Social Issues & Media
Vocabulary Exercise Part 1 · 50 lessons
What does “Abortion” mean?
A. Ending of a pregnancy. ✓
This is the correct medical definition. Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive independently.
B. Continuation of a task. ✗
This is incorrect. While "abort" can mean to stop or abandon something (like aborting a mission), the specific term "abortion" has a precise medical meaning related to pregnancy, not general task continuation.
What does “Abuse” mean?
A is correct. Abuse means using something wrongly, harmfully, or excessively—like abusing drugs, abusing power, or abusing a relationship.
B is wrong because it describes the *opposite* of abuse. Careful and appropriate use is responsible use, not abuse.
What does “Accident” mean?
Correct answer: An unexpected event.
An accident is something that occurs without warning or intention—you didn't plan for it to happen. This is the core meaning of the word.
Why B is wrong: If something is carefully planned, it's the opposite of an accident. Planning means you expected it and prepared for it. Accidents are unplanned by definition.
What does “Activist” mean?
Why A is correct:
An activist is someone who takes action to promote a cause they believe in, like fighting for social justice, environmental protection, or political reform. They actively work to create change in society.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the opposite of an activist. Someone who avoids engagement is passive and uninvolved, which is the exact opposite of what an activist does. Activists are engaged and vocal, not withdrawn.
What does “Advocate” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Advocate" means to actively support or promote something you believe in—like advocating for better schools or animal rights.
Why B is wrong:
While advocates might disagree with opposing views, "advocate" specifically means to *support* something, not oppose it. If you oppose something, you'd be arguing *against* it, not advocating for it.
What does “Aggression” mean?
A. Hostile or violent behavior ✓
This is correct because aggression is defined as behavior intended to harm, attack, or dominate others—it's the opposite of peaceful.
B. A state of peacefulness and calm ✗
This is wrong because it describes the *opposite* of aggression. Peacefulness and calm are passive states, while aggression is active and confrontational.
What does “Aggressive” mean?
A is correct. "Aggressive" means ready or likely to attack, confront, or act in a forceful way. It describes behavior that's confrontational or pushy.
B is wrong. Calm and peaceful describe the *opposite* of aggressive. These are passive, non-confrontational qualities.
What does “Amendment” mean?
Correct Answer: A. A change in a document.
An amendment is a formal modification or alteration made to an existing document, law, or constitution. The word comes from the Latin "amendare," meaning "to make better." The U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments that have modified or added to the original document over time.
Why B is wrong:
"An unchanged section" is the opposite of what an amendment is. An amendment, by definition, *changes* something—it doesn't leave it unchanged.
What does “Armed” mean?
A. Equipped with weapons — CORRECT
"Armed" means having weapons or being prepared with weapons for defense or attack. When someone is "armed," they possess weapons.
B. Unprotected — WRONG
This is the opposite of what "armed" means. Being armed actually suggests *protection* through having weapons, not being unprotected or defenseless.
What does “Army” mean?
A is correct: An army is by definition a large, structured military force with hierarchy, organization, and many soldiers working together under command.
B is wrong: This contradicts what "army" means—armies are large and organized, not small and scattered. A scattered group of individuals wouldn't be an army; it might be a militia or guerrilla fighters, but not an organized army.
What does “Arrest” mean?
Correct answer: A. To take someone into custody.
- "Arrest" means police or authorities legally detain someone suspected of a crime. They take control of that person and prevent them from leaving.
- Option B is wrong because it describes the opposite—releasing someone means freeing them, not arresting them. "Arrest" always involves restricting freedom, not granting it.
What does “Assault” mean?
Correct Answer: A physical attack
Assault is a legal term meaning an intentional act that causes someone to fear immediate physical harm or involves actual physical contact/violence. This matches option A.
Why B is wrong:
"Protective action involving careful planning" describes defense or strategy, not assault. Assault is the *offensive* act of harming or threatening someone, not a protective measure.
What does “Assembly” mean?
A is correct: "Assembly" means people coming together for a shared purpose—like a school assembly or a legislative assembly. The word refers to the gathering itself.
