Destination C1-C2 | Unit 2: Thinking & Learning Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, phrasal verbs, collocations, and idioms from Destination C1-C2 Unit 2: Thinking & Learning.

assess (v)

To make a judgment about someone or something (evaluate, appraise), or to calculate an amount or value (estimate, measure).

assume (v)

To accept something to be true without question or proof (presume); to take or begin to have responsibility or control; or to begin to have a particular quality.

baffle (v)

To confuse someone completely (bewilder, perplex, confound).

biased (adj)

Showing an unreasonable like or dislike for something based on personal opinions (prejudiced, partial).

concentrate (v)

To focus all your attention on something; to bring or gather things together in one place; or to increase the strength of a substance (condense).

consider (v)

To think carefully about something before making a decision (contemplate, ponder); or to regard someone or something in a particular way.

contemplate (v)

To think deeply about something for a long time (ponder, reflect); or to look at something thoughtfully for an extended period.

cynical (adj)

Distrustful of human sincerity or integrity; or doubtful as to whether something will happen or is worthwhile.

deduce (v)

To reach a conclusion about something by reasoning from known facts (infer, conclude).

deliberate (v)

To consider something very carefully before reaching a decision (ponder).

dilemma (n)

A difficult choice between two options (quandary, predicament).

discriminate (v)

To recognize a difference between things (differentiate, distinguish); or to treat someone unfairly based on differences such as age, race, or religion.

dubious (adj)

Doubtful or uncertain; or unreliable and suspicious (questionable).

gather (v)

To collect or assemble things together; or to understand, infer, or believe something based on available evidence.

grasp (v)

To take hold of something firmly (clutch, grip); or to understand something fully (comprehend).

guesswork (n)

The process of making guesses without definite knowledge (speculation, conjecture).

hunch (n)

A feeling or guess based on intuition rather than known facts (premonition).

ideology (n)

A system or set of beliefs, doctrines, or philosophies forming the basis of a political or social theory.

ingenious (adj)

Clever, original, and inventive (resourceful).

intuition (n)

The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning (instinct, gut feeling).

justify (v)

To show or prove that an action or decision is right or reasonable (defend, rationalize).

naive (adj)

Lacking experience, wisdom, or judgment; innocent and simple (gullible).

notion (n)

A conception of, idea about, or belief regarding something.

paradox (n)

A person, thing, or situation that has two opposite features and therefore seems contradictory or strange.

plausible (adj)

Seeming reasonable, probable, or likely to be true (credible, believable).

ponder (v)

To think carefully and deeply about something (contemplate, reflect).

speculate (v)

To form a theory or conjecture without firm evidence; or to invest in stocks, property, or goods hoping to make a profit.

academic (adj)

Relating to education and scholarship; or theoretical and not of practical relevance.

conscientious (adj)

Taking care to do tasks thoroughly, carefully, and correctly (diligent, meticulous).

cram (v)

To force a lot of things into a small space; or to study intensively and hastily right before an examination (swot).

curriculum (n)

The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college (syllabus).

distance learning (n phr)

A way of studying in which lectures are broadcast or lessons are conducted without the student needing to be physically present at the institution.

ignorant (adj)

Lacking knowledge or education (uninformed); or discourteous and rude.

inattentive (adj)

Not paying attention to something or someone; easily distracted (heedless).

intellectual (n)

A person possessing a highly developed intellect and devoted to thought and scholarship (thinker, scholar).

intensive (adj)

Complete, extremely thorough, and detailed; done with concentrated care and effort.

plagiarise (v)

To take the work or idea of someone else and pass it off as one's own without attribution.

special needs (n phr)

The particular educational, mental, or physical requirements of people with disabilities.

tutorial (n)

A period of instruction given by a tutor to an individual or small group; or an instructional guide demonstrating how to complete a task.

brush up (on) (phr v)

To practice and improve your knowledge or skill in something, especially when you have not used it for a period of time.

come (a)round (to) (phr v)

To change your mood or opinion and agree with a point of view; to regain consciousness; or to visit briefly.

hit upon (phr v)

To discover or think of something, especially by chance or unexpectedly.

make out (phr v)

To manage to see, hear, or understand something or someone with difficulty (discern); or to write out and complete a document.

mull over (phr v)

To think carefully about something over a long period of time (contemplate, ponder).

piece together (phr v)

To understand a story or situation by combining all the separate parts of information available.

puzzle out (phr v)

To find the answer to a complicated or confusing problem through careful thinking (figure out, solve).

swot up (on) (phr v)

To study a particular subject very intensively, especially before an exam (cram).

take in (phr v)

To understand and absorb information; or to deceive or trick someone.

think through (phr v)

To consider all the facts and potential consequences of a situation in an organized and thorough way.

think up (phr v)

To invent or imagine something, especially a story, plan, or excuse (devise).

strike a balance (collocation)

To give appropriate, equal attention and weight to two or more opposing elements or demands (compromise).

foregone conclusion (collocation)

A result that is obvious and certain to everyone even before it happens.

under the misapprehension that (collocation)

Holding a mistaken belief or misunderstanding that something is true.

go to your head (idiom)

To make you feel overly proud, vain, or excessively self-important.

have your wits about you (idiom)

To remain completely alert, observant, and capable of quick thinking in a challenging situation.

in the dark (about) (idiom)

To be completely uninformed or unaware about a situation or plan.

not have a leg to stand on (idiom)

To have no proof, facts, or sound basis to support your claim or argument.

not see the wood for the trees (idiom)

To be so overwhelmed by or focused on minor details that you miss the general picture.

put two and two together (idiom)

To deduce or guess the truth based on the available facts and clues.

quick on the uptake (idiom)

Fast to grasp, comprehend, and learn new ideas or concepts.

ring a bell (idiom)

To sound vaguely familiar, though unable to be precisely recalled.

split hairs (idiom)

To argue over petty, trivial, or insignificant differences and details.

take stock (of) (idiom)

To pause and examine or evaluate a situation critically before making further decisions.