Master the Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 2 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 2
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pharmaceutical
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(adj) /ˌfɑːrməˈsuːtɪkəl/
related to drugs and medicine
Example: She works in pharmaceutical research.
derive
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(v) /dɪˈraɪv/
to get something from a source
Example: Many medicines derive from plants.
compound
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(n) /ˈkɒm.paʊnd/
a substance made of two or more elements chemically combined
Example: Water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
ailment
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(n) /ˈeɪl.mənt/
a health problem or illness
Example: She went to the doctor because she has a mild ailment.
primate
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(n) /ˈpraɪmeɪt/
a group of mammals that includes humans, apes, and monkeys
Example: The zoo has many kinds of primates.
capuchin
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(n) /ˈkæp.ʊ.tʃɪn/
a type of small monkey found in Central and South America
Example: The capuchin is known for its intelligence and playful behavior.
toxin
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(n) /ˈtɑksɪn/
a poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms
Example: The toxin from certain plants can be very harmful.
ooze
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(v) /uz/
to flow slowly out of something
Example: The maple tree oozes syrup in the spring.
millipede
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(n) /ˈmɪlɪˌpiːd/
a small, long insect with many legs and a soft body
Example: I saw a millipede crawling on the ground.
deter
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(v) /dɪˈtɜr/
to stop someone from doing something
Example: The strong smell of the spray will deter pests.
noxious
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(adj) /ˈnɑːkʃəs/
harmful or very unpleasant
Example: Some plants have noxious effects on nearby growth.
parasite
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(n) /ˈpærəsaɪt/
an organism that lives on or in another organism and gets food from it
Example: A parasite can harm the host it lives in.
ancestor
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(n) /ˈæn.ses.tɚ/
a person from whom you are descended
Example: My ancestor came from another country.
extraction
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(n) /ɪkˈstrækʃən/
the process of removing something from a substance or source
Example: The extraction of the compound took several hours.
characterization
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(n) /ˌkɛrɪktəraɪˈzeɪʃən/
the way in which a character is described or represented
Example: The characterization of insects shows their importance in medicine.
modification
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(n) /ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
a change made to something
Example: The modification made the car faster.
isolate
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(v) /ˈaɪsəˌleɪt/
to separate something from others
Example: We need to isolate the chemical compound to study it.
hurdle
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(n) /ˈhɜːrdl/
an obstacle or difficulty that must be overcome
Example: Finding enough insects is a significant hurdle for researchers.
genome
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(n) /ˈdʒiːnoʊm/
the complete set of genetic material in an organism
Example: Scientists study the genome to understand how living things work.
molecular
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(adj) /məˈlɛkjʊlər/
related to small units that are the building blocks of substances
Example: The scientists study molecular structures to understand how drugs work.
diversity
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(n) /daɪˈvɜr.sɪ.ti/
the state of being different or varied
Example: The zoo has a lot of diversity in its animal collection.
bioprospecting
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(n) /ˌbaɪ.oʊˈprɑː.spɛk.tɪŋ/
the search for useful substances in natural organisms
Example: Bioprospecting can lead to new medicines from nature.
antibiotic
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(n) /ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk/
a medicine that fights infections caused by bacteria
Example: The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat the infection.
resistance
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(n) /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the ability to fight against something
Example: The bacteria showed resistance to the medicine.
terrestrial
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(adj) /təˈrɛstriəl/
relating to the land or the Earth
Example: Insects are the undisputed masters of the terrestrial domain.
domain
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(n) /doʊˈmeɪn/
an area of knowledge or activity
Example: The scientists study their own domain in the lab.
niche
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(n) /niːʃ/
a specific area or position that a person or thing occupies within a larger context
Example: The insect found a niche in the garden.
bewildering
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(adj) /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
very confusing or difficult to understand
Example: The movie had a bewildering plot that left everyone confused.
evolution
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(n) /ˌɛvəˈluːʃən/
a slow process of change and development
Example: The evolution of insects has taken millions of years.
