Topic Vocabulary & Exercises
VOCABULARY
Topic Vocabulary:
build-up (noun [c]):
Definition: The growth of excitement or tension before a big event.
Example: There was a lot of build-up and excitement before the big concert.
community spirit (noun phrase):
Definition: The feeling of togetherness and support among members of a community.
Example: The community spirit was evident at the fundraising event for the local school.
costume (noun [c]):
Definition: Clothes worn for a particular occasion or event, often representing a particular character or theme.
Example: She wore a pirate costume to the Halloween party.
dress up (phrasal verb):
Definition: To wear formal or fancy clothes for a special occasion or event.
Example: They dressed up in their best outfits for the wedding ceremony.
exchange gifts (verb phrase):
Definition: To give and receive presents or gifts as a gesture of goodwill or celebration.
Example: They exchanged gifts on Christmas morning and shared a special moment together.
feast (noun [c]):
Definition: A large and elaborate meal, often shared with friends or family for a special occasion or celebration.
Example: They prepared a feast for Thanksgiving and invited all their loved ones to share the meal.
flamboyant (adjective):
Definition: Someone or something that is very showy or extravagant, often to get attention or to be noticed.
Example: The singer's flamboyant costume and energetic performance wowed the audience.
float (noun [c]):
Definition: A decorated vehicle or platform that is used in a parade for entertainment or display purposes.
Example: The float representing the local sports team was a hit with the crowd during the parade.
heritage (noun [u]):
Definition: The traditions, customs and objects that are handed down from generation to generation in a culture.
Example: The museum's exhibit showcases the city's rich cultural heritage.
let your hair down (idiom):
Definition: To relax and be yourself without worrying about what others might think.
Example: After a week of hard work, she decided to let her hair down and have some fun at the party.
live (adjective):
Definition: To experience something in real-time, not recorded.
Example: Do you want to watch the live broadcast of the concert, or would you rather see a recording?
long weekend (noun phrase):
Definition: A period of time, typically three or four days, that includes a weekend and a holiday or special event.
Example: They're planning to take advantage of the long weekend and go on a road trip.
parade (noun [c]):
Definition: A special event where a group of people, often in colourful costumes, walk together.
Example: We watched the annual Christmas parade and enjoyed the festive atmosphere and colourful decorations.
pass down (phrasal verb):
Definition: Traditions or practices that are handed down from one generation to the next.
Example: The family recipe for apple pie has been passed down through generations.
reveller (noun [c]):
Definition: Someone who enjoys celebrating and having fun, often at a party or a festival.
Example: The revellers at the New Year's Eve party danced and sang until midnight.
roots (noun [pl]):
Definition: The place or culture that a person or thing originally comes from.
Example: Even though she was born in a different country, she still feels connected to her roots.
sound system (noun):
Definition: A set of speakers and other electronic equipment used to amplify and play music or other sounds.
Example: The DJ had a powerful sound system that made the music sound amazing.
stall (noun [c]):
Definition: A small, simple structure used for selling things at a market or fair.
Example: The market had many stalls selling fruits, vegetables, and handmade crafts.
street vendor (noun phrase):
Definition: Someone who sells goods or services on the street, often from a small cart or a stand.
Example: The street vendor sold fresh fruits and vegetables from his cart on the corner.
the life and soul of the party (idiom):
Definition: The person who brings a lot of energy, fun, and excitement to a social event.
Example: Tom is always the life and soul of the party as he knows how to make everyone laugh.
Exercise 1: Multiple-Choice Exercise
Choose the best vocabulary word to complete each sentence.
1. The yearly village fair is important to building ___________ among the villagers.
a) parade
b) reveller
c) community spirit
2. The dancers wore ___________ costumes during their performance.
a) float
b) flamboyant
c) dress up
3. During the long weekend, families gathered for a festive ___________.
a) feast
b) heritage
c) build-up
4. The ___________ set up stalls selling handmade crafts.
a) businessmen
b) street vendors
c) revellers
5. The land has been ___________ from one generation to the next for 240 years.
a) passed down
b) lived on
c) inherited
6. He’s normally so serious but he ___________ at the Christmas party.
a) dressed up
b) let his hair down
c) life and soul of the party
7. He didn’t have a ___________ for the fancy dress party.
a) costume
b) sound system
c) float
8. Her great grandmother’s ring was an important part of the family ___________.
a) roots
b) history
c) heritage
9. The ___________ continued dancing until 5am the next morning.
a) dancers
b) dj’s
c) revellers
Exercise 2: Gap-fill Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word from the list provided below.
1. The ___________ for the upcoming festival is getting everyone excited.
2. The ___________ featured colourful floats and lively music.
3. The community gathered for a potluck ___________ to celebrate the holiday.
4. To experience the local culture, visitors can explore the ___________ markets.
5. For Halloween, kids love to ___________ as their favourite characters.
6. The staff weren’t at work on Monday because it was a ___________.
7. The music from the ___________ echoed through the entire festival grounds.
8. During the holiday season, it's common to ___________ gifts with friends and family.
9. Street vendors set up colourful ___________ to sell handmade crafts.
10. He caught everyone's attention thanks to his ___________ costume.
Exercise 3: Matching Exercise
Match words from A with words from B to form noun phrases and phrasal verbs.
A
community
dress
exchange
long
pass
sound
street
B
weekend
up
system
gifts
vendor
down
spirit
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Read and listen to speaking test model answers using this vocabulary
Vocabulary Answer Key:
Exercise 1: 1c, 2b, 3a, 4b, 5a, 6b, 7a, 8c, 9c
Exercise 2: 1. build-up, 2. parade, 3. feast, 4. street, 5. dress up, 6. long weekend, 7. sound system, 8. exchange, 9. stalls, 10. Flamboyant
Exercise 3: community spirit, dress up, exchange gifts, long weekend, pass down, sound system, street vendor