VOCABULARY MAPS: English Firsthand 1

Notes:
CATEGORIES OF WORDS IN BOLD CAPS – These are words and phrases that are in the unit, either in
the book or in an audio script.
Categories in bold lower case – These are additional words that are useful for talking about the topic of
the unit. Words are listed in related groups, to make them easier to learn.
EXPRESSIONS – These are phrases and sentences that are useful for having a conversation about the
topic. These expressions are a mix of what is in the unit, plus some extensions.

Tips for reviewing and studying the Vocabulary Maps:

1. Read each section of the list out loud, slowly. Make a check next to the words you know well.
Underline the words you want to learn.
2. Look up words you don’t know.
3. Make up example sentences with each new word on the list. Write the sentences in a notebook.
4. Use the new words in a story. Record your story on audio or video.
5. Write the words on flashcards and practice daily. Make pictures on the cards. Write the definition on
the back. Try to learn 10 new words each week.
6. Record all of the words on audio. Use dictations to help you memorize spelling.
7. Practice the new words and expressions in a conversation with a friend. Try to use 10 new words or
expressions each week.
8. Practice with a classmate. Make quizzes for each other.
9. Go back every two weeks to review words.
10. Add words to the lists. Use lists from other levels of English Firsthand also (EFA=English Firsthand
Access, EFS=English Firsthand Success, EF1 = English Firsthand 1, EF2=English Firsthand 2).
Unit 1

OCCUPATIONS software engineer

sales representative
construction worker
cashier
office assistant
server
doctor
teacher
More occupations office worker
office clerk
stay-at-home mom/dad
cashier
childcare worker
dentist
fitness instructor
hair stylist
veterinarian
nurse
sales manager
sales assistant
reporter
journalist
writer
For more words about occupations, see EF1,
Unit 7.
HOBBIES AND play sports
INTERESTS go dancing
listen to music
cook
do volunteer work
play video games
travel
watch movies
More hobbies and dine out
interests exercise
go to the theater
walk in the park
go window shopping
read books and magazines
bake
knit
do yoga
collect (comics)
play (a musical instrument)
paint
draw
play with (my pet)
write (poems)
keep a journal
For more words about hobbies and
interests, see EFA Units 1 and 7, and
EFS Unit 1
COUNTRIES England
United States
Italy
Brazil
Russia
Korea
Japan
Philippines
Australia
More countries Canada
China
New Zealand
France
Germany
Thailand
Mexico
Argentina
Indonesia
India
Pakistan
Korea
Taiwan
Singapore
Regions Africa/African
Asia/Asian
Europe/European
Central America/Central American
Middle East/Middle Eastern
North Africa/North African
Latin America/Latin American
South America/South American
Southeast Asia/Southeast Asian

EXPRESSIONS: Nice party, isn’t?

Meeting new people Great music, isn’t it?
Yes, it is. By the way, I’m (Mari).
Nice to meet you. I’m (Ken).
How do you know (Lynn)?
Have we met before?
You look familiar.
We work together.
We’re dating.
Would you like a drink?
Sounds good.
No, thanks. Maybe later.
It was nice meeting you.
See you later.
Unit 2

HAIR TYPE short

long
bald
beard
gray
blond
wavy
brown
More words for hair black
types brunette
shoulder-length
curly
straight
moustache
goatee
AGE young
elderly
middle-aged
child
early (thirties)
mid (thirties)
late (thirties)
More age words adult
young adult
teenager
baby
infant
toddler
BODY TYPE medium height
tall
thin
heavy-set
short
average
More words for body small
types slight
slim
petite
frail
large
heavy
Other description has blue eyes
words wears glasses
has a round face
is good-looking
clean-shaven
wrinkle
mole
PERSONALITY WORDS kind
serious
intelligent
hard-working
 smart
funny
outgoing
friendly
crazy
quiet
energetic
More personality words arrogant
humble
boring
confident
introverted
cheerful
moody
honest
gregarious
For more words describing personalities,
see EFA Unit 5.
EXPRESSIONS: Talking Do you know…?
about people Have you met…?
Do you want to see some pictures?
Who’s that?
Tell me about your…
Let me tell you about my…
That’s my (sister/brother).
How old is (she/he)?
She’s/he’s younger than I. (She’s/He’s) 18.
What’s (she/he) like?
(She’s/He’s) funny. You’d like (her/him).
I’d like to meet (her/him) some time.
Unit 3

