Track meaning in English
Learn how to use Track correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to track (something, someone): to chase, to pursue, to follow (something, someone)
We need your confirmation number, so that we can track your order.
the tracks (of someone, of something): the path, the footprints (of someone, of something, especially of animals)
The police followed the robber's tracks all the way to the bank.
to be on the right track to be going in the right direction
Sorry I'm late, I lost track of time. Sorry that I'm late, I didn't pay attention to the time.
to keep track of someone, something to keep an eye on someone, something
a track (on a record, tape, CD): a song, a musical number (on a record, cassette, or compact disc)
Examples
- "Only original tracks will be considered."
- "To track the instrument you have ordered, press 2."
- "Our mission is to track a wild dolphin and determine if communication is possible outside the aquarium. Admiral Jones, take us down!"
- "If the anti-piracy legislation is passed, government agencies will be tracking IP addresses, monitoring our downloads, maybe even reading our emails!"
- "He's in the Galapagos islands, tracking the oldest living giant tortoise."
- "It features payroll management, and shipping tracking functionality."
- "The hot air balloon was being tracked by satellite and radio until 7:32, at which time it disappeared from the radar, and the radio signal was replaced by static."
- "I'd like to track its shipping status, if that's possible."
- "I was hoping you could help me track a shipment which I was supposed to have received from your company last week."
- "This program offers us the possibility to track the shipment of our products from our manufacturers to our various warehouses."
- "Rupert : We use specially-trained dogs that track the scent of the fox with their noses."
Exercise 1
Bruno wants Horatio to Giuseppe.
Bruno wants Horatio to track Giuseppe.
track: This is the correct choice. To "track (an animal or a person)" means to follow them, usually using clues (smell, footprints etc.) For example: the sheriff tracked the outlaws all the way to the Mexican border. To "track" shares a similar meaning with "hunt" as it is used in this dialogue. Bruno wants Horatio to "track" Giuseppe when he says, "Go now Horatio. Find Giuseppe, and hunt well, my friend".
kill: Bruno does not want Horatio to "kill" Giuseppe. The term "to hunt" means to follow for the purpose of killing or capturing an animal. The term can be used for "tracking" or "chasing" animals, but it does not necessarily mean that they will be "killed".
research: This is not the best choice. Bruno does not want Horatio to "research" Giuseppe. The term "research" means to collect information about a person or subject. For example: I went to the library to do some research on Napoleon. This term does not express the same meaning as "hunt" or "track".
adopt: This is not the best choice. Bruno never suggests that Horatio "adopt" Giuseppe. Horatio does say, "I know this monkey like he is my son" but this does not indicate that Bruno wants Horatio to legally make Giuseppe his son.
Exercise 2
Harold Warbuckle mentions a trail in the dialogue.
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
Harold Warbuckle mentions a trail in the dialogue.
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
This is an incorrect choice. A "river" is a flowing or running body of water. The term is totally unrelated to a "trail" which is a natural path of land. Examples of famous rivers are the Mississippi, the Thames, the Nile and the Danube.
This is an incorrect choice. A "gate" is a movable barrier or doorway which allows access through a fence or wall. Example: Don't leave the gate open in case the sheep get out. A "gate" is a man-made barrier, totally unrelated to a "trail" which is a type of path or track.
This is a correct answer. The terms "track" and "trail" are synonymous in this context. Both terms describe a narrow (or thin) "path" or "route" through a field or through natural land. Tracks and trails are generally formed by people or animals repeatedly walking exactly the same route. Note that tracks and trails don't appear in metropolitan or urban areas, but can be found in parks, forests and mountains, etc.
This is an incorrect choice. A "street" generally refers to a paved road (often made of concrete), which is much bigger than a "trail". Streets are generally present in metropolitan areas, unlike "trails". Streets also feature "sidewalks", which are concrete walkways for pedestrians. Major streets often have houses, buildings and shops on them.
This is a correct answer. The terms "path" and "trail" are synonymous in this context. Both terms describe a narrow (or thin) "track" through a field or through natural land. Paths and trails are generally formed by people or animals repeatedly walking exactly the same route. Note that paths and trails don't appear in metropolitan or urban areas, but can be found in parks, forests and mountains, etc.
Exercise 3
Which button should the following callers press to find out the information they need?
a) I want to know where my order is! I should press .
b) I need to find out if the Musical Store in my town is open on Mondays. I should press .
c) I'm calling to apply for a job at Musical Store. I should press .
a) I want to know where my order is! I should press .
b) I need to find out if the Musical Store in my town is open on Mondays. I should press .
c) I'm calling to apply for a job at Musical Store. I should press .
