Intermediate150 min
Mixed conditionals
We use a mixed conditional when we want to talk about a hypothetical (imaginary) situation in the past and a hypothetical present result of that situation.
If we’d chosen to travel by train rather than by car, we’d be there by now.
You wouldn’t feel so sick if you hadn’t decided to eat all that cheese.
The verb in the if clause is in the past perfect form (as it would
be in a third conditional) and would(n’t)/might (not)/may (not)
+ infinitive without to or be + -ing form features in the other clause (as it would in the second conditional).
If I’d gone to university, my life might be very different to now.
Deli would still not be talking to me if I hadn’t apologised.
Rather than a present result, the result might be in the future.
Here, we might use would(n’t) be + -ing form.
If you hadn’t told me about the concert, I wouldn’t be going.
Penny would be starting her new job on Monday if she hadn’t rejected the offer.
We can also use a mixed conditional when we want to talk about the hypothetical past result of a hypothetical present situation or state.
If I weren’t so afraid of planes, I’d have flown with you to Brazil.
If flats weren’t so expensive to buy around here, we’d have bought something ages ago.
The verb in the if clause is in the past simple form (as it would be in a second conditional) and would(n’t)/might (not)/may (not) have + past participle features in the other clause (as it would
in the third conditional).
If I weren’t so indecisive, this whole situation would have ended weeks ago.
I wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t so important.
If we’d chosen to travel by train rather than by car, we’d be there by now.
You wouldn’t feel so sick if you hadn’t decided to eat all that cheese.
The verb in the if clause is in the past perfect form (as it would
be in a third conditional) and would(n’t)/might (not)/may (not)
+ infinitive without to or be + -ing form features in the other clause (as it would in the second conditional).
If I’d gone to university, my life might be very different to now.
Deli would still not be talking to me if I hadn’t apologised.
Rather than a present result, the result might be in the future.
Here, we might use would(n’t) be + -ing form.
If you hadn’t told me about the concert, I wouldn’t be going.
Penny would be starting her new job on Monday if she hadn’t rejected the offer.
We can also use a mixed conditional when we want to talk about the hypothetical past result of a hypothetical present situation or state.
If I weren’t so afraid of planes, I’d have flown with you to Brazil.
If flats weren’t so expensive to buy around here, we’d have bought something ages ago.
The verb in the if clause is in the past simple form (as it would be in a second conditional) and would(n’t)/might (not)/may (not) have + past participle features in the other clause (as it would
in the third conditional).
If I weren’t so indecisive, this whole situation would have ended weeks ago.
I wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t so important.
Quiz
Question 1 of 10
Complete the sentence: If I _____ (study) harder, I _____ (be) at university now.
had studied / would be
studied / would have been
had studied / would have been
studied / would be
Growth and Development: The Eternal Journey of Human Progress
Growth and development represent two sides of the same coin, intertwined processes that drive human progress from cradle to grave. While growth often refers to quantitative changes – getting taller, stronger, or more knowledgeable – development encompasses the qualitative transformations that shape our character, capabilities, and understanding of the world. Together, these forces work hand in hand to help individuals reach their full potential and societies evolve toward greater complexity and sophistication.
The journey begins long before we take our first breath, as biological mechanisms kick into high gear during prenatal development. From a single cell, an intricate blueprint unfolds with mind-boggling precision, laying the groundwork for everything that follows. This early stage sets the tone for a lifetime of growth spurts and developmental milestones that will mark our passage through different phases of life.
Childhood represents perhaps the most dramatic period of transformation, when young minds soak up information like sponges and bodies grow by leaps and bounds. During these formative years, children are constantly pushing boundaries, testing limits, and learning to navigate the complex social world around them. Every scraped knee teaches resilience, every bedtime story feeds imagination, and every interaction with peers helps build the social skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
The adolescent years bring their own unique challenges as teenagers grapple with rapid physical changes while trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. This tumultuous period often sees young people pulling away from parental influence as they begin to spread their wings and assert their independence. The brain undergoes significant rewiring during this time, with areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control still developing well into the early twenties.
Adulthood doesn't mark the end of growth and development – far from it. While physical growth may plateau, intellectual and emotional development can continue to flourish throughout life. Many people hit their stride in their thirties and forties, finally coming into their own as they gain confidence and experience. This is when individuals often make their mark on the world, whether through career achievements, raising families, or contributing to their communities.
