R

race - v. to run; to take part in a competition to decide who or what can move fastest; 
to take part in a campaign for political office; n. one of the major groups that humans 
can be divided into because of a common physical similarity, such as skin color

radar - n. a device that uses radio signals to learn the position or speed of objects
that may be too far away to be seen 

radiation - n. waves of energy from something that produces heat or light; energy
from a nuclear substance, which can be dangerous 

radio - n. the system of sending and receiving signals or sounds through the air
without wires 

raid - v. to make a sudden attack; n. a sudden attack carried out as an act of war, or
for the purpose of seizing or stealing something

railroad - n. a road for trains; a company that operates such a road and its stations
and equipment 

rain - n. water falling from the sky 

raise - v. to lift up; to move to a higher position; to cause to grow; to increase 

rare - ad. not common; not usual; not often 

rate - n. speed; a measure of how quickly or how often something happens; the
price of any thing or service that is bought or sold 

reach - v. to put a hand toward; to arrive at; to come to 

react - v. to act as a result of or in answer to 

read - v. to look at and understand the meaning of written words or numbers 

ready - ad. prepared; completed; organized; willing 

real - ad. true; truly existing; not false 

realistic - ad. in agreement with the way things are 

reason - n. the cause for a belief or act; purpose; something that explains 

reasonable - ad. ready to listen to reasons or ideas; not extreme; ready or willing to
compromise 

rebel - v. to act against a government or power, often with force; to refuse to obey;
n. one who opposes or fights against the government of his or her country 

receive - v. to get or accept something given, offered or sent 

recent - ad. a short time ago 

recession - n. a temporary reduction in economic activity, when industries produce
less and many workers lose their jobs 

recognize - v. to know or remember something or someone that was known, known
about or seen before; to accept another nation as independent and establish
diplomatic ties with its government 

record - v. to write something in order to have it for future use; to put sound or
pictures in a form that can be kept and heard or seen again; n. a writing that shows
proof or facts about something 

recover - v. to get again something that was lost, stolen or taken away ("The police
recovered the stolen money."); to return to normal health or normal conditions
("She is expected to recover from the operation.") 

red - ad. having the color like that of blood 

reduce - v. to make less or smaller in number, size or amount; to cut 

reform - v. to make better by changing; to improve; n. a change to a better
condition 

refugee - n. a person who has been forced to flee because of unjust treatment,
danger or war 

refuse - v. to reject; to not accept, give or do something 

regret - n. a feeling of sadness or sorrow about something that is done or that
happens 

reject - v. to refuse to accept, use or believe 

relations - n. understandings or ties between nations; members of the same family;
people connected by marriage or family ties 

release - v. to free; to permit to go; to permit to be known or made public 

religion - n. a belief in, or the honoring of, a god or gods 

remain - v. to stay in a place after others leave; to stay the same 

remains - n. a dead body 

remember - v. to think about the past; opposite forget 

remove - v. to take away or take off; to put an end to; to take out of a position or
office 

repair - n. work done to fix something 

repeat - v. to say or do again 

report - v. to tell about; to give the results of a study or investigation; n. the story
about an event; the results of a study or investigation; a statement in which the
facts may not be confirmed 

represent - v. to act in the place of someone else; to substitute for; to serve as an
example 

repress - v. to control or to restrict freedoms by force 

request - v. to ask for; n. the act of asking for 

require - v. to need or demand as necessary 

rescue - v. to free from danger or evil 

research - n. a careful study to discover correct information 

resign - v. to leave a position, job or office 

resist - v. to oppose; to fight to prevent 

resolution - n. an official statement of agreement by a group of people, usually
reached by voting 

resource - n. anything of value that can be used or sold 

responsible - ad. having a duty or job to do ("He is responsible for preparing the
report."); being the cause of ("They were responsible for the accident.") 

