Play video to start
Click
underlined
words for an explanation
Click 
to slow the talking speed
to slow the talking speed
Click 
to learn with the AI assistant
to learn with the AI assistant
A meal
for
for
X
under
under
X
a dollar twenty. Menu Rahma, which means compassionate menu,
A meal for under a dollar twenty. Menu Rahma, which means compassionate menu,
A
meal
for
under
a
dollar
twenty
Menu
Rahma
which
means
compassionate
menu
is a government initiative
for
for
X
restaurants
is a government
initiative
initiative
X
for restaurants
is
a
government
initiative
for
restaurants
and food stalls
to
to
X
offer affordable meals
and food stalls to offer affordable meals
and
food
stalls
to
offer
affordable
meals
as
as
X
a way
to
to
X
counter the rising cost
of
of
X
living.
as a way to
counter the rising cost of living
.
as
a
way
to
counter
the
rising
cost
of
living
More
than
than
X
fifteen thousand premises
More than fifteen thousand
premises
premises
X
More
than
fifteen
thousand
premises
have signed
up
up
X
to
to
X
the program
since
since
X
its
have signed up to the program since its
have
signed
up
to
the
program
since
its
launch last month. "First, you don't make a loss,
launch last month. "First, you don't
make a loss
,
launch
last
month
First
you
don't
make
a
loss
you actually make a 20-25% margin, so
you actually make a 20-25%
margin
margin
X
, so
you
actually
make
a
20-25
margin
so
there's no loss here, okay?" The second
there's no loss here, okay?" The second
there's
no
loss
here
okay
The
second
part is that you're helping somebody,
part is that you're helping somebody,
part
is
that
you're
helping
somebody
helping the poor,
helping the poor,
helping
the
poor
helping the needy. But
like
like
X
many
helping the needy. But like many
helping
the
needy
But
like
many
other operators, he says this can only
other operators, he says this can only
other
operators
he
says
this
can
only
be sustained if the cost
of
of
X
ingredients
be
sustained
sustained
X
if the cost of
ingredients
ingredients
X
be
sustained
if
the
cost
of
ingredients
doesn't keep increasing.
doesn't keep increasing.
doesn't
keep
increasing
The government imposes price ceilings
on
on
X
certain items
The government imposes
price ceilings
on certain items
The
government
imposes
price
ceilings
on
certain
items
like
like
X
raw chicken and eggs
to
to
X
ensure they
like raw chicken and eggs to ensure they
like
raw
chicken
and
eggs
to
ensure
they
remain affordable. Low-income families
remain affordable. Low-income families
remain
affordable
Low-income
families
spend
around
around
X
40%
of
of
X
their income
on
on
X
food,
spend around 40% of their income on food,
spend
around
40
of
their
income
on
food
so they are the hardest hit
so they are the
hardest hit
so
they
are
the
hardest
hit
by
by
X
rising food prices. For much
by rising food prices. For much
by
rising
food
prices
For
much
of
of
X
last year, food inflation in
of last year, food
inflation
inflation
X
in
of
last
year
food
inflation
in
Malaysia was
around
around
X
4%,
but
but
X
rose
to
to
X
Malaysia was around 4%, but rose to
Malaysia
was
around
4
but
rose
to
7%
in
in
X
November. But price controls have caused
7% in November. But
price controls
price controls
X
have caused
7
in
November
But
price
controls
have
caused
a supply shortage and
a supply shortage and
a
supply
shortage
and
consequently higher prices. Malaysia
consequently higher prices. Malaysia
consequently
higher
prices
Malaysia
used
to
to
X
produce enough eggs
to
to
X
export,
used to produce enough eggs to export,
used
to
produce
enough
eggs
to
export
but
but
X
when the cost
of
of
X
chicken feed started
but when the cost of chicken feed started
but
when
the
cost
of
chicken
feed
started
to
to
X
rise and the controlled price
of
of
X
eggs
to rise and the controlled price of eggs
to
rise
and
the
controlled
price
of
eggs
didn't, poultry farms reduced production.
