Top 100 Vocabulary List Secondary 2 Grade A1

Mastering a diverse and advanced vocabulary is essential for Secondary 2 students aiming for top performance, especially for those targeting an A1 grade in English. This Top 100 Vocabulary List is carefully curated to equip students with the words needed for academic excellence, critical thinking, and expressive depth. Each word on this list goes beyond basic definitions, offering nuanced meanings and context relevant to Singapore’s unique educational and cultural landscape. By expanding their vocabulary with these essential terms, students will be better prepared to articulate ideas, analyze complex texts, and communicate effectively in both academic and real-world situations.

Here’s a list of Grade A1 Top 100 vocabulary words categorized to support a 14-year-old’s language skills in Secondary 2, covering academic success, social skills, and critical thinking.

Advanced Academic Vocabulary

Anecdotal – Based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.
Empirical – Based on observation or experiment rather than theory.
Rationalize – To justify actions or thoughts with logical reasons.
Synthesize – To combine ideas into a coherent whole.
Correlation – A mutual relationship or connection between two variables.
Articulate – To express ideas or feelings fluently and coherently.
Paradigm – A typical example or model of something.
Epiphany – A sudden and profound realization or insight.
Discrepancy – A lack of compatibility or similarity between facts.
Extrapolate – To infer from known information to make predictions about the unknown.

Advanced Science & Technology Terms

Biodegradable – Capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.
Catalyst – A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction.
Entropy – A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.
Photosynthesis – The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.
Oscillation – Movement back and forth in a regular rhythm.
Synthetic – Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product.
Nanotechnology – The manipulation of matter on an atomic or molecular scale.
Inertia – The resistance of any physical object to change its state of motion.
Pathogen – An agent that causes disease, such as bacteria or viruses.
Sustainable – Capable of being maintained at a certain level without depletion.

Emotional Intelligence & Psychology

Altruism – Selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Cognitive – Related to mental processes such as thinking, reasoning, and remembering.
Introspection – The examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings.
Manifest – To show or demonstrate clearly.
Reciprocity – The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.
Ambiguity – Uncertainty or inexactness in meaning.
Catharsis – The process of releasing strong or repressed emotions.
Ambivalent – Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.
Resilience – The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
Nostalgia – A sentimental longing for the past.

Critical Thinking & Logic

Inferential – Involving conclusions derived from evidence and reasoning.
Conjecture – An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
Fallacious – Based on a mistaken belief; misleading.
Postulate – To suggest or assume the existence of something as a basis for reasoning.
Deductive – Relating to reasoning from general principles to particular cases.
Inductive – Relating to reasoning from specific cases to general principles.
Validity – The quality of being logically or factually sound.
Plausible – Seeming reasonable or probable.
Refutation – The action of proving a statement or theory to be wrong.
Paradoxical – Seemingly self-contradictory but possibly true.

Literary & Expressive Terms

Juxtaposition – The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
Alliteration – The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent words.
Hyperbole – Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Motif – A recurring theme, subject, or idea in literature or art.
Allegory – A story with a hidden meaning, often moral or political.
Oxymoron – A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear together.
Understatement – The presentation of something as less important than it actually is.
Euphemism – A mild or indirect word substituted for one considered harsh or blunt.
Epistolary – Relating to the writing of letters.
Antithesis – A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

Advanced Social & Global Awareness

Ideology – A system of ideas, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory.
Globalization – The process by which businesses develop international influence.
Conservatism – Commitment to traditional values and ideas.
Proliferation – Rapid increase in numbers, often used for weapons or technology.
Humanitarian – Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare.
Bureaucracy – A system of government with many complex rules and regulations.
Autonomy – The right or condition of self-government.
Secular – Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
Advocacy – Public support for a particular cause or policy.
Assimilation – The process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas.

Philosophical & Ethical Concepts

Utilitarian – Belief in the greatest good for the greatest number.
Hedonistic – Pursuing pleasure as the primary goal.
Altruistic – Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Existential – Relating to human existence or the philosophy of existentialism.
Transcendence – Going beyond ordinary limits.
Ethical – Relating to moral principles.
Dogmatic – Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.
Determinism – The philosophy that all events are predetermined.
Stoicism – The endurance of pain without complaint.
Pragmatic – Dealing with things practically rather than theoretically.

