Vocabulary

• step down: To reduce the amount of something
• despite the fact: In spite of; notwithstanding.
• call for: To demand, need or require (an action or thing)
• stand down: To end a state of readiness, e.g. for war
• crack down: To act forcefully in order to reduce crime, etc.
• at the moment: At this time; now
• such as: For example; like
• fizzle out: To gradually fail or end, often after a promising start.
• on the line: At risk; in a situation where something could be lost.
• being with: Accompanying someone; being in someone's presence.
• going on: To continue doing something
• next to: Being located along side another
• as soon as: In a short time after (something happens)
• in the first place: To begin with; as the first point or consideration.
• show up: To arrive or be seen at a place, e.g. a party
• at least: As a minimum
• essentially: Basically; (said when stating the basic facts)
• significant: Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
• extremely: In a way that is much more than usual or expected
• expression: Act of making your thoughts and feelings known
• panic: Overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
• elite: The richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society
• spread: A big meal, often laid out as a buffet
• crack: Attempt to achieve a goal or objective
• increase: To make or become larger in size or amount
• blame: To say someone is responsible for something bad
• strict: Tending to enforce rules; severe
• financial: Involving money
• political: Being active or interested in government matters
• issue: To make something available to be used or sold
• maintain: To keep saying something a certain way
• draw: To attract attention to someone or something
• similar: Nearly the same; alike
• direct: To tell someone in a very clear way to do something
• democracy: System of government in which everyone is equal
• require: To demand that someone does something
• huge: Very very large
• fatal: Causing death; having very bad consequences
• protest: To argue against something in a forceful way
• mass: Religious ceremony in some Christian churches
• communist: Believer in communism
• theme: An main or dominant idea, motif
• economy: Using money, resources in a careful, effective way
• censorship: Removing inappropriate material from books, films
• correspondent: Journalist, as one reporting from other countries
• haven: Place where people can feel safe and happy
• disruption: When a disturbance stops an activity in progress
• lot: What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
• arrest: To attract someone's attention and hold interest
• place: To put someone in a particular type of situation
• kind: In a caring and helpful manner
• manage: To survive hardships and difficulties; to cope
• fact: Something that is known or proved to be true
• continue: To do something without stopping, or after pausing
• disperse: To separate and spread out in different directions
• point: An item to be discussed
• step: Movement done as part of a particular dance
• change: To exchange one set of clothes for another
• bundle: A group of things that are tied/fastened together
• resignation: Reluctant acceptance when a thing can't be avoided
• significance: The potential for something to have a big effect
• isolate: To identify, consider, or deal with separately
• unusual: Being rare or uncommon; not ordinary; strange
• freedom: State of being free, not being controlled
• lightning: Flashes of light in the sky caused by a storm
• nip: Sharp cold feeling
• hale: Healthy; retaining exceptional health and vigor