didn't, poultry farms reduced production.
didn't
poultry
farms
reduced
production
"I came
to
to
X
get eggs,
but
but
X
they didn't
"I came to get eggs, but they didn't
I
came
to
get
eggs
but
they
didn't
have the ordinary ones, so I have no
have the
ordinary
ordinary
X
ones, so I have no
have
the
ordinary
ones
so
I
have
no
choice
but
but
X
to
to
X
get the special omega-3
choice but to get the special omega-3
choice
but
to
get
the
special
omega-3
ones, which are more expensive, and
ones, which are more expensive, and
ones
which
are
more
expensive
and
that'll affect my custom."
that'll affect my custom."
that'll
affect
my
custom
The government says
The government says
The
government
says
it'll consider removing price caps later
it'll consider removing price caps later
it'll
consider
removing
price
caps
later
this year. The country also subsidizes petrol and electricity,
this year. The country also
subsidizes
subsidizes
X
petrol and electricity,
this
year
The
country
also
subsidizes
petrol
and
electricity
among
among
X
other items.
among other items.
among
other
items
Last year, its subsidy bill ballooned
to
to
X
18 billion dollars,
Last year, its subsidy bill ballooned to 18 billion dollars,
Last
year
its
subsidy
bill
ballooned
to
18
billion
dollars
or
around
around
X
21% of its GDP. "More often
than
than
X
not,
or around 21% of its GDP. "
More often than not
,
or
around
21
of
its
GDP
More
often
than
not
and Malaysia is not an outlier here,
and Malaysia is not an outlier here,
and
Malaysia
is
not
an
outlier
here
most countries due
to
to
X
political
most countries due to political
most
countries
due
to
political
economy reasons or whatever, price
economy reasons or whatever, price
economy
reasons
or
whatever
price
controls and subsidies tend
to
to
X
fall
controls and subsidies tend to fall
controls
and
subsidies
tend
to
fall
into
into
X
the pattern
of
of
X
the three 'U's, so
into the pattern of the three 'U's, so
into
the
pattern
of
the
three
'U's
so
they become untimely, untargeted and
they become untimely, untargeted and
they
become
untimely
untargeted
and
unmeasured, and you
unmeasured, and you
unmeasured
and
you
have all these attendant problems."
have all these
attendant
attendant
X
problems."
have
all
these
attendant
problems
As an issue, national debt is also rising,
As an issue,
national debt
national debt
X
is also rising,
As
an
issue
national
debt
is
also
rising
while the budget deficit is expected
to
to
X
widen.
while the budget deficit is expected to widen.
while
the
budget
deficit
is
expected
to
widen
The government says it wants
to
to
X
ease the cost
of
of
X
living,
The government says it wants to
ease the cost of living
,
The
government
says
it
wants
to
ease
the
cost
of
living
but
but
X
it may lack the tools to get it done.
but it may lack the
tools
tools
X
to get it done.
but
it
may
lack
the
tools
to
get
it
done
Florence Louis, Al Jazeera, Kuala Lumpur.
Florence Louis, Al Jazeera, Kuala Lumpur.
Florence
Louis
Al
Jazeera
Kuala
Lumpur
/
words
Game settings
Word type:
Difficulty:
Answer mode:
You might also like these videos
If you enjoy using our custom video player, why join thousands of subscribers who have signed up to our free weekly lessons?
ˈmɑːdʒɪn
![]()
ˈmɑrdʒən
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________A________ ________m________a________r________g________i________n________ ________i________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________a________m________o________u________n________t________ ________b________y________ ________w________h________i________c________h________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________i________s________ ________w________o________n________ ________o________r________ ________l________o________s________t________.________
price ceilings
Definition
Price ceilings is an idiom which means to set a maximum price for something. For example, a government could set a maximum price for petrol to ensure it remains affordable.
Example
The government could set a price ceiling for rent to ensure it remains affordable.
