Unit 1 - Design (Reading)

flaw (n)

/flɔː/ a mistake or imperfection 🎯 Context in Unit: Describes the intentional mistakes made by artisans to show they are not perfect. 🔗 Collocations: deliberate flaw, minor flaw, fatal flaw. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is art ever perfect?) I do not believe art can be perfect; in fact, a minor flaw is what makes a handmade bowl feel human and unique. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever bought a piece of clothing at a discount because it had a small flaw?

imitate (v)

/ˈɪmɪteɪt/ to copy something; to do something in the same way 🎯 Context in Unit: The core definition of biomimicry, which is copying nature's designs. 🔗 Collocations: imitate nature [bắt chước thiên nhiên], closely imitate. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) The author assumes we know that early flying machines tried to imitate the wings of birds. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Can you imitate the accent of a famous singer?

incident (n)

/ˈɪnsɪdənt/ one event or occurrence 🎯 Context in Unit: Refers to the story of the servant breaking the Japanese ruler's favorite bowl. 🔗 Collocations: unfortunate incident [sự cố đáng tiếc], isolated incident. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Discussing untrue stories) Even if the incident with the Japanese ruler is a myth, it still teaches a valuable lesson about forgiveness. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Tell me about a funny incident that happened in your classroom.

modest (adj)

/ˈmɑːdɪst/ a characteristic of not talking about your achievements or successes 🎯 Context in Unit: Craftsmen leaving mistakes in their work to remain humble. 🔗 Collocations: modest person [người khiêm tốn], remain modest. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is art ever perfect?) Artists should remain modest and accept that true perfection is impossible for humans to achieve. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you think successful people should be modest or proud on social media?

piece (n)

/piːs/ a complete artwork, such as a painting or sculpture 🎯 Context in Unit: Referring to a repaired bowl or cup. 🔗 Collocations: art piece [tác phẩm nghệ thuật], unique piece. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Repair vs. throw away) If an art piece breaks, I prefer to repair it because it holds emotional value. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you have a favorite piece of art in your home?

practice (n)

/ˈpræktɪs/ a method or way of doing something 🎯 Context in Unit: The Japanese method/tradition of mending broken pottery with gold. 🔗 Collocations: common practice [thông lệ phổ biến], traditional practice. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of throwing things away) The modern practice of throwing away broken plastic items creates terrible pollution for the environment. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Is it a common practice in Vietnam to take off your shoes before entering a house?

smash (v)

/smæʃ/ to break something with force, and into many pieces 🎯 Context in Unit: Dropping and completely breaking a ceramic cup. 🔗 Collocations: smash into pieces [vỡ vụn], accidentally smash. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: What do you do with broken dishes?) If I accidentally smash a cheap plate, I usually just throw it in the trash. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What would you do if you accidentally smashed your friend's phone?

value (v)

/ˈvæljuː/ to consider something as important 🎯 Context in Unit: Valuing the imperfect aesthetics of wabi-sabi. 🔗 Collocations: highly value [đánh giá cao/trân trọng], value tradition. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Discussing untrue stories) We should share these stories because they teach younger generations to highly value patience and repair. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What personal quality do you value most in a friend?

aesthetic (n)

/esˈθetɪk/ the beauty of something; how it looks 🎯 Context in Unit: Used to describe the visual beauty of imperfect Wabi-sabi ceramics. 🔗 Collocations: pleasing aesthetic [thẩm mỹ dễ chịu], wabi-sabi aesthetic. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is art ever perfect?) The wabi-sabi aesthetic proves that an object does not need to be perfect to be incredibly beautiful. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you care more about the aesthetic of your phone or its battery life?

humility (n)

/hjuːˈmɪləti/ having a modest view of your own importance; being humble 🎯 Context in Unit: Native Americans making "humility beads" to show they are not perfect. 🔗 Collocations: show humility [thể hiện sự khiêm tốn], deep humility. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Discussing untrue stories) The story of Kintsugi is important because it teaches us humility and helps us accept our own personal flaws. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Why is humility an important characteristic for a student?

delicate (adj)

