A: I find Paul difficult to understand.
B: That is because he does not articulate his words very clearly.
articulate a. 1. 善于表达的，发音清晰的；2. 表达得清楚有力的
vt. 1. 明确有力地表达;2. 清晰地吐（字），清晰地发（音）
A: The army has amassed a huge amount of artillery.
B: Let’s hope they don’t have to use it.
artillery n. 1. 火炮，大炮；2. 炮兵(部队)
A: Do you think that we ascend into heaven when we die?
B: I am not sure. I am still undecided.
ascend vi. 渐渐上升，升高
vt. 攀登，登上
A: I couldn’t ascertain whether he was joking or serious.
B: Don’t worry, he has a strange sense of humor.
ascertain vt. 查明，弄清，确定
A: Your father ascribed beauty and intelligence to you.
B: Thanks for the compliment.
ascribe vt. 1. (to)把...归因于；2. 把...归属于
A: The man’s body came ashore five days after he went missing from the ship.
B: Oh, how terrible, that must have been the one that was found on the beach yesterday.
ashore ad. 在岸上，上岸
A: It is my aspiration to become a doctor.
B: Well, if you stick to your goals I am sure you can do it.
aspiration n. 强烈的愿望，志向，抱负
A: I do not think I have achieved enough yet.
B: Well, if you always aspire to do your best then you will not be unhappy.
aspire vi. 渴望，追求，有志于
A: Is that a donkey or an ass ?
B: Neither, it is a small horse.
ass n. 1. 笨蛋，傻瓜；2. 驴
A: Did you hear that there was an attempted assassination on the president?
B: Yes, but it was not true, somebody was spreading rumours.
assassination n. 刺杀，暗杀
A: We were warned about the risk of assault in the city.
B: Good, it is always better to be aware of the dangers.
assault vt. （武力或口头上的）攻击，袭击
A: He asserted his points strongly during the debate.
B: Why didn’t he win it then?
assert vt. 1. 肯定地说，断言2. 维护，坚持
A: I think that guy is too rude.
B: Really, I think he is just trying to assert himself .
assert oneself 坚持自己的权利，显示自己的权威
A: I think that the new student has assimilated well into his new environment.
B: Perhaps, but he does not seem to have many friends.
assimilate vt. 1. 吸收，消化；2. 使同化
vi. 1. 被吸收，被消化；2. 被同化
A: I gave Linda an assorted box of sweets for her birthday.
B: Did you not know that chocolates were her favourite?
assorted a. 各种各样的，混杂的，什锦的
A: I received assurances that I would get help.
B: And did they come through?
assurance n. 1. 把握，信心；2. 保证，表示保证（或鼓励、安慰）的话；3. （人寿）保险
