Y05W10VC Theme Words — Heroes & role models

This module focuses on vocabulary connected to the theme of heroes and role models. The words in this set are used when discussing qualities such as courage, leadership, and inspiration in real or fictional figures. Many of these terms appear in biography, narrative, and persuasive writing. Building fluency with this vocabulary helps students evaluate character and express admiration or critique.

Word in Context (Theme: Heroes & role models)

These three words connect to the theme of Heroes & role models. Read each one carefully and think about how it helps you explain the topic more clearly.

inspire

/ɪnˈspaɪə/

in‑spire

verb | [inspire – inspired – inspired]

To inspire someone is to make them feel motivated, excited, and willing to try or believe in themselves.

Word family: inspiration (n.), inspiring (adj.)

Example: The famous swimmer came to the school to inspire students to set their own goals.

Synonyms: motivate, encourage, move

Collocations: inspire others, feel inspired, inspire to achieve

admire

/ədˈmaɪə/

ad‑mire

verb | [admire – admired – admired]

To admire someone is to look up to them and respect them for their qualities, achievements, or actions.

Word family: admiration (n.), admirable (adj.)

Example: She admired the firefighters for their bravery and the way they put others before themselves.

Synonyms: respect, look up to, appreciate

Collocations: admire for, greatly admire, admire the courage of

courageous

/kəˈreɪdʒəs/

cou‑ra‑geous

adjective

Someone who is courageous shows bravery and willingness to face danger or difficulty, even when they are afraid.

Word Breakdown: -ous (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of’)

Word family: courage (n.), courageously (adv.)

Example: It was courageous of the young student to stand up in front of the whole school and speak about what mattered to her.

Synonyms: brave, fearless, bold

Collocations: a courageous act, courageous decision, be courageous

Academic Vocab

paragraph

/ˈpærəɡrɑːf/

par‑a‑graph

noun

A paragraph is a group of sentences that focus on one main idea and are written together as a unit.

Word family: paragraphing (n.)

Example: Each paragraph in her essay began with a topic sentence that stated the main idea clearly.

Synonyms: section, block, passage

Collocations: write a paragraph, topic sentence, opening paragraph

link

/lɪŋk/

link

verb | [link – linked – linked]

To link ideas is to connect them so that one leads logically into the next.

Word family: linkage (n.), linked (adj.)

Example: She used the connective word "therefore" to link her evidence to her conclusion.

Synonyms: connect, join, relate

Collocations: link ideas, link evidence, link to

connect

/kəˈnɛkt/

con‑nect

verb | [connect – connected – connected]

To connect things is to join them together so they relate to or support one another.

Word Breakdown: con- (prefix meaning ‘together’)

Word family: connection (n.), connected (adj.)

Example: Strong writers connect their examples back to the main argument at the end of each paragraph.

Synonyms: link, join, relate

Collocations: connect ideas, connect to, connect back

structure

/ˈstrʏktʃə/

struc‑ture

noun

The structure of a text is the way it is organised and arranged, including how the different parts connect.

Word family: structural (adj.)

Example: A well-planned structure helps the reader follow the argument from beginning to end.

Synonyms: organisation, layout, framework

Collocations: text structure, clear structure, overall structure

organise

/ˈɔːɡənaɪz/

or‑gan‑ise

verb | [organise – organised – organised]

To organise is to arrange things in a clear and logical order so they are easy to follow or use.

Word family: organisation (n.), organised (adj.)

Example: He organised his paragraphs so that each one built on the ideas introduced in the one before it.

Synonyms: arrange, plan, sort

Collocations: organise ideas, organise information, organise your work

therefore

/ˈðɛːfɔː/

there‑fore

adverb

‘Therefore’ is used to introduce a conclusion or result that follows logically from what was just said.

Example: She had trained for months; therefore, she felt confident and ready when the competition arrived.

Synonyms: so, consequently, as a result

Collocations: therefore, this shows; therefore, we can; therefore, it is

Confusing Words

past vs passed

These two words sound exactly the same but have different meanings and uses.

  • past — Past' can be a noun, adjective, or preposition. As a noun it refers to a previous time — for example, The hero drew on his past experiences to guide the young students. As a preposition it means 'beyond' — for example, She walked past the community centre without stopping.
  • passed — Passed' is the past tense of the verb 'to pass' — for example, She passed the baton to her teammate in the final relay leg.

Memory rule: A useful trick: if you can replace the word with 'went past' or 'moved by', use 'past'. If it is a verb describing an action that happened, use 'passed'.