Y07W16VC Theme Words — Democracy & government

To act or speak on behalf of others, or to be an example or symbol of something.

Word Breakdown: -ment (suffix forming nouns from verbs, meaning ‘the act or result of’)

Word family: representative (n., adj.), representation (n.)

Example: The student council was elected to represent the interests of the entire school community.

Synonyms: stand for, symbolise, depict

Collocations: represent a group, represent the majority, represent values

A set of rules, principles, or a plan of action adopted by a government, organisation, or institution.

Word family: policies (n. plural), policy-maker (n.)

Example: The government’s new education policy was debated extensively in parliament before being passed.

Synonyms: guideline, regulation, rule

Collocations: government policy, introduce a policy, education policy

The state of being responsible for one’s decisions and actions and expected to explain them to others.

Word Breakdown: -ity (suffix forming abstract nouns meaning ‘the state or quality of’)

Word family: accountable (adj.), unaccountable (adj.)

Example: The new policy was designed to increase accountability among elected officials through regular public reporting.

Synonyms: responsibility, answerability, transparency

Collocations: political accountability, lack of accountability, ensure accountability

To give reasons in support of or against something, especially in a written or formal discussion.

Word family: argument (n.), argumentative (adj.)

Example: The student argued convincingly that the government’s policy had failed to address the root causes of inequality.

Synonyms: contend, maintain, assert

Collocations: argue that, argue for, argue a case

Facts, information, or examples that support a claim or help determine whether something is true.

Word Breakdown: -ence (suffix forming abstract nouns meaning ‘the state or quality of’)

Word family: evident (adj.), evidently (adv.)

Example: Without clear and specific evidence to support the claim, the argument is unlikely to persuade the reader.

Synonyms: proof, support, data

Collocations: provide evidence, based on evidence, evidence suggests

A particular way of viewing or thinking about an issue, shaped by a person’s background, beliefs, or position.

Word Breakdown: per- (prefix meaning ‘through’ or ‘by means of’)

Word family: perspectives (n. plural)

Example: Reading the novel from a different cultural perspective revealed assumptions the author may not have intended.

Synonyms: viewpoint, standpoint, outlook

Collocations: from a different perspective, shift perspective, consider perspectives

A difficult task that tests ability, or to question and dispute a claim or position.

Word family: challenging (adj.)

Example: The opposition party challenged the government’s statistics, calling for an independent review of the data.

Synonyms: question, dispute, contest

Collocations: pose a challenge, challenge the view, present a challenge

A particular way of thinking about an issue, formed by a person’s beliefs, experiences, or position.

Word family: viewpoints (n. plural)

Example: The documentary was criticised for presenting only one viewpoint on a complex political issue.

Synonyms: perspective, standpoint, opinion

Collocations: express a viewpoint, different viewpoints, from the viewpoint of

Used to introduce an interpretation or claim that is suggested by evidence, data, or a text.

Example: The survey was conducted across twelve secondary schools; this argues for a wider rollout of the mental health programme.

Synonyms: this suggests, this contends, this implies

Collocations: this argues that, this argues for, this therefore argues