Self-Development & Positive Traits

Perseverance – Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty.
Meticulous – Showing great attention to detail.
Decisive – Able to make decisions quickly and confidently.
Conscientious – Wishing to do what is right.
Tenacity – Determination or persistence.
Proactive – Taking initiative by acting rather than reacting.
Eloquent – Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
Innovative – Featuring new methods; advanced and original.
Authenticity – The quality of being genuine.
Ambition – Strong desire to achieve something.

Advanced Idioms & Expressions

A blessing in disguise – A misfortune that turns out to be good.
Bite the bullet – To face a painful or difficult situation bravely.
Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night.
Catch-22 – A paradoxical situation with no escape.
Cry over spilled milk – To waste time worrying about something irreversible.
Elephant in the room – An obvious problem that no one wants to discuss.
Hit the ground running – To start something energetically and effectively.
In the same boat – To be in the same difficult situation as others.
Leave no stone unturned – To try every possible solution.
Throw in the towel – To give up.

Environmental and Social Awareness

Carbon footprint – The amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to activities.
Ecosystem – A community of organisms and their physical environment.
Sustainability – Meeting needs without compromising future generations.
Deforestation – The removal of trees and forests.
Biodiversity – The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
Erosion – The gradual destruction or reduction of something.
Depletion – The reduction in the number or quantity of something.
Habitat – The natural environment of an organism.
Ecology – The study of the relationship between organisms and their environment.
Renewable – A natural resource that can be replenished.

This list encourages complex understanding and expression across multiple subjects, supporting both academic and real-world contexts for a 14-year-old aiming to expand their vocabulary.

Top 100 Vocabulary Words for Secondary 2 with Meaning and Examples

Here’s a comprehensive table format for the 100 advanced vocabulary words, complete with meanings and examples relevant to a Singaporean context.

