Modern lifestyle in Society Glossary for IELTS

10 Society terms

This glossary can help you prepare for the IELTS writing tasks related to the Modern lifestyle in Society.


advertising:

noun

Advertising is a means of communication with the users of a product or service.

Example: The reasons for this are the influence of advertising and the availability of credit cards.

benefit:

noun

An advantage or profit gained from something.

Example: There have clearly been many benefits.

breakdown:

noun

A failure of a relationship or system.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

chore:

noun

A routine task, especially a household one.

Example: Going shopping used to be a chore.

considerably:

adverb

By a notably large amount or to a notably large extent; greatly.

Example: I think a construction like this will change the atmosphere of the area considerably.

construction:

noun

The action of building something, typically a large structure.

Example: I think a construction like this will change the atmosphere of the area considerably.

consumer:

noun

A person who purchases goods and services for personal use.

Example: It may be good for the retailers, but not for consumers.

credit card:

noun phrase

A small plastic card issued by a bank, building society, etc., allowing the holder to purchase goods or services on credit.

Example: The reasons for this are the influence of advertising and the availability of credit cards.

fatal diseases:

noun phrase

Diseases causing death.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

generation:

noun

Example: For earlier generations, buying food or consumer products involved visiting several shops.

information technology:

noun phrase

The study or use of systems (especially computers and telecommunications) for storing, retrieving, and sending information.

Example: Information technology has allowed us to contact friends or colleagues worldwide at the click of a mouse.

labour-saving:

adjective

(of an appliance) designed to reduce the amount of work needed to do something.

Example: In addition, labour-saving devices such as washing machines and microwave ovens have made everyday tasks much easier.

lifespan:

noun

The length of time for which a person or animal lives or a thing functions.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

materialistic:

adjective

Excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented.

Example: The emphasis on acquiring the latest technology has made people increasingly materialistic.

medical science:

noun phrase

The branch of science concerned with the study of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

recently:

adverb

At a recent time; not long ago.

Example: I have recently read in the local newspaper that a shopping centre is going to be built near where I live.

science and technology:

noun phrase

Science encompasses the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment, and technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

Example: Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live.

shopping:

noun

The action or activity of buying goods from shops.

Example: Going shopping used to be a chore.

shopping centre:

noun phrase

An area or complex of shops.

Example: I have recently read in the local newspaper that a shopping centre is going to be built near where I live.

social ties:

noun phrase

Connections among people that are used for sharing information, knowledge, feelings, and experiences.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

terrorism:

noun

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Example: Among other serious problems we face are the drug culture, and the ever-present threat of terrorism.

transform:

verb

Make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of.

Example: Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live.

vulnerable:

adjective

Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

worldwide:

adverb

Throughout the world.

Example: Information technology has allowed us to contact friends or colleagues worldwide at the click of a mouse.

advertising:

noun

Advertising is a means of communication with the users of a product or service.

Example: The reasons for this are the influence of advertising and the availability of credit cards.

benefit:

noun

An advantage or profit gained from something.

Example: There have clearly been many benefits.

breakdown:

noun

A failure of a relationship or system.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

chore:

noun

A routine task, especially a household one.

Example: Going shopping used to be a chore.

considerably:

adverb

By a notably large amount or to a notably large extent; greatly.

Example: I think a construction like this will change the atmosphere of the area considerably.

construction:

noun

The action of building something, typically a large structure.

Example: I think a construction like this will change the atmosphere of the area considerably.

consumer:

noun

A person who purchases goods and services for personal use.

Example: It may be good for the retailers, but not for consumers.

credit card:

noun phrase

A small plastic card issued by a bank, building society, etc., allowing the holder to purchase goods or services on credit.

Example: The reasons for this are the influence of advertising and the availability of credit cards.

fatal diseases:

noun phrase

Diseases causing death.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

generation:

noun

Example: For earlier generations, buying food or consumer products involved visiting several shops.

information technology:

noun phrase

The study or use of systems (especially computers and telecommunications) for storing, retrieving, and sending information.

Example: Information technology has allowed us to contact friends or colleagues worldwide at the click of a mouse.

labour-saving:

adjective

(of an appliance) designed to reduce the amount of work needed to do something.

