What Top 100 Vocabulary Words to Know for Secondary 3: Building a Foundation for GCE O-Level Success
At eduKate Singapore, we recognize that Secondary 3 is a crucial year for students as they transition into more advanced content, leading up to the GCE O-Level English Examination. Mastering a strong vocabulary at this stage is essential for excelling in both written and oral communication. Our Secondary 3 English tutorial focuses on the Top 100 vocabulary words that are key to success, aligned with the MOE SEAB syllabus.
Top 100 Vocabulary Words for Secondary 3 (GCE O-Level English): Ethics, Justice, Compassion, and Critical Thinking
Ethics & Morality (25 words)
- Honesty
- Accountability
- Loyalty
- Authenticity
- Honor
- Decency
- Uprightness
- Morality
- Transparency
- Truthfulness
- Ethical Integrity
- Righteousness
- Conscientious
- Fair-minded
- Rectitude
- Ethical Responsibility
- Trustworthiness
- Sincerity
- Accountability
- Moral Integrity
- Ethical Leadership
- Principle
- Conscientiousness
- Diligence
- Selflessness
Justice & Fairness (25 words)
- Equity
- Justice
- Fair-mindedness
- Impartiality
- Due Process
- Restorative Justice
- Fairness
- Lawfulness
- Equality
- Redress
- Reparation
- Legal Rights
- Human Rights
- Equal Opportunity
- Judicial
- Impartial
- Justice System
- Rule of Law
- Civil Rights
- Compensation
- Legal Framework
- Adjudicate
- Constitutional
- Distributive Justice
- Equity of Access
Compassion & Empathy (25 words)
- Compassion
- Empathy
- Sympathy
- Humanitarianism
- Altruism
- Benevolence
- Kind-hearted
- Understanding
- Generosity
- Warmth
- Tenderness
- Forgiveness
- Inclusivity
- Sensitivity
- Supportive
- Charitable
- Solidarity
- Humanity
- Self-compassion
- Emotional Intelligence
- Kindness
- Nurturing
- Caring
- Open-heartedness
- Philanthropic
Critical Thinking & Reasoning (25 words)
- Analyze
- Evaluate
- Deduce
- Synthesize
- Interpret
- Scrutinize
- Rationalize
- Infer
- Investigate
- Examine
- Hypothesize
- Critique
- Reason
- Appraise
- Reflect
- Conceptualize
- Classify
- Distinguish
- Logical
- Conclusion
- Judgment
- Analyze Data
- Hypothesis Testing
- Evidence-based
- Consideration
Here’s the meaning and examples of Top 100 Vocabulary List for Secondary 3 (GCE O-Level English) focusing on words related to ethics, justice, compassion, and critical thinking. These words are organized into four categories to help students deepen their understanding of moral issues, justice systems, empathy, and reasoning processes. The list provides the foundation for sophisticated discussions, debates, and essays on these topics.
