The Powerful Promise of Earth’s Harshest Places | Lei Zhang | TED – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary
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Interactive Transcript & Highlights for Dictation
1.This is inner Mongolia, Gobi Desert
2.My favorite place
3.It's the most Mars-like on the planet
4.Barren and empty
5.Wind blows all year round
💡 Tap the highlighted words to see definitions and examples
Key Vocabulary (CEFR B1)
challenge
A2A confrontation; a dare.
Example:
"we have to solve three challenges."
extremely
A2(degree) To an extreme degree.
Example:
"which is costly and extremely expensive?"
remaining
A2To stay behind while others withdraw; to be left after others have been removed or destroyed; to be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised.
Example:
"OK, then the last remaining challenge."
locally-made
B1A B1-level word commonly used in this context.
Example:
"such abundant, locally-made electricity?"
convinced
A2To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
Example:
"Why am I so convinced?"
sandstorms
A2A strong wind carrying clouds of sand and dust through the air.
Example:
"Sandstorms happen often."
temperature
B1A measure of cold or heat, often measurable with a thermometer.
Example:
"temperature is as low as minus 40 degrees."
fertilizer
A2A natural substance that is used to make the ground more suitable for growing plants.
Example:
"created fertilizer"
intelligence
B2Capacity of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
Example:
"Today it's even creating tremendous intelligence"
radiation
B2The shooting forth of anything from a point or surface, like diverging rays of light.
Example:
"Because one hour of solar radiation"
| Word | CEFR | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| challenge | A2 | A confrontation; a dare. |
| extremely | A2 | (degree) To an extreme degree. |
| remaining | A2 | To stay behind while others withdraw; to be left after others have been removed or destroyed; to be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised. |
| locally-made | B1 | A B1-level word commonly used in this context. |
| convinced | A2 | To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence. |
| sandstorms | A2 | A strong wind carrying clouds of sand and dust through the air. |
| temperature | B1 | A measure of cold or heat, often measurable with a thermometer. |
| fertilizer | A2 | A natural substance that is used to make the ground more suitable for growing plants. |
| intelligence | B2 | Capacity of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn. |
| radiation | B2 | The shooting forth of anything from a point or surface, like diverging rays of light. |
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Grammar & Pronunciation Tips for Dictation Practice
Chunking
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Linking
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Intonation
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