Social Issues & Media
Vocabulary Exercise Part 2 · 48 lessons
What does “Custody” mean?
A is correct. Custody means having legal responsibility and care for someone or something—like a parent having custody of a child, or a museum having custody of artifacts.
B is wrong. Abandonment and neglect are the *opposite* of custody. Custody means actively taking responsibility, not avoiding it.
What does “Defendant” mean?
Correct Answer: A person accused in a court.
The defendant is the party being accused or sued—they're on trial and must defend themselves against charges. The word comes from "defend," meaning to respond to accusations.
Why B is wrong:
A person who accuses someone else is called the plaintiff (in civil cases) or prosecutor (in criminal cases), not the defendant. That's the opposite role.
What does “Defender” mean?
A is correct. A defender actively protects people, places, or ideas from harm or attack—like a defense lawyer protecting a client's rights or a player defending their team's goal.
B is wrong. Attacking is the opposite of defending. An attacker initiates harm, while a defender responds to prevent it.
What does “Defense” mean?
A. Protection from harm ✓
"Defense" means protecting yourself or something else from being attacked or damaged. Think of a castle wall defending against invaders, or a legal defense protecting someone in court.
B. A strategy to undermine ✗
This describes an *attack* or sabotage, which is the opposite of defense. Defense is about protecting, not tearing down.
What does “Democracy” mean?
A is correct. Democracy literally means "rule by the people" — citizens have a say in government through voting, representation, or direct participation.
B is wrong. Rule by a single individual is called autocracy, dictatorship, or monarchy (depending on context) — the opposite of democracy.
What does “Democratic” mean?
Why A is correct:
Democracy comes from Greek words meaning "rule by the people." It's built on the principle that citizens have a say in government—everyone gets a voice, a vote, and equal participation in decisions.
Why B is wrong:
That describes autocracy or dictatorship—the opposite of democracy. When one person has total control with no input from others, that's the furthest thing from equal participation.
What does “Denial” mean?
Correct Answer: A. Refusal to accept something.
Denial means rejecting or refusing to acknowledge something—like denying a claim, denying responsibility, or denying that a problem exists. It's about not accepting what's being presented.
Why B is wrong: "Willingness to approve" is the opposite of denial. Approval means accepting or saying yes, while denial means saying no or refusing to accept.
What does “Detective” mean?
A is correct. A detective is a law enforcement professional whose job is to solve crimes by gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
B is wrong. This describes a criminal, not a detective. Detectives work *against* crime, not for it.
What does “Disaster” mean?
Why A is correct:
"Disaster" means a sudden, unexpected event (like an earthquake or flood) that causes serious harm, damage, or suffering to many people.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* of a disaster. A fortunate or lucky occurrence is positive, while a disaster is negative and harmful. The word "disaster" always refers to something bad, not good.
What does “Discrimination” mean?
A is correct: Discrimination means treating people unfairly based on their identity—like their race, gender, age, or religion—rather than on individual merit or character.
B is wrong: This describes the *opposite* of discrimination. Equal and fair treatment is what we should strive for; it's the solution to discrimination, not the definition of it.
What does “Diversity” mean?
Why A is correct:
Diversity literally means having variety—different types, backgrounds, or characteristics present together. It's about *difference*, not sameness.
Why B is wrong:
This describes uniformity or homogeneity, which is the *opposite* of diversity. When everyone is the same, there is no diversity.
What does “Election” mean?
A is correct. An election is when citizens vote to select who will lead them—like voting for a president or mayor. It's the democratic process of choosing leaders through voting.
B is wrong. While elections can result in candidates losing, dismissing someone isn't what an election *means*. An election is fundamentally about *choosing* someone, not removing them. (Removing an official is called a recall or impeachment, not an election.)
What does “Emission” mean?
A is correct. Emission means to send out or release something into the environment—like when a car emits exhaust gases or a light bulb emits light. The word comes from the Latin "emittere" (to send out).
