1. initiative /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
n. 主动性;积极性;进取心
e.g. She has ability but lacks initiative. 
搭配：take/seize the initiative 采取主动；率先行动
e.g. . Students must learn to take the initiative and not merely follow the rules or wait for someone to provide them options. 
e.g. Students that show initiative quickly become important team members in work. This also gives them an edge over their peers leading to future success. 
注：give sb. an edge over 占上风。
雅思口语P3: 
How can people build relationships with others in a community?
思考角度：People should take the initiative in getting acquainted with their neighbors, like a friendly greeting or a smile. If they take the initiative, they might spark a friendship.
2. rote /rəʊt/
n. 死记硬背
搭配：learn sth. by rote
rote learning 死记硬背的学习方式
e.g. Research shows that simply learning things by rote doesn't always translate into the best grasp of the material.
注：grasp 掌握；领悟
近义词：learn sth. by heart
e.g. The exam is designed to test your working knowledge of the material, so you will not pass if you only know it by heart. 
3. compulsory /kəm'pʌls(ə)rɪ/
adj. 强制性的;强迫的；义务的
搭配：compulsory education 义务教育
compulsory course 必修课
e.g. These books are compulsory reading for students of architecture.
e.g. English is compulsory for all students, but art and music are optional.
注：optional course  选修课
4. procrastinate /prə(ʊ)'kræstɪneɪt/
v. 拖延；耽搁；延迟；
e.g. He procrastinated and missed the submission deadline.
e.g. When it comes to housework, I tend to procrastinate. (你们呢？)
n. procrastinator 拖延症患者
e.g. Indecisive procrastinators find it difficult to make definitive decisions, so take a long time to get anything done.
syn. slack
v. 松懈;懈怠 或slack off
e.g. They need to stop slacking and get down to work.
e.g. I worked out regularly last month, but I've been slacking off recently.