Improving English with News Headlines

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Questions and Answers

What does the phrase 'where did the board land' inquire about?

The future plans of the board

The board's location during the meeting

The final decision made by the board (correct)

The disagreements within the board

What does 'hashing out' typically involve?

Making a public announcement

Creating a infographic

Discussing something thoroughly to reach an agreement (correct)

Ignoring complex details

In what scenario might one use the phrase 'where did the conversation land'?

To analyze the participants of the conversation

To evaluate the tone of the discussion

To determine the conclusion or outcome of the discussion (correct)

To discuss the location of the conversation

What does the term 'Tech futurist' refer to?

A person who predicts the future of technology Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of a 'wonk'?

They dedicate a significant amount of time to studying a subject Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a debate to 'turn into a saga'?

It becomes a long, complicated, dramatic story Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'docs' refer to?

A collection of documents Signup and view all the answers

In everyday context, what might someone 'hash out'?

A vacation plan Signup and view all the answers

What type of event might 'Tech wonks' be concerned about?

A conference about technology Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase is a synonym for 'aired out' in the context provided?

Discussed openly Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the meaning of the word 'relented'?

To change one's decision or opinion Signup and view all the answers

In the context of discussing 'Tech', which of the following is true?

Tech can refer to any form of technology Signup and view all the answers

Which statement captures the essence of discussing something thoroughly?

Going in-depth and covering all aspects Signup and view all the answers

In what context did Kumari mention her sister encroaching on her table?

While discussing personal space Signup and view all the answers

What does the verb 'swing' refer to in the context of the election?

To influence or change outcomes Signup and view all the answers

How did a player’s injury affect the game?

It swung the game in favor of the opposing team. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'a handful of chocolates' imply?

A small quantity of chocolates Signup and view all the answers

What is intended by 'swing my English fluency'?

To change or improve English proficiency Signup and view all the answers

When will the lesson covering the news article on the debate be available?

Tomorrow at about 9 o'clock Eastern time Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase 'without any doubts' as used by Mr. TJ?

To show complete agreement Signup and view all the answers

How can watching the YouTube live session benefit viewers?

It will swing their speaking skills positively. Signup and view all the answers

What action does the speaker encourage viewers to take if they enjoyed the lesson?

Like the video and subscribe Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker plan to do after watching the debate?

Review the debate in a future lesson Signup and view all the answers

What does the verb 'hire' mean in the context of employment?

To give someone a job Signup and view all the answers

What does 'in a bid to do something' imply?

In an attempt to achieve a goal Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about 'cut into' is correct?

It means to reduce or encroach upon something Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the word 'encroach'?

To take control slowly Signup and view all the answers

When are articles omitted in news headlines?

To reduce length and increase clarity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phrases sounds natural in everyday speech?

I am improving my English to get hired. Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'handful of' refer to?

A small number or few Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'margins' in the context mentioned?

The difference in votes between candidates Signup and view all the answers

Which situation best describes someone 'cutting into' something?

A project budget being exceeded Signup and view all the answers

In what context is 'in a bid to' most appropriately used?

Formal or technical discussions Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between 'hired' and 'to be hired'?

One is the past tense; the other indicates ongoing action Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'relent' mean in the context of the discussion?

To agree after resisting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of encroachment?

Taking over a friend's desk space Signup and view all the answers

Which expression is considered less formal than 'in a bid to'?

To Signup and view all the answers

In which verb tense is the sentence 'Harris relents' written?

Present simple Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'muting' in the context provided?

To turn off the sound Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the use of 'push' in the phrase 'made an unsuccessful push'?

An attempt or effort Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a microphone is 'left on'?

The sound can be heard Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using news headlines in the lesson?

To improve vocabulary and grammar Signup and view all the answers

How is 'Harris' identified in the transcript?

As the last name of a candidate Signup and view all the answers

Which verb form is required after the preposition 'on' in the expression 'relent on'?

Present participle Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of media does the lesson primarily address?

Language use in a natural context Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about Kamala Harris's stance on muting debate microphones?

She initially resisted the idea of them being unmuted Signup and view all the answers

Which expression describes someone who ultimately agrees after initial refusal?

Give in Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to influence someone in the context provided?

To affect their decision-making process Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'hot mic'?

An active microphone that is broadcasting sound Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker encourage students to do during the lesson?

Participate and ask questions Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'she made an unsuccessful push' indicates what about Harris's efforts?

They failed to achieve the goal Signup and view all the answers

In the provided examples, how is the term 'saga' best defined?

A dramatic series of events Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence correctly uses 'turn into'?

The renovation project turned into a successful venture. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'the debate takes place tonight'?

The debate will occur on the same day Signup and view all the answers

How should 'their children' be correctly referred to, according to the context?

Their kids Signup and view all the answers

What does 'push yourself' generally imply in the context provided?

To encourage your own growth and learning Signup and view all the answers

Which example correctly demonstrates how parents influence their children?

Parents encourage their children to study hard. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'landed' refer to in the sentence context?

