1. essay  ['eseɪ]  
n. 散文；短文；随笔
We asked Jason to write an essay about his hometown. 我们让杰森写一篇关于他家乡的短文。

2. article ['ɑːtɪk(ə)l]  
n. 文章；物品；条款；[语] 冠词
Could you give us some guidance in studying this article?  学习这篇文章，你给我们辅导辅导好不好?

3. matter  ['mætə] 
n. 物质；事件vi. 有关系；要紧
It was clear that she wanted to discuss some private matter. 很明显她想讨论一些私事。

4. as a matter of fact
事实上
As a matter of fact, many people have a disability. 事实上，许多人身体都有某种缺陷。

5. substance ['sʌbst(ə)ns]  
n. 物质；实质；资产；主旨
The substance that's causing the problem comes from the barley.  引起该问题的物质来自大麦。

6. stuff [stʌf]  
n. 东西；材料；填充物；素材资料v. 塞满；填塞；让吃饱
Today's children have been stuffed with pap from the television. 今天的孩子不怎么读书，他们脑袋里充满了从电视中看来的那些无聊的东西。

7. material [mə'tɪərɪəl] 
adj. 重要的；物质的，实质性的；肉体的 n. 材料，原料；物资；布料
Every room must have been stuffed with material things. 每个房间肯定已经堆满了东西。

8. fund [fʌnd] 
n. 基金；资金；存款 vt. 投资；资助
The airport is being privately funded by a construction group. 该机场正由一建筑集团私家资助。

9. fundamental [fʌndə'ment(ə)l]  
adj. 基本的，根本的 n. 基本原理；基本原则
But on this question, the two leaders have very fundamental differences. 但在这个问题上，这两位领导人有着极根本的分歧。

10. underfund [,ʌndə'fʌnd]  
vt. 对…提供的资金不足
Congress has underfunded the program. 国会对该计划未提供足够的资金。