The concept of lifelong learning has gained tremendous momentum in recent decades as people recognize that standing still in a rapidly changing world is tantamount to moving backward. Those who embrace continuous development find themselves better equipped to roll with the punches that life inevitably throws their way. They understand that setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones to greater wisdom and resilience.
Economic development follows similar patterns, with nations progressing through various stages as they build their infrastructure, educate their populations, and diversify their economies. Countries that were once struggling to make ends meet can transform themselves into economic powerhouses within a generation or two. The key lies in investing in human capital, fostering innovation, and creating conditions that allow entrepreneurs to flourish.
However, growth and development are not always linear processes. Sometimes progress comes in fits and starts, with periods of rapid advancement followed by plateaus or even temporary setbacks. The key is maintaining forward momentum while learning from both successes and failures. Organizations that understand this principle are more likely to weather storms and emerge stronger on the other side.
Technological development has accelerated at breakneck speed in recent years, fundamentally altering how we live, work, and interact with one another. What once took decades to achieve can now happen in the blink of an eye, creating both unprecedented opportunities and new challenges. Society must learn to keep pace with these changes while ensuring that progress serves humanity rather than the other way around.
Environmental considerations have become increasingly important in discussions about sustainable development. The old model of growth at any cost is giving way to more thoughtful approaches that take into account the long-term consequences of our actions. Forward-thinking leaders are now asking not just whether we can do something, but whether we should do it.
Personal development often requires stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing challenges that push us to grow. This might mean taking on new responsibilities at work, learning a foreign language, or confronting personal fears that have been holding us back. The most significant breakthroughs often come when we're willing to take calculated risks and venture into uncharted territory.
The digital age has opened up new frontiers for growth and development, providing access to information, education, and opportunities that were once available only to a privileged few. Online platforms allow people to connect across geographical boundaries, share knowledge, and collaborate on projects that can have global impact. However, this democratization of opportunity also requires individuals to be more proactive in charting their own course and taking responsibility for their development.
Cultural development plays a crucial role in shaping how societies evolve and progress. The values, beliefs, and traditions that communities hold dear influence everything from educational priorities to economic policies. Healthy cultures find ways to preserve their core identity while remaining open to new ideas and influences from the outside world.
Looking ahead, the future of growth and development will likely be shaped by our ability to harness emerging technologies while addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and social fragmentation. Success will require unprecedented levels of collaboration, innovation, and wisdom as we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
The journey begins long before we take our first breath, as biological mechanisms kick into high gear during prenatal development. From a single cell, an intricate blueprint unfolds with mind-boggling precision, laying the groundwork for everything that follows. This early stage sets the tone for a lifetime of growth spurts and developmental milestones that will mark our passage through different phases of life.
Childhood represents perhaps the most dramatic period of transformation, when young minds soak up information like sponges and bodies grow by leaps and bounds. During these formative years, children are constantly pushing boundaries, testing limits, and learning to navigate the complex social world around them. Every scraped knee teaches resilience, every bedtime story feeds imagination, and every interaction with peers helps build the social skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
The adolescent years bring their own unique challenges as teenagers grapple with rapid physical changes while trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. This tumultuous period often sees young people pulling away from parental influence as they begin to spread their wings and assert their independence. The brain undergoes significant rewiring during this time, with areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control still developing well into the early twenties.
Adulthood doesn't mark the end of growth and development – far from it. While physical growth may plateau, intellectual and emotional development can continue to flourish throughout life. Many people hit their stride in their thirties and forties, finally coming into their own as they gain confidence and experience. This is when individuals often make their mark on the world, whether through career achievements, raising families, or contributing to their communities.
The concept of lifelong learning has gained tremendous momentum in recent decades as people recognize that standing still in a rapidly changing world is tantamount to moving backward. Those who embrace continuous development find themselves better equipped to roll with the punches that life inevitably throws their way. They understand that setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones to greater wisdom and resilience.
Economic development follows similar patterns, with nations progressing through various stages as they build their infrastructure, educate their populations, and diversify their economies. Countries that were once struggling to make ends meet can transform themselves into economic powerhouses within a generation or two. The key lies in investing in human capital, fostering innovation, and creating conditions that allow entrepreneurs to flourish.
However, growth and development are not always linear processes. Sometimes progress comes in fits and starts, with periods of rapid advancement followed by plateaus or even temporary setbacks. The key is maintaining forward momentum while learning from both successes and failures. Organizations that understand this principle are more likely to weather storms and emerge stronger on the other side.
