Human sounds
When it comes to taking a CPE exam, the candidate may face some challenging picture descriptions when (s)he has to use some descriptive verbs which refer to distintive sounds. The following table might help you with this demanding task. :)
human sounds |
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1. to hum |
to make a continuous, low sound
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2. to murmur |
to make a low, continuous background sound
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3. to burble |
to make a continous, murmuring sound
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4. to burble |
(of a baby) to make a contented, pleasant sound
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5. to babble |
to talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way They babbled on about their holiday.
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6. to chatter |
to talk informally about unimportant matters She was chattering about her holidays.
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7. to yack |
talk at length about trivial or boring subjects
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8. to balb |
reveal secrets by indiscreet talk (informal)
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9. to whisper |
speak very softly using one's breath rather than one's throat, especially for the sake of secrecy
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10. to lisp |
to make a speech defect in which s is pronounced like th in thick and z is pronounced like th in this
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11. to giggle |
laugh lightly and repeatedly in a silly way, from amusement, nervousness, or embarrassment
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12. to squeal |
to make a long, high-pitched cry or noise
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13. to shriek |
utter a high-pitched piercing sound or words, especially as an expression of terror, pain, or excitement
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14. to whoop |
to make a loud cry of joy or excitement
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15. to sneer |
smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner
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16. to bawl |
weep or cry noisily
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17. to whimper |
make a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or unhappiness
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18. to snicker |
to give a smothered or half-suppressed laugh; snigger |
19. to chuckle |
laugh quietly or inwardly
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20. to titter |
to give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle
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