English Vocabulary in Use advanced

equality of opportunity

when everyone has the same chances

selective

pupils are chose, usually for academic reasons, for entry

comprehensive

everyone enters without exams and education is free, paid for by the goverment

schooling

education received at school

elitism

when you favour a small, privileged group

inherent in

existing as a basic part of something

league tables

list of schools or colleges, from the best down to the worst

perpetuate

make something continue for ever

two-tier system

a system with two saparate levels, one of witch is better than the other

perceives

sees, considers

better-off

richer

well-endowed

receiving a lot of money in grants, gifts from rich people

depressing

reducing

less well-off

poorer

excel

achieve an excellent standard

scholarships

money given to pay for studies, provided on the base of academic merit

bursaries

money given to pay for studies, provided on the base of need

student loans

money students can borrow from a bank while studying

tertiary

education at college or university level

undergratuates

students doing a first degree

tuition fees

money paid to receive teaching

the three R's

the traditional basic skills (reading, writing and arithmetic)

literacy

the ability to read

numeracy

the ability to count/do basic math

curriculum reform

changes to what is covered in the national syllabus

syllabus

plan of what is to be studied

lifelong education

education for all ages

mature students

adult students older than the average student

special needs education

education for children who cannot learn the normal way, because they have some disability

bullying

threathening behaviour

guidelines

advice on how something should be done

distraction

takes attention away

idle chatter

not serious conversation

exchange pleasantries

(formal) make polite conversation

share juicy gossip

(informal) interesting because it is shocking or personal

exchanging

news

spreading

rumours

rumours

flying around

engage in conversation

have a conversation

open your heart to

confide in

find yourself drawn into

an argument

win an argument

lose an argument

a good discussion

enjoy

broach the subject

begin a discussion of a difficult topic

bring up the subject

drop the subject

overstate my case

give too much importance or seriousness to a point of view

bombard with questions

ask a lot of questions

make broad generalisations

generalise

bad language, strong language, foul language

swear words, taboo language; foul suggests much stronger disapproval than bad or strong

four-letter words

swear words, taboo words (many of which have four letters in English)

opening gambit

a remark made In order to start a conversation

a rash promise

promises made without thinking

an empty promise

promises made which the speaker has no Intention of keeping

a tough question

difficult question to answer

tally with

match or agree with

concurs with

share/agree with an idea/opinion

found in accord with

be in complete agreement with

coincide with

be the same as

conform to

fit in with

approve of

think something is right or good

dissent

opposition to the accepted way of thinking

discord

lack of agreement or harmony

rift

disagreement

split

when a larger group brakes up into two or more smaller groups

division

similar to split but more abstract and formal

controversy

a lot of disagreement about a subject

reach a compromise

accept some of the demands

reach a settlement

reach a decision/agreement

exercise discretion

be sensitive

promise someone the earth/moon

promise someone a great deal

it promises to be interesting

expect something to be interesting

oath/ to swear

a formal promise

swear

informal promise in spoken english

I could have sworn

I was absolutely certain

swear words

taboo expressions

pledge

promise something, often friendship or money

vow

make a determined decision

resolution

to change one's behaviour for the better

bet

risk something, usually money, on the unknown result of something in the hope of winning more

gambling

putting money on the results of a game of some kind

stake

amount of money you risk at gambling

wager

formal term for bet

your best bet

the best decision or choice

don't bet on it

what you said is unlikely to happen

having a flutter

having a small bet

putting good money/ bet my life on

I'm sure of it

you bet

I certainly do

hedge your bets

protect yourself from the results of making a single wrong choice

odds

statistical or betting chances of something happening

pay tribute to

praise

give a standing ovation

stand up and clap loudly for a long time

extol the virtues

praise highly

be the toast of

be admired for some recent achievements

pat on the back

praise, often children

earn plaudits

get positive comments

laud

praise higly in official situations

telemarketing

selling or marketing goods and services by phone

cold calling

phoning people who have not requested a call in order to try and sell them something

hard sell

attempt to sell something by being very forceful or persuasive