Technological development has accelerated at breakneck speed in recent years, fundamentally altering how we live, work, and interact with one another. What once took decades to achieve can now happen in the blink of an eye, creating both unprecedented opportunities and new challenges. Society must learn to keep pace with these changes while ensuring that progress serves humanity rather than the other way around.
Environmental considerations have become increasingly important in discussions about sustainable development. The old model of growth at any cost is giving way to more thoughtful approaches that take into account the long-term consequences of our actions. Forward-thinking leaders are now asking not just whether we can do something, but whether we should do it.
Personal development often requires stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing challenges that push us to grow. This might mean taking on new responsibilities at work, learning a foreign language, or confronting personal fears that have been holding us back. The most significant breakthroughs often come when we're willing to take calculated risks and venture into uncharted territory.
The digital age has opened up new frontiers for growth and development, providing access to information, education, and opportunities that were once available only to a privileged few. Online platforms allow people to connect across geographical boundaries, share knowledge, and collaborate on projects that can have global impact. However, this democratization of opportunity also requires individuals to be more proactive in charting their own course and taking responsibility for their development.
Cultural development plays a crucial role in shaping how societies evolve and progress. The values, beliefs, and traditions that communities hold dear influence everything from educational priorities to economic policies. Healthy cultures find ways to preserve their core identity while remaining open to new ideas and influences from the outside world.
Looking ahead, the future of growth and development will likely be shaped by our ability to harness emerging technologies while addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and social fragmentation. Success will require unprecedented levels of collaboration, innovation, and wisdom as we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
1. **Two sides of the same coin**
*Meaning*: Two aspects of the same thing
2. **Intertwined** /ˌɪntərˈtwaɪnd/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Twisted together; closely connected
3. **From cradle to grave**
*Meaning*: Throughout one's entire life
4. **Quantitative** /ˈkwɑntəˌteɪtɪv/ (US), /ˈkwɒntɪtətɪv/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Relating to measurable amounts
5. **Encompasses** /ɪnˈkʌmpəsəz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Includes or contains
6. **Qualitative** /ˈkwɑləˌteɪtɪv/ (US), /ˈkwɒlɪtətɪv/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Relating to quality or character
7. **Transformations** /ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃənz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Complete changes in form or appearance
8. **Capabilities** /ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Abilities or skills
9. **Work hand in hand**
*Meaning*: Cooperate closely together
10. **Reach their full potential**
*Meaning*: Achieve the maximum possible development
11. **Sophistication** /səˌfɪstəˈkeɪʃən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Advanced complexity or refinement
12. **Take our first breath**
*Meaning*: Be born
13. **Biological** /ˌbaɪəˈlɑdʒəkəl/ (US), /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Related to living organisms
14. **Kick into high gear**
*Meaning*: Begin operating at maximum capacity
15. **Prenatal** /priˈneɪtəl/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Before birth
16. **Intricate** /ˈɪntrəkət/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Very complicated or detailed
17. **Blueprint** /ˈbluˌprɪnt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Detailed plan or design
18. **Unfolds** /ʌnˈfoʊldz/ (US), /ʌnˈfəʊldz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Develops or reveals gradually
19. **Mind-boggling** /ˈmaɪnd ˌbɑɡəlɪŋ/ (US), /ˈmaɪnd ˌbɒɡəlɪŋ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Extremely surprising or difficult to understand
20. **Precision** /prɪˈsɪʒən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Accuracy and exactness
21. **Laying the groundwork**
*Meaning*: Creating the foundation for future development
22. **Sets the tone**
*Meaning*: Establishes the character or mood
23. **Growth spurts**
