English vocabulary practice exercise for upper-intermediate and advanced level
Sounds our voices make: vocabulary, definitions and examples
to speak very softly using your breath
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She didn’t want the others to hear, so she whispered in my ear.
- What are you two whispering about?
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to make a long, deep audible breath which usually expresses sadness, relief, frustration or tiredness
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We all sighed with relief when we heard the danger had passed.
- He sighed deeply and looked down at the ground.
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to shout in a loud, sharp way (to get someone’s attention or to show pain, surprise, or delight)
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He yelled in pain when he stood on the sharp piece of glass.
- She yelled and waved to us from across the river.
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to laugh lightly and repeatedly mostly in a silly way (from amusement, nervousness or embarrassment)
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The kids all giggled when the teacher swore by mistake.
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to speak with pauses and repeat the first sound of words, often because of nerves
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Johnny was so nervous at his new school that he stammered every time a teacher spoke to him.
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to speak unclearly and quietly and in a way that others have difficulty hearing and understanding you
- Speak up so that we can hear you – stop mumbling!
- I didn’t catch what he said: he mumbled something under his breath.
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to make a deep inarticulate sound which expresses pain, despair or pleasure
- The player groaned in pain when he fell and broke his ankle.
- The kids all groaned when the teacher gave them extra homework.
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to cry noisily and make loud gasps
- The little girl sobbed all evening when she lost her favourite doll.
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Exercise instructions
Choose the best word to complete each of the following sentences:
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