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Fun Easy English Classroom August 13
 

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Learn American
English vocabulary
beginning with
letter T
American English Vocabulary - Letter T

Today in the classroom you are going to learn some words you should know beginning with the letter T.
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American English Vocabulary - Letter T

The words on this page came from the VOA, Voice of America, Special English Word Book. Use the Fun Easy English dictionary for a more detailed explanation of each word.
  • take - v. to put a hand or hands around something and hold it, often to move it to another place; to carry something ; to seize; to capture; to begin to be in control ("The president takes office tomorrow.")
  • talk - v. to express thoughts in spoken words; n. a meeting for discussion
  • tall - ad. higher than others; opposite short
  • tank - n. a large container for holding liquids; a heavy military vehicle with guns
  • target - n. any person or object aimed at or fired at
  • taste - v. to sense through the mouth ("The fruit tastes sweet.")
  • tax - n. the money a person or business must pay to the government so the government can provide services
  • tea - n. a drink made from the plant of the same name
  • teach - v. to show how to do something; to provide knowledge; to cause to understand
  • team - n. a group organized for some purpose, often for sports
  • tear - v. to pull apart, often by force
  • technical - ad. involving machines, processes and materials in industry, transportation and communications; of or about a very special kind of subject or thing ("You need technical knowledge to understand how this system works.")
  • technology - n. the use of scientific knowledge and methods to produce goods and services
  • telephone - n. a device or system for sending sounds, especially the voice, over distances
  • telescope - n. a device for making objects that are far away appear closer and larger
  • television - n. a device that receives electronic signals and makes them into pictures and sounds; the system of sending pictures and sounds by electronic signals over a distance so others can see and hear them on a receiver
  • tell - v. to give information; to make known by speaking; to order; to command
  • temperature - n. the measurement of heat and cold
  • temporary - ad. lasting only a short time
  • tense - ad. having fear or concern; dangerous; opposite calm
  • term - n. a limited period of time during which someone does a job or carries out a responsibility ("He served two terms in Congress."); the conditions of an agreement that have been accepted by those involved in it
  • terrible - ad. very bad; causing terror or fear
  • territory - n. a large area of land
  • terror - n. extreme fear; that which causes great fear
  • terrorist - n. a person who carries out acts of extreme violence as a protest or a way to influence a government
  • test - v. to attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing ("The scientists will test the new engine soon."); n. an attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing ("The test of the new engine takes place today."); a group of questions or problems used to find out a person's knowledge ("The students did well on the language test.")
  • than - conj. connecting word used to link things that may be similar, but are not equal ("My sister is taller than I am.")
  • thank - v. to say that one has a good feeling toward another because that person did something kind ("I want to thank you for helping me.")
  • that - ad. showing the person, place or thing being spoken about ("That man is a soldier."); pro. the person, place or thing being spoken about ("The building that I saw was very large.")
  • the - pro. used in front of a name word to show that it is a person or thing that is known about or is being spoken about
  • theater - n. a place where movies are shown or plays are performed
  • them - pro. other people being spoken about
  • then - ad. at that time; existing; and so
  • theory - n. a possible explanation of why something exists or how something happens using experiments or ideas, but which is not yet proven ("Other scientists are debating his theory about the disappearance of dinosaurs.")
  • there - ad. in that place or position; to or toward that place
  • these - pro. of or about the people, places or things nearby that have been spoken about already
  • they - pro. those ones being spoken about
  • thick - ad. having a large distance between two opposite surfaces ("The wall is two meters thick."); having many parts close together ("The forest is very thick."); almost solid, such as a liquid that does not flow easily; opposite thin
  • thin - ad. having a small distance between two opposite surfaces; not fat; not wide; opposite thick
  • thing - n. any object
  • think - v. to produce thoughts; to form ideas in the mind; to consider; to believe
  • third - ad. coming after two others
  • this - pro. of or about the person, place or thing nearby that has been spoken about already
  • threaten - v. to warn that one will do harm or cause damage
  • through - prep. in at one end and out at the other; from front to back; from top to bottom; with the help of; by
  • throw - v. to cause to go through the air by a movement of the arm
  • tie - v. to join or hold together with some material; n. anything that joins or unites; links or connections ("The two nations have strong trade ties.")
  • time - n. that which is measured in minutes, hours, days and years; a period that can be identified in hours and minutes and is shown on a clock; a period when an event should or will take place
  • tired - ad. having less strength because of work or exercise; needing sleep or rest
  • to - prep. showing the direction of an action; showing the person or place toward which an action is directed; showing a goal or purpose
  • today - n. this day
  • together - ad. in one group; at the same time or place; in cooperation
  • tomorrow - n. the day after today
  • tonight - n. this night
  • too - ad. also; as well as; more than is necessary
  • tool - n. any instrument or device designed to help one do work
  • top - n. the upper edge or surface; the highest part; the cover of something
  • torture - v. to cause severe pain; n. the act of causing severe pain in order to harm, to punish or to get information from
  • total - n. the complete amount
  • touch - v. to put the hand or fingers on
  • toward - prep. in the direction of; leading to
  • town - n. a center where people live, larger than a village but not as large as a city
  • trade - v. to buy and sell or exchange products or services; n. the activity of buying, selling or exchanging products or services
  • tradition - n. a ceremony, activity or belief that has existed for a long time
  • traffic - n. the movement of people, vehicles or ships along a street, road or waterway
  • tragic - ad. extremely sad; terrible
  • train - v. to teach or learn how to do something; to prepare for an activity; n. an engine and the cars connected to it that move along a railroad
  • transport - v. to move goods or people from one place to another
  • transportation - n. the act or business of moving goods or people
  • trap - v. to catch or be caught by being tricked; to be unable to move or escape; n. a device used to catch animals
  • travel - v. to go from one place to another, usually for a long distance
  • treason - n. the act of fighting against one's own country or of helping its enemies
  • treasure - n. a large collection of money, jewels or other things of great value
  • treat - v. to deal with; to act toward in a special way; to try to cure
  • treatment - n. the act of treating; the use of medicine to try to cure or make better
  • treaty - n. a written agreement between two or more nations
  • tree - n. a very tall plant that is mostly wood, except for its leaves
  • trial - n. an examination in a court of a question or dispute to decide if a charge is true
  • tribe - n. a group of families ruled by a common chief or leader
  • trick - v. to cheat; to fool a person so as to get something or make him or her do something
  • trip - n. a movement from one place to another, usually a long distance
  • troops - n. a number of soldiers in a large controlled group
  • trouble - n. that which causes concern, fear, difficulty or problems
  • truce - n. a temporary halt in fighting agreed to by all sides involved
  • truck - n. a heavy vehicle used to carry goods
  • true - ad. correct; not false
  • trust - v. to believe that someone is honest and will not cause harm
  • try - v. to make an effort; to take court action against a person to decide if he or she is guilty or innocent of a crime
  • tube - n. a long, round structure through which liquids or gases can flow; a long, thin container in which they can be kept
  • turn - v. to change direction; to move into a different position; to change color, form or shape
From YOUR Teacher: Words You Should Know

