prolong/lengthen
prolong = to make something last longer
The operation might prolong his life by several years.
lengthen = to make something longer
I need to get this skirt lengthened.
exploration/research
exploration = searching through a place in order to find out about it or look for something in it
He devoted his life to the exploration of Antarctica.
research = a careful study of something in order to discover new information about it
He is doing research on skin diseases.
channel/programme
channel = a television station; a band of radio waves used for broadcasting television or radio programmes
We don't have a receiver for satellite channels.
programme = something you can watch on television or listen to on the radio
I like watching documentary programmes.
ashamed/embarrassed
ashamed = feeling guilty because of something wrong one has deliberately done
John was ashamed of his bad behaviour at the party.
embarrassed = feeling awkward in front of other people or after one has made something silly
His remarks on my new hairstyle made me feel embarrassed.
nature/countryside/landscape
nature = all the plants, animals and things not made by people
We built a house in the country to get closer to nature.
countryside = land outside towns and cities with fields and woods
My grandparents live in a village surrounded by glorious countryside.
landscape = everything you can see when you look across a large area of land
That tall factory chimney dominates the landscape here.
tourism/hiking
tourism = business providing accommodation and other services for people who are visiting a place for pleasure
The island's economy is largely dependent upon tourism.
hiking = the activity of going for long walks in the country
I will go hiking in the High Tatras on Saturday if the weather is fine.
election/vote
election = an occasion on which people choose politicians or political parties by voting
Which party did you vote for in the last election?
vote = an occasion on which a group of people select something or somebody
Let's take a vote who will go first.
well-known/familiar
well-known = known about by a lot of people
My great-grandfather was a well-known actor.
familiar = seen or heard before and therefore easy to be recognized
The room looked familiar to me. I supposed I'd been there before.
stranger/foreigner
stranger = a person that you don't know
There was a complete stranger ringing our bell.
foreigner = a person that comes from a different country
I've lived in France for years, but I still speak French like a foreigner.
slide/slip
slide = to move easily over a smooth or wet surface
The boys were happily sliding on the ice.
slip = to slide by accident so that you fall or nearly fall
As I was going to school, I slipped on ice and broke my arm.
contagious/infectious disease
contagious disease = a disease that spreads by people touching each other
Scarlet fever is a contagious disease.
infectious disease = a disease that can be passed from one person to another, especially through the air they breathe
Influenza is highly infectious.
amenities/facilities
amenities = features that make a place pleasant and easy to live in
Hotel amenities include a swimming pool, sauna and fitness centre.
facilities = buildings and services that are provided for a particular purpose
There are a lot of sports and cultural facilities in our town.
apparently/obviously
apparently = according to the way something appears or what you have heard, seen or read
Apparently they are getting divorced soon.
obviously = easy to be seen or understood
They are obviously not coming.
isolated/insulated
isolated = far away from other places/buildings; with no contact with other people
Some pensioners become socially isolated.
insulated = protected with a material so that heat, sound, electricity, etc. cannot pass through
This electric wire isn't sufficiently insulated for outdoor use.
electrify/electrocute
electrify = to make something work by using electricity
We got the fence around our house electrified for security reasons.
electrocute = to injure or kill somebody by passing electricity through their body
My little brother was electrocuted when he touched a bare wire.
officer/official/office worker
officer = a person in a position of authority in the armed forces, a police force or the government, e.g. a pilot officer, police officer, officer of state (minister), etc.
Army officers expect to be saluted.
official = a person in a position of authority in a large organization, e.g. a bank official, company official, government official, etc.
Mr Beckett is the top official in this company.
office worker = a person working in an office, e.g. a secretary, accountant, clerk, etc.
Since we computerized our company, we employ fewer office workers.
