Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 11-20

The Academic Vocabulary Toolkit focuses on words used across different subject areas and careers in spoken and written communication. Learn these lists to help you succeed in school and work: Words 1-10, Words 11-20, Words 21-30, Words 31-40, Words 41-50, Words 51-60, Words 61-70, Words 71-80, Words 81-90, Words 91-100
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. aware
    having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
    Perhaps there is a story between the two that I wasn’t aware of? Forbes (Jun 10, 2014)
  2. beneficial
    promoting or enhancing well-being
    “It will be interesting to see how beneficial this rainfall has been in the short term.” Washington Times (Jun 8, 2014)
  3. benefit
    something that aids or promotes well-being
    And how do you compare the benefits of vegetables versus fruits? Washington Post
    "Benefit" and "advantage" are synonyms (see list for Words 1-10). Both are used as nouns in the example sentences here and in your workbook, but they can also both be verbs that mean "to be helpful or useful to."
  4. cause
    a justification for something existing or happening
    Winning the World Cup would be cause for the world’s biggest street party. Time (Jun 9, 2014)
    A cause can also be a goal that people support and work toward. A soccer goal is too small to be considered a cause. But the goal of winning the World Cup and bringing honor to one's country could be considered a worthy cause. If that happens, then that would be a reasonable cause to have a really big party.
  5. cause
    make act in a specified manner
    A couple of problems caused the Jabulani to fly every which way but straight. Washington Post
  6. challenge
    a demanding or stimulating situation
    Sometimes that can pose the most difficult challenge because you can only advance to a level that your mind perceives is possible. Forbes (Jun 10, 2014)
    Note the letters of the word "call" are also in "challenge"--this might be helpful for remembering that you can challenge someone by calling the person out for a contest or fight. Or you can challenge an idea by calling attention to it and demanding an explanation. Both "call" and "challenge" can be used as nouns or verbs.
  7. challenging
    requiring full use of your abilities or resources
    “It’s challenging, but for a championship you don’t want it easy.” Washington Times (Jun 7, 2014)
  8. character
    an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction
    Players create their own character and try to save a city in which an addictive energy drink has turned everyone into mutants. Time (Jun 10, 2014)
    What you're reading right now are characters (written symbols) on the screen. On a larger scale, you might meet characters (people) in real life, video games, or fictional works. On getting to know them, you might discover their characters (personal features that make them unique) that would help you figure out how they would act or how you might act towards them.
  9. characteristic
    a trait that sets someone or something apart from others
    “Well,” it was explained, “we have to match your eye color and characteristics.” New York Times (Jun 10, 2014)
    "Characteristic" is used as a noun here. But it has the suffix -ic which is characteristic of adjectives. As an adjective, it means "typical or distinctive." Eye color is a physical characteristic; members of the same family might share a characteristic trait of violet eyes.
  10. compare
    examine and note the similarities or differences of
    The researchers said comparing Neanderthals to modern man is like comparing apples and oranges. Washington Post
Created on Fri Jun 06 14:30:29 EDT 2014 (updated Sat Jun 14 08:02:18 EDT 2014)

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