Unit 2 - Thought (Reading)

abstract (adj)

/ˈæbstrækt/ existing as an idea, but not having a physical form 🎯 Context in Unit: Explaining why Artificial Intelligence struggles to understand human concepts like "love" or "friendship". 🔗 Collocations: abstract concept [khái niệm trừu tượng], abstract idea. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you consider smart devices to be intelligent?) I do not consider a smartphone truly intelligent because it cannot understand abstract concepts like human emotions. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What is the most difficult abstract concept you have ever studied?

concrete (adj)

/ˈkɑːnkriːt/ something you can see or touch; clear and certain 🎯 Context in Unit: Contrasting with abstract ideas; things machines can understand easily. 🔗 Collocations: concrete evidence [bằng chứng cụ thể], concrete example. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Which of the following can think?) A computer can only process concrete data and numbers, whereas an adult human can understand complex feelings. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Can you give me a concrete example of a time you felt very happy?

constantly (adv)

/ˈkɑːnstəntli/ all the time; repeatedly 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing how customer service AI chats with people all the time. 🔗 Collocations: constantly changing [thay đổi liên tục], constantly talking. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you make decisions from your head or heart?) I try to use my head because my emotions are constantly changing, which can lead to bad choices. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Name one app on your phone that you check constantly.

hypothesize (v)

/haɪˈpɑːθəsaɪz/ to give a possible but not yet proved explanation for something 🎯 Context in Unit: How a computer guesses what word you will type next based on data. 🔗 Collocations: hypothesize about [đưa ra giả thuyết về]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you consider smart devices intelligent?) When a smartphone finishes your sentence, it is just hypothesizing the next word based on statistics, not actually thinking. ⚡ Actionable Practice: If a student always falls asleep in class, what would you hypothesize is the reason?

logical (adj)

/ˈlɑːdʒɪkl/ reasonable or making sense 🎯 Context in Unit: Making decisions based on facts rather than feelings. 🔗 Collocations: logical conclusion [kết luận hợp lý/hợp logic], logical decision. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Head or heart decisions?) When buying a new laptop, you must make a logical decision based on the price and features, not just your feelings. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Are you a highly emotional or highly logical person?

point of view (n)

/pɔɪnt əv vjuː/ a particular attitude or way of considering a matter; an opinion 🎯 Context in Unit: Discussing different opinions on what makes a machine "smart". 🔗 Collocations: from my point of view [từ góc nhìn của tôi], different point of view. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you consider smart devices intelligent?) From my point of view, smart devices only mimic intelligence; they do not have real consciousness. ⚡ Actionable Practice: From your point of view, is learning English easy or difficult?

sort (v)

/sɔːrt/ to organize or arrange things into categories 🎯 Context in Unit: What computers are actually doing when they appear to be "thinking". 🔗 Collocations: sort through data [phân loại/lọc dữ liệu], sort into groups. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: What smart devices have you heard of?) Smart algorithms on social media simply sort through millions of posts to show you what you like. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you usually sort your clothes by color or by type?

anxiety (n)

/æŋˈzaɪəti/ the feeling you experience when you are worried about something 🎯 Context in Unit: A negative emotion that can cause bad decision-making. 🔗 Collocations: experience anxiety [trải qua sự lo âu], reduce anxiety. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Why do VR treatments work?) Virtual reality can help patients safely face their fears in a fake environment to reduce their anxiety. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What do you usually do to calm down when you feel anxiety before a test?

deadline (n)

/ˈdedlaɪn/ a time by which something has to be done or finished 🎯 Context in Unit: A stressful situation that requires quick, logical decisions. 🔗 Collocations: tight deadline [hạn chót sít sao], meet a deadline. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Head or heart decisions?) When I have a tight deadline at work, I must use my head to prioritize tasks logically. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you usually finish your homework long before the deadline, or at the last minute?

emotions (n)

/ɪˈmoʊʃnz/ strong feelings 🎯 Context in Unit: The core of the "Reading 2" text about Emotional Intelligence. 🔗 Collocations: control emotions [kiểm soát cảm xúc], positive emotions. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Left or right-brain dominant?) I believe my right hemisphere is more dominant because I am heavily guided by my emotions and love for music. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you find it easy or difficult to hide your emotions when you are angry?

encounter (v)