Teacher says
Teacher says:
The "ceiling" normally refers to the roof or top part of a room in a house. In this context, it means maximum limit.
counter the rising cost of living
Definition
Counter the rising cost of living is an idiom which means to take action to reduce the increasing cost of living. For example, a government could introduce a subsidy to help people pay for essential items.
Example
The government could introduce tax breaks for businesses to counter the rising cost of living.
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________I________n________g________r________e________d________i________e________n________t________s________ ________a________r________e________ ________t________h________e________ ________s________u________b________s________t________a________n________c________e________s________ ________o________r________ ________i________t________e________m________s________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________a________r________e________ ________c________o________m________b________i________n________e________d________ ________t________o________ ________m________a________k________e________ ________a________ ________p________a________r________t________i________c________u________l________a________r________ ________d________i________s________h________ ________o________r________ ________p________r________o________d________u________c________t________.________
make a loss
Definition
(verb) To incur a financial loss from a business venture or activity
Example
The company made a loss when they launched their new product last year.
ɪnˈfleɪʃn
![]()
ɪnˈfleɪʃ(ə)n
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________I________n________f________l________a________t________i________o________n________ ________i________s________ ________a________ ________s________u________s________t________a________i________n________e________d________ ________i________n________c________r________e________a________s________e________ ________i________n________ ________t________h________e________ ________g________e________n________e________r________a________l________ ________p________r________i________c________e________ ________l________e________v________e________l________ ________o________f________ ________g________o________o________d________s________ ________a________n________d________ ________s________e________r________v________i________c________e________s________ ________i________n________ ________a________n________ ________e________c________o________n________o________m________y________ ________o________v________e________r________ ________a________ ________p________e________r________i________o________d________ ________o________f________ ________t________i________m________e________.________
Definition
________S________u________s________t________a________i________n________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________o________ ________k________e________e________p________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________g________o________i________n________g________,________ ________n________o________t________ ________a________l________l________o________w________ ________i________t________ ________t________o________ ________s________t________o________p________.________ ________F________o________r________ ________e________x________a________m________p________l________e________,________ ________a________ ________b________u________s________i________n________e________s________s________ ________c________o________u________l________d________ ________r________e________d________u________c________e________ ________t________h________e________i________r________ ________c________o________s________t________s________ ________t________o________ ________s________u________s________t________a________i________n________ ________t________h________e________i________r________ ________o________p________e________r________a________t________i________o________n________s________.________
hardest hit
Definition
Hardest hit is an idiom which means to be most affected by something. For example, people living in poverty could be hardest hit by an economic recession.
Example
People living in rural areas could be the hardest hit by a natural disaster.
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________P________r________i________c________e________ ________c________o________n________t________r________o________l________s________ ________a________r________e________ ________m________e________a________s________u________r________e________s________ ________t________a________k________e________n________ ________b________y________ ________a________ ________g________o________v________e________r________n________m________e________n________t________ ________t________o________ ________r________e________g________u________l________a________t________e________ ________t________h________e________ ________p________r________i________c________e________ ________o________f________ ________g________o________o________d________s________ ________a________n________d________ ________s________e________r________v________i________c________e________s________.________
More often than not
Definition
More often than not means that something happens regularly or frequently. For example, 'I usually go to the gym more often than not.'
Example
I usually get up early more often than not.
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________T________o________o________l________s________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________i________s________ ________u________s________e________d________ ________t________o________ ________d________o________ ________a________ ________j________o________b________.________ ________I________n________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________n________t________e________x________t________,________ ________i________t________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________o________r________ ________r________e________s________o________u________r________c________e________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________g________o________v________e________r________n________m________e________n________t________ ________h________a________s________ ________t________o________ ________e________a________s________e________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________s________t________ ________o________f________ ________l________i________v________i________n________g________.________
ease the cost of living
Definition
Ease the cost of living means to make it less expensive to live. For example, 'The government introduced a tax break to ease the cost of living.'
Example
The government introduced a subsidy to ease the cost of living.
