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Unit 17
Academic Words 4: Key Nouns
20 nouns for research & argument
How to Study These Words
These are words that appear again and again in YDS, YDT and YÖKDİL vocabulary, cloze and reading questions. Learn each word together with its typical partner words (e.g. impose a tax, comply with a rule) — in the exam, these partners are often the clue that decides the answer.
Study the table, cover the Turkish meanings and test yourself, then solve the two tests. Return to the list a few days later: spaced repetition is the most effective way to remember new vocabulary.
Word List
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| approach | a way of dealing with something | a new approach to teaching maths |
| aspect | one part or feature of a situation | Cost is an important aspect of the plan. |
| criterion (pl. criteria) | a standard used for judging something | The criteria for selection are clear. |
| decline | a gradual decrease | a decline in birth rates |
| emphasis | special importance given to something | The school places great emphasis on sport. |
| evidence | facts that show something is true | There is no evidence that he was there. |
| extent | the degree or size of something | the full extent of the damage |
| hypothesis | an idea that is tested by research | The results supported the hypothesis. |
| impact | a strong effect | the impact of social media on teenagers |
| implication | a possible effect of an action or decision | the economic implications of the new law |
| incentive | something that encourages people to do something | tax incentives for green energy |
| phenomenon (pl. phenomena) | something that exists or happens, especially something unusual | The northern lights are a natural phenomenon. |
| scope | the range of things that a subject or activity deals with | That question is beyond the scope of this study. |
| trend | a general direction of change | a growing trend towards remote work |
| assumption | something accepted as true without proof | The plan is based on false assumptions. |
| distinction | a clear difference between things | the distinction between weather and climate |
| framework | a basic structure of ideas or rules | a legal framework |
| discrepancy | a difference between things that should be the same | discrepancies between the two reports |
| initiative | a new plan for dealing with a problem | a government initiative to reduce waste |
| prospect | the possibility that something will happen in the future | little prospect of improvement |