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C1 Vocabulary & Speaking ⏱️ 20 Minutes

📘 Philosophy and Critical Thinking

Master 10 key terms for analyzing arguments, evaluating ideas, and expressing reasoned doubt clearly.

💡 How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 For Teachers

Guide learners through the word table first, then set 10 minutes for the 16 practice items. Check answers automatically together and spend the final 5 minutes on the shadowing tasks.

🧑‍🎓 For Learners

Read the word table carefully and try to picture each memory tip. Next, complete the practice exercises from easy to hard, then record your voice in the shadowing section.

Word Table

Theme 1: Ideas and Arguments

Word	Meaning	Common Collocations	Word Forms	Example Sentence	Memory Tip
premise	A main idea or statement that forms the base for an argument.	accept a premise, basic premise, false premise	–	What matters is whether the argument rests on a plausible premise.	Think of pre- (before): it is the idea put down before the rest of the argument.
assumption	Something believed to be true without any proof.	challenge an assumption, make an assumption, underlying assumption	assume (v)	We must test every assumption before reaching a final decision.	Assume sounds like taking something for granted without checking.
inference	A conclusion reached using evidence and clear reasoning.	draw an inference, logical inference, valid inference	infer (v)	What inference can you draw from these survey results?	You infer (in-fer = carry in) a new conclusion from old facts.
rationale	The set of reasons or logical plan behind a decision or belief.	provide a rationale, clear rationale, underlying rationale	rational (adj)	She explained the rationale behind the new policy changes.	Look at rational + e: the full explanation that makes it rational.

Theme 2: Strong and Weak Thinking

Word	Meaning	Common Collocations	Word Forms	Example Sentence	Memory Tip
fallacy	A mistaken belief or a flaw in an argument that makes it invalid.	logical fallacy, common fallacy, expose a fallacy	fallacious (adj)	It is a common fallacy that more money always brings happiness.	Think of false or fall: an argument that falls down.
plausible	Seeming reasonable, likely, or believable.	plausible explanation, plausible story, perfectly plausible	plausibly (adv)	His explanation sounded plausible, so the committee agreed.	Rhymes with applaus-ible: believable enough to applaud.
coherent	Logical, clear, and well connected in all its parts.	coherent argument, coherent strategy, remain coherent	coherence (n)	She presented a coherent plan that convinced the board.	Co- means together; all parts stick together smoothly.

Theme 3: Questioning

Word	Meaning	Common Collocations	Word Forms	Example Sentence	Memory Tip
scepticism	An attitude of doubting claims until proof is provided.	healthy scepticism, treat with scepticism, express scepticism	sceptic (n), sceptical (adj)	Scientists treat new unproven claims with healthy scepticism.	Picture a sceptic raising an eyebrow and asking for proof.
paradox	A situation or statement that seems impossible because it contains opposite facts.	apparent paradox, resolve a paradox, central paradox	paradoxical (adj)	It is a paradox that technology can connect us yet make us feel lonely.	Para- (contrary to) + dox (opinion): two truths that clash.
rigorous	Extremely thorough, careful, and strict.	rigorous testing, rigorous analysis, rigorous approach	rigour (n), rigorously (adv)	The researchers followed a rigorous method to ensure accurate results.	Sounds like rigid: strict rules without taking shortcuts.

Practice

Task 1

Collocation Matching

Match each action verb to the noun it naturally completes. Use the meaning in brackets to choose.

1. challenge an... (something people believe without proof)

____ assumption ____ inference ____ premise ____ rationale

2. draw an... (a conclusion reached from evidence)

____ assumption ____ inference ____ premise ____ rationale

3. accept a... (a starting idea that an argument is built on)

____ assumption ____ inference ____ premise ____ rationale

4. provide a... (the reasons behind a decision)

____ assumption ____ inference ____ premise ____ rationale

Task 2

Word Bank Gap-Fill

fallacy plausible coherent paradox

5. It is a common ____ that eating late at night automatically causes weight gain regardless of total calories.

6. Her story sounded so ____ that the jury never asked for any proof.

7. The speaker linked each point smoothly to the next, so the whole argument was clear and ____ from start to finish.

8. It is a curious ____ that standing still for hours can feel more tiring than walking.

Task 3

Choose the Word

Select the single word option that fits the precise meaning of the sentence.

9. The team treated the unverified claims with healthy _____ until further tests were done.

____ a. paradox ____ b. scepticism ____ c. inference

10. The researchers carried out a _____ evaluation of every data point to eliminate error.

____ a. rigorous ____ b. plausible ____ c. coherent

11. Basing a long-term plan on weak evidence is a major logic _____.

____ a. rationale ____ b. fallacy ____ c. premise

12. His account of the accident was completely _____ and matched all eyewitness reports.

____ a. rigorous ____ b. fallacious ____ c. plausible

Task 4

Word Formation Gap-Fill

Complete each sentence using the correct form of the word in brackets (use only listed word forms).

13. Never ____ that a statement is true without checking the facts first. (assumption)

14. What key conclusion can we ____ from these experimental results? (inference)

15. The chief flaw in his essay was a total lack of ____ between paragraphs. (coherent)

16. Every new product is ____ tested before being released to the market. (rigorous)

Shadowing

Listen to each phrase or sentence, then record yourself repeating it with natural rhythm and clear emphasis.

Collocation 1

Rigorous testing procedure.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Collocation 2

Draw a logical inference.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Collocation 3

Challenge a basic assumption.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Collocation 4

A highly plausible explanation.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Sentence 1

What matters is whether the argument rests on a plausible premise.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Sentence 2

She listened to his claim with deep scepticism.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Sentence 3

His clear rationale persuaded the entire team.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Sentence 4

It is a paradox that technology makes us feel alone.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Sentence 5

They checked the facts with rigorous care.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Sentence 6

Her explanation was coherent and easy to follow.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Target Word 1

scepticism

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Target Word 2

rationale

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Philosophy and Critical Thinking: C1 Vocabulary

📘 Philosophy and Critical Thinking

💡 How to use this lesson

Word Table

Practice

Collocation Matching

Word Bank Gap-Fill

Choose the Word

Word Formation Gap-Fill

Shadowing

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