Academic English: Will the Next Steve Jobs Be From China? Vocabulary Reference

Vocabulary, collocations, and phrases from the academic reading article 'Will the Next Steve Jobs Be From China?' for upper-secondary, IELTS, and SAT learners.

outdated

No longer useful or relevant because something newer or better now exists. —> lỗi thời, lạc hậu

domineering

Trying to control other people and not caring about their wishes or feelings.

conformity

Behaviour that follows the usual standards or rules accepted by a group.

undue

Greater than is reasonable, suitable or necessary.

reform

A change made to a system or institution in order to improve it.

curriculum

The subjects that are included in a course of study at a school or college.

literacy

The ability to read and write.

memorization

The act of learning something so that you can remember it exactly.

foster

To help the growth or development of something, especially a feeling or skill.

dictate

To decide or strongly influence how something will be done.

experiential

Based on or gained through direct experience rather than from books.

authoritarian

Demanding strict obedience and not allowing people freedom to decide things.

deviate

To be different from, or to do something different from, the usual or expected way.

cultivate

To develop an attitude, a skill or a quality over a period of time.

indoctrination

The act of teaching people to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them.

perpetuate

To make something, especially a bad situation, continue for a long time.

disproportionate

Too large or too small in comparison with something else.

thrive

To grow, develop or be successful, especially in good conditions.

prioritize

To treat something as more important than other things.

originality

The quality of being new, interesting and different from anything done before.

entrepreneurship

The activity of starting businesses and taking financial risks in the hope of profit.

collectivism

The belief that the group or society is more important than the individual.

utter

To say something or make a sound with the voice.

usher

To politely guide someone to a place; (usher in) to mark the start of something.

tote

To carry something, especially something heavy.

elective

A subject or course a student may choose to take but is not required to.

Frisbee

A light plastic disc that players throw and catch as a game.

impart

To pass on knowledge, skills or information to others.

authoritarianism

The belief in, or practice of, demanding strict obedience to authority.

clout

Power or influence that affects decisions or events.

hopscotch

To move quickly from one place or thing to another, skipping over steps in between.

standardized testing

A system of testing in which all students take the same questions and are marked the same way.

academic pressure

Stress caused by the demands of studying and doing well in exams.

rote learning

Learning by repeating information until you remember it, rather than understanding it.

foster independent thinking

To encourage people to think and judge for themselves.

critical-thinking skills

The ability to analyse information objectively and form a reasoned judgement.

problem-solving

The process of finding solutions to difficult situations.

long-term memory

The part of the memory that stores information for a long period of time.

deeply rooted

Firmly established over a long time and therefore difficult to change.

significant obstacles

Important difficulties that prevent progress or success.

be confined to

To be limited to a particular place, group or situation.

financial means

The money or resources needed to do or buy something.

entrance exam

An examination that you must pass to be accepted by a school or university.

admissions process

The procedure by which students are selected and accepted onto a course.

abrupt reversal

A sudden and complete change to the opposite position or policy.

perpetuate inequality

To cause an unfair situation to continue over time.

global leader

A country or company that is the most advanced or successful in a field worldwide.

external rewards

Benefits that come from outside — prizes, grades or money — rather than from personal satisfaction.

be intent on

Determined to do or achieve something.

let out school early

To allow students to finish the school day before the usual time.

whittle down

To gradually reduce something in size, number or amount.

ill effects

Harmful or negative results of something.

political indoctrination

The act of teaching people to accept particular political beliefs without questioning them.

rote-learning fanatics

The author's vivid label for people obsessed with learning by memorization rather than understanding.