昨天讨论了听懂听清楚名词的重要性，今日说说如何具体操作
具体说说如何具体的练习
名词一般是一个具体的事物，相对副词形容词等抽象的词汇而言是有具体意象的。
不要把听到的每一个词都翻译一遍
对于口头语言而言名词在你头脑里应该是对应一种意象和声音。
由于我们在母语学习中我们大脑中已经有了一个个事物的意象，学习外语口语的目标就应该是将这个意象链接上外语的语音。这个时候母语起的作用应该是辅助链接意向的作用。链接完成就应该忘记母语，千万不要直接去用英语转化母语再去链接意像。
比如 moon 这个发音在你脑子里应该是这样的
moon →夜晚挂在天上发出冷光圆圆大大的星体（月亮）
千万不要是这样的
moon →月亮→夜晚挂在天上发出冷光圆圆大大的星体
这两者有什么区别呢，前面那个过程是自然语言学习的过程（母语学习过程），后面的过程你加入了一个翻译。这个翻译如果成为了习惯，在听力学习的过程中就会变成极大的负担，你听到的每一个词都要翻译一遍，结果就是你永远跟不上人家正常说话的速度。
在学习一个新的技能的过程中大脑是单线程的
在学习一个新的技能的时候，涉及到神经链接的重塑。这个时候我们是全神贯注的单线程状态，基本上不可能分神。
所以当你听清一个词转化成汉语然后理解其意向后，也就是你在翻译一个一个词的时候，人家后面说的话你一个单词都没有可能听进去。
所以一开始练习记忆单词（词汇发音）的意义的时候，母语应该作为辅助意象的理解，而不是一个翻译的中间流程。一旦养成翻译的习惯，练听力的时候就会老是觉得跟不上速度。更可怕的是这样你费了大量的时间精力学习了大量的单词，但是和人说话或者阅读的时候大脑总是不由自主翻译词汇的中文解释，这样造成了巨大的学习负担，也永远不能掌握地道的语言，因为从神经机制角度而言这显然不是正确的路径。
所以具体的名词的学习应该
1.学习一个名词的发音去对应这个发音对应的概念（词汇）的意向
简单的说一个听到一个词你脑子里应该出现词汇所指的那个具体的东西而不是一个汉语词汇。
你可以考虑，这样操作
所有不熟悉的词汇 用图片搜索找到意向，配合很多软件的自然发音，建立起大脑中英语的听觉和意象的联系，然后忘掉那个汉语词汇。
2.用英语去解释英语词汇 尽量减少对汉语的影响。
以下整理的日常新闻听力材料中的名词，大家可以也试试 ，把不熟悉的（发音、意象连接不起来的）词汇拎出来，也这样练习一下吧，相信对听力应该有比较大的帮助。
名词部分
accident - n. something that happens by chance or mistake; an unplanned event
activist - n. one who seeks change through action
actor - n. someone acting in a play or show
administration - n. the executive part of a government, usually headed by a president or prime minister
adult - n. a grown person
age - n. how old a person or thing is
agency - n. an organization that is part of a larger group ("an agency of the United Nations")
aggression - n. an attack against a person or country; the violation of a country's borders
agriculture - n. farming
air - n. the mixture of gases around the earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, that we breathe
air force - n. a military organization using airplanes
airplane - n. a vehicle with wings that flies
airport - n. a place where airplanes take off and land
album - n. a collection of recorded music
alcohol - n. a strong, colorless liquid, usually made from grain, used as a drug or in industrial products
ally - n. a nation or person joined with another for a special purpose
ambassador - n. a nation's highest diplomatic representative (to another government)
ammunition - n. the bullets or shells fired from guns
amount - n. the number, size or weight of anything
anarchy - n. a lack of order; lawlessness
ancestor - n. a family member from the past
anger - n. a strong emotion against someone or something
animal - n. a living creature that moves, such as a dog or cat
anniversary - n. a yearly celebration or observance of an event that happened in the past
answer - n. a statement produced by a question; v. to make a statement after being asked a question
archeology - n. the scientific study of past human life and activities
area - n. any place or part of it
arms - n. military equipment; weapons
army - n. military ground forces
ash - n. the part left after something burns
astronaut - n. a person who travels in space
astronomy - n. the scientific study of stars and the universe
asylum - n. political protection given by a government to a person from another country
attack - n. a violent attempt to damage, injure or kill; v. to start a fight
automobile - n. a vehicle with wheels used to carry people; a car
autumn - n. the time of the year between summer and winter
average - n. something (a number) representing the middle; ad. common; normal
award - n. an honor or prize for an act or service
back - n. the part behind the front; ad. the other way from forward
ball - n. something round
balloon - n. a device of strong, light material that rises when filled with gas lighter than air
ballot - n. a piece of paper used for voting
bank - n. an organization that keeps and lends money
barrier - n. anything that blocks or makes an action difficult
base - n. a military center; v. to establish as a fact ("Her research was based on experiments.")
