B2 Unit 84: Society & law 4
20 B2 words: controversy, offense, mercy, racism, naval, coalition… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| controversy/ˈkɑntrəˌvɝsi/ n | controversypublic disagreement about something | The new highway caused controversy in the town.The new highway caused controversy in the town. | |
| offense/əˈfɛns/ n | offensean illegal act or crime | Parking here is an offense with a fine.Parking here is an offense with a fine. | |
| mercy/ˈmɝsi/ n | mercykind treatment of someone you could punish | The judge showed mercy and gave a short sentence.The judge showed mercy and gave a short sentence. | |
| racism/ˈreɪˌsɪzəm/ n | racismunfair treatment of people because of their race | Schools teach children that racism is wrong.Schools teach children that racism is wrong. | |
| naval/ˈneɪvəl/ adj | navalrelating to the navy or ships of war | The naval base is located on the coast.The naval base is located on the coast. | |
| coalition/ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃən/ n | coalitionan alliance of groups working together | Three parties formed a coalition to run the city.Three parties formed a coalition to run the city. | |
| legitimate/ləˈdʒɪtəmət/ adj | legitimatefair, reasonable and allowed by law | Ali has a legitimate reason for missing the meeting.Ali has a legitimate reason for missing the meeting. | |
| sue/su/ v | to sueto take someone to court | The customer decided to sue the company for the damage.The customer decided to sue the company for the damage. | |
| veteran/ˈvɛtɚən/ n | veterana person with long experience, often in war | The veteran told students stories about his years in the army.The veteran told students stories about his years in the army. | |
| privilege/ˈprɪvlədʒ/ n | privilegea special advantage that not everyone has | Having a good education is a privilege that many people do not have.Having a good education is a privilege that many people do not have. | |
| identification/aɪˌdɛntəfəˈkeɪʃən/ n | identificationproof of who you are | You need some identification to open a bank account.You need some identification to open a bank account. | |
| adoption/əˈdɑpʃən/ n | adoptionthe act of formally accepting something | The adoption of the new law surprised many people.The adoption of the new law surprised many people. | |
| anonymous/əˈnɑnəməs/ adj | anonymousnot named; with an unknown name | An anonymous donor gave a thousand dollars to the library.An anonymous donor gave a thousand dollars to the library. | |
| colonial/kəˈloʊniəl/ adj | colonialrelating to a country ruling another land | Many old buildings in this city date from the colonial period.Many old buildings in this city date from the colonial period. | |
| revolutionary/ˌrɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri/ adj | revolutionarycompletely new and causing great change | The invention of the printing press was truly revolutionary.The invention of the printing press was truly revolutionary. | |
| scandal/ˈskændəl/ n | scandala shocking event that harms reputations | The newspaper reported a scandal at the city council.The newspaper reported a scandal at the city council. | |
| surveillance/sɚˈveɪləns/ n | surveillancecareful watching of a place or person | Cameras provide surveillance in the shopping center at night.Cameras provide surveillance in the shopping center at night. | |
| testimony/ˈtɛstəˌmoʊni/ n | testimonya formal statement made in court | The witness gave her testimony in court on Monday.The witness gave her testimony in court on Monday. | |
| legislature/ˈlɛdʒəˌsleɪtʃɚ/ n | legislaturethe group that makes laws | The legislature voted to build more schools in rural areas.The legislature voted to build more schools in rural areas. | |
| presidency/ˈprɛzədənsi/ n | presidencythe position or time of being president | The presidency lasts four years in many countries.The presidency lasts four years in many countries. |