*Meaning*: Periods of rapid physical development
24. **Developmental milestones**
*Meaning*: Important achievements in growth
25. **Mark our passage**
*Meaning*: Indicate our progress
26. **Phases** /ˈfeɪzəz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Distinct periods or stages
27. **Dramatic** /drəˈmætɪk/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Striking and impressive
28. **Soak up information**
*Meaning*: Absorb knowledge easily
29. **Like sponges**
*Meaning*: Absorbing everything quickly
30. **By leaps and bounds**
*Meaning*: Very quickly and in large amounts
31. **Formative years**
*Meaning*: Early period when character is shaped
32. **Pushing boundaries**
*Meaning*: Testing limits
33. **Testing limits**
*Meaning*: Seeing how far something can go
34. **Navigate** /ˈnævəˌɡeɪt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Find one's way through
35. **Scraped knee**
*Meaning*: Minor injury from falling
36. **Resilience** /rɪˈzɪljəns/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Ability to recover from difficulties
37. **Feeds imagination**
*Meaning*: Stimulates creative thinking
38. **Serve them throughout**
*Meaning*: Be useful for their entire life
39. **Adolescent** /ˌædəˈlesənt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Relating to teenagers
40. **Grapple with**
*Meaning*: Struggle to deal with
41. **Figure out**
*Meaning*: Understand or solve
42. **Fit in**
*Meaning*: Belong or be accepted
43. **Tumultuous** /təˈmʌltʃuəs/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Very confused and disorderly
44. **Pulling away from**
*Meaning*: Becoming distant from
45. **Parental influence**
*Meaning*: Effect of parents on children
46. **Spread their wings**
*Meaning*: Begin to be independent
47. **Assert their independence**
*Meaning*: Declare their freedom
48. **Undergoes** /ˌʌndərˈɡoʊz/ (US), /ˌʌndəˈɡəʊz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Experiences or goes through
49. **Rewiring** /riˈwaɪərɪŋ/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Changing connections
50. **Decision-making**
*Meaning*: Process of choosing between options
51. **Impulse control**
*Meaning*: Ability to resist immediate desires
52. **Far from it**
*Meaning*: Definitely not; the opposite is true
53. **Plateau** /pləˈtoʊ/ (US), /ˈplætəʊ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Reach a stable level
54. **Flourish** /ˈflɜrɪʃ/ (US), /ˈflʌrɪʃ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Grow vigorously; thrive
55. **Hit their stride**
*Meaning*: Reach peak performance
56. **Coming into their own**
*Meaning*: Reaching maturity and full potential
57. **Make their mark**
*Meaning*: Achieve recognition or success
58. **Career achievements**
*Meaning*: Professional successes
59. **Contributing to communities**
*Meaning*: Helping society
60. **Lifelong learning**
*Meaning*: Continuing education throughout life
61. **Gained tremendous momentum**
*Meaning*: Become much more popular
62. **Standing still**
*Meaning*: Not making progress
63. **Tantamount to**
*Meaning*: Equivalent to
64. **Moving backward**
*Meaning*: Getting worse or losing progress
65. **Embrace** /ɪmˈbreɪs/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Accept willingly
66. **Continuous development**
*Meaning*: Ongoing improvement
67. **Better equipped**
*Meaning*: More prepared
68. **Roll with the punches**
*Meaning*: Adapt to difficult situations
69. **Inevitably** /ɪˈnevətəbli/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Certainly; unavoidably
70. **Throws their way**
*Meaning*: Presents to them
71. **Setbacks** /ˈsetˌbæks/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Problems that delay progress
72. **Roadblocks** /ˈroʊdˌblɑks/ (US), /ˈrəʊdˌblɒks/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Obstacles that prevent progress
73. **Stepping stones**
*Meaning*: Things that help you progress
74. **Economic development**
*Meaning*: Growth of a country's economy
75. **Progressing through**
*Meaning*: Moving forward by stages
76. **Infrastructure** /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Basic facilities and systems
77. **Diversify** /daɪˈvɜrsəˌfaɪ/ (US), /daɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Make more varied
78. **Struggling to make ends meet**
*Meaning*: Having difficulty paying for basic needs
79. **Transform themselves**
*Meaning*: Change completely
80. **Economic powerhouses**
*Meaning*: Very strong economies
81. **Within a generation**
*Meaning*: In about 20-30 years
82. **Human capital**
*Meaning*: Skills and knowledge of workers
83. **Fostering** /ˈfɔstərɪŋ/ (US), /ˈfɒstərɪŋ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Encouraging development