MORNING ACTIVITIES wake up

get up
take a shower
have breakfast
make my lunch
take the bus/train
drive to work
start work
More morning activity brush my teeth
words do some exercises
commute
wait for the bus/train
stop for coffee
check my messages
feed the dog
EVENING / NIGHT finish work
TIME ACTIVITIES go home
help the kids with homework
listen to music
watch TV or movies
fall asleep
More evening activity cook dinner
words clean up
give the kids a bath
have some quiet time
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES go shopping
hang out with friends
sleep late
study
sing karaoke
use social media
cook
eat dinner out
spend time alone
go grocery shopping
read
play video games
play (a sport)
go out to dinner
visit relatives

For m For more daily activities, see EFA Unit 4.

FREQUENCY always
ADVERBS almost always
often
frequently
seldom
hardly ever
never
More time daily
expressions every (day/week/month)
once a (day/month/week)
once in a while
every other day
once in a blue moon
Adjectives about active
lifestyles healthy
simple
normal
busy
crazy
typical
fun
stressful
relaxed
boring
lazy
challenging
exciting
unconventional
satisfying
EXPRESSIONS: I’d like to do something (tonight).
Talking about What are you doing on (Friday night)?
activities, Nothing special.
invitations Would you like to go to a movie?
What time do you work?
When does your shift (start/end)?
That sounds good.
Sounds like fun.
Sure, why not?
I’m sorry. I’m busy then.
How about (Saturday)?
Do you like (to go to the movies)?
How often do you (go to the movies)?
Unit 4
PREPOSITIONS OF to the left of
LOCATION to the right of
on top of
next to
in front of
between
behind
in the middle
across from
above
under
on
For more locations, see EFA Unit 10, EFS
Unit 4 and this book, Unit 5.
THINGS IN A sofa
HOUSE/BEDROOM window
chair
corner
bookshelf (bookshelves)
bookcase
picture
computer table
cushions
coffee mug
frame
bedspread
pillow
bag
cushion
stuffed animal
folder
scarf
magazine
chair
books
floor
bed
rug
lamp
poster
vase
computer
More things in a blanket
house/bedroom carpet
ceiling
door
closet
curtains
shelf (shelves)
wall
Activities at home do laundry
do the dishes
load/unload the dishwasher
set the table
 clear the table
put away groceries
clean the fridge
vacuum the carpet
sweep the floor
dust the furniture
iron my clothes
clean the windows
arrange furniture
make my bed
clean up my room
take out the trash
tidy up my (room/apartment)
For more words for things in a house, see EFA
Units 3 and 10, and EFS Unit 5
EXPRESSIONS: What’s your place like?
Talking about Can you describe your (room)?
housing Is there a (rug on the floor)?
Are there (lamps on the tables)?
Yes, there is/are
No, there isn’t/aren’t.
What a great (rug)! Where did you get it?
That’s a great (chair). I have one just like it.
We need to remodel the house.
I need to redecorate the apartment.
It’s comfortable.
It’s a great place to live.
Unit 5

PREPOSITIONS next to
across from
around the corner.
on (First Street)
straight ahead.
on the corner.
past
on the right
on the left
between
More prepositions against
towards
through
along
near
For more prepositions, see EFA Unit 10, EFS
Unit 4 and this book, Unit 4.