/ˈdelɪkət/ easily broken or damaged 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing the fine, easily broken silk thread made by silkworms. 🔗 Collocations: delicate fabric [vải mỏng manh/dễ rách], delicate balance. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) The author mentions how early clothing makers copied the delicate silk spun by insects. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Name one delicate object in your house that you must handle carefully.

entirely (adv)

/ɪnˈtaɪərli/ completely 🎯 Context in Unit: Discussing how buildings cannot be 100% self-sufficient yet. 🔗 Collocations: entirely different [hoàn toàn khác biệt], entirely sure. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of biomimicry) One disadvantage the author ignored is that building biomimetic structures is often entirely too expensive. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you entirely agree that smartphones make people lazier?

functional (adj)

/ˈfʌŋkʃənl/ designed to be practical and useful 🎯 Context in Unit: Nature-inspired designs are not just visually appealing, they work well. 🔗 Collocations: purely functional [hoàn toàn mang tính công năng], highly functional. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Animals' homes) A termite mound is a highly functional home that naturally controls its own temperature. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Are the shoes you are wearing right now more fashionable or functional?

harm (v)

/hɑːrm/ to damage or injure 🎯 Context in Unit: Biomimetic architecture tries not to damage the local environment. 🔗 Collocations: harm the environment [gây hại cho môi trường], cause harm. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of throwing things away) Throwing away broken electronics will severely harm the environment over time. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Can reading in the dark harm your eyes?

objection (n)

/əbˈdʒekʃn/ a reason for disagreeing 🎯 Context in Unit: People's disagreements about building new designs fade when they save money. 🔗 Collocations: strong objection [sự phản đối mạnh mẽ], raise an objection. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of biomimicry) The author might have avoided disadvantages to prevent readers from raising an objection to green architecture. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Would your parents have an objection if you decided to study abroad?

on good terms with (phr)

/ɑːn ɡʊd tɜːrmz wɪð/ having a friendly relationship with someone 🎯 Context in Unit: The railway company wanting to keep a good relationship with nearby residents. 🔗 Collocations: remain on good terms with [giữ mối quan hệ tốt với]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) The bullet train was redesigned using biomimicry so the company could remain on good terms with the neighbors who hated the noise. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Are you still on good terms with your friends from high school?

romantic (adj)

/roʊˈmæntɪk/ an ideal or perfect example of something which others often try to copy 🎯 Context in Unit: People's idealized, emotional view of nature or handmade goods. 🔗 Collocations: romantic notion [quan niệm lãng mạn/lý tưởng hóa]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is art ever perfect?) We have a romantic notion that masterpieces are flawless, but every artist makes mistakes. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you have a romantic view of living in the countryside?

thick (adj)

/θɪk/ not thin 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing the walls of a termite mound. 🔗 Collocations: thick wall [bức tường dày], thick layer. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Animals' homes) Termites build incredibly thick walls from dirt to protect their homes from extreme heat. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you prefer reading thick books or short articles?

beak (n)

/biːk/ the hard curved or pointed part of a bird's mouth 🎯 Context in Unit: The Kingfisher bird's mouth inspired the design of the Japanese bullet train. 🔗 Collocations: sharp beak [mỏ nhọn], bird's beak. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) The Japanese bullet train was shaped like a bird's beak to reduce noise when exiting tunnels. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What do birds usually use their beaks to do?

(From Vocabulary Development & Academic Words - pp. 18-19) appealing (adj)

/əˈpiːlɪŋ/ attractive or interesting 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing why nature's designs are copied (they look good and work well). 🔗 Collocations: visually appealing [hấp dẫn về mặt thị giác], highly appealing. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is art ever perfect?) An imperfect, repaired bowl is actually more visually appealing because it has a unique history. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What kind of food is most appealing to you when you are stressed?

contemporary (adj)

/kənˈtempəreri/ belonging to the present time; modern 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing modern architectural plans that use biomimicry. 🔗 Collocations: contemporary design [thiết kế đương đại], contemporary architecture. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of biomimicry) One challenge is that contemporary architects often lack the budget to implement these natural designs. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you prefer contemporary music or classic music?

durable (adj)

