5. Destroy / ruin / damage / harm / spoil / injure

to destroy – [v]

to damage smth. so badly that it cannot be repaired

The earthquake destroyed much of the city.

to ruin – [v]

to destroy or severely damage something so that it loses all its value, pleasure, etc.; to spoil something

You'll completely ruin the flowers if you touch them. They didn't want to be accused of ruining everyone's fun.

to damage – [v]

to cause physical harm to something, so that it no longer looks good or works properly; to have a bad effect on something, in a way that makes it weaker, less effective, or less successful; Synonym: to harm

Don’t put any hot pans on the table – you’ll damage the surface. The scandal will damage the company’s reputation.

damage / harm – [n, U]

the serious problems that smth. causes for a person, organization etc.; to do harm / damage

If you keep criticizing children, it can do a lot of harm. Once the damage is done, even modern surgery can’t undo it entirely.

to harm – [v]

to damage smth; to have a bad effect on something, in a way that makes it weaker, less effective, or less successful; Synonym: to damage

Too much direct sunlight will harm the plant.

If the peace talks fail, it will harm the President’s chances of being re-elected.

to spoil – [v]

to affect something in a way that makes it worse, less attractive, or less enjoyable

Radio towers spoilt the view. Don’t let him spoil your evening.

to injure – [v]

to cause physical harm to someone or to yourself, for example in an accident or an attack; to be injured

One of the players injured his knee and had to be carried off.

6. Cause / reason

a cause (of) – [n, C]

a person, event, or thing that makes smth. happen

What was the cause of the fire? The doctor recorded the cause of death as heart failure.

a reason (for / why / that) – [n, C]

the cause or explanation for smth. that has happened or that someone has done; a reason for / why / that

The only reason I went was that I wanted to meet your friends. What are your reasons for leaving the job?

b) Fill in the gaps choosing an appropriate word in the correct form:

1. historic / historical

1. The cathedral is a major __________monument.

2. Tourists like to visit __________ monuments such as Stonehenge and Westminster Abbey.

3. You must place these events in their __________ context.

4. In his book, Churchill describes that __________ first meeting with Roosevelt.

5. This is a __________ event we have found out recently.

6. They are going on a tour of the __________ monuments of the city.

2. leave / abandon

1. Your plane __________ in ten minutes.

2. The coastal settlements were __________ in the 19th century.

3. He was brought up by his uncle because his parents __________ him when he was a child.

4. If they __________ after lunch, they should arrive by dark.

5. George almost persuaded me to __________ my studies and join him.

6. The children were so noisy that the teacher asked them to __________.

3. coast / shore / beach / seaside

1. Three of the sailors managed to swim to the __________.

2. The ship was wrecked on the Florida __________.

3. I wish I lived at the __________.

4. The hotel has its own __________.

5. I used to live in a small village on the __________ of Brittany.

6. The __________gets very crowded by 11 o’clock.

7. It was a __________ resort on the French __________.

8. Great waves were breaking on the __________.

4. repair(s) / fix / decorate / redecorate / renovate / restore / maintain / mend

1. You should think carefully about the color scheme before _________ because different colours can affect how we feel.

2. The roof is leaking. It needs _________.

3. When families need a second bathroom, more storage space or an extra bedroom, a lot of people consider ___________ their homes instead of buying something bigger.

4. The air conditioner sends out warm air. We need to have it _______.

5. We have decided to _________ our house a little: to upgrade plumbing and add insulation.

6. The lock is broken. Will you have a look, please? May be, you’ll be able to _______ it.

7. The palace has been ________ to its former grandeur.

8. The new hotel’s owners planned a whole interior anew and put a lot of effort into ________ each room, making the curtains, painting the walls and _________ old furniture.

9. The shop is closed for _________.

10. The builders are coming to _______ the roof today.

11. This car is economical and easy to __________.

12. The department is responsible for the _________ of roads and bridges.

13. My father used to _______ our shoes.

5. destroy / ruin / damage / harm / spoil / injure

1. The factory was almost completely _______ by fire.

2. Four people have been _________ in a road accident.

3. Modern farming methods have done considerable ________ to the countryside.

4. Take care not to _______ the timer mechanism.

5. In Brazil the rainforests are gradually being _________.

6. Any kind of dishonest dealing will ________ his career.

7. The whole show was _________ by the lack of decent actors.

8. He doesn’t want to _________ his reputation as a political personality.

9. A number of bombs have exploded, seriously _________ at least five people.

10. Criticizing people’s work often does more _______ than good.

11. The bad weather ________ our trip.

6. cause / reason

1. There are several ________ why the plan won’t work.

2. Smoking is one of the main _________ of heart disease.

3. Police are investigating the ________ of the explosion.

4. We aren’t going, for the simple ________ that we can’t afford it.

Exercises to the culture clip section (Upstream Intermediate, pp.16 – 17)