Unit 2

Word

Definition

Example

appliance

a machine or device used at home to do a job, like a fridge or washing machine.

The most useful appliance in our house is the washing machine.

create

to make or produce something new.

The designer wants to create a new style of eco-friendly clothing.

develop

to improve or make something grow or become more advanced.

My sister is only 19 but she has a great job developing IT systems.

discover

to find or learn about something for the first time.

Scientists hope to discover a new treatment for the disease.

engine

the part of a machine that makes it work by using power.

The steam engine was invented by James Watt in the 18th century and was very important in the Industrial Revolution.

generate

to produce energy, electricity, or ideas.

This radio doesn't use batteries – you generate electricity by moving this handle in a circle.

invent

to design or make something that has never existed before.

Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989.

machine

a piece of equipment with moving parts that does a particular job.

There are machines at the bus stops where you can buy tickets.

manufacture

to make products, usually in large quantities in a factory.

Germany manufactures over 5 million cars every year.

motor

a device that makes a machine move or work.

Some cars now have motors which use petrol and electricity.

remote control

a small device used to operate a machine from a distance.

This programme is boring … You've got the remote control, can you change the channel?

tool

an object used to do or fix something, like a hammer or screwdriver.

You need a special tool to open the smartphone.

carry out

do work, research, experiments, etc.

They're carrying out a survey about recycling.

come on

develop, make progress

The building work on our new house is coming on nicely.

come up with

think of an idea or a plan

We need to come up with some good ideas for raising money.

figure out

calculate, solve a problem, understand a situation

I'm trying to figure out the answer to this crossword clue.

look into

investigate

Police are looking into a series of burglaries in the local area.

plug in

connect to a machine, the electricity supply, etc.

Plug the printer in, then turn it on. It's that simple.

high priority

something very important that needs attention first.

Getting a part-time job isn't a high priority for me, but it would be nice.

high speed

moving or working very fast.

Be very careful crossing that road – cars often drive down it at very high speed.

high time

the right moment to do something that should have been done earlier.

It's high time the council did something about this problem.

high-definition

showing very clear and detailed pictures or videos.

The latest high-definition TVs have amazing picture quality.

high-performance

working very well and efficiently, especially for machines or people.

Ferrari make high-performance cars.

high-powered

having a lot of energy, influence, or strength.

A high-powered telescope allows you to see stars really clearly.

high-tech

using the most modern technology or machines.

Tim always has the latest high-tech equipment and gadgets.

top award

the highest prize or recognition given for an achievement.

Winning an Academy Award is considered the top award for a film actor.

top priority

the most important thing that must be done before anything else.

Getting a part-time job is my top priority right now. I'm desperate to earn some extra money!

top secret

information that must be kept completely hidden.

This information is top secret, so don't tell anyone!

top speed

the fastest speed something can reach.

My mum's car has a top speed of 120 km/h, but she never drives that fast.

achieve

to successfully reach a goal by effort or skill.

She worked hard to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.

explore

to travel or look around to learn about a place or subject.

They plan to explore the island to find hidden caves.

fortunate

lucky; having good things happen by chance.

I feel fortunate to have friends who always support me.

science

the study of the world through observation and experiments.

Science helps us understand how the world and nature work.

simple

easy to understand or do; not complicated.

The instructions were clear and simple to follow.

solve

to find an answer to a problem or question.

The students worked together to solve the difficult math problem.