Test 4 - Listening - Part 1 · Cambridge IELTS Academic 17 Vocabulary List

to rub the surface of something, often using a brush or a piece of cloth, to make it bright, smooth, and shiny

"Polish your shoes before the interview."

"You should polish your leather shoes before the job interview to make them look shiny and professional."

in a manner that almost does not occur or happen

"He hardly ever eats junk food."

"He hardly ever eats junk food because he is very health conscious and prefers to cook fresh meals at home."

to use a heated appliance to straighten and smooth wrinkles and creases from fabric

"She irons her clothes every morning."

"You need to iron your shirt before the meeting because it is very wrinkled from being in the suitcase."

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

"His hands are grubby."

"The grubby hands of the child left fingerprints on the clean window and his mother wiped them away with a cloth."

a machine that uses high-pressure water spray to remove dirt, grime, and other types of stubborn stains from surfaces

"He used a pressure washer to clean the driveway."

"The pressure washer blasted years of grime off the driveway in a single afternoon of work."

the act of keeping something in good condition or proper working condition

"The building requires regular maintenance."

"Regular maintenance of the vehicle prevented breakdowns and extended its operational life significantly."

someone who installs and repairs pipes, toilets, etc.

"The plumber fixed the leaky pipe."

"The plumber fixed the leaking pipe under the kitchen sink and replaced the old faucet with a new one that did not drip."

in a quick manner due to having little time

"I left home in a hurry."

"I left home in a hurry and forgot to bring my wallet so I cannot pay for lunch."

to provide someone with the contact information of another person such as their phone number, E-mail, or address

"My doctor put me in touch with a specialist."

"Can you put me in touch with your lawyer because I need some legal advice about a contract."

without any delay

"I will do it straight away."

"I will do it straight away as soon as I finish this other task that I am currently working on."

someone who deals with electrical equipment, such as repairing or installing them

"The electrician fixed the wire."

"The electrician replaced the old wiring in the house because it was dangerous and could have caused a fire if left untouched for much longer."

to remember or consider a particular piece of information or advice

"Bear this in mind always."

"When planning your budget for the trip, you should bear in mind that accommodation costs tend to be much higher during the peak tourist season."

to experience or endure a process, change, or event

"The patient will undergo surgery tomorrow."

"The patient will undergo a series of medical tests to determine the cause of her persistent symptoms."

an examination of a person or thing to ensure safety and prevent harm

"All passengers go through a security check."

"All passengers go through a security check and their bags are scanned for prohibited items."

appropriate for a certain situation or purpose

"This dress is suitable."

"This dress is suitable for a wedding because it is elegant and not too casual or revealing."

a person or organization that pays for the services of a company or recommendations of a professional

"The lawyer has a client."

"The marketing firm worked diligently to meet the specific needs of their most important client."

to need or demand something as necessary for a particular purpose or situation

"This job requires five years experience."

"This job requires at least five years of experience in a similar role as well as excellent communication skills."

relating to or belonging to the home, household, or family life

"This is a domestic task."

"She preferred to focus on domestic matters rather than career advancements."

a place with a few rooms in which people live, normally part of a building with other such places on each floor

"They live in a flat."

"After getting married, they decided to rent a small, modern flat in the city center."

a set of things that are offered or sold together as one single unit

"This is a package deal."

"The software package includes several integrated modules designed to streamline business operations."

doing something completely and comprehensively without leaving out any important details

"The cleaning was thorough."

"The search was thorough and the police checked every room and closet in the house."

to entirely remove something

"The disease wipes out entire populations."

"The bad investment nearly wiped out all of his life savings and left him with almost nothing."

able to be trusted to perform consistently well and meet expectations

"My car is reliable."

"The reliable old truck never broke down even after two hundred thousand miles and the farmer trusted it completely."

an individual with whom one has established a professional or personal relationship, typically for the purpose of obtaining information, assistance, etc.

"I lost contact with my old friend."

"Please make contact with the client as soon as possible to discuss the new project details."

to formally request something, such as a place at a university, a job, etc.

"Apply for the job online."

"She decided to apply for the management position because she felt she had the necessary qualifications and experience."

related to or involving illegal activities

"It was criminal."

"The police are investigating a series of criminal activities that have been plaguing the downtown area for weeks."

the details about someone's family, experience, education, etc.

"What is your background?"

"Understanding her diverse professional background helps explain her innovative approach to problem-solving."

a letter written by a former employer about a former employee who has applied for a new job, giving information about them

"I need a reference."

"The hiring manager requested a detailed reference from my previous supervisor to assess my performance."

to carefully check the quality, activity, or changes of something or someone for a period of time

"Please monitor the patient."

"The team will closely monitor the patient's vital signs throughout the recovery process."

to notice something, such as a sense, sign, etc.

"Pick up the clue."

"She was able to pick up on his subtle change in demeanor and realized something was wrong."