They Live (1988) Vocabulary

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In “They Live,” there are these mysterious beings that secretly control us. We don’t even realize it, but they mess with our choices, numb our feelings, and run our lives. The movie came out in 1988 and was made in the USA. John Carpenter wrote and directed it, based on a short story by Ray Nelson called “Eight O’Clock in the Morning.” The film stars Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster. It’s a mix of sci-fi, action, and horror.

In the story, there’s this guy who doesn’t have a name, just a drifter. He stumbles upon something big when he puts on special sunglasses. These glasses show him that the people in power are actually aliens in disguise. And they’re using sneaky messages in the media to make us mindlessly buy stuff, reproduce, and fit in with the crowd. It’s a crazy revelation, and “They Live” takes us on a wild ride, making us question appearances and what’s really going on behind the scenes.

Vocabulary for They Live (1988)

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Vocabulary for They Live (1988) Part 1

CEFR B1 and above potentially unknown vocabulary:

  1. suspended (verb): to temporarily stop or delay something.
  2. applicants (noun): people who apply for something, such as a job or a program.
  3. venom (noun): a poisonous substance, often associated with snakes and other animals.
  4. deceive (verb): to trick or mislead someone into believing something that is not true.
  5. bitterness (noun): a feeling of strong resentment or hostility.
  6. curses (noun): expressions of wish for harm or punishment to befall someone.
  7. ruin (noun): the state of being destroyed or severely damaged.
  8. misery (noun): extreme suffering or unhappiness.
  9. corrupted (adjective): morally or ethically decayed or spoiled.
  10. greed (noun): an intense desire for wealth, possessions, or power, often beyond what is needed.
  11. perched (verb): resting or sitting on a high point or a narrow edge.
  12. stewards (noun): individuals responsible for managing and supervising certain tasks or areas, often in a labor or union context.
  13. sledge (noun): a large, heavy hammer-like tool used for breaking or shaping hard materials.
  14. lull (verb): to soothe or quiet someone, often into a state of inactivity or indifference.
  15. accomplices (noun): people who help or participate in a wrongdoing or criminal activity.
  16. sedated (adjective): calmed or relaxed through the use of sedatives or drugs.

Please note that the vocabulary list includes words that might be potentially unknown to a person with a language proficiency level of CEFR B1 or above.

They Live (1988)

Vocabulary for They Live (1988) Part 2

  1. Shipment: In the context of the script, a shipment refers to a large quantity of goods being transported from one place to another, likely for business purposes.
  2. Manufacturing: The process of producing goods on a large scale, usually in a factory or industrial setting.
  3. Hoffman lenses: The term “Hoffman lenses” is not commonly known outside the context of the script. It could refer to a specific type of lenses used in manufacturing or as part of a plot element unique to the script.
  4. Neighbourhood watch: A community-based crime prevention program where residents in a neighborhood work together to protect their community by reporting suspicious activities to the authorities.
  5. Epidemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
  6. Cult: A social group defined by its religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal.
  7. End-of-the-world: Pertaining to events or beliefs associated with the possible destruction of the world or the end of human civilization.
  8. Lab setup: A laboratory setup, a specific arrangement of equipment, materials, and instruments used for scientific experiments and research.
  9. Lamaze class: A childbirth preparation class that teaches breathing and relaxation techniques to expectant mothers.
  10. Blue corn tortillas: A type of tortilla made from blue corn, which imparts a distinct color and flavor to the tortilla.
  11. Caucasian: Referring to a person of European descent, usually used to describe people with fair or light skin.
  12. Formaldehyde: A strong-smelling, colorless chemical used in various industries, including as a preservative for biological specimens.
  13. Splatter: To scatter or spread something in a messy or violent way.
  14. Tattletales: Informers or people who report others’ wrongdoings or secrets to authorities.
They Live (1988)

Vocabulary for They Live (1988) Part 3

Potentially unknown vocabulary (CEFR B1 and above):

  1. insist: To demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal.
  2. assistant programme director: A job position at a TV station that involves helping manage and organize programs.
  3. signals: In this context, it refers to electronic or electromagnetic transmissions used for communication or broadcasting.
  4. cable: A TV station that transmits programs through cable networks rather than traditional broadcast methods.
  5. signals out of TV sets: The emission of electronic signals from television sets.
  6. rough: Difficult or challenging.
  7. pick up: In this context, it means to collect or acquire something.
  8. ain’t: A colloquial contraction of “am not,” “is not,” “are not,” “have not,” or “has not.”
  9. giving you a choice: Offering options to choose from.
  10. trash can: A container used for garbage or waste.
  11. wake up out of their dream: To become aware of a reality that was previously unknown or hidden.
  12. life’s a bitch: A colloquial expression meaning that life can be challenging or difficult.
  13. master plan: A detailed and well-thought-out plan.
  14. torn: Ripped or damaged.
  15. sawing down a little tree: An action of cutting down a tree using a sawing motion.
  16. candyfloss: A synonym for cotton candy, a sweet treat made from spun sugar.
  17. toxic waste dump: A site where toxic or hazardous waste materials are disposed of.
  18. memorise: To commit something to memory, to learn by heart.

