| No. | Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | account | description of what happened |
| 2. | alternative | another possible choice |
| 3. | approach | way of dealing with something |
| 4. | arc | overall shape of a story |
| 5. | arrangement | way things are organized |
| 6. | assumption | thing taken for granted |
| 7. | barrier | thing that prevents progress |
| 8. | best-case | most favorable possible situation |
| 9. | bind | tight spot; difficult situation |
| 10. | blueprint | detailed plan for action |
| 11. | case | particular instance or example |
| 12. | chain of events | linked sequence of happenings |
| 13. | circumstances | conditions affecting what happens |
| 14. | condition | existing state or requirement |
| 15. | consequence | result that follows from something |
| 16. | context | surrounding conditions that give meaning |
| 17. | contingency | possible future event requiring plans |
| 18. | course of events | sequence of happenings |
| 19. | crisis | time of intense difficulty |
| 20. | danger | risk of harm |
| 21. | deadlock | standstill from opposing forces |
| 22. | deal | agreement and its terms |
| 23. | development | how something unfolds |
| 24. | dilemma | choice between difficult options |
| 25. | emergency | sudden serious situation needing action |
| 26. | eventuality | possible future occurrence |
| 27. | evolution | gradual development over time |
| 28. | example | instance used to illustrate |
| 29. | exposure | state of being subject to risk |
| 30. | fallout | aftereffects of an event |
| 31. | fix | difficult situation to escape |
| 32. | forecast | prediction of what will happen |
| 33. | formation | particular arrangement or structure |
| 34. | framework | structure for understanding something |
| 35. | future | time yet to come |
| 36. | game plan | planned approach to achieve something |
| 37. | hazard | source of danger or risk |
| 38. | hitch | small problem causing delay |
| 39. | hurdle | difficulty to overcome |
| 40. | hypothesis | proposed explanation to test |
| 41. | hypothetical | assumed for the sake of argument |
| 42. | illustration | example that clarifies a point |
| 43. | impasse | deadlock with no progress |
| 44. | instance | particular occurrence |
| 45. | issue | important problem for discussion |
| 46. | jam | troublesome situation |
| 47. | jeopardy | danger of loss or harm |
| 48. | layout | arrangement of elements |
| 49. | likelihood | chance that something will happen |
| 50. | limitation | restriction on what is possible |
| 51. | line of action | chosen course of action |
| 52. | measure | action taken for a purpose |
| 53. | method | way of doing something |
| 54. | middle ground | compromise position between extremes |
| 55. | model | simplified representation of reality |
| 56. | move | action taken in response |
| 57. | narrative | account of connected events |
| 58. | new normal | new usual state of affairs |
| 59. | next step | immediate action to take |
| 60. | obstacle | thing that blocks progress |
| 61. | odds | chances of something happening |
| 62. | option | available choice |
| 63. | outcome | result of events |
| 64. | outlook | expected future situation |
| 65. | pickle | awkward predicament |
| 66. | plight | unfortunate or hard situation |
| 67. | plot | arranged sequence of story events |
| 68. | position | where things stand |
| 69. | possibility | something that may happen |
| 70. | potential outcome | possible result |
| 71. | predicament | difficult or awkward situation |
| 72. | progression | development over time |
| 73. | quandary | state of uncertainty about what to do |
| 74. | ramification | complex consequence or effect |
| 75. | recital | formal account of events |
| 76. | repercussion | unintended consequence |
| 77. | report | written account of events |
| 78. | result | what happens in the end |
| 79. | road map | plan showing steps ahead |
| 80. | sequence | ordered series of events |
| 81. | series of events | connected events in order |
| 82. | set of circumstances | particular conditions in play |
| 83. | situation | set of circumstances at a time |
| 84. | standoff | deadlock between sides |
| 85. | state of affairs | current overall situation |
| 86. | story | told account of events |
| 87. | storyline | main sequence of story events |
| 88. | tactic | specific method within a strategy |
| 89. | tale | story or account |
| 90. | thread | continuing line of events |
| 91. | throughline | main connecting line of events |
| 92. | tight spot | awkward or difficult situation |
| 93. | timeline | ordered progression of events |
| 94. | turn of events | way events develop |
| 95. | understanding | informal agreement or shared view |
| 96. | unfolding | the way events develop |
| 97. | upshot | final result or consequence |
| 98. | vulnerability | susceptibility to harm |
| 99. | what-if | hypothetical possibility |
| 100. | worst-case | most unfavorable possible situation |