4000 Essential English Words 1 » Unit 24: A Strong Friendship

Word List
  • block [blɒk] n.
    A block is a solid piece of wood, stone or ice.
    → I saw a block of ice on the floor.
  • cheer [tʃɪə] v.
    To cheer is to give a loud shout of approval or encouragement.
    → The crowd all cheered when the home team won.
  • complex [ˈkɒmplɛks] adj.
    If something is complex, it has many small parts. It is hard to understand.
    → A jig-saw puzzle can be complex because it has so many pieces.
  • critic [ˈkrɪtɪk] n.
    A critic is someone who give their opinions about movies, books, plays.
    → The wine critic tasted the wine so he could give his opinion.
  • event [ɪˈvɛnt] n.
    An event is something that happens, especially something important.
    → Finishing high school was a major event in his life.
  • exercise [ˈɛksəsʌɪz] v.
    To exercise is to run or play sports so that you can be healthy.
    → You should exercise every day.
  • fit [fɪt] v.
    If something fits, it is small enough or the right size to go there.
    → The colorful eggs fit into the box.
  • friendship [ˈfrɛn(d)ʃɪp] n.
    Friendship is the relationship between people who are friends.
    → Michael and Lisa have a very strong friendship with each other.
  • guide [ɡʌɪd] n.
    A guide is someone who shows you where to go.
    → We followed a guide at the park.
  • lack [lak] n.
    If there is a lack of something, there is not enough of it.
    → His only problem is a lack of money.
  • passage [ˈpasɪdʒ] n.
    A passage is a long area with walls that goes from one place to another.
    → The long passage led us to the other side of the field.
  • perform [pəˈfɔːm] v.
    To perform is to do something in front of people who watch.
    → He will perform a song for the class.
  • pressure [ˈprɛʃə] n.
    Pressure is what you apply to make someone do something.
    → They put pressure on him to change his mind.
  • probable [ˈprɒbəb(ə)l] adj.
    If something is probable, it is likely to happen.
    → It is probable that you will get a good grade if you study for the test.
  • public [ˈpʌblɪk] adj.
    If something is public, it is meant for everyone to use.
    → I went to the public park to play with my friends.
  • strike [strʌɪk] v.
    To strike someone or something is to hit them.
    → She struck the other girl in the face.
  • support [səˈpɔːt] v.
    To support something is to like it and help it be successful.
    → Everyone at work supports the new plan.
  • task [tɑːsk] n.
    A task is work that someone has to do.
    → Who has the task of building the brick wall?
  • term [təːm] n.
    A term is a word for something.
    → I often use the term “oops” when I make a mistake.
  • unite [juːˈnʌɪt] v.
    To unite is to get together to do something.
    → If we unite, we can finish our project faster.
Exercise 1

Part A: Choose the right definition for the given word.

  1. probable
    • a. a word for something
    • b. to hit
    • c. a leader
    • d. likely
  2. lack
    • a. to not have enough
    • b. to try to make people act
    • c. to have many parts
    • d. to do activities to be healthy
  3. term
    • a. available for everyone
    • b. to help something work
    • c. a thing that happens
    • d. a word for something
  4. unite
    • a. a person who dislikes
    • b. relationship between people who are friends
    • c. to work together
    • d. to do something to entertain
  5. fit
    • a. a large piece
    • b. connection between places
    • c. to be the right size
    • d. a loud shout of encouragement

Part B: write a word that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.

  1. The car will hit the wall if they don’t slow down.
    st_ _ _ _
  2. The athletes run to stay healthy every morning.
    ex_ _ _ _ _ _
  3. I hope they will do in public a funny play.
    pe_ _ _ _ _
  4. Is there a way to get from one place to another in the city?
    p_ _ _ _ _ _
  5. Her effort to make someone do something made Brad change his mind.
    p_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Exercise 2

Check (V) the one that suits the blank naturally.