Which button should the following callers press to find out the information they need?
a) I want to know where my order is! I should press 2 1.
b) I need to find out if the Musical Store in my town is open on Mondays. I should press 1 2.
c) I'm calling to apply for a job at Musical Store. I should press 3 3.
a) I want to know where my order is! I should press 2 1.
b) I need to find out if the Musical Store in my town is open on Mondays. I should press 1 2.
c) I'm calling to apply for a job at Musical Store. I should press 3 3.
1 2: This is the right choice here: the caller should press "2". The message tells us, "to track the instrument you have ordered, press 2". To "track" means "to find", "to follow" or "to locate" in this context, so "to track an order" is to learn where that order is (in the warehouse, in transit, delivered, etc.).
1 1: This is not the best choice here. If you press "1", you will receive "information on Musical Store locations and opening hours". This means that you will learn where the shops are, and what time you can visit them.
1 3: Button 3 should be used "for all other requests, or to talk to an operator". This is not the best choice here, since there is a specific button which would better answer the caller's question here: button 2!
2 1: 1 is the right button to press here. We are told that "information on Musical Store locations and opening hours" can be accessed by pressing 1. "Opening hours" are the times that a store or shop is open to the public, so this is the appropriate choice here!
2 2: This isn't the best choice here. This caller does not want to "track their order", or find out where their purchase is.
2 3: Button 3 should be used "for all other requests, or to talk to an operator". This is not the best choice here, since there is a specific button which would better answer the caller's question here: button 1!
3 3: This is the best choice here. This caller wants to make a request which has not been mentioned by the customer support robot, so they should press 3. We hear that "for all other requests, or to talk to an operator", 3 is the magic number! "All other requests" are questions which have not specifically been mentioned previously. An "operator" in this context is an employee who deals with telephone calls.
3 1: This is not the best choice here. If you press "1", you will receive "information on Musical Store locations and opening hours". This means that you will learn where the shops are, and what time you can visit them.
3 2: This isn't the best choice here. This caller does not want to "track their order", or find out where their purchase is.
Exercise 4
Harold Warbuckle mentions a trail in the dialogue.
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
Harold Warbuckle mentions a trail in the dialogue.
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
Select all the words from the list below which are synonymous with "a trail".
This is an incorrect choice. A "river" is a flowing or running body of water. The term is totally unrelated to a "trail" which is a natural path of land. Examples of famous rivers are the Mississippi, the Thames, the Nile and the Danube.
This is an incorrect choice. A "gate" is a movable barrier or doorway which allows access through a fence or wall. Example: Don't leave the gate open in case the sheep get out. A "gate" is a man-made barrier, totally unrelated to a "trail" which is a type of path or track.
This is a correct answer. The terms "track" and "trail" are synonymous in this context. Both terms describe a narrow (or thin) "path" or "route" through a field or through natural land. Tracks and trails are generally formed by people or animals repeatedly walking exactly the same route. Note that tracks and trails don't appear in metropolitan or urban areas, but can be found in parks, forests and mountains, etc.
This is an incorrect choice. A "street" generally refers to a paved road (often made of concrete), which is much bigger than a "trail". Streets are generally present in metropolitan areas, unlike "trails". Streets also feature "sidewalks", which are concrete walkways for pedestrians. Major streets often have houses, buildings and shops on them.
This is a correct answer. The terms "path" and "trail" are synonymous in this context. Both terms describe a narrow (or thin) "track" through a field or through natural land. Paths and trails are generally formed by people or animals repeatedly walking exactly the same route. Note that paths and trails don't appear in metropolitan or urban areas, but can be found in parks, forests and mountains, etc.
Exercise 5
Select the TRUE statements from the list below based on the transcript of the chat.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
Select the TRUE statements from the list below based on the transcript of the chat.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
This statement is false. Bob writes that that he spoke to a representative "last week", and that he expected a shipment within "48 hours", or two days.
This statement is true. Bob writes: "I was hoping you could help me track a shipment". To "track" a shipment, is to "find", "locate" or check the status of the shipment. This is the reason that Bob is chatting with the technical support person.
This is incorrect. There's no indication of this at all! Really!
This statement is true. Bob is unable, or "can't" provide any of the numbers that Stephen asks him for. These include his "case number", his "shipping retrieval number", "product specification number", etc.
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