Unit 9

Word

Example

account for

A wet August accounted for the bad harvest

clue

Police are still looking for clues in their search for the missing girl

evidence

At present we have no evidence of life on other planets

identify

A recent survey identified 50 of the world's most inspiring people

motive

He is a jealous husband, he had a motive for the crime

red herring

The police investigated many clues, but they were all red herrings

remain a mystery

His plans remain a complete mystery for me

turn out

Actually, it turned out to be a lot of fun

victim

According to the news report, there were no less than 10 victims after the fire

reason

Can you please explain the reason for your decision?

explain

'I want to thank him for returning the bike and tell him I've forgiven him,' she explained

suffer

A lot of people in Africa suffer from hunger

mystery

I love a good mystery!

assume

Assuming I didn't want to see it, I'd say no

conclude

Before I conclude, I'd like to thank you all for coming

fake

A: I like your watch. An Omega, isn't it? B: Er, well, to be honest, don't tell anyone, but it's a fake

know

Did you know what this plant is?

misunderstand

He misunderstood the question completely

observe

A garden can be a good place for observing wildlife

prove

Tests have proved that the system works

research

It's a good idea to do some research before you buy a house

suspect

She strongly suspected he was lying to her

theorise

Scientists theorised that plants release chemicals when they are hurt

come across

As a public speaker, what matters is how you come across as a person

come up with

Can you come up with a design for a new pair of shoes?

figure out

Can you figure out a way to do it?

get on with

If you make some coffee I'll get on with the washing up

get over

We can get over the problem without difficulty

let down

I made a special effort not to let my mum down

make out

I couldn't make out what he was saying

make up

Did you make up a story?

stand out

Bad things often stand out in our minds

stick out

A piece of paper was sticking out of the book

think through

I don't think you've thought this through. How will we get the work done if there's a rush

refuse

The chairman refused to answer any more questions

deliver

They set off to deliver supplies to an isolated village

wrong item

I was so disappointed when the shop delivered me the wrong item

arrive

He arrived home at six o'clock

out of stock

The white chairs are out of stock, but a delivery is due on Monday

turn up

Can you turn the music up? I can't hear it well

bill

A 10% service charge has been added to your bill

get lost in the post

Do you know what to do if the parcel get lost in the post?

hoax

Are they real historical documents or part of a clever hoax?