Category	Word	Meaning	Example (Singapore Context)
Advanced Academic Vocabulary	Anecdotal	Based on personal accounts rather than concrete evidence	“The anecdotal evidence of students feeling stressed during exams is not enough to change school policies.”
	Empirical	Based on observation or experience rather than theory	“The empirical data collected by MOE helped improve Singapore’s education system.”
	Rationalize	To justify actions or beliefs with logical reasons	“The student rationalized staying up late to study, despite feeling tired the next day.”
	Synthesize	To combine ideas to form a coherent whole	“The project requires students to synthesize knowledge from history and geography.”
	Correlation	A connection or relationship between two or more things	“There is a correlation between students’ study habits and their academic performance in Singapore.”
	Articulate	To express ideas or feelings clearly and fluently	“She articulated her views on the new school curriculum during the assembly.”
	Paradigm	A typical example or pattern	“Singapore’s economic success is often seen as a paradigm of strategic planning.”
	Epiphany	A moment of sudden revelation or insight	“He had an epiphany about his career during a volunteer event in Singapore.”
	Discrepancy	A lack of compatibility or similarity between facts	“The discrepancy between test scores and class participation puzzled the teacher.”
	Extrapolate	To infer or predict based on known information	“Based on current trends, we can extrapolate that more students will use technology in learning.”
Science and Technology	Biodegradable	Capable of being broken down by natural processes	“Singapore encourages the use of biodegradable materials to reduce plastic waste.”
	Catalyst	A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction	“Enzymes act as catalysts in many biological processes.”
	Entropy	A measure of disorder or randomness	“Entropy explains why it’s challenging to keep things organized in a busy science lab.”
	Photosynthesis	The process by which plants use sunlight to make food	“Photosynthesis in Singapore’s trees helps improve air quality.”
	Oscillation	Movement back and forth at regular intervals	“The fan oscillates to cool the entire classroom.”
	Synthetic	Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate natural products	“Singapore’s labs are working on synthetic materials to replace single-use plastics.”
	Nanotechnology	Manipulation of matter on an atomic scale	“Nanotechnology research at NUS is advancing in medical fields.”
	Inertia	The tendency of objects to resist changes in motion	“Inertia explains why you feel pushed back when an MRT train suddenly stops.”
	Pathogen	An organism that causes disease	“Singapore’s health measures prevent the spread of pathogens in crowded spaces.”
	Sustainable	Able to be maintained without depleting resources	“Singapore focuses on sustainable urban planning to balance development and nature.”
Emotional Intelligence & Psychology	Altruism	Selfless concern for others’ welfare	“Her altruism led her to volunteer for the elderly in Singapore.”
	Cognitive	Relating to mental processes like thinking and learning	“The cognitive development of children is supported through interactive learning.”
	Introspection	Examining one’s own thoughts and feelings	“The counselor encouraged introspection to help students understand their emotions.”
	Manifest	To show or demonstrate clearly	“Her hard work manifested in her excellent O-Level results.”
	Reciprocity	Mutual exchange for benefit	“The exchange program builds reciprocity between Singapore and neighboring countries.”
	Ambiguity	Uncertainty in meaning	“Ambiguity in exam questions can confuse students.”
	Catharsis	Emotional release through expression	“Writing was a form of catharsis for her during stressful times.”
	Ambivalent	Having mixed feelings	“He felt ambivalent about moving to a new school despite the opportunities it offered.”
	Resilience	Ability to recover from difficulties	“Singapore’s resilience helped it recover quickly from the economic impact of COVID-19.”
	Nostalgia	Sentimental longing for the past	“Visiting his primary school filled him with nostalgia.”
Critical Thinking & Logic	Inferential	Based on conclusions drawn from evidence	“Inferential skills are essential when analyzing literature in English class.”
	Conjecture	An opinion based on incomplete information	“The doctor’s initial diagnosis was a conjecture before further testing.”
	Fallacious	Based on incorrect reasoning	“Believing all students learn the same way is fallacious.”
	Postulate	Suggest or assume something as a basis for reasoning	“Scientists postulate that Singapore’s green spaces help mental well-being.”
	Deductive	Reasoning from general to specific cases	“Deductive reasoning helps students solve math problems more effectively.”
	Inductive	Reasoning from specific cases to general conclusions	“Through inductive reasoning, students concluded that exercise improves focus.”
	Validity	Logical soundness	“The validity of his argument was questioned during the debate.”
	Plausible	Appearing reasonable	“It’s plausible to assume that more students will choose e-learning options.”
	Refutation	Proving something wrong	“He offered a refutation to the idea that Singapore’s history is too short to be rich.”
	Paradoxical	Seemingly self-contradictory	“The paradoxical idea of building ‘green’ skyscrapers is becoming a reality in Singapore.”
Literary & Expressive Terms	Juxtaposition	Placement of contrasting things close together	“The juxtaposition of old shophouses next to modern buildings is iconic in Singapore.”
	Alliteration	Repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words	“Alliteration adds a rhythmic quality to poetry, as in ‘Singapore’s skyline shines.’”
	Hyperbole	Exaggerated statements	“Saying Singapore has the ‘world’s best food’ is a common hyperbole.”
	Motif	A recurring theme	“The motif of resilience is often seen in Singaporean literature.”
	Allegory	A story with a symbolic meaning	“The story was an allegory for environmental conservation in Singapore.”
	Oxymoron	A figure of speech combining contradictory terms	“The term ‘deafening silence’ can describe quiet moments in Singapore’s busy MRT.”
	Understatement	Presenting something as less important than it is	“Calling Marina Bay Sands a ‘nice building’ is an understatement.”
	Euphemism	A mild or indirect term used in place of a harsher one	“’Passed away’ is a common euphemism in obituaries.”
