Social Issues — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about social issues — inequality, identity and community. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

1. deprivation/ˌdep.rɪˈveɪ.ʃən/

   “Many children live in deprivation.”

2. prejudice/ˈpredʒ.ə.dɪs/

   “We must fight prejudice.”

3. marginalise/ˈmɑː.dʒɪn.əl.aɪz/

   “Poverty can marginalise people.”

4. homelessness/ˈhəʊm.ləs.nəs/

   “Homelessness is rising in cities.”

5. benefit/ˈben.ɪ.fɪt/

   “She receives unemployment benefit.”

6. injustice/ɪnˈdʒʌs.tɪs/

   “They protested against injustice.”

7. immigration/ˌɪm.ɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/

   “Immigration is a key political issue.”

8. integration/ˌɪn.tɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/

   “Integration helps newcomers settle.”

9. segregation/ˌseɡ.rɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

   “The law ended racial segregation.”

10. gender/ˈdʒen.də/

    “They campaign for gender equality.”

11. disability/ˌdɪs.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

    “The building is fitted for disability access.”

12. exclusion/ɪkˈskluː.ʒən/

    “Social exclusion harms communities.”

13. activism/ˈæk.tɪ.vɪ.zəm/

    “Her activism inspired thousands.”

14. philanthropy/fɪˈlæn.θrə.pi/

    “He is known for his philanthropy.”

15. demographic/ˌdem.əˈɡræf.ɪk/

    “The town has a young demographic.”

16. urbanisation/ˌɜː.bən.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

    “Rapid urbanisation strains services.”

17. overpopulation/ˌəʊ.və.pɒp.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/

    “Overpopulation puts pressure on land.”

18. inclusion/ɪnˈkluː.ʒən/

    “The school promotes inclusion.”

19. stereotype/ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/

    “The film avoids every stereotype.”

20. underprivileged/ˌʌn.dəˈprɪv.ɪ.lɪdʒd/

    “Charities help underprivileged children.”

21. empower/ɪmˈpaʊə/

    “Education can empower women.”

22. cohesion/kəʊˈhiː.ʒən/

    “Sport builds social cohesion.”

23. elite/eɪˈliːt/

    “Power was held by a small elite.”

24. redistribute/ˌriː.dɪˈstrɪb.juːt/

    “They want to redistribute wealth.”

25. slum/slʌm/

    “The family lived in a city slum.”

26. sexism/ˈsek.sɪ.zəm/

    “Sexism still exists at work.”

27. taboo/təˈbuː/

    “The subject is still a taboo.”

28. asylum/əˈsaɪ.ləm/

    “They sought asylum in Europe.”

29. feminism/ˈfem.ɪ.nɪ.zəm/

    “Feminism changed many laws.”

30. solidarity/ˌsɒl.ɪˈdær.ɪ.ti/

    “Workers showed solidarity.”

31. delinquency/dɪˈlɪŋ.kwən.si/

    “Youth delinquency worries the council.”

32. alcoholism/ˈæl.kə.hɒl.ɪ.zəm/

    “Alcoholism destroyed his career.”

33. starvation/stɑːˈveɪ.ʃən/

    “War left thousands facing starvation.”

34. humanitarian/hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈteə.ri.ən/

    “They sent humanitarian aid.”

35. multiculturalism/ˌmʌl.tiˈkʌl.tʃər.əl.ɪ.zəm/

    “The city embraces multiculturalism.”

36. civil rights/ˌsɪv.əl ˈraɪts/

    “She fought for civil rights.”

37. charitable/ˈtʃær.ɪ.tə.bəl/

    “It is a charitable organisation.”

38. underclass/ˈʌn.də.klɑːs/

    “Some fear a permanent underclass.”

39. birth rate/ˈbɜːθ ˌreɪt/

    “The birth rate is falling.”

40. norm/nɔːm/

    “Working from home became the norm.”

41. destitute/ˈdes.tɪ.tjuːt/

    “The war left families destitute.”

42. discriminate/dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪt/

    “It is illegal to discriminate.”

43. stigma/ˈstɪɡ.mə/

    “There is still a stigma around mental illness.”

44. ethnic/ˈeθ.nɪk/

    “The city has many ethnic groups.”

45. subsidy/ˈsʌb.sɪ.di/

    “Farmers receive a subsidy.”

46. grassroots/ˌɡrɑːsˈruːts/

    “It began as a grassroots movement.”

47. advocate/ˈæd.və.keɪt/

    “She is an advocate for the poor.”

48. hardship/ˈhɑːd.ʃɪp/

    “They endured great hardship.”

49. campaigner/kæmˈpeɪ.nə/

    “She is a tireless campaigner.”

50. communal/kəˈmjuː.nəl/

    “They share a communal garden.”