Societal and Biographical Vocabulary Review

Comprehensive vocabulary list covering topics such as family structures in Africa and China, the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, modern teenage behavior, internet safety, homelessness policies, and video game addiction.

To raise a family

To take care of and bring up children

Preschool

A school for very young children (before age $5$)

Salary / Income

The money a person earns from work

Slum

A very poor and crowded area in a city

Motto

A short sentence that shows your goal or belief

Propaganda officer

A person who creates or spreads information to influence public opinion

Ancient Hutong alleyways

Traditional narrow streets/lanes in Beijing

Out of step

Not matching the direction or pace of something else

One-child policy

Chinese law limiting families to one child

Accede to the throne

To become king or queen

Abdication

When a king or queen gives up their position of power

Coronation

A ceremony where someone becomes king or queen

Austerity

A period when people have less money and live with fewer comforts

Annus horribilis

Latin expression meaning “horrible year”

Platinum Jubilee

Celebration of a monarch’s $70th$ anniversary on the throne

Heir to the throne

The person who is next in line to become king or queen

Play truant

To skip school without permission

Evidence

Information that shows something is true or exists

Hedonistic

Seeking pleasure or enjoyment as the main goal in life

Cohorts

Groups of people of the same age or with shared experiences

Procreative sex

Sexual activity that could result in pregnancy

Trade-off

A situation where you gain something but lose something else in exchange

Reluctance to grow up

Hesitation or unwillingness to take on adult responsibilities

Footprint (online)

The information someone leaves behind on the internet

Digital citizen programme

Educational plan to teach responsible internet use

Rough sleeping

Sleeping outdoors or in public spaces without shelter

No-strings housing

Housing offered without requiring the person to meet conditions (e.g. sobriety)

Staircase approach

A step-by-step method requiring conditions before receiving housing

Housing first

A policy offering housing before requiring recovery or employment

To fall off the wagon

To relapse into bad habits (especially drinking or drugs)

Soaring rents

Rent prices that are rapidly increasing

Screen time

The amount of time spent using devices like phones, tablets, TVs, or computers

Decrepit

In very bad condition, falling apart due to age or wear

Self-driving

A car that can drive itself without human intervention

Budget Car Warehouse

A place where you can buy cheap cars