Vocab

Baffle (v)

To confuse or perplex someone, making it difficult for them to understand something.

deduce (v)

​To form an opinion about something based on the information or evidence that is available

dilemma (n)

A situation in which a choice must be made between two or more difficult options, often requiring a difficult decision.

grasp (v)

to understand something completely

hunch (n)

a feeling that something is true even though you do not have any evidence to prove it

guesswork (n)

​the process of trying to find an answer by guessing when you do not have enough information to be sure

ingenious (adj)

(of an object, a plan, an idea, etc.) very suitable for a particular purpose and resulting from clever new ideas

ingenious (adj)

​(of a person) having a lot of clever new ideas and good at inventing things

justify (v)

to give an explanation or excuse for something or for doing something; to show that somebody/something is right or reasonable

paradox (n)

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

ponder (v)

to think about something carefully for a period of time

query (n)

question asked to gather information

reckon (v)

to think something or have an opinion about something

speculate (v)

to form an opinion about something without knowing all the details or facts

gather (v)

to believe or understand that something is true because of information or evidence you have

conscientious (adj)

describes a person who is diligent, careful, and thorough in their work or duties

plagiarise (v)

to copy someone else's writing or ideas and present them as your own without proper acknowledgment.

mock exam (n phr)

a practice test that simulates the conditions of a real exam to help students prepare.

opportunist(ic) (adj)

making use of an opportunity, especially to get an advantage for yourself; not done in a planned way

chauvinist(ic) (adj)

showing an aggressive and unreasonable belief that your own country is better than all others

obliging (adj)

willing to help; accommodating

superficial (adj)

concerned only with what is apparent or obvious; shallow and lacking depth (often disapproving) not studying or looking at something carefully or completely; seeing only what is obvious

tactless (adj)

saying or doing things that are likely to annoy or to upset other people; insensitive

intuitive (adj)

​(of ideas; people) obtained by using your feelings rather than by considering the facts

shrewd - astute (adj)

clever at understanding and making judgements about a situation; especially how to get an advantage

sentimental (adj)

(often disapproving) producing emotions such as sympathy, romantic love, or being sad, which may be too strong or not appropriate; feeling these emotions too much

extravagant (adj)

lacking restraint in spending money or using resources; excessively elaborate or costly.

incline (v)

[intransitive, transitive] to tend to think or behave in a particular way; to make somebody do this

down-to-earth (adj)

​sensible and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly

altruistic (adj)

caring about the needs and happiness of other people and being willing to do things to help them, even if it brings no advantage to yourself; selfless

morose - sullen (adj)

​unhappy, in a bad mood and not talking very much; either on a particular occasion or because it is part of your character

sharp-tongued (adj)

speaking in a way that is often critical or harsh, expressing criticism or sarcasm.

materialist(ic) (adj)

(disapproving)caring more about money and possessions than anything else

cunning - sly (adj)

(disapproving) able to get what you want in a clever way, especially by tricking or cheating somebody

unstinting (adj)

showing no limits or restrictions; very generous in giving or providing; given or giving generously

resolute (adj)

strong and determined

dogged (adj)

having tenacity and persistence, showing determination in the face of obstacles.

thrifty - frugal (adj)

careful about spending money and not wasting things; ​using only as much money or food as is necessary

installation (n)

[countable] (art) a piece of modern sculpture that is made using sound, light, etc., as well as objects

unveil (v)

to reveal or make visible something that was previously hidden or unknown; to remove a cover or curtain from a painting, statue, etc. so that it can be seen in public for the first time

curator (n)

​a person whose job is to be in charge of the objects or works of art in a museum or an art gallery; responsible for managing collections, organizing exhibitions, and ensuring the preservation of artworks.

dematerialisation (n)

the process of reducing or eliminating the physical presence of objects or materials in favor of digital or virtual representations, often used in contemporary art.

pretentious (adj)

trying to appear important, intelligent, etc. to impress other people; trying to be something that you are not, to impress

loathe (v)

to dislike somebody/something very much

piece (n)

a single item of writing, art, music, etc. that somebody has produced or created; a short item of writing from a longer work

immoderate (adj)

extreme; not reasonable; excessive

obstinate - pig-headed (adj)

(often disapproving) refusing to change your opinions, way of behaving, etc. when other people try to persuade you to; showing this; stubborn

stingy - parsimonious (adj)

​not given or giving willingly; not generous, especially with money; mean (the latter one is more extreme)

idealistic (adj)

having a strong belief in perfect standards and trying to achieve them, even when this is not realistic

principled (adj)

​having strong beliefs about what is right and wrong; based on strong beliefs

dogmatic (adj)

being certain that your beliefs are right and that others should accept them, without paying attention to evidence or other opinions

sober (adj)

(of people and their behaviour) serious and sensible

witty (adj)

clever and humorous

pithy (adj)

(of a comment, piece of writing, etc.) short but expressed well and full of meaning

brusque - terse (adj)

using very few words and sounding rude; abrupt or offhand in speech or manner, often to the point of being rude and unfriendly.

unprincipled - unscrupulous (adj)

lacking moral principles; dishonest.

verbose (adj)

using or containing more words than are needed

garrulous (adj)

​talking a lot, especially about unimportant things

devious (adj)

behaving in a dishonest or indirect way, or tricking people, in order to get something; deceitful;

slender - slim (adj)

(approving) (of people or their bodies) thin in an attractive way

scrawny (adj)

(of people or animals) very thin in a way that is not attractive

gangling - gangly - lanky (adj)

(of a person) having long, thin arms and legs and not moving in an easy way

stout (adj)

​(of a person) rather fat

stocky (adj)

(of a person) short, with a strong, solid body

lean (adj)

(usually approving) (of people, especially men, or animals) without much fat; thin and fit

wiry (adj)

​(of a person) thin but strong

unkempt (adj)

(especially of somebody’s hair or general appearance) not well cared for; not neat or tidy

immaculate (adj)

​perfectly clean and tidy, with no marks or flaws; spotless

swarthy (adj)

dark-skinned or having a complexion that is dark or tanned.

sallow (adj)

​(of a person’s skin or face) having a slightly yellow colour that does not look healthy

haggard (adj)

​looking very tired because of illness, worry or lack of sleep

scowl (v)

to look at somebody/something in an angry or annoyed way

leer (v)

to look or smile at somebody in an unpleasant way that shows an evil or sexual interest in them

twitch (v)

to suddenly, involuntarily move a part of the body, often caused by nervousness or excitement.

impulsive - impetuous (adj)

acting suddenly without careful thought or consideration of the consequences (the former is more positive).

effusive (adj)

expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

pushy (adj)

excessively assertive or aggressive in pursuing one's ideas or desires, often to the point of being intrusive or irritating.

well-balanced (adj)

​(of a person or their behaviour) sensible and emotionally in control

taciturn (adj)

(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little (negative).

aloof (adj)

not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant in manner; distant and remote.

haughty (adj)

arrogant; ​behaving in an unfriendly way towards other people because you think that you are better than them

conceited (adj)

excessively proud of oneself; having an inflated sense of self-importance.

gullible (adj)

too willing to believe or accept what other people tell you and therefore easily tricked; naive

disdainful (adj)

showing a lack of respect or consideration for someone or something regarded as unworthy.

restless (adj)

unable to stay still or be happy where you are, because you are bored or need a change