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Vocabulary Quiz
favorites • same time • combination
tragic • overpowering • triumphs
  1. She won't watch movies, only comedies.
  2. At first, his personality can be a little , but you'll get used to it soon.
  3. The winter is miserably cold, but at the , there are many fun things to do.
  4. That CD is one of his .
  5. Every day in a new country is full of small personal .
  6. Indian food is the perfect of sweet and spicy.
Comprehension Quiz
Answer the following questions about the interview.
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221 Favorites
Shawn talks about things he really likes.

  • Transcript
  • Audio Notes


Let's talk about your favorites.

Your 'favorites' are things that you like the best. Notice the following:

  1. Most of my favorite restaurants are in this area.
  2. This movie is one of my favorites.

at the same time

In spring, it's warm, but at the same time, it's a bit cool.

In this case 'at the same time' can be replaced with 'but also.'  We use this phrase most frequently when we want to demonstrate that sometime has opposite or conflicting properties. Notice the following:

  1. I'm having a good time, but at the same time, I'm ready to go home.
  2. She's a good friend, but at the same time, I don't trust her at all.


For me, spring is a combination of all the seasons in one.

A 'combination' is many different things which have been put together. Notice the following:

  1. The sauce is a combination of tomatoes, onions, garlic and seasoning.
  2. Her paintings have an interesting combination of colors.


"The Gladiator" is a tragic movie.

If something is 'tragic' it is very sad or disastrous. Notice the following:

  1. The book was tragic and made me cry.
  2. Her childhood was very tragic.

triumph or overpowering

The movie is about a leader who triumphs over overpowering conflicts.

If you 'triumph' over something you have success or victory after battling against something difficult. If something is 'overpowering' it is difficult to conquer or master, if it is against you it is very strongly negative.  In the case of the example it is a strong force against you. Notice the following:

  1. Passing that class was a personal triumph.
  2. The garbage has an overpowering smell right now.