B is wrong: This describes the opposite action. "Disbanding" means breaking up or separating a group, which is the reverse of assembly.
What does “Attack” mean?
A is correct: "Attack" means to take aggressive action against someone or something—it's about confrontation or assault, whether physical or verbal.
B is wrong: This describes continuous, gentle support, which is the opposite of attack. That would be more like "nurture" or "assist." Attack is forceful and aggressive, not gentle.
What does “Ballot” mean?
Correct Answer: A method of voting
A ballot is the system or paper used to cast votes in an election—it's how people formally express their choice. This is the standard definition used in civics and political contexts.
Why B is wrong:
A document for recording debts describes something like a ledger or promissory note, which has nothing to do with voting. That's a completely different concept.
What does “Ban” mean?
A. To prohibit or forbid ✓
This is correct because "ban" means to officially prevent something from happening or being used—like banning a book from a library or banning plastic bags.
B. To encourage or permit ✗
This is the opposite of what "ban" means. Encouraging something is the complete reverse of prohibiting it.
What does “Bankruptcy” mean?
A is correct. Bankruptcy is a legal status when someone or a business owes more money than they can pay back to creditors.
B is wrong. This describes the opposite situation—having lots of money. "Abundance of wealth" is the complete inverse of bankruptcy's meaning.
What does “Barrier” mean?
A. Correct. A barrier is something that blocks or stops you from getting somewhere or doing something—like a fence, wall, or rule that gets in your way.
B. Wrong. This is the opposite of what a barrier is. A barrier makes things *harder*, not easier. A "direct path" would actually be the absence of barriers.
What does “Battle” mean?
A is correct. A battle is literally a military engagement where opposing forces fight each other. This is the core definition.
B is wrong. A peaceful resolution is the opposite of a battle—battles involve combat and conflict, not peace or harmony.
What does “Benefit” mean?
A. An advantage or profit. ✓
This is correct because "benefit" means something good or helpful that you gain—like saving money, improving your health, or getting a reward.
B. A physical or emotional pain. ✗
This is backwards. Pain is actually a *drawback* or *disadvantage*, the opposite of a benefit. You might be thinking of "suffer" or "harm," which mean the opposite of benefit.
What does “Bias” mean?
A. Unfair preference is correct.
Bias means having a leaning or preference toward something (or someone) that isn't based on fair judgment—often unconscious or based on stereotypes, personal beliefs, or past experiences.
B. Complete impartiality is the opposite of bias. Impartiality means treating everything fairly with no preference, which is the *absence* of bias, not what bias means.
What does “Bomb” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Bomb" primarily refers to an explosive device designed as a weapon. This is the standard definition you'll find in dictionaries and is what the word most commonly means.
Why B is wrong:
While some devices called "bombs" exist for non-military purposes (like a bath bomb for relaxation), these are secondary, informal uses. The word's core meaning is a weapon, not a peaceful tool. Peaceful devices are usually called something else or use "bomb" as slang only.
What does “Bombing” mean?
A is correct. "Bombing" literally means using explosives as a weapon to attack a target or location. This is the standard definition you'll find in dictionaries.
B is wrong. A peaceful celebration gathering has nothing to do with bombing. You might be thinking of words like "party," "festival," or "gathering," but those are completely different meanings. Bombing is always associated with violence and destruction, not celebration.
What does “Bullet” mean?
Why A is correct:
A "bullet" is primarily a small metal projectile fired from a gun or rifle. This is the standard definition you'll find in dictionaries and use in everyday language.
Why B is wrong:
There is no common flower called a "bullet." While some plants might have "bullet" in their name (like "bullet wood"), this isn't the main meaning of the word.
What does “Casualty” mean?
Correct Answer: A person injured or killed
"Casualty" refers to someone who is hurt or killed, especially in an accident, disaster, or war. This is the standard definition used in medical, military, and emergency contexts.
Why B is wrong:
A survivor is the opposite of a casualty—they made it through an event unharmed. A casualty is someone who suffered harm, not someone who escaped it.
