Happy Monday! It's day 14 of your 30 Day Vocabulary Challenge, one video a day
every day for 30 days. You're learning 105 words from the academic word list. Words you'll need to
know if you're preparing for the IELTS or TOEFL exam but also if you read or watch the news in
English or have conversation in English. These are intermediate words, very much so a part of
everyday conversation. We're going to study them in real situations so your understanding will go
beyond simply memorizing a definition. So grab your friends, and have them join you in this
challenge, let's do this! And as always, if you like this video or you learned something new,
please like and subscribe with notifications. I'd love to have you as my student!
During these 30 days, we're learning 105 words together. I do have a download for you,
a list of all the words with definitions and sample sentences,
as well as quizzes to make sure you're really getting and remembering these words. You can
get that download by following this link or the link in the video description.
Our first word today has three pronunciations. As an adjective, that has second syllable
stress with either the schwa or the AH as in father vowel in the unstressed syllable,
so that can be COMPLEX, that's with the schwa, or complex, that's with the AH vowel.
Either of these pronunciations can be used. As a noun, it has first syllable stress. Complex.
As an adjective, it means having parts that connect or go together in complicated ways,
also, not easy to understand or explain. The situation is more complex than you realize.
As a noun, it means a group of buildings that are located near each other. The sports
complex has eight soccer fields. Let's look again up close and in slow motion.
And now we'll go to Youglish to see five examples of this word in context.
The Széchenyi Baths complex is one of the largest spa bath centers in Europe.
A baths complex. It has three outdoor pools and 15 indoor pools.
Definitely a complex, a group of buildings, facilities.
The Széchenyi Baths complex is one of the largest spa bath centers in Europe.
Here's another example.
It wasn't being used to like build really complex apps.
Complex apps. Difficult to create, difficult to design, difficult to use.
It wasn't being used to like build really complex apps.
Let's see another example.
When someone is sharing a complex personal struggle,
we might feel the need to give a solution.
A complex personal struggle. There are lots of layers to a complex struggle. Feelings,
relationships, decisions, it's tough to deal with.
When someone is sharing a complex personal struggle,
we might feel the need to give a solution.
Let's look at another example.
They're both simple and complex at the same time.
Simple and complex. Like for example,
stargazing it's simple and fun, even my four-year-old can look up to the night sky,
see a shooting star and get really excited about it. But it's also complex enough that
a scientist could spend a lifetime studying it, and still not know everything about it.
They're both simple and complex at the same time.
Our last example.
It's got a beautiful colorful castle complex.
A castle complex. One or two main buildings, plus multiple other buildings around it.
It's got a beautiful, colorful castle complex.
Our next word is ELEMENT.
Element. A three syllable word with first syllable stress. It's a noun, it means a chemical substance
made up of atoms of one kind, or a particular or basic part of something. There's always
an element of risk in starting a new business. Let's see this word up close and in slow motion.
And now we'll go to Youglish to see five examples of this word in context.
The third element of running a high impact meeting is the ability to pivot.
The third element, so there's a first element, a second, and now a third.
An element is like a part or a section, and here, pivot means you can change topics easily.
The third element of running a high impact meeting is the ability to pivot.
Here's another example.
Like the plane had had that sort of element of magic because it's,
it felt like you're, you're actually flying.
That element of magic. A feeling or a sense of magic.
He's referencing an airplane that wasn't flying but something about it,
some part of the experience made you feel like you really were flying.
Like the plane had had that sort of element of magic because it's,
it felt like you're, you're actually flying.
Let's see another example.
There’d be an element of fasting. There'd be an element of physical discomfort or pain.
An element of fasting. One part of fasting or not eating.
There’d be an element of fasting. There'd be an element of physical discomfort or pain.
Let's look at another example.
And that kind of element makes us come back for each game because we have that familiarity.
He's explaining how video games are designed to keep bringing players back again and again.