PLACES IN THE hotel

COMMUNITY park
drugstore
supermarket
convenience store
restaurant
clothing store
electronics shop
coffee shop
gas station
subway station
bookstore
post office
food court
bank
department store
chocolate shop
appliance store
gym
movie theatre
Other places in the airport
community apartment building
bus stop
fire station
doctor’s office
library
office building
university
campus
(elementary) school
skyscraper
port
delicatessen
 drugstore
pharmacy
shrine
temple
museum
tourist information center

Other words for talking city center

about cities downtown
residential area
suburb
region
district
outskirts
slums
(industrial) quarter
main street
side street
back street
highway
pedestrian crossing
zebra crossing
traffic light
traffic circle
street corner
multistory building
high rise
sidewalk
bridge
tunnel
ATM (automatic teller machine)

For more locations in the community, see

EFS Unit 4.
EXPRESSIONS: Is there a (bank) near here?
Talking about Where can I find a (bank)?
places, getting How do I get to (the bank)?
directions Can you point me in the direction of a
(bank)?
I’m lost. Can you help me find my hotel?
Go past (the park).
Go as far as (the park)/ If you see (a park),
you’ve gone too far.
Keep to the right/left.
It’s easy to find.
You’ll see it (on the right).
Unit 6

IMPORTANT LIFE was born

EVENTS grew up
graduated
went to college
had a part-time job
got married
More important life played on the (volleyball) team
events studied (history) in college
got a scholarship
majored in (business)
moved
was an intern/interned
had a temporary job
learned to (code)
broke up with (my boyfriend)
divorced
changed jobs
lost my job
met someone new
fell in love
got remarried
raised a family
retired
died/passed away
VACATION ACTIVITIES saw famous landmarks
stayed in a nice hotel
went to the beach
relaxed
More vacation activities visited an historic site
went to museums
went to an amusement park
ate great food
bought souvenirs
met new people
had a good/bad flight
lost our luggage
rented a car
Vacation attractions music festival
art gallery
theme park
palace
archeological site

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES went shopping

met some friends
had a nice dinner
saw a movie
More weekend activities cleaned the house
worked in the garden
didn’t do anything special
went to the park
 For more past activities, see EFA Unit 11,
EFs Unit 7 and EF2 Unit 7.
IRREGULAR PAST be (was/were)
TENSE VERBS lose (lost)
take (took)
get (got)
make (made)as
speak (spoke)
do (did)
buy (bought)
cry (cried)
go (went)
find (found)
wear (wore)
tell (told)
see (saw)
feel (felt)
eat (ate)
For more irregular verbs, see EFA Unit 11
and EFS Unit 7.

EXPRESSIONS: Tell me about your weekend.

Talking about past How was your vacation/weekend?
activities Did you have a good time?
What did you do?
How was it?
Would you do it again?
It was so much fun!
We had a ball/ a blast/ a great time.
I’d definitely do it again.
I’d do it again in a minute/heartbeat.
I think once is enough.
It sounds interesting.
Unit 7

OCCUPATIONS nurse
mechanic
accountant
police officer
chef
actor
pilot
photographer
architect
musician
scientist
tour guide
office worker
engineer
software developer
coach
hotel clerk
sales person
boss
More occupations model
baker
barber
butcher
farmer
gardener
graphic designer
social worker
lawyer
contractor
electrician
plumber
technician
educator
first responder
server
driver
clerk
administrator
office assistant
IT staff
journalist
caregiver
civil servant
flight attendant
receptionist
manager
For more occupations, see this book, Unit 1.

