GCSE Sophisticated Vocabulary

Affinity (n)

Liking and understanding "as students ourselves, we have a special ____ for what will be useful."

Quintessential (adj)

Most perfect example of something. "It is the ___________ learning space because..."

Respite (n)

Period of rest. "This will offer the perfect _____ for teachers."

Resonate (v)

To create a particular meaning. "We feel this will ___ with students because..."

cynical (adj)

believing the worst of others, especially that all acts are selfish "She was _____ about whether politicians genuinely do good deeds for others rather than for publicity)

impudent (adj)

casually rude, insolent, impertinent "The ______ young woman looked her teacher up and down and told him he was hot."

haughty (adj)

disdainfully proud "The superstar's _________ dismissal of her co-stars will backfire on her some day."

brazen (adj)

excessively bold, brash, clear and obvious "Critics condemned the writer's ______ attempt to plagiarise another person's work."

impeccable (adj)

exemplary, flawless "If your grades were as ______ as your brother's, then you too would receive a car for a graduation present."

eloquent (adj)

expressive, articulate, moving "The best man gave such an ____ speech that most guests were crying."

amiable (adj)

friendly "An _________ fellow, Neil got along with just about everyone."

callous (adj)

harsh, cold, unfeeling "the murderer's _______ lack of remorse shocked the jury."

candour (n)

honesty, frankness "we were surprised by the ______ of the politician's speech because she is usually rather evasive."

insatiable (adj)

incapable of being satisfied "my ________ appetite for blondes was a real problem on my recent holiday in Japan!"

coherent (adj)

logically consistent, intelligible "William could not figure out what Harold had seen because he was too distraught to deliver a ____ statement."

Erroneous (adj)

mistaken

inept (adj)

not suitable or capable, unqualified "she proved how ____ she was when she forgot two orders and spilled a pint of cider in a customer's lap."

elated (adj)

overjoyed, thrilled "When he found out he had won the lottery, the postman was ______"

hypocrisy (n)

pretending to believe what one does not. "Once the politician began passing legislation that contradicted his campaign promises, his _____ became apparent."

furtive (adj)

secretive

complacency (n)

self-satisfied ignorance of danger "Simon tried to shock his friends out of their _______ by painting a frightening picture of what might happen to them..."

insular (adj)

separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off. "Because of the sensitive nature of their jobs, those who work for MI5 must remain ____ and generally only spend time with each other."

diligent (adj)

showing care in doing one's work "The ________ researcher made sure to double check her measurements"

aberration (n)

something that differs from the norm "Frankenstein's monster is an aberration in nature."

abhor (v)

to hate, detest "Because he couldn't kick the ball, Martin began to ______ rugby"

coerce (v)

to make somebody do something by force or threat "The court decided that David Beckham did not have to honour the contract because he had been ________ into signing it"

inhibit (v)

to prevent, restrain, stop. "When I told you I needed the car last night, I certainly never meant to _____ you from going out."

acquiesce (v)

to reluctantly agree "Though my child wanted to stay up, her decided to ________ to my request that he clean his room so he could get his allowance"

judicious (adj)

wise