DEGREE

DEGA2 A
- TRACK 2 X-Vocabulary Workbook IAUP - Week 6

WEEK utter strive provoke vibrant

6 vital remedy hardship convenient

Pre-Reading

A. Discussion
1. Are you a “chocoholic”? In other words, are you crazy about eating chocolate? Why?
2. How much chocolate do you eat a day/week?
3. What is your favourite type of chocolate?
4. What do you think about the following questions
5. Can chocolate cause headaches ______________________

WORDS IN CONTEXT

He opened his mouth to speak but could not utter a sound.

utter
/ˈʌtə/ She could not even utter a cry of pain, just a short gasp of disbelief.
-verb
A. to say B. to listen C. to pronounce
utter means…

The company is striving to cultivate a collaborative environment in the offices.

strive
/strʌɪv/ They strive for peace and justice under conditions of civil war.
-verb
A. to work, to produce B. to attempt, to try C. to look for, to search
strive means…

The film tries to horrify and provoke an emotional reaction.

provoke
/prəˈvəʊk/ Genetic manipulation of food provokes strong protests from the
-verb environmentalists.
A. to regard, to see B. to possess, to have C. to stimulate, to cause
provoke means…

The Indian media is alive and vibrant, full of surprises.

vibrant
/ˈvʌɪbr(ə)nt/ It is a vibrant city full of a thousands of interesting places to see and things to
-adjective do.
A. attractive B. obscure C. dynamic
vibrant means…

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DEGA2 - TRACK 2 X-Vocabulary Workbook IAUP - Week 6

We have suffered unimaginable hardship and danger while escaping from war.
hardship
/ˈhɑːdʃɪp/ My family had financial hardships when I was a kid. There were times when we
-noun couldn't afford the most basic things.
A. achievement B. harassment C. difficulty
hardship means…

Electricity is vital to modern life. We can’t imagine life without it.

vital
/ˈvʌɪt(ə)l/ Hygiene is vital in the production of food products.
-adjective
A. insignificant B. necessary C. crucial
vital means…

Honey and lemon is a good remedy for cold.

remedy They proposed a sensible remedy for the problem.
/ˈrɛmɪdi/
-noun
A. solution B. nutrition C. substance
remedy means…

Online shopping is more convenient than the shopping malls for our consumers.
convenient
/kənˈviːnɪənt/ There will be many sessions of this presentation. We can attend the one most
-adjective convenient for us.
A. informative B. valuable C. suitable
convenient means…

CHOCOLATE
What do you think is the most favourite flavour in the world? I think you will agree with me when I utter
“It is chocolate!”. However, very few of us know anything about this food we love or even strive to learn about
it. Do you think it could be a remedy, I mean a solution for different problems or does it provoke any
problems? What could be the most convenient description?
The taste of chocolate we eat today is sweet, but in the past chocolate was very bitter. Today
chocolate can be a hot drink, a dessert, or just a snack but in the past it was a medicine, so it was vital.
Sometimes, chocolate is an ingredient for a meal. For example, Mexicans make a hot chocolate sauce and
pour it over chicken dishes. They also eat chocolate with spices like chili peppers.
Chocolate is a product of the tropical cacao tree. In fact, cacao is the main ingredient of chocolate.
However, cacao beans taste very bitter. After workers collect cacao beans, they dry and roast them. The
workers dry and roast the cacao because drying and roasting the bean removes their bitter taste.
The word “chocolate” is a Mayan and Aztec word. The Mayans and Aztecs lived in central and south
America. The cacao tree was very important for the Mayans and the Aztecs. However, the Mayans and the
Aztecs did not eat chocolate in those days; they drank it. First, they crushed cacao beans with water.
Sometimes, they added chili peppers to their drink. Sugar did not exist in central and south America in those
days.
When the Spanish came to central and south America in the 16th century, they started drinking
chocolate, too. The Spanish thought chocolate was a medicine because the drink was too strong and bitter.
Eventually, they added sugar, honey or vanilla to the drink in order to remove its bitter taste. The Spanish took
some cacao beans back to Europe. Rich Europeans drank chocolate and said it was good for their health.
These people drank chocolate especially after big meals so they didn’t get any health problems. It prevented
the hardship of big and heavy meals.
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DEGA2 - TRACK 2 X-Vocabulary Workbook IAUP - Week 6
Like the Mayans and the Aztecs, Europeans didn’t eat but drank chocolate until the 19th century. This
changed in 1830 which was considered to be vibrant. A British chocolate maker made the first solid
chocolate in 1830 and people started to eat chocolate. The first solid chocolate was not bitter; it contained
sugar. Later on, around 1870, a Swiss factory mixed milk and chocolate together, and created the first milk
chocolate. People liked the taste of milk chocolate even better. Today, there are different types of chocolate
such as white chocolate, bitter chocolate or chocolate with nuts. In addition, there are different products
made from chocolate such as cakes, chips, cookies and puddings.
Why do so many people in the world cherish chocolate? Because we feel happy when we eat
chocolate. Chocolate contains special chemicals. When we eat chocolate, these special chemicals make us
feel good. A lot of people say that eating chocolate is like falling in love. And, what is nicer than eating
chocolate and the feeling of being in love?
A. Study the questions and then answer the questions while reading the text.

