Vocabulary List

1. Spellbinding (adj) /ˈspɛlˌbaɪndɪŋ/: Holding your attention completely as if by magic.
   Vietnamese: Hấp dẫn mê hoặc
   Example: The novel was so spellbinding that I couldn’t put it down.
2. Attic (n) /ˈætɪk/: The space or room just below the roof of a house, often used for storage.
   Vietnamese: Gác mái
   Example: She found an old diary hidden in the attic.
3. Once-grand (adj) /wʌns ˈɡrænd/: Having been impressive in the past but no longer so.
   Vietnamese: Từng huy hoàng
   Example: The once-grand mansion now stood in ruins.
4. Maid (n) /meɪd/: A woman who works as a servant in a house or hotel.
   Vietnamese: Người hầu gái/ giúp việc
   Example: The maid cleaned the room every morning.
5. Remind (v) /rɪˈmaɪnd/: To make someone think of something again.
   Vietnamese: Nhắc nhở
   Example: This picture reminds me of my childhood.
6. Be invisible (phrase) /ˈɪnˈvɪzɪb(ə)l/: Unable to be seen.
   Vietnamese: Vô hình, không để cho thấy
   Example: He felt like he could be invisible in the crowd.
7. Work (v) /wɜrk/: To be effective or take effect.
   Vietnamese: Có tác dụng
   Example: The medicine didn’t work as expected.
8. Hotel lobby (n) /hoʊˈtɛl ˈlɑbi/: The entrance area of a hotel where guests are welcomed.
   Vietnamese: Sảnh khách sạn
   Example: The meeting was arranged in the hotel lobby.
9. Quietly (adv) /ˈkwaɪətli/: Without making much noise.
   Vietnamese: Một cách yên lặng
   Example: She quietly left the room to avoid waking anyone.
10. Wonder if (phrase) /ˈwʌndər ɪf/: To ask yourself whether something might happen or be true.
    Vietnamese: Tự hỏi liệu
    Example: I wonder if he’ll come to the party.
11. Soldier (n) /ˈsoʊldʒər/: A person who serves in an army.
    Vietnamese: Lính, quân nhân
    Example: The soldier bravely defended his country.
12. Go missing (phrase) /ɡoʊ ˈmɪsɪŋ/: To disappear, often in a way that is not explained.
    Vietnamese: Mất tích
    Example: Many documents have gone missing from the office.
13. Mysterious (adj) /mɪˈstɪriəs/: Difficult to explain or understand.
    Vietnamese: Bí ẩn
    Example: The house had a mysterious past.
14. Claim (v) /kleɪm/: To say that something is true without evidence.
    Vietnamese: Tự nhận, khẳng định
    Example: He claims to be a descendant of royalty.
15. Countess (n) /ˈkaʊntəs/: A woman holding the rank of count or earl in European countries.
    Vietnamese: Nữ bá tước
    Example: The countess invited them to her grand estate.
16. Befriend (v) /bɪˈfrɛnd/: To become a friend to someone, especially someone who needs help.
    Vietnamese: Làm bạn với
    Example: She befriended a lonely student in her class.
17. Find out (v) /faɪnd aʊt/: To learn something you did not know.
    Vietnamese: Tìm ra, biết được
    Example: They are trying to find out who stole the jewelry.
18. Used to be (phrase) /juːzd tə bi/: Refers to a past state or condition.
    Vietnamese: Đã từng
    Example: This park used to be a forest.
19. Enthralling (adj) /ɪnˈθrɔlɪŋ/: Extremely interesting and captivating.
    Vietnamese: Lôi cuốn, hấp dẫn
    Example: The book was so enthralling that I finished it in one day.
20. Disappearance (n) /ˌdɪsəˈpɪərəns/: The act of someone or something going missing.
    Vietnamese: Sự biến mất
    Example: The police are investigating her sudden disappearance.
21. Setting (n) /ˈsɛtɪŋ/: The time and place where a story happens.
    Vietnamese: Bối cảnh
    Example: The story’s setting is a small coastal town.
22. Warmth (n) /wɔrmθ/: The feeling of being warm, friendly, or kind.
    Vietnamese: Sự ấm áp
    Example: Her smile brought a feeling of warmth to the room.
23. Balance (n) /ˈbæləns/: A state where different things are equal or in the correct proportions.
    Vietnamese: Sự cân bằng
    Example: Work-life balance is important for mental health.
24. Deny (v) /dɪˈnaɪ/: To refuse to admit or accept something.
    Vietnamese: Phủ nhận
    Example: He denied being involved in the crime.
25. But at the same time (phrase): Used to introduce a contrasting fact.
    Vietnamese: Nhưng đồng thời
    Example: She was tired, but at the same time, she couldn’t stop working.
26. Shortage (n) /ˈʃɔrtɪdʒ/: A lack or scarcity of something.
    Vietnamese: Sự thiếu hụt
    Example: There is a shortage of fresh water in the area.
27. Plot twist (n) /plɒt twɪst/: An unexpected development in a story.
    Vietnamese: nút thắt trong cốt truyện
    Example: The plot twist in the final chapter shocked everyone.
28. Character (n) /ˈkærɪktər/: A person in a story, book, or play.
    Vietnamese: Nhân vật
    Example: The main character was both brave and kind.
29. Hidden (adj) /ˈhɪdən/: Kept out of sight.
    Vietnamese: Ẩn giấu
    Example: The treasure was hidden in a cave.
30. Classic (adj) /ˈklæsɪk/: Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality.
    Vietnamese: Cổ điển
    Example: Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel.
31. Feel-good (adj) /ˈfiːl ɡʊd/: Intended to make you feel happy or satisfied.
    Vietnamese: Mang lại cảm giác tốt, dễ chịu
    Example: It’s a feel-good movie perfect for the weekend.

