Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL - Society and Social Issues

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

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

belonging to the highest social or political class

related to the citizens of a country

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

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

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

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

the activity of helping people, particularly financially

the qualities and activities that are related to sex

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

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

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

the movement that supports equal treatment of men and women and believes women should have the same rights and opportunities

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

the state of belonging to a certain ethnic group

relating to or involving several different cultures

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

a situation where there is a lack of fairness or equal treatment between individuals or groups

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

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

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

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

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

the policy of separating a group of people from the rest based on racial, sexual, or religious grounds and discriminating against them

the fact or condition of not having a home

an unfair treatment based on the belief that one gender, particularly female, is weaker, less intelligent, or less important than the other

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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