Unit 2- Vocab: Thinking

assess (v)

To carefully consider a situation, person, or problem in order to make a judgment, or to calculate what something costs or is worth.

assume (v)

To believe that something is true, even though no one has told you or even though you have no proof.

baffle (v)

If a problem, someone's behaviour, etc. baffles you, you cannot understand it or solve it.

biased (adj)

Preferring one person, thing, or idea to another in a way that is unfair.

concentrate (v)

To give all your attention to the thing you are doing.

consider (v)

To think about something carefully before making a decision or developing an opinion, or to have a particular opinion about someone or something.

contemplate (v)

To consider doing something in the future, or to think very carefully about something for a long time.

cynical (adj)

Believing that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest, or expecting things not to be successful or useful.

deduce (v)

To know something as a result of considering the information or evidence that you have.

deliberate (v)

To think about or discuss something very carefully, especially before you make an important decision.

dilemma (n)

A situation in which you have to make a difficult decision.

discriminate (v)

To treat someone unfairly because of their religion, race, or other personal features, or to recognise the difference between things.

dubious (adj)

Not completely good, safe, or honest, or not sure about the truth or quality of something.

estimate (v, n)

To say what you think an amount or value will be, or an amount/statement based on a guess or calculation using available information.

faith (n)

Strong belief in or trust of someone or something.

gather (v)

To believe that something is true, although no one has directly told you about it.

genius (n)

Someone who is much more intelligent or skillful than other people, or a very high level of skill or ability.

grasp (v)

To understand something.

guesswork (n)

The process of trying to find the answer to something by guessing, or the answer found by using this method.

hunch (n)

A feeling that something is true or will happen, although you do not know any definite facts about it.

ideology (n)

A system of ideas and principles on which a political or economic theory is based.

ingenious (adj)

Using new and clever ideas (such as an ingenious plan or piece of equipment).

inspiration (n)

A sudden feeling of enthusiasm or a new idea that helps you to do or create something.

intuition (n)

An ability to know or understand something through your feelings, rather than by considering facts or evidence.

justify (v)

To show that there is a good reason for something, especially something that other people think is wrong.

naïve (adj)

Lacking experience of life and tending to trust other people and believe things too easily.

notion (n)

An idea or understanding of something.

optimistic (adj)

Hopeful about the future and tending to expect that good things will happen, or based on beliefs that are too confident

paradox (n)

A person, thing, or situation that is strange because they have features or qualities that do not normally exist together.

pessimistic (adj)

Not hopeful about the future and tending to expect that bad things will happen.

plausible (adj)

Likely to be true, honest, or suitable.

ponder (v)

To think carefully about something for a long time before reaching a decision.

prejudiced (adj)

Having an unreasonable opinion or feeling about someone or something, especially hatred or fear of a particular group of people.

presume (v)

To think something is true because it is likely, although you cannot be certain.

query (v, n)

A question that you ask because you want information or are not certain, or to ask a question because of doubts

reckon (v)

To believe that something is true.

reflect (v)

To think about something carefully and seriously.

sceptical/skeptical (adj)

Having doubts about something that other people think is true or right.

speculate (v)

To consider or discuss why something has happened.

suppose (v)

To believe that something is probably true, based on your experience, knowledge, and any other information you have