Test 2 - Reading - Passage 2 (1) · Cambridge IELTS Academic 16 Vocabulary List

a large number of people or things

"A multitude cheered loudly."

"The stadium was filled with a multitude of fans, all eagerly anticipating the start of the championship game."

a very small living organism that cannot be seen without a microscope and can cause a disease

"Harmful microbe causes disease."

"Some harmful microbe can cause serious diseases if they enter the human body without control."

(of individuals or communities) to be present in a particular area

"Settlers populated the new land."

"The new housing development will populate the previously empty area with thousands of new residents over the next few years."

not capable of being seen with the naked eye

"The air is invisible."

"The invisible man could walk through crowds without anyone knowing he was there because nobody could see him."

the human eye unaided by any optical device, used for observing objects and details directly

"See it with naked eye."

"The bright planet is clearly visible to the naked eye on clear nights without using any telescope or special equipment."

seeming to exist or appear everywhere

"Coffee shops are ubiquitous."

"Coffee shops are ubiquitous in this city and you can find one on almost every corner."

to the fullest degree or extent, used for emphasis

"I am utterly exhausted today."

"I am utterly exhausted today because I did not sleep well last night and I have been working nonstop since six in the morning."

engaging and holding one's attention completely

"The book is absorbing."

"The absorbing novel captured her attention completely and she read the entire book in one sitting."

to an extensive degree

"The project was hugely successful."

"The project was hugely successful and exceeded all of our expectations in terms of sales and customer satisfaction."

used to warn someone of the possible consequences or problems that doing something can have

"Enter at your peril."

"Anyone who enters the restricted area without authorization does so at their own peril, risking severe consequences."

‌used when you take the most optimistic view, especially in a bad situation

"It will take days at best."

"Given the current delays, the project will likely be completed in six months at best."

used to indicate that something is mostly the case or generally true

"By and large the project was successful."

"By and large the project was successful even though we faced some unexpected challenges along the way."

with equanimity

"The cat slept contentedly by the fire."

"The cat slept contentedly by the fire and did not move for hours because it was so warm and comfortable."

the flowing blood in a circulatory system, moving through vessels to transport oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body

"The bloodstream carries oxygen everywhere."

"The bloodstream carries oxygen and nutrients from the lungs and digestive system to all body tissues."

to give something to a person and receive something else in return

"Let us swap seats for a better view."

"The two friends decided to swap their lunch boxes because each preferred what the other had brought to school."

extremely interesting or captivating

"The story is fascinating."

"The fascinating documentary about space exploration made her want to become an astronaut and study the universe."

someone who prepares news to be broadcast or writes for newspapers, magazines, or news websites

"The journalist wrote a report."

"The journalist refused to reveal her sources because protecting their identity was more important than publishing the story immediately."

highly skilled, proficient, or talented in a particular activity or field

"She is adept at painting."

"She is adept at painting and can create beautiful landscapes with just a few brushstrokes."

a special skill, ability, or talent to do something

"She has a knack for singing."

"She has a knack for singing and can hit notes that most people can only dream of reaching."

capturing and holding one's attention in a compelling and fascinating manner

"The story is enthralling."

"The enthralling performance of the dancer held the audience spellbound and they applauded loudly at the end."

strange or unexpected in appearance, style, or behavior

"That is bizarre."

"The artist's bizarre sculptures, made from recycled materials, challenged conventional notions of beauty and form."

having great power, effectiveness, or influence to produce a desired result

"The medicine is potent."

"The medicine is potent and a small dose is enough to relieve the pain completely."

an instrument that makes looking at tiny objects or organisms possible by enlarging them which is useful in scientific studies

"The microscope is powerful."

"The biology student used a microscope to examine the tiny bacteria cells swimming in the water sample."

to make something seem bigger

"A microscope can magnify tiny objects."

"A microscope can magnify tiny objects hundreds of times so scientists can study their details carefully."

to be filled with a lot of something, indicating a lively and busy atmosphere

"The river teems with fish."

"The tropical rainforest teems with a wide variety of plant and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth."

related to microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protists

"The sample is microbial."

"The microbial life in the soil helps decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the earth."

an individual opponent or adversary

"The foe attacked suddenly yesterday."

"The general underestimated his experienced foe during the prolonged military conflict disastrously."

involving a mutually beneficial relationship between two different organisms

"The relationship is symbiotic."

"The symbiotic relationship between the clownfish and the anemone benefits both species because each provides protection for the other."

in a way that involves or is shared by two or more people, groups, or sides equally

"They mutually agreed."

