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Click one for hint, twice for full word
big secret
Meaning: An important or surprising piece of information not widely known.
Example: She revealed the big secret about her career change during dinner.
grow up
Meaning: To mature from childhood to adulthood.
Example: He grew up in a small town but later moved to the city.
Note: Common phrasal verb used when asking children about their future.
keep up (your grades)
Meaning: To maintain a certain level of performance or achievement.
Example: She worked hard to keep up her grades throughout high school.
Note: Phrasal verb — often used in academic or performance contexts.
sparked my interest
Meaning: To suddenly cause curiosity or enthusiasm about something.
Example: The documentary sparked his interest in environmental issues.
blown away
Meaning: Extremely impressed or amazed.
Example: She was blown away by the singer’s powerful performance.
drop out
Meaning: To leave school or a program before completing it.
Example: He dropped out of college to start his own business.
Note: Phrasal verb — often used in education contexts.
made fun of
Meaning: To mock or ridicule someone.
Example: The kids made fun of his accent, but he ignored them.
think outside of the box
Meaning: To think creatively and unconventionally.
Example: The team had to think outside of the box to solve the problem.
open your own doors
Meaning: To create your own opportunities instead of waiting for others.
Example: She opened her own doors by launching a startup after graduation.
stray away from
Meaning: To move away from a path or expected direction.
Example: He strayed away from tradition and pursued a creative career.
Note: Phrasal verb — often used metaphorically about life paths.
change the world
Meaning: To make a significant positive impact on society.
Example: Innovators dream of creating ideas that can change the world.
prototype
IPA: /ˈprəʊ.tə.taɪp/ (UK), /ˈproʊ.tə.taɪp/ (US)
Meaning: An early model or sample of a product built to test a concept or process.
Meaning: An early model or sample of a product built to test a concept or process.
Example: The judges were impressed that the teenagers built a prototype instead of just presenting slides.
pre-money valuation
IPA: /priː ˈmʌn.i ˌvæl.juˈeɪ.ʃən/ (UK & US)
Meaning: The estimated value of a company before receiving outside investment or funding.
Meaning: The estimated value of a company before receiving outside investment or funding.
Example: Younger kids were surprisingly asking about the startup’s pre-money valuation, inspired by Shark Tank.
creative intelligence
IPA: /kriːˈeɪ.tɪv ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/ (UK & US)
Meaning: The ability to generate new ideas, innovate, and solve problems in imaginative ways.
Meaning: The ability to generate new ideas, innovate, and solve problems in imaginative ways.
Example: The speaker argued that schools diminish children’s creative intelligence by forcing them into rigid paths.
Other Listening Exercises
How School Makes Kids Less Intelligent
In progressB1 · 8:43