A good way of improving vocabulary is reading authentic texts in different fields. WWW.CNN.COM is a website in which you can find news in different fields. I have set an assignment for my students: they visit this website and download some articles in different fields. Firstly they read each article one or two times to get the general idea of the article without looking up the new words in the dictionary. Secondly they look up the new words and expressions from monolingual dictionaries. From now on, I am going to post a topic under the name of CNN vocabulary. Here is the first one which is an article from the sport section of the website. The new words are bold. You can find their definition at the end of the article:

(CNN) -- Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned FIFA's world player of the year in Zurich on Monday as Manchester United's star winger completed a stunning trophy collection.

Portugal international Ronaldo helped United win the Premier League, Champions League and world club championship titles in 2008.

Ronaldo also collected the European Player of the Year accolade and was voted number one by FIFPro, the worldwide players' union.

Now Ronaldo has seen off 2007 winner Kaka, of AC Milan, Spain Euro 2008 top scorer Fernando Torres of Liverpool and Barcelona stars Xavi and Lionel Messi.

"It's another overwhelming moment in my career," said 23-year-old Ronaldo who received the award from Brazilian legend Pele. "It's a tremendously emotional moment and a dream comes true. I'd like to dedicate this to my family."

Ronaldo also paid tribute to club manager Alex Ferguson who fought a very public battle with Real Madrid last summer when the Primera Liga giants attempted to lure the player to Spain.

"It's also true that the manager always has an important role to play. It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot for him," he said.

"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance -- it's a privilege to have such a great club manager.

"This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I'm happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won.

"I am lucky to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."

Stunning: extremely impressive or attractive.            

 Trophy: a cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or success.

Champion:  a person who has surpassed all rivals in a sporting contest or other competition.

Accolade: (formal) praise or an award for an achievement that people admire.

See off: to defeat someone in a game, fight, etc      

Example: The home team saw off the challengers by 68 points to 47.

Scorer: the number of points, goals, runs

Overwhelming: very great or very strong; so powerful that you cannot resist it or decide how to react     Example: an overwhelming sense of loss / relief     Example: She had the almost overwhelming desire to tell him the truth.

Tremendous: very great in amount.

Tribute: an act, a statement or a gift that is intended to show your respect or admiration, especially for a dead person:

Example:  At her funeral her oldest friend paid tribute to her life and work.  Example: The crowd stood in silent tribute to those who had died in the war. Example: This book is a fitting tribute to the bravery of the pioneers.

Privilege: a special right or advantage that a particular person or group of people has         Example: You can enjoy all the benefits and privileges of club membership

Paramount: more important than anything else:   Example: This matter is of paramount importance.    Example: Safety is paramount.

Climax: important point

Lure: to persuade or trick sb to go somewhere or to do sth by promising them a reward        Example: The child was lured into the car but managed to escape.        Example: young people are lured to the city by the prospect of a job and money.