84. **Innovation** /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: New ideas and methods
85. **Entrepreneurs** /ˌɑntrəprəˈnɜrz/ (US), /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: People who start businesses
86. **Linear** /ˈlɪniər/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Developing in a straight line
87. **In fits and starts**
*Meaning*: Irregularly; stopping and starting
88. **Rapid advancement**
*Meaning*: Quick progress
89. **Plateaus** /pləˈtoʊz/ (US), /ˈplætəʊz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Periods of no change
90. **Temporary setbacks**
*Meaning*: Short-term problems
91. **Forward momentum**
*Meaning*: Continued progress
92. **Weather storms**
*Meaning*: Survive difficult times
93. **Emerge stronger**
*Meaning*: Come out better than before
94. **On the other side**
*Meaning*: After a difficult period
95. **Technological development**
*Meaning*: Advancement in technology
96. **Breakneck speed**
*Meaning*: Extremely fast pace
97. **Fundamentally altering**
*Meaning*: Changing in basic ways
98. **In the blink of an eye**
*Meaning*: Very quickly
99. **Unprecedented** /ʌnˈpresədentəd/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Never done or known before
100. **Keep pace with**
*Meaning*: Move at the same speed as
101. **The other way around**
*Meaning*: In the opposite direction
102. **Environmental considerations**
*Meaning*: Thinking about effects on nature
103. **Sustainable development**
*Meaning*: Growth that doesn't harm the environment
104. **Growth at any cost**
*Meaning*: Expansion regardless of consequences
105. **Giving way to**
*Meaning*: Being replaced by
106. **Thoughtful approaches**
*Meaning*: Careful and considerate methods
107. **Take into account**
*Meaning*: Consider as a factor
108. **Long-term consequences**
*Meaning*: Effects that last a long time
109. **Forward-thinking**
*Meaning*: Planning for the future
110. **Personal development**
*Meaning*: Individual growth and improvement
111. **Stepping out of one's comfort zone**
*Meaning*: Doing things that feel unfamiliar
112. **Embracing challenges**
*Meaning*: Accepting difficult tasks willingly
113. **Push us to grow**
*Meaning*: Force us to develop
114. **Taking on responsibilities**
*Meaning*: Accepting duties
115. **Confronting fears**
*Meaning*: Facing what scares us
116. **Holding us back**
*Meaning*: Preventing our progress
117. **Significant breakthroughs**
*Meaning*: Important discoveries or advances
118. **Calculated risks**
*Meaning*: Carefully considered dangers
119. **Venture into**
*Meaning*: Go into unknown territory
120. **Uncharted territory**
*Meaning*: Unknown or unexplored areas
121. **Opened up new frontiers**
*Meaning*: Created new possibilities
122. **Privileged few**
*Meaning*: Small group with special advantages
123. **Geographical boundaries**
*Meaning*: Borders between places
124. **Global impact**
*Meaning*: Worldwide influence
125. **Democratization** /dɪˌmɑkrətəˈzeɪʃən/ (US), /dɪˌmɒkrətaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Making something available to everyone
126. **Proactive** /proʊˈæktɪv/ (US), /prəʊˈæktɪv/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Taking action in advance
127. **Charting their own course**
*Meaning*: Planning their own path
128. **Cultural development**
*Meaning*: Growth in arts, beliefs, and customs
129. **Hold dear**
*Meaning*: Value greatly
130. **Educational priorities**
*Meaning*: Most important learning goals
131. **Economic policies**
*Meaning*: Government decisions about money
132. **Preserve their core identity**
*Meaning*: Keep their essential character
133. **Open to new ideas**
*Meaning*: Willing to consider different thoughts
134. **Looking ahead**
*Meaning*: Thinking about the future
135. **Harness** /ˈhɑrnəs/ (US), /ˈhɑːnəs/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Control and use effectively
136. **Emerging technologies**
*Meaning*: New technologies being developed
137. **Pressing global challenges**
*Meaning*: Urgent worldwide problems
138. **Climate change**
*Meaning*: Long-term changes in weather patterns
139. **Inequality** /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑləti/ (US), /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Unfair differences between people
140. **Social fragmentation**
*Meaning*: Division of society into separate groups
141. **Unprecedented levels**
*Meaning*: Amounts never seen before
142. **Collaboration** /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Working together
143. **Navigate** /ˈnævəˌɡeɪt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Find a way through
144. **Interconnected** /ˌɪntərkəˈnektəd/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Connected with each other
