Answers

Easy Exercises

1. Enlist is used in the context of getting people to help with something. The word also appears to be close to �list� so a good guess would be to get a list of people to help with something. The actual definition is, �To persuade somebody to help you or to join you in doing something.�

2. Checkpoint doesn�t really need to be seen in context. It�s made up of �check� and �point� and so means somewhere where checks are made. The actual definition is, �A place where people have to stop so their vehicles, documents, etc. can be checked.�

3. Speeder. This one�s easy: Someone who speeds would be a speeder in the same way that someone who reads is a reader.

4. Frankly is a little harder, but in this context, the minister is stating that even if the accident figures remain the same as last year, it would still be frightening. So he�s speaking openly and honestly. The actual definition is, �In an honest and direct way that people might not like.�

5. You are probably used to the world �toll� in tollway; however, it has another meaning that you should get from the context. That meaning is, �The amount of damage or the number of deaths and injuries that are caused in a particular war, disaster, etc.�

6. Breathalyser is a hard one even to pronounce. However, from the context and the fact that it includes the word �breath� you should be able to work out that it�s a device for measuring how much alcohol a person has consumed by testing their breath.

Conversation

1. Pim is replying to Na�s question about whether she will be joining in the Songkran water fights. Na�s response to Pim�s answer shows that instead, she is heading north (�up there�) to celebrate a more traditional Songkran (�some religious festival�).

2. Pim must be telling Na about the increasing amounts of accidents because Na says �that many?� and then refers to accidents.

3. Pim is probably telling Na that it doesn�t matter how careful you are or whether you drink because accidents are often caused by other people.

4. Now we are looking at Pim�s answer. Na refers to the �Concentrate before Starting the Engine� safety campaign, so looking at Na�s answer, we can assume that Pim is qualifying what the campaign is or who is involved, such as Suvanan Khongying, Banthita Tharnwiset, Atima Thanaseniwat and Pattarada Patcharaveerapong.