COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

In this column, you will find words that you will come across in everyday English, and which are even suitable for exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

*An asterisk means that this word is less popular in everyday English than the other words in the list. These words may also be asked in some simpler exams.

In this column, you will find words that are likely to be asked in more Advanced Exams, such as GRE, MBA, SAT/LSAT, Civil Service, Banks, etc.

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

He went on a long journey across Europe. He said he needed to ‘find himself’.

Her peregrinations were always long and aimless, as if all she wanted to do was avoid the house.

They embarked on an expedition that took them up into the Himalayas. It was exciting and dangerous.

He set out on his perambulation around the grounds, surveying his domain.

I took a stroll along the riverside to clear my head.

They went for a ramble around the countryside, crossing fields and enjoying the peace and quiet.

He set out on an excursion to explore the old train network.

We took a hike up the mountain trail, but we had to cut it short when the rain came down.

She went for a wander around the marketplace, enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of a different culture.

*We went for a quiet amble along the beach.

*They did a full circuit of the property.

*She headed out on her daily constitutional.

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

The Staff Sergeant barked an order, and the soldiers set off on a brisk march.

He took a melancholic wander through his home town, visiting the places he loved as a child.

The climbers made a rapid ascent up the side of the mountain.

She was so tired, so when she went for a walk, it was with a rather listless pace.

We decided to take a leisurely stroll through the woods.

Following the long night of drinking, they took a sedate stroll around the old town to take things easy.

The big man had an ungainly walk, and so he was easily identifiable as he left the scene.

They had no idea where they were going, so their walk through the hills took a bit of a meandering route.

They went for an enjoyable stroll along the promenade.

To mark the President’s funeral, there was a stately parade of military and civil service staff through the city.

I started the day with a relaxing ramble through the fields near our house.

According to the reports, it was a treacherous expedition, and many people lost their lives or were injured.

Our rambling stroll eventually took us back out onto the beach, where we sat in the sand and watched the waves.

The hike up to the temple site was strenuous, but it worth it to appreciate the beautiful architecture and the view from the mountaintop.

I like to go for a solitary stroll in the mornings before I get stuck into work.

*a mincing walk/gait

*a faltering walk/step

*a nocturnal ramble/stroll

*a marathon expedition

*a laboured walk

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

He sauntered along as if nothing bothered him at all.

He perambulated* aimlessly through the woods.

*Maybe a literary usage, but highly uncommon.

She wandered through the village, looking for her friends.

We ambled along in mutual silence, neither of us knowing what to say.

They were rambling along, just enjoying the sights and sounds of the seaside town.

They traipsed around the house in their dirty boots, making the floors filthy.

She trekked across the valley floor, hoping to see some interesting wildlife.

We promenaded* along the beach

*An uncommon usage, although grammatically incorrect.

We marched on, even though it was unlikely we would win the fight ahead.

She pottered around the house, finding little things to do.

He trudged through the snow, desperately trying to find his family.

They traversed the mountain, coming down the other side.

They roamed around the countryside, with no clear idea of where they were headed.

Just step around the puddles along the trail. Some of them are deeper than they look.

So, we journeyed across the mountains, carrying our supplies and hoping for the best.

I paced the room anxiously, praying that things would turn out well.

The rebel army were advancing, so it was deemed best to evacuate the city.

We strolled through the university grounds, admiring the architecture and dreaming of studying there some day.

The horse was prancing around the paddock, delighted to be free after days in the stables.

After twisting his ankle, the man hobbled along in obvious pain.

You just tramped all that snow through the house. Make sure you mop it all up!

The gunshot victim staggered through the town, clutching his stomach. He had to get to a hospital.

The homeless man shuffled across the street, and a woman got out of her car to help him.

The criminal crept up on his victims, attacking them from behind.

She dashed across the fields, desperate to get out of sight.

Following his success, he strutted around town, convinced of his own greatness.

Someone took his crutches, so he had to limp all the way home.

*tread (lightly) across/through/along

*parade around/along/through/across

*rove around/across

*stalk along/around/through/across

*meander through/across/along/around

*frolic around/along

*stride through/along/across

*hike across/through

COMMON USE

ADVANCED EXAMS

The kids plodded along happily in their boots, splashing through the puddles as they went.

The troops marched swiftly through the town, rounding people up as they went.

At the start, they hiked enthusiastically up the mountain trail, but it got tougher as the day went on.

With his head down and his hood up, he shuffled miserably through the shopping mall, wishing he had money to buy something.

We marched purposefully, knowing where we were headed and how long it would take to get there.

We strolled along leisurely. There was plenty of time before dinner.

She stalked angrily through the office, bumping into people and glaring hatefully at her colleagues.

The family walked hurriedly through the airport, in case they missed their flight.

He trudged lazily along, not caring about anything except where he put his feet.