Test 2 - Reading - Passage 2 · Cambridge IELTS Academic 15 Vocabulary List

widely known for something negative or unfavorable

"A notorious criminal."

"The notorious pirate captain was feared throughout the seven seas for his cruelty and cunning."

(of a disease) transmittable from one person to another through close contact

"The flu is contagious."

"The common cold is highly contagious, spreading easily through close contact."

to appear or happen unexpectedly

"New problems keep popping up."

"New problems seem to pop up every time we think we have finally solved the old ones."

to make someone experience something unpleasant

"They subject prisoners to harsh conditions."

"The prisoners were subjected to cruel treatment and harsh conditions during their time in the camp."

a period of one thousand years, usually calculated from the year of the birth of Jesus Christ

"A new millennium began."

"The ancient civilization flourished for nearly a millennium before its eventual decline."

an organization focused on a specific field of study or training, offering programs and services related to science, technology, medicine, business, or the arts

"The research institute receives government funding."

"The research institute employed over five hundred scientists studying climate change and renewable energy."

a model or standard for making comparisons

"She uses a template for her weekly reports."

"She uses a template for her weekly reports and fills in the blanks with the current data."

a single slender thread of something such as a fiber, hair, etc.

"A single strand of hair remained visible"

"Each tiny strand of DNA contains important genetic information that determines our characteristics."

doubtful or uncertain in terms of quality, reliability, or legitimacy

"His motive is questionable."

"The questionable decision to invest all his money in one risky company cost him his entire life savings."

an thing that takes the place of another when it is broken, lost, or no longer available

"The replacement for the broken part arrives tomorrow."

"The replacement for the broken part arrives tomorrow and the machine will be repaired then."

the process of mating animals, plants, or microorganisms with desirable characteristics to produce offspring with those same traits

"Breeding season for these frogs begins after heavy rain."

"Breeding season for the deer began in autumn when stags competed loudly for mating rights."

a land measurement unit that equals 10000 square meters or 2471 acres

"The farmer owns fifty hectares of land"

"One hectare equals approximately two point four seven acres of land measurement."

an event or situation that interrupts or disrupts the normal state or functioning of something

"Noise disturbance was loud."

"The loud noise disturbance from the party kept all neighbors awake until early morning hours last weekend."

to damage or destroy something severely

"He wrecks his father's new car."

"The teenager accidentally wrecked his father's car by driving too fast on the wet and slippery road."

not hospitable or inviting, often creating a sense of discomfort or unease

"The town is unwelcoming."

"The unwelcoming receptionist did not smile or say hello when the guests arrived at the hotel lobby."

to breed two different plants or animals to create a new variety or species with mixed traits

"They hybridized the two plant species."

"The botanist managed to hybridize two different species of orchid to create a beautiful new flower."

to bring back a lost connection or a former condition

"They reestablished diplomatic relations."

"The two countries agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations after a long period of hostility."

to precisely locate or identify something or someone

"We need to pinpoint the exact location."

"The mechanic managed to pinpoint the exact source of the strange noise coming from the engine after inspecting the car for an hour."

the expansive flat Arctic regions, of North America, Asia, and Europe, in which no trees grow and the soil is always frozen

"Few plants survive in the frozen tundra"

"The Arctic tundra is too cold for trees to grow but supports hardy shrubs and mosses."

(of an animal, plant, etc.) being at risk of extinction

"The panda is endangered."

"The endangered species list includes the giant panda and conservation efforts have helped increase its population in recent years."

related to regions or climates located in the northern latitudes of the Earth, characterized by cold temperatures and typically dominated by coniferous forests

"The forest is boreal."

"The boreal forest stretches across northern regions of the world and it is home to moose wolves and bears."

the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and etc.

"Carbon emission contributes to global warming."

"Carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels were the primary driver of climate change."

to lessen something's seriousness, severity, or painfulness

"We must mitigate the environmental damage."

"The company took immediate steps to mitigate the damage caused by the data breach by notifying affected customers and offering free credit monitoring."

ground that is permanently frozen

"The permafrost thaws as the climate warms."

"The permafrost thaws as the climate warms and causes the ground to become unstable and sink."

the likelihood or possibility of something becoming successful in the future

"The prospect of a promotion excited her."

"The young graduate has a bright prospect for a successful career in the technology industry."

coming into existence

"The market is emerging."