*Meaning*: Two aspects of the same thing
2. **Intertwined** /ˌɪntərˈtwaɪnd/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Twisted together; closely connected
3. **From cradle to grave**
*Meaning*: Throughout one's entire life
4. **Quantitative** /ˈkwɑntəˌteɪtɪv/ (US), /ˈkwɒntɪtətɪv/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Relating to measurable amounts
5. **Encompasses** /ɪnˈkʌmpəsəz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Includes or contains
6. **Qualitative** /ˈkwɑləˌteɪtɪv/ (US), /ˈkwɒlɪtətɪv/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Relating to quality or character
7. **Transformations** /ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃənz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Complete changes in form or appearance
8. **Capabilities** /ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Abilities or skills
9. **Work hand in hand**
*Meaning*: Cooperate closely together
10. **Reach their full potential**
*Meaning*: Achieve the maximum possible development
11. **Sophistication** /səˌfɪstəˈkeɪʃən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Advanced complexity or refinement
12. **Take our first breath**
*Meaning*: Be born
13. **Biological** /ˌbaɪəˈlɑdʒəkəl/ (US), /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Related to living organisms
14. **Kick into high gear**
*Meaning*: Begin operating at maximum capacity
15. **Prenatal** /priˈneɪtəl/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Before birth
16. **Intricate** /ˈɪntrəkət/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Very complicated or detailed
17. **Blueprint** /ˈbluˌprɪnt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Detailed plan or design
18. **Unfolds** /ʌnˈfoʊldz/ (US), /ʌnˈfəʊldz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Develops or reveals gradually
19. **Mind-boggling** /ˈmaɪnd ˌbɑɡəlɪŋ/ (US), /ˈmaɪnd ˌbɒɡəlɪŋ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Extremely surprising or difficult to understand
20. **Precision** /prɪˈsɪʒən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Accuracy and exactness
21. **Laying the groundwork**
*Meaning*: Creating the foundation for future development
22. **Sets the tone**
*Meaning*: Establishes the character or mood
23. **Growth spurts**
*Meaning*: Periods of rapid physical development
24. **Developmental milestones**
*Meaning*: Important achievements in growth
25. **Mark our passage**
*Meaning*: Indicate our progress
26. **Phases** /ˈfeɪzəz/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Distinct periods or stages
27. **Dramatic** /drəˈmætɪk/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Striking and impressive
28. **Soak up information**
*Meaning*: Absorb knowledge easily
29. **Like sponges**
*Meaning*: Absorbing everything quickly
30. **By leaps and bounds**
*Meaning*: Very quickly and in large amounts
31. **Formative years**
*Meaning*: Early period when character is shaped
32. **Pushing boundaries**
*Meaning*: Testing limits
33. **Testing limits**
*Meaning*: Seeing how far something can go
34. **Navigate** /ˈnævəˌɡeɪt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Find one's way through
35. **Scraped knee**
*Meaning*: Minor injury from falling
36. **Resilience** /rɪˈzɪljəns/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Ability to recover from difficulties
37. **Feeds imagination**
*Meaning*: Stimulates creative thinking
38. **Serve them throughout**
*Meaning*: Be useful for their entire life
39. **Adolescent** /ˌædəˈlesənt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Relating to teenagers
40. **Grapple with**
*Meaning*: Struggle to deal with
41. **Figure out**
*Meaning*: Understand or solve
42. **Fit in**
*Meaning*: Belong or be accepted
43. **Tumultuous** /təˈmʌltʃuəs/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Very confused and disorderly
44. **Pulling away from**
*Meaning*: Becoming distant from
45. **Parental influence**
*Meaning*: Effect of parents on children
46. **Spread their wings**
*Meaning*: Begin to be independent
47. **Assert their independence**
*Meaning*: Declare their freedom
48. **Undergoes** /ˌʌndərˈɡoʊz/ (US), /ˌʌndəˈɡəʊz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Experiences or goes through
49. **Rewiring** /riˈwaɪərɪŋ/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Changing connections
50. **Decision-making**
*Meaning*: Process of choosing between options
51. **Impulse control**
*Meaning*: Ability to resist immediate desires
52. **Far from it**
*Meaning*: Definitely not; the opposite is true
53. **Plateau** /pləˈtoʊ/ (US), /ˈplætəʊ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Reach a stable level