ˌnaʃən(ə)l ˈdɛt
![]()
ˈnæʃənl
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________N________a________t________i________o________n________a________l________ ________d________e________b________t________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________a________m________o________u________n________t________ ________o________f________ ________m________o________n________e________y________ ________a________ ________c________o________u________n________t________r________y________ ________o________w________e________s________.________ ________I________n________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________n________t________e________x________t________,________ ________i________t________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________a________m________o________u________n________t________ ________o________f________ ________m________o________n________e________y________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________u________n________t________r________y________ ________o________w________e________s________ ________t________o________ ________o________t________h________e________r________ ________c________o________u________n________t________r________i________e________s________ ________o________r________ ________o________r________g________a________n________i________z________a________t________i________o________n________s________.________
ˈsʌbsɪdʌɪz
![]()
ˈsəbsəˌdaɪz
![]()
Definition
________(________v________e________r________b________)________ ________S________u________b________s________i________d________i________z________e________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________o________ ________p________r________o________v________i________d________e________ ________f________i________n________a________n________c________i________a________l________ ________s________u________p________p________o________r________t________ ________t________o________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________.________ ________I________n________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________n________t________e________x________t________,________ ________i________t________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________u________n________t________r________y________ ________i________s________ ________p________r________o________v________i________d________i________n________g________ ________f________i________n________a________n________c________i________a________l________ ________s________u________p________p________o________r________t________ ________t________o________ ________p________e________t________r________o________l________ ________a________n________d________ ________e________l________e________c________t________r________i________c________i________t________y________.________
ˈprɛmɪsɪz
![]()
ˈprɛməsəz
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________P________r________e________m________i________s________e________s________ ________a________r________e________ ________a________ ________b________u________i________l________d________i________n________g________ ________o________r________ ________s________e________t________ ________o________f________ ________b________u________i________l________d________i________n________g________s________ ________a________n________d________ ________t________h________e________ ________l________a________n________d________ ________a________r________o________u________n________d________ ________i________t________,________ ________u________s________e________d________ ________f________o________r________ ________a________ ________p________a________r________t________i________c________u________l________a________r________ ________p________u________r________p________o________s________e________.________
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
Definition
________(________a________d________j________e________c________t________i________v________e________)________ ________A________t________t________e________n________d________a________n________t________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________h________a________p________p________e________n________s________ ________a________s________ ________a________ ________r________e________s________u________l________t________ ________o________f________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________e________l________s________e________.________ ________I________n________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________n________t________e________x________t________,________ ________i________t________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________p________r________o________b________l________e________m________s________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________o________c________c________u________r________ ________a________s________ ________a________ ________r________e________s________u________l________t________ ________o________f________ ________p________r________i________c________e________ ________c________o________n________t________r________o________l________s________ ________a________n________d________ ________s________u________b________s________i________d________i________e________s________.________
ɪˈnɪʃətɪv
![]()
ɪˈnɪʃədɪv
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________I________n________i________t________i________a________t________i________v________e________ ________i________s________ ________a________n________ ________a________c________t________i________o________n________ ________o________r________ ________p________l________a________n________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________i________s________ ________u________n________d________e________r________t________a________k________e________n________ ________b________y________ ________a________ ________p________e________r________s________o________n________ ________o________r________ ________g________r________o________u________p________ ________i________n________ ________o________r________d________e________r________ ________t________o________ ________a________c________h________i________e________v________e________ ________a________ ________g________o________a________l________.________
Teacher says
Teacher says:
You will normally hear this word in the phrases "show __________" or "take __________". This means "being active and creative to find a solution to a problem". e.g. Our new salesman showed lots of __________ getting the CEO's phone number.
ˈɔːdɪn(ə)ri
![]()
ˈɔrdnˌɛri
![]()
Definition
________(________a________d________j________e________c________t________i________v________e________)________ ________O________r________d________i________n________a________r________y________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________n________o________r________m________a________l________ ________o________r________ ________u________s________u________a________l________.________ ________I________n________ ________t________h________e________ ________c________o________n________t________e________x________t________,________ ________i________t________ ________m________e________a________n________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________u________s________u________a________l________ ________e________g________g________s________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________t________h________e________ ________p________e________r________s________o________n________ ________u________s________u________a________l________l________y________ ________b________u________y________s________.________
margin
ˈmɑːdʒɪn
![]()
ˈmɑrdʒən
![]()
Definition
(noun) A margin is the amount by which something is won or lost.