Top 100 Vocabulary Words for Secondary 3 (GCE O-Level English): Ethics, Justice, Compassion, and Critical Thinking
Ethics & Morality (25 words)
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Honesty | The quality of being truthful and sincere. | Honesty is one of the most important traits in a good leader. |
| Accountability | Being responsible for one’s actions. | The CEO took accountability for the company’s financial losses. |
| Loyalty | A strong feeling of support or allegiance. | His loyalty to his friends was unwavering. |
| Authenticity | The quality of being genuine or real. | Her authenticity made her a trustworthy person. |
| Honor | High respect; adherence to what is right. | He acted with honor during the negotiations. |
| Decency | Behavior that conforms to accepted moral standards. | Decency in behavior is expected in public life. |
| Uprightness | Adherence to moral principles; honesty. | His uprightness earned him the admiration of his colleagues. |
| Morality | Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong. | Morality is often shaped by cultural norms and personal beliefs. |
| Transparency | Openness and clarity in actions and decisions. | The government promised transparency in the investigation. |
| Truthfulness | The quality of being truthful. | Truthfulness is essential in maintaining trust in relationships. |
| Ethical Integrity | Adherence to moral and ethical principles. | The company is known for its ethical integrity in business practices. |
| Righteousness | The quality of being morally right or justifiable. | His sense of righteousness motivated him to help others. |
| Conscientious | Wishing to do what is right, especially in one’s duties. | She was a conscientious student who always did her best. |
| Fair-minded | Impartial and just in decisions. | The teacher was known for being fair-minded when resolving conflicts. |
| Rectitude | Morally correct behavior or thinking. | His rectitude was never in question, even in difficult situations. |
| Ethical Responsibility | The duty to follow moral principles in decision-making. | Businesses have an ethical responsibility to care for the environment. |
| Trustworthiness | The ability to be relied on as honest or truthful. | Her trustworthiness made her a valuable team member. |
| Sincerity | The quality of being free from pretense or deceit. | His sincerity in apologizing was appreciated by everyone. |
| Moral Integrity | Adherence to moral and ethical principles. | His moral integrity guided his decision-making in tough situations. |
| Ethical Leadership | Leading based on ethical principles. | Ethical leadership involves making decisions for the greater good. |
| Principle | A fundamental truth that serves as the foundation for behavior. | She acted according to her principles, even when it was difficult. |
| Conscientiousness | The quality of wishing to do one’s work well. | His conscientiousness was evident in the detailed report he submitted. |
| Diligence | Careful and persistent effort in work or duties. | Diligence is key to success in any academic endeavor. |
| Selflessness | Concern more with the needs of others than one’s own. | Her selflessness during the crisis was inspiring. |
| Rectitude | Morally correct behavior. | He demonstrated rectitude by always adhering to ethical guidelines. |
Justice & Fairness (25 words)
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | Fairness and impartiality in treatment or judgment. | Equity in education ensures that all students have access to resources. |
| Justice | The quality of being fair and reasonable. | The justice system aims to provide fair treatment for all citizens. |
| Fair-mindedness | The quality of being impartial and just. | Her fair-mindedness made her a respected judge. |
| Impartiality | Equal treatment of all rivals or disputants. | Impartiality is crucial in any judicial decision. |
| Due Process | Fair treatment through the judicial system. | Everyone is entitled to due process in a court of law. |
| Restorative Justice | A system of criminal justice focused on rehabilitation. | Restorative justice aims to heal the harm caused by crime. |
| Fairness | Just and equitable treatment. | The teacher’s fairness was evident in her grading of the assignments. |
| Lawfulness | The quality of conforming to the law. | The lawfulness of his actions was unquestioned. |
| Equality | The state of being equal in status, rights, and opportunities. | The movement fought for equality for all citizens. |
| Redress | The act of setting right an unfair situation. | The company provided redress to the affected customers. |
| Reparation | Compensation for wrongdoing. | The government made reparations to those affected by the war. |
| Legal Rights | Rights bestowed by law. | Every citizen has legal rights that must be protected. |
| Human Rights | Basic rights and freedoms that all individuals are entitled to. | Human rights violations are a serious global issue. |
| Equal Opportunity | The principle of treating all people the same, without discrimination. | The company promotes equal opportunity for all employees. |
| Judicial | Of or relating to courts or judges. | Judicial decisions must be based on evidence and law. |
| Impartial | Treating all sides equally. | The jury must remain impartial throughout the trial. |
