Vocabulary Flashcards for Themes in IB English B

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary and definitions for themes in IB English B, helping students review key terms and concepts.

disconcert

To make someone feel suddenly uncertain and worried.

prime

Main or most important.

extraordinary

Very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange.

mountain

A raised part of the earth's surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow.

pacify

To cause someone who is angry or upset to be calm and satisfied.

regular

Happening or doing something often.

religious

Having a strong belief in a god or gods.

unorthodox

Different from what is usual or expected in behavior, ideas, methods, etc.

various

Many different.

air brush

To use a machine that spreads paint using air pressure, often to improve photographs.

mock

To laugh at someone, often by copying them in a funny but unkind way.

hack apart

To cut or break something into pieces in a rough and violent way.

collage

A picture made by sticking various materials or objects onto a larger surface.

cut sb down

To show someone that they are not as clever or important as they think.

size

How large or small something or someone is.

scrutinize

To examine something very carefully to discover information.

tune out

To ignore someone or not give your attention to something.

skyrocket

To rise extremely quickly or make extremely quick progress towards success.

flawlessness

The quality of not having any imperfections or defects; perfection.

shallow

Having only a short distance from the top to the bottom.

sought on

To attempt to find something.

queried

A question, often expressing doubt about something or looking for an answer from an authority.

atelier

A room or building in which an artist works.

envisage

To imagine or expect something in the future, especially something good.

inherent

Existing as a natural or basic part of something.

reprimanded

To express strong official disapproval of someone.

dubious

Thought not to be completely true or not able to be trusted.

starving

Dying because of not having enough food; very hungry.

froideur

Coolness or reserve between people.

palpable

So obvious that it can easily be seen; strong enough to be physically felt.

fringe

The border or outer edges of an area or group.

AGI

Artificial General Intelligence.

give the cold shoulder

To intentionally ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way.

puzzled

Perplexed.

stumped

Baffle; confused.

augment

To make something greater by adding to it; to increase.

ubiquitous

Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

accepts

To agree to take something.

agrees

To have the same opinion.

broken/break

To cause something to separate suddenly or violently into pieces.

choose

To decide what you want from 2 or more possibilities.

corrupt

Dishonestly using your position or power for advantage, especially for money.

exploits

To use something in a way that helps you.

immoral

Morally wrong or outside society's standards of acceptable behavior.

locally

From, existing in, serving, or responsible for a small area.

maximizes

To make something as great in amount, size, or importance as possible.

presumably

Used to say what you think is likely.

universally

In a way that exists everywhere or involves everyone.

unlikely

Not probable or likely to happen.

violated

To break or act against something, especially a law or principle.

will

Used to talk about what is going to happen in the future.

anonymous

Of a person; not identified by name; of unknown name.

betrayed

To expose someone to danger by treacherously giving information to an enemy.

bonfires

A large open-air fire used for burning rubbish or as part of a celebration.

notorious

Famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed.

warranted

Justify or necessitate a course of action.

executed

To carry out a sentence of death on a legally condemned person.

chord

A group of notes sounded together, forming harmony.

effigies

A sculpture or model of a person.

persecuted

To subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment.

conspirators

People who take part in a conspiracy.

coup

A sudden, violent, and unlawful seizure of power from a government.

agitated

Feeling or appearing troubled or nervous.

ritual

A religious or solemn ceremony performed according to a prescribed order.

elaborate

Involving many carefully arranged parts or details; detailed and complicated.

fireworks

Devices causing spectacular effects when ignited, used for display or celebration.

pyres

Heaps of combustible material for burning a corpse in a funeral ceremony.

quirky tradition

A strange cultural practice that appears unusual but has deep meaning.

dummy

A model or replica of a human being.

passerby

A person who happens to be going past something, especially on foot.

penny

A sum of money.

few

some, or a small number of something

around the block

to have a lot of experience of something, especially when this means that it is difficult to trick or surprise you.

seasoned

having a lot of experience of doing something and therefore knowing how to do it well

evoke

bring or recall

gauge

carefully consider and judge them.

a taint

vulgar

idle

avoiding work; lazy.

derailed

to obstruct the progress of

schmoozing

to converse informally: chat also: to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connections.

meritocratic

relating to or characteristic of a society in which power is held by people selected according to merit.

lagging

to move or advance slowly or more slowly than other

chunk

a thick, solid piece of something

accrue

accumulate or receive (payments or benefits) over time

tethered

something that’s tied up

erodes

gradually destroy or be gradually destroyed