Social Inequality
1. amend v. To change for the better
The residents voted to amend their neighborhood policy on fences.
Parts of speech amendment n
2. biased adj. Leaning unfairly in one direction
Her newspaper article was criticized for being heavily biased
toward the mayor’s proposal.
Parts of speech bias n
3. burden n. Something that is carried; a source of stress or worry
The donkey walked slowly under the burden of its heavy load.
The failing company faced the burden of bad debts and a poor
reputation.
Parts of speech burden v
4. counter v. To act in opposition to; to offer in response
The hockey player countered the punch with a smashing blow from
his hockey stick.
Jane countered every accusation with a specific example of her
achievements.
Parts of speech counter n, counter adj
5. de facto adj. Truly doing a job, even if not officially
Popular support established the Citizens Party as the de facto
government.
Parts of speech de facto adv
6. discriminate To choose carefully among options
The governor wisely discriminated between urgent issues and those
that could wait.
Parts of speech discriminatory adj, discriminate adj
7. notion n. A belief; a fanciful impulse
The notion that older office equipment is unreliable is inaccurate.
One morning, she suddenly took the notion to paint her kitchen red.
Usage tips Notion can be followed by a that clause or a to phrase.
8. oppress v. To keep down by force; to weigh heavily on
Factory management oppressed workers through intimidation.
Parts of speech oppression n
9. paradigm n. A pattern or model; a set of assumptions
The usual paradigm for economic growth in developed countries
does not apply to some poor nations.
Usage tips Paradigm is often followed by for.
10. prejudiced adj. Causing to judge prematurely and unfairly
Many consumers are prejudiced against commercial goods made in
third-world countries.
Parts of speech prejudice v, prejudice n