/ˈdʊrəbl/ able to last a long time without becoming damaged 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing long-lasting products (or the strength of biomimetic buildings). 🔗 Collocations: highly durable [độ bền cao], durable material. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Repair vs. throw away) I prefer to repair my shoes rather than throw them away, especially if they are made of a highly durable leather. ⚡ Actionable Practice: When buying a backpack, do you care more if it is stylish or durable?

fake (adj)

/feɪk/ not real, but made to look or seem real 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing artificial products compared to authentic crafts. 🔗 Collocations: fake product [sản phẩm giả], fake leather. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Discussing Kintsugi stories) Many people buy fake Kintsugi bowls made in factories, missing the entire point of the philosophy. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever accidentally bought a fake product online?

generic (adj)

/dʒəˈnerɪk/ shared by, typical of, or relating to a whole group of similar things; not specific 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing boring, common factory products. 🔗 Collocations: generic brand [thương hiệu đại trà], generic design. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Repair vs. throw away) If a generic, mass-produced plate breaks, it is not worth the time to repair it. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you buy generic medicine at the pharmacy or famous brand names?

innovative (adj)

/ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ using new methods or ideas 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing biomimetic architecture like the Eastgate Centre. 🔗 Collocations: innovative approach [cách tiếp cận đổi mới], innovative design. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) The Eastgate Centre is an innovative building that cools itself using the same methods as a termite mound. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What is the most innovative feature of your current phone?

mass-produced (adj)

/ˌmæs prəˈduːst/ made in large numbers by machinery 🎯 Context in Unit: Contrasted against handmade, imperfect items. 🔗 Collocations: mass-produced goods [hàng hóa sản xuất hàng loạt]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is art ever perfect?) Mass-produced bowls might look perfectly round, but they lack the soul of a handmade item. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Name one mass-produced item you are wearing right now.

multifunctional (adj)

/ˌmʌltiˈfʌŋkʃənl/ having several different functions 🎯 Context in Unit: Describing useful products that can do many things. 🔗 Collocations: multifunctional device [thiết bị đa chức năng]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Animals' homes) A beaver's dam is multifunctional; it acts as a safe home and a way to catch food. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What is the most useful multifunctional tool in your kitchen?

deliver the goods (id)

/dɪˈlɪvər ðə ɡʊdz/ to do something that you have promised to do or are expected to do 🎯 Context in Unit: Biomimicry successfully saving energy as promised. 🔗 Collocations: consistently deliver the goods [liên tục mang lại kết quả mong đợi]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) The architect promised a cool building without air conditioning, and his termite-inspired design definitely delivered the goods. ⚡ Actionable Practice: When you do group projects, which classmate always delivers the goods?

enhance (v)

/ɪnˈhæns/ to make something better by adding something to it 🎯 Context in Unit: Fixing a broken bowl with gold makes its value enhance. 🔗 Collocations: greatly enhance [cải thiện đáng kể], enhance the value. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Repair vs Throw away) Using the Kintsugi method can actually enhance the value of a broken cup because it becomes unique. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What do you add to your coffee or tea to enhance its flavor?

gold standard (id)

/ˈɡoʊld ˌstændərd/ an ideal or perfect example of something which others often try to copy 🎯 Context in Unit: Biomimicry might become the ultimate rule for future building. 🔗 Collocations: become the gold standard [trở thành tiêu chuẩn vàng]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) The Eastgate Centre has become the gold standard for sustainable architecture in Africa. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What brand of shoes is considered the gold standard in your country?

journal (n)

/ˈdʒɜːrnl/ a professional magazine that covers research about one topic 🎯 Context in Unit: Where research on biomimicry or sociology is published. 🔗 Collocations: academic journal [tạp chí học thuật], publish in a journal. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of biomimicry) If we read an academic journal, we might find that biomimetic buildings require very expensive maintenance. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever had to read a scientific journal for a university assignment?

notion (n)

/ˈnoʊʃn/ an idea; a concept 🎯 Context in Unit: The idea of "art imitates life". 🔗 Collocations: romantic notion [quan niệm lãng mạn], reject the notion. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is art ever perfect?) I completely reject the notion that art must be flawless; imperfections show the human touch. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Do you agree with the notion that money can buy happiness?