Familiar elements, parts that you already know and understand help make you want to play again.
And that kind of element makes us come back for each game because we have that familiarity.
Our last example.
So here's the periodic table of elements you're used to seeing that you learned in
your chemistry class.
Have you ever studied Chemistry? Then you're definitely familiar with this table.
There are 118 known elements, each organized by atomic number.
So here's the periodic table of elements you're used to seeing that you learned in
your chemistry class.
Our next word is FEATURE. Feature. A two-syllable word with first syllable stress.
It's a noun, and it means an interesting or important part,
quality, or ability. The camera has several features that make it easy to use.
It can also mean a part of the face such as the eyes, nose, or mouth, or a full-length movie.
As a verb, it means to show or highlight in a special way. I'd like to feature your progress
as a student in one of my videos. Let's take a look up close and in slow motion.
And now we'll go to Youglish to see five examples of this word in context.
I don't have that feature on my phone obviously.
That feature on my phone. That ability or option. Here, feature is a noun.
I remember my first cell phone, it didn't have a camera. That feature wasn't an option back then.
I don't have that feature on my phone obviously.
Here's another example.
Do you have a dream episode or dream guest you'd like to
feature on the show but haven't been able to yet?
She uses feature as a verb. A dream
guest you'd like to feature, someone you'd like to interview or talk to or showcase.
Do you have a dream episode or dream guest you'd like to
feature on the show but haven't been able to yet?
Let's see another example.
And that is a defining feature of, of this art form.
A defining feature. Something about this style of art that is special.
A defining feature helps people recognize it.
And that is a defining feature of, of this art form.
Let's look at another example.
Fashion people will love it, they're going to want to feature you because it's not competition.
Feature you. It means share your work, tell your story,
show your designs, make it known to more people.
Fashion people will love it. They're going to want to feature you because it's not competition.
Our last example.
That's a very interesting geological feature on Mars.
A geological feature. An interesting or important part, something like a mountain,
a crater, or a valley. That's a very interesting geological feature on Mars.
Our last word today is DESIGN.
A two-syllable word with second syllable stress. It's a verb, and it means to plan and
make decisions about how something will be made. She designs clothes. As a noun, it means the way
something has been made. I love the design of the website. Let's look up close and in slow motion.
And now we'll go to Youglish to see five examples of this word in context.
Could we design a checklist for surgery?
Design a checklist. Here design is a verb. He means to make a list of things to do
to get ready for surgery, a plan.
Could we design a checklist for surgery?
Here's another example.
I'm talking about the design of digital experiences.
The design, the plan, the dream,
the creation, the process of figuring out how to make the idea a reality.
I'm talking about the design of digital experiences.
Let's see another example.
Design your own plan and create the life that you want to live.
Design your own plan. Get ready for and plan your future. Prepare for what you want.
Design your own plan and create the life that you want to live.
Let's look at another example.
But from a design and development perspective, it's kind of outdated.
An outdated design. It looks old or it doesn't work with current technology.
But from a design and development perspective, it's kind of outdated.
Our last example.
One of the most common design mistakes I see is the rug being too small.
She's talking about interior design choices to avoid. Design is a noun being used as an adjective
here. Design mistakes. A common mistake to make when planning the furniture and layout of a room.
One of the most common design mistakes I see is the rug being too small.
Seeing their real-life examples can really help you understand how to use these words, can't it?
I have a challenge for you now. Make up a sentence with one of these words,
make a video of yourself saying it,
and post it to social media, tag me, and use the hashtag #rachelsenglish30daychallenge
Don't be shy, you can do this. Our next video comes out tomorrow at 10AM Philadelphia time, come
back to learn four more vocabulary words. In the meantime, keep your studies going with this video,
and check out my online courses at Rachel's English Academy,
You'll become a more confident English speaker. And please do remember to subscribe. I love
being your teacher. That's it and thanks so much for using Rachel's English.