Vocabulary Review Tasks

Completion
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or phrase from the word bank.

Word Bank:
spellbinding, attic, once-grand, maid, remind, be invisible, work, hotel lobby, quietly, wonder if

1. The story was so ________ that I stayed up all night reading it.

2. She found an old treasure chest hidden in the ________.

3. The ________ house had been abandoned for years and was falling apart.

4. The ________ greeted guests with a polite smile and helped with their bags.

5. Please ________ me to send that email later.

6. He wished he could ________ during the awkward meeting.

7. The medication didn’t ________ as quickly as the doctor had expected.

8. They waited in the ________ until their room was ready.

9. She tiptoed ________ across the room so as not to wake the baby.

10. I ________ he’ll remember to call me back.

Word Form Task
Write the correct form of the word in parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. The movie had an ________ (enthrall) storyline that kept everyone glued to the screen.

2. He was shocked by the sudden ________ (disappear) of his wallet.

3. The book’s detailed ________ (set) helped readers imagine the world vividly.

4. The ________ (deny) of his involvement in the incident seemed unconvincing.

5. Her kindness brought warmth and ________ (balance) to their chaotic lives.

Synonym Matching
Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.

Gap-Filling
Complete the paragraph below using words from the word bank.

Word Bank: soldier, mysterious, countess, befriend, finds out, hidden, classic, characters

The story follows a young ________ who is sent on a mission to protect a ________ living in a remote castle. Along the way, he uncovers ________ secrets and a ________ treasure buried deep within the castle walls. As the plot develops, he begins to ________ the locals and slowly ________ more about the countess’s past. The story is a ________ tale with memorable ________ that stay with you long after the last page.

Multiple-Choice Task
Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. What does “spellbinding” mean?
   a) Ordinary
   b) Captivating
   c) Confusing
   d) Exhausting

2. Where would you find an “attic”?
   a) At the top of a house
   b) In a garden
   c) In a basement
   d) In a living room

3. What is a “plot twist”?
   a) A predictable ending
   b) The main character’s backstory
   c) A detailed description of a setting
   d) A sudden unexpected turn in a story

4. What does “to befriend” mean?
   a) To argue with someone
   b) To avoid someone
   c) To become friends with someone
   d) To spy on someone

5. What is the meaning of “deny”?
   a) Accept
   b) Refuse
   c) Acknowledge
   d) Admit

Answer keys

Completion

1. spellbinding
2. attic
3. once-grand
4. maid
5. remind
6. be invisible
7. work
8. hotel lobby
9. quietly
10. wonder if

Word Form Task

1. enthralling
2. disappearance
3. setting
4. denial
5. balance

Synonym Matching

Word - Synonym

1. Attic - Storage space
2. Wonder if - Speculate
3. Feel-good - Comfortable
4. Spellbinding - Captivating
5. Shortage - Scarcity
6. Deny - Refuse
7. Disappearance - Vanishing
8. Maid - Housekeeper
9. Balance - Stability
10. Plot twist - Unexpected turn

Gap-Filling 

The story follows a young soldier who is sent on a mission to protect a countess living in a remote castle. Along the way, he uncovers mysterious secrets and a hidden treasure buried deep within the castle walls. As the plot develops, he begins to befriend the locals and slowly finds out more about the countess’s past. The story is a classic tale with memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page.

Multiple-Choice Task

1. b) Captivating
2. a) At the top of a house
3. d) A sudden unexpected turn in a story
4. c) To become friends with someone
5. b) Refuse