therapeutic
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(adj) /ˌθɛrəˈpjuːtɪk/
related to the treatment of illness
Example: The doctor prescribed a therapeutic drug for her pain.
alloferon
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(n) /ˌæl.oʊˈfɪər.ən/
a substance created by certain insects that can kill germs and fight cancer
Example: Alloferon is used to help treat some diseases.
antimicrobial
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(adj) /ˌænti.maɪˈkroʊ.bi.əl/
able to kill or prevent the growth of germs or bacteria
Example: The doctor prescribed an antimicrobial medicine to fight the infection.
antiviral
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(adj) /ˌæn.tiˈvaɪ.rəl/
relating to a substance that helps to fight viruses
Example: The doctor prescribed an antiviral to treat the infection.
antitumor
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(adj) /ˌæntiˈtumər/
able to prevent or fight tumors (abnormal tissue growths)
Example: The doctor prescribed an antitumor medication.
larva
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(n) /ˈlɑːrvə/
a young form of an insect that has just come out of an egg
Example: The larva crawled on the ground looking for food.
venom
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(n) /ˈvɛnəm/
a poisonous substance produced by some animals
Example: The snake's venom can be very dangerous.
daunting
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(adj) /ˈdɔːntɪŋ/
making you feel worried or afraid
Example: The task seemed daunting at first, but I tried my best.
gland
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(n) /ɡlænd/
a small organ in the body that produces and secretes substances like hormones or fluids
Example: The doctor explained how the gland helps to regulate hormones.
secrete
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(v) /sɪˈkriːt/
to produce and release a substance
Example: The insect glands secrete a powerful poison.
ubiquity
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(n) /juˈbɪkwəti/
the state of being everywhere or widespread
Example: The ubiquity of smartphones is noticeable in today's society.
rear
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(v) /rɪr/
to grow or take care of something until it is adult
Example: We want to rear chickens in our backyard.
captivity
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(n) /kæpˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/
the state of being kept in a closed space and unable to leave
Example: The animals in the zoo live in captivity.
ecology
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(n) /ɪˈkɑːlədʒi/
the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment
Example: She is studying ecology at the university.
subdue
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(v) /səbˈdjuː/
to conquer or bring under control
Example: The scientist needs to subdue the insects for the study.
prey
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(n) /preɪ/
an animal that is hunted and eaten by other animals
Example: The hawk hunted for its prey in the sky.
carcass
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(n) /ˈkɑrkəs/
the dead body of an animal
Example: The dog found a carcass in the woods.
pathogenic
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(adj) /ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪk/
causing or capable of causing disease
Example: Some bacteria are pathogenic and can make people sick.
fungi
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(n) /ˈfʌŋɡaɪ/
a group of living things that includes mushrooms and molds
Example: Fungi play an important role in breaking down dead material.
inspire
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(v) /ɪnˈspaɪər/
to fill someone with the urge or ability to do something
Example: The story will inspire many young readers.
pitfall
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(n) /ˈpɪt.fɔːl/
a hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty
Example: They were warned about the pitfall of taking on too many projects at once.
precedent
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(n) /ˈprɛsɪdənt/
an example or reason for doing something that is used to justify a decision
Example: The teacher said there is a precedent for this type of project.
wilderness
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(n) /ˈwɪldərnəs/
an area of land that is not developed or used by people, often with natural plants and animals
Example: The wilderness is home to many wild creatures.
deprive
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(v) /dɪˈpraɪv/
to take something away from someone
Example: You cannot deprive someone of their right to speak.
groundbreaking
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(adj) /ˈɡraʊndˌbreɪkɪŋ/
introducing new ideas or methods
Example: The scientist made a groundbreaking discovery in medicine.
conservation
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(n) /ˌkɒn.sərˈveɪ.ʃən/
the protection of plants, animals, and natural resources
Example: The conservation of wildlife is important for our planet.
insignificant
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(adj) /ˌɪn.sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/
not important or worth considering
Example: Some people think that small insects are insignificant.
recess
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(n) /rɪˈsɛs/
a break period during school or work
Example: The students enjoyed their time during recess.