/ɪnˈkaʊntər/ to meet someone or something unexpectedly 🎯 Context in Unit: Facing dangerous situations where human "gut feelings" evolved. 🔗 Collocations: encounter a problem [đối mặt với vấn đề], encounter difficulties. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Why did people evolve to make emotional decisions?) Thousands of years ago, if humans encountered a dangerous animal, they had to react emotionally with fear to survive instantly. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever encountered a wild animal in the forest?

guilt (n)

/ɡɪlt/ a strong feeling that you have done something wrong; a feeling of shame 🎯 Context in Unit: An emotion that influences human behavior, which machines lack. 🔗 Collocations: feeling of guilt [cảm giác tội lỗi], overcome guilt. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Evaluate promoting a worker without EI) A manager without emotional intelligence might use fear and guilt to control employees, which destroys teamwork. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever felt a deep sense of guilt after arguing with a friend?

inappropriate (adj)

/ˌɪnəˈproʊpriət/ not suitable; not proper 🎯 Context in Unit: The result of letting strong emotions control your actions completely. 🔗 Collocations: inappropriate behavior [hành vi không phù hợp], inappropriate decision. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Head or heart decisions?) Relying entirely on your heart can lead to inappropriate decisions, like shouting at a coworker when you are angry. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Is it appropriate or inappropriate to wear shorts to a job interview?

rational (adj)

/ˈræʃnəl/ based on reasons and facts 🎯 Context in Unit: The opposite of emotional; how the left brain operates. 🔗 Collocations: rational decision [quyết định lý trí], highly rational. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Decisions made intellectually?) Financial investments and legal judgments must always be highly rational and based on facts. ⚡ Actionable Practice: When you are very hungry, do you make rational food choices?

strengthen (v)

/ˈstreŋθn/ to make something stronger 🎯 Context in Unit: How emotions can build relationships between people. 🔗 Collocations: strengthen relationships [củng cố các mối quan hệ], strengthen an argument. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Decisions made emotionally?) Choosing a romantic partner involves emotional intelligence, because shared feelings strengthen relationships over time. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What kind of exercise helps strengthen your leg muscles?

category (n)

/ˈkætəɡɔːri/ a group of things, people, or ideas that have similar qualities 🎯 Context in Unit: Organizing academic concepts. 🔗 Collocations: fall into a category [rơi vào một danh mục/thể loại], broad category. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Which of the following can think?) Dogs and adult humans fall into the category of conscious beings, whereas smartphones do not. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What category of movies do you enjoy watching the most?

complex (adj)

/kəmˈpleks/ consisting of several different parts; not simple 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing the mathematical problems computers solve instantly. 🔗 Collocations: complex problem [vấn đề phức tạp], highly complex. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you consider smart devices intelligent?) A calculator can solve a highly complex math equation in one second, but it doesn't actually understand what numbers mean. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What is the most complex subject you learned in high school?

comprehensive (adj)

/ˌkɑːmprɪˈhensɪv/ including many details or aspects of something 🎯 Context in Unit: Academic review word; having a full understanding. 🔗 Collocations: comprehensive understanding [sự hiểu biết toàn diện/thấu đáo]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Decisions made equally?) A good manager needs a comprehensive understanding of both logic and human emotions to run a successful business. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Did your high school offer a comprehensive English program?

depressed (adj)

/dɪˈprest/ sad; unhappy 🎯 Context in Unit: Mental states that affect human thinking. 🔗 Collocations: feel depressed [cảm thấy chán nản/trầm cảm], deeply depressed. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Why do VR treatments work?) VR can create a relaxing virtual environment to help patients who feel deeply depressed. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What kind of weather makes people feel depressed?

device (n)

/dɪˈvaɪs/ a machine or piece of equipment that does a particular thing 🎯 Context in Unit: The "smart" electronics we use daily. 🔗 Collocations: smart device [thiết bị thông minh], electronic device. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: What smart devices have you heard of?) A smart speaker is a popular device that can control the lights in your house just by listening to your voice. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What electronic device is most important for your studies?

interpret (v)

/ɪnˈtɜːrprət/ to explain or work out the meaning of something 🎯 Context in Unit: How the brain understands signals, or how people understand feelings. 🔗 Collocations: interpret data [diễn giải/phân tích dữ liệu], interpret emotions. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Evaluate promoting a worker without EI) A leader must be able to interpret the emotions of their staff to keep them motivated. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Is it easy or difficult for you to interpret a modern art painting?

maximize (v)