Note: The above vocabulary words are selected based on the assumption that the reader may be unfamiliar with some of them, and they are all explained without giving away any spoilers from the script or mentioning character names.

They Live (1988)
They Live (1988)

Vocabulary for They Live (1988) Part 4

CEFR B1 and above potentially unknown vocabulary:

  1. Commies: This term is short for “communists,” referring to people who support or advocate for communism, a political and economic ideology.
  2. Recruited: To be enlisted or hired for a particular purpose or job.
  3. Deplete: To use up or consume the supply or resources gradually, reducing their quantity or quality.
  4. Livestock: Animals raised on a farm for agricultural purposes, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs.
  5. Disappearing act: A figurative expression used to describe the mysterious or sudden disappearance of something or someone.
  6. Benign: Gentle, kind, or harmless.
  7. Indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; apathy.
  8. Bide: To wait patiently or endure a difficult situation.
  9. Spilling some blood: A metaphorical expression for resorting to violence or aggressive actions.
  10. Seek out: To actively look for or search for something or someone.
  11. Transmission: The act of sending signals or information over a distance, especially through radio waves or electrical signals.
  12. Malfunctioned: To fail to function or operate properly.
  13. Dominion: Sovereignty or control over something.
  14. Multi-dimensional expansion: The idea of expanding or growing across different dimensions or aspects.
  15. Per-capita income: The average income per person in a specific area or group.
  16. Crisis alert: A state of heightened readiness or preparedness due to a critical situation.
  17. Quest: A search or pursuit of something important or challenging.
  18. Entree: Here, it means gaining access to or permission to enter.
  19. Funky: In this context, it means weird or unconventional.
  20. Portable jobs: Refers to small, handheld devices or gadgets that can be carried around easily.

Remember, the CEFR B1 level corresponds to intermediate English proficiency, and these vocabulary words might be challenging for learners at lower levels but should be comprehensible for those at B1 and above.

Vocabulary for They Live (1988) Part 5

CEFR B1 and above potentially unknown vocabulary in the script:

  1. Commuters: People who regularly travel between their homes and workplaces, usually using public transportation.
  2. Transmission platform: A designated area where passengers board vehicles or aircraft.
  3. Gravitational lens: A phenomenon in astrophysics where the gravitational field of a massive object, such as a galaxy or a black hole, bends light rays from a distant object.
  4. Bending: The act of curving or changing the direction of something.
  5. Act together: To be organized and efficient in performing tasks.
  6. Brains of the whole operation: The central and most important part that controls or coordinates the entire system.
  7. Pump out: To send or distribute something, often in large quantities.
  8. Space sensors: Devices or instruments used to detect and measure various properties in outer space.
  9. Penetrate: To pass through or enter an object or substance.
  10. Authorisation cards: Documents or cards that grant permission or access to certain areas or activities.
  11. Soundproof: Designed or treated to prevent sound from passing through.
  12. Running long: Taking more time than planned or expected.
  13. Security alert: A warning issued in response to a security threat or breach.
  14. Interfere: To intervene or get involved in a situation, often causing disruption.

Vocabulary for They Live (1988) Part 6

  1. Lock the elevators down: To disable the elevators and prevent their use.
  2. Intruders: Uninvited individuals who enter a place without permission.
  3. Dish: In this context, it refers to a satellite dish, which is a device used to receive or transmit signals via satellite.
  4. Open fire: To start shooting or using firearms.
  5. Press conference: An event where a person or a group of people speak to journalists and answer their questions.
  6. Sailboat: A boat that is propelled mainly by sails.
  7. Fed up with: Feeling annoyed, frustrated, or bored with something, often to the point of wanting to stop dealing with it.
  8. Restraint: Self-control or moderation in behavior or expression.
  9. V6 power: Refers to the engine with six cylinders arranged in a V shape.
  10. Lightning: In this context, it likely refers to a strong, sudden burst of energy or excitement.
  11. Hit the road: To start a journey or trip.
  12. Moving on: Progressing or continuing with one’s life or plans.

Please note that the explanations provided here are generic and do not contain spoilers from the script. Since character names are not mentioned in the script, they have not been included in the explanations.


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