Mind the Gap! – Key Vocabulary on Generations, Trends & Language

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering generations, language functions, phrasal verbs, probability phrases, fashion-cycle stages, music formats and key sociocultural terms discussed in Unit 1: “Mind the Gap!”

Baby Boomers

People born 1946-1964; value hard work and competition, grew up during post-war economic expansion.

Generation X

Born 1965-1980; first everyday computer users, independent, seek good work-life balance.

Millennials

Born 1981-1996; ambitious, tech-savvy, highly connected, vocal on social issues.

Generation Z

Born 1997-early 2010s; true digital natives, entrepreneurial, open about feelings.

Generation Alpha

Born early 2010s onward; expected to be even more skilled with technology than Gen Z.

Generation Gap

Differences in experiences, values and attitudes between age cohorts.

Appear

Verb of perception meaning ‘to give the impression of being.’

Seem

Verb of perception used to express how something appears or feels.

Look

Verb of perception referring to visual impression or appearance.

Feel

Verb of perception expressing an emotional or sensory impression.

Looking back

Time phrase referring to reflection on the past.

Up until

Time phrase meaning ‘until a particular moment in time.’

Back then

Phrase used to describe a point in the past.

Nowadays

Adverb meaning ‘at the present time.’

These days

Phrase equivalent to ‘nowadays’; indicates the present period.

Currently

Adverb meaning ‘right now; at present.’

Soon

Adverb indicating the near future.

Eventually

Adverb meaning ‘in the end; after some time.’

Definitely

Adverb expressing complete certainty.

It seems certain that

Phrase introducing a highly probable statement.

It's doubtful that

Phrase expressing low probability or skepticism.

It's likely that

Phrase indicating something is probable.

It's possible that

Phrase showing moderate possibility.

Probably

Adverb meaning ‘more likely than not.’

Will

Modal verb expressing future certainty or strong intention.

Believe in

Phrasal verb: have confidence or faith in something or someone.

Care about

Phrasal verb: feel concern or interest for.

Connect with

Phrasal verb: establish rapport or understanding.

Count on

Phrasal verb: rely or depend upon.

Deal with

Phrasal verb: handle, manage or address.

Depend on

Phrasal verb: be contingent upon; rely.

Think about

Phrasal verb: consider or reflect on.

Work out

Phrasal verb: solve, calculate or resolve.

Worry about

Phrasal verb: feel anxious or concerned regarding something.

Introduction (fashion cycle)

Stage when a new fashion item is first revealed.

Rise (fashion cycle)

Stage during which a fashion trend gains popularity.

Peak (fashion cycle)

Point at which a fashion trend is most popular.

Decline (fashion cycle)

Stage when a fashion trend starts losing popularity.

Obsolescence (fashion cycle)

Final stage where a trend becomes unfashionable and disappears.

Cassettes

Analogue magnetic-tape audio format popular in the 1970s-1990s.

CDs (Compact Discs)

Digital optical audio format that rose in the 1980s-2000s.

Vinyl

Analogue phonograph record format; resurged in recent years.

Downloads

Digital audio files obtained via the internet onto devices.

Ringtones

Short audio clips used for phone call alerts.

Streaming

Real-time delivery of audio over the internet without full download.

Culture

Shared beliefs, customs, arts and institutions of a society.

Expectations

Beliefs about what will happen or what should be done.

Fashion

Prevailing style in clothing, accessories or behavior.

Health

State of physical and mental well-being.

Music

Art of arranging sounds in time to produce composition.

Pressures

Demands or stresses placed on individuals or groups.

Society

Organized community of people living under shared institutions.

Technology

Application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

Travel

Act of moving between distant locations.

Attitude

Settled way of thinking or feeling about something.

Perspective

Particular point of view or way of regarding something.

Prosperity

State of success or wealth.

Responsibility

Duty or obligation to deal with something or someone.

Social values

Principles a society regards as important or desirable.

Taste

Person’s preference in style, food, art, etc.

Upbringing

The care and training received while growing up.

World view

Overall philosophy or perspective through which one sees the world.

Ancestry

One’s family lineage or heritage.

Descendants

People who come from a specific ancestor in later generations.

Intergenerational

Involving or occurring between different generations.

Junior

A younger or lower-ranked person.

Multigenerational

Involving members of several generations.

Peer

Person of the same age, status or ability as others.

Senior

Older or higher-ranking person.

“Act your age”

Expression telling someone to behave more maturely.

“Age is just a number”

Saying that age does not limit ability or outlook.

“Coming of age”

Event or time when someone is considered an adult.

“Golden years”

Period of life after retirement, often seen as enjoyable.

“I wasn't born yesterday”

Phrase used to signal that one is not easily fooled.

“Put years on someone”

Idiom describing something that makes a person look or feel older.

“You can't teach an old dog new tricks”

Saying implying it’s hard to change long-standing habits.

Digital natives

People who have grown up with digital technology from birth.

Work-life balance

Equilibrium between professional duties and personal life.

Economic pressures

Financial stresses that influence decisions and behavior.

Entrepreneurial

Characterized by innovation and willingness to start new ventures.