Thinking & Reasoning
B1 words for thinking, analysis, and reasoning
Overview
18 B1-level words for thinking, analysis, and reasoning.
Words
absolutely /æb.səˈl(j)uːt.lɪ/
adverb — B1
Meaning: In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly.
Example:
- She is absolutely right about that.
- I absolutely love this city.
Collocations: absolutely right, absolutely sure, absolutely nothing
Word family: absolute (tt.) → absolutely (trt.)
academic /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/
adjective — B1
Meaning: (usually capitalized) A follower of Plato, a Platonist.
Example:
- Her academic results are excellent.
- He has a strong academic background.
Collocations: academic year, academic research, academic performance
Word family: academy (dt.) → academic (tt.) → academically (trt.)
access /ˈæksɛs/
noun, verb — B1
Meaning: A way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage.
Example:
- Students have access to the library.
- You can access the file online.
Collocations: access to, gain access, have access, easy access
Word family: access (dt./đt.) → accessible (tt.) → accessibility (dt.)
account /ə.ˈkaʊnt/
noun — B1
Meaning: A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review.
Example:
- She opened a bank account.
- He gave a detailed account of the accident.
Collocations: bank account, take into account, on account of
Word family: account (dt./đt.) → accountant (dt.) → accounting (dt.)
achievement /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
noun — B1
Meaning: The act of achieving or performing; a successful performance; accomplishment
Example:
- Winning the prize was a great achievement.
- She’s proud of her achievements.
Collocations: great achievement, sense of achievement
Word family: achieve (đt.) → achievement (dt.) → achievable (tt.)
admit /ədˈmɪt/
verb — B1
Meaning: To allow to enter; to grant entrance (to), whether into a place, into the mind, or into consideration
Example:
- He admitted his mistake.
- She was admitted to the hospital.
Collocations: admit defeat, admit to, be admitted to
Word family: admit (đt.) → admission (dt.) → admittedly (trt.)
advanced /ədˈvɑːnst/
adjective — B1
Meaning: To promote or advantage.
Example:
- She’s taking an advanced English course.
- The technology is very advanced.
Collocations: advanced level, advanced technology, advanced course
Word family: advance (đt./dt.) → advanced (tt.) → advancement (dt.)
aim /eɪm/
noun, verb — B1
Meaning: The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
Example:
- The aim of the project is to help students.
- She aimed the camera at the bird.
Collocations: aim to, aim at, aim for, main aim
Word family: aim (dt./đt.) → aimless (tt.) → aimlessly (trt.)
analyse
verb — B1
Meaning: To subject to analysis.
Example:
- We need to analyse the data carefully.
- The doctor analysed the blood sample.
Collocations: analyse data, analyse results
Word family: analyse (đt.) → analysis (dt.) → analyst (dt.) → analytical (tt.)
base /beɪs/
noun, verb — B1
Meaning: Something from which other things extend; a foundation.
Example:
- The company is based in London.
- The movie is based on a true story.
Collocations: base on, military base, base of operations
Word family: base (dt./đt.) → basic (tt.) → basically (trt.) → basis (dt.)
obviously /ˈɒ(b).vɪəs.li/
adverb — B1
Meaning: In an obvious or clearly apparent manner.
Example:
- She was obviously tired after the long flight.
- Obviously, we need more time.
Collocations: quite obviously, most obviously
Word family: obvious (tt.) → obviously (trt.)
indicate /ˈɪndɪkeɪt/
verb — B1
Meaning: To point out; to discover; to direct to a knowledge of; to show; to make known.
Example:
- The sign indicates the exit.
- Research indicates that exercise is important.
Collocations: indicate that, clearly indicate
Word family: indicate (đt.) → indication (dt.) → indicator (dt.) → indicative (tt.)
conclude /kən.ˈkluːd/
verb — B1
Meaning: To end; to come to an end.
Example:
- She concluded her speech with a joke.
- The report concluded that changes are needed.
Collocations: conclude that, conclude with, conclude by
Word family: conclude (đt.) → conclusion (dt.) → conclusive (tt.)
theory /ˈθiːəɹi/
noun — B1
Meaning: A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate.
Example:
- Darwin’s theory of evolution.
- In theory, the plan should work.
Collocations: in theory, theory of, put into theory
Word family: theory (dt.) → theoretical (tt.) → theoretically (trt.) → theorist (dt.)
therefore /ˈðɛəfɔː/
adverb — B1
Meaning: For that or this purpose, referring to something previously stated.
Example:
- He was ill; therefore he stayed home.
- The roads are icy; therefore, drive carefully.
Collocations: and therefore, therefore it is
indeed /ɪnˈdiːd/
adverb — B1
Meaning: (modal) Truly; in fact; actually.
Example:
- It is indeed a difficult problem.
- Thank you very much indeed.
Collocations: very much indeed, indeed it is, yes indeed
issue /ˈɪsjuː/
noun — B1
Meaning: The action or an instance of flowing or coming out, an outflow, particularly:
Example:
- Climate change is a serious issue.
- The latest issue of the magazine is out.
Collocations: key issue, raise an issue, address an issue
Word family: issue (dt./đt.)
reflect /ɹɪˈflɛkt/
verb — B1
Meaning: To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.
Example:
- The lake reflected the mountains.
- She reflected on her past decisions.
Collocations: reflect on, reflect upon, clearly reflect
Word family: reflect (đt.) → reflection (dt.) → reflective (tt.)
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| absolutely | adv. | In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly |
| academic | adj. | (usually capitalized) A follower of Plato, a Platonist |
| access | n./v. | A way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage |
| account | n. | A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review |
| achievement | n. | The act of achieving or performing; a successful performance; accomplishment |
| admit | v. | To allow to enter; to grant entrance (to), whether into a place, into the mind, or into consideration |
| advanced | adj. | To promote or advantage |
| aim | n./v. | The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it |
| analyse | v. | To subject to analysis |
| base | n./v. | Something from which other things extend; a foundation |
| obviously | adv. | In an obvious or clearly apparent manner |
| indicate | v. | To point out; to discover; to direct to a knowledge of; to show; to make known |
| conclude | v. | To end; to come to an end |
| theory | n. | A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate |
| therefore | adv. | For that or this purpose, referring to something previously stated |
| indeed | adv. | (modal) Truly; in fact; actually |
| issue | n. | The action or an instance of flowing or coming out, an outflow, particularly: |
| reflect | v. | To bend back (light, etc |