Example
The company made a healthy margin on the sale.
price ceilings
Definition
Price ceilings is an idiom which means to set a maximum price for something. For example, a government could set a maximum price for petrol to ensure it remains affordable.
Example
The government could set a price ceiling for rent to ensure it remains affordable.
Teacher says
Teacher says:
The "ceiling" normally refers to the roof or top part of a room in a house. In this context, it means maximum limit.
counter the rising cost of living
Definition
Counter the rising cost of living is an idiom which means to take action to reduce the increasing cost of living. For example, a government could introduce a subsidy to help people pay for essential items.
Example
The government could introduce tax breaks for businesses to counter the rising cost of living.
ingredients
Definition
(noun) Ingredients are the substances or items that are combined to make a particular dish or product.
Example
The recipe calls for three ingredients.
make a loss
Definition
(verb) To incur a financial loss from a business venture or activity
Example
The company made a loss when they launched their new product last year.
inflation
ɪnˈfleɪʃn
![]()
ɪnˈfleɪʃ(ə)n
![]()
Definition
(noun) Inflation is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.
Example
The inflation rate has been steadily increasing over the past year.
sustained
Definition
Sustain means to keep something going, not allow it to stop. For example, a business could reduce their costs to sustain their operations.
Example
The business could increase their efficiency to sustain their profits.
hardest hit
Definition
Hardest hit is an idiom which means to be most affected by something. For example, people living in poverty could be hardest hit by an economic recession.
Example
People living in rural areas could be the hardest hit by a natural disaster.
price controls
Definition
(noun) Price controls are measures taken by a government to regulate the price of goods and services.
Example
The government imposed price controls on essential items.
More often than not
Definition
More often than not means that something happens regularly or frequently. For example, 'I usually go to the gym more often than not.'
Example
I usually get up early more often than not.
tools
Definition
(noun) Tools means something that is used to do a job. In the context, it means the means or resources the government has to ease the cost of living.
Example
For example, the government may use tax cuts as a tool to help people save money.
ease the cost of living
Definition
Ease the cost of living means to make it less expensive to live. For example, 'The government introduced a tax break to ease the cost of living.'
Example
The government introduced a subsidy to ease the cost of living.
national debt
ˌnaʃən(ə)l ˈdɛt
![]()
ˈnæʃənl
![]()
Definition
(noun) National debt means the amount of money a country owes. In the context, it means the amount of money the country owes to other countries or organizations.
Example
For example, if a country borrows money from the International Monetary Fund, it will increase its national debt.
subsidizes
ˈsʌbsɪdʌɪz
![]()
ˈsəbsəˌdaɪz
![]()
Definition
(verb) Subsidize means to provide financial support to something. In the context, it means the country is providing financial support to petrol and electricity.
Example
For example, the government may subsidize public transportation to make it more affordable.
premises
ˈprɛmɪsɪz
![]()
ˈprɛməsəz
![]()
Definition
(noun) Premises are a building or set of buildings and the land around it, used for a particular purpose.
Example
The premises of the company are located in the city centre.
attendant
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Attendant means something that happens as a result of something else. In the context, it means the problems that occur as a result of price controls and subsidies.
Example
For example, if the government raises taxes, an attendant problem may be that people have less money to spend.
initiative
ɪˈnɪʃətɪv
![]()
ɪˈnɪʃədɪv
![]()
Definition
(noun) Initiative is an action or plan that is undertaken by a person or group in order to achieve a goal.
Example
The company launched an initiative to reduce its carbon footprint.
