Topic Vocabulary: Thinking and Learning

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to thinking processes and educational learning contexts from the lecture transcript.

assess

To carefully consider a situation, person, or problem in order to make a judgment (Vietnamese: đanh gia).

dilemma (n)

A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives.

assume (v)

To believe that something is true, even though no one has told you or even though you have no proof (Vietnamese: cho rang).

baffle (v)

If a problem, someone's behaviour, etc. baffles you, you cannot understand it or solve it.

discriminate (v)

To treat a person or group differently from another in an unfair way.

dubious (adj)

Feeling doubt or not certain; not completely good, safe or honest.

estimate (v, n)

As a noun, an amount that you guess or calculate; as a verb, to guess or calculate an amount using available information.

ideology (n)

A set of beliefs or principles, especially one on which a political system, party, or organization is based.

ingenious (adj)

Very suitable for a particular purpose and using new and clever ideas.

inspiration (n)

A good idea about what you should do, write, say, etc.

intuition (n)

An ability to know or understand something through your feelings, rather than by considering facts or evidence.

biased (adj)

Preferring one person, thing, or idea to another in a way that is unfair.

concentrate (v)

To give all your attention to the thing you are doing.

faith (n)

Strong belief in or trust of someone or something.

justify (v)

To show that there is a good reason for something, especially something that other people think is wrong.

consider (v)

To think about something carefully before making a decision or developing an opinion.

gather (v)

To believe that something is true, although no one has directly told you about it.

naïve (adj)

Lacking experience of life and tending to trust other people and believe things too easily.

contemplate (v)

To consider doing something in the future; or to think very carefully about something for a long time.

genius (n)

Someone who is much more intelligent or skilful than other people of their age or type.

notion (n)

An idea or belief.

cynical (adj)

Believing that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest.

grasp (v)

To understand something.

deduce (v)

To know something as a result of considering the information or evidence that you have.

guesswork (n)

The process of trying to find the answer to something by guessing.

deliberate (v)

To think about or discuss something very carefully, especially before making an important decision.

hunch (n)

A feeling that something is true or will happen, although you do not know any definite facts.

optimistic (adj)

Hopeful about the future and tending to expect that good things will happen.

paradox (n)

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

pessimistic (adj)

Thinking that bad things are going to happen or that something will not be successful.

plausible (adj)

Likely to be true, honest, or believable.

ponder (v)

To think carefully about something for a long time before reaching a decision.

prejudiced (adj)

Having an unreasonable opinion or feeling about someone or something, especially an unfair dislike.

presume (v)

To think that something is true because it is likely, although you cannot be certain.

query (v, n)

A question that you ask because you want information or because you are not certain about something.

reckon (v)

To believe that something is true; to have a particular opinion about something.

reflect (v)

To think about something carefully and seriously.

sceptical/skeptical (adj)

Having doubts about something that other people think is true or right.

speculate (v)

To consider or discuss why something has happened.

suppose (v)

To believe that something is probably true, based on your experience, knowledge, and any other information.

intensive (adj)

Involving a lot of teaching or training in a short period of time.

knowledgeable (adj)

Knowing a lot about many different subjects or a particular subject.

lecture (v, n)

A talk to a group of people about a particular subject, especially at a college or university.

self-study (n)

Work that you do without help from a teacher.

seminar (n)

A class at a college or university in which a small group of students discusses a subject with a teacher.

special needs (n phr)

The particular needs of people who are physically or mentally disabled or have learning difficulties.

tuition (n)

The work of teaching people, especially in small groups or individually.

tutorial (n)

A lesson in which a small group of students discusses a subject with a tutor.

academic (n, adj)

Relating to education, especially at college or university level.

graduate (v, n)

Someone who has a degree from a university.

conscientious (adj)

Working hard and being careful to do things well.

ignorant (adj)

Not knowing something that you should know.

cram (v)

To study hard in a short period of time, especially before an exam.

inattentive (adj)

Not giving much attention to someone or something.

curriculum (n)

The subjects that students study at a particular school or college.

intellectual (n, adj)

Relating to the ability to think in an intelligent way and understand complex ideas.

distance learning (n phr)

A system of education in which people study at home and send their work to their teacher.

intelligent (adj)

Good at thinking clearly and quickly, and at understanding difficult ideas.

mock exam (n phr)

An examination you take for practice before an important examination.

plagiarise (v)

To take someone else's work, ideas, or words, and use them as if they were your own.