What does “Channel” mean?
A is correct. A channel is the pathway or method through which a message travels—like email, phone, face-to-face conversation, or social media. It's what *enables* communication to happen.
B is wrong. A barrier *blocks* or hinders communication, which is the opposite of what a channel does. A channel facilitates communication; a barrier prevents it.
What does “Chaos” mean?
A. Complete disorder. ✓
Chaos means everything is random, confused, and unpredictable—nothing follows a pattern or system.
B. A state of total and complete order. ✗
This is the opposite of chaos. Order and organization are the *opposite* of chaos. This describes something structured and controlled, like a well-organized system.
What does “Charity” mean?
A is correct: Charity means voluntarily giving help, money, or resources to people who are struggling or in need. It's about compassion and generosity.
B is wrong: Selfishness is the exact opposite of charity. Selfishness means thinking only of yourself and refusing to help others—charity requires thinking of others first.
What does “Civil” mean?
A. Polite and courteous ✓
"Civil" means showing respect and courtesy in interactions with others. It's about behaving in a calm, respectful way.
B. Rude and aggressive ✗
This is the opposite of what "civil" means. Rudeness and aggression are uncivil behaviors.
What does “Coalition” mean?
A is correct. A coalition is when different groups or parties join together to work toward a shared goal—like multiple countries forming an alliance or political parties combining forces to win an election.
B is wrong because it describes the opposite. "Solitary" and "single" mean alone or by yourself, which is the complete opposite of what a coalition is. A coalition requires multiple parties coming together, not one entity standing alone.
What does “Collective” mean?
A. Done by a group. ✓
"Collective" means something shared or done together by multiple people as a unit, like a collective decision or collective responsibility.
B. Acted upon by an individual with independent motives. ✗
This describes the *opposite* of collective—it's about individual action, not group action. "Collective" requires multiple people working together, not one person acting alone.
What does “Combat” mean?
A is correct: Combat means actual fighting or armed conflict between opposing forces. This is the standard definition of the word.
B is wrong: This describes peaceful, non-violent activities—the exact opposite of combat. Combat inherently involves conflict and weapons, not friendly cooperation.
What does “Community” mean?
Why A is correct:
A community is fundamentally a group of people who share a common location and often interact with each other. They may also share values, interests, or goals, but the key feature is living together in the same area.
Why B is wrong:
Isolation means being separated and alone, which is the exact opposite of what a community is. Communities are about connection and togetherness, not separation.
What does “Compliance” mean?
A. Following rules or requests. ✓
This is the correct definition. "Compliance" means acting in accordance with a rule, standard, or request—doing what you're supposed to do.
B. Resistance to rules or requests. ✗
This is the opposite of compliance. Resistance means refusing or pushing back against rules, which would be called *non-compliance* instead.
What does “Conflict” mean?
Why A is correct:
Conflict means a serious disagreement or clash between people, groups, or ideas. It's when opposing interests or viewpoints create tension or struggle.
Why B is wrong:
"Peaceful cooperation" is the opposite of conflict. Cooperation suggests working together harmoniously, while conflict involves tension and disagreement—the exact opposite situation.
What does “Conspiracy” mean?
A. A secret plan by a group. ✓
This is correct because a conspiracy requires *secrecy* (hidden from others) and *multiple people* working together toward an illegal or harmful goal.
B. A lawful and open agreement. ✗
This is wrong because conspiracies are by definition *secret* and typically *illegal*. An open, lawful agreement is just a normal contract or partnership—not a conspiracy.
What does “Constitution” mean?
A. Body of fundamental principles ✓
The Constitution is a comprehensive document containing the core rules and values that govern a country—not just one law. It establishes the structure of government, defines powers, and protects rights.
B. A single law ✗
This is too narrow. While the Constitution includes legal rules, it's much broader than a single law. It's a foundational framework made up of many principles and articles that guide all other laws in the country.
What does “Constitutional” mean?
A is correct. "Constitutional" is an adjective meaning something follows or relates to a constitution—the basic laws and principles of a government.