Example: In addition, labour-saving devices such as washing machines and microwave ovens have made everyday tasks much easier.

lifespan:

noun

The length of time for which a person or animal lives or a thing functions.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

materialistic:

adjective

Excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented.

Example: The emphasis on acquiring the latest technology has made people increasingly materialistic.

medical science:

noun phrase

The branch of science concerned with the study of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

recently:

adverb

At a recent time; not long ago.

Example: I have recently read in the local newspaper that a shopping centre is going to be built near where I live.

science and technology:

noun phrase

Science encompasses the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment, and technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

Example: Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live.

shopping:

noun

The action or activity of buying goods from shops.

Example: Going shopping used to be a chore.

shopping centre:

noun phrase

An area or complex of shops.

Example: I have recently read in the local newspaper that a shopping centre is going to be built near where I live.

social ties:

noun phrase

Connections among people that are used for sharing information, knowledge, feelings, and experiences.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

terrorism:

noun

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Example: Among other serious problems we face are the drug culture, and the ever-present threat of terrorism.

transform:

verb

Make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of.

Example: Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live.

vulnerable:

adjective

Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

worldwide:

adverb

Throughout the world.

Example: Information technology has allowed us to contact friends or colleagues worldwide at the click of a mouse.

advertising:

noun

Advertising is a means of communication with the users of a product or service.

Example: The reasons for this are the influence of advertising and the availability of credit cards.

benefit:

noun

An advantage or profit gained from something.

Example: There have clearly been many benefits.

breakdown:

noun

A failure of a relationship or system.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

chore:

noun

A routine task, especially a household one.

Example: Going shopping used to be a chore.

considerably:

adverb

By a notably large amount or to a notably large extent; greatly.

Example: I think a construction like this will change the atmosphere of the area considerably.

construction:

noun

The action of building something, typically a large structure.

Example: I think a construction like this will change the atmosphere of the area considerably.

consumer:

noun

A person who purchases goods and services for personal use.

Example: It may be good for the retailers, but not for consumers.

credit card:

noun phrase

A small plastic card issued by a bank, building society, etc., allowing the holder to purchase goods or services on credit.

Example: The reasons for this are the influence of advertising and the availability of credit cards.

fatal diseases:

noun phrase

Diseases causing death.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

generation:

noun

Example: For earlier generations, buying food or consumer products involved visiting several shops.

information technology:

noun phrase

The study or use of systems (especially computers and telecommunications) for storing, retrieving, and sending information.

Example: Information technology has allowed us to contact friends or colleagues worldwide at the click of a mouse.

labour-saving:

adjective

(of an appliance) designed to reduce the amount of work needed to do something.

Example: In addition, labour-saving devices such as washing machines and microwave ovens have made everyday tasks much easier.

lifespan:

noun

The length of time for which a person or animal lives or a thing functions.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

materialistic:

adjective

Excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented.

Example: The emphasis on acquiring the latest technology has made people increasingly materialistic.

medical science:

noun phrase

The branch of science concerned with the study of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Example: Advances in medical science have brought cures for once fatal diseases and this has significantly extended the lifespan we can expect.

recently:

adverb

At a recent time; not long ago.

Example: I have recently read in the local newspaper that a shopping centre is going to be built near where I live.

science and technology:

noun phrase

Science encompasses the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment, and technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

Example: Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live.

shopping:

noun

The action or activity of buying goods from shops.

Example: Going shopping used to be a chore.

shopping centre:

noun phrase

An area or complex of shops.

Example: I have recently read in the local newspaper that a shopping centre is going to be built near where I live.

social ties:

noun phrase

Connections among people that are used for sharing information, knowledge, feelings, and experiences.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

terrorism:

noun

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Example: Among other serious problems we face are the drug culture, and the ever-present threat of terrorism.

transform:

verb

Make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of.

Example: Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live.

vulnerable:

adjective

Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

Example: The resulting breakdown of traditional social ties can leave the elderly and other vulnerable people without the support they need.

worldwide:

adverb

Throughout the world.

Example: Information technology has allowed us to contact friends or colleagues worldwide at the click of a mouse.

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