English Paper 1 Vocabulary

ambivalent

having mixed or conflicting feelings about something

anecdotal

based on personal stories rather than solid evidence

articulate

able to express ideas clearly and effectively

assertive

confident and forceful without being aggressive

candid

honest and straightforward

contemplate

to think deeply about something

conventional

following traditional or accepted standards

cynical

believing that people are motivated by self-interest

deliberate

done consciously and intentionally

detrimental

causing harm or damage

discern

to recognise or understand clearly

eloquent

fluent, persuasive and well-spoken

empathetic

able to understand and share the feelings of others

evaluate

to judge or assess carefully

explicit

stated clearly and directly

exploit

to make use of something unfairly or selfishly

flawed

having weaknesses or faults

hypocritical

behaving in a way that contradicts one’s beliefs

impartial

fair and unbiased

implicit

suggested rather than directly stated

inevitable

impossible to avoid

insightful

showing deep understanding

juxtapose

to place ideas side by side for contrast

meticulous

very careful and precise

nuanced

showing subtle differences or complexity

objective

based on facts rather than opinions

ominous

suggesting something bad may happen

perceptive

having a strong awareness or insight

persuasive

able to convince others

provocative

causing strong reaction or debate

relevant

closely connected to the topic

resilient

able to recover from difficulties

scrutinise

to examine closely and critically

subjective

influenced by personal feelings or opinions

superficial

shallow or lacking depth

symbolic

representing something deeper than its literal meaning

validate

to confirm or support something

versatile

able to adapt to different situations

vivid

producing clear and powerful images in the mind alienated

ambiguous

having more than one possible meaning

analytical

examining ideas in a logical, detailed way

antagonistic

showing hostility or opposition

authoritative

confident, knowledgeable and commanding

coherent

clear and logically organised

compelling

powerfully interesting or convincing

connotation

an implied or suggested meaning

constructive

helping to improve or develop something

contradictory

containing opposing ideas

deceptive

misleading or dishonest

definitive

clear, final and authoritative

detached

emotionally uninvolved or distant

disillusioned

disappointed after discovering the truth

emotive

arousing strong feelings

enlightening

giving greater understanding or insight

ethos

the credibility or moral character of a speaker or writer

figurative

using metaphorical rather than literal language

formidable

inspiring fear or respect due to strength or ability

gratuitous

unnecessary or excessive

gravitas

seriousness and importance

ideological

based on a set of beliefs or principles

implausible

difficult to believe

indignant

showing anger at unfair treatment

lucid

clear and easy to understand

manipulative

controlling or influencing unfairly

marginalised

treated as unimportant or insignificant

ostensibly

apparently or on the surface

paradoxical

seemingly contradictory but true

plausible

believable or reasonable

poignant

deeply moving or emotional

rhetorical

designed to persuade or make an impact

subversive

seeking to undermine established ideas

succinct

brief but clearly expressed

tenuous

weak or flimsy

transformative

causing major change

unsettling

disturbing or worrying

vindictive

seeking revenge

warranted

justified or reasonable

Microcosm

A community, place, or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristic qualities