Comments

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  Tanya February 3, 2012 14:08

  Dear Alhagag! As a verb "smolder" also mean to exist in a suppressed or concealed state. So, I can conjecture that telling about tortoises the speaker means that:

  a) they live lonely, hidden life;

  b) they are not studied closely (carefully).

  This verb can also describe barely suppressed anger, hatred, or another powerful emotion. But tortoises are reptiles and I don't think that the speaker means any emotions. However, it may be as we often speak about animals using characteristics or features that are inherent to people only.

  Is this information helpful?

  Have a nice day!
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  alhagag February 2, 2012 8:16

  thanks Tanya for everything.  every thing is clear except one thing smoldering i know this meaning but i'd like for you to give me the exactly meaning the speaker  talks about tortoises a  "smoldering giant" i hope you understand me.

  have good day!

  
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  Tanya February 1, 2012 10:31

  Alhgag! I see your correction. It is easy for me to answer. Smo(u)ldering means burning slowly with smoke but no flame.
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  Tanya February 1, 2012 10:22

  Hi, Algag! Nice to hear from you again! I will be glad if I bate your curiousity. It is very easy to answer your first question. If we mean the capital of the USA, the city, we say "Washington, DC (District of Columbia). If we mean the state of US with the same name, we should say "the state of Washington, US". As far as I know, there is no a province with such a name in Canada, but if there were, we had to call it "the province of Washington, Canada". You obviously know there are many cities and other administrative terrirories with the same names in the world. So, to differ them somehow, we should use some additional information. For example, there are two (or maybe more) cities named St.Petersberg. One is in Russia, the other is in Florida, US. So, when we speak about either of them, we should mention the country of its location, i.e., RU (Russia) or FL, US. I hope, it is clear.

  As to your second question. Those words have nothing in common. They describe different things or characteristics.

  Shouldering is either a gerund or a participle. The verb is to shoulder. The verb means to put something heavy over a shoulder and/or to carry it. It may also mean to push something or someone from the way with a shoulder.

  He shouldered a heavy bag and slowly walked upstairs.

  He was making his way through the tangle shouldering the bushes.

  Giant can be a noun or an adjective. As a noun it means an imaginary, mythical or real object of a regular form but abmormally big size. As an adjective, it means the same: abnormally big. It is also used in the names of really big amimals and plants.

  As for cats, a serval has giant ears.

  Austere is an adjective. It means severe or strict in manner or attitude. The synonym is ascetic.

  He was an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook

  In the prison could hardly be more austere.

  
  Thrilling is an adjective. It means very exciting/stimulating or  vibrating/trembling.

  Our wildlife trips offer a thrilling encounter with wildlife in its natural state.

  Being lost at night a cub was trembling with cold.

  Intrigue can be either a verb or a noun. As a verb it means to arise curiosity or interest , to fascinate or to make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone:

  I was intrigued by your question

  Henry and Louis intrigued with the local nobles.

  As a noun it means the secret planning of something illicit or detrimental

  The cabinet was a nest of intrigue.

  or a mysterious or fascinating:

  Quality within the region's borders is a wealth of interest and intrigue.

  It may also mean a secret love affair (count noun):

  There was an  intrigue between the secretary and her boss.

  Fumarole is a noun. It means an opening in or near a volcano, through which hot sulphurous gases emerge.

  Well, I hope I have answered your questions. I think, these words  can be used in different ways in documentaries, but their meanings are the same anyway. If something is not clear, just tell me.

  Have a nice day!

  

  
  
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  alhagag February 1, 2012 9:32

  i made mistake i mean smoldering not shouldering

  have a nice moment!
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  alhagag January 31, 2012 8:22

  Hi,Tanya! How is your day today? I have a question about vocabularies firstly when we talk about USA some body talks about state of Washington some body talks about city of Washington in Canada others talk about specific province I would like to know the difference between state, city and province …etc Secondly could you clear me up these vocabularies (shouldering giant, austere, fumaroles, thrilling, intrigue)? considerably all of these vocabularies are about documentary of animals to give  me the right meaning.

  Have a good time!                                                                                                                      

  
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  Tanya January 28, 2012 12:25

  Hi, Lucky! Welcome to my group! In the group itself we practice in written English. However, there is a group named "Skypers" in EC. You can easily find it if you click "Groups" on the menu. Besides, you can find other people to talk to in the chatroom.
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  Tanya January 28, 2012 12:21

  Dear Sunlang! Welcome!
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  lucky January 15, 2012 0:50

  hi, i would like to learn more english ,practice more everyday i dohv skype , hope to find ppl can chat ro [practice my english , thx
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  Rajesh December 27, 2011 5:44

  To all
  

  "Happy New Year to all of you... God makes all of your legal dreams to come true in this year... keep smiling. :) "