rest - v. to sit, lie down or sleep to regain strength; n. that which remains; the
others 

restrain - v. to keep controlled; to limit action by a person or group 

restrict - v. to limit; to prevent from increasing or becoming larger 

result - v. to happen from a cause; n. that which follows or is produced by a cause;
effect 

retire - v. to leave a job or position because one is old or in poor health 

return - v. to go or come back; to bring, give, take or send back 

revolt - v. to protest violently; to fight for a change, especially of government 

rice - n. a food grain 

rich - ad. having much money or goods; having plenty of something 

ride - v. to sit on or in and be carried along; to travel by animal, wheeled vehicle,
airplane or boat 

right - n. what a person legally and morally should be able to do or have ("It is their
right to vote."); ad. agreeing with the facts; good; correct; opposite wrong; on the
side that is toward the east when one is facing north; opposite left 

riot - v. to act with many others in a violent way in a public place; n. a violent action
by a large group of people 

rise - v. to go up; to go higher; to increase; to go from a position of sitting or lying
to a position of standing 

risk - n. the chance of loss, damage or injury 

river - n. a large amount of water that flows across land into another river, a lake or
an ocean 

road - n. a long piece of hard ground built between two places so people can walk,
drive or ride easily from one place to the other 

rob - v. to take money or property secretly or by force; to steal 

rock - n. a hard piece of mineral matter 

rocket - n. a device shaped like a tube that moves through air or space by burning
gases and letting them escape from the back or bottom, sometimes used as a
weapon 

roll - v. to turn over and over; to move like a ball 

room - n. a separate area within a building with its own walls 

root - n. the part of a plant that is under the ground and takes nutrients from the
soil 

rope - n. a long, thick piece of material made from thinner pieces of material, used
for tying 

rough - ad. not flat or smooth; having an uneven surface; violent; not made well 

round - ad. having the shape of a ball or circle 

rub - v. to move something over the surface of another thing 

rubber - n. a substance made from the liquid of trees with the same name, or a
similar substance made from chemicals 

ruin - v. to damage severely; to destroy 

rule - v. to govern or control; to decide; n. a statement or an order that says how
something must be done 

run - v. to move quickly by steps faster than those used for walking

S

sabotage - v. to damage or destroy as an act against an organization or nation 
("The rebels sabotaged the railroad.")

sacrifice - v. to do without something or to suffer a loss for a belief, idea, goal or
another person 

sad - ad. not happy 

safe - ad. away from harm or danger 

sail - v. to travel by boat or ship 

sailor - n. a person involved in sailing a boat or ship 

salt - n. a white substance found in sea water and in the ground, used to affect the
taste of food 

same - ad. not different; not changed; like another or others 

sand - n. extremely small pieces of crushed rock found in large amounts in deserts
and on coasts 

satellite - n. a small object in space that moves around a larger object; an object
placed in orbit around the earth 

satisfy - v. to give or provide what is desired, needed or demanded

save - v. to make safe; to remove from harm; to keep for future use 

say - v. to speak; to express in words 

school - n. a place for education; a place where people go to learn 

science - n. the study of nature and the actions of natural things, and the knowledge
gained about them

sea - n. a large area of salt water, usually part of an ocean 

search - v. to look for carefully 

season - n. one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth's position
toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); a period of time based on
different weather conditions ("dry season", "rainy season"); a period during the
year when something usually happens ("baseball season") 

seat - n. a thing to sit on; a place to sit or the right to sit there ("a seat in
parliament") 

second - ad. the one that comes after the first 

secret - n. something known only to a few and kept from general knowledge; ad.
hidden from others; known only to a few 

security - n. freedom from danger or harm; protection; measures necessary to
protect a person or place ("Security was increased in the city.") 

see - v. to know or sense through the eyes; to understand or know 

seed - n. the part of a plant from which new plants grow 

seek(ing) - v. to search for ("They are seeking a cure for cancer."); to try to get
("She is seeking election to public office."); to plan to do ("Electric power
companies are seeking to reduce their use of coal.") 