	Epistolary	Relating to letter writing	“Epistolary novels, like diaries, help readers connect with the writer’s personal thoughts.”
	Antithesis	A person or thing that is the direct opposite of another	“The old and new districts of Singapore are the antithesis of each other.”
Social & Global Awareness	Ideology	A system of beliefs or ideals	“The ideology of meritocracy is deeply rooted in Singapore’s education system.”
	Globalization	Process of increasing international integration	“Singapore’s economy thrives due to globalization.”
	Conservatism	Commitment to traditional values	“Singapore balances conservatism with modernity in cultural preservation.”
	Proliferation	Rapid increase or spread	“The proliferation of hawker centers preserves Singapore’s food culture.”
	Humanitarian	Concerned with promoting human welfare	“Singapore provides humanitarian aid to neighboring countries during crises.”
	Bureaucracy	Administrative system with many complex rules	“Singapore’s bureaucracy is known for its efficiency in public service.”
	Autonomy	Self-governance	“Singapore gained autonomy from Britain in 1959.”
	Secular	Not connected with religion	“Singapore is a secular state that respects all religions.”
	Advocacy	Public support for a cause	“Advocacy for recycling is strong in Singapore’s schools.”
	Assimilation	Absorbing or integrating ideas	“Singapore’s diverse culture is an example of successful assimilation.”
Philosophical & Ethical Concepts	Utilitarian	Focused on practical benefit for the majority	“Singapore’s public policies often have a utilitarian approach to benefit society.”
	Hedonistic	Pursuit of pleasure as the primary goal	“Some worry that a hedonistic lifestyle overlooks Singapore’s cultural values.”
	Altruistic	Selfless and concerned for others’ well-being	“Altruistic acts are encouraged in Singapore’s community work programs.”
	Existential	Relating to human existence	“An existential question students often ask is about the purpose of life.”
	Transcendence	Going beyond ordinary limits	“Singapore’s art transcends boundaries, combining traditional and modern styles.”
	Ethical	Relating to moral principles	“Ethical values are emphasized in Singapore’s character education.”
	Dogmatic	Inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true	“Being too dogmatic can hinder open-minded learning.”
	Determinism	Belief in predestined outcomes	“Singapore’s success challenges determinism by showing change is possible.”
	Stoicism	Enduring hardship without complaint	“Stoicism was valued during Singapore’s early years of independence.”
	Pragmatic	Practical and realistic approach	“Singapore is known for its pragmatic policies that balance growth and sustainability.”
Self-Development & Positive Traits	Perseverance	Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty	“Perseverance helped him succeed in the rigorous PSLE exams.”
	Meticulous	Showing great attention to detail	“The meticulous work of Singapore’s architects makes the skyline unique.”
	Decisive	Able to make quick, effective decisions	“Decisive actions helped Singapore control the spread of COVID-19 early.”
	Conscientious	Wishing to do what is right	“A conscientious approach to studying is crucial for academic success.”
	Tenacity	Determination or persistence	“Her tenacity helped her balance school and CCA commitments.”
	Proactive	Taking initiative	“Being proactive in schoolwork reduces last-minute stress.”
	Eloquent	Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing	“He gave an eloquent speech during Singapore’s National Day celebration.”
	Innovative	Featuring new methods	“Singapore’s innovative urban design incorporates green spaces.”
	Authenticity	Quality of being genuine	“Authenticity in storytelling connects with Singapore’s multicultural audience.”
	Ambition	Strong desire to achieve	“Her ambition drives her to excel in academics and sports.”
Advanced Idioms & Expressions	A blessing in disguise	Something good that is initially perceived as bad	“Missing the flight was a blessing in disguise; it gave her extra study time.”
	Bite the bullet	To endure a painful experience	“She bit the bullet and presented her project despite being nervous.”
	Burn the midnight oil	To work late into the night	“Students burn the midnight oil preparing for major exams.”
	Catch-22	A no-win situation with contradictory rules	“Trying to get work experience before graduation is a catch-22.”
	Cry over spilled milk	To waste time worrying about something irreversible	“Complaining about lost marks won’t help; it’s like crying over spilled milk.”
	Elephant in the room	An obvious problem that is ignored	“The high stress levels among students were the elephant in the room during discussions.”
	Hit the ground running	To start something energetically	“New secondary school students should hit the ground running with a study plan.”
	In the same boat	To be in the same situation as others	“All students are in the same boat when it comes to exam pressure.”
	Leave no stone unturned	To try every possible solution	“They left no stone unturned to improve school facilities.”
	Throw in the towel	To give up	“She considered throwing in the towel but persevered through her studies.”
Environmental & Social Awareness	Carbon footprint	The amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to activities	“Reducing carbon footprint is a focus of Singapore’s green initiatives.”
	Ecosystem	A community of living organisms and their environment	“Singapore’s mangrove ecosystem is vital for biodiversity.”
	Sustainability	Meeting present needs without harming future generations	“Singapore’s urban planning aims for sustainability in development.”
	Deforestation	The large-scale removal of forests	“Efforts are underway globally to combat deforestation in areas affecting climate.”
	Biodiversity	Variety of life within an environment	“Biodiversity is preserved in Singapore’s nature reserves.”
	Erosion	Gradual destruction of natural elements by wind, water, etc.	“Efforts to prevent erosion protect Singapore’s coastal areas.”
	Depletion	Reduction in quantity of something	“The depletion of resources is a global issue addressed in schools.”
	Habitat	The natural environment of an organism	“Singapore has created artificial habitats to support wildlife.”
	Ecology	Study of organisms and their environment	“Ecology is integrated into Singapore’s urban planning.”
	Renewable	A resource that can be replenished	“Renewable energy sources are being explored to power Singapore.”

