What's new on IELTS with Fiona

This sentence came up in our model essay about alternative medicines.

"Some people are sceptical about the efficacy of certain alternative medicines".

What's the difference between sceptical and cynical? I found this nice explanation on a philosophy blog.

"A skeptical mindset seeks evidence, and questions assumptions, while a cynical mindset tends to mistrust everything and view the world through a negative lens."

For IELTS, a skeptical mindset is more appropriate than a cynical one I guess!

🧐 sceptical (UK) skeptical (US)

• not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations (SYNONYM: doubtful)

🤨 cynical

• unwilling to believe that people have good, honest, or sincere reasons for doing something

Quotes and word forms

The skeptic does not mean 'he who doubts' but 'he who investigates or researches, as opposed to he who asserts and thinks that he has found'"  - Miguel de Unamuno

While skepticism is healthy, cynicism is toxic' - John Oliver

Healthy scepticism is the basis of all accurate observation" - Arthur Conan Doyle

NB (according to Wikipedia!)

🤓 The term 'skeptic' derives from a Greek noun, skepsis, which means examination, inquiry, consideration.

🐶 The term 'cynic' derives from Ancient Greek κυνικός (kynikos) 'dog-like'