battle - n. a fight between opposing armed forces
bed - n. a sleeping place
bell - n. an instrument that makes a musical sound ("a church bell")
bill - n. a legislative proposal
biology - n. the scientific study of life or living things in all their forms
bird - n. a creature that flies
blanket - n. a cloth cover used to keep warm
blood - n. red fluid in the body
boat - n. something built to travel on water that carries people or goods
body - n. all of a person or animal; the remains of a person or animal
bomb - n. a device that explodes with great force; v. to attack or destroy with bombs
bone - n. the hard material in the body
book - n. a long written work for reading
border - n. a dividing line between nations
bottle - n. a container, usually made of glass, to hold liquid
box - n. something to put things into; a container, usually made of paper or wood
boy - n. a young male person
brain - n. the control center of thought, emotions and body activity of all creatures
bread - n. a food made from grain
bridge - n. a structure built over a waterway, valley or road so people and vehicles can cross from one side to the other
brother - n. a male with the same father or mother as another person
budget - n. a spending plan
building - n. anything built for use as a house, factory, office, school, store or place of entertainment
bullet - n. a small piece of metal shot from a gun
bus - n. a public vehicle to carry people
business - n. one's work; buying and selling to earn money; trade
camera - n. a device for taking pictures
camp - n. a place with temporary housing
campaign - n. a competition by opposing political candidates seeking support from voters; a connected series of military actions during a war
cancer - n. a disease in which dangerous cells grow quickly and destroy parts of the body
candidate - n. a person who seeks or is nominated for an office or an honor
capital - n. the official center of a government; the city where a country's government is
capitalism - n. an economic system in which the production of most goods and services is owned and operated for profit by private citizens or companies
car - n. a vehicle with wheels used to carry people; an automobile; a part of a train
case (court) - n. a legal action
case (medical) - n. an incident of disease ("There was only one case of chicken pox at the school.")
cat - n. a small animal that often lives with humans
ceasefire - n. a halt in fighting, usually by agreement
center - n. the middle of something; the place in the middle; a place that is the main point of an activity
century - n. one hundred years
ceremony - n. an act or series of acts done in a special way established by tradition
chairman - n. a person leading a meeting or an organized group
champion - n. the best; the winner
chance - n. a possibility of winning or losing or that something will happen
chemicals - n. elements found in nature or made by people; substances used in the science of chemistry
chemistry - n. the scientific study of substances, what they are made of, how they act under different conditions, and how they form other substances
chief - n. the head or leader of a group; ad. leading; most important
child - n. a baby; a boy or girl
children - n. more than one child
circle - n. a closed shape that has all its points equally distant from the center, like an "O"
citizen - n. a person who is a member of a country by birth or by law
city - n. any important large town
clash - n. a battle; v. to fight or oppose
civil rights - n. the political, economic and social rights given equally to all people of a nation
clergy - n. a body of officials within a religious organization
climate - n. the normal weather conditions of a place
clock - n. a device that measures and shows time
cloth - n. a material made from plants, chemicals, animal hair and other substances
clothes - n. what people wear
cloud - n. a mass of fog high in the sky
coal - n. a solid black substance used as fuel
coalition - n. forces, groups or nations joined together
coast - n. land on the edge of the ocean
coffee - n. a drink made from the plant of the same name
college - n. a small university
colony - n. land controlled by another country or government
color - n. the different effects of light on the eye, making blue, red, brown, black, yellow and others
committee - n. a group of people given special work
community - n. a group of people living together in one place or area
company - n. a business organized for trade, industrial or other purposes
compromise - n. the settlement of an argument where each side agrees to accept less than first demanded
computer - n. an electronic machine for storing and organizing information, and for communicating with others
concern - n. interest, worry ("express concern about"); v. to fear ("to be concerned")
condition - n. something declared necessary to complete an agreement; a person's health
conference - n. a meeting
conflict - n. a fight; a battle, especially a long one
Congress - n. the organization of people elected to make the laws of the United States (the House of Representatives and the Senate); a similar organization in other countries
container - n. a box, bottle or can used to hold something
continent - n. any of the seven great land areas of the world
constitution - n. the written general laws and ideas that form a nation's system of government
convention - n. a large meeting for a special purpose
corn - n. a food grain
cost - n. the price or value of something ("The cost of the book is five dollars."); v. to be valued at ("The book costs five dollars.")
cotton - n. a material made from a plant of the same name
country - n. a nation; the territory of a nation; land away from cities
court - n. where trials take place; where judges make decisions about law
cow - n. a farm animal used for its milk
creature - n. any living being; any animal or human
credit - n. an agreement that payments will be made at a later time
crew - n. a group of people working together
crime - n. an act that violates a law
criminal - n. a person who is responsible for a crime
crisis - n. an extremely important time when something may become much better or worse; a dangerous situation
crops - n. plants that are grown and gathered for food, such as grains, fruits and vegetables
crowd - n. a large number of people gathered in one place
culture - n. all the beliefs, traditions and arts of a group or population
curfew - n. an order to people to stay off the streets or to close their businesses
current - n. movement of air, water or electricity; ad. belonging to the present time ("She found the report in a current publication.")
