IELTS & University Entrance Vocabulary: 22 Essential Topics

These flashcards cover 22 thematic vocabulary areas including Social Issues, Science, Technology, Family, Education, and the Environment, specifically curated for English proficiency exams like IELTS.

Undermine the fabric of family life

To weaken or destroy the structure and foundation of family life.

Intergenerational conflict

Discord or disagreement occurring between members of different generations.

Domestic violence

Violence or physical abuse within a household or family setting.

Nurture the relationships

To care for and encourage the growth and development of personal connections.

Strained relationship

A relationship that is tense and under pressure, often due to conflict.

Vulnerable members of society

Groups or individuals who are easily hurt or at higher risk of harm within a community.

Sense of belonging

A feeling of being accepted and part of a group or family.

Sibling rivalry

Competition or animosity between brothers and sisters.

Generational barrier

A gap or misunderstanding between people of different age groups.

Chronic health issues

Long-lasting physical health conditions that may persist for years.

Sedentary lifestyle

A lifestyle characterized by a lack of physical activity and excessive sitting.

Emotional exhaustion

A state of feeling emotionally worn out and drained as a result of accumulated stress.

In the pink of health

A phrase meaning to be in excellent physical condition and extremely healthy.

Metabolism

The chemical processes by which the body breaks down food to produce energy.

Pedagogical reforms

Changes and improvements made to the methods and philosophy of teaching.

Critical thinking

The ability to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments.

Digital divide

The gap in access to modern information and communication technology between different groups.

Flipped classrooms

An educational model where students learn content at home and practice activities in class.

Standardized tests

Tests that are administered and scored in a consistent manner to compare student performance.

Vocational training

Education focused on providing students with the skills required for a specific job or trade.

Cyberbullying

The use of electronic communication to bully, threaten, or intimidate a person.

Cancel culture

A social phenomenon of boycotting or publicly shaming individuals for offensive behavior.

Social mobility

The movement of individuals or families between different social or economic levels.

Human trafficking

The illegal trade of people, typically for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.

Cultural immersion

The process of deeply engaging with a different culture to understand its values and lifestyle.

Culture shock

The feeling of disorientation experienced by someone suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture.

Ecological footprint

A measurement of the human impact on the environment based on the resources consumed.

Net-zero emissions

Achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases produced and those removed from the atmosphere.

Greenwashing

The practice of making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or company.

Biodiversity

The variety of all living things and their interactions on Earth or within a specific ecosystem.

Endangered species

Species that are at a high risk of extinction in the near future.

Poaching

The illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals.

Generative AI

Artificial Intelligence capable of creating new content such as text, images, or audio.

Algorithm

A set of rules or calculations used by computers to solve problems or perform tasks.

Deepfake

The use of AI technology to create highly realistic but false video or audio of a person.

Internet of Things (IoT)

A network of physical objects embedded with sensors and software to connect and exchange data.

Urban sprawl

The rapid and often poorly planned expansion of cities into surrounding rural areas.

Gentrification

The process of renovating and improving a neighborhood so it conforms to middle-class taste.

Hustle and bustle

An idiom describing the busy, noisy, and fast-paced activity of a city.

Megacity

A city with a total population of over $10 ext{ million}$ people.

Instant gratification

The desire to experience fulfillment or satisfaction without any delay.

Echo chamber

An environment where a person only encounters information that confirms their existing beliefs.

Gig economy

A labor market characterized by short-term contracts and freelance work rather than permanent jobs.

Work-life balance

The prioritization between one's professional career and their personal lifestyle.

Humanitarian crisis

An event that threatens the health, safety, or well-being of a large group of people.

Solidarity

Unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest.

Perseverance

Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Rags-to-riches

An idiom describing a situation where a person rises from extreme poverty to great wealth.

Self-reliance

Reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others.

Financial independence

The state of having enough income or wealth to cover one’s living expenses without employment.

Intangible cultural heritage

Non-physical traditions, knowledge, and skills transmitted through generations.

Social glue

A metaphor for the bonds that hold a society or group together, such as shared traditions or sports.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

A prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true due to positive feedback.

Gross domestic product (GDP)

The total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.

Market liberalisation

The removal of government control over economic activities to allow for free market competition.

Utility bills

Regular payments for essential services like electricity, water, and gas.

Epistemological crisis

A crisis related to the nature of knowledge and the inability to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Glucose

A simple sugar that serves as an important energy source in living organisms.

Infrastructure projects

Large-scale public works projects such as roads, bridges, and power plants.

Electric vehicles (EVs)

Vehicles that use one or more electric motors for propulsion instead of internal combustion engines.

Congestion charging

Fees paid by drivers to use roads in heavily traffic-congested city centers.

Sustainable tomorrow

A concept focused on creating a future that maintains social, economic, and environmental balance.

2018 General Education Program

The official curriculum framework implemented in Vietnam starting in $2018$.

International Space Station

A modular space station (ISS) in low Earth orbit used for international research.

STEM fields

Areas of study related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Light pollution

Excessive or inappropriate use of artificial light that interferes with ecosystems and stargazing.

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Renewable energy sources

Energy sources that are not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.

Circular economy

An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.