| Justice System | The system of courts that administer justice. | The justice system is designed to protect the rights of individuals. |
| Rule of Law | The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to the law. | The rule of law ensures that no one is above the law. |
| Civil Rights | The rights of citizens to political and social freedom. | The Civil Rights Movement fought for equal rights in the 1960s. |
| Compensation | Payment given for loss or injury. | The workers were provided compensation for their injuries. |
| Legal Framework | The structure of laws that govern a society. | The legal framework ensures that justice is fairly administered. |
| Adjudicate | To make a formal judgment or decision. | The court adjudicated the dispute between the two companies. |
| Constitutional | In accordance with a nation’s constitution. | The policy was found to be constitutional by the court. |
| Distributive Justice | Fair distribution of resources among members of society. | Distributive justice is a key principle in many legal systems. |
| Equity of Access | Ensuring that everyone has access to resources and opportunities. | Equity of access to education is critical for societal progress. |
Compassion & Empathy (25 words)
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Compassion | Sympathetic pity and concern for the suffering of others. | Compassion is key in the healthcare profession. |
| Empathy | The ability to understand and share the feelings of others. | Her empathy allowed her to comfort her friend in difficult times. |
| Sympathy | Feelings of pity for someone else’s misfortune. | He expressed sympathy for the victims of the natural disaster. |
| Humanitarianism | The promotion of human welfare and social reform. | Humanitarianism guided the organization’s mission to help refugees. |
| Altruism | Selfless concern for the well-being of others. | Her altruism was evident in her charity work. |
| Benevolence | The quality of being kind and well-meaning. | His benevolence was admired by everyone in the community. |
| Kind-hearted | Having a kind and sympathetic nature. | The kind-hearted nurse comforted the children in the hospital. |
| Understanding | The ability to comprehend and sympathize with others. | She showed great understanding in the face of her friend’s struggles. |
| Generosity | The quality of being willing to give or share. | Her generosity was unmatched, always helping those in need. |
| Warmth | The quality of being warm and friendly. | The warmth of her personality made her a favorite among students. |
| Tenderness | Gentle and caring feelings towards others. | The tenderness in his voice reassured her during a tough time. |
| Forgiveness | The action of forgiving or being forgiven. | Forgiveness is a key to moving forward after a conflict. |
| Inclusivity | The practice of including people of all backgrounds. | The school’s inclusivity policies ensured that all students felt welcome. |
| Sensitivity | The quality of being aware of others’ feelings. | His sensitivity to her emotions helped strengthen their friendship. |
| Supportive | Providing encouragement or emotional help. | The supportive environment at home helped her achieve her goals. |
| Charitable | Relating to the assistance of those in need. | She was known for her charitable work with the homeless. |
| Solidarity | Unity or agreement of feeling among individuals with a common interest. | The workers showed solidarity during the strike. |
| Humanity | The quality of being humane and compassionate. | His work showed great humanity in helping the underprivileged. |
| Self-compassion | Kindness towards oneself during times of hardship. | Practicing self-compassion is important for emotional well-being. |
| Emotional Intelligence | The ability to manage one’s own emotions and understand others’ emotions. | Emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership. |
| Kindness | The quality of being friendly and considerate. | Kindness is something we should show to everyone we meet. |
| Nurturing | The process of caring for and encouraging growth. | Her nurturing nature made her a great teacher. |
| Caring | Displaying kindness and concern for others. | The caring doctor always took time to listen to her patients. |
| Open-heartedness | Being kind and generous towards others. | His open-heartedness was evident in how he treated everyone equally. |
| Philanthropic | Seeking to promote the welfare of others through charity. | The philanthropic organization raised millions for education. |
Critical Thinking & Reasoning (25 words)
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Analyze | To examine in detail for explanation or interpretation. | We need to analyze the data to understand the trends. |
| Evaluate | To assess the value or significance of something. | She was asked to evaluate the impact of the new policy. |
| Deduce | To reach a conclusion by reasoning. | The detective deduced the identity of the suspect from the clues. |
| Synthesize | To combine different ideas into a coherent whole. | He synthesized the research into a final report. |
| Interpret | To explain the meaning of something. | The students were asked to interpret the poem’s themes. |
| Scrutinize | To examine something very closely. | The proposal was scrutinized by the committee before approval. |
| Rationalize | To justify or explain one’s reasoning. | He rationalized his decision by explaining the benefits to the group. |