"The two leaders mutually agreed to end the war and they signed a peace treaty that benefited both of their countries."

having a positive effect or helpful result

"Exercise is beneficial."

"Regular exercise is beneficial for both physical health and mental well being."

to have or hold something within or include something as a part of a larger entity or space

"This box contains old photographs."

"The old wooden box contained many valuable treasures that had been hidden for centuries."

to share personal opinions about a book, movie, or media to inform and provide insights into its strengths and weaknesses

"I will review the movie."

"The critic will review the latest theatre production, offering a nuanced perspective on its artistic merit."

to live for a longer period than another individual

"She outlived all her siblings."

"The old oak tree has outlived several generations of the family who planted it in their garden many years ago."

to exist in something

"The spirits inhabit the house."

"These unique fungi inhabit the dark, damp crevices of the ancient cave system."

to get involved with something or someone, often dangerous, in a way that might lead to problems or harm

"Don't mess with fire."

"It is unwise to mess with the delicate ecosystem of the rainforest, as the consequences could be devastating for all involved."

(microbiology) a group of organisms grown from a single parent cell

"A colony grew."

"The petri dish showed a distinct colony of bacteria multiplying rapidly overnight."

to differ or deviate from a standard or expected condition

"Prices vary widely."

"The success of the project will vary depending on the team's dedication and available resources."

to give someone or something a nickname, often to show affection or to highlight a specific trait

"Dub him 'King'."

"The fans affectionately dub their charismatic leader 'The Maestro'."

the set of facts or circumstances surrounding a situation or event that provide clarity and understanding

"The meaning of the word depends on its context."

"The meaning of the word depends on its context and the same word can have different meanings in different sentences."

the lower part of digestive tract responsible for food absorption

"The gut absorbs food."

"The doctor examined the patient's gut to diagnose the source of his stomach pain."

in a general manner, without specific limitations

"The suspect is at large."

"The escaped prisoner is still at large and the police have warned the public not to approach him under any circumstances."

in an astonishingly impressive or outstanding manner

"She sings extraordinarily."

"The young prodigy plays the violin extraordinarily, astounding everyone with her technical skill."

the trait of being lighthearted and frivolous

"She had lightness."

"Her infectious lightness brightened the mood of everyone in the room."

a way of doing something that causes admiration

"He acted with panache."

"The magician performed the difficult illusion with effortless grace and considerable panache."

a strong goal, purpose, or ambition that someone is determined to achieve

"It was his mission."

"Her lifelong mission was to eradicate poverty in her native land."

with a slight slope or smooth transition

"The road goes gently."

"The path wound gently down the hillside, offering a peaceful descent."

belonging to or originating from a place or culture different from one’s own, often unfamiliar or strange

"The object is alien."

"The alien landscape of the volcanic crater looked like another planet and the astronauts trained there for their mission to Mars."

a determined effort or proposal to achieve a goal, win something, or gain favor

"The bid was too high."

"Their ambitious bid for the contract was rejected due to its unfeasibility."

to show, point out, or suggest the existence, presence, or nature of something

"The sign indicates the correct direction."

"The arrows on the floor indicate the direction of the emergency exit in case of a fire."

to remain in existence or functional over a long period of time

"This old car will endure."

"The ancient monument was designed to endure the ravages of time and weather."

a sincere and humble request, often made in times of need or desperation

"It was a plea."

"The lawyer presented a heartfelt plea for leniency on behalf of his client during the sentencing."

willingness to accept behavior or opinions that are against one's own

"Tolerance is needed."

"The school promotes tolerance by teaching students about different cultures religions and lifestyles respectfully."

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."

absolutely necessary and of great importance

"Water is vital."

"Clean drinking water is vital for human survival and access to it should be considered a basic human right."

to make something stay in the same state or condition

"Maintain the car's condition."

"It is important to maintain a positive attitude even when facing significant challenges."

to openly accept something as true or real

"The company acknowledged the customer's complaint."

"The company acknowledged the customer's complaint and offered a full refund for the defective product."

the typical way a person thinks or feels about something or someone, often affecting their behavior and decisions

"Her attitude is positive."

"His positive attitude towards challenges helped him succeed where others gave up after facing initial difficulties or setbacks."

to introduce danger, a threat, problem, etc.

"It can pose a threat."

"The rapid spread of misinformation online continues to pose a significant challenge to democratic societies."

to help something develop, grow, evolve, etc.

"Parents nurture their children's talents."

"Good parents nurture their children's natural curiosity by encouraging them to explore the world and ask questions freely."

to regard or consider something in a particular way

"I view it differently."

"Many people view this historical period as a turning point in technological advancement."