1. True or False? The taste of chocolate has always been sweet ________

2. The Mexicans prepare a hot chocolate sauce for _______ dishes. They also eat chocolate with
________ such as __________
3. After the workers collect cacao beans, they _____ and _______ them.

4. What did the Spanish think when they first came to central and South America? __________

5. Why did rich Europeans like chocolate? ___________________________

6. In which products we can find chocolate today? _______________________

7. Why do we feel good when we eat chocolate? __________________________

COMPREHENSION CHECK POINT

1. Is the date convenient? 5. Her voice was so vibrant,
a. Otherwise, we need to change it. a. she woke us up all.
b. We will definitely have it on Monday. b. she depressed us.
c. There is no other option. c. she made us curious.

2. I don’t think she has had any hardships in life, 6. The teacher provoked him into working harder,
a. she seems very unhappy. a. so his grades fell considerably.
b. she seems determined to be successful. b. so he has much higher grades now.
c. she seems to be very content with everything. c. so he does not come to the classes now.

3. Each member has a vital role in the team, 7. She did not utter a word,
a. they are all replaceable. a. she was so chatty.
b. they are not enthusiastic. b. she was so diligent.
c. they are irreplaceable. c. she was so silent.

4. There is no remedy for her disease, 8. My sister strives to become a good doctor,
a. she is totally fine right now. a. she studies a lot.
b. she has to take a medicine throughout her life. b. she has a lot of duties.
c. she is getting better. c. she is very tired all the time.

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DEGA2 - TRACK 2 X-Vocabulary Workbook IAUP - Week 6

WORD FAMILIES

NOUN VERB ADJECTIVE ADVERB

1. Convenient

a convenient time ✔

a matter of convenience

2. Utter

utter a word

utter silence

3. Vibrant

a vibrant city

vibrated with terror

4. Vital

a vital event

the feeling of vitality

5. Remedy

herbal remedies

a remedial surgery

B. Read the first half of each sentence and match it with the appropriate ending.
1. She looked at him a. provide comfort and convenience at the same time.

2. His every movement b. if they do not have vitality and energy.

3. You are not getting the most out of them c. remedial classes every Friday.

4. The chairs look trendy and d. in utter amazement.

5. Our teacher holds e. vibrates with life.

WORD IN SENTENCES

convenient hardship strive provoke

vital remedy vibrant utter

1. They tried to ___________ the audience with their controversial remarks.

2. They were in __________ shock after the accident.
3. I am inspired by the ___________ energy of the youth and the charm of the campuses.
4. The meeting time is not __________ for me. I guess I will not be able to make it.
5. Doctors _________ to keep as many people as possible alive in wars.
6. Sharing of wealth worldwide would be a simple _________ for the problem of poverty.
7. They encountered many __________ but did not give up on each other.
8. Environmental pollution is a burning issue; it is of _________ importance.

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DEGA2 - TRACK 2 X-Vocabulary Workbook IAUP - Week 6

WORD IN READING

convenient hardship strive

utter vital provoke

The news ________ a debate among the educators and students. In their last year at high school, students
study a lot and __________ to be accepted to a respectable university. Their fate depends on a single exam
which they take in their senior year. They endure so much pain and _________. Now, they will take the
exam in three separate sessions. This is a __________ change; it will have a great impact on both the
teachers and students. Some teachers think that it will be more ________ for students as they will have
more chances. They argue that this will decrease the stress on the students. However, other teachers think
that it will be more tiring and stressful for them. For now, there is ________ confusion about how the exams
will be organized and how it will affect the students.

Writing

Dark Chocolate vs. Milk Chocolate. Which one do you prefer and why?

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