Fun Easy English Words You Should Know comes from  the VOA, Voice of America, Special English Word Book Vocabulary. Special English, now called Learning English, consists of 1,500 essential words which anyone learning English should know.
News Words - Letter T

The videos on this page came from the VOA, Voice of America, News Words program. Use the Fun Easy English dictionary for a detailed explanation of words you do not understand. Click the full screen button on the video to make it easier to watch and to read the video script.
Word Video  
Tears of Joy  
Touchdown  
Toxic  
Transgender  
Transplant  
Trend  
Troll  
Turmoil  
Turmoil  
 
Additional Lessons
About These Lessons

The following classroom lessons are great for students who want additional listening and reading practice.
  • Travel America - Beginner Level. Do you love America and American English? Learn before you travel. Facts and other cool stuff about your favorite U.S. state. Great English reading practice.
Travel America - Virginia
(Beginner - Reading)

Learn some interesting facts and read interesting stories about Virginia.
Virginia

The Virginia Company founded the first permanent English colony at Jamestown in 1607. One of the original 13 states (it entered the Union in 1788), Virginia was named for Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen of England. Virginia holds an important place in American history, as it was home to many of the founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, and Patrick Henry. Four of America's first five presidents were Virginians. During the Civil War, Richmond, Virginia's capital, was the capital of the Confederacy. Today, Virginia is a popular tourist spot where people can visit historic places such as Alexandria, Williamsburg, and Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate. Dogwood is the state flower and the cardinal is the state bird of the "Old Dominion."
Flag of VirginiaVirginia State Flag


The state flag of Virginia has a deep blue field with a circle of white in the center on both sides of the flag. In this white circle Virginia's coat of arms is painted or embroidered, as described by the convention of 1776 (also the description of Virginia's state seal):

"Virtus, the genius of the commonwealth, dressed like an Amazon, resting on a spear with one hand, and holding a sword in other, and treading on tyranny, represented by a man prostrate, a crown fallen from his head, a broken chain in his left hand and a scourge in his right. In the exergon the word Virginia over the head of Virtus, and underneath the words "Sic Semper Tyrannis."
Source: State Symbols USA
 
