Theory

Pronunciation

discerning - /dɪˈsɝː.nɪŋ/

comprise - /kəmˈpraɪz/

reiterate - /riˈɪt.ər.eɪt/

salient - /ˈseɪ.li.ənt/

reconcile - /ˈrek.ən.saɪl/ Be careful! Reiterate is pronounced with ɪ in the first syllable. Reconcile is pronounced with e in the first syllable.

Exercise 1

Complete the gaps and watch the clip to check your answer.

• "You … (read) all the Slayer lore there is, right?" "I … (study) all the extant volumes, of course. But the most … (important) books of Slayer prophecy have been lost...”

• "It should be no cause for concern and you should not at all be worried. Well, we've received a number of letters urging us not to grant you tenure. Let me … (repeat), no cause for concern.”

• "At the same time as trying to lead a good life, I have to … (find a way in which two opposed situations exist together) myself with the fact that, yes, I have killed people.”

• “Handbags and leather accessories for the … (refined, picky) lady.”

• "We must remember that these stones … (account for) only a small percentage of the legitimate diamond industry whose trade is crucial to the economies of many emerging nations.”

• "The Prime Minister often finds that a brief verbatim summary clarifies the emphasis and focuses on the … (most important) points.”

• "My conscience, and I hope yours, simply cannot … (find a way in which two opposed beliefs exist together) executing a mentally disabled man, whether he was officially pronounced as such or not. We have to be better than that…”

• “Whiskey, please" "Any particular sort?" "Large" "Oh, … (refined, picky)."

• "Ok, if I can't alter the dress, I'll alter myself. I'll diet. I've never done it before but how hard can it be?" ”Yeah, the fact that weight-loss products … (account for) a billion-dollar industry is probably just a funny coincidence.”

• "To … (repeat), there is simply no evidence of foul play." "She wouldn't run away." "Her bag is missing. Her favorite teddy bear is gone." "I told you. She was offered a job. Someone has taken her.”

Exercise 2

Let’s practice! Complete the dialogues:

1. “Very often, film-makers and readers … (repeat) the point that "it's a fictional movie, not a documentary" (link)

2. “Visible light … (accounts for) only a minute fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum.” (link)

3. How do we … (find a way in which two opposed beliefs exist together) the seemingly contradictory notions of cutting taxes and balancing the budget? (link)

4. “… (refined) drinkers are buying crateloads of pricey craft ales made on a small scale in a fast-growing collection of microbreweries.” (link)

5. “Chronic fatigue is also one of the … (most important) symptoms of depression.”

6. “Just to … (repeat) a point I've made before, none of this reflects actual economic theory.” (link)

7. “She began to summarize the … (most important) points of the proposal.” (link)

8. “The simple system, which … (consists of) a bucket with a thin hose attached to a nozzle, can clean a million gallons of water.” (link)

9. How can you … (find a way in which two opposed situations exist together) your fur coat and/with your love of animals? (link)

10. We offer tailor-made holidays to suit the more … (picky) travellers.

11. “Despite the warnings — House Speaker John Boehner said Obama called him last week to … (repeat) that there would be no compromise on the debt ceiling.” (link) debt ceiling - The United States debt ceiling or debt limit is a legislative limit on the amount of national debt that can be incurred by the U.S. (acc. en.wikipedia.org)

12. “If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity to pitch to our panel of … (perceptive) judges from the investment community and an audience of your peers.” (link)

13. “The article presented the … (most important) facts of the dispute clearly and concisely.” (link)