This table contextualizes advanced vocabulary in a way that’s applicable to Singapore’s education, culture, and social environment.

Why these Top 100 Vocabulary Words for Secondary 2 English student?

These words are chosen for a Secondary 2 English student to elevate their understanding, analytical skills, and expressive abilities as they transition to more complex subjects in school. Here’s a breakdown of why these specific words are essential:

1. Advanced Academic Vocabulary

Purpose: Words like synthesize, extrapolate, and paradigm introduce students to higher-level academic discourse. These terms are foundational in secondary-level subjects, helping students articulate ideas clearly and analyze information critically.
Benefit: Mastering these terms enables students to comprehend complex questions and texts, enhancing their ability to communicate nuanced ideas effectively in both written and oral formats.

2. Science and Technology Terms

Purpose: Secondary 2 students delve deeper into science and technology topics, so words like biodegradable, entropy, and catalyst are essential. These terms are common in secondary-level science textbooks and discussions, providing students with the vocabulary they need to engage with these topics meaningfully.
Benefit: By familiarizing themselves with these terms, students can better understand scientific concepts, participate in discussions, and apply these ideas to everyday contexts, such as environmental issues or technological advancements.

3. Emotional Intelligence & Psychology

Purpose: Adolescents are developing self-awareness and social understanding, making words like empathy, introspection, and resilience critical for emotional intelligence.
Benefit: Building vocabulary around emotions and social skills helps students articulate their own experiences, interpret others’ feelings, and foster empathy. This is vital in personal growth and building healthy relationships.

4. Critical Thinking & Logic

Purpose: Terms like inferential, fallacious, and paradoxical are crucial for developing reasoning skills. At this stage, students are expected to think more analytically and form sound arguments.
Benefit: These words enhance logical thinking and support students in constructing and deconstructing arguments, a skill that’s not only useful in English but also in subjects like history, science, and social studies.

5. Literary & Expressive Terms

Purpose: As students are exposed to more literature, words like juxtaposition, motif, and allegory help them analyze and discuss themes, tones, and styles.
Benefit: These terms encourage deeper engagement with texts, allowing students to recognize literary techniques and enhance their analytical writing. Understanding these concepts is essential for literature essays and creative writing.

6. Social & Global Awareness

Purpose: With globalization, students are more aware of social, political, and environmental issues. Words like proliferation, autonomy, and globalization equip them to understand and discuss these topics.
Benefit: These terms broaden students’ worldviews and help them articulate opinions on current events, enhancing their critical thinking skills and preparing them for real-world discussions.

7. Philosophical & Ethical Concepts

Purpose: Adolescents are beginning to question and form their own beliefs. Words like utilitarian, altruistic, and stoicism introduce them to philosophical ideas and moral reasoning.
Benefit: Learning these concepts supports personal growth, helping students think about their values and how they apply to various situations in life, literature, and history.

8. Self-Development & Positive Traits

Purpose: Terms like tenacity, conscientious, and authenticity are character-building words, reinforcing qualities that are important for personal and academic success.
Benefit: Recognizing and applying these words helps students develop a growth mindset, encouraging them to embody these traits in their academic and personal lives.

9. Advanced Idioms & Expressions

Purpose: Idioms such as a blessing in disguise or catch-22 are commonly encountered in spoken and written English, including literature, media, and daily conversations.
Benefit: Knowing idioms enriches language comprehension and allows students to express themselves more vividly and naturally. It also helps them better understand the implied meanings and humor in English texts.

10. Environmental & Social Awareness

Purpose: With an increasing emphasis on environmental issues, words like sustainability, biodiversity, and carbon footprint equip students to understand and discuss these critical topics.
Benefit: These words prepare students to participate in global discussions and think critically about environmental and social responsibility. It also helps them connect their learning with real-world challenges.

This list equips Secondary 2 students with a versatile vocabulary that spans academic, social, and expressive contexts. It aligns with their developmental stage, encouraging critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and global awareness, which are essential skills for success in secondary education and beyond.

Conclusion

This Top 100 Vocabulary List for Secondary 2 serves as a strong foundation for students striving for an A1 in English. By mastering these words, students not only enhance their language proficiency but also build essential skills in critical thinking, social awareness, and self-expression. A robust vocabulary helps students excel in exams, participate actively in discussions, and approach academic challenges with confidence. As they incorporate these advanced terms into their writing and speaking, they will gain the linguistic tools needed for success in secondary school and beyond.

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