54. **Flourish** /ˈflɜrɪʃ/ (US), /ˈflʌrɪʃ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Grow vigorously; thrive
55. **Hit their stride**
*Meaning*: Reach peak performance
56. **Coming into their own**
*Meaning*: Reaching maturity and full potential
57. **Make their mark**
*Meaning*: Achieve recognition or success
58. **Career achievements**
*Meaning*: Professional successes
59. **Contributing to communities**
*Meaning*: Helping society
60. **Lifelong learning**
*Meaning*: Continuing education throughout life
61. **Gained tremendous momentum**
*Meaning*: Become much more popular
62. **Standing still**
*Meaning*: Not making progress
63. **Tantamount to**
*Meaning*: Equivalent to
64. **Moving backward**
*Meaning*: Getting worse or losing progress
65. **Embrace** /ɪmˈbreɪs/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Accept willingly
66. **Continuous development**
*Meaning*: Ongoing improvement
67. **Better equipped**
*Meaning*: More prepared
68. **Roll with the punches**
*Meaning*: Adapt to difficult situations
69. **Inevitably** /ɪˈnevətəbli/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Certainly; unavoidably
70. **Throws their way**
*Meaning*: Presents to them
71. **Setbacks** /ˈsetˌbæks/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Problems that delay progress
72. **Roadblocks** /ˈroʊdˌblɑks/ (US), /ˈrəʊdˌblɒks/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Obstacles that prevent progress
73. **Stepping stones**
*Meaning*: Things that help you progress
74. **Economic development**
*Meaning*: Growth of a country's economy
75. **Progressing through**
*Meaning*: Moving forward by stages
76. **Infrastructure** /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Basic facilities and systems
77. **Diversify** /daɪˈvɜrsəˌfaɪ/ (US), /daɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Make more varied
78. **Struggling to make ends meet**
*Meaning*: Having difficulty paying for basic needs
79. **Transform themselves**
*Meaning*: Change completely
80. **Economic powerhouses**
*Meaning*: Very strong economies
81. **Within a generation**
*Meaning*: In about 20-30 years
82. **Human capital**
*Meaning*: Skills and knowledge of workers
83. **Fostering** /ˈfɔstərɪŋ/ (US), /ˈfɒstərɪŋ/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Encouraging development
84. **Innovation** /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: New ideas and methods
85. **Entrepreneurs** /ˌɑntrəprəˈnɜrz/ (US), /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: People who start businesses
86. **Linear** /ˈlɪniər/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Developing in a straight line
87. **In fits and starts**
*Meaning*: Irregularly; stopping and starting
88. **Rapid advancement**
*Meaning*: Quick progress
89. **Plateaus** /pləˈtoʊz/ (US), /ˈplætəʊz/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Periods of no change
90. **Temporary setbacks**
*Meaning*: Short-term problems
91. **Forward momentum**
*Meaning*: Continued progress
92. **Weather storms**
*Meaning*: Survive difficult times
93. **Emerge stronger**
*Meaning*: Come out better than before
94. **On the other side**
*Meaning*: After a difficult period
95. **Technological development**
*Meaning*: Advancement in technology
96. **Breakneck speed**
*Meaning*: Extremely fast pace
97. **Fundamentally altering**
*Meaning*: Changing in basic ways
98. **In the blink of an eye**
*Meaning*: Very quickly
99. **Unprecedented** /ʌnˈpresədentəd/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Never done or known before
100. **Keep pace with**
*Meaning*: Move at the same speed as
101. **The other way around**
*Meaning*: In the opposite direction
102. **Environmental considerations**
*Meaning*: Thinking about effects on nature
103. **Sustainable development**
*Meaning*: Growth that doesn't harm the environment
104. **Growth at any cost**
*Meaning*: Expansion regardless of consequences
105. **Giving way to**
*Meaning*: Being replaced by
106. **Thoughtful approaches**
*Meaning*: Careful and considerate methods
107. **Take into account**
*Meaning*: Consider as a factor
108. **Long-term consequences**
*Meaning*: Effects that last a long time
109. **Forward-thinking**
*Meaning*: Planning for the future
110. **Personal development**
*Meaning*: Individual growth and improvement
111. **Stepping out of one's comfort zone**
*Meaning*: Doing things that feel unfamiliar
112. **Embracing challenges**
*Meaning*: Accepting difficult tasks willingly
113. **Push us to grow**
*Meaning*: Force us to develop
114. **Taking on responsibilities**
*Meaning*: Accepting duties
115. **Confronting fears**
*Meaning*: Facing what scares us
116. **Holding us back**
*Meaning*: Preventing our progress
117. **Significant breakthroughs**
