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Social Movements

Vocabulary Lesson + Quiz

12 Words | Series: Nouns

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Vocabulary Lesson

Learn 12 Essential Nouns Related to Social Movements

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Movement

NOUN - Basic

A large group of people working together for a shared goal.

Social media makes it easier for a movement to spread quickly and gain support.

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Cause

NOUN - Basic

A reason or goal that people support or fight for, like protecting the environment or fighting for equality.

People often contribute time or money to support a cause they believe in.

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Activist

NOUN - Intermediate

A person who takes action to support or fight for a cause they care about, like speaking up, organizing events, or protesting.

Many famous leaders in history were influential activists.

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Grassroots

NOUN - Advanced

A movement or campaign that is started by ordinary people, rather than by organizations or institutions.

Grassroots initiatives, like local environmental clean-ups, often rely on volunteers and donations.

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Protest

NOUN - Basic

A gathering of people to express disagreement publicly.

A protest often includes signs, chants, and speeches.

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March

NOUN - Basic

A walk by a group to show support for a cause.

A march often takes place in busy areas to attract attention.

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Rally

NOUN - Intermediate

A large meeting to support a cause, with speeches and cheering.

Rallies can take place in parks, streets, or public buildings.

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Solidarity

NOUN - Intermediate

Unity among people with a common interest or cause, creating strength through collective support.

Showing solidarity can be as simple as wearing a pin or sharing a post.

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Reform

NOUN - Intermediate

A change to improve something, often a system or law.

Common reforms include education reform to improve schools or healthcare reform to expand access.

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Petition

NOUN - Intermediate

A document people sign to support a cause.

Large petitions, like those for climate action, can lead to changes in laws, policies, or company practices.

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Boycott

NOUN - Intermediate

A refusal to buy or use something to protest or show disapproval.

Consumers often organize boycotts, such as those targeting unethical labor practices, to pressure companies to change.

Icon of a group of workers in green holding signs, depicting a strike, for social movements-related vocabulary lesson.

Strike

NOUN - Basic

When workers stop working to demand better pay, conditions, or rights.

Unions usually play a big role in organizing a strike.

Quiz

Practice your vocabulary with a free 10-Question Comprehension Quiz

Social Movements

Comprehension Quiz

1. What do grassroots movements usually rely on?

2. Where do marches often take place?

3. What does petition mean?

4. What is a simple way people might show solidarity?

5. What word means “A large meeting to support a cause, with speeches and cheering”?

6. What do protests often include?

7. What is a common goal of workers when they go on strike?

8. What does reform mean?

9. What do people sometimes contribute to a cause they believe in?

10. What word means “A refusal to buy or use something to protest or show disapproval”?