Master the Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1
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luxurious
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(adj) /lʌkˈʒʊriəs/
very comfortable and expensive
Example: The hotel is very luxurious and has a pool.
cocoon
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(n) /kəˈkuːn/
a protective case made by some insects
Example: The caterpillar turned into a cocoon before becoming a butterfly.
larva
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(n) /ˈlɑr.və/
a young form of an insect that has just hatched and usually looks different from the adult
Example: A larva turns into a butterfly after it grows.
unravel
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(v) /ʌnˈrævəl/
to untangle or separate something twisted or entwined
Example: The thread began to unravel after I pulled on it.
devise
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(v) /dɪˈvaɪz/
to create a plan or idea
Example: She needs to devise a new strategy for the project.
reel
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(n) /riːl/
a spool or cylinder to wind something onto
Example: She used a reel to store the thread.
fiber
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(n) /ˈfaɪbər/
a thin thread or piece of a material that can be woven to make cloth
Example: She likes to work with fiber to make crafts.
cultivation
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(n) /ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/
the process of growing plants or crops
Example: Cultivation of vegetables is important for a healthy diet.
millennia
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(n) /mɪˈlɛn.i.ə/
a period of one thousand years
Example: The ancient civilization lasted for several millennia.
restrict
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(v) /rɪˈstrɪkt/
to limit or control something
Example: They restrict the number of visitors in the museum.
harvest
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(v) /ˈhɑrvɪst/
to gather crops or materials from the ground
Example: Farmers harvest the crops in the fall.
weave
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(v) /wiːv/
to make fabric by crossing threads over and under each other
Example: She learned how to weave beautiful patterns.
peasant
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(n) /ˈpɛzənt/
a poor farmer or worker in the past
Example: The peasant worked hard in the fields.
caste
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(n) /kæst/
a social class in some societies
Example: In some cultures, people are born into a caste.
dynasty
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(n) /ˈdaɪ.nə.sti/
a series of rulers from the same family
Example: The dynasty ruled for many generations.
diplomatic
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(adj) /ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk/
related to managing relations between countries
Example: The diplomat made a diplomatic visit to improve relations.
lucrative
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(adj) /ˈluːkrətɪv/
producing a lot of money
Example: She started a lucrative business selling handmade crafts.
commodity
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(n) /kəˈmɑːdəti/
a raw material or product that can be bought and sold
Example: Coffee is a popular commodity in many countries.
precious
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(adj) /ˈprɛʃəs/
valuable or important
Example: Gold is a precious metal.
merchandise
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(n) /ˈmɜr.tʃən.daɪs/
goods that are bought and sold
Example: The store has many types of merchandise for sale.
middleman
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(n) /ˈmɪdəlmæn/
a person who helps buy and sell goods between two other people or groups
Example: The middleman helped the farmer sell his crops.
native
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(adj) /ˈneɪtɪv/
originally from a particular place
Example: The mulberry silkworm is native to China.
Byzantine
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(adj) /bɪˈzæntiːn/
relating to the Byzantine Empire or its culture
Example: The museum displayed Byzantine art from ancient times.
smuggle
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(v) /ˈsmʌɡl/
to bring something into a country secretly and illegally
Example: They tried to smuggle food across the border.
conceal
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(v) /kənˈsiːl/
to hide something
Example: She tried to conceal her surprise when she saw the gift.
monopoly
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(n) /məˈnɑː.pə.li/
the exclusive control of a product or service in a market
Example: The company had a monopoly on the smartphone market.
conquer
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(v) /ˈkɒŋ.kər/
to take control of a place or people by force
Example: The soldiers conquer the enemy territory.
magnificent
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(adj) /mæɡˈnɪfɪsənt/
very impressive and beautiful
Example: The palace had magnificent gardens.
sweep
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(v) /swiːp/
to clean a surface with a broom or cloth
Example: I will sweep the floor before dinner.
esteemed
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(adj) /ɪˈstimd/
highly respected or admired
Example: The silk from Como has an esteemed reputation.
industrialisation
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(n) /ɪnˌdʌs.tri.ə.lɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/
the process of developing industries in a country or area
Example: The country experienced rapid industrialisation after the war.
downfall
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(n) /ˈdaʊnˌfɔl/
a sudden loss of power or success
Example: The business faced its downfall after the scandal.
facilitate
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(v) /fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt/
to make something easier
Example: They work to facilitate communication between the teams.
stifle
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(v) /ˈstaɪfəl/
to stop something from happening or developing
Example: The noise outside stifles my ability to concentrate.
metric
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(n) /ˈmɛtrɪk/
a system for measuring things
Example: The metric system is used in many countries for measurements.
exotic
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(adj) /ɪɡˈzɑːtɪk/
different from what is usual, often in a way that is interesting or exciting
Example: The display showcased many exotic plants from different countries.
prized
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(adj) /praɪzd/
valued highly or considered important
Example: The prize was awarded to the prized artist.
currency
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(n) /ˈkɜrənsi/
the money used in a country
Example: The currency in the United States is the dollar.
bowstring
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(n) /ˈbaʊstrɪŋ/
a string used to draw back a bow
Example: He replaced the old bowstring on his bow.
indication
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(n) /ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/
a sign or piece of information that shows something
Example: The teacher gave an indication of what would be on the test.
noble
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(adj) /ˈnoʊ.bəl/
having high moral qualities or ideals
Example: The noble knight helped those in need.
estimate
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(v) /ˈɛstəˌmeɪt/
to guess the amount, number, or value of something
Example: I need to estimate the cost of my groceries.
mulberry
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(n) /ˈmʌl.bər.i/
a type of tree that produces small, sweet berries and is used to feed silkworms
Example: The farmer planted a mulberry in his garden.
silkworm
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(n) /ˈsɪlk.wɜrm/
a caterpillar that produces silk to make a cocoon
Example: The farmer raises silkworms to produce silk.
emperor
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(n) /ˈɛmpərər/
a leader of an empire
Example: The emperor ruled the vast lands with great power.
royalty
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(n) /ˈrɔɪəlti/
people who are members of the royal family
Example: The king and queen are part of royalty.
entitled
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(adj) /ɪnˈtaɪ.t̬əld/
having a right to have or do something
Example: Only the special guests are entitled to enter the VIP area.
gradually
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(adv) /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ə.li/
little by little; slowly over time
Example: The plant grows gradually in spring.
relax
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(v) /rɪˈlæks/
to become less tense or worried
Example: I like to relax on the weekend.
sole
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(adj) /soʊl/
being the only one of its kind
Example: China was the sole producer of silk for a long time.
producer
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(n) /prəˈduːsər/
a person or company that makes or grows something for sale
Example: The farmer is a producer of fresh vegetables.