Straightforward B2 Upper Intermediate Vocabulary, Lesson 5D

First date taught: 27 Sept 2023

5D – Bookworm

Theme: Reading habits, what you read, and book clubs. Learning about Oprah Winfrey.

dry read – When referring to reading, “dry” is used to describe texts that are considered dull or uninteresting.

chore – a task that you must do but that you find unpleasant or boring, often is menial
like a chore – if something becomes a chore, this means that a task or a small job was fun and enjoyable at the beginning but became boring and repetitive over time. These tasks that were optional or voluntary become obligatory, a person feels like they have no choice but to continue doing these tasks.

burnt out / burn out (ph.v) [B2] – to tire due to overwork; to become sick or very tired from working too hard

on the tip of my tongue (idiom) – if a word or name is on the tip of your tongue, you are sure that you know it but you cannot remember it

lost his love of smth – referring to no longer having passion for an activity that you used to be very passionate about

curate (v) – to select things such as documents, music, products, or internet content to be included as part of a list or collection, or on a website

patron of the library (n) – a customer or a supporter; a person who uses a particular shop, restaurant, hotel, etc., especially regularly

bookmobile (n) – a large road vehicle that travels around, especially in smaller towns or areas far away from towns, carrying books for people to borrow

community outreach (n.ph.) – The act or practice of visiting and providing the services (of a charity or other organization) to people in a community who might not otherwise have access to those services.

I digress (v) – to move away from the main subject you are writing or talking about and to write or talk about something else

New York Times Best Seller – a list of books released each week which reflect sales based on the previous week, put out by the New York Times, it is prestigious and is meant to reflect the popularity of certain books based on those sales

Pulitzer Prize – an award for an achievement in American journalism, literature, or music. There are thirteen made each year.

John Newbery Award – frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of “the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”

Several different seals on books recognizing Prizes or Awards presented to books.

The Booker Prize – formerly the Booker Prize for Fiction (1969–2001) and the Man Booker Prize (2002–2019), is a literary award conferred each year for the best novel written in the English language, which was published in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The winner of the Booker Prize receives international publicity that usually leads to a sales boost.

compelling (adj) – very exciting and interesting and making you want to continue to watch, read or listen; A performance, painting, or other work of art is compelling when it has unusual power to hold your attention

outstanding (adj) [B2] – clearly very much better than what is usual

bevelled (adj) – having a sloping edge or surface
Example: A picture frame often has bevelled edges.

steer you wrong (v) [C1] – to control the direction in which a boat, car, etc. moves

lent a lot of credence to…
lent (v) – [as in lend something (to somebody/something)] to give a particular quality to a person or a situation
credence (n) – a quality that an idea or a story has that makes you believe it is true
Example: Historical evidence lends credence to his theory.

upheld a standard (v) [C1] – uphold something to support something that you think is right and make sure that it continues to exist
standard (n) [B1] – a level of quality, especially one that people think is acceptable

vice versa (adv) – used to say that the opposite of what you have just said is also true

gone under-the-radar (adj) – ignored or not noticed much by people in general

by word of mouth (idiom) – because people tell each other and not because they read about it

“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”
you shouldn’t judge someone or something based only on what you see on the outside or only on what you perceive without knowing the full situation.

high-risk (adj) – involving greater than usual financial risk
high-risk, high reward – meaning that when you take a greater financial risk, you have faith that it will lead to a greater financial outcome

crapshoot (n) – A venture with a highly risky or unpredictable outcome.

cult classics (n) – something, typically a film or book, that is popular or fashionable among a particular group or section of society.

tea snob (n) – a person who thinks they are much better than other people because they are intelligent or like things that many people do not like

alternative medicine (n) – any type of treatment that does not use the usual scientific methods of Western medicine, for example one using plants instead of artificial drugs

shenanigans (n) – silly or high-spirited behaviour; mischief

note-worthy (adj) – worth paying attention to; interesting or significant.

striking (adj) – of that which makes a strong impression.

attention-grabbing (adj) – attracting people’s notice; striking

epitome (n) – (of a class of items) The embodiment or encapsulation of.
(of a class of items) A representative example.
Example: She won many battles and represented the epitome of female power.

“to be an open book”
If someone is an open book, it is easy to know what they are thinking and feeling.
Similar: read smb like a book

jarring (adj) – a jarring sight, sound, or experience is so different or unexpected that it has a strong and unpleasant effect on something or someone

target audience (n.ph) – the particular group of people to which an advertisement, a product, a website or a television or radio programme is directed

mature audience (n) – a program which has specifically been designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17, as it likely includes adult or mature themes

make light of the situation (phrase) [C2] – to behave as if a situation, especially a problem, is not serious or important

find humor in it (n) – the quality in something that makes it funny; the ability to laugh at things that are funny

give it a read (ph.v) – when you want someone to go over something you have written or shared with them

irreverant (adj) – disrespectful, cynical, cavilling, querulous, or vulgar, where one’s own feelings, or especially deference to the feelings of others, customarily command silence, discretion, and circumspection.

celebrity status (n) – the prominence of film star, footballer, musician etc who is constantly photographed and written about in tabloids and magazines

in the limelight (n) – public attention and interest

“oldest trick in the book”
a way of tricking someone that is still effective although it has been used a lot before;
Similar: to use every trick in the book

what that entailed (v) – to involve or make something necessary

overhaul (n or v) – to completely change something, especially by getting rid of some people or things and replacing them with others

pillar of the community (n) – a strong supporter of something; an important member of something
Example: He was the local magistrate and a pillar of the community.