The great seal of the state of VirginiaVirginia State Facts

Picture: state seal of Virginia
State Capital Richmond
Nickname Old Dominion
Motto Sic Semper Tyrannis (Thus Always to Tyrants)
Statehood June 25, 1788 (10th)
Origin of Name Named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I
Largest Cities Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Richmond, Chesapeake, Newport News
Border States Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
Area 39,598 sq. mi., 37th largest
State Bird Cardinal
State Flower Dogwood (cornus florida)
State Tree Dogwood (cornus florida)
State Song None
Map showing the location of VirginiaTravel and tourism site for Virginia - This state travel and territorial tourism site provides ideas for your vacations, meetings, and more.
Virginia Stories
 
Fiddler Henry Reed of Virginia

Have you ever heard traditional fiddle music? One well-known fiddler, Henry Reed, grew up in Glen Lyn, Virginia. Reed was born in 1884 and grew up in a musical family. He spent most of his life performing fiddle tunes that bring to mind the history of the state's Appalachian frontier. Reed learned an amazing number of tunes, most of them by ear. He knew a wide variety of melodies, such as those from the early American frontier, waltzes, popular tunes from the turn of the 20th century, and 19th century marches.

The style of Henry Reed's fiddle playing, like the style of other older fiddlers in the South, is a combination of different influences. For instance, the rhythms he used came from both European and African American influences. American Indian music may also have made an impact on the method of playing that Reed learned so many years ago.

During the mid-1960s, folklorist Alan Jabbour recorded Henry Reed performing fiddle tunes. Many of the traditional tunes Reed played became popular again during the fiddling revival of the later 20th century.
 
Lancaster Toy and Train Collection at the Children's Museum of Virginia

What could be more fun than a museum full of toys?

A.J. "Junie" Lancaster and his wife, Mildred, had a sizable toy and train collection, which they wanted to share with others. So they donated it to the Children's Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth. The collection contains more than 2,000 toys and trains worth about $1 million! Now, young and old can enjoy Tonka toys, model cars, Buddy L trucks, fire trucks, and tin windup and cast iron toys. The collection also includes circus toys -- circus tents filled with colorful circus figures, trapeze artists, and circus wagons.

The majority of the collection, however, is dedicated to model trains. All types of trains -- Lionel, Williams, and Weaver in many different sizes -- are on display. Visitors can pop their heads up into a clear dome and get a 360-degree look at the trains as they chug around the exhibit area. They can even work the trains' controls.

Visitors also learn about railroad safety, the fun of model railroading and collecting, the history of railroads, and the railroads' importance to the development of the United States.
 
Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Every year on the Fourth of July, people from many different countries come to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, to become United States citizens. The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is called naturalization. After living in the U.S. for a certain number of years, an immigrant can apply for citizenship by petitioning for naturalization.

Thomas J. Michie, Judge of the U.S. District Court of Western Virginia, began the Independence Day naturalization ceremonies at Monticello in 1963. The ceremony opens with a concert of patriotic American music. The petitioners for naturalization, their family, friends, and guests are welcomed; an invited guest reads the beginning of the Declaration of Independence; and a guest speaker delivers remarks before the new citizens take an oath. After the formal proceedings, the day ends with a Fourth of July picnic.

In 2000, the ceremonies were especially significant. The guest speaker was Madeleine K. Albright, the secretary of state at the time. She is not only the first female secretary of state, but also an immigrant. Albright followed in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson who served as the first Secretary of State, in 1790-1793.
 
Pony Swim and Auction

Can you guess how a herd of wild ponies arrived at Assateague Island, Virginia, and how their offspring have continued to live there for more than 300 years?

No one knows how the "ponies" got on the island, but one myth says that they are descendants of mustangs that swam there from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon (a large sailing ship). The most likely explanation is that they are the descendants of horses that were brought to the island in the late 17th century by owners on the U.S. mainland who wanted to avoid taxes and laws requiring them to be fenced. Although they are called "ponies," they are actually horses. Their diet of grasses and seaweed and the harsh environment prevent them from growing to full size, which makes them look more like ponies.

Today, the ponies are split into two main herds -- one on the Virginia side and one on the Maryland side of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island -- and each herd has about 150 animals.
 
Fort Lee and the Legacy of Army Women

The new U.S. Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee, Virginia, honors the women who have served in the U.S. Army.

During World War I, when Fort Lee was called Camp Lee, many women served there as nurses. During World War II, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established. That name was soon changed to the Women's Army Corps (WAC). In the beginning, the WAC was considered a temporary unit that would be broken up when World War II ended, but that didn't happen. Instead, the WAC Training Center was established at Camp Lee in 1948 and women trained there before moving on to their permanent Army assignments.