*Meaning*: Important discoveries or advances
118. **Calculated risks**
*Meaning*: Carefully considered dangers
119. **Venture into**
*Meaning*: Go into unknown territory
120. **Uncharted territory**
*Meaning*: Unknown or unexplored areas
121. **Opened up new frontiers**
*Meaning*: Created new possibilities
122. **Privileged few**
*Meaning*: Small group with special advantages
123. **Geographical boundaries**
*Meaning*: Borders between places
124. **Global impact**
*Meaning*: Worldwide influence
125. **Democratization** /dɪˌmɑkrətəˈzeɪʃən/ (US), /dɪˌmɒkrətaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Making something available to everyone
126. **Proactive** /proʊˈæktɪv/ (US), /prəʊˈæktɪv/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Taking action in advance
127. **Charting their own course**
*Meaning*: Planning their own path
128. **Cultural development**
*Meaning*: Growth in arts, beliefs, and customs
129. **Hold dear**
*Meaning*: Value greatly
130. **Educational priorities**
*Meaning*: Most important learning goals
131. **Economic policies**
*Meaning*: Government decisions about money
132. **Preserve their core identity**
*Meaning*: Keep their essential character
133. **Open to new ideas**
*Meaning*: Willing to consider different thoughts
134. **Looking ahead**
*Meaning*: Thinking about the future
135. **Harness** /ˈhɑrnəs/ (US), /ˈhɑːnəs/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Control and use effectively
136. **Emerging technologies**
*Meaning*: New technologies being developed
137. **Pressing global challenges**
*Meaning*: Urgent worldwide problems
138. **Climate change**
*Meaning*: Long-term changes in weather patterns
139. **Inequality** /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑləti/ (US), /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ (UK)
*Meaning*: Unfair differences between people
140. **Social fragmentation**
*Meaning*: Division of society into separate groups
141. **Unprecedented levels**
*Meaning*: Amounts never seen before
142. **Collaboration** /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Working together
143. **Navigate** /ˈnævəˌɡeɪt/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Find a way through
144. **Interconnected** /ˌɪntərkəˈnektəd/ (US & UK)
*Meaning*: Connected with each other
Pronunciation of 'd and 'd Have
1. Pronunciation of 'd:
- The contraction 'd can represent "would" or "had" in spoken English.
- When 'd stands for "would," it is typically pronounced as /d/ or sometimes a soft /əd/ particularly in careful speech.
- When 'd stands for "had," it often blends with the past participle verb, pronounced /d/ or /t/ depending on the preceding sound (voiced or voiceless consonant).
Examples:
- "I'd go" sounds like /aɪd ɡoʊ/ (the /d/ links smoothly to the next word)
- "She'd finished" sounds like /ʃid fɪnɪʃt/ (the /d/ may sound like /t/ because "finished" starts with an unvoiced consonant)
2. Pronunciation of 'd Have:
- The phrase 'd have (would have) often contracts fully in fast, natural speech to sound like /d hæv/, /d əv/, or even /d ə/.
- In casual speech, 'd have may be reduced to just a /d/ sound linking directly to the following past participle.
Examples:
- "I'd have gone" can sound like /aɪd əv ɡɔn/ or quickly as /aɪd ɡɔn/
- "She'd have seen" may sound like /ʃid əv siːn/ or /ʃid siːn/
3. Linking and Elision:
- In fluent speech, the /d/ sound links to the following word, especially if it begins with a vowel.
- Elision is common: sounds are dropped or merged for easier pronunciation.
- The contraction 'd can represent "would" or "had" in spoken English.
- When 'd stands for "would," it is typically pronounced as /d/ or sometimes a soft /əd/ particularly in careful speech.
- When 'd stands for "had," it often blends with the past participle verb, pronounced /d/ or /t/ depending on the preceding sound (voiced or voiceless consonant).
Examples:
- "I'd go" sounds like /aɪd ɡoʊ/ (the /d/ links smoothly to the next word)
- "She'd finished" sounds like /ʃid fɪnɪʃt/ (the /d/ may sound like /t/ because "finished" starts with an unvoiced consonant)
2. Pronunciation of 'd Have:
- The phrase 'd have (would have) often contracts fully in fast, natural speech to sound like /d hæv/, /d əv/, or even /d ə/.
- In casual speech, 'd have may be reduced to just a /d/ sound linking directly to the following past participle.
Examples:
- "I'd have gone" can sound like /aɪd əv ɡɔn/ or quickly as /aɪd ɡɔn/
- "She'd have seen" may sound like /ʃid əv siːn/ or /ʃid siːn/
3. Linking and Elision:
- In fluent speech, the /d/ sound links to the following word, especially if it begins with a vowel.
- Elision is common: sounds are dropped or merged for easier pronunciation.