“to be / go by the book”
strictly according to the rules.

an American Institution (n) [B2] – a custom or system that has existed for a long time among a particular group of people

enmeshed (v) – to wrap or tangle (someone or something) in a net — usually used as (be) enmeshed — often used figuratively

surge (n) [C1] – a sudden and great increase

resurgence (n) – a new increase of activity or interest in a particular subject or idea that had been forgotten for some time

duet a tiktok – Duet function allows you to post your video side-by-side with a video from another creator on TikTok. A Duet contains two videos in a split screen that play at the same time.

Oprah Winfrey: Oprah Winfrey is an Emmy Award–winning talk show host, media executive, Academy Award–nominated actress, and philanthropist. The Oprah Winfrey Show, often referred to as The Oprah Show or simply Oprah, is an American daytime syndicated talk show that aired nationally for 25 seasons and reached 15 million people a day. The show aired from September 8, 1986, to May 25, 2011, in Chicago, Illinois. At 19, she became the first female African American news anchor in Nashville.

Jerry Springer: Jerry Springer debuted on September 30, 1991. It started as a politically oriented talk show, a longer version of Springer’s commentaries. However, the program was unsuccessful in ratings in its first seasons due to its focus on more political issues. This led to an overhaul of the structure which by the mid-1990s led to the show as it is known now, filled with controversial topics (such as incest and adultery), profanity, physical fights (involving a mixture of boxing and wrestling), nudity, scantily clad guests and flashing audience members. The Jerry Springer show aired from September 30, 1991, to July 26, 2018 for 27 seasons.

Maury Povich: Veteran TV journalist Maury Povich tackles volatile issues with his guests and studio audience on this daily, hourlong tabloid talk show. Known widely for offering guests the chance to take DNA tests to prove or disprove paternity — usually with guests breaking out in tears of joy or sorrow — Povich’s show also frequently utilizes lie-detector tests. Cheaters and out-of-control teens are often featured on the show, and episodes occasionally focus on outrageous moments that have been captured on video.

Dr. Phil: Dr. Phil is an American talk show created by Oprah Winfrey and the host Phil McGraw. After McGraw’s segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil debuted on September 16, 2002. On both shows, McGraw offers advice in the form of “life strategies” from his life experience as a clinical and forensic psychologist. The show is in syndication throughout the United States and several other countries. Occasional prime-time specials have aired on CBS. Dr. Phil debuted on September 16, 2002 and the final episode aired on May 25, 2023, running for 22 seasons.

daytime television (n) – a block of television programming taking place during the late-morning and afternoon on weekdays

sensationalize (v) – to present information in a way that tries to make it as shocking or exciting as possible

high standards/principles (phrase) – very good or very moral standards

baby mama (n) – the mother of a child, who is not married to or in a relationship with the child’s father (also: baby daddy)

taboo (n) – a subject, word, or action that is avoided for religious or social reasons

societal norms (n) [C1] – an accepted standard or a way of behaving or doing things (in a society) that most people agree with

fleet of cars (n) [C1] – a group of planes, buses, taxis, etc. travelling together or owned by the same organization

tabloid talkshow (n) – a form of tabloid journalism. Tabloid television news broadcasting usually incorporate flashy graphics and sensationalized stories. Often, there is a heavy emphasis on crime and celebrity news.

marginalized (adj) [C2] – (of a person or group) prevented from participating fully in social, economic and political life because of a lack of access to rights, resources and opportunities
minorities (n) [B2] – a small group within a community or country that is different because of race, religion, language, etc.

classical vs. contemporary
classical (adj) [C2] – traditional in style or form, or based on methods developed over a long period of time, and considered to be of lasting value
contemporary (adj) [B2] – existing or happening now, and therefore seeming modern

phenomenon (n) [C1] – something that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially something unusual or interesting

craze / fad (n) – a style, activity, or interest that is very popular for a short period of time

literary circles
inner circle (n) – the small group of people who control an organization, political party, etc.

suspended vs. expelled
suspended (v) [C1] – to officially prevent somebody from doing their job, going to school, etc. for a time, as a punishment or while a complaint against them is investigated
expelled (v) – to officially make somebody leave a school or an organization

ran / run / running away from home (ph.v) – to leave home suddenly; to escape from a place

hang out with (ph.v) [B1] – to spend a lot of time in a place or with someone

it in a nutshell (idiom) – basic synopsis; very briefly, giving only the main points

popular kids club

well-regarded / high regard / well-respected – used to describe someone or something about which people have a good opinion