IELTS Speaking Vocabulary: CHALLENGES

Summary

This video script focuses on exploring various challenges in modern life, including job loss, mental health, social media issues, and climate change. It emphasizes the importance of vocabulary related to these challenges, offering insights into words like 'challenge,' 'struggle,' 'battle,' and their usage in different contexts. The script also introduces phrases for problem-solving, such as 'overcome,' 'solve,' 'fix,' and 'sort.' Through practical examples and a mix of informal and formal expressions, viewers are encouraged to understand and engage with these concepts, enriching their language and communication skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Technology can both help people learn new skills and replace jobs, creating challenges in the workforce.
• 😀 Losing a job due to economic downturns, like recessions, is a significant stressor in people's lives.
• 😀 Social challenges, including addiction to social media and privacy concerns, are becoming more prominent.
• 😀 Mental health issues are a growing concern and people are talking about it more openly these days.
• 😀 Choosing and finding a partner can be a challenge, with many facing difficulty in forming relationships.
• 😀 Raising children is a complex challenge many people face in modern life.
• 😀 Pollution and climate change are significant issues that impact daily life and future prospects.
• 😀 Staying healthy in the face of environmental and personal challenges is another key modern struggle.
• 😀 The word 'challenge' can be used both negatively (e.g., a difficult challenge) and positively (e.g., an exciting challenge).
• 😀 Different words like 'struggle', 'battle', 'setback', and 'hurdle' can be used as synonyms for challenges, each with its own nuance.
• 😀 To overcome challenges, one can 'rise to the challenge', which involves actively working to address and solve the problem at hand.

Q & A

What is the definition of a 'challenge' as explained in the script?

A 'challenge' is described as a difficult situation that requires a lot of effort to handle or solve. It can be both positive or negative, depending on the context.

How can the word 'challenge' be used in different contexts?

The word 'challenge' can be used in both positive and negative contexts. For example, 'finding a job is a real challenge' is negative, while 'learning a second language is an exciting challenge' is positive.

What are some common phrases related to 'challenge'?

'It's a challenge to...' is a common phrase. Examples include 'It's a challenge to find a job' or 'It's a challenge to stay in shape'. These phrases help to express the difficulty of an action.

What are synonyms for 'challenge' mentioned in the script?

Synonyms for 'challenge' include 'struggle', 'battle', 'hurdle', 'obstacle', 'stumbling block', and 'setback'. Each word carries a slightly different nuance but all imply difficulty or obstacles to overcome.

What does the word 'struggle' imply in comparison to 'challenge'?

The word 'struggle' implies a more intense or difficult situation than 'challenge'. A 'struggle' suggests an ongoing effort that is hard and tiring, while 'challenge' can be a difficult task without the same connotation of intensity.

What is the difference between 'deal with' and 'cope with'?

'Deal with' refers to addressing a problem without much pressure, while 'cope with' suggests handling a problem that is emotionally or mentally difficult to manage due to the level of pressure involved.

What is the meaning of the idiom 'face a challenge'?

'Face a challenge' means to directly confront and try to solve a problem or difficulty, rather than avoiding it. It involves proactively addressing the issue at hand.

What does 'rise to the challenge' mean?

'Rise to the challenge' means to not only face a challenge but to put in extra effort to overcome it. It suggests a proactive, determined approach to overcoming difficult situations.

How are the terms 'obstacle', 'stumbling block', and 'setback' related?

These terms are synonyms for 'problem', but they describe different types of difficulties. An 'obstacle' or 'stumbling block' is something that temporarily impedes progress, while a 'setback' refers to something that pushes progress back significantly.

What is the role of 'snag' in describing challenges?

'Snag' refers to a small problem that occurs in an otherwise positive situation. It's an informal way to describe minor issues that may impede progress, such as the difficulty of parking when learning to drive.