Teacher says
Teacher says:
You will normally hear this word in the phrases "show initiative" or "take initiative". This means "being active and creative to find a solution to a problem". e.g. Our new salesman showed lots of initiative getting the CEO's phone number.
ordinary
ˈɔːdɪn(ə)ri
![]()
ˈɔrdnˌɛri
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Ordinary means normal or usual. In the context, it means the usual eggs that the person usually buys.
Example
For example, if someone usually buys organic eggs, but they didn't have them, they would have to buy the ordinary eggs instead.
margin
ˈmɑːdʒɪn
![]()
ˈmɑrdʒən
![]()
Definition
(noun) A margin is the amount by which something is won or lost.
Example
The company made a healthy margin on the sale.
price ceilings
Definition
Price ceilings is an idiom which means to set a maximum price for something. For example, a government could set a maximum price for petrol to ensure it remains affordable.
Example
The government could set a price ceiling for rent to ensure it remains affordable.
Teacher says
Teacher says:
The "ceiling" normally refers to the roof or top part of a room in a house. In this context, it means maximum limit.
counter the rising cost of living
Definition
Counter the rising cost of living is an idiom which means to take action to reduce the increasing cost of living. For example, a government could introduce a subsidy to help people pay for essential items.
Example
The government could introduce tax breaks for businesses to counter the rising cost of living.
ingredients
Definition
(noun) Ingredients are the substances or items that are combined to make a particular dish or product.
Example
The recipe calls for three ingredients.
make a loss
Definition
(verb) To incur a financial loss from a business venture or activity
Example
The company made a loss when they launched their new product last year.
inflation
ɪnˈfleɪʃn
![]()
ɪnˈfleɪʃ(ə)n
![]()
Definition
(noun) Inflation is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.
Example
The inflation rate has been steadily increasing over the past year.
sustained
Definition
Sustain means to keep something going, not allow it to stop. For example, a business could reduce their costs to sustain their operations.
Example
The business could increase their efficiency to sustain their profits.
hardest hit
Definition
Hardest hit is an idiom which means to be most affected by something. For example, people living in poverty could be hardest hit by an economic recession.
Example
People living in rural areas could be the hardest hit by a natural disaster.
price controls
Definition
(noun) Price controls are measures taken by a government to regulate the price of goods and services.
Example
The government imposed price controls on essential items.
More often than not
Definition
More often than not means that something happens regularly or frequently. For example, 'I usually go to the gym more often than not.'
Example
I usually get up early more often than not.
tools
Definition
(noun) Tools means something that is used to do a job. In the context, it means the means or resources the government has to ease the cost of living.
Example
For example, the government may use tax cuts as a tool to help people save money.
ease the cost of living
Definition
Ease the cost of living means to make it less expensive to live. For example, 'The government introduced a tax break to ease the cost of living.'
Example
The government introduced a subsidy to ease the cost of living.
national debt
ˌnaʃən(ə)l ˈdɛt
![]()
ˈnæʃənl
![]()
Definition
(noun) National debt means the amount of money a country owes. In the context, it means the amount of money the country owes to other countries or organizations.
Example
For example, if a country borrows money from the International Monetary Fund, it will increase its national debt.
subsidizes
ˈsʌbsɪdʌɪz
![]()
ˈsəbsəˌdaɪz
![]()
Definition
(verb) Subsidize means to provide financial support to something. In the context, it means the country is providing financial support to petrol and electricity.
Example
For example, the government may subsidize public transportation to make it more affordable.
premises
ˈprɛmɪsɪz
![]()
ˈprɛməsəz
![]()
Definition
(noun) Premises are a building or set of buildings and the land around it, used for a particular purpose.
Example
The premises of the company are located in the city centre.
attendant
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Attendant means something that happens as a result of something else. In the context, it means the problems that occur as a result of price controls and subsidies.
Example
For example, if the government raises taxes, an attendant problem may be that people have less money to spend.
initiative
ɪˈnɪʃətɪv
![]()
ɪˈnɪʃədɪv
![]()
Definition
(noun) Initiative is an action or plan that is undertaken by a person or group in order to achieve a goal.
Example
The company launched an initiative to reduce its carbon footprint.
