay without experiencing financial difficulties

"The price is affordable."

"The affordable apartment was within her budget so she signed the lease and moved in the next week."

any unwanted or excessive sound that may cause harm or disturbance to human or animal life

"Noise pollution from the road makes it hard to sleep."

"The constant noise pollution from the nearby construction site made it difficult to concentrate."

(of a space or area) filled with too many people or things, causing discomfort or lack of space

"The bus is overcrowded."

"The small apartment felt extremely overcrowded with so many guests staying overnight."

an unlawful act that is punishable by the legal system

"Stealing is a serious crime."

"The police are investigating a serious crime that happened downtown last night."

the illegal act of purposefully damaging a property belonging to another person or organization

"The park has been ruined by senseless vandalism."

"Vandalism of a cultural site is considered a serious criminal offense in many countries"

someone who is elected to be the head of a town or city

"The mayor leads the city."

"The mayor is the elected head of a municipal government"

capable of convincing others to do or believe something particular

"She is persuasive."

"The persuasive salesman convinced me to buy the extended warranty even though I knew that I probably would not need it."

the act of using someone else's work or ideas without giving them proper credit or permission

"The student was expelled for plagiarism."

"The student was expelled for plagiarism because he copied his entire paper from an online source."

the act of looking after children, especially while their parents are working

"The employer provides onsite childcare."

"The employer provides onsite childcare so parents can work without worrying about their children."

the health services and treatments given to people

"Good healthcare system is very important."

"Access to affordable healthcare is a major concern for many families who struggle to pay for insurance premiums doctor visits and prescription medications."

a country's rules that all of its citizens are required to obey

"Everyone must follow law."

"The new law was passed by parliament to protect the environment and reduce pollution in major cities."

to make or accept a law by voting or by decree

"They will pass the law."

"The legislature is expected to pass the amendment after considerable debate and public consultation."

forbidden by the law

"This action is illegal."

"It is illegal to drive without a valid license and you could go to jail if you get caught."

a bird with short legs and a short beak which typically has gray and white feathers

"A pigeon pecked at crumbs."

"Pigeons have an excellent memory for faces and can recognize people who have treated them kindly or badly even after several months have passed."

a means of transportation used to carry people or goods from one place to another, typically on roads or tracks

"The vehicle stopped."

"The electric vehicle can travel over four hundred kilometers on a single charge making it practical for long distance driving without frequent stops for recharging."

instructions or guidelines that determine how a game or sport is played

"Follow the game rule."

"The first rule of the competition is that all work must be original because plagiarism results in immediate disqualification without any exceptions or appeals."

a rule made by the government, an authority, etc. to control or govern something within a particular area

"The new regulation affects all drivers."

"The new safety regulations require all construction workers to wear hard hats and protective boots."

to set a piece of equipment in place and make it ready for use

"We install the new TV."

"The technicians will install the advanced security system by tomorrow morning."

to allow something or someone to do something

"The law does not permit this."

"The new visa policy will permit tourists to stay in the country for up to ninety days without applying for an extension."

waste such as bottles, papers, etc. that people throw on a sidewalk, park, or other public place

"Please do not drop litter."

"Litter is waste that people dispose of improperly in public places"

a group of people who live in the same area

"Our community organizes helpful activities."

"The local community organized a food drive collecting donations for families who lost their homes in the recent apartment building fire."

problems or difficulties that arise, especially in relation to a service or facility, which require resolution or attention

"This is an issue."

"The company is working to resolve the technical issue that has been preventing customers from accessing their online accounts."

not meeting the expected level of quality, skill, or ability

"The food was inadequate."

"His performance in the exam was inadequate, failing to meet the required standard."

not conforming to established rules, patterns, or norms

"The verb is irregular."

"His heartbeat was irregular so the doctor sent him to a specialist for further tests and a thorough examination of his heart."

(with reference to an animal) lost or wandered away from its home or natural habitat

"A stray dog."

"The veterinarian was concerned about the stray cat's health and lack of shelter."

toward the side and away from the main path

"Step aside please."

"Step aside please so that the paramedics can get through with the stretcher for the injured patient."

to think that something is probably true, especially something bad, without having proof

"I suspect he is lying."

"The detective began to suspect that the witness was withholding crucial information about the incident."

ready for being used or acquired

"The book is available."

"We checked online to see if there were any available hotel rooms for the weekend, but everything was booked."

to do a particular thing that is unlawful or wrong

"He did not commit a crime."

"It is imperative that individuals do not commit any acts of vandalism or violence."

several and of different types or kinds

"We have various options."

"There are various ways to cook eggs including boiling frying scrambling and poaching each with a different texture and flavor."

a piece of writing about a particular subject on a website, in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication

"Read the article."

"The journalist published an insightful article detailing the complex socio-economic factors at play."

a thing or all the things that a person owns

"This is their property."

"The new zoning laws will significantly impact the development of residential property in the area."

a book or a document that supplies information in a research and is referred to

"What is your source here?"

"A reliable source of information is essential when writing an academic essay or conducting scientific research."

(of different elements) to come together in order to shape a single unit or a group

"They combine."

"The two companies decided to combine their resources to create a stronger market presence."

to go close or closer to something or someone

"Please approach cautiously."

"As the storm intensified, the rescue team decided to approach the damaged structure with extreme caution."

a phenomenon or event that follows from and is caused by a previous action or occurrence

"Serious consequence followed."

"The consequence of not paying your bills on time is that your credit score will drop and future loans will be more expensive or harder to get."