Reading Academic English

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Today’s Academic Word:

measure

Part of speech: verb

Definitions:
1. to discover the exact size or amount of something
2. to be a particular size
3. to judge the quality, effect, importance, or value of something

Example sentences:
1. This machine measures your heart rate.
2. The screen measures 34 inches diagonally.
3. There is no way of measuring the damage done to morale.

Part of speech: noun

Definitions:
1. a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation
2. a unit used for stating the size, weight, etc. of something, or a way of measuring
3. an amount or level of something
4. a way of judging something

Example sentences:
1. These measures were designed to improve car safety.
2. The standard measure of efficiency in the airline industry is “cost per passenger mile”.
3. There was a large measure of agreement between the two sides in the negotiation.
4. Record sales are not always a measure of a singer's popularity.

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Today’s Academic Word:

circumstance

Part of speech: noun

Definitions:
1. a fact or event that must be considered along with another fact or event
2. a fact or detail in a chain of events
3. (plural) conditions at certain time or place
4. (often plural) the way things happen to be; chance
5. (plural) financial condition

Example sentences:
1. I can't imagine a circumstance in which I would do that.
2. The circumstance of the missing weapon suggests murder.
3. The circumstances of his death are suspicious.
4. She says that her client is a victim of circumstance and should not be blamed for the accident.
5. Brian found himself in easy circumstances after winning the lawsuit.

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Today’s Academic Word:

assist

Part of speech: verb

Definition:
1. to give support or aid

Example sentences:
1. The device assists those who can't climb stairs.
2. The President was assisted by his advisers.
3. She assisted the boy with his homework.

Part of speech: noun

Definitions:
1. an act of giving aid or support
2. the action of a player who by passing a ball or puck makes it possible for a teammate to make a putout or score a goal

Example sentences:
1. The customer service representative offered a prompt and efficient assist, resolving the issue to the satisfaction of the frustrated customer.
2. The team's success was attributed to the exceptional assist from their star player, who made crucial contributions throughout the game.

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Today’s Academic Word:

interpret

Part of speech:

verb

Definitions:
1. to explain the meaning of something
2. to understand according to one’s own belief or judgement
3. to translate for speakers of different languages
4. to bring out the meaning by performing

Example sentences:
1. We need someone to interpret these results for us.
2. How should we interpret the law?
3. I interpreted his behavior to mean that he disliked me.
4. The testimony of the witnesses had to be interpreted from French to English.
5. Every actor interprets the role of Hamlet a little differently.