Advanced General IELTS Words for "Society and Social Events"

rat race

noun

/ɹˈæt ɹˈeɪs/

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Disapproving

Idiom

Informal

a draining and stressful lifestyle that consists of constantly competing with others for success, wealth, power, etc. and so leaving no room for rest and pleasure

Example

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By the time he retired, he had been in the rat race for over three decades and was ready for a slower pace of life.

He burned out after years of participating in the rat race and decided to take a sabbatical.

What is the origin of the idiom "rat race" and when to use it?

The term "rat race" originates from the world of rat-catching, where rats were pitted against each other and the winner was the one that escaped. This idiom is typically used to describe the hectic and competitive nature of modern life, particularly in urban areas.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

anomie

noun

a

æ

n

o

ə

m

ie

i

a state of having no moral or social principles

caste

noun

c

k

a

æ

s

t

e

a system that divides the people of a society into different social classes based on their wealth, privilage, or profession

sorority

noun

s

o

ɜ

r

o

ɔ

r

i

ə

t

y

i

a social club for female students in a university or college, especially in the US and Canada

What is a "sorority"?

A sorority is a social organization for women, typically found in colleges or universities, where members form a close-knit group for friendship, support, and shared experiences. Sororities often have specific traditions, events, and activities, and members may engage in academic, social, and charity projects together. Joining a sorority usually involves a recruitment process, where potential members are selected based on mutual interests and values. Sororities offer a sense of community and often provide networking opportunities, both during and after college.

ally

noun

a

æ

ll

l

y

aɪ

someone who helps or supports someone else in certain activities or against someone else

foe

civics

noun

c

s

i

ɪ

v

i

ɪ

c

k

s

the study of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in society

denizen

noun

d

e

ɛ

n

i

ə

z

e

ə

n

a resident in a particular place

global village

noun

/ɡlˈoʊbəl vˈɪlɪdʒ/

‌the whole world considered as a small place because of being closely connected by modern communication systems

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

grass roots

noun

/ɡɹˈæs ɹˈuːts/

the ordinary people with a common interest who form the foundation of a movement, organization, or political party

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

intersectionality

noun

i

ɪ

n

t

e

ə

r

s

e

ɛ

c

k

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

a

æ

l

i

ɪ

t

y

i

a concept that recognizes how different forms of discrimination and oppression, such as race, gender, and class, interact with each other

othering

noun

o

ʌ

th

ð

e

ə

r

i

ɪ

n

g

the act of defining and labeling individuals or groups as different from oneself or the dominant social group

polity

noun

p

o

ɑ

l

i

ə

t

y

i

a political organization of a group of people with a shared identity that is part of a larger political system itself

senior citizen

noun

/sˈiːnjɚ sˈɪɾɪzən/

an old person, especially someone who is retired

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

commoner

noun

c

k

o

ɑ

mm

m

o

ə

n

e

ɜ

r

a person that does not belong to the upper class of the society

inferior

noun

i

ɪ

n

f

e

ɪ

r

io

iɜ

r

a person with a lower position than someone else

superior

vigil

noun

v

i

ɪ

g

ʤ

i

ə

l

the act of staying awake at night for religious purposes or to protest against something

panel

noun

p

a

æ

n

e

ə

l

a group of people with special skills or knowledge who have been brought together to discuss, give advice, or make a decision about an issue

fundraiser

noun

f

u

ə

n

d

r

ai

eɪ

s

z

e

ɜ

r

a social event held with the intention of raising money for a charity or political party

soiree

noun

s

o

i

r

ee

eɪ

an elegant gathering or party that is usually held in the evening

public spirit

noun

/pˈʌblɪk spˈɪɹɪt/

a sense of community concern and willingness to contribute to the public good

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

social capital

noun

/sˈoʊʃəl kˈæpɪɾəl/

the collective value of social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

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