| Infer | To conclude information based on evidence. | From the data, we can infer that the project was successful. |
| Investigate | To carry out research or inquiry. | The journalist investigated the corruption allegations. |
| Examine | To inspect something thoroughly. | The doctor examined the patient’s symptoms carefully. |
| Hypothesize | To propose an explanation based on limited evidence. | The scientists hypothesized that the increase in temperatures was due to climate change. |
| Critique | To assess something critically. | The professor critiqued the student’s essay for clarity and coherence. |
| Reason | The power of the mind to think and form judgments logically. | He used reason to resolve the conflict peacefully. |
| Appraise | To evaluate or assess the quality or value of something. | We need to appraise the situation before making a decision. |
| Reflect | To think deeply or carefully about something. | She reflected on her performance after the exam. |
| Conceptualize | To form a concept or idea in the mind. | The architect conceptualized a new design for the building. |
| Classify | To arrange or categorize items or ideas into groups. | We classified the animals based on their physical characteristics. |
| Distinguish | To recognize or treat as different. | He distinguished between fact and opinion in his essay. |
| Logical | In accordance with reason or sound judgment. | The argument was logical and well-supported by evidence. |
| Conclusion | The final decision or judgment reached after consideration. | The conclusion of the debate was that stricter laws were necessary. |
| Judgment | The ability to make considered decisions or form sensible opinions. | His judgment on the matter was respected by his peers. |
| Analyze Data | To examine collected information to reach a conclusion. | We analyzed the data to identify patterns in the experiment. |
| Hypothesis Testing | The process of testing whether a hypothesis is true. | Hypothesis testing revealed that our assumptions were correct. |
| Evidence-based | Supported by or derived from evidence. | The decision was evidence-based, ensuring fairness. |
| Consideration | Thoughtful examination of a matter. | After careful consideration, she decided to take the job offer. |
Why These Words for Secondary 3?
These words provide Secondary 3 students with the tools to discuss and write about complex issues surrounding ethics, justice, compassion, and critical thinking. Here’s why these words are important:
- Ethics & Morality: Understanding key ethical concepts like integrity, honesty, and moral responsibility helps students navigate moral dilemmas and demonstrate ethical leadership.
- Justice & Fairness: Vocabulary like equality, equity, and due process allows students to engage with social and legal issues, understanding fairness in society and law.
- Compassion & Empathy: Words like kindness, compassion, and humanitarianism encourage students to reflect on emotional intelligence and the importance of empathy in personal and professional relationships.
- Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Skills such as analyzing, synthesizing, and hypothesizing are essential for higher-level reasoning, enabling students to evaluate evidence, form logical arguments, and draw conclusions.
This vocabulary equips students to write insightful essays, participate in debates, and engage in discussions that demand sophisticated language skills and critical thinking.
Why Are These 100 Vocabulary Words Important for Secondary 3 Students?
In Secondary 3, vocabulary plays a vital role in enhancing students’ ability to express ideas clearly, understand complex texts, and perform well in school assessments. Mastering these Top 100 vocabulary words provides a solid foundation not only for Secondary 3 but also for the rigorous GCE O-Level exams in the following year.
Benefits of Mastering the Top 100 Vocabulary Words:
- Enhanced Writing Skills: A strong vocabulary allows students to write more effective and persuasive essays.
- Better Comprehension: Knowing a wide range of vocabulary improves students’ understanding of challenging texts.
- Improved Oral Communication: Vocabulary mastery gives students the confidence to express themselves clearly during oral exams and discussions.
For more information about our comprehensive programs, visit our homepage.
Top 100 Vocabulary Words for Secondary 3 English
Our Secondary 3 English tutorial emphasizes the Top 100 vocabulary words that are essential for excelling in the MOE SEAB syllabus and preparing for the GCE O-Level exams. These words are selected to improve students’ comprehension, writing, and oral communication skills.
Key Vocabulary Topics Covered:
- Academic Vocabulary: Important words commonly found in exams, crucial for both essay writing and comprehension passages.
- Descriptive Vocabulary: Enhancing creative and descriptive writing by expanding students’ ability to describe characters, settings, and emotions vividly.
- Connectors and Transition Words: Improving essay flow and structure by using appropriate connectors and transitions.
- Synonyms and Antonyms: Building a broader vocabulary by learning different ways to express ideas with precision.
For more information on the MOE SEAB syllabus, you can refer to the official MOE curriculum page.
