Y06W04VC Theme Words — Disasters & emergencies

Causing severe damage, destruction or distress; extremely harmful or upsetting.

Word family: devastating (adj.), devastate (v.), devastation (n.)

Example: The bushfire had a devastating effect on the local wildlife and the surrounding bushland.

Synonyms: destructive, catastrophic, severe

Collocations: a devastating impact, devastating consequences, a devastating loss

To move people away from a dangerous place to somewhere safe.

Word family: evacuate (v.), evacuation (n.)

Example: Residents were evacuated from the coastal town before the floodwaters reached the streets.

Synonyms: move out, relocate, withdraw

Collocations: evacuate a building, evacuate residents, ordered to evacuate

A time of intense difficulty, danger or uncertainty that requires urgent action.

Word family: crisis (n.), crises (n. pl.)

Example: Emergency services worked around the clock during the humanitarian crisis caused by the flooding.

Synonyms: emergency, disaster, catastrophe

Collocations: a crisis situation, respond to a crisis, in crisis

A set of reasons or evidence used to support a point of view or position in a discussion or piece of writing.

Word family: argument (n.), argue (v.), arguably (adv.), argumentative (adj.)

Example: She built a strong argument by using three pieces of evidence from the text.

Synonyms: case, claim, point

Collocations: make an argument, build an argument, a convincing argument

A particular way of thinking about or viewing something, shaped by a person's experience or position.

Word Breakdown: -ive (suffix meaning 'tending to or relating to')

Word family: perspective (n.), perspectively (adv.)

Example: Reading the story from the perspective of the local community changed the way the students thought about the issue.

Synonyms: viewpoint, standpoint, angle

Collocations: from the perspective of, a different perspective, consider a perspective

A position or opinion from which something is considered or judged.

Word family: viewpoint (n.)

Example: The editorial presented several viewpoints on the emergency response before reaching a conclusion.

Synonyms: perspective, standpoint, opinion

Collocations: express a viewpoint, a different viewpoint, consider viewpoints

A person's point of view or stance on a particular issue.

Word family: position (n.), positioned (adj.)

Example: The author stated her position clearly in the opening paragraph of the argument.

Synonyms: stance, view, standpoint

Collocations: take a position, state a position, defend a position

The attitude or position a person takes on a particular issue, especially in writing or debate.

Word family: stance (n.)

Example: The journalist's stance on the issue of emergency funding was clear from the opening sentence.

Synonyms: position, viewpoint, attitude

Collocations: take a stance, a clear stance, the author's stance

‘In contrast’ is used to show a clear difference between two ideas, examples or situations.

Example: The first paragraph is descriptive. In contrast, the second paragraph explains the reason.

Synonyms: however, by comparison, on the other hand

Collocations: in contrast to; in contrast, this shows; in contrast, the other