B is wrong. This describes the opposite action. Containing or absorbing something means holding it in or taking it up, not letting it out. That would be more like "retention" or "absorption," not emission.
What does “Enemy” mean?
Why A is correct:
An enemy is someone who opposes or is hostile toward you—they work against your interests or goals.
Why B is wrong:
This describes a friend or ally, not an enemy. The opposite meaning completely flips the definition.
What does “Epidemic” mean?
A is correct. An epidemic is when a disease spreads rapidly through a population, affecting many people across a wide area—think of how flu spreads through a community each winter.
B is wrong. This describes the opposite of an epidemic. A rare, isolated outbreak would be contained to a few people or one location, not widespread. Epidemics are characterized by *large-scale* transmission, not rarity.
What does “Equality” mean?
Correct answer: A. The state of being equal.
"Equality" literally means having the same status, rights, or opportunities—being on the same level. The word comes from "equal," so it describes a condition where things or people are equivalent or treated the same way.
Why B is wrong: "Superior" means better than or above something else, which is the opposite of equality. If someone is superior, they're not equal to others—they're ranked higher.
What does “Federal” mean?
A is correct. "Federal" refers to a system where power is shared between a central/national government and smaller regional units (like states). The federal government is the overarching national authority.
B is wrong. Individual and state governments are the *opposite* of federal—they're the lower levels of government that share power *with* the federal system. State governments are sometimes called "local" or "regional," not "federal."
What does “Feminist” mean?
Why A is correct:
Feminism is a movement and perspective centered on advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and treatment for women across society—in politics, education, work, and more.
Why B is wrong:
This is the opposite of what feminism actually means. Someone who opposes gender equality would be *against* feminist principles, not a feminist themselves.
What does “Fraud” mean?
A is correct: Fraud is deliberately deceiving someone to gain money or financial benefit for yourself. It's dishonest and illegal.
B is wrong: This describes honesty and generosity—the exact opposite of fraud. Fraud involves *deception*, not honest behavior.
What does “Gang” mean?
Why A is correct:
A gang is defined as a group of people (not just one person) who associate together, typically for illegal or criminal purposes. The key elements are the group size and the illegal activity involvement.
Why B is wrong:
This contradicts the definition in multiple ways—gangs involve multiple people (not a single person), and while not all members may always act illegally, gangs are fundamentally organized around illegal activities, not legal ones.
What does “Govern” mean?
A. To rule or control ✓
This is correct because "govern" means to make and enforce decisions that control how something operates—whether that's a country, organization, or system. A governor is someone with authority and power.
B. To serve or assist ✗
While leaders often serve their people, "serve" and "assist" describe supporting roles rather than the authority to rule. These are different from governing, which is about decision-making power and control.
What does “Government” mean?
Correct Answer: A
Government is the system of authority and institutions that make and enforce rules for a society. It includes leaders, laws, and organizations that manage a nation or state.
Why B is wrong:
A group that rebels against the state is the opposite of government—they're actually *opposing* government authority, not *providing* it. That would be a protest movement or insurgency, not a government.
What does “Governor” mean?
A is correct: A governor is a leader with real authority who makes decisions and manages a region or state. They're appointed or elected to hold executive power.
B is wrong: This describes someone with no power at all. Governors actually have significant decision-making authority—they're not just order-followers. That's the opposite of what a governor does.
What does “Grave” mean?
Correct Answer: A
"Grave" as a noun means a burial site for the deceased. This is the primary definition and most common usage of the word.
Why B is wrong:
Option B describes extreme joy, but that's the opposite meaning. You might be thinking of a different context—"grave" can also mean *serious* or *solemn* (as an adjective), but never joy. The word comes from its association with death and burial, which carries weight and seriousness.
What does “Gun” mean?
Correct Answer: A weapon that shoots bullets
"Gun" is a firearm designed to propel projectiles (bullets) at high speed using explosive force. This is the primary and standard definition used in everyday language.