How These Top 100 Words Prepare You for GCE O-Level Success
The Top 100 vocabulary words we teach are designed to help students perform well in all aspects of their GCE O-Level English Examination. By mastering these words, students are better equipped to tackle comprehension questions, write more sophisticated essays, and communicate effectively in oral exams.
Key Areas Where Vocabulary Mastery is Crucial:
- Comprehension: A strong vocabulary helps students understand complex passages and answer comprehension questions more accurately.
- Essay Writing: Using a wider vocabulary allows students to write essays that are more compelling, structured, and coherent.
- Oral Communication: Mastering vocabulary ensures that students can express themselves clearly and confidently during oral exams.
Expert Tutors in Sengkang and Punggol
Our tutors at eduKate Singapore have extensive experience in teaching the MOE SEAB syllabus, ensuring that students learn the Top 100 vocabulary words in a way that is relevant for both school and national exams. Our tutors provide targeted support to help students build a strong foundation in language skills.
What Makes Our Tutors Stand Out?
- Comprehensive Knowledge of the Syllabus: Our tutors are experts in the MOE SEAB English syllabus, ensuring students are prepared for both school assessments and national exams like the GCE O-Level.
- Interactive and Engaging Lessons: We make learning engaging through interactive discussions, real-life applications, and vocabulary exercises.
- Personalized Feedback: Each student receives individualized feedback, helping them continuously improve their vocabulary usage and language skills.
What Makes Our Secondary 3 English Tutorial Unique
Our Secondary 3 English tuition provides comprehensive learning that goes beyond vocabulary. We help students master the Top 100 Vocabulary words and show them how to apply these words in different contexts, whether in essays, comprehension, or oral presentations.
Program Highlights:
- Vocabulary Mastery: We focus on teaching the Top 100 vocabulary words that are most relevant for the GCE O-Level exam, ensuring students build a strong vocabulary.
- Grammar Integration: Vocabulary lessons are combined with grammar instruction, ensuring students know how to use new words correctly in sentences.
- Mock Exams and Quizzes: Regular assessments help students practice using their vocabulary under exam conditions.
- Continuous Feedback: Through ongoing assessments and quizzes, students receive regular feedback on their progress, ensuring they are well-prepared for their exams.
Why Vocabulary Mastery is Essential for Secondary 3 Success
A strong vocabulary is the foundation for success in Secondary 3 English and beyond. Our English tutorial in Sengkang and Punggol equips students with the tools they need to succeed in the GCE O-Level exams, while also preparing them for future academic challenges.
Effective Study Techniques for Vocabulary Mastery:
- Daily Practice: Students are encouraged to practice new vocabulary regularly in both writing and speaking exercises.
- Reading a Variety of Texts: Exposure to a wide range of texts helps students see how new vocabulary is applied in different contexts.
- Group Discussions: In our small group tutorials, students have the opportunity to practice vocabulary during discussions, enhancing both spoken and written language skills.
Additional Support for Secondary 3 English Students
At eduKate Singapore, we provide additional support to ensure our students excel. Our tutors are available for extra guidance outside of regular class times, offering personalized help to address specific challenges.
- Homework Assistance: We provide support on school assignments to help students apply their newly learned vocabulary in real contexts.
- One-to-One Consultations: For students needing more personalized support, we offer individual consultations to target specific areas for improvement.
- Social Media Updates: Follow us on Facebook and Facebook for updates on our latest tips and educational resources.
Why Choose eduKate Singapore for Secondary 3 English Tutorial?
At eduKate Singapore, we are committed to providing high-quality education that prepares students for both school assessments and national exams. Our Secondary 3 English tutorial focuses on vocabulary mastery and comprehensive language learning to ensure students excel in their exams.
Contact Us for Secondary 3 English Tuition in Sengkang and Punggol
If you’re looking for a comprehensive Secondary 3 English tutorial that focuses on vocabulary mastery and exam preparation, eduKate Singapore is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our programs:
- Phone: +65 82226327
- Email: admin@edukatesg.com
- Website: eduKate Singapore