Teacher says
Teacher says:
You will normally hear this word in the phrases "show initiative" or "take initiative". This means "being active and creative to find a solution to a problem". e.g. Our new salesman showed lots of initiative getting the CEO's phone number.
ordinary
ˈɔːdɪn(ə)ri
![]()
ˈɔrdnˌɛri
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Ordinary means normal or usual. In the context, it means the usual eggs that the person usually buys.
Example
For example, if someone usually buys organic eggs, but they didn't have them, they would have to buy the ordinary eggs instead.
What do you want to study?
Practice vocabulary
Fill gaps in the captions with the correct word.
Practice prepositions
Fill gaps in the captions with the correct preposition.
Your Goal
Practise English for days
🏆
Join the conversation
Our daily quiz will help you practice English every day and speak with confidence about current affairs.
I want to know more about quizzes, study guides and discounts.
Please enter a valid email address
Please accept the conditions
Review vocabulary
There are we want to focus on for this video.
Reviewing these words will help you complete the gaps correctly.
ordinary
ˈɔːdɪn(ə)ri
![]()
ˈɔrdnˌɛri
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Ordinary means normal or usual. In the context, it means the usual eggs that the person usually buys.
Example
For example, if someone usually buys organic eggs, but they didn't have them, they would have to buy the ordinary eggs instead.
tools
Definition
(noun) Tools means something that is used to do a job. In the context, it means the means or resources the government has to ease the cost of living.
Example
For example, the government may use tax cuts as a tool to help people save money.
premises
ˈprɛmɪsɪz
![]()
ˈprɛməsəz
![]()
Definition
(noun) Premises are a building or set of buildings and the land around it, used for a particular purpose.
Example
The premises of the company are located in the city centre.
attendant
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
əˈtɛnd(ə)nt
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Attendant means something that happens as a result of something else. In the context, it means the problems that occur as a result of price controls and subsidies.
Example
For example, if the government raises taxes, an attendant problem may be that people have less money to spend.
price controls
Definition
(noun) Price controls are measures taken by a government to regulate the price of goods and services.
Example
The government imposed price controls on essential items.
margin
ˈmɑːdʒɪn
![]()
ˈmɑrdʒən
![]()
Definition
(noun) A margin is the amount by which something is won or lost.
Example
The company made a healthy margin on the sale.
sustained
Definition
Sustain means to keep something going, not allow it to stop. For example, a business could reduce their costs to sustain their operations.
Example
The business could increase their efficiency to sustain their profits.
subsidizes
ˈsʌbsɪdʌɪz
![]()
ˈsəbsəˌdaɪz
![]()
Definition
(verb) Subsidize means to provide financial support to something. In the context, it means the country is providing financial support to petrol and electricity.
Example
For example, the government may subsidize public transportation to make it more affordable.
inflation
ɪnˈfleɪʃn
![]()
ɪnˈfleɪʃ(ə)n
![]()
Definition
(noun) Inflation is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.
Example
The inflation rate has been steadily increasing over the past year.
initiative
ɪˈnɪʃətɪv
![]()
ɪˈnɪʃədɪv
![]()
Definition
(noun) Initiative is an action or plan that is undertaken by a person or group in order to achieve a goal.
Example
The company launched an initiative to reduce its carbon footprint.
Teacher's comment
You will normally hear this word in the phrases "show initiative" or "take initiative". This means "being active and creative to find a solution to a problem". e.g. Our new salesman showed lots of initiative getting the CEO's phone number.
national debt
ˌnaʃən(ə)l ˈdɛt
![]()
ˈnæʃənl
![]()
Definition
(noun) National debt means the amount of money a country owes. In the context, it means the amount of money the country owes to other countries or organizations.
Example
For example, if a country borrows money from the International Monetary Fund, it will increase its national debt.
ingredients
Definition
(noun) Ingredients are the substances or items that are combined to make a particular dish or product.
Example
The recipe calls for three ingredients.
Review complete!
Now watch the video and complete the gaps with the correct word.