VOA-B

balloon

[a device of strong, light material that rises when filled with gas lighter than air]

Many hot air balloons race in New Mexico each year.

 

ballot

[a piece of paper used for voting]

I was asked to count the ballots and announce the winner.

 

ban

[(1) to not permit; (2) to stop; (3) an official restriction]

Running is banned at our swimming pool. (1)

The curfew bans all night time travel. (2)

The protestors called for a ban on smoking in public buildings. (3)

 

barrier

[anything that blocks or makes an action difficult]

The voting rights law removes most racial barriers to voting.

 

beat

[to hit again and again]

The prison guards denied they beat the prisoner.

 

betray

[(1) to turn against; (2) to be false to]

The spy betrayed his country. (1)

The boy betrayed his mother's trust in him. (2)

 

bill

[a legislative proposal]

To become law, a bill must be approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the President.

 

biology

[the scientific study of life or living things in all their forms]

My school requires one year of study each of biology, physics and chemistry.

 

bite

[to cut with the teeth]

My dog sounds aggressive but he will not bite you.

 

blame

[(1) to accuse; (2) to hold responsible]

The police blamed him for the crime. (1)

Don't blame me for your bad decision. (2)

 

blanket

[a cloth cover used to keep warm]

The flood refugees needed food and warm blankets.

 

block

[(1) to stop something from being done; (2) to prevent movement]

He blocked any attempt to become friends. (1)

A truck accident blocked the road for an hour. (2)

 

blow

[to move with force, as in air]

The wind blows the autumn leaves.

 

boil

[to heat a liquid until it becomes very hot]

Boil one cup of water, add frozen vegetables and cook for five minutes.

 

bone

[the hard material in the body]

The girl broke a bone in her wrist when she fell.

 

boycott

[to refuse to take part in or deal with]

The farm workers union called for a boycott of vegetables picked by foreign workers.

 

brief

[(1) short; (2) not long]

Many people wish to speak, so please keep your comments brief. (1)

The car slowed down briefly, then speeded up. (2)

 

budget

[a spending plan]

Congress decided to add money to the education budget.

 

burst

[to break open suddenly]

The dam burst and sent a wall of water rushing down the valley.

 

bury

[to put into the ground and cover with earth]

Where do you think they buried the treasure?