Zero waste
Finances
Education
Phrasal verbs
Idioms
100

A lot of plastic bottles go to rubbish dumps every year.

Tons of plastic bottles end up in landfills every year.

100

It took him two years to return all the money he had borrowed from his friend.

It took him two years to pay back all the money he had borrowed from his friend.

100

He left university before finishing his degree because he wanted to start his own business.

He dropped out of university because he wanted to start his own business.

100

If you hear an important idea, you should record it on paper so you do not forget it.

If you hear an important idea, you should write it down so you do not forget it.

100

Although she said she was fine with the decision, in her true feelings she was very disappointed.

Although she said she was fine with the decision, deep down she was very disappointed.

200

I usually buy large amounts of nuts at the market.

I usually buy nuts in bulk at the market.

200

They had to borrow money from a bank to pay for their new car.

They had to take out a loan to pay for their new car.

200

Before applying to university, she decided to spend a year away from studying so she could travel and work.

Before applying to university, she decided to take a year off so she could travel and work.

200

I didn’t want to start talking about that subject during dinner because it might have caused an argument.

I didn’t want to bring up that topic during dinner because it might have caused an argument.

200

He made a strong impression immediately, from the very beginning.

He made a strong impression right off the bat.

300

The government wants to ban plastic forks and spoons to protect the environment.

The government wants to ban disposable cutlery to protect the environment.

300

After losing his job, he had to survive using only $500 a month.

After losing his job, he had to live on $500 a month.

300

After finishing her bachelor’s degree, she chose to continue her education by studying for a higher postgraduate qualification.

After finishing her bachelor’s degree, she chose to do a Master’s.

300

We often spend time together in a relaxed way after class.

We often hang out after class.

300

My parents would react in a very angry or emotional way if I quit my job without a plan.

My parents would flip out if I quit my job without a plan.

400

You should drink water to "refill" your energy after exercise

You should drink water to replenish your energy after exercise

400

In the end, her parents had to pay the full cost of the wedding reception.

In the end, her parents had to foot the bill for the wedding reception.

400

Many students have to pay money for their education at university every semester.

Many students have to pay tuition every semester.

400

She managed to start a friendly conversation with the person sitting next to her on the train.

She managed to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to her on the train.

400

Small businesses suffered the worst effects of the economic crisis.

Small businesses felt the brunt of the economic crisis.

500

Advertising often encourages buying too much.  

Advertising often encourages excessive consumption.

500

After his aunt died, he received a large amount of money from her.

After his aunt died, he inherited a large amount of money from her.

500

The school still uses an old-fashioned way of teaching with lectures, textbooks, and exams.

The school still uses a traditional approach to teaching.

500

If you want to make new friends, you need to take social risks and show people who you are.

If you want to make new friends, you need to put yourself out there.

500

When she finally paid off her debt, it made her feel much less worried and relieved.

Paying off her debt lifted a weight off her shoulders.

M
e
n
u