Job duties take care of

fix
assemble
direct
 supervise
organize
give support
work with
go to meetings
get information about
do research on
teach
train
take part in
cooperate
collaborate
advise on
EXPRESSIONS: Talking Tell me about your job.
about jobs What kind of job would you be interested in?
What’s your dream job?
What do you see yourself doing in ten
years?
If you could be anything, what would it be?
I’d be interested in….
I’d like a job where I could use my degree.
I think I have a talent for….
I don’t want to work paycheck-to-paycheck.
I’d like a job with good benefits.
Unit 8

KINDS OF MOVIES action film

comedy
drama
love story
musical
scary / horror
More kinds of movies science fiction
romance
romantic comedy
documentary
thriller
buddy movie
classic
art film
short subject
Some popular movies Avatar
Beauty and the Beast
The Godfather
Iron Man
Minions
Schlinder’s List
Casablanca
Gone with the Wind
The Wizard of Oz
Lawrence of Arabia
Psycho
Forrest Gump
The Sound of Music
Star Wars
ET
The Lion King
The Lord of the Rings
Gladiator
Titanic
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Back to the Future
Rocky
Doctor Zhivago
Jaws
Jurassic Park
Harry Pottter
Hunger Games
For more words for kinds of stories, see EFS
Unit 12 and EF2 Unit 10.
KINDS OF MUSIC classical
hip-hop
jazz
rock
More kinds of music blues
metal
folk
 country
pop
oldies
traditional
Latin
symphony
quartet
opera
chamber music
fusion
instrumental
choral
THINGS TO DO go to an amusement park
go to a concert
go dancing
visit an art/science/history museum
go to a play
see ballet
go to the park
go to the zoo
go to a game center
shop at a shopping mall
go to a pub
play computer games
For more things to do, see EFA Unit 1, EFS
Unit 1 and EFS, Unit 1.
EXPRESSIONS: Talking Do you want to do something tonight?
about entertainment Sure. What do you have in mind?
Let’s do something tonight.
Let’s get out of the house.
How about (a movie)?
That sounds like fun.
What’s playing?
I don’t feel like a movie.
What do you feel like doing?
What do you want to do?
Do you have a better idea?
I’m up for anything.
Unit 9

WEEKEND PLANS don’t do anything special

go hiking
go to a play
sleep
More weekend plans stay at home
hang out
go shopping
go to a festival
check out a new restaurant
go to the park
ride a bike
have friends over for dinner
 chill
go to an art gallery
catch the new movie
eat a lot of food
VACATION PLANS go skiing
go sightseeing
go scuba diving
visit famous places
go to the beach
go to a museum
watch birds
go swimming
More vacation plans take a city tour
stay at a resort
visit family
go camping
go to a national park
Top vacation spots Hawaii – Waikiki Beach
Rome – Trevi Fountain
Sydney – Opera House
London – Buckingham Palace
New York City – Empire State Building
Florence – the Cathedral
Tanzania – Serengeti National Park
Vancouver – Grouse Mountain
Thailand – Phuket Island
Australia – Great Barrier Reef
Prague – Old Town Square
Tokyo – Skytree Tower
Seoul – Bukchon Hanok Village
Taipei – 101 Building
Beijing – Dashanzi Art District
LIFE PLANS buy a house
get a job
get married
graduate from college
have a baby
More life plans get engaged
work part-time
retire early
 see the world
experience new things
fix up an old house
learn a new skill
For other ways to talk about the future, see
EFA Uni1 12, EFS Unit 6, and EF2 Unit
12
EXPRESSIONS: Talking Got any plans (for the weekend)?
about plans What are you planning for this weekend?
What are you going to do this weekend?
What do you want to do on your vacation?
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
I’m not sure.
I think we’re going to stay home.
I’m heading for (the beach).
I can’t get any time off.
I just want to get away.
Unit 10