B is wrong. This describes the opposite. Something constitutional must actually *comply with* legal rules, not escape them. If something violates the constitution, it's "unconstitutional."
What does “Controversy” mean?
Correct answer: A
A controversy is when people disagree about something publicly and the disagreement goes on for a while. Think of it like a heated debate in the news or social media where different groups argue their positions.
Why B is wrong:
Option B describes the exact opposite. A controversy is *disagreement*, not something everyone accepts. If something is universally agreed upon, there's no controversy at all.
What does “Convention” mean?
A. A standard or norm. ✓
A convention is an accepted way of doing things—a standard practice or rule that most people follow. Think of it as "the normal way."
B. A radical departure. ✗
This is the opposite of what a convention is. A radical departure means breaking away from the usual way, which is the *opposite* of following a convention.
What does “Convict” mean?
A is correct. "Convict" means a court has found someone guilty after a trial. It's the legal declaration that they committed the crime they were accused of.
B is wrong. Declaring someone innocent is the opposite—that's an acquittal. "Convict" specifically refers to finding guilt, not innocence.
What does “Conviction” mean?
A. A firmly held belief. ✓
This is correct. Conviction means a strong, unwavering belief in something you're confident about. It's about having firm confidence in your views or principles.
B. Lack of determination and resolve. ✗
This is backwards. Conviction is actually the *opposite*—it means having strong determination and resolve. Someone with conviction shows commitment and certainty, not a lack of it.
What does “Cop” mean?
Correct answer: A police officer
"Cop" is a common informal term for a police officer. It comes from the abbreviation of "copper" (a historical nickname for police) and has been used for over a century.
Why B is wrong:
A criminal who breaks the law would be the opposite of a cop. Criminals are what police officers arrest and investigate, not what they are called.
What does “Corruption” mean?
A is correct. Corruption means acting dishonestly or illegally for personal gain—like a politician taking bribes or a official misusing power.
B is wrong. This describes the *opposite* of corruption. Integrity and honor mean being honest and trustworthy, which is what you do *to avoid* corruption.
What does “Coup” mean?
Why A is correct:
A coup (short for "coup d'état") is a sudden, forceful takeover of power—it happens quickly and outside normal legal processes. It's abrupt and often involves military or political force.
Why B is wrong:
This describes normal, orderly transitions of power (like elections or planned leadership changes). A coup is the *opposite*—it's unexpected, rapid, and usually violates established rules. The word "steady" especially contradicts what a coup is.
What does “Court” mean?
A is correct: A court is specifically a legal institution where judges hear and decide cases. This is the primary definition used in law and government.
B is wrong: While courts sometimes have courtyards with gardens, that's not what "court" means. A garden location would just be called a garden or courtyard, not a court.
What does “Courtroom” mean?
A is correct. A courtroom is a specific space in a courthouse where a judge presides over legal cases, trials, and hearings. It's where lawyers argue cases and justice is administered.
B is wrong. While "court" can refer to recreational spaces like tennis courts, a "courtroom" specifically has the word "room" attached, which refers to the indoor judicial space, not outdoor recreational areas.
What does “Crime” mean?
A. An illegal act ✓
A crime is any action that violates the law and can result in legal punishment. This is the definition used in legal systems worldwide.
B. A lawful deed ✗
This is the opposite of what a crime is. A lawful deed is something permitted by law, whereas a crime breaks the law.
What does “Criminal” mean?
Correct Answer: A person who commits a crime.
A criminal is someone who breaks the law by committing a crime—it's the definition of the word. This applies to anyone guilty of illegal activity, from minor offenses to serious felonies.
Why B is wrong: A person who ensures justice and order is a law enforcement officer, judge, or similar official—the opposite role. They work *against* criminals, not as one.
What does “Crisis” mean?
A is correct. A crisis is a critical moment when things are unstable or threatening—think of a medical emergency or financial collapse. It demands urgent action.
B is wrong. This describes the opposite of a crisis. Tranquility and peace are calm states, not emergencies or dangers.
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