custom - n. a long-established belief or activity of a people
customs - n. taxes on imports
danger - n. a strong chance of suffering injury, damage or loss
date - n. an expression of time; a day, month and year
daughter - n. a person's female child
day - n. twenty-four hours; the hours of sunlight
debt - n. something that is owed; the condition of owing
deficit - n. a shortage that results when spending is greater than earnings, or imports are greater than exports
degree - n. a measure of temperature
delegate - n. one sent to act for another; one who represents another
democracy - n. the system of government in which citizens vote to choose leaders or to make other important decisions
depression - n. severe unhappiness; a period of reduced business and economic activity during which many people lose their jobs
desert - n. a dry area of land
detail - n. a small part of something; a small piece of information
device - n. a piece of equipment made for a special purpose
dictator - n. a ruler with complete power
diet - n. usual daily food and drink
dinner - n. the main amount of food eaten at a usual time ("The family had its dinner at noon."); a special event that includes food ("The official dinner took place at the White House.")
diplomat - n. a person who represents his or her government in dealing with another government
direction - n. the way (east, west, north, south); where someone or something came from or went to
dirt - n. earth or soil
disease - n. a sickness in living things, often caused by viruses, germs or bacteria
dissident - n. a person who strongly disagrees with his or her government
distance - n. the amount of space between two places or objects ("The distance from my house to your house is two kilometers.")
doctor - n. a person trained in medicine to treat sick people
document - n. an official piece of paper with facts written on it, used as proof or support of something
dog - n. a small animal that often lives with humans
dollar - n. United States money, one hundred cents
door - n. an opening for entering or leaving a building or room
drug - n. anything used as a medicine or in making medicine; a chemical substance used to ease pain or to affect the mind
dust - n. pieces of matter so small that they can float in the air
duty - n. one's job or responsibility; what one must do because it is right and just
earth - n. the planet we all live on; the ground or soil
earthquake - n. a sudden, violent shaking of the earth's surface
east - n. the direction from which the sun rises
ecology - n. the scientific study of the environment and links among living and material things
economy - n. the system by which money, industry and trade are organized
edge - n. the line where something ends or begins
education - n. the act of teaching
effect - n. the result or change caused by something ("The storm had a serious effect on the economy.")
effort - n. an attempt; the work necessary to do something
egg - n. the rounded object containing unborn young produced by female birds, fish or reptiles; a single cell in a female person or animal that can develop into a baby
electricity - n. a form of energy that flows through wires to provide heat and light, and power to machines
embassy - n. the offices of an ambassador and his or her assistants
emergency - n. an unexpected and dangerous situation demanding quick action
emotion - n. a strong feeling such as love, hate, fear or sadness
enemy - n. a person opposing or hating another; a person or people of the other side in a war
energy - n. power used to do work, usually with machines; the ability and willingness to be active
engine - n. a machine that uses energy to cause movement or to do work
engineer - n. a person who designs engines, machines, roads, bridges or railroads
environment - n. all surrounding things, conditions and influences that affect life; the natural world of land, sea, air, plants and animals
event - n. that which happens, especially something of importance
evidence - n. material or facts that prove something; a reason for believing
example - n. a part that shows what the rest of a thing or group is like
exercise - n. an activity or effort for the purpose of improving the body or to stay in good health
expert - n. a person with special knowledge or training
extremist - n. a person with strong religious or political beliefs who acts in an extreme or violent way
fact - n. something known or proved to be true
factory - n. a building or group of buildings where goods are made
family - n. the group that includes children and their parents
farm - n. land used to grow crops and animals for food
fat - n. tissue in the bodies of humans and animals used to store energy and to keep warm; ad. thick; heavy
father - n. the male parent; a man who has a child or children
female - n. a woman or girl; the sex that gives birth; ad. of or about women
fence - n. something around an area of land to keep animals or people in or out
field - n. an area of open land, usually used to grow crops or to raise animals
fine - n. a payment ordered by a court to punish someone for a crime; ad. very good; very small or thin
fireworks - n. rockets producing bright fire in the sky, used in holiday celebrations
fish - n. a creature that lives and can breathe in water
flag - n. a piece of colored cloth used to represent a nation, government or organization
floor - n. the bottom part of a room for walking on ("The book fell to the floor."); the level of a building ("The fire was on the first floor.")
fluid - n. any substance that can flow, such as a liquid
flower - n. the colored part of plants that carry seeds
fog - n. a mass of wet air that is difficult to see through; a cloud close to the ground
food - n. that which is taken in by all living things for energy, strength and growth
foot - n. the bottom part of the leg; the part of the body that touches the ground when a person or animal walks
forest - n. a place of many trees
freedom - n. the condition of being free
friend - n. a person one likes and trusts
front - n. the forward part; the opposite of back; the beginning; the first part
fruit - n. food from trees and plants
fuel - n. any substance burned to create heat or power
fun - n. anything that is pleasing and causes happiness
funeral - n. a ceremony held in connection with the burial or burning of the dead
future - n. time after now ("We can talk about it in the future."); ad. in the time to come ("All future meetings will be held in this room.")