"The emerging market in southeast Asia offers many opportunities for investors who are willing to take some risks."

the act of making small changes in something, usually for an enhancement

"We made a slight modification to the design."

"The modification to the engine increased horsepower but reduced fuel efficiency significantly."

something that poses a risk or danger

"The ice is a hazard."

"The broken step was a serious hazard especially for elderly visitors with poor eyesight."

carefully thought out in advance

"His response was calculated."

"The chess player made a calculated move, anticipating his opponent's strategy several steps ahead."

carefully thought out in advance

"His response was measured."

"Her measured response to the difficult question showed her thoughtful consideration and calm demeanor under pressure."

a Latin phrase (or its abbreviation) used to indicate that special attention should be paid to something

"Nota bene means "note well" in Latin."

"The nota bene at the bottom of the page warned readers about an important exception."

to give someone or something the means or ability to do something

"Technology enables people to work remotely."

"The scholarship enabled her to attend university because she could not afford the tuition fees without financial assistance."

trees and plants in general, particularly those of a specific habitat or area

"The vegetation here is green."

"The dense tropical vegetation along the riverbank provides a habitat for many rare species."

not enough in degree or amount

"The evidence was insufficient."

"The committee rejected the proposal due to insufficient funding and a lack of clear objectives."

(of an animal, plant, etc.) not having any living members, either due to natural causes, environmental changes, or human activity

"The dinosaur is extinct."

"The dinosaur has been extinct for millions of years and we only know about them from fossils."

very well-known and admired

"He is a legendary hero."

"The legendary hero was famous for his bravery and many stories were told about his adventures and battles."

a group of birds of the same type, flying and feeding together

"A flock of birds flew away."

"A flock is a large group of birds"

a thing or person that is striking or impressive to see, often because it is unusual or remarkable

"The parade was a spectacle."

"The fireworks created a colorful and amazing spectacle in the night sky above the city."

a specialist in or student of the branch of biology that deals with how individual features and different characteristics are passed through genes

"Geneticist studies heredity."

"The geneticist studied the family's DNA to identify the mutation responsible for their inherited form of breast cancer."

the scientific process of creating an identical or near-identical copy of a living organism, cell, or DNA sequence through asexual reproduction or genetic engineering techniques

"Cloning technology raises many ethical questions worldwide"

"Cloning creates genetically identical copies of organisms."

an unhatched or unborn offspring in the process of development, especially a human offspring roughly from the second to the eighth week after fertilization

"Embryo develops fast."

"The embryo develops rapidly during the first few weeks after fertilization in the mother's womb."

characterized by being at the forefront of new developments or leading the way in innovation and exploration

"Her research is pioneering."

"The pioneering research of the scientist led to the development of the first vaccine for the deadly virus that killed millions."

having the latest and most advanced features or design

"This is cutting-edge."

"The cutting edge technology in the new hospital allows doctors to perform robotic surgeries with great precision."

an animal that feeds on the flesh of other animals

"Lions are carnivores that eat meat."

"A carnivore is an animal that obtains its energy and nutrients exclusively from consuming the flesh and meat of other animals."

impairing the strength and vitality

"The illness is debilitating."

"The debilitating disease left him unable to walk or speak and he required constant care from his family and nurses."

an abnormal mass of diseased cells that serves no function in the body and usually causes medical problems

"Tumor is abnormal cell growth."

"A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should."

to test something in real conditions for a limited time to check if it works well or is effective

"They trialed the new drug on patients."

"The pharmaceutical company needs to trial the new drug on human volunteers before it can be approved for sale."

to make it necessary to ask a clear question that has not been answered, usually because something important or unclear has been said or done

"This begs the question now."

"The report claims success but offers no data, which begs the question of whether the results were actually measured properly."

a group of medical signs that indicate a person is suffering from a particular disease or condition

"He has a rare syndrome."

"Doctors are trying to identify the specific syndrome causing these unusual symptoms."

to indicate a potential danger or risk to someone or something

"The storm threaten us."

"The aggressive rhetoric from the opposing party began to threaten the stability of the government."

to destroy completely, especially by fire

"The house will burn out."

"After the prolonged fire, the entire structure had completely burn out, leaving only ashes."

to change something such as a process, situation, etc. to be the opposite of what it was before

"Can you reverse the car into the garage?"