Women have served in the military since the beginning of our nation. During the Revolutionary War, Mary McCauley, better known as "Molly Pitcher," carried water to cool both the cannons and the soldiers in her husband's regiment. During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman (an escaped slave) worked as a nurse and spy for Union forces and led the Union Army on a raid that resulted in freedom for more than 750 slaves. During World War II, Jacqueline Cochran was the first woman to fly a heavy bomber over the Atlantic. She also trained American women as transport pilots in England for the Air Transport Auxiliary of the Royal Air Force. She was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in 1945 for her service in World War II.

The U.S. Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee highlights the bravery of these women and many others who have served in our country's forces.
 
Torpedo Factory Art Center

What can you do with an old torpedo factory? In Alexandria, Virginia, on the banks of the Potomac River, a torpedo factory was turned into an arts center -- the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

The factory was built after the end of the First World War, in 1918. For the next five years submarine and aircraft torpedoes (missiles) were produced there around the clock. After that, the building was a storage area for arms and ammunition until World War II. After the war it was used by the Smithsonian Institution to store art objects and valuable dinosaur bones. Congress also stored documents there, and the military used it to store German war films and records.

The city of Alexandria bought the factory from the federal government in 1969, but it wasn't until 1974 that artists converted the huge space into a complex of bright, clean studios. Today, you can visit the Torpedo Factory and see artists at work -- a potter making a bowl, an artist making a stained glass window, or a painter working on a canvas.

You can also learn about torpedoes. The torpedo in the picture is on display in the main hall. It was made at the factory in 1945 and was painted bright green so that the Navy could see it in the water when it was tested.
 
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival

Have you ever made a sand castle? What about a sand sculpture?

At the North American Sand Sculpting Championship, sand sculpturing is an art form. The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, which includes the Sand Sculpting Championship, was named after Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. You can go to this 10-day festival and participate in sporting competitions, arts and crafts, King Neptune's Grand Parade, and, of course, the sand competition.

Both professionals and amateurs come to the Neptune Festival to compete in the sand sculpting competition. They start by using water to hold the sand together. Buckets, shovels, sprayers, wheelbarrows, ladders, and garden tools help make the sand sculptures. Cake cutters, pallet knives, spoons, and even melon-ballers are also used. Natural seashore items such as shells and seaweed are used for decorations. When the sculpture is finished you should take a photo of your masterpiece because, before you know it, it will all be washed away.
Source: Library of Congress
National Forests, Parks, and Monuments of Virginia

The following is a description of national forests, parks, and monuments in the state of Virginia. If you plan to visit or live in Virginia for awhile then you should definitely plan to visit some of these fantastic places.
 
National Forests
George Washington & Jefferson

In the Appalachian Mountains, the highest point of the forest is Mount Rogers, also the highest point in Virginia at 5,729 ft (1,746 m) in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. There are 230,000 acres (93,000 ha) of old-growth forest here, and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail both run through the forest. This national forest is also partially located in the states of Kentucky and West Virginia.
 
National Parks
Shenandoah

Shenandoah's Blue Ridge Mountains are covered by hardwood forests that teem with a wide variety of wildlife. The Skyline Drive and Appalachian Trail run the entire length of this narrow park, along with more than 500 miles (800 km) of hiking trails passing scenic overlooks and cataracts of the Shenandoah River.
 
National Monuments
Booker T. Washington

The Booker T. Washington National Monument preserves portions of the 207-acre (0.84 km2) tobacco farm on which educator and civil rights leader Booker T. Washington was born into slavery on April 5, 1856. The site contains replicas of the house Washington was born in, a smokehouse, a blacksmith shed, a tobacco barn, and a horse barn.
Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe National Monument spans the American story from the 17th to the 21st centuries: Captain John Smith's journeys, a haven of freedom for the enslaved during the Civil War, and a bastion of defense for the Chesapeake Bay.
George Washington Birthplace

Representative of 18th-century Virginia tobacco farms, this site is the birthplace and boyhood environment of George Washington. The entrance includes a Memorial Shaft obelisk of Vermont marble that is a one-tenth scale replica of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Also within the monument are the historic birthplace home area, a kitchen house, and the Washington family burial ground.
Travel America
Travel America

Do you love America and American English? Learn before you travel. Facts and other cool stuff about your favorite U.S. state. Visit the Fun Easy English Travel America pages. Read about the beautiful National Forests, Parks, and Monuments. Great English reading practice.
Drive America

Planning to drive in America? Learn the rules and regulations. Great English reading practice.
 
Additional Information
Avoid Ineffective Study Methods

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
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Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Pronunciation by Training Your Ears

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Long-Term Memory by Spacing Practice

The lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
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