Filed under: words
shopaholic
Pronunciation: \ˌʃɒpəˈhɒlɪk\
Function: adjective
Etymology: abstracted from alcoholic, 1984
1 : a slang term for oniomania, a compulsive desire to shop : an addiction to shopping
(I chose this word because today is Black Friday in the United States.)
- Do you consider yourself, or anyone you know, a shopaholic?
- Have you heard anything about Black Friday before, or taken advantage of any Black Friday sales?
- How do North American shopping habits compare to those back home?
- Do you have any other thoughts about consumerism in general?
This recent piece from American Scientist: Multitasking to Distraction, draws attention to the dangers of attempting to multitask (to do more than one thing at the same time), a common habit in our generation of high-speed internet access, cellphones, and wifi technology.
This article is about on par with what you would find on the Academic Reading portion of the IELTS exam. You probably will not be able to fully comprehend the passage easily, but you should be able to glean a general understanding.
- Do you consider youself a multitasker? How so? What things do you tend to do at the same time?
- We obviously choose to multitask for a reason. In what ways can multitasking be beneficial?
- Have you ever considered the dangers of multitasking? Has multitasking ever impeded on your efficiency?
Filed under: words
loquacious
Pronunciation: \lō-ˈkwā-shəs\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin loquac-, loquax, from loqui to speak
Date: 1663
1 : full of excessive talk : wordy
2 : given to fluent or excessive talk : talkative
- Do you consider yourself a loquacious person?
- Have you had experience with a loquacious individual?
- What else could you describe as loquacious, besides an overly talkative person?
echo
(plural echoes)
function: noun
1 a : the repetition of a sound caused by reflection of sound waves
b : the sound due to such reflection
2 a : a repetition or imitation of another
Filed under: words
Date: 1374
: the development of events beyond a person’s control : the predetermined course or outcome of an individual’s life : destiny
Questions to consider
Where have you heard or read about fate before?
Do you believe in fate?
solitary
adjective
1 a : being, living, or going alone or without companions
b :saddened by isolation