To have arrived at a destination Signup and view all the answers

Which statement uses the word 'saga' correctly?

His journey was a saga of triumphs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'the United States' as mentioned?

It requires an article unlike other country names. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'encouraging yourself' entail in this context?

Motivating oneself to achieve personal goals Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario might a situation 'turn into a saga'?

When it becomes unexpectedly complex and prolonged Signup and view all the answers

Why might someone 'push' their friend to do something?

To help them achieve a goal they value Signup and view all the answers

What criteria must be met to be considered a 'wonk' according to the discussion?

Being obsessed with a subject and spending a lot of time on it. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'air something out'?

To discuss issues, thoughts, or feelings openly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary emotion that 'unease' describes?

Discomfort. Signup and view all the answers

In the context given, which sentence best illustrates the correct use of 'uneasy'?

I feel uneasy about my exam today. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a 'music wonk'?

A person who spends extensive time engaged with music. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between the terms 'unease' and 'uneasy'?

'Unease' is a noun and 'uneasy' is an adjective. Signup and view all the answers

How is the word 'air' categorized in the phrase 'to air out'?

A phrasal verb. Signup and view all the answers

What is commonly produced in society during elections?

Discomfort and anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase would indicate an English wonk?

I study English grammar for hours daily. Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement 'I feel uneasy about speaking to people' express?

A feeling of discomfort with social interaction. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an incorrect use of the word 'wonk'?

She is a casual wonk about travel. Signup and view all the answers

Which word is associated with the idea of bringing unpleasant issues into discussion?

Air out. Signup and view all the answers

What might cause feelings of unease prior to an event?

Dealing with change. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best matches the sentiment expressed by 'I have unease about the upcoming exam'?

I am worried about it. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Using News Headlines to Improve English

Relent means to finally agree to do something after resisting or opposing it.
- Example: The child initially said no to eating vegetables, but eventually relented after seeing their favorite character eat them on TV.
Push as a noun means a strong attempt or effort to achieve something.
- Example: The student made a push to get a perfect score on the test by studying extra hard.
Saga means a long, complicated and often dramatic series of events or stories.
- Example: The family's holiday trip turned into a saga when their car broke down in the middle of nowhere.
- Common examples: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars
Hot mic refers to a working or active microphone.
- The opposite is a muted mic, meaning there's no sound coming from it.
Land (on) means to reach a particular point or conclusion about something.
- Example: The friends finally landed on a movie to watch after debating for hours.
Hash out is a phrasal verb meaning to discuss something thoroughly, often with the goal of reaching an agreement or finding a solution.
- Example: The roommates hashed out their differences about chore division to create a fair system.
Wonk is a noun referring to a person who enjoys deeply studying a specific topic.
- They spend an excessive amount of time on it compared to the average person, often becoming an expert or specialist.
- It is not simply liking or enjoying a hobby, but an obsessive level of dedication.
Air out is a phrasal verb meaning to bring personal thoughts, feelings, or issues into the open for discussion.
- Example: The couple decided to air out their relationship struggles in couples therapy to work towards a resolution.
Unease is a noun describing a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.
- Example: The student felt a surge of unease when the teacher called on them to answer a question in class.
Tech is short for technology.
Vs. or V are both abbreviations used in news headlines for versus.

Unease vs Uneasy

Unease is a noun that represents feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or worry.
Uneasy is an adjective used to describe someone who feels discomfort, anxiety, or worry.

Wonk

A wonk is a noun used to describe someone who is very knowledgeable or passionate about a specific topic.
You can describe someone as a 'music wonk' if they are extremely passionate about music.
You would add the noun 'wonk' after the specific topic.

Hiring

To hire someone means to give someone a job.
'Hired' is the past simple tense of the verb 'to hire'.
You can also say 'to be hired', which means to be selected by a company to have a specific job.

Bid

'In a bid to' is a formal expression that means 'in an attempt to' or 'in an effort to'.
This expression is frequently used in the media, especially in professional or more formal contexts.
In everyday speech, it is more natural to replace 'in a bid to' with 'to'.

Cut Into

'Cut into' means to reduce or to encroach on something, which means to slowly take control or possession.
This expression can be used figuratively to describe reducing a fund, such as a vacation fund.

Rural

Rural describes an area that is in the countryside, as opposed to an urban area or city.
It refers to areas with large properties, farms, and a lower population density.

Margin (Politics)

Margin refers to how much someone is ahead in a political race or how much they control the vote.
It's represented as a percentage, share, or allocation.

Handful

A handful means a small number of something.
It can be interpreted as a positive or negative thing depending on the context.

Swing

'To swing' means to influence or change the outcome of something.
It's often used figuratively in politics to describe the impact of certain events or groups on the election results.
It can also be used in contexts that indicate a change in the results or outcomes of sporting events, baking contests, and more.

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Description

This quiz focuses on expanding your English vocabulary using current news headlines. You'll explore key terms and their meanings through engaging examples. Enhance your language skills while staying informed about the world.