topic vocabulary unit 2 des c1c2

baffle

(v) /ˈbæf.əl/ - to completely confuse someone or make it impossible for them to understand something

biased

(adj) /ˈbaɪəst/ - unfairly preferring one person, idea, or group over another

contemplate

(v) /ˈkɒn.təm.pleɪt/ - to think deeply and seriously about something for a long time

cynical

(adj) /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/ - believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than honorable reasons

deliberate

(v) /dɪˈlɪb.ə.reɪt/ - to think about or discuss something very carefully, especially before making an important decision

discriminate

(v) /dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪt/ - to treat a person or particular group of people differently and unfairly

dubious

(adj) /ˈdjuː.bi.əs/ - thought not to be completely true, honest, or reliable; feeling doubt

estimate (n)

/ˈes.tɪ.mət/ - a rough guess or calculation of the cost, size, value, etc. of something

faith

(n) /feɪθ/ - strong belief or trust in someone or something

gather

(v) /ˈɡæð.ər/ - to believe that something is true because of information or evidence you have received

grasp

(v) /ɡrɑːsp/ - to completely understand something that is complicated or difficult

guesswork

(n) /ˈɡes.wɜːk/ - the process of making a guess when you do not know all the facts

hunch

(n) /hʌntʃ/ - an intuitive feeling or guess about something, not based on known facts

ideology

(n) /ˌaɪ.diˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ - a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory

ingenious

(adj) /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/ - very clever, original, and inventive (of a person, machine, or idea)

intuition

(n) /ˌɪn.tʃuːˈɪʃ.ən/ - the ability to understand or know something immediately based on feelings rather than conscious reasoning

justify

(v) /ˈdʒʌs.tɪ.faɪ/ - to show or prove that a decision, action, or idea is right or reasonable

naïve

(adj) /naɪˈiːv/ - lacking experience, wisdom, or judgment; excessively willing to believe that people are good

notion

(n) /ˈnəʊ.ʃən/ - a belief, concept, or vague idea about something

paradox

(n) /ˈpær.ə.dɒks/ - a statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible but is actually true

plausible

(adj) /ˈplɔː.zə.bəl/ - seeming reasonable, likely, or probable (of an argument or statement)

ponder

(v) /ˈpɒn.dər/ - to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time

prejudiced

(adj) /ˈpredʒ.ə.dɪst/ - having an unfair or unreasonable dislike of an individual or group

query (v)

/ˈkwɪə.ri/ - to ask a question, especially in order to express doubt or check validity

query (n)

/ˈkwɪə.ri/ - a question, especially one expressing doubt or requesting information

reckon

(v) /ˈrek.ən/ - to believe or think that something is true (informal but very common)

reflect

(v) /rɪˈflekt/ - to think carefully and deeply about something

sceptical / skeptical

(adj) /ˈskep.tɪ.kəl/ - having doubts about whether something is true, useful, or right

speculate

(v) /ˈspek.jə.leɪt/ - to guess possible answers to a question or about what will happen without having enough facts

academic (n)

/ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk/ - a person who teaches or does research at a college or university

conscientious

(adj) /ˌkɒn.ʃiˈen.ʃəs/ - putting a lot of effort and care into your work or duty

curriculum

(n) /kəˈrɪk.jə.ləm/ - the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college

distance learning

(n phr) /ˌdɪs.təns ˈlɜː.nɪŋ/ - a method of study where teachers and students do not meet in a classroom but communicate online

ignorant

(adj) /ˈɪɡ.nər.ənt/ - lacking knowledge or information about a particular subject or in general

inattentive

(adj) /ˌɪn.əˈten.tɪv/ - not giving attention to someone or something

intellectual (n)

/ˌɪn.təlˈek.tʃu.əl/ - a person possessing a highly developed intellect, often enjoying academic or cultural pursuits

intellectual (adj)

/ˌɪn.təlˈek.tʃu.əl/ - relating to the ability to think, reason, and understand things logically

intensive

(adj) /ɪnˈten.sɪv/ - involving a lot of effort or activity in a short period of time

knowledgeable

(adj) /ˈnɒl.ɪdʒ.ə.bəl/ - knowing a lot about many different things or about a particular subject

lecture (v)

/ˈlek.tʃər/ - to give a formal talk to a group of people, especially students at a university

mock exam

(n phr) /mɒk ɪɡˈzæm/ - an examination that you take for practice before a real and important exam

plagiarise

(v) /ˈpleɪ.dʒər.aɪz/ - to copy another person's ideas or words and pretend that they are your own

self-study

(n) /self ˈstʌd.i/ - the act of learning about a subject by yourself without the help of a teacher

seminar

(n) /ˈsem.ɪ.nɑːr/ - a class at a college or university in which a small group of students discusses a subject with a teacher

special needs

(n phr) /ˌspeʃ.əl ˈniːdz/ - the special educational requirements of students who have physical or learning difficulties

tuition

(n) /tʃuːˈɪʃ.ən/ - teaching or instruction, especially of individual pupils or small groups

tutorial

(n) /tʃuːˈtɔː.ri.əl/ - a period of study with a tutor involving an individual student or a very small group