Why China Will Never Surrender the South China Sea – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary
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Interactive Transcript & Highlights for Dictation
1.(bright music) - Look at this map of the most disputed water in the world
2.It's a sea that is claimed in part by seven countries
3.- [Reporter 1] Tensions are rising in one of the most hotly contested regions on the planet, the South China Sea
4.- Including one that no one likes to talk about
5.This sea is peppered with tiny islands, most of which look like this
💡 Tap the highlighted words to see definitions and examples
Key Vocabulary (CEFR B1)
europeans
B1A B1-level word commonly used in this context.
Example:
"without talking about Europeans claiming land, right?"
crossroads
B1A crossroads (place where one road crosses another).
Example:
"at a very important crossroads in the world."
centuries
B1A period of 100 consecutive years; often specifically a numbered period with conventional start and end dates, e.g., the twentieth century, which stretches from (strictly) 1901 through 2000, or (informally) 1900 through 1999. The first century AD was from 1 to 100.
Example:
"They weren't that important for many centuries,"
maintained
B1To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.
Example:
"and then maintained a presence there."
commissioned
B2To send or officially charge someone or some group to do something.
Example:
"So this map was commissioned"
documents
B1An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support.
Example:
"He's been walking me through documents"
archeologists
B2Someone who studies or practises archaeology.
Example:
"Archeologists have found Chinese pottery,"
occupation
B2An activity or task with which one occupies oneself; usually specifically the productive activity, service, trade, or craft for which one is regularly paid; a job.
Example:
"but we don't have evidence of ownership or occupation"
locations
B1A particular point or place in physical space.
Example:
"They were strategic locations"
establishing
B2To make stable or firm; to confirm.
Example:
"The Philippines is busy establishing"
| Word | CEFR | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| europeans | B1 | A B1-level word commonly used in this context. |
| crossroads | B1 | A crossroads (place where one road crosses another). |
| centuries | B1 | A period of 100 consecutive years; often specifically a numbered period with conventional start and end dates, e.g., the twentieth century, which stretches from (strictly) 1901 through 2000, or (informally) 1900 through 1999. The first century AD was from 1 to 100. |
| maintained | B1 | To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action. |
| commissioned | B2 | To send or officially charge someone or some group to do something. |
| documents | B1 | An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support. |
| archeologists | B2 | Someone who studies or practises archaeology. |
| occupation | B2 | An activity or task with which one occupies oneself; usually specifically the productive activity, service, trade, or craft for which one is regularly paid; a job. |
| locations | B1 | A particular point or place in physical space. |
| establishing | B2 | To make stable or firm; to confirm. |
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Grammar & Pronunciation Tips for Dictation Practice
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Intonation
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