The Words Between the Lines
Advanced emotion vocabulary — B2 → C1
😤 When Something Gets Under Your Skin
Mildly annoyed — not furious, just bothered. The kind of irritation that lingers.
“I was a bit irked that nobody thought to tell me the meeting was cancelled.”
Made to feel dislike or reluctance — when something loses its appeal because of a negative impression.
“I was really interested in the course, but the instructor’s attitude completely put me off.”
Shaken and uneasy — when something knocks your confidence or composure.
“The interview went fine, but that one question about my gap year really rattled me.”
Tense and unable to relax — like a spring that’s been coiled too tight.
“By the end of the flight I was so wound up I couldn’t sleep for hours.”
😌 The Good Stuff
A weight lifted — the specific feeling when something you worried about turns out fine.
“When I saw the results, I can’t tell you how relieved I was.”
Pleased and a bit proud — that warm, satisfied feeling when something goes your way.
“She was absolutely chuffed when her presentation got a standing ovation.”
Appreciative and thankful — not just saying “thanks”, but genuinely feeling it.
“I’m really grateful you stayed — it made a huge difference.”
Energized and motivated — when something excites you so much you want to act on it right now.
“After that conversation, I was fired up — I wanted to start immediately.”
🎭 When It’s Complicated
Torn between two feelings or choices — when you can’t decide because both sides feel valid.
“I feel conflicted about taking the promotion — it’s great for my career, but I’d have to move.”
Happy and sad at the same time — when something good also comes with loss or ending.
“Graduation was bittersweet — I was proud, but I knew I’d miss everyone.”
A quiet, sad longing — when you think about something that could have been.
“She gave a wistful smile when she talked about the city she used to live in.”
Worried that something bad might happen — more specific and thoughtful than just “nervous”.
“I’m apprehensive about the merger — it could go either way.”
🧊 Keeping It Together
Enduring pain or difficulty without showing emotion — not because you don’t feel, but because you choose not to show it.
“He was remarkably stoic about the whole thing — never once complained.”
Relaxed and comfortable — no tension, no guard up, just naturally calm.
“It took a while, but I finally felt at ease in the new team.”
Not bothered or disturbed by something — when something surprising happens and you just carry on.
“She seemed completely unfazed by the criticism — just took it in stride.”
To stop being defensive and allow yourself to be open and vulnerable.
“It takes time to let your guard down with new people.”
B2 → C1 · The Words Between the Lines
🧩 Match the Feeling
Click an expression, then click its meaning
Tap a word on the left, then tap the matching definition on the right. Hit ▶ to hear how native speakers say it in movies. Mistakes are fine — that’s how it sticks!
Expressions
Definitions
✏️ Fill in the Blank
Pick a word from the bank, then click the blank to place it
Click a word in the bank below, then click a blank in a sentence to drop it in. Click a filled blank to send the word back. Multi-word answers (like put off) fill both gaps at once.
Word Bank
B2 → C1 · The Words Between the Lines
Let’s Talk About It
Conversation prompts — no right answers
🎬 Screen Time
Warm-up
Think of a TV character who always stays stoic no matter what happens. Who comes to mind? Do you admire that, or does it look like they’re hiding something?
Deeper
On reality and competition shows, contestants are often rattled or wound up under pressure. Which moments made you cringe because you related? Which made you laugh because you wouldn’t have handled it better?
🤔 The Big Decisions
Warm-up
Have you ever felt conflicted about a big decision? What made it hard — the pros on both sides, or the fear of making the wrong call?
Deeper
People often say “trust your gut.” But what happens when your gut and your brain give you different answers? Have you ever been apprehensive about something that turned out fine?
👥 People & First Impressions
Warm-up
What kind of behaviour puts you off instantly? And what makes you feel at ease with someone you’ve just met?
Deeper
How long does it usually take you to let your guard down with new people? Is it a conscious decision, or does it just happen?
Follow-up
Can you think of someone who seems unfazed by everything? Is that calming to be around, or does it feel like a wall?
🌟 The Good Moments
Warm-up
What’s the last thing that made you feel chuffed? Not huge — just a small win that felt surprisingly good?
Deeper
Describe a bittersweet moment from your life. What made it both good and hard at the same time?
Follow-up
When someone does something kind and you feel grateful, do you find it easy to express that, or do you tend to keep it in?
💡 For the teacher: Prompts are designed so target vocab comes up naturally. If the student doesn’t use the word, you use it — then ask a follow-up with it. “So you felt put off by that? What was it exactly?” They’ll absorb it without feeling corrected. The matching game and gapfill are homework-friendly — playful enough to actually get done.
B2 → C1 · The Words Between the Lines