/ˈmæksɪmaɪz/ to get the most benefit from 🎯 Context in Unit: Academic review word; making the most of something. 🔗 Collocations: maximize profits [tối đa hóa lợi nhuận], maximize efficiency. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Head or heart decisions?) In business, most executives use their heads to maximize profits, ignoring their personal feelings. ⚡ Actionable Practice: How can you maximize your score in the IELTS speaking test?

reluctant (adj)

/rɪˈlʌktənt/ unwilling; not happy about doing something 🎯 Context in Unit: People avoiding dealing with emotions. 🔗 Collocations: reluctant to do something [miễn cưỡng/ngần ngại làm gì đó]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Evaluate promoting a worker without EI) Employees will be reluctant to share their creative ideas if their boss lacks emotional intelligence. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Are you ever reluctant to ask your teacher a question when you don't understand?

solely (adv)

/ˈsoʊlli/ alone; not involving anything or anyone else 🎯 Context in Unit: Academic review word; doing something based on one thing only. 🔗 Collocations: rely solely on [chỉ dựa hoàn toàn vào], solely responsible. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Head or heart decisions?) I try not to rely solely on my gut feelings because they are often biased and incorrect. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Should a university accept students solely based on their test scores?

at the back of your mind (id)

/æt ðə bæk əv jɔːr maɪnd/ not thinking about something now, but knowing that it exists or is true 🎯 Context in Unit: How we secretly know a computer isn't real, but we treat it like it is. 🔗 Collocations: keep something at the back of your mind [để điều gì đó trong tâm trí/tiềm thức]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you consider smart devices intelligent?) Even when Siri answers my questions, at the back of my mind, I know it is just a piece of programmed software. ⚡ Actionable Practice: When you take a test, is the time limit always at the back of your mind?

get your thoughts together (id)

/ɡet jɔːr θɔːts təˈɡeðər/ to prepare to speak or write by organizing ideas in your mind 🎯 Context in Unit: How children (unlike machines) need a moment to think before answering. 🔗 Collocations: take a moment to get your thoughts together [dành một chút thời gian để tập hợp suy nghĩ]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Which of the following can think?) A real person needs a few seconds to get their thoughts together before answering a complex question. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you usually get your thoughts together before making a phone call in English?

Empathy (n)

/ˈempəθi/ the ability to understand and share the feelings of another 🎯 Context in Unit: Từ khóa "vàng" (chính xác hơn 'emotions' hay 'feelings') khi tranh luận về Trí tuệ Cảm xúc (EI) và lý do AI không thể thay thế con người. 🔗 Collocations: show deep empathy [thể hiện sự thấu cảm sâu sắc], lack empathy. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Evaluate promoting a worker without EI) Promoting a manager who lacks empathy is like driving a car without a steering wheel; they will eventually crash the whole team. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Why is empathy an important skill for a doctor or nurse?

Algorithm (n)

/ˈælɡərɪðəm/ a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations, especially by a computer 🎯 Context in Unit: Từ chuyên ngành lý tưởng để giải thích cách AI (Turing Test/Smartphones) "suy nghĩ" thực chất chỉ là xử lý toán học. 🔗 Collocations: complex algorithm [thuật toán phức tạp], search algorithm. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you consider smart devices intelligent?) Smart devices do not possess real intelligence; they simply use a complex algorithm to predict our behavior. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you think the TikTok algorithm knows what videos you like?

Intuition (n)

/ˌɪntuˈɪʃn/ the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning 🎯 Context in Unit: Từ học thuật cao cấp để thay thế cho cụm "gut feeling" (trực giác) trong sách. 🔗 Collocations: rely on intuition [dựa vào trực giác], strong intuition. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Do you trust your gut feelings?) When meeting someone new, I usually rely on my intuition because human instincts are very good at reading body language. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever used your intuition to answer a multiple-choice question on a test?

Nuance (n)

/ˈnuːɑːns/ a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, or sound 🎯 Context in Unit: Dùng để giải thích tại sao Ngôn ngữ/Cảm xúc con người lại quá phức tạp đối với máy móc (sự sắc thái/sắc nét li ti). 🔗 Collocations: understand the nuance [hiểu được sắc thái], subtle nuance. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Which of the following can think?) A computer can translate vocabulary, but it fails to understand the subtle nuances of human humor and sarcasm. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Can you hear the nuance between a British accent and an American accent?