Mums illness has put a strain on the whole family The condition of being pl ulled or stretched too tightly The rope finally broke under the strain v. 1)make a great effort to do sth I had to strain my ears to catch what were saying Several thousand supporters strained to catch a glimpse of the new president 2) put a lot of pressure on sth Money problems have strained their relationship 9. be scheduled to do: be arranged to de The train was scheduled to arrive at 10: 30 The plane is scheduled to take off at 10. preliminary: a coming before or preparing for sth else that is more important pr After a few preliminary remarks the discussions began Preliminary talks on the future of the airport began yesterd 11. magnet: n a piece of iron that can attract iron and steel; (fig)sth. or sb. that attracts much attention ondon attracted me like a magnet when i was a youth 12. over one' s protest: in spite of ones protest a nuclear plant was built in the are over the farmers' protests 13. minority: n. 1)a group of people who are of a different race or religion to most people in the community or country where they live Schools in Britain needed to do more to help children of ethnic minorities They have called for greater numbers of women and minorities on the faculty 2)the smaller number or part of a group; less than half Most women continue to work when they are married. Only a minority stays at home These troubled students are only a small minority 14. quest: n. a long search for sth that is difficult to find The quest for eternal youth/my quest for a better life/his quest to find true love Tom spent his life on a spiritual quest 15. energetic: a. of or needing energy Long-distance running is a very energetic form of exerciseMum’s illness has put a strain on the whole family. The condition of being pulled or stretched too tightly The rope finally broke under the strain. v. 1) make a great effort to do sth. I had to strain my ears to catch what they were saying. Several thousand supporters strained to catch a glimpse of the new president. 2) put a lot of pressure on sth. Money problems have strained their relationship. 9. be scheduled to do: be arranged to do The train was scheduled to arrive at 10: 30. The plane is scheduled to take off at 5pm. 10. preliminary: a. coming before or preparing for sth. else that is more important a preliminary meeting After a few preliminary remarks the discussions began. Preliminary talks on the future of the airport began yesterday. 11. magnet: n. a piece of iron that can attract iron and steel; (fig) sth. or sb. that attracts much attention London attracted me like a magnet when I was a youth. 12. over one’s protest: in spite of one’s protest A nuclear plant was built in the are over the farmers’ protests. 13. minority: n. 1) a group of people who are of a different race or religion to most people in the community or country where they live Schools in Britain needed to do more to help children of ethnic minorities. They have called for greater numbers of women and minorities on the faculty. 2) the smaller number or part of a group; less than half Most women continue to work when they are married. Only a minority stays at home. These troubled students are only a small minority. 14. quest : n. a long search for sth. that is difficult to find The quest for eternal youth / my quest for a better life / his quest to find true love Tom spent his life on a spiritual quest. 15. energetic: a. of or needing energy Long-distance running is a very energetic form of exercise. He is an energetic person