Don Quixote was riding his old, thin horse named Rocinante. He believed he was a brave knight searching for adventure...

My B1-level extract from Cervantes' Don Quixote.

The B1 words we'll study are:

1. Set off

• Definition: To start a journey, usually to go to work or a business meeting.
• Examples:
  • I set off for the office at 7 a.m. every day to miss the morning traffic.

2. Ahead

• Definition: In the future, or earlier than planned.
• Examples:
  • We have a very busy week ahead of us at the factory.

3. Shake one's head

• Definition: To move your head from side to side to mean 'no'.
• Examples:
  • I asked my boss for a pay rise, but she just shook her head.

4. Absolutely certain

• Definition: Completely sure about something.
• Examples:
  • Are you absolutely certain that you saved the report on the computer?

5. At the top of one's voice

• Definition: As loudly as possible.
• Examples:
  • The factory is so noisy that the workers have to shout at the top of their voices to speak to each other.

6. Refuse to admit

• Definition: To say firmly that you will not accept that you are wrong about something at work.
• Examples:
  • The shop assistant made a mistake with the money, but he refused to admit it.

7. Wish

• Definition: To want a situation to be different from how it is right now.
• Examples:
  • I wish I had a better job with a higher salary.

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