seem - v. to appear to be ("She seems to be in good health.") 

seize - v. to take quickly by force; to take control of quickly; to arrest 

self - n. all that which makes one person different from others 

sell - v. to give something in exchange for money 

Senate - n. the smaller of the two groups in the governments of some countries,
such as in the United States Congress 

send - v. to cause to go; to permit to go; to cause to be carried, taken or directed to
or away from a place 

sense - v. to come to know about by feeling, believing or understanding; n. any of
the abilities to see, hear, taste, smell or feel 

sentence - v. to declare the punishment for a crime; n. the punishment for a crime 

separate - v. to set or keep people, things or ideas away from or independent from
others; ad. not together or connected; different 

series - n. a number of similar things or events that follow one after another in time,
position or order 

serious - ad. important; needing careful consideration; dangerous 

serve - v. to work as an official; to be employed by the government; to assist or
help 

service - n. an organization or system that provides something for the public
("Schools and roads are services paid for by taxes."); a job that an organization or
business can do for money; military organizations such as an army, navy or air
force; a religious ceremony 

set - v. to put in place or position; to establish a time, price or limit 

settle - v. to end (a dispute); to agree about (a problem); to make a home in a new
place 

several - ad. three or more, but not many 

severe - ad. not gentle; causing much pain, sadness or damage 

sex - n. either the male or female group into which all people and animals are
divided because of their actions in producing young; the physical activity by which
humans and animals can produce young 

shake - v. to move or cause to move in short, quick movements 

shape - v. to give form to; n. the form of something, especially how it looks 

share - v. to give part of something to another or others; n. a part belonging to,
given to or owned by a single person or a group; any one of the equal parts of
ownership of a business or company 

sharp - ad. having a thin edge or small point that can cut or hurt; causing hurt or
pain 

she - pro. the girl or woman who is being spoken about 

sheep - n. a farm animal used for its meat and hair 

shell - v. to fire artillery; n. a metal container that is fired from a large gun and
explodes when it reaches its target; a hard outside cover 

shelter - v. to protect or give protection to; n. something that gives protection; a
place of safety 

shine - v. to aim a light; to give bright light; to be bright; to clean to make bright 

ship - v. to transport; n. a large boat 

shock - v. to cause to feel sudden surprise or fear; n. something that greatly affects
the mind or emotions; a powerful shake, as from an earthquake 

shoe - n. a covering for the foot 

shoot - v. to cause a gun or other weapon to send out an object designed to kill; to
use a gun 

short - ad. lasting only for a small period of time; not long; opposite tall 

should - v. used with another verb (action word) to show responsibility ("We should
study."), probability ("The talks should begin soon."), or that something is believed
to be a good idea ("Criminals should be punished.") 

shout - v. to speak very loudly 

show - v. to make something be seen; to make known; n. a play or story presented
in a theater, or broadcast on radio or television, for enjoyment or education;
something organized to be seen by the public 

shrink - v. to make or become less in size, weight or value 

sick - ad. suffering physically or mentally with a disease or other problem; not in
good health 

sickness - n. the condition of being in bad health 

side - n. the outer surfaces of an object that are not the top or bottom; parts away
from the middle; either the right or left half of the body 

sign - v. to write one's name; n. a mark or shape used to mean something; evidence
that something exists or will happen; a flat piece of material with writing that gives
information 

signal - v. to send a message by signs; n. an action or movement that sends a
message 

silence - v. to make quiet; to stop from speaking or making noise; n. a lack of noise
or sound 

silver - n. a valued white metal 

similar - ad. like something else but not exactly the same 

simple - ad. easy to understand or do; not difficult or complex 

since - prep. from a time in the past until now ("I have known her since we went to
school together.") 

