English

In 1872, the first ship equipped for ocean exploration set out on a four-year trip around the world.

1. set out = to start a journey

    Example: After a three-day rest, the travellers set out again.

Because of this, bustling market towns take them further.

2. bustle (n.) a lot of noisy activity in a crowed place

    Example: the bustle of the big city

    (v.) to do something or go somewhere quickly, usually because you are very busy  +around/about

    Example: Maggie was bustling about doing the housework. 

    bustling (adj.) a bustling place is full of noise and activity and is usually pleasant and interesting

There were also terrible plagues that wiped out whole communities along the route.

3. plague (n.) any serious disease that spreads quickly to a lot of people and usually ends in death

    (n.) [ singular ] something that is very common and harmful

    Example: the plague of violence in America today

    (n.) an uncontrolled and usually harmful increase in the numbers of an animal or insect

    Example: a plague of rats

    (v.) [ usually passive ] to cause a lot of problems for someone or something for a long period of time

    Example: The east coast has been plagued by bizzards for most of this month.

    Example: Although plagued by failing eyesight, he continues to lecture.

    (v.) to annoy someone all the time by doing something or asking for something

    Example: telephone sales people who plague our lives

Often small Central Asian tribes would attack these caravans, hoping to capture the traders' valuable commodities.

4. commodity (n.) something that can be bought and sold, especially basic food products or fuel

    (n.) something that is useful or necessary

    Example: Time is our most valuable commodity.

A few weeks later, stylish new outfits are on sale in the streets of Europe, America and Asia at a fraction of the cost of the original designer clothes.

5. fraction (n.) a small part of amount of something +of

    Example: His shares are now worth a fraction of their former value.

    a fraction of a second

    Example: Joe glanced at her for a fraction of a second before answering.

    fractional (adj.), fractionally (adv.)