Here is Audio Word Study #056 from Jane Lawson at DailyStep.com
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Some of the scientific words from the article above about how rainbows are formed also have other meanings too. Let’s take a look at some of these words now:
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SPECTRUM (noun)
Meaning: the set of colours into which a beam of light can be separated, or a range of waves, such as light waves or radio waves. We also talk about ‘the political spectrum’ when we mean ‘the range of political viewpoints’
Examples: 1. Rainbows occur when raindrops split sunlight into the seven colours of the spectrum – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
2. This policy has been popular across the political spectrum. (note: this means ‘ across the range of political opinions’.)
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DENSITY (noun)
Meaning: the number of particles, people or things in a space when compared with the size of the space
Examples: 1. Water has a higher density than air, which means there are more particles in water than in the same volume of air.
2. South East England has a higher population density than South West England, which means there are more people per square kilometre living in South East England than in South West England.
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REFLECT (verb)
Meaning 1: If a surface reflects light, heat, sound, or an image, it sends the light, etc. back and does not absorb it.
Example: In my photo, you could see light of the camera flash reflected in the mirror.
Meaning 2: Show or reveal
Example: The results of the opinion poll reflect a change in people’s attitudes. (note: this means that we can see from the results of the opinion poll that people’s attitudes have changed.)
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ANGLE (noun)
Meaning 1: the space between two lines or surfaces at the point at which they touch each other. Angles are measures in degrees, for example "an angle of 42 degrees."
Example: The room is a strange shape – instead of having 4 walls and the usual right angle corners of 90 degrees, it only has 3 walls and is shaped like a triangle.
Meaning 2: a way of considering, judging or approaching something, especially a problem or controversial view
Example: I think you are approaching the problem from the wrong angle – try looking at it another way!
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DEGREE (noun)
Meaning 1: any of various units of measurement, especially of temperature or angles, usually shown by the symbol ° written after a number.
Examples: 1. Water boils at 100° centigrade (one hundred degrees centigrade)
2. An angle of 90° is called a right angle.
Meaning 2: (an) amount or level of something
Examples: 1. This task requires a high degree of skill. (note: here, we could also say ‘ a high level of skill.)
2. I agree with you to a certain degree. (note: here, we could also say ‘ to a certain extent’.)
Meaning 3: a qualification from university
Example: He has a degree in mathematics.
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That’s all for Audio Word Study #056 on DailyStep.com.
Rainbows