overseas (adv)

/ˌoʊvərˈsiːz/ in another country 🎯 Context in Unit: Discussing Kintsugi crafts being featured in museums globally. 🔗 Collocations: travel overseas [đi du lịch nước ngoài], overseas market. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of throwing things away) Many broken electronics thrown away in the US are shipped overseas, polluting developing countries. ⚡ Actionable Practice: If you could study overseas, which country would you choose?

philosophy (n)

/fəˈlɑːsəfi/ a way of thinking; a belief or attitude to life 🎯 Context in Unit: The Japanese wabi-sabi way of thinking. 🔗 Collocations: traditional philosophy [triết lý truyền thống], life philosophy. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Discussing untrue stories) These cultural stories are important because they introduce a beautiful philosophy of accepting our mistakes. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What is your personal philosophy for dealing with stress?

survive (v)

/sərˈvaɪv/ to live, endure, or continue, especially in the face of a threat or difficulty 🎯 Context in Unit: A repaired bowl can continue to exist. 🔗 Collocations: struggle to survive [vật lộn để tồn tại], survive the disaster. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Repair vs throw away) If we repair older items, they can survive for generations and become family treasures. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Could you survive for a week without your smartphone?

tradition (n)

/trəˈdɪʃn/ an activity or custom that has continued over time 🎯 Context in Unit: The custom of Kintsugi or Persian rug making. 🔗 Collocations: cultural tradition [truyền thống văn hóa], preserve a tradition. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Discussing untrue stories) Sharing these stories helps preserve the cultural tradition of respecting handmade goods. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What is your favorite holiday tradition in your family?

volunteer (n)

/ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr/ a person who participates in an activity without being paid 🎯 Context in Unit: Academic word list review. 🔗 Collocations: community volunteer [tình nguyện viên cộng đồng]. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Disadvantages of throwing things away) When people throw trash everywhere, community volunteers have to spend hours cleaning it up. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever worked as a volunteer for a charity?

flawless (adj)

/ˈflɔːləs/ without any imperfections or defects; perfect 🎯 Context in Unit: Directly contrasts with the wabi-sabi concept of embracing mistakes in art and design. 🔗 Collocations: absolutely flawless [hoàn toàn không tì vết], flawless execution. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Is it possible for art to be perfect?) While a machine can produce a completely flawless plate, it lacks the unique emotion and history of a handmade item. ⚡ Actionable Practice: Have you ever taken an exam where your performance was completely flawless?

authenticity (n)

/ˌɔːθenˈtɪsəti/ the quality of being real or true 🎯 Context in Unit: Highly relevant when discussing the value of Kintsugi, Persian rugs, and traditional crafts vs. factory-made ones. 🔗 Collocations: preserve authenticity [bảo tồn tính nguyên bản], guarantee authenticity. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Discussing untrue stories) Even if the Kintsugi origin story is fake, the authenticity of the emotion it teaches is very real. ⚡ Actionable Practice: When eating at a foreign restaurant, do you care about the authenticity of the food?

sustainable (adj)

/səˈsteɪnəbl/ able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without harming the environment 🎯 Context in Unit: The core reason architects use biomimicry (like the termite-inspired Eastgate Centre). 🔗 Collocations: highly sustainable [tính bền vững cao], sustainable development. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Known examples of biomimicry) Biomimicry offers a highly sustainable way to cool modern buildings without wasting electricity on air conditioners. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What is one sustainable habit you try to do every day to protect the environment?

ingenious (adj)

/ɪn/dʒiːniəs/ very smart, clever, and original 🎯 Context in Unit: Perfect for describing the cleverness of nature and the human inventors who copy it. 🔗 Collocations: ingenious design [thiết kế tài tình], ingenious solution. 📝 Interactive/Critical Example: (Answering: Animals' homes) Termite mounds feature an ingenious ventilation system that humans have successfully copied for large shopping centers. ⚡ Actionable Practice: What do you think is the most ingenious invention of the 21st century?