English

One Sunday, after Mr. Coolidge had listened to an interminable sermon, a throng of newsmen gathered around him.

1. sermon (n.) a speech made by a priest or religious leader, especially as part of a religious ceremony

    Example: Reverend Timms preached a powerful sermon on forgiveness.

    (n.) [ informal ] a talk in which someone tells you how to behave in a morally correct way, although you do not want to hear it

    sermonize (v.)

2. throng (n.) [ mainly literary ] a large crowd of people

    (v.) if people throng somewhere, a lot of them go there

An intrepid reporter accosted the Chief Executive: “Mr. President, we know that the sermon was on the topic of sin. What did the minister say?” “He was against it,” the reticent Coolidge replied.

3. accost (v.) [ formal ] to stop someone and speak to them, especially in a way that could annoy them or make them feel embarrassed

    Example: Wherever he goes he is accosted by young people asking for his autograph.

4. executive [ɪg`zɛkjʊtɪv] (n.) a senior manager in a business or other organization

    Example: a meeting with some of the comepany's top executives

    (n.) [ usually singular ] a group of people who are responsible for making important decisions in a political party, trade union etc

    Example: This matter will be decided by the party's national executive.

    (adj.) [ only before noun ] having the power to make important decisions in an organization or government

    Example: He is a member of the executive committee.

   (adj.) used about the power that executives have

    Example: The secretary has no executive authority.

    (adj.) intended for the most senior people in an organization

    Example: the executive washroom

    (adj.) designed for rich or important people

5. minister (n.) an official in charge of government department in the UK and other countries

    + of/for

    Example: the Minister for Education 

    ministerial (adj.) relating to the job of being a government minister

6. reticent (adj.) not willing to provide information about something, especially about yourself or your feelings

    Example: She remembered how reticent her father had been about his past.

    reticence (n.)