game - n. an activity with rules in which people or teams play or compete, usually sports
gas - n. any substance that is not solid or liquid; any substance that burns to provide heat, light or power
general - n. a high military leader; ad. without details; affecting or including all or almost all
gift - n. something given without cost
girl - n. a young female person
glass - n. a hard, clear material that is easily broken, used most often for windows or for containers to hold liquids
goal - n. that toward which an effort is directed; that which is aimed at; the end of a trip or race
god - n. the spirit that is honored as creator of all things ("They believe in God."); a spirit or being believed in many religions to have special powers
gold - n. a highly valued yellow metal
goods - n. things owned or made to be sold
government - n. a system of governing; the organization of people that rules a country, city or area
grain - n. the seed of grass plants used for food, such as wheat, rice and corn; those plants that produce the seeds
granddaughter - n. the daughter of a person's daughter or son
grandfather - n. the father of a person's father or mother
grandmother - n. the mother of a person's father or mother
grandson - n. the son of a person's daughter or son
grass - n. a plant with long, narrow, green leaves
ground - n. land; the earth's surface; soil
group - n. a number of people or things together; a gathering of people working for a common purpose
guerrilla - n. a person who fights as part of an unofficial army, usually against an official army or police
gun - n. a weapon that shoots bullets
half - n. one of two equal parts of something
hat - n. a head cover
health - n. the general condition of the body and mind; the condition of being free from sickness or disease
helicopter - n. a machine without wings that can fly up or down or remain in one place above the ground
hero - n. a person honored for being brave or wise
hill - n. a small mountain
hole - n. an opening; a torn or broken place in something
holiday - n. a day when one does not work; a day on which no work is done to honor or remember a person or event
home - n. the building where a person lives, especially with family; the place where one was born or comes from; the area or country where one lives
history - n. the written record or description of past events; the study of the past
horse - n. a large animal often used for racing, riding or farm work
hospital - n. a place where sick or injured people are given medical care
hostage - n. a person captured and held as a guarantee that a demand or promise will be honored
hotel - n. a building with rooms, and often food, for travellers
hour - n. a measure of time; sixty minutes
house - n. a building in which people live; a country's parliament or lawmaking group ("House of Representatives")
humor - n. the ability to understand, enjoy or express what makes people laugh
hunger - n. the need for food
husband - n. a man who is married
ice - n. frozen water
idea - n. a thought or picture in the mind; a belief
incident - n. an event or something that happens
individual - n. one person
industry - n. any business that produces goods or provides services; the work and related activity in factories and offices; all organizations involved in manufacturing
inflation - n. a continuing rise in prices while the value of money goes down
insect - n. a very small creature, usually with many legs and sometimes with wings
instrument - n. a tool or device designed to do something or to make something
intelligence - n. the ability to think or learn; information gathered by spying
interest - n. what is important to someone ("He acted to protect his interests." "She had a great interest in painting."); a share in owning a business; money paid for the use of money borrowed
island - n. a land area with water all around it
iron - n. a strong, hard metal used to make machines and tools
issue - n. an important problem or subject that people are discussing or arguing about
jewel - n. a valuable stone, such as a diamond or emerald
job - n. the work that one does to earn money
joke - n. something done or said to cause others to laugh
jury - n. a group of people chosen to decide what is true in a trial
kind - n. sort ("What kind of dog is that?"); ad. gentle; caring; helpful
knife - n. a tool or weapon used to cut
knowledge - n. that which is known; learning or understanding
laboratory - n. a room or place where experiments in science are done
lake - n. a large area of fresh water surrounded by land
language - n. words and their use; what people speak in a country, nation or group
law - n. all or any rules made by a government
legislature - n. a government lawmaking group
letter - n. a message written on paper; a communication in writing sent to another person
level - n. the amount or height that something reaches or rises to; the position of something or someone
life - n. the time between being born and dying; opposite death; all living things
light - n. a form of energy that affects the eyes so that one is able to see; anything that produces light; ad. bright; clear; not heavy
lightning - n. light produced by electricity in the air, usually during a storm
line - n. a long, thin mark on a surface; a number of people or things organized; one after another; the edge of an area protected by military forces
liquid - n. a substance that is not a solid or gas, and can move freely, like water
literature - n. all the poems, stories and writings of a period of time or of a country
loan - n. money borrowed that usually must be returned with interest payments; something borrowed
luck - n. something that happens by chance
magazine - n. a publication of news, stories, pictures or other information
mail - n. letters, papers and other things sent through an official system, such as a post office
majority - n. the greater number; more than half
male - n. a man or boy; the sex that is the father of children; ad. of or about men
man - n. an adult male human
map - n. a picture of the earth's surface or a part of it
market - n. a place or area where goods are sold, bought or traded; an economic system in which the prices of things are decided by how many there are and how much money people are willing to pay for them
mass - n. an amount of matter having no special form and usually of a large size
material - n. the substance, substances or matter of which something is made or from which something can be made, such as wood, cloth or stone; anything that can be made into something else
