pledge= undertake（undertake除了可以表示“从事”，还可以表示“保证、承诺”，都是vt）formally to give，vt，正式承诺给予…，后面直接跟承诺给予的东西
Joe pledged 50 million dollars to this charity but hasn’t fulfilled it yet.
be short on =be short of，缺乏
This village in the desert has always been short on fresh water.
a tried and tested method= if a method has been tried and tested, it is known to work or be effective because it has been successfully used long enough to be trusted.一个屡试不爽的方法
Dictation is a tried and tested method to improve English learner’s listening ability.
dump自己本身就有垃圾场的意思，可数= a site for depositing garbage，相当于dumpsite（landfill是“垃圾填埋地”的意思，可数）
Open dumps are the main source of methane pollution.
from the get-go= from the very beginning
Joe knew from the get-go that the relationship between him and his teammates wouldn’t go well as his teammates weren’t dedicated players.
plaque除了有“牌匾”的意思，还有“齿菌斑（牙垢）”的意思= a sticky deposit on teeth in which bacteria proliferate，不可数
Plaque and bacteria can damage our enamel though it’s stronger than bones.
facetious= treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor，乱开玩笑的
Joe was a facetious kid but now he is a very serious academic.
Underserved= not provided with enough resources or social services to meet the needs of a population or community.未受到很好服务的
Joe wants to create a foundation to help underserved communities in the mountains.
dignity= the state or quality of being worthy of honor and respect，值得尊重性
One who wants to earn respect and dignity from others needs to give them to others first.
courteous= polite，respectful, or considerate(体贴的，考虑他人的）in manner，礼貌的
Joe is courteous to everyone, even to his subordinates.
Foster home= a household in which care is provided to a child who has been orphaned or removed from the home of his or her natural parents.寄养家庭，可数
Mike moved from his foster home because he thought he had been abused.
Mind-blowing= overwhelmingly impressive,令人印象极深的
It’s mind-blowing for Joe to know that being courteous and respectful to others is a better way to earn respect than, say, earning more money or getting higher grades than others.
Prance= (of a person) walk or move around with ostentatious, exaggerated movements.（浮夸地）阔步行走，vi
Joe pranced around the tracks and waved to the audience after winning the gold medal.