sing - v. to make music sounds with the voice 

single - ad. one only 

sink - v. to go down into water or other liquid 

sister - n. a female with the same father or mother as another person 

sit - v. to rest on the lower part of the body without the support of the legs; to
become seated 

situation - n. the way things are during a period of time 

size - n. the space occupied by something; how long, wide or high something is 

skeleton - n. all the bones of a human or other animal together in their normal
positions 

skill - n. the ability gained from training or experience 

skin - n. the outer covering of humans and most animals 

sky - n. the space above the earth 

slave - n. a person owned or controlled by another 

sleep - v. to rest the body and mind with the eyes closed 

slide - v. to move smoothly over a surface 

slow - v. to reduce the speed of; ad. not fast in moving, talking or other activities 

small - ad. little in size or amount; few in number; not important; opposite large 

smash - v. to break or be broken into small pieces by force; to hit or move with
force 

smell - v. to sense through the nose; n. something sensed by the nose ("the smell of
food cooking") 

smoke - v. to use cigarettes or other tobacco products by burning them and
breathing in the smoke; n. that which can be seen rising into the air like a cloud
from something burning 

smooth - ad. having a level surface; opposite rough 

snow - n. soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky, usually in winter
or when the air temperature is very cold 

so - ad. in such a way that ("He held the flag so all could see it."); also; too ("She
left early, and so did we."); very ("I am so sick."); as a result ("They were sick, so
they could not come."); conj. in order that; for the purpose of ("Come early so we
can discuss the plans.") 

social - ad. of or about people or a group 

soft - ad. not hard; easily shaped; pleasing to touch; not loud 

soil - n. earth in which plants grow 

soldier - n. a person in the army 

solid - ad. having a hard shape with no empty spaces inside; strong; not in the form
of a liquid or gas 

solve - v. to find an answer; to settle 

some - ad. of an amount or number or part not
stated; not all 

son - n. a person's male child 

soon - ad. not long after the present time; quickly 

sort - n. any group of people or things that are the same or are similar in some way;
a kind of something 

sound - n. fast-moving waves of energy that affect the ear and result in hearing; that
which is heard 

south - n. the direction to the right of a person facing the rising sun

S

space - n. the area outside the earth's atmosphere where the sun, moon, planets and
stars are; the area between or inside things 

speak - v. to talk; to say words with the mouth; to express one's thoughts to others
and exchange ideas; to give a speech to a group 

special - ad. of a different or unusual kind; not for general use; better or more
important than others of the same kind 

speech - n. a talk given to a group of people 

speed - v. to make something go or move faster; n. the rate at which something
moves or travels; the rate at which something happens or is done 

spend - v. to give as payment; to use ("He spends much time studying.") 

spill - v. to cause or permit liquid to flow out, usually by accident 

spirit - n. the part of a human that is not physical and is connected to thoughts and
emotions; the part of a person that is believed to remain alive after death 

split - v. to separate into two or more parts; to divide or break into parts 

sport - n. any game or activity of competition involving physical effort or skill 

spread - v. to become longer or wider; to make or become widely known 

spring - n. the time of the year between winter and summer 

spy - v. to steal or get information secretly; n. one who watches others secretly; a
person employed by a government to get secret information about another country 

square - n. a flat shape having four equal sides 

stab - v. to cut or push into or through with a pointed weapon 

stand - v. to move into or be in a position in which only the feet are on a surface; to
be in one position or place 

star - n. a mass of gas that usually appears as a small light in the sky at night, but is
not a planet; a famous person, usually an actor or singer 

start - v. to begin; to make something begin 

starve - v. to suffer or die from a lack of food 

state - v. to say; to declare; n. a political part of a nation 

station - n. a place of special work or purpose ("a police station"); a place where
passengers get on or off trains or buses; a place for radio or television broadcasts 

statue - n. a form of a human, animal or other creature usually made of stone, wood
or metal 

stay - v. to continue to be where one is; to remain; to not leave; to live for a time
("They stayed in New York for two years.") 

