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Unit 6: Towards advanced
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Session 4

Vocabulary: 9 uses of 'stand'

Lizzie's back with BBC Learning English's version of the classic story of Robin Hood - and nine different uses of the word 'stand'.

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Session 4 score

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    Activity 1
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    Activity 2
  1. Activity 1
  2. Activity 2

Activity 1

Robin Hood - 5 uses of 'stand'

Robin Hood and his band of 'merry men'
Improve your use of English vocabulary by watching our version of a classic tale: Robin Hood. We've used the word stand in nine different ways in this story. 

To do

The story is in two parts. As you watch the first part, listen out for five uses of the word stand - and decide whether this summary of the story is correct or wrong:

  • Robin Hood is a moral thief with good motives 

Watch the video and complete the activity

Show transcript Hide transcript

Lizzie
Hello, I'm Lizzie. Today's story is a famous legend about a so-called outlaw who likes to stand up for poor people. He lives deep in Sherwood Forest in England with his band of 'merry men'. Any ideas who this working-class hero might be? Yes, that's right, it's Robin Hood.

Robin has a habit of stealing from the rich to give to the poor but the Sheriff – who takes money from the poor to fund his lavish lifestyle – can't stand him. He thinks of him as a robber and wants to have him arrested – on his wedding day of all days – just as he is about to marry the beautiful Maid Marian.

A fight breaks out but the Sheriff's men don't stand a chance against the fit and strong Robin. He manages to escape and goes into hiding in the vast and dense Sherwood Forest. The hunt is then on find him.

Robin lives out in the forest and as time passes he meets various people such as Little John – who's not little at all. He's a good fighter and Robin invites him to join his group of men who together stand for equality and fairness for everyone. They plan to steal money from the rich to help those who need it more.

But, oh dear, Robin stands to lose his lovely Maid Marian...

What's going to happen next? You'll have to wait until next time to find out if Robin finally gets his girl!

To do

How was that? The summary was correct.

Now, have a go at our quiz to check you know the first five uses of stand.

The Robin Hood game

5 Questions

Let's check your understanding of the story - and the words and phrases with stand. Decide whether each statement about the story is true or false. Look at the vocabulary box if you need help.

Congratulations you completed the Quiz
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
x / y

Next

It's time to find out what happens next - and to learn some more uses of stand! See you on the next page.

Session Grammar

View full grammar reference

Session Vocabulary

  • stand up for (B2)
    give support to; defend

    can't stand (B1)
    strongly dislike

    don't stand a chance (C2)
    have little possibility of success

    stand for (C2)
    represents an idea or priniciple

    stands to lose (C2)
    be in a situation where you may lose an advantage

View full vocabulary reference

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