Why B is wrong:
While "gun" can sometimes be used colloquially in gardening (like a "caulk gun" or "spray gun"), these are specialized tools, not the main meaning of the word. The word "gun" fundamentally refers to a weapon, not a gardening tool.
What does “Harassment” mean?
Why A is correct:
Harassment is repeated, unwanted behavior that bothers or threatens someone. It continues even when the person has made clear they don't want it.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the *opposite* of harassment. Kind and gentle attention is welcome and positive, while harassment is unwelcome and negative.
What does “Homeless” mean?
A. Without a home ✓
"Homeless" literally breaks down into "home" + "less," meaning lacking a home or permanent residence. People who are homeless don't have a fixed place to live.
B. Living in a luxurious home ✗
This is the opposite of what "homeless" means. The word "luxurious" means fancy and expensive, but homeless people don't have homes at all—they lack housing entirely.
What does “Hostage” mean?
Why A is correct:
A hostage is someone taken and held by force to guarantee that demands will be met or agreements will be followed. This is the standard definition.
Why B is wrong:
This describes the opposite situation—a person with freedom and no restrictions. A hostage has no freedom; they're detained against their will as leverage.
What does “Hurricane” mean?
Correct Answer: A
A hurricane is literally defined as a tropical cyclone with extremely strong winds (at least 74 mph), heavy rain, and severe weather—so this is the accurate definition.
Why B is wrong:
A hurricane is the opposite of calm—it's one of nature's most violent and destructive storms. There's plenty of wind, not "no wind."
What does “Illegal” mean?
A. Against the law ✓
This is correct because "illegal" literally means something that violates or breaks the law—it's the opposite of legal.
B. Permitted by legal authority ✗
This is wrong because it describes something that *is* legal or lawful. "Illegal" means the exact opposite—something that is *not* permitted by law.
What does “Immigrant” mean?
Why A is correct:
An immigrant is someone who relocates from their home country to live permanently (or long-term) in a different country. This is the standard definition.
Why B is wrong:
This describes someone who leaves their country but doesn't settle elsewhere—that's not an immigrant. An immigrant must actually move *to* a new country, not just leave one. Someone who leaves without settling would just be a traveler or refugee in transit, not an immigrant.
What does “Immigration” mean?
A is correct because immigration specifically means permanently relocating to a new country to establish residence there.
B is wrong because that describes temporary work abroad, which is called a work visa or temporary employment—not immigration. Immigration implies a longer-term or permanent move, not just temporary work.
What does “Independence” mean?
A is correct. Independence means you can make your own decisions and aren't controlled by someone else—you're self-governing and free to act on your own terms.
B is wrong. This actually describes the *opposite* of independence—it's dependence, which means relying on others rather than being self-sufficient.
What does “Inmate” mean?
Correct Answer (A): An inmate is someone *held* or *confined* in an institution—they've lost their freedom of movement. This applies to prisons, jails, hospitals, or other facilities where people are kept against their will (or by court order).
Why B is wrong: A guard or warden is staff who *works* at the institution—they're employed there and can leave. They have authority over inmates, the opposite relationship.
What does “Jail” mean?
Why A is correct:
Jail is a facility run by local authorities to hold people who have been arrested and are awaiting trial, or who are serving short sentences. This is the standard definition.
Why B is wrong:
That describes a school or educational institution, not a jail. While jails do sometimes offer educational programs, their primary purpose is custody and holding, not education.
What does “Judge” mean?
Why A is correct:
A judge makes decisions and determines outcomes—whether in a courtroom (legal cases) or at competitions (sports, contests). This is the core meaning of the word.
Why B is wrong:
Someone who assists participants in a performance is called a coach, director, or assistant—not a judge. A judge observes and decides, they don't help participants perform.
What does “Judgment” mean?
A is correct. Judgment means thinking carefully before making a decision—weighing options and consequences to choose wisely.
B is wrong. Showing ignorance is the opposite of good judgment. Judgment is about being thoughtful and informed, not thoughtless or unknowledgeable.
