44 terms
Top Notch 3 - Unit 4 with Supplementary Vocabulary
fiction
(n: not countable) a story based on imagination and not on fact
Ex.: The Harry Potter books are my favorite examples of fiction.
Ex.: The Harry Potter books are my favorite examples of fiction.
a novel
(n: countable) a long work of fiction
Ex.: The last time I read a novel was in high school. I have no time to read them now.
Ex.: The last time I read a novel was in high school. I have no time to read them now.
a mystery
(n: countable) a story, film, or play in which events take place that are not explained until the end, especially a crime such as murder
Ex.: Sherlock Holmes novels are good examples of how a good mystery should be written.
Ex.: Sherlock Holmes novels are good examples of how a good mystery should be written.
a thriller
(n: countable) an exciting story/suspenseful adventure story, play or movie
Ex.: The Da Vinci Code thriller kept me so interested that I read it in just three days.
Ex.: The Da Vinci Code thriller kept me so interested that I read it in just three days.
a romance novel
(n: countable) a long work of fiction about love and courtship
Ex.: I am not a big fan of romance novels. The romance is unrealistic and couples are too perfect.
Ex.: I am not a big fan of romance novels. The romance is unrealistic and couples are too perfect.
science fiction (sci-fi)
(n: not countable) writing that tells about imaginary events that involve science or technology
Ex.: If you like science fiction, then you'll love this book. It's set in the future where humans have started to live on the planet Mars.
Ex.: If you like science fiction, then you'll love this book. It's set in the future where humans have started to live on the planet Mars.
a short story
(n: countable) a brief work of fiction
Ex.: This book contains 20 of my favorite short stories. It's great to read while on the airplane.
Ex.: This book contains 20 of my favorite short stories. It's great to read while on the airplane.
non-fiction
(n: not countable) writing about real people, places, and events
Ex.: My parents prefer me to read non-fiction as they think those kinds of books are more educational and truthful.
Ex.: My parents prefer me to read non-fiction as they think those kinds of books are more educational and truthful.
a biography
(n: countable) the story of a person's life written by another person
Ex.: The biography about the life of the late Korean fashion designer André Kim is very interesting. It was written by a former employee of André Kim.
Ex.: The biography about the life of the late Korean fashion designer André Kim is very interesting. It was written by a former employee of André Kim.
an autobiography
(n: countable) the story of a person's life written by that person
Ex.: If I ever become rich and famous, I will write an autobiography so that everyone can read about my life even after I die.
Ex.: If I ever become rich and famous, I will write an autobiography so that everyone can read about my life even after I die.
a travel book
(n: countable) records the experiences of an author touring a place for pleasure or a book that offers useful information about a place for tourists
Ex.: As a student I don't have time or money to travel, so I like to read travel books and learn about famous places.
Ex.: As a student I don't have time or money to travel, so I like to read travel books and learn about famous places.
a memoir
(n: countable) a book a person writes about a particular time in his or her life; it does NOT cover from birth to death
Ex.: I just read the memoir of Kim Dae-jung, it's about his time as president of South Korea.
Ex.: I just read the memoir of Kim Dae-jung, it's about his time as president of South Korea.
a self-help book
(n: countable) a book that gives one ideas about improving themselves and their lives
Ex.: As an expecting parent, I have read a few self-help books on taking care of newborn babies, since this will be our first child.
Ex.: As an expecting parent, I have read a few self-help books on taking care of newborn babies, since this will be our first child.
a magazine
(n: countable) a large thin book with a paper cover, containing reports, photographs, stories etc, usually published once a month or once a week
Ex.: Maxim is a men's magazine that is popular worldwide.
Ex.: Maxim is a men's magazine that is popular worldwide.
a newspaper
(n: countable) a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets
Ex.: The Chosun Ilbo is a Korean newspaper that prints in both Korean and English.
Ex.: The Chosun Ilbo is a Korean newspaper that prints in both Korean and English.
the Internet
(n: singular) a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks
Ex.: Oh no! The Wi-Fi isn't working, how can I connect to the Internet to view my professor's class blog?
Ex.: Oh no! The Wi-Fi isn't working, how can I connect to the Internet to view my professor's class blog?
a blog
(n: countable) a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies
Ex.: The Pony Syndrome is one of the most well-known Korean beauty blogs, it has lots of tips on make-up.
Ex.: The Pony Syndrome is one of the most well-known Korean beauty blogs, it has lots of tips on make-up.
a comic
(n: countable) a story told in pictures
Ex.: When I was a child I read many comics, much to the disapproval of my parents.
Ex.: When I was a child I read many comics, much to the disapproval of my parents.
a page-turner
(n: countable) very exciting book to read
Ex.: Wow this novel is a real page-turner! I can't stop reading it, even though I have homework that I should be doing instead of reading.
Ex.: Wow this novel is a real page-turner! I can't stop reading it, even though I have homework that I should be doing instead of reading.
a cliff-hanger
(n: countable) an exciting or abrupt end to part of a book or television programme that makes you want to read or watch the next part
Ex.: The end of book one ended in a cliff hanger. I still have so many questions that need to be answered; now I have to wait till book two to come out so I can find out what happens next.
Ex.: The end of book one ended in a cliff hanger. I still have so many questions that need to be answered; now I have to wait till book two to come out so I can find out what happens next.
a best-seller
(n: countable) a book that has had a large and rapid sale, very popular book sold in many copies
Ex.: This book has been in the top 10 list for over a year. It's a true best-seller!
