August I 2012 FCE

Your tenure as a student ends when you graduate high school — unless, of course, you go on to college.

You can pledge your allegiance to a flag or swear your allegiance to a government or cause.

An oversight is a mistake you make when you're not paying full attention.

An asset is something you have that is positive. It can mean a piece of property, a piece of equipment, an ability, or even a quality.

The front of a ship is called the fore, and the back is the "aft."

To scramble is to move quickly in a disorganized fashion, like people running to get out of the rain. When you scramble a message, it can no longer be read.

An affiliation is an official connection to something. To have an affiliation to something is to be affiliated with it.

When you detain someone, you hold them back, slow them down, or stop them from moving on. If you are detained by the police, you may be late for the big football game

If you're so upset you're crying loudly, taking in big gasps of air and heaving your chest, you are sobbing.

To testify is to make a statement or provide evidence, usually in court. Witnesses testify for the prosecution or defense.

You know the lawyers who try to make the jury believe the guy on trial for stealing the bananas actually stole the bananas? That team of lawyers is known as the prosecution.

A cluster is a small group of people or things. When you and your friends huddle awkwardly around the snack table at a party, whispering and trying to muster enough nerve to hit the dance floor, you’ve formed a cluster.

When you are hungry you start nagging.

The dumpster was full of cardboard.

If you are in distress, you are in trouble. You're hurting — either physically or mentally.

When you're disheartened, you feel discouraged or let down. It's easy to become disheartened if the grades on your report card don't reflect the hard work and dedication you exerted.

Exert basically means to put forth effort to do something. For example, when you exert yourself in a workout, you can really feel the burn in your muscles.

Slaughter refers to the killing of large numbers of animals or people. When cattle are old enough, they're sent to slaughter and their meat is processed and shipped to stores.

Describe yourself as wary if you don't quite trust someone or something and want to proceed with caution. Be wary of risky things like wild mushrooms and Internet deals!

Weary as an adjective means "very tired or worn out," like weary students who finished a long week of studying and taking tests.

He put a hand on her bare thigh.

It's merely a small scratch. It's merely a portion of the total profit.

If the mere thought of a burrito with sour cream in it turns your stomach, you could say that you despise sour cream.

Something peculiar is notably unusual. If your friend starts saying strange things you don't understand, ask her why she's suddenly become peculiar.

A fraternity is a group of people who work in the same industry or have similar careers.

It's outrageous that they didn't do anything about it.

Sustain means to support something or keep it going. If you get hungry in the mid-afternoon, you might try snacking to sustain your energy through dinner.

If something is intact it's still in one piece. If you'd like your sand castle to remain intact, I suggest you build it away from the water.

If you really want to cut down on the clutter in your apartment, you can't be sentimental about keepsakes. You have to be ruthless and throw out everything that's not absolutely essential.

Indifferent is an adjective that refers to a lack of opinion or interest, or being just plain, old, average.

What should I anticipate? I anticipate trouble finding a good doctor in this town. We anticipate a short break in contract coverage until new contract is in place. /ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪt/

It was a ridiculous editorial and its only purpose was to be inflammatory. Eventually the consumer will come to appreciate the editorial point of view of every different brand. /ˌɛdɪˈtɔriəl/

The Earth revolves on its axis. It causes gas to revolve around the star more slowly than freely orbiting objects do. /rɪˈvɒlv/

The weather has been fabulous. He is making fabulous amounts of money. It doesn't matter how many fabulous courses with famous experts you took on any one subject in graduate school. /ˈfæbyələs/

The thief must have had an attack of conscience, because he returned the wallet with nothing missing from it. /ˈkɒnʃəns/

It was a conscious decision. /ˈkɒnʃəs/

In the meantime until she gets here we do the snip test. /snɪp/

Soldiers guarding the perimeter of the camp. /pəˈrɪmɪtər/

The children wriggled and squirmed in their chairs. /ˈrɪgəl/

I'd have bailed her out myself, but I've been preoccupied. /beɪl/

You come in firing, we'll tackle him from behind. /ˈtækəl/

We were giving away ribs, prime steaks and veal. /rɪb/