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Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL - Society and Social Issues

Here you will learn some English words about society and social issues, such as "aristocracy", "tolerance", "feminism", etc. that are needed for the TOEFL exam.

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Essential Words Needed for TOEFL
class
class
[noun]

a group of people having the same economic or social status in a particular society

Ex: He was born into an upper class family.
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aristocracy

people in the highest class of society who have a lot of power and wealth and usually high ranks and titles

Ex: The aristocracy opposed many social reforms that threatened their privileges .
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noble
noble
[Adjective]

belonging to the highest social or political class

Ex: Despite their noble status , the family was known for their humility and generosity towards their subjects .
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civil
civil
[Adjective]

related to the citizens of a country

Ex: Civil discourse is essential for resolving societal conflicts peacefully .
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citizen
citizen
[noun]

someone whose right of belonging to a particular state is legally recognized either because they are born there or are naturalized

Ex: The law applies to all citizens, regardless of their background .
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status
status
[noun]

someone or something's professional or social position relative to that of others

Ex: She worked hard to achieve a higher status in her career.
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welfare
welfare
[noun]

a financial aid provided by the government for people who are sick, unemployed, etc.

Ex: He applied for welfare after his injury prevented him from working .
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tolerance
tolerance
[noun]

willingness to accept behavior or opinions that are against one's own

Ex: The festival celebrated cultural tolerance, showcasing traditions from various ethnic groups .
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philanthropy

the activity of helping people, particularly financially

Ex: His philanthropy helped countless families .
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sexuality
sexuality
[noun]

the qualities and activities that are related to sex

Ex: Discussing sexuality openly and respectfully promotes understanding and supports individuals in embracing their identities and experiences .
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gender
gender
[noun]

the fact or condition of being male, female or non-binary that people identify themselves with based on social and cultural roles

Ex: Society often expects people to conform to traditional gender roles in terms of behavior and appearance.
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feminine
feminine
[Adjective]

related to qualities, characteristics, or behaviors typically associated with women

Ex: David was drawn to the feminine energy of the artwork , which conveyed a sense of serenity and peace .
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masculine
masculine
[Adjective]

related to qualities, characteristics, or behaviors typically associated with men

Ex: The masculine scent of the cologne reminded Sarah of her father, evoking feelings of warmth and nostalgia.
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feminism
feminism
[noun]

the movement that supports equal rights and opportunities for women and men

Ex: Modern feminism addresses social , political , and economic inequalities .
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race
race
[noun]

each of the main groups into which humans can be divided based on their physical attributes such as the color of their skin

Ex: Despite advances in understanding human genetics , race continues to play a significant role in society , influencing everything from social interactions to access to resources .
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ethnicity
ethnicity
[noun]

the state of belonging to a certain ethnic group

Ex: The festival showcases music , food , and art from various ethnicities around the world .
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multicultural
multicultural
[Adjective]

relating to or involving several different cultures

Ex: The company fosters a multicultural work environment , valuing diversity and inclusion .
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global village

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

Ex: The concept of the global village emphasizes the need for cooperation and collaboration among nations to address common challenges and promote peace and prosperity for all .
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inequality

a situation in which people or groups are not treated equally or fairly

Ex: Governments implement policies to reduce social and economic inequality.
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gender gap

the differences between men and women's rights, opportunities, and treatment in society

Ex: Bridging the gender gap in technology fields requires addressing systemic barriers and biases that deter women from pursuing careers in STEM .
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to discriminate

to unfairly treat a person or group of people based on their sex, race, etc.

Ex: The school was criticized for discriminating against students of certain religious backgrounds .
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diversity
diversity
[noun]

the practice of involving many people from different cultures, social backgrounds, sexual orientations, etc.

Ex: The school 's commitment to diversity is shown through its inclusive curriculum and extracurricular activities .
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superior
superior
[Adjective]

higher in status or rank in comparison with someone or something else

Ex: The superior diplomat represents the country in high-level international negotiations .
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inferior
inferior
[Adjective]

lower in rank or status in comparison with someone or something else

Ex: The team 's performance was deemed inferior to the competing teams in the tournament .
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segregation

a social system or practice that keeps minority groups separate from the majority, often through separate facilities or services

Ex: Segregation in workplaces limited career advancement for minorities .
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homelessness

the fact or condition of not having a home

Ex: She dedicated her career to raising awareness about homelessness and advocating for policy changes .
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sexism
sexism
[noun]

the belief or behavior that one sex is less important, capable, or valuable than the other

Ex: Laws have been created to address sexism and gender discrimination .
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racism
racism
[noun]

harmful or unfair actions, words, or thoughts directed at people of different races, often based on the idea that one’s own race is more intelligent, moral, or worthy

Ex: Racism in the police force has been a long-standing issue .
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alcoholism

a medical condition caused by drinking an excessive amounts of alcohol on a regular basis

Ex: Research has shown a correlation between stress and an increased risk of alcoholism.
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addiction
addiction
[noun]

the inability to stop using or doing something, particularly something harmful or unhealthy

Ex: Overcoming addiction requires commitment , perseverance , and ongoing support from healthcare professionals , friends , and family members .
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demonstration

a display of support for or protest against something or someone by a march or public meeting

Ex: The political party organized a demonstration to protest against corruption in government .
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minority
minority
[noun]

a small group of people who differ in race, religion, etc. and are often mistreated by the society

Ex: He is researching the history of minority communities in the area .
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prejudice
prejudice
[noun]

an unreasonable opinion or judgment based on dislike felt for a person, group, etc., particularly because of their race, sex, etc.

Ex: The novel explores themes of prejudice and social inequality .
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starvation

a situation where a person or animal dies or greatly suffers from having no food for a long time

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slum
slum
[noun]

(often plural) a very poor and overpopulated area of a city or town in which the houses are not in good condition

Ex: The government is implementing programs to improve living conditions in slums.
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shelter
shelter
[noun]

a place in which very poor people are provided with food and housing

Ex: They created a temporary shelter for those affected by the disaster .
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refugee
refugee
[noun]

a person who is forced to leave their own country because of war, natural disaster, etc.

Ex: The refugee crisis prompted discussions on humanitarian aid and global responsibility .
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community service

unpaid work done either as a form of punishment by a criminal or as a voluntary service by a citizen

Ex: He found fulfillment in community service, knowing that his efforts were making a positive impact on those in need .
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social worker

someone who is employed to give advice to or provide help for those with family or financial problems

Ex: She became a social worker to support underprivileged children .
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