Master the Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 2 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 2
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endangered
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(adj) /ɪnˈdeɪn.dʒərd/
in danger of becoming extinct or disappearing
Example: Many animals are endangered and need our help.
farmable
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(adj) /ˈfɑrməbl/
able to be used for farming or growing crops
Example: The farmer looked for new farmable land.
sustain
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(v) /səˈsteɪn/
to keep something going or continue it
Example: We must sustain our resources for future generations.
degradation
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(n) /ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/
the process of something becoming worse or losing quality
Example: The degradation of the soil affects all the plants.
microorganism
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(n) /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈɔr.ɡə.nɪ.zəm/
a very small living thing that can only be seen with a microscope
Example: A microorganism can be found in every drop of water.
fungi
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(n) /ˈfʌŋɡaɪ/
a group of living things that includes mushrooms, molds, and yeasts
Example: Fungi can help decompose dead plants.
decompose
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(v) /ˌdiːˈkɒmpoʊz/
to break down into smaller parts or components
Example: Leaves decompose and create rich soil.
mineral
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(n) /ˈmɪn.ər.əl/
a natural substance found in the earth
Example: The rock contains several important mineral.
antibiotic
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(n) /ˌænti.baɪˈɑ.tɪk/
a medicine that fights infections caused by bacteria
Example: The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for my infection.
resistant
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(adj) /rɪˈzɪstənt/
able to withstand or not be affected by something
Example: Some plants are resistant to pests.
ally
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(n) /ˈæl.aɪ/
a person or group that helps and supports another person or group
Example: The country was a strong ally in the fight for freedom.
digest
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(v) /daɪˈdʒɛst/
to break down food in the body so it can be used
Example: The body digest food to provide energy.
carbon
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(n) /ˈkɑːrbən/
a chemical element that is essential for life and found in organic substances
Example: Carbon is found in all living things.
atmosphere
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(n) /ˈæt.məs.fɪr/
the mixture of gases around a planet
Example: The atmosphere protects us from the sun's harmful rays.
flood
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(n) /flʌd/
a lot of water that covers land that's usually dry
Example: The heavy rain caused a flood in the city.
decay
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(v) /dɪˈkeɪ/
to be slowly broken down into smaller parts
Example: Leaves decay in the fall to make soil rich.
fertile
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(adj) /ˈfɜːr.taɪl/
able to produce good crops
Example: The farmers need fertile land to grow their vegetables.
uncultivated
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(adj) /ʌnˈkʌltɪveɪtɪd/
land that is not used for growing crops or plants
Example: The uncultivated land was full of wildflowers.
commercial
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(adj) /kəˈmɜrʃəl/
related to buying or selling goods and services
Example: The store is focused on commercial activities.
synthetic
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(adj) /sɪnˈθɛtɪk/
made by combining different substances, not natural
Example: They used synthetic materials to make the new fabric.
fertiliser
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(n) /ˈfɜːrtəlaɪzər/
a substance that helps plants grow by providing them with essential nutrients
Example: Farmers use fertiliser to improve crop yields.
indiscriminate
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(adj) /ˌɪndɪˈskrɪmɪnɪt/
not showing careful choice or discrimination; random
Example: The indiscriminate use of water can lead to waste.
nourish
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(v) /ˈnɔːrɪʃ/
to provide food or other substances to help something grow or become healthy
Example: Farmers nourish the crops with water and fertilizer.
flourish
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(v) /ˈflʌrɪʃ/
to grow or develop in a healthy way
Example: With good care, the plants will flourish.
cocktail
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(n) /ˈkɒk.teɪl/
a mixed drink usually made with alcohol and other ingredients like fruit or soda
Example: She ordered a cocktail at the bar.
beneficial
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(adj) /ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl/
helpful or advantageous
Example: The bacteria in the soil are beneficial for plant growth.
humus
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(n) /ˈhjuːməs/
the dark organic material in soil, made from decaying plants and animals
Example: Humus helps make the soil fertile.
emerge
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(v) /ɪˈmɜrdʒ/
to come out or become visible
Example: After the rain, flowers began to emerge from the ground.
pierce
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(v) /pɪrs/
to go through something with a sharp object
Example: The roots can pierce the hard ground.
assess
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(v) /əˈsɛs/
to judge or decide the amount, value, or quality of something
Example: We need to assess the condition of the soils before starting the project.
classify
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(v) /ˈklæs.ɪ.faɪ/
to arrange things into groups based on their characteristics
Example: We need to classify the different types of plants in the garden.
unify
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(v) /ˈjunəˌfaɪ/
to bring together different parts into one
Example: They plan to unify their efforts for the project.
imagery
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(n) /ˈɪmædʒəri/
descriptive language that creates pictures in the mind
Example: The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the sunset.
accessible
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(adj) /əkˈsɛsəbl/
easy to reach or use
Example: The information must be accessible to everyone.
sustainable
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(adj) /səˈsteɪnəbl/
able to continue without causing damage to the environment
Example: They want to create sustainable products for the future.
vice versa
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(adv) /ˈvaɪs ˈvɜr.sə/
the other way around
Example: Some people prefer to teach students instead of the other way around.
degradation
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(n) /ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/
the process of becoming worse or lower in quality
Example: The degradation of the environment is a serious issue.
neutrality
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(n) /njuˈtræl.ɪ.ti/
the state of being not biased or having no strong opinions about something
Example: The judge showed neutrality during the case.
agitate
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(v) /ˈædʒ.ɪ.teɪt/
to stir up or excite feelings in someone
Example: The activists are agitating for better protection of the environment.
endangered
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(adj) /ɪnˈdeɪndʒərd/
at risk of becoming extinct or no longer existing
Example: The pandas are an endangered species.
benchmark
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(n) /ˈbɛnʧˌmɑrk/
a standard for measuring quality or performance
Example: The company used sales numbers as a benchmark for success.
ammonium nitrate
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(n) /əˈmoʊ.ni.əm ˈnaɪ.treɪt/
a type of chemical used as fertilizer to help plants grow
Example: Farmers often use ammonium nitrate to improve their crops.
nitrous oxide
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(n) /ˈnaɪtrəs ˈɒksaɪd/
a gas that can harm the environment and is produced by fertilizers
Example: The farm released too much nitrous oxide into the air.
acidic
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(adj) /əˈsɪdɪk/
having a sour taste or a high level of acid
Example: Lemons are very acidic and can make your lips pucker.
ecosystem
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(n) /ˈiːkoʊˌsɪstəm/
a community of living things and their environment
Example: The forest is a diverse ecosystem with many animals and plants.
antibiotics
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(n) /ˌæntɪbaɪˈɑːtɪks/
medicine used to kill bacteria or prevent their growth
Example: Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat infections.
degrading
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(v) /dɪˈɡreɪ.dɪŋ/
the process of making something worse or less valuable
Example: Excessive use of chemicals is degrading the quality of our soil.
inconvenient
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(adj) /ˌɪn.kənˈviː.ni.ənt/
causing trouble or difficulty
Example: The new schedule is inconvenient for many people.
manufacture
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(v) /ˌmæn.jʊˈfæktʃər/
to make something in large amounts, usually in a factory
Example: They manufacture toys at a big factory.
polluting
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(v) /pəˈluːtɪŋ/
to make something dirty or harmful
Example: The factory is polluting the river with chemicals.
overuse
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(v) /ˌoʊvərˈjuːs/
to use something too much
Example: Farmers need to avoid the overuse of chemical fertilizers.