mathematics - n. the science dealing with amounts, sizes and shapes, as explained by numbers and signs
matter - n. anything that can be seen or felt; what things are made of
mayor - n. the chief official of a city or town government
meal - n. food eaten to satisfy hunger, such as dinner
meat - n. the part of a dead animal used for food
media - n. all public information organizations, including newspapers, television and radio
medicine - n. a substance or drug used to treat disease or pain; the science or study of treating and curing disease or improving health
member - n. one of a group
memory - n. a picture in the mind of past events; the ability to remember; a thing remembered
mercy - n. kindness toward those who should be punished; the power to be kind or to pardon
message - n. written or spoken news or information; a note from one person to another person or group
metal - n. a hard substance such as iron, steel or gold
method - n. the way something is done
microscope - n. a device used to make very small things look larger so they can be studied
middle - n. the center; a place or time of equal distance from both sides or ends; ad. in the center
militant - n. someone active in trying to cause political change, often by the use of force or violence
military - n. the armed forces of a nation or group; ad. of or about the armed forces
milk - n. the white liquid produced by female animals to feed their young
mind - n. the thinking, feeling part of a person
mineral - n. a substance found in nature that is not an animal or a plant, such as coal or salt
minister - n. a member of a cabinet; a high government official ("prime minister," "foreign minister") minor - ad. small in size; of little importance
minority - n. the smaller number; opposite majority
minute - n. a measure of time; one of the sixty equal parts of an hour; sixty seconds
missile - n. any weapon that can be thrown or fired through the air and explodes when it reaches its target
mistake - n. a wrong action or decision; an action done without the knowledge that it was wrong
mob - n. a large group of wild or angry people
model - n. an example; something, usually small, made to show how something will look or work
money - n. pieces of metal or paper used to pay for things
month - n. one of the twelve periods of time into which a year is divided
moon - n. the bright object often seen in the night sky that orbits the earth about every twenty-nine days
morning - n. the early part of the day, from sunrise until noon
mother - n. the female parent; a woman who has a child or children
motion - n. a movement; a continuing change of position or place
mountain - n. a part of the earth's surface that rises high above the area around it
movie - n. a motion picture; a film
music - n. the making of sounds by singing or using a musical instrument
mystery - n. something that is not or cannot be explained or understood; a secret
nation - n. a country, together with its social and political systems
native - n. someone who was born in a place, not one who moved there
nature - n. all the plants, animals and other things on earth not created by humans; events or processes not caused by humans
navy - n. the part of a country's military force trained to fight at sea
news - n. information about any recent events, especially as reported by the media
night - n. the time between when the sun goes down and when it rises, when there is little or no light
noise - n. sound, especially when loud
noon - n. the middle of the day; twelve o'clock in the daytime
normal - n. the usual condition, amount or form; ad. usual; what is expected
north - n. the direction to the left of a person facing the rising sun
nothing - n. not anything; no thing
number - n. a word or sign used to show the order or amount of things
ocean - n. the area of salt water that covers almost seventy-five percent of the earth's surface; any of the five main divisions of this water
offensive - n. a military campaign of attack; ad. having to do with attacking
office - n. a room or building where business or work is done; a public position to which one is elected or appointed
officer - n. a person in the military who commands others; any person who is a member of a police force
official - n. a person with power in an organization; a representative of an organization or government; ad. of or about an office; approved by the government or someone in power
oil - n. a thick liquid that does not mix with water and that burns easily; a black liquid taken from the ground and used as fuel
opinion - n. a belief based on one's own ideas and thinking
pan - n. a metal container used for cooking
paper - n. a thin, flat material made from plants or cloth often used for writing
parachute - n. a device that permits a person or thing to fall slowly from an airplane or helicopter to the ground
parade - n. a group of people and vehicles moving together to celebrate a special event or anniversary
parent - n. a father or mother
parliament - n. a government lawmaking group
part - n. something less than the whole; not all of something
party - n. a group of people working together for a political purpose; a group of people or friends gathered together for enjoyment
passenger - n. a person travelling by airplane, train, boat or car who is not the pilot or driver
passport - n. a document permitting a person to travel to another country
past - n. the time gone by; the time before; ad. recent; immediately before; former
path - n. a narrow way for walking; a way along which something moves
patient - n. a person being treated by a doctor for a health problem
peace - n. the condition of freedom from war, fighting or noise; rest; quiet
people - n. any group of persons; all the persons of a group, race, religion or nation ("the American people")
percent - n. a part of every hundred ("Ten is ten percent of one hundred.")
period - n. an amount of time within events, restrictions or conditions
person - n. a man, woman or child physical - ad. of the body
physics - n. the study of motion, matter and energy
picture - n. something that shows what another thing looks like; an idea or representation of something as seen by the eye; a painting; what is made with a camera
piece - n. a part of something larger
pig - n. a farm animal used for its meat
pilot - n. one who guides or flies an airplane or helicopter
pipe - n. a long, round piece of material used to move liquid or gas
planet - n. a large object in space that orbits the sun ("Earth is a planet.")