  1. They’ve known each other for years__________ .
    • ____ a. and have a good friendship
    • ____ b. go to a passage
  2. I don’t know where we are.__________ .
    • ____ a. We need a guide
    • ____ b. Let’s perform right now
  3. The concert tonight__________ .
    • ____ a. will strike the wall
    • ____ b. will be a fun event
  4. I gave him money because__________ .
    • ____ a. I support his company
    • ____ b. He didn’t do any work
  5. At the end of her speech,__________ .
    • ____ a. don’t forget to cheer loudly
    • ____ b. fit into your clothes
  6. You don’t have to pay to get in when__________ .
    • ____ a. an accident is probable
    • ____ b. you go to a public park
  7. You must think hard because__________ .
    • ____ a. I am under pressure
    • ____ b. the problem is complex
  8. Glad is__________ .
    • ____ a. another term for happy
    • ____ b. the way people unite
  9. The artist made his art__________ .
    • ____ a. from a block of wood
    • ____ b. the people cheered for victory
  10. He thought the book was boring.__________ .
    • ____ a. He was a critic of it
    • ____ b. He really enjoyed it
Answer Key
Exercise 1
Part A
  1. d
  2. a
  3. d
  4. c
  5. c
Part B
  1. strike
  2. exercise
  3. perform
  4. passage
  5. pressure
Exercise 2
  1. a
  2. a
  3. b
  4. a
  5. a
  6. b
  7. b
  8. a
  9. a
  10. a
Answer Key
A Strong Friendship

Tim was the strongest man in the town. When he played sports, he always won. He performed and exercised in the public park. He did this to show everyone how strong he was. Most people liked him, but one man didn’t. His name was Jack.

Jack hated Tim. Jack was a movie critic and the smartest man in town. He could solve complex math problems. But no one cared. Jack wanted to be famous like Tim.

One day, there was an unusual event. A big storm came suddenly. Snow covered the town. No one could get out. They needed food. The people said, “This is a task for a strong man.” Tim was under pressure to save them. But Jack wanted to be the hero, so they both went. Tim said, “You can’t help because of your lack of strength.”

But Jack found some small passages under the snow. One of them led toward another town. That town had food. Because Tim was so big and strong, he almost couldn’t fit inside. They walked until there was a block of ice in their way. Jack said, “We can’t get past it. But if you strike it, it might break.” Tim knew that was probable.

He broke it. When there were more ice blocks, Tim broke them. That made him tired. He couldn’t walk anymore. Jack said, “Let’s unite and support each other. I’ll get the food alone. You rest here.”

Jack came back with food. Tim couldn’t remember which passage led home. He needed Jack to be his guide. The men became friends by working together.

In town, people saw Jack with the food and cheered. They called Jack a hero. But Jack didn’t care. He was thinking of something else. He said to Tim, “I thought I was smart, but I learned a new term today: friendship.”

Reading Comprehension

Answer the questions.

  1. What is the main idea of this story?
    • a. The best way to strike blocks
    • b. How a strong man learned a new term
    • c. How two men unite and support each other
    • d. How to solve complex problems
  2. How did Tim show people he was strong?
    • a. He struck the critic in front of them.
    • b. He performed and exercised in public places.
    • c. He found a passage in the snow.
    • d. He lifted a block of ice for them.
  3. Why did Jack become a hero?
    • a. He fit inside the passage.
    • b. He brought food to the town.
    • c. He put pressure on Tim to save the town.
    • d. He won every sport he played.
  4. What did Tim think while in the passage?
    • a. He thought breaking the ice was probable.
    • b. He thought the storm was an unusual event.
    • c. He thought he was a good guide for Jack.
    • d. He thought it was a very difficult task.
  5. What happened when Jack was called a hero?
    _____________
Answer Key
Answer Key
Reading Comprehension
  1. c
  2. b
  3. b
  4. a
  5. He looked at Tim and said, “I thought I was smart, but I learned a new term today: friendship.”
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