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Vocabulary Quiz
distinction • lean • turbulent
crashing • shortish
  1. It's easier to see if you out the window.
  2. That movie seemed kind of to me.
  3. The branches of the tree are up against the house because of the strong winds.
  4. She recently got an award of for her short story.
  5. The lake is very today, so be careful when you take the boat out.
Comprehension Quiz
Answer the following questions about the interview.
story image

581 Irish Cliffs

Marion talks about the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

  • Transcript
  • Vocabulary


I'm quite sure that we have that distinction.

If you have a 'distinction,' then you have a unique or distinguishable trait or characteristic.  Notice the following:

  1. I was difficult to make the distinction between the two sounds.
  2. The real distinction between Amy and her twin is the difference in their noses.

lean out

He was going right up the edge, and looking over and leaning out.

To 'lean out' is to stand in a way that is not exactly vertical, but tilted to one side or the other.  In the example, the man is tilted forward to see something below him.  Notice the following:

  1. She leaned out of the car to wave goodbye.
  2. Don't lean out too far, you might fall.


You're facing the Atlantic ocean, which can get quite turbulent.

If you are talking about a 'turbulent' ocean, this is an ocean that is not calm and is full of waves, like in a storm.  Notice the following:

  1. It was difficult to cross the lake by boat today.  With all the wind the water is very turbulent.
  2. I had a very turbulent day today.

crashing up against

You can see the waves crashing up against the cliffs.

If waves 'crash up against something,' they hit it with full force, making a loud sound.  Notice the following:

  1. It's very difficult to swim out far with all the waves crashing up against you.
  2. The sound of the rain crashing up against the windows made it very difficult to sleep.


The train is probably more comfortable and then it would be a shortish bus ride to the Cliffs of Moher.

If something is 'shortish,' it a little bit longer than short.  This is from the perspective of the speaker, so it probably different for each person.  There is no real definition about when something becomes medium length instead of shortish.  Notice the following:

  1. I have a shortish week this week.  I only have to work four days.
  2. He is a shortish man with gray hair.


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