Ex.: This book has been in the top 10 list for over a year. It's a true best-seller!
a fast read
(n: countable) a book that is easy to read either because of its style and/or length
Ex.: I love to read short stories because they are such a fast read.
Ex.: I love to read short stories because they are such a fast read.
hard to follow
(adj) something that is complicated, usually poorly organized, and hard to understand
Ex.: I didn't like to read that book on philosophy, it was too hard to follow.
Ex.: I didn't like to read that book on philosophy, it was too hard to follow.
trash
(adj) describes something that is low quality (in the person's opinion)
Ex.: I used to read teen magazines, but now I think they are trash and waste of time.
Ex.: I used to read teen magazines, but now I think they are trash and waste of time.
curl up with
(verb phrase) to relax or lay in a quiet, cosy setting
Ex.: My sister loves to curl up with a good book on the sofa and spend hours reading there on the weekends.
Ex.: My sister loves to curl up with a good book on the sofa and spend hours reading there on the weekends.
read aloud
(verb phrase) to talk when reading a book
Ex.: The teacher made the students read aloud so she could hear their pronunciation of the words.
Ex.: The teacher made the students read aloud so she could hear their pronunciation of the words.
listen to audio books
(verb phrase) to pay attention to a recorded text
Ex.: I can't read in a moving car, so I enjoy listening to audio books instead.
Ex.: I can't read in a moving car, so I enjoy listening to audio books instead.
do puzzles
(verb phrase) to solve challenging word or mental games
Ex.: I think doing puzzles is like exercise for our brains. Sudoku is my favorite number puzzle.
Ex.: I think doing puzzles is like exercise for our brains. Sudoku is my favorite number puzzle.
read online
(verb phrase) to view information on the internet, like newspapers, blogs, and websites
Ex.: My eyes hurt if I read online for too long. The light from the LCD screen gives me a headache.
Ex.: My eyes hurt if I read online for too long. The light from the LCD screen gives me a headache.
skim through
(verb phrase) to look over or read (something) quickly especially to find the main ideas
Ex.: I like to skim though the morning paper while I am riding the subway to work.
Ex.: I like to skim though the morning paper while I am riding the subway to work.
read electronic books
(*read is a verb) to view information on an e-reader or e-book, like the iPad, Tab, Kindle, etc.
Ex.: Reading electronic books on my smartphone is more convenient than trying to carry heavy books around with me.
Ex.: Reading electronic books on my smartphone is more convenient than trying to carry heavy books around with me.
recommend
(v) to say that (someone or something) is good and deserves to be chosen;
to suggest that someone do (something)
Ex.: I recommend the Voice of America webpage for students who want to read the news in English.
to suggest that someone do (something)
Ex.: I recommend the Voice of America webpage for students who want to read the news in English.
sold out
(adj) to sell all of the items that were for sale so they are no longer available
Ex.: Ugh! All the Honey Butter chips are sold out again. I have only been able to buy them once.
Ex.: Ugh! All the Honey Butter chips are sold out again. I have only been able to buy them once.
the latest issue
(n: countable) the most recent publication
Ex.: The latest issue of Sports Illustrated magazine comes out in a few days. There is a story in that issue I am dying to read.
Ex.: The latest issue of Sports Illustrated magazine comes out in a few days. There is a story in that issue I am dying to read.
immoral
(adj) violating principles of right and wrong
Ex.: He believes it's immoral to kill animals for food.
Ex.: He believes it's immoral to kill animals for food.
a guilty pleasure
(n: countable) something that you are not supposed to enjoy but you do
Ex.: Eating in bed is a guilty pleasure for 10% of the men and about a quarter of women.
Ex.: Eating in bed is a guilty pleasure for 10% of the men and about a quarter of women.
criticize
(v) to express disapproval of (someone or something): to talk about the problems or faults of (someone or something)
Ex.: His boss criticized him for his sloppy work habits.
Ex.: His boss criticized him for his sloppy work habits.
a graphic novel
(n: countable) cartoon drawings that tell a story and are published as a book
Ex.: Did you know the 300 movie about the Spartans was based on a graphic novel with the same name?
Ex.: Did you know the 300 movie about the Spartans was based on a graphic novel with the same name?
a big reader
(n: countable) a person who really likes to read a lot
Ex.: I'm a big reader as I usually read a new book every two weeks
Ex.: I'm a big reader as I usually read a new book every two weeks
pick up
(v) to buy something
Ex.: Namdaemun Market in Seoul is where you can pick up some amazing bargains.
Ex.: Namdaemun Market in Seoul is where you can pick up some amazing bargains.
browse
(v) to look at things in a shop without being sure whether you want to buy anything
Ex.: I love to go browsing at flea-markets, you never know what you can find there.
Ex.: I love to go browsing at flea-markets, you never know what you can find there.
run into
(v) to meet somebody you know by chance, not planned
Ex.: I was at the COEX Mall on the weekend and ran into my English teacher in the book store! It was so random.
Ex.: I was at the COEX Mall on the weekend and ran into my English teacher in the book store! It was so random.
a masterpiece
(n: countable) a great book, painting, piece of music, movie, etc.; also : the best book, painting, piece of music, movie, etc., by a particular person
Ex.: The Old Man and the Sea is an Ernest Hemingway masterpiece.
Ex.: The Old Man and the Sea is an Ernest Hemingway masterpiece.
edge of (your) seat
(idiom) very excited and interested in something because you want to know what happens next
Ex.: This action film will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Ex.: This action film will keep you on the edge of your seat.