CLOTHING dress
shoes
T-shirt
pants
coat
sweater
shorts
sweatshirt
jacket
jeans
shirt
boots
cap
bathrobe
scarf
shoes
hat
gloves
pajamas
belt
raincoat
More clothing words socks
stockings
suit
underwear
belt
skirt
slacks
For more clothing words, see EFA Unit 6
and EFS Unit 2.
PERSONAL ITEMS backpack
jewelry
watch
umbrella
purse
hat
bracelet
bag
More personal items necklace
earrings
ring
lip balm
lipstick
lip gloss
hand sanitizer
make up
Verbs with personal wear on your (feet)
items wear around your (neck/waist/shoulders)
keep you (warm/dry/cool)
carry stuff in it
wear it after (your bath)
wear it when (it’s cold)
 need this to (tell the time)
use this for (telling the time)
Types of shops antique shop
butcher
big-box store
bookshop
farmer’s market
deli (delicatessen)
hardware store
minimart
newspaper stand
kiosk
pet shop
bakery
pharmacy
Some popular stores Walmart
Starbucks
Walgreens
Target
Dollar Store
GAP
Urban Outfitters
Uniqlo
H&M
Costco
Home Depot
Some popular shopping Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles
spots Fifth Avenue, New York
Bond Street, London
Harajuku Fashion District, Tokyo
Silk Street, Beijing,
Siam Square, Bangkok
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Lotte World Mall, Seoul

HOME ITEMS brush

shampoo
soap
towel
toothbrush
toothpaste
More home items washcloth
hair dryer
tissues
mouthwash
shaving cream
razor
shower cap
comb
For more personal items, see EFA Unit 3.
EXPRESSIONS: May I help you?
Shopping I’m looking for (some jeans).
Do you have any (jeans)?
Do you carry (large sizes)?
I’d like this in (red).
No, just looking, thanks.
How unusual!
Is that (cotton)?
That fits you like a glove.
That looks great on you.
That’s your color.
It’s a bit too (expensive) for me.
Unit 11

COMMON ACTIONS choose

press
take
hold
fold
unfold
turn over
draw

COOKING ACTIONS chop

boil
add
pour
stir
fry
slice
chop
bake
barbecue
More cooking verbs beat
broil
combine
cut
grate
mix
mince
melt
peel
dice
layer
pour
serve
simmer
bake
spread
dip
sprinkle
taste
serve
INSTRUCTIONS first
then
next
after that
finally
More instruction words first of all
to start off
as soon as
while you’re doing that
when you’ve finished that
More action verbs paint
polish
 lift
ride
climb
pick up
put down
push
pull
stretch
throw
catch
bend
count
For more instruction language, see EFA Unit 2.
EXPRESSIONS: I need some help.
Giving and Can you show me how to do this?
receiving How do you do this?
instructions I don’t understand.
How do you turn this on?
How do you get this open?
What am I doing wrong?
What am I missing?
What am I not seeing?
Do it like this.
No, don’t do that.
That’s right.
Good job!
Unit 12

GOOD OPINIONS amazing

awesome
brilliant
fantastic
great
wonderful
More positive amusing
adjectives entertaining
clever
delightful
exciting
smart
the best
better than usual
excellent
perfect
outstanding
first-rate
BAD OPINIONS boring
terrible
awful
dull
weird
More negative annoying
adjectives difficult
strange
mediocre
disgusting
violent
sad
the worst
NEUTRAL OPINIONS so-so
I’m not familiar with it.
OK
all right
More neutral adjectives ordinary
typical
average
not so special
Introducing an opinion In my opinion,
I believe
I prefer
First,
To start with,
For instance,
In particular,
Another reason why
As you can see,
All in all,
EXPRESSIONS: Giving Have you heard (their new song)?
opinions How did you like it?
What’s your opinion of (their new song)?
 Did you find it (interesting)?
Wow!
That was one of the (best/worst) I’ve ever
(seen/heard/experienced).
I can’t believe it!
I thought it was (OK).
Never again!
I couldn’t sit through it.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
We left in the middle.
EXPRESSIONS: That’s interesting.
Responding to I never thought of that.
other people’s Hm. That’s a strong opinion.
opinions Are you saying that…?
Let me think about that for a minute.
I’m not sure I agree, but I understand.
Can we change the topic?