poem - n. words and their sounds organized in a special way to express emotions
poison - n. a substance that can destroy life or damage health
police - n. a government agency responsible for guarding the public, keeping order, and making sure people obey the law; members of that agency
policy - n. an established set of plans or goals used to develop and make decisions in politics, economics or business
politics - n. the activities of government and of those who are in public office
poor - n. people with little or no money; ad. lacking money or goods; of bad quality
population - n. all the people in a place, city or country
port - n. a city where ships load or unload goods; a place on a coast where ships can be safe from a storm
position - n. a place; the way of holding the body; the way a thing is set or placed; a job (or level of a job) in an organization
power - n. the ability to control or direct others; control; strength; ruling force; force or energy used to do work ("Water power turns the wheel.")
president - n. the chief official of a country that is a republic; the leader of an organization
pressure - n. the force produced when something is pushed down or against something else
price - n. the amount of money for which anything is bought, sold or offered for sale
prison - n. a place where a person is kept as punishment for a crime
prize - n. something offered or won in a competition; something of value that one must work hard for to get
problem - n. a difficult question or situation with an unknown or unclear answer
process - n. an operation or series of changes leading to a desired result
profit - n. money gained from a business activity after paying all costs of that activity
program - n. a plan of action; the different events or parts of a meeting or show
progress - n. movement forward or toward improvement or a goal
project - n. a planned effort to do something
propaganda - n. ideas or information used to influence opinions
property - n. anything owned by someone such as land, buildings or goods
profession - n. a job that requires special training professor - n. a teacher at a college or university
publication - n. something that is published such as a book, newspaper or magazine
purpose - n. the reason or desired effect for doing something; goal
radar - n. a device that uses radio signals to learn the position or speed of objects that may be too far away to be seen
radiation - n. waves of energy from something that produces heat or light; energy from a nuclear substance, which can be dangerous
radio - n. the system of sending and receiving signals or sounds through the air without wires
railroad - n. a road for trains; a company that operates such a road and its stations and equipment
rain - n. water falling from the sky
rate - n. speed; a measure of how quickly or how often something happens; the price of any thing or service that is bought or sold
real - ad. true; truly existing; not false
reason - n. the cause for a belief or act; purpose; something that explains
recession - n. a temporary reduction in economic activity, when industries produce less and many workers lose their jobs
refugee - n. a person who has been forced to flee because of unjust treatment, danger or war
regret - n. a feeling of sadness or sorrow about something that is done or that happens
relations - n. understandings or ties between nations; members of the same family; people connected by marriage or family ties
religion - n. a belief in, or the honoring of, a god or gods
remains - n. a dead body
repair - n. work done to fix something
research - n. a careful study to discover correct information
resolution - n. an official statement of agreement by a group of people, usually reached by voting
resource - n. anything of value that can be used or sold
rice - n. a food grain
right - n. what a person legally and morally should be able to do or have ("It is their right to vote."); ad. agreeing with the facts; good; correct; opposite wrong; on the side that is toward the east when one is facing north; opposite left
risk - n. the chance of loss, damage or injury
river - n. a large amount of water that flows across land into another river, a lake or an ocean
road - n. a long piece of hard ground built between two places so people can walk, drive or ride easily from one place to the other
rock - n. a hard piece of mineral matter
rocket - n. a device shaped like a tube that moves through air or space by burning gases and letting them escape from the back or bottom, sometimes used as a weapon
room - n. a separate area within a building with its own walls
root - n. the part of a plant that is under the ground and takes nutrients from the soil
rope - n. a long, thick piece of material made from thinner pieces of material, used for tying
rubber - n. a substance made from the liquid of trees with the same name, or a similar substance made from chemicals
sailor - n. a person involved in sailing a boat or ship
salt - n. a white substance found in sea water and in the ground, used to affect the taste of food
sand - n. extremely small pieces of crushed rock found in large amounts in deserts and on coasts
satellite - n. a small object in space that moves around a larger object; an object placed in orbit around the earth
school - n. a place for education; a place where people go to learn
science - n. the study of nature and the actions of natural things, and the knowledge gained about them
sea - n. a large area of salt water, usually part of an ocean
season - n. one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth's position toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); a period of time based on different weather conditions ("dry season", "rainy season"); a period during the year when something usually happens ("baseball season")
seat - n. a thing to sit on; a place to sit or the right to sit there ("a seat in parliament")
season - n. one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth's position toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); a period of time based on different weather conditions ("dry season", "rainy season"); a period during the year when something usually happens ("baseball season")
seat - n. a thing to sit on; a place to sit or the right to sit there ("a seat in parliament")
secret - n. something known only to a few and kept from general knowledge; ad. hidden from others; known only to a few
security - n. freedom from danger or harm; protection; measures necessary to protect a person or place ("Security was increased in the city.")
