vegetarian (n)
/ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛriən/

someone who chooses not to eat meat or fish

see the light (phrase)
/si ðə laɪt/

to understand

play a major role (phrase)
/pleɪ ə ˈmeɪdʒər roʊl/

to have an effect on something

authority (n)
/əˈθɔrət̮i/

the power to give orders to people

as a rule (phrase)
/æz ə rul/

in most cases

preaching to the choir (idiom)
/pritʃɪŋ tu ðə ˈkwaɪər/

try to persuade someone who already agrees

go in one ear and out the other (idiom)
/ɡoʊ ɪn wʌn ɪr ən aʊt ðə ˈʌðər/

said about something which is heard and then quickly forgotten

interested in (adjphrase)
/ˈɪntrəstɪd ɪn/

showing curiosity or concern about something or someone

curious (adj)
/ˈkjʊriəs/

having a strong desire to know about something

literature (n)
/ˈlɪt̮ərətʃər/

pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays, and poems

to weigh the pros and cons (phrase)
/tu weɪ ðə proʊz ən kɑnz/

to compare the positive and negative factors

blood pressure (n)
/blʌd ˈprɛʃər/

the pressure of blood as it travels around the body

run in my family (idiom)
/rʌn ɪn maɪ ˈfæməli/

is common in my family

strike a chord (phrase)
/straɪk ə kɔrd/

connected emotionally; triggered a strong emotion