Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 35
This episode is in English.
Below in teaching order, as in the video: related words sit side by side so you can compare them.
a round solid shape like a ball; or an area of activity
गोला; क्षेत्र
Usage
The earth is almost a sphere.
Women now lead in every sphere of public life.
Common mistake
A sphere has four equal sides.
A square has four equal sides.
A sphere is round like a ball; a square has four sides.
Remember: Sphere: a ball in 3D.
the top of a mountain; or a meeting of leaders
शिखर; शिखर सम्मेलन
Usage
Tenzing and Hillary reached the summit of Everest in 1953.
World leaders met in Delhi for the G20 summit.
Common mistake
We had a summit to choose the class picnic snacks.
We had a meeting to choose the class picnic snacks.
A summit is a meeting of top leaders, not a small chat.
Remember: Summit: the very top, of a hill or of leaders.
something added to make a thing complete; or to add
पूरक; पूरक करना
Usage
The doctor told her to take a vitamin D supplement.
He supplements his salary by giving tuition.
Common mistake
He takes a vitamin supplementary every day.
He takes a vitamin supplement every day.
Supplementary is the adjective; the tablet is a supplement.
Remember: Supplement: a supply of something extra.
done secretly so that others will not notice
चोरी-छिपे किया गया, गुप्त
Usage
He took a surreptitious look at his phone during the exam.
She made a surreptitious recording of the meeting.
Common mistake
He made a surreptitious speech on stage before thousands.
He made a bold speech on stage before thousands.
Surreptitious means secret; a public speech is not secret.
Remember: Surreptitious: sneaky, slipping past unseen.
as a result of this action
इसके द्वारा, जिससे
Usage
Kohli hit a six, thereby winning the match.
Mumbai bought electric buses, thereby cutting pollution.
Common mistake
He studied hard, thereby he passed the exam.
He studied hard, thereby passing the exam.
Thereby is followed by an -ing form, not a new clause.
Remember: Thereby: by that, this happened.
very great in amount, size or strength
ज़बरदस्त, अत्यधिक
Usage
The team showed tremendous courage in the final.
The show was a tremendous success.
Common mistake
The final was very tremendous.
The final was tremendous.
Tremendous already means very great; don't add very.
Remember: Tremendous: so big it makes you tremble.
difficult, tiring or annoying to deal with
कष्टदायक, थकाने वाला
Usage
Waiting six hours for a late train was a trying experience.
The pandemic was a trying time for families.
Common mistake
It was a trying day: I had fun and relaxed all afternoon.
It was a relaxing day: I had fun and relaxed all afternoon.
A trying day is a hard, tiring day, not a pleasant one.
Remember: Trying: it tries your patience.
to break a law, rule or agreement
उल्लंघन करना
Usage
Drivers who violate traffic rules are fined.
The company violated the workers' rights.
Common mistake
He violated against the rules of the hostel.
He violated the rules of the hostel.
Violate takes a direct object; no against.
Remember: Violate: a violent break of a rule.
a wild plant growing where it is not wanted
खरपतवार
Usage
Farmers pull weeds out of the rice fields.
The old garden was full of weeds.
Common mistake
We planted weeds to grow tomatoes.
We planted seeds to grow tomatoes.
Seeds grow plants you want; weeds are plants you don't.
Remember: Weed: the plant nobody needed.
a woman whose husband has died
विधवा
Usage
The state gives a monthly pension to every widow.
She became a widow at forty and raised three children.
Common mistake
Mr Sharma is a widow; his wife died last year.
Mr Sharma is a widower; his wife died last year.
A man whose wife has died is a widower.
Remember: Widow for a woman, widower for a man.