seed - n. the part of a plant from which new plants grow
self - n. all that which makes one person different from others
Senate - n. the smaller of the two groups in the governments of some countries, such as in the United States Congress
series - n. a number of similar things or events that follow one after another in time, position or order
service - n. an organization or system that provides something for the public ("Schools and roads are services paid for by taxes."); a job that an organization or business can do for money; military organizations such as an army, navy or air force; a religious ceremony
sex - n. either the male or female group into which all people and animals are divided because of their actions in producing young; the physical activity by which humans and animals can produce young
sheep - n. a farm animal used for its meat and hair
shoe - n. a covering for the foot
side - n. the outer surfaces of an object that are not the top or bottom; parts away from the middle; either the right or left half of the body
sickness - n. the condition of being in bad health
silver - n. a valued white metal
sister - n. a female with the same father or mother as another person
snow - n. soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky, usually in winter or when the air temperature is very cold
soil - n. earth in which plants grow
soldier - n. a person in the army
son - n. a person's male child
sort - n. any group of people or things that are the same or are similar in some way; a kind of something
sound - n. fast-moving waves of energy that affect the ear and result in hearing; that which is heard
south - n. the direction to the right of a person facing the rising sun
space - n. the area outside the earth's atmosphere where the sun, moon, planets and stars are; the area between or inside things
speech - n. a talk given to a group of people
spirit - n. the part of a human that is not physical and is connected to thoughts and emotions; the part of a person that is believed to remain alive after death
sport - n. any game or activity of competition involving physical effort or skill
spring - n. the time of the year between winter and summer
square - n. a flat shape having four equal sides
star - n. a mass of gas that usually appears as a small light in the sky at night, but is not a planet; a famous person, usually an actor or singer
statue - n. a form of a human, animal or other creature usually made of stone, wood or metal
steam - n. the gas that comes from hot water
steel - n. iron made harder and stronger by mixing it with other substances
stone - n. a small piece of rock
storm - n. violent weather, including strong winds and rain or snow
story - n. the telling or writing of an event, either real or imagined
stove - n. a heating device used for cooking
street - n. a road in a city, town or village
structure - n. the way something is built, made or organized; a system that is formed or organized in a special way; a building
subject - n. the person or thing being discussed, studied or written about
submarine - n. an underwater ship
substance - n. the material of which something is made (a solid, liquid or gas)
subversion - n. an attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or government, usually secretly
sugar - n. a sweet substance made from liquids taken from plants
summer - n. the warmest time of the year, between spring and autumn
sun - n. the huge star in the sky that provides heat and light to earth
surface - n. the outer side or top of something ("The rocket landed on the surface of the moon.")
surplus - n. an amount that is more than is needed; extra; ("That country has a trade surplus. It exports more than it imports.")
sympathy - n. a sharing of feelings or emotions with another person, usually feelings of sadness
system - n. a method of organizing or doing something by following rules or a plan; a group of connected things or parts working together for a common purpose or goal
tank - n. a large container for holding liquids; a heavy military vehicle with guns
target - n. any person or object aimed at or fired at
tax - n. the money a person or business must pay to the government so the government can provide services
tea - n. a drink made from the plant of the same name
team - n. a group organized for some purpose, often for sports
tears - n. the fluid that comes out of the eyes while crying
technology - n. the use of scientific knowledge and methods to produce goods and services telephone - n. a device or system for sending sounds, especially the voice, over distances
telescope - n. a device for making objects that are far away appear closer and larger
television - n. a device that receives electronic signals and makes them into pictures and sounds; the system of sending pictures and sounds by electronic signals over a distance so others can see and hear them on a receiver
temperature - n. the measurement of heat and cold
term - n. a limited period of time during which someone does a job or carries out a responsibility ("He served two terms in Congress."); the conditions of an agreement that have been accepted by those involved in it
territory - n. a large area of land
terror - n. extreme fear; that which causes great fear
terrorist - n. a person who carries out acts of extreme violence as a protest or a way to influence a government
theater - n. a place where movies are shown or plays are performed
theory - n. a possible explanation of why something exists or how something happens using experiments or ideas, but which is not yet proven ("Other scientists are debating his theory about the disappearance of dinosaurs.")
