Open Mind

WORD LIST upper intermediate

Unit 7  Designed to please

WORDS AND PHRASES
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
3D printing noun [uncountable] /ˌθriːdiː ˈprɪntɪŋ/ the process of printing products 3D printing is revolutionising
that have height, depth and the way products are designed.
width from a digital file
affordable adjective /əˈfɔː(r)dəb(ə)l/ not too expensive We need to build more
affordable housing for people
with lower-paid jobs.
bring out phrasal verb /brɪŋ ˈaʊt/ to produce a new product and The clothing company is going
start to sell it to bring out a new line in the
spring.
catch on phrasal verb /kætʃ ˈɒn/ to become popular or I don’t think anybody will want
fashionable that product, so it will never
catch on.
come up with phrasal verb /kʌm ˈʌp wɪð/ to think of something such as Can you come up with a
an idea or a plan design for a new pair of shoes?
commonplace adjective /ˈkɒmənˌpleɪs/ available to a lot of people and Smart phones are now
therefore not unusual commonplace.
designer noun /dɪˈzaɪnər/ someone whose job is to Coco Chanel was a well-known
decide how to make things French clothes designer.
such as clothes or furniture
draw up phrasal verb /drɔː ˈʌp/ to prepare and write Big companies employ a team
something such as a document of people to draw up designs
or plan for new products.
elaborate adjective /ɪˈlæb(ə)rət/ very detailed and complicated They ordered some very
elaborate flower arrangements
for the wedding.
gain ground phrase /ˌɡeɪn ˈɡraʊnd/ to become more successful, The Green Party is gaining
popular or accepted ground in the run-up to the
election.
initiative noun [uncountable] /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ the ability to make decisions in We value employees who show
an independent way initiative in the workplace.
innovative adjective /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/ new and original That’s a brilliant, innovative
idea!
intricate adjective /ˈɪntrɪkət/ very detailed in design or The pattern is quite intricate
structure and difficult to reproduce.
logo noun /ˈloʊɡoʊ/ a symbol that represents an Which company does this logo
organisation or company, represent?
used for example in its
advertisements or on its
products
look up to phrasal verb /lʊk ˈʌp tuː/ to admire and respect Millions of people look up to
someone celebrities.
manufacture verb /ˌmænjʊˈfæktʃə(r)/ to make goods in large The company manufactures its
quantities in a factory designs in a factory.
miniature adjective /ˈmɪnətʃə(r)/ much smaller than things of He’s built a miniature railway in
the same kind his bedroom.

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© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2015. This page may be photocopied and used within the class. 1 O CO
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Open Mind UPPER INTERMEDIATE

Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

personalised adjective /ˈpɜː(r)s(ə)nəlaɪzd/ designed for a particular Our website allows you to
person create your own personalised
gifts.
revolutionise verb /ˌrevəˈluːʃəˌnaɪz/ to completely change the way Modern life has been
something is done or made revolutionised by the internet.
take off phrasal verb /teɪk ˈɒf/ to become successful or When a celebrity’s career takes
popular very fast off, they often produce a line
of clothes.
template noun /ˈtemˌpleɪt/; an object made of plastic, You can use a digital template
/ˈtemplət/ metal or paper that is used as to create a full-scale model of
a model for making something your design.
similar
top quality adjective /ˈtɒp ˌkwɑləti/ of the best type available We stayed in a top quality hotel
in the centre of Vancouver.
unique adjective /juːˈniːk/ not the same as anything or Create a unique, personalised
anyone else gift using the latest
technology.

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Open Mind UPPER INTERMEDIATE

Useful Expressions
Expression
I wanted to suggest …
I was hoping you might be able to …
I was thinking you might …
I was wondering if you could …
Topic / Category
Polite requests/suggestions
Polite requests/suggestions
Polite requests/suggestions
Polite requests/suggestions
Sample Sentence
I wanted to suggest looking through
some magazines together. We might
find some good ideas.
I was hoping you might be able to help
me with this work.
I was thinking you might use a bright
colour on these walls. It would really
liven up the room.
I was wondering if you could come up
with some ideas for this room. I really
don’t know what to do.

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© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2015. This page may be photocopied and used within the class. 3 O CO
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