What does “Judicial” mean?
Correct Answer: A. Relating to courts or judges.
"Judicial" comes from the word "judge" and refers to anything connected to the court system and legal decisions. You'll see it in phrases like "judicial review" (when courts examine laws) or "judicial branch" (the court system in government).
Why B is wrong:
"Artistic endeavors" relates to art and creativity—that's not what "judicial" means at all. You might be confusing it with words like "artistic" or "aesthetic."
What does “Jurisdiction” mean?
A is correct. Jurisdiction is the legal authority a court or government body has to hear cases and make binding decisions within a specific area or over certain types of cases.
B is wrong. This describes the *opposite* of jurisdiction—it says "lack of authority," but jurisdiction is actually *having* authority, not lacking it.
What does “Juror” mean?
A is correct. A juror is literally a person selected to serve on a jury—a group of citizens who listen to evidence in court and decide guilt or innocence (or determine facts in a civil case).
B is wrong. While an advocate does defend a position, that's not what "juror" means. An advocate could be a lawyer, politician, or activist—not necessarily someone on a jury. A juror's job is to listen and decide, not to argue for one side.
What does “Jury” mean?
A is correct: A jury is specifically a *group* of ordinary citizens (typically 12) who take an oath to listen to evidence and decide guilt or innocence in a trial.
B is wrong: That describes a *judge*, who is a single official authority that oversees the court process. A judge and jury have different roles—the judge runs the trial, while the jury decides the verdict.
What does “Justice” mean?
A. Fairness ✓
Justice means treating people fairly according to rules and principles—giving people what they deserve and ensuring equal treatment under the law.
B. Inequity ✗
This is the opposite of justice. Inequity means unfairness or imbalance, which is what justice *fights against*, not what it means.
What does “Law” mean?
Why A is correct:
Laws are formal rules created and enforced by governments through courts, police, and penalties. They apply to everyone in a jurisdiction and carry legal consequences if broken.
Why B is wrong:
This describes social norms or customs (like saying "please" and "thank you"), which guide behavior but aren't enforced by government authority. Breaking a social norm results in disapproval, not legal punishment—that's the key difference.
What does “Lawmaker” mean?
Correct Answer: A person who makes laws.
A lawmaker is someone in government (like a senator or representative) whose job is to create and pass new laws. The word itself breaks down simply: "law" + "maker" = someone who makes laws.
Why B is wrong:
A person who *enforces* laws is called a police officer, judge, or law enforcement officer—not a lawmaker. Enforcing means making sure people follow existing laws, which is different from creating them in the first place.
What does “Lawsuit” mean?
Correct Answer: A. A legal case brought to court.
A lawsuit is specifically a formal dispute that one party files against another in court to resolve a legal disagreement. It involves going through the judicial system with lawyers and a judge (or jury).
Why B is wrong: An agreement between parties describes a *settlement* or *contract*—the opposite of a lawsuit. A lawsuit happens *because* parties can't agree, so they ask a court to decide.
What does “Lawyer” mean?
A is correct: A lawyer is a professional trained in law who represents clients in legal matters, gives legal advice, and practices within the legal system. This is the standard definition.
B is wrong: This confuses "lawyer" with "leisure" or someone who takes it easy. While the words sound somewhat similar, they mean completely different things. Lawyers have demanding, professional jobs—they don't just relax!
What does “Legal” mean?
A. Permitted by law ✓
"Legal" means something is allowed or authorized under the law. If an action is legal, the government permits it and you won't face punishment for doing it.
B. Prohibited or unauthorized by law ✗
This is the opposite of legal—that's called "illegal." This option confuses the term completely.
What does “Legislation” mean?
A is correct: Legislation means laws that are formally created and passed by a government body (like a parliament or congress). It's the official process of making binding rules that people must follow.
B is wrong: While some entertainment might involve legal themes, legislation itself isn't a form of entertainment—it's a serious governmental process with real consequences for citizens.
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