peculiar

The fish has a peculiar taste.

You really think it is all right?

penalty

A football player must be given a yellow card or a red card penalty

for his unnecessary roughness during the match.

pension

In the days of inflation

people on retirement pension find it difficult to live.

perfect

This wonderful scenery of Venice is perfect for daydreaming.

personality

She has a very strong personality.

pessimistic

The earth won't stop

because of your pessimistic thoughts.

So, cheer up!

phenomenon

This phenomenon has social and historical causes,

but is mainly due to the lingering effect of the Cultural Revolution.

piracy

Piracy is still alive on the world's commercial sea-lanes.

pledge

“My dear,

please take his ring as a pledge of our true love.”

plug

Pull the plug before you try to fix the vacuum.

precious

It costs a precious sight more than you think.

preliminary

All this is preliminary to the main election struggle.

presentation

The presentation of prizes will begin in the town hall at nine o'clock.

preservation

The paintings were in an excellent state of preservation.

preserve

Efforts to preserve the peace have failed.

press

The majority of the press supports the Government's foreign policy.

prevail

Virtue will prevail against evil.

primitive

Primitive men made tools from sharp stones and animal bones.

procession

A procession of visitors came to the house.

prominent

She has a prominent cheekbone.

prompt

We listened so attentively that

he felt prompted to expand on his theme.

provision

The present law makes no provision for this.

push

If push comes to shove,

we'll fight it in court.

quake

The house quaked as the bomb exploded.

quality

The electric locomotive is not dependent,

like its steam counterpart,

on the competence of driving

and firing or the quality of the fuel burned.

rack

He rinsed the plates carefully

and put them on the rack to drain.

raw

His literary style is still rather raw.

readily

Wherever he goes,

he readily accommodates to changed conditions.

realization/-isation

Becoming a famous writer was the realization of all her dreams.

receipt

The case was in good order

when they loaded on board the ship

and in support of this we hold the carrier's receipt.

receive

Our hostess received us at the door.

reception

The Chinese government gave a warm reception

to President Nixon's visit in 1972.

recognition

The town has altered out of all recognition

since I was last here.