Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 1

Back To Set

1 / 51

Definition

(adj) always green, not losing leaves in winter Example: The ______ trees stay green all year.

Term

evergreen

Don't know?

Definition

(n) the leaves of a plant or tree Example: The tree has beautiful green ______ in the summer.

Term

foliage

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to cover or surround something completely Example: The fruit is ______ in a hard shell.

Term

encased

Don't know?

Definition

(n) the outer covering of certain fruits or seeds Example: I removed the ______ from the corn before cooking.

Term

husk

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a covering around a seed, often brightly colored Example: The ______ on the seed is beautiful and bright red.

Term

aril

Don't know?

Definition

(adj) valued or highly regarded

Term

prized

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold Example: Many countries trade in different types of ______.

Term

commodity

Don't know?

Definition

(n) the power or control over others Example: The ______ of the Dutch in the spice trade was very strong.

Term

dominance

Don't know?

Definition

(n) the practice of hiring another company to do part of a job Example: The company is ______ the marketing work to another firm.

Term

subcontracting

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to use something in a way that helps you, often unfairly Example: They are ______ the natural resources of the region.

Term

exploiting

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a group of ships Example: The ______ sailed across the ocean.

Term

fleet

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to fly high in the air Example: The eagle can ______ above the mountains.

Term

soar

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a large business that is owned by many people but treated by law as one person Example: The ______ has many offices around the world.

Term

corporation

Don't know?

Definition

(adj) able to be spread from one person to another Example: The flu is ______ and can spread easily.

Term

contagious

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a very serious disease that can spread quickly and kill many people Example: The city was affected by a terrible ______.

Term

plague

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to give something that you could keep Example: She is willing to ______ some time to help us.

Term

spare

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a king or a ruler in some Muslim countries Example: The ______ made a new law for the people.

Term

sultan

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a person or group that enters a place with force or illegally Example: The ______ took control of the island.

Term

invader

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a large area where crops are grown or animals are raised Example: The ______ is filled with many nutmeg trees.

Term

plantation

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to remove a plant from the ground, including its roots Example: They need to ______ the old trees before planting new ones.

Term

uproot

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a young plant that has grown from a seed Example: The gardener planted a ______ in the flower bed.

Term

seedling

Don't know?

Definition

(adj) able to produce good crops or plants Example: The soil in that garden is very ______.

Term

fertile

Don't know?

Definition

(n) the state of having control or power over something Example: The ______ of the spice trade was important for the Dutch.

Term

domination

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a small, thin piece of something Example: He cut a ______ of cake for dessert.

Term

sliver

Don't know?

Definition

(n) an agreement made by each side giving up something they want Example: They reached a ______ to solve the problem.

Term

compromise

Don't know?

Definition

(n) an agreement made to end a dispute or conflict Example: The two countries reached a ______ after long negotiations.

Term

settlement

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a formal agreement between countries Example: The two countries signed a ______ to end the conflict.

Term

treaty

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a purpose or aim Example: She showed her ______ to help the project.

Term

intent

Don't know?

Definition

(n) the control of a product or service by one company or group Example: The company had a ______ on the cellphone market.

Term

monopoly

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to secretly bring something into or out of a place Example: He tried to ______ food across the border.

Term

smuggle

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to grow well or become successful Example: The plants ______ when they get enough sunlight.

Term

thrive

Don't know?

Definition

(adj) relating to or produced by a volcano Example: The ______ eruption changed the landscape dramatically.

Term

volcanic

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a sudden explosion or release of something, especially a volcano or a disease Example: The ______ of the volcano surprised everyone.

Term

eruption

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a large and powerful wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption Example: A ______ can cause great destruction in coastal areas.

Term

tsunami

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a group of trees growing close together Example: We walked through a beautiful ______ of cherry trees.

Term

grove

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to take something quickly and suddenly Example: The police will ______ the illegal goods.

Term

seize

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to move a plant or an organ from one place and put it in another Example: They will ______ the flowers into bigger pots.

Term

transplant

Don't know?

Definition

(n) the process of growing plants or crops Example: The farmer's ______ of vegetables was very successful.

Term

cultivation

Don't know?

Definition

(adj) only for a particular person or group; not shared Example: The club has ______ access to the new restaurant.

Term

exclusive

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a person who buys and sells goods, especially in large amounts Example: The ______ sold spices from different countries.

Term

merchant

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to make something known that was secret or hidden Example: The teacher will ______ the answer to the question.

Term

reveal

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to use something in a way that gives you an advantage Example: The company will ______ its resources to increase profits.

Term

exploit

Don't know?

Definition

(adv) in a quick or fast manner Example: The car moved ______ down the road.

Term

swiftly

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to prevent someone from entering a place

Term

lock out

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a specific activity or task that is planned to achieve a result Example: The ______ was successful and everyone celebrated.

Term

operation

Don't know?

Definition

(v) to focus all your attention on something Example: You need to ______ on your homework.

Term

concentrate

Don't know?

Definition

(n) something that makes it difficult to do something Example: The team overcame every ______ in their way.

Term

obstacle

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a period of ten years Example: She plans to travel every ______.

Term

decade

Don't know?

Definition

(adj) having a lot of worth or importance Example: The jewelry she wore was very ______.

Term

valuable

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a substance that is part of a mixture or recipe Example: Salt is an important ______ in many dishes.

Term

ingredient

Don't know?

Definition

(n) a style of cooking or food from a particular country or region Example: I love trying different kinds of ______.

Term

cuisine

Don't know?

Master the Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.