"The driver had to reverse the car out of the narrow driveway because there was no space to turn around."

similar in every detail and totally alike

"The shirts are identical."

"The two sisters are identical twins and even their parents sometimes confuse them."

(of a method, idea, or plan) likely to be successful or effective

"Your idea is practical."

"The practical solution was to buy a cheaper car and save the rest of the money."

the act of putting one thing into another

"The insertion was easy."

"The careful insertion of the new clause improved the contract's clarity."

an animal or plant with parents that belong to different breeds or varieties

"This is a hybrid."

"The hybrid car uses both gasoline and electricity to achieve better fuel efficiency than conventional vehicles."

having a base

"It is based on facts."

"The new policy is based on extensive research and public feedback."

to disperse or break up as a group, with individuals moving away in various directions

"They scatter now."

"As the alarm sounded, the crowd began to scatter in every direction."

not growing or changing; without force or vitality

"The water is stagnant."

"The stagnant economy showed no signs of growth or improvement for several years."

(biology) to change gradually and over generations into forms that are better adapted to the environment and fitter to survive

"Animals evolve over time."

"Over millions of years, species evolve to better adapt to their environmental pressures and challenges."

to grow or be made again

"Lizards can regenerate their tails."

"Some species of lizards can regenerate their tails after losing them as a defense mechanism against predators."

(of an animal, child, or plant) to grow with strength, health, or energy

"The plant will thrive."

"In the nutrient-rich soil and ample sunlight, the small sapling began to thrive and grow vigorously."

a person being considered for a specific position, role, or opportunity

"She is a candidate."

"Each candidate presented their qualifications and vision for the future of the organization."

the act of bringing something back into active use, attention, or importance after a period of decline or obscurity

"Cultural revival is strong."

"There is a strong cultural revival of traditional music and dance in the region this year."

the ability of a person, organism or microorganism to withstand or defend against diseases, drugs, toxins, or environmental stress

"The bacteria show resistance."

"The increasing resistance of pathogens to antibiotics poses a significant threat to global public health."

an area in which something acts, operates, or has influence or control

"The range is very wide."

"Her expertise covers a wide range of scientific disciplines, from theoretical physics to applied engineering."

the process by which organisms evolve traits that improve their chances of survival and reproduction in a particular environment

"The cactus has good adaptation."

"The remarkable adaptation of desert flora allows them to thrive in arid environments."

to protect or shield from cold, heat, sound, or electricity by surrounding with a material that prevents the transfer of energy

"We insulate the house."

"Properly insulating the attic will significantly reduce heating costs during the winter months."

to cause something or someone to fall to the ground

"He will knock down."

"The strong gust of wind managed to knock down the old oak tree in the yard."

to make something more likely to exist, happen, or develop

"We encourage growth."

"The government introduced new policies to encourage investment in renewable energy technologies."

involving or impacting a large number of things or people collectively

"Mass protests occurred."

"The mass production of goods has made many products cheaper but it has also led to environmental problems and waste."

concerned with right and wrong behavior

"Is it the moral thing?"

"It is important to consider the moral implications of our actions before proceeding."

a representative or characteristic sample that is examined or analyzed to gain insights or understanding of a particular group or category

"This is a specimen."

"The biologist collected a soil specimen for detailed analysis of its microbial content."

requiring great effort or full use of one's abilities or resources in order to succeed

"It is ambitious."

"Climbing Mount Everest is an ambitious undertaking that requires extensive training and mental fortitude."

a theory or statement that acts as the foundation of an argument

"Basic premise wrong."

"The basic premise of the argument was flawed so all conclusions drawn from it were wrong."

to introduce male reproductive cells into the female reproductive system for reproduction

"We fertilize the plants."

"The farmer will fertilize the crops to ensure a bountiful harvest this year."

to try as hard as possible to achieve a goal

"Strive to be your best self."

"We should always strive to be better than we were yesterday instead of comparing ourselves to others."

the specific role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem

"The niche is small."

"The rare orchid occupies a very specific ecological niche in the rainforest."

to show or mention something to someone and give them enough information to take notice

"I will point it out."

"The teacher decided to point out the common grammatical errors to the students before the exam."

relating to the face or its appearance

"He has facial hair."

"He has facial hair including a beard and a mustache that he trims every week."