cruel

extremely unkind; or causing people or animals to suffer

EXAMPLE: My daughter said she doesn't want to go to school anymore. Her classmates were very cruel---they bullied her at school.

deficiency

a situation in which you don't have enough of something

EXAMPLE: I was at the doctor's office yesterday. The blood test showed I have an iron deficiency. The doctor said I need to start taking iron pills to correct this.

humane

kind, especially toward people or animals that are suffering

EXAMPLE: My dog was hit by a car and was suffering terribly. The vet said the humane thing to do was to put it to sleep.

myth

an idea that is not true but is believed by many people

EXAMPLE: Some people say that men are better drivers than women. Research shows that this is not true. It is a myth.

nutrient

something we need to consume in order to live and grow and be healthy

EXAMPLE: A healthy balanced diet should provide all of your essential nutrients.

vegan

(adjective or noun) someone who does not eat meat, fish, eggs, milk, or cheese

EXAMPLE:

(adjective) I decided to follow a vegan diet.

(noun) Vegans get all the protein they need from nuts, seeds, and cereals.

animal welfare

an animal's physical or mental health and happiness

EXAMPLE: Some farmers don't care about animal welfare. They just want to make the most money possible, even if it means being cruel to their animals.

concede

to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true

EXAMPLE: I used to believe I followed a healthy diet, but my wife convinced me I was wrong. I have to concede that her diet is healthier than mine.

confirm

(verb) to prove that a belief or opinion that you didn't know for sure was true

EXAMPLE: She was very worried that he had started smoking again. Her fear was confirmed when she smelled smoke on his clothes.

cram

(verb) to force a lot of people, animals, or things into a small space

EXAMPLE: Five children were crammed into the backseat of the car.

dietary

(adjective) relating to your diet

EXAMPLE: Dietary habits can be very difficult to change.

eliminate

(verb) to remove something

EXAMPLE: I want to lose weight, so I am going to eliminate sugar from my diet.

exclude

(verb) to not include something on purpose

EXAMPLE: Her friends at school were cruel. They excluded her from the game. She went to the library instead of playing.

function

(verb) to work or operate

EXAMPLE: Yesterday, the TV functioned normally. Today it won't turn on.

norm

(noun) an accepted way of behaving or doing things that most people agree with

EXAMPLE: One or two children per family is fast becoming the norm in some countries.

potential

(adjective) possible when the necessary conditions exist

EXAMPLE: Many potential customers are waiting for the prices to fall before they buy.

practice

(noun) something that is usually or regularly done

EXAMPLE: It is common practice in the United States to tip servers and hairdressers.

take the plunge

(idiom) to decide to do something, especially after thinking about it for a long time

EXAMPLE: After dating for five years, they're finally taking the plunge and getting married!

trendy

(adjective) modern, and influenced by the most recent fashions or ideas

EXAMPLE: My daughter loves trendy clothes. She always wants the latest fashions. I think trendy clothes are a waste of money. I told her to get a job so she can afford to pay for them herself!

ageism

unfair treatment of people because of their age

EXAMPLE: In the United States, ageism is illegal. However, it is often harder to get a new job as you get older.

feminism

the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men

EXAMPLE: She had a lifelong commitment to feminism. She was a member of several organizations who worked to gain equal rights for women.

patriotism

the feeling of loving your country more than you love any other country, and being proud of it

EXAMPLE: Many Americans show their patriotism by displaying a flag on the Fourth of July.

veganism

the practice of not eating or using any animal products, including leather

EXAMPLE: Their belief in veganism led them to stop buying animal products, including leather.