Cambrindge Proficiency Exam

1. [singular] the sound that is made by something repeatedly hitting a surface quickly and lightly the patter of feet/footsteps the patter of rain on the roof I could hear the pitter-patter of feet in the corridor.
2. [uncountable, singular] fast continuous talk by somebody who is trying to sell you something or entertain you sales patter

having disastrous consequences

living in or having to do with the water

related to sience

oceanic

hydroelectric

euphoric

realistic

domestic

also cetaceous, connected with the group of creatures that includes whales and dolphins

any animal that gives birth to live babies, not eggs, and feeds its young on milk. Cows, humans and whales are all mammals.

the same as or equal to someone or something

...astonishing intelligence and emotional empathy puts them on a par with humans.

1. a public statement or action showing that you support somebody/something The election victory is a clear endorsement of their policies. a letter of endorsement
2. a statement made in an advertisement, usually by somebody famous or important, saying that they use and like a particular product
3. (British English) details of a driving offence recorded on somebody’s driving licence How many endorsements can you have before you lose your licence?

alleviate something to make something less severe

synonym ease

to alleviate suffering

A number of measures were taken to alleviate the problem.

decline (in something) | decline (of something) a continuous decrease in the number, value, quality, etc. of something a rapid/sharp/gradual decline urban/economic decline

The company reported a small decline in its profits.

An increase in cars has resulted in the decline of public transport.

The town fell into (a) decline(= started to be less busy, important, etc.) after the mine closed.

Industry in Britain has been in decline since the 1970s.

in a careful way that suggests good manners

She blew her nose as daintily as possible.

bad-tempered

Pay no attention to his moods - he’s just a grumpy old man.

• in a way that is impressive and usually costs a lot of money synonym extravagantly - She entertains her friends lavishly.
• in a way that involves large or generous amounts of something - lavishly illustrated

in a slightly sad way that shows you are thinking about something that you would like to have, especially something in the past that you can no longer have

She sighed wistfully.

‘If only I had known you then,’ he said wistfully.

1. [intransitive] wallow (in something) (of large animals or people) to lie and roll about in water or mud, to keep cool or for pleasure hippos wallowing in the river He loves to wallow in a hot bath after a game.
2. [intransitive] wallow in something (often disapproving) to enjoy something that causes you pleasure She wallowed in the luxury of the hotel. to wallow in despair/self-pity (= to think about your unhappy feelings all the time and seem to be enjoying them)

a book or a film/movie about events that happened before those in a popular book or film/movie

Fans waited for years for the first Star Wars prequel.

a book, film/movie, play, etc. that continues the story of an earlier one a sequel to the hit movie ‘Madagascar’

something that happens after an earlier event or as a result of an earlier event There was an interesting sequel to these events later in the year.

[intransitive] + adv./prep. to walk at a slow relaxed speed

synonym stroll

We ambled down to the beach.

They ambled along for miles.

Mark ambled over to the girls.

They spend their time fishing or ambling through the woods.

[intransitive] + adv./prep. to climb or move with difficulty or a lot of effort, using your hands and feet

synonym scramble

The children clambered up the steep bank.

intransitive] to walk slowly or with heavy steps, because you are tired or carrying something heavy + noun

He trudged the last two miles to the town. + adv./prep.

The men trudged up the hill, laden with supplies.

We spent the morning trudging around the mall looking for a suitable gift.

intransitive] (usually of a vehicle) to slide sideways or forwards in an uncontrolled way

The car skidded on the ice and went straight into the wall.

She could feel they were skidding.

The taxi skidded to a halt just in time.

Her foot skidded on the wet floor and she fell heavily.

1. transitive, intransitive] flunk (something) to fail an exam, a test or a course - I flunked math in second grade.
2. [transitive] flunk somebody to make somebody fail an exam, a test, or a course by giving them a low mark/grade - She's flunked 13 of the 18 students.