B1 word list: the next 50 English words to learn after the first 50
Sep 11, 2026 · 9 min read
This is the second B1 set on ArcadeRecall, and it follows the first 50 B1 words without repeating a single entry from that list. Where the first set covered opinions, work, home, travel and community, these 50 widen the same ground: explaining a problem, describing a person, following a news story, talking about money.
Each word shows its part of speech, a plain definition and one short example, in five sets of ten.
Set 1: explaining and solving (10 words)
For describing how something works and what went wrong:
- arrange (verb) — to plan or put in order: We arranged the chairs in a circle.
- attempt (noun) — a try at something: Her first attempt worked.
- complain (verb) — to say you are unhappy: He complained about the noise.
- explain (verb) — to make something clear: Could you explain the rule?
- solve (verb) — to find an answer: We solved the puzzle quickly.
- manage (verb) — to deal with successfully: She managed the project alone.
- method (noun) — a way of doing something: This method saves time.
- provide (verb) — to give what is needed: The hotel provides breakfast.
- purpose (noun) — the reason for something: What is the purpose of this form?
- result (noun) — what happens because of something: The result was better than we hoped.
Quick check: describe a small problem from your week using attempt, method and result.
Set 2: work and money (10 words)
For jobs, pay and the tasks of a working day:
- employ (verb) — to pay someone to work: The factory employs two hundred people.
- income (noun) — the money you receive: Her income covers the rent.
- expense (noun) — money spent on something: Travel is our biggest expense.
- earn (verb) — to get money for work: He earns a fair wage.
- wage (noun) — pay for work, often weekly: The wage is paid on Friday.
- duty (noun) — something you must do: Looking after the shop is my duty.
- task (noun) — a piece of work to finish: My first task is the emails.
- develop (verb) — to grow or improve: She developed a new skill.
- organise (verb) — to plan and arrange: Who is organising the meeting?
- retire (verb) — to stop working for good: He retired at sixty-five.
Set 3: describing people (10 words)
For character, plus three words for behaviour:
- generous (adjective) — giving more than expected: She is generous with her time.
- cautious (adjective) — careful about risk: Be cautious with a new contract.
- reliable (adjective) — able to be trusted: He is a reliable colleague.
- stubborn (adjective) — unwilling to change your mind: My brother is stubborn about the route.
- polite (adjective) — behaving respectfully: The waiter was polite and quick.
- patient (adjective) — able to wait calmly: Be patient with beginners.
- curious (adjective) — wanting to know more: The children were curious.
- behave (verb) — to act in a certain way: He behaved calmly under pressure.
- attitude (noun) — how you think about something: Her attitude to change is positive.
- humour (noun) — the quality of being funny: His humour keeps the team cheerful.
Set 4: society and the environment (10 words)
For news stories about the world around you:
- environment (noun) — the natural world: We should protect the environment.
- pollution (noun) — harmful waste in air or water: The city wants to cut pollution.
- recycle (verb) — to use something again: We recycle glass and paper.
- energy (noun) — power from fuel, sun or wind: Solar energy is cheaper now.
- media (noun) — newspapers, radio and television together: The media reported the story.
- report (verb) — to give information about: The study reports a small change.
- mention (verb) — to say something briefly: She mentioned the meeting twice.
- topic (noun) — the subject of a talk: This topic needs more than ten minutes.
- population (noun) — the people in a place: The population has grown quickly.
- advertisement (noun) — a notice that sells something: That advertisement was everywhere.
Set 5: everyday abstract words (10 words)
For reasoning aloud, agreeing and disagreeing:
- advantage (noun) — something that helps you: Experience is a real advantage.
- effort (noun) — the work you put in: The extra effort was worth it.
- courage (noun) — being brave when it is hard: It took courage to speak first.
- mistake (noun) — something done wrongly: Everyone makes a mistake sometimes.
- truth (noun) — what is really happening: Tell me the truth about the delay.
- depend (verb) — to be decided by something: The plan depends on the weather.
- allow (verb) — to let something happen: The rules allow two attempts.
- refuse (verb) — to say no to something: She refused the offer politely.
- expect (verb) — to think something will happen: We expect an answer by Friday.
- admit (verb) — to agree that something is true: He admitted the first draft was rushed.
Quick check: cover the list and recall each word from its definition.
How to work through the next 50
Take one set of ten per week and do not mix sets on the same day. Learn each word inside a phrase, then test yourself in the producing direction: read a definition, say the word aloud, check. Review after a day, three days and a week.
Recall practice does more work here than rereading. A round at the flash recall game puts a definition on screen and gives you a few seconds to produce the word, which is the job a word has to do in conversation. The spaced repetition guide explains the review rhythm, the word lists section groups vocabulary by theme, and the daily challenge mixes older and newer words.
Frequently asked questions
What does "the next 50" mean after the first B1 list?
It means a second working set at the same level. The first 50 cover opinions, work, home life, travel and community; these 50 add the words you need for explaining a problem, describing a person, following the news and talking about money. Work through them after the first list, or use them alongside it.
How were these 50 words chosen?
They are frequent words from everyday conversation, workplaces, study and news at B1. Each set of ten mixes word types, so you practise nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs together, and the words in a set sit well in the same sentence.
Do any of these words repeat the first B1 list?
No. The first 50 include opinion, deadline, afford, luggage and community, and none of those appears again here. Every word on this page is new to the series, so you can work through both lists without meeting the same entry twice.
How should I study these 50 words without feeling overwhelmed?
Take one set of ten at a time and keep to a single set in a session. Learn each word inside a short phrase, then test yourself by producing the word from its meaning: cover the list, read a definition, say the word aloud and check. Review after a day, three days and a week.
Which games suit these B1 words?
Recall-style games fit this stage, because they ask you to produce the word from its meaning rather than recognise it. A timed recall round, where a definition appears and you type the word before time runs out, is direct practice for that skill. A memory-match round is a gentler way to meet a new set.