steal - v. to take without permission or paying 

steam - n. the gas that comes from hot water 

steel - n. iron made harder and stronger by mixing it with other substances 

step - v. to move by lifting one foot and placing it in a new position; n. the act of
stepping; one of a series of actions designed to reach a goal 

stick - v. to attach something to another thing using a substance that will hold them
together; to become fixed in one position so that movement is difficult ("Something
is making the door stick."); n. a thin piece of wood 

still - ad. not moving ("The man was standing still."); until the present or a stated time 
("Was he still there?"); even so; although ("The job was difficult, but she still wanted to 
do it.") 

stone - n. a small piece of rock 

stop - v. to prevent any more movement or action; to come or bring to an end 

store - v. to keep or put away for future use; n. a place where people buy things 

storm - n. violent weather, including strong winds and rain or snow 

story - n. the telling or writing of an event, either real or imagined 

stove - n. a heating device used for cooking 

straight - ad. continuing in one direction without turns 

strange - ad. unusual; not normal; not known 

street - n. a road in a city, town or village 

stretch - v. to extend for a distance; to pull on to make longer or wider 

strike - v. to hit with force; to stop work as a way to seek better conditions, more
pay or to make other demands 

strong - ad. having much power; not easily broken, damaged or destroyed 

structure - n. the way something is built, made or organized; a system that is
formed or organized in a special way; a building 

struggle - v. to try with much effort; to fight with; n. a great effort; a fight 

study - v. to make an effort to gain knowledge by using the mind; to examine
carefully 

stupid - ad. not able to learn much; not intelligent 

subject - n. the person or thing being discussed, studied or written about 

submarine - n. an underwater ship 

substance - n. the material of which something is made (a solid, liquid or gas) 

substitute - v. to put or use in place of another; n. a person or thing put or used in
place of another 

subversion - n. an attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or government,
usually secretly 

succeed - v. to reach a goal or thing desired; to produce a planned result 

such - ad. of this or that kind; of the same kind as; similar to 

sudden - ad. not expected; without warning; done or carried out quickly or without
preparation 

suffer - v. to feel pain in the body or mind; to receive or experience hurt or sadness 

sugar - n. a sweet substance made from liquids taken from plants 

suggest - v. to offer or propose something to think about or consider 

summer - n. the warmest time of the year, between spring and autumn 

sun - n. the huge star in the sky that provides heat and light to earth 

supervise - v. to direct and observe the work of others 

supply - v. to give; to provide; n. the amount of something that can be given or sold
to others 

support - v. to carry the weight of; to hold up or in position; to agree with others
and help them reach a goal; to approve 

suppose - v. to believe, think or imagine ("I suppose you are right."); to expect ("It
is supposed to rain tonight.") 

suppress - v. to put down or to keep down by force; to prevent information from
being known publicly 

sure - ad. very probable; with good reason to believe; true without question 

surface - n. the outer side or top of something ("The rocket landed on the surface of
the moon.") 

surplus - n. an amount that is more than is needed; extra; ("That country has a trade
surplus. It exports more than it imports.") 

surprise - v. to cause a feeling of wonder because something is not expected; n.
something not expected; the feeling caused by something not expected 

surrender - v. to give control of oneself or one's property to another or others; to
stop fighting and admit defeat 

surround - v. to form a circle around; to be in positions all around someone or
something 

survive - v. to remain alive during or after a dangerous situation 

suspect - v. to imagine or believe that a person is guilty of something bad or illegal;
n. a person believed to be guilty 

suspend - v. to cause to stop for a period of time 

swallow - v. to take into the stomach through the mouth 

swear in - v. to put an official into office by having him or her promise to carry out
the duties of that office ("The chief justice will swear in the president.") 

sweet - ad. tasting pleasant, like sugar 

swim - v. to move through water by making motions with the arms and legs 

sympathy - n. a sharing of feelings or emotions with another person, usually feelings
of sadness 

system - n. a method of organizing or doing something by following rules or a plan;
a group of connected things or parts working together for a common purpose or
goal