thing - n. any object
today - n. this day
tomorrow - n. the day after today
tonight - n. this night
tool - n. any instrument or device designed to help one do work
top - n. the upper edge or surface; the highest part; the cover of something
total - n. the complete amount
town - n. a center where people live, larger than a village but not as large as a city
tradition - n. a ceremony, activity or belief that has existed for a long time
traffic - n. the movement of people, vehicles or ships along a street, road or waterway
transportation - n. the act or business of moving goods or people
treason - n. the act of fighting against one's own country or of helping its enemies
treasure - n. a large collection of money, jewels or other things of great value
treatment - n. the act of treating; the use of medicine to try to cure or make better
treaty - n. a written agreement between two or more nations
tree - n. a very tall plant that is mostly wood, except for its leaves
trial - n. an examination in a court of a question or dispute to decide if a charge is true
tribe - n. a group of families ruled by a common chief or leader
trip - n. a movement from one place to another, usually a long distance
troops - n. a number of soldiers in a large controlled group
trouble - n. that which causes concern, fear, difficulty or problems
truce - n. a temporary halt in fighting agreed to by all sides involved
truck - n. a heavy vehicle used to carry goods
tube - n. a long, round structure through which liquids or gases can flow; a long, thin container in which they can be kept
universe - n. all of space, including planets and stars
university - n. a place of education that usually includes several colleges and research organizations
value - n. the quality of being useful, important or desired; the amount of money that could be received if something is sold
vegetable - n. a plant grown for food
vehicle - n. anything on or in which a person or thing can travel or be transported, especially anything on wheels; a car or truck
version - n. the form of something with different details than earlier or later forms
victim - n. someone or something that is injured, killed or made to suffer; someone who is tricked
victory - n. a success in a fight or competition
village - n. a very small town
violate - v. to fail to obey or honor; to break (an agreement)
violence - n. the use of force to cause injury, death or damage
voice - n. the sound made by creatures, especially humans, for speaking
volcano - n. a hill or mountain around a hole in the earth's surface that can explode, sending hot, melted rock and ash into the air
wall - n. the side of a room or building formed by wood, stone or other material; a structure sometimes used to separate areas of land
war - n. fighting between nations, or groups in a nation, using weapons
water - n. the liquid that falls from the sky as rain or is found in lakes, rivers and oceans
way - n. a path on land or sea or in the air; how something is done; method
wealth - n. a large amount of possessions, money or other things of value
weapon - n. anything used to cause injury or to kill during an attack, fight or war
weather - n. the condition of the atmosphere resulting from sun, wind, rain, heat or cold
week - n. a period of time equal to seven days
west - n. the direction in which the sun goes down
wheat - n. a grain used to make bread; the plant that produces the grain
wheel - n. a round structure that turns around a center
while - n. a space of time ("Please come to my house for a while."); conj. at or during the same time ("It may not be a good idea to eat while you are running.")
wife - n. a woman who is married
wind - n. a strong movement of air
window - n. an opening in a wall to let in light and air, usually filled with glass winter - n. the coldest time of year, between autumn and spring
wire - n. a long, thin piece of metal used to hang objects or to carry electricity or electronic communications from one place to another
woman - n. an adult female human
wood - n. the solid material of which trees are made
word - n. one or more connected sounds that form a single part of a language
world - n. the earth; the people who live on the earth
worth - n. value measured in money
yesterday - n. the day before today
zoo - n. a place where animals are kept for the public to look at and study
Common Prefixes
dis - not (dishonest, disobey)
pro - for, supporting (pro-labor, pro-government)
re - to do again (reorganize, reunite)
self - used to show that the person or group acting is the one affected by the action, or to show that the action is done only by its own effort or power (self-declared, self-appointed)
un - not (unusual, unhappy)
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Common Expressions
carry out - to do; to put into effect ("Please carry out the plan.")
pass a bill - approve ("Congress is expected to pass a bill to cut taxes.")
take steps - to start to do something ("The government will take steps to halt inflation.")
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Words Used in VOA Special English Science Programs
atom - a very small part of all things; the smallest part of an element that can join with parts of other elements
bacteria - living things that are one cell and can be seen only through a microscope; some cause disease
cell - a small mass of living material that is part of all plants and animals
chromosome - a line of genes; most human cells contain 46 chromosomes
compound - a substance containing two or more elements
dense - close together; thick
electron - a small part of an atom that has an electrical force
element - one of more than 100 substances known to science that cannot be separated into other substances
enzyme - a special kind of protein; it produces changes in other substances without being changed itself
fetus - unborn young
fission - a splitting; in atomic fission, the nucleus of an atom is split to produce nuclear energy
fusion - a joining together; in atomic fusion, atomic particles are joined together to produce nuclear energy
genes - parts of cells that control the growth and development of living things; genes from the mother and father are passed to the child; genes contain nucleic acid
genetic engineering - the science of changing the genes of a living organism
gravity - the force that pulls things toward the center of the earth
image - a reproduction of the appearance of a person or thing
laser - an instrument that makes a thin, powerful light
magnet - a piece of iron or other material that has a pulling force; this pulling force is called magnetism
molecule - the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist
nerve - a thin piece of tissue that sends information through the body to and from the brain
nucleus - the center part of an atom or cell
nucleic acid - a molecule that holds the genetic information necessary for life; there are two kinds of nucleic acid: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
nutrient - a food or substance that makes plants, humans or animals grow
organ - a part of the body that has a special purpose, such as the heart or brain
organism - a living thing, often so small it can be seen only through a microscope
particle - a very small piece of matter
proteins - substances responsible for the growth of tissue and for fixing damaged tissue
robot - a machine that moves and performs tasks
tissue - living material; a group of cells that are similar in appearance and do the same thing
virus - a kind of organism that causes disease
x-rays - a kind of radiation that can pass through most solid materials, often used in medicine
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Organs of the Body
heart - pumps blood through the body
intestines - tubes through which food passes after it is broken down in the stomach; part of the intestines also remove solid wastes from the body
kidney - cleans liquid wastes from the body
liver - makes some proteins and enzymes; removes poisons from the blood
lung - takes in and expels air from the body
prostate - a part of the male reproductive system
stomach - breaks down food for the body to use
uterus - a part of the female reproductive system where a fetus develops
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