Master the Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 2 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 2
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extinct
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(adj) /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer in existence
Example: The dinosaur is an extinct animal.
legendary
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(adj) /ˈlɛdʒənˌdɛri/
famous and admired, often because of a story or myth
Example: The legendary singer performed at the concert last night.
spectacle
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(n) /ˈspɛk.tə.kəl/
something that is very impressive to see
Example: The parade was a fantastic spectacle for everyone.
specimen
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(n) /ˈspɛsɪmən/
a sample, often for study or testing
Example: The scientist examined the specimen under a microscope.
ambitious
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(adj) /æmˈbɪʃ.əs/
having a strong desire to be successful or to achieve something
Example: She is very ambitious and wants to be a doctor.
de-extinction
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(n) /diː.ɪkˈstɪŋk.ʃən/
the process of bringing an extinct species back to life
Example: Scientists are researching de-extinction to revive lost species.
premise
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(n) /ˈprɛmɪs/
an idea or statement that forms the basis for a theory or argument
Example: The premise of the project is to use cloning technology.
cloning
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(n) /ˈkloʊ.nɪŋ/
the process of creating an identical copy of a living thing
Example: Cloning can help scientists study diseases.
embryo
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(n) /ˈɛm.bri.oʊ/
an early stage of development of a living organism, usually before birth
Example: The scientist studied the embryo under a microscope.
abundant
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(adj) /əˈbʌn.dənt/
existing in large amounts
Example: The garden had abundant flowers in spring.
pioneering
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(adj) /ˌpaɪəˈnɪrɪŋ/
involving new ideas or methods
Example: The scientists are working on a pioneering project.
cutting-edge
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(adj) /ˈkʌtɪŋˌɛdʒ/
related to the most advanced and innovative development
Example: The company is known for its cutting-edge inventions.
trial
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(n) /ˈtraɪəl/
a test or experiment to see if something works or is effective
Example: The new medicine is being trialled in hospitals.
carnivore
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(n) /ˈkɑrnɪˌvɔr/
an animal that eats meat
Example: A lion is a carnivore that hunts for food.
niche
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(n) /niːʃ/
a specific area of interest or activity
Example: He found a niche that matched his skills.
occupy
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(v) /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
to live or stay in a place
Example: They occupy the same room during the meeting.
debilitating
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(adj) /dɪˈbɪlɪˌteɪtɪŋ/
making someone very weak or unable to do things
Example: The illness was debilitating and made it hard for her to work.
syndrome
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(n) /ˈsɪn.droʊm/
a group of symptoms that occur together
Example: The doctor explained that the patient had a rare syndrome.
notorious
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(adj) /nəˈtɔːr.i.əs/
famous for something bad
Example: The notorious criminal was caught by the police.
contagious
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(adj) /kənˈteɪdʒəs/
able to be spread to others, especially a disease
Example: The disease was so contagious that many people got sick.
subjected
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(v) /səbˈdʒɛk.tɪd/
to experience something unpleasant
Example: The animals are subjected to harsh conditions in the wild.
millennia
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(n) /mɪˈlɛn.i.ə/
a period of a thousand years
Example: The ancient structures have stood for many millennia.
reverse
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(v) /rɪˈvɜrs/
to change something to an opposite state or position
Example: You can reverse the order of the numbers.
identical
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(adj) /aɪˈdɛntɪkəl/
exactly the same
Example: The two cars are identical in color and shape.
practical
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(adj) /ˈpræktɪkəl/
related to real situations and actions rather than ideas or imagination
Example: Her solution is more practical than the others.
template
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(n) /ˈtɛmplɪt/
a model or example used to make something
Example: He used a template to draw the design.
insertion
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(n) /ɪnˈsɜrʃən/
the act of putting something into something else
Example: The insertion of new DNA can create a hybrid species.
hybrid
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(n) /ˈhaɪ.brɪd/
something made by combining two different things
Example: A hybrid animal can have traits from both its parents.
complicated
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(adj) /ˈkɑːmplɪˌkeɪtɪd/
difficult to understand or deal with
Example: The math problem is complicated.
questionable
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(adj) /ˈkwɛstʃənəbl/
something that is not certain or is doubtful
Example: The outcome of the experiment is questionable.
beg
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(v) /bɛɡ/
to ask someone for something in a very eager or emotional way
Example: She had to beg for help after losing her wallet.
suitable
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(adj) /ˈsuːtəbl/
appropriate or proper for a particular purpose
Example: The jacket is suitable for cold weather.
scatter
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(v) /ˈskætər/
to spread things in different directions
Example: The children scatter when they hear the loud noise.
hectare
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(n) /ˈhɛk.tɛr/
a unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters, used for measuring land
Example: The farmer owns two hectares of land.
ecosystem
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(n) /ˈiː.koʊˌsɪs.təm/
a community of living things and their environment
Example: The ecosystem is full of diverse plants and animals.
disturbance
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(n) /dɪˈstɜːr.bəns/
an interruption or disturbance of a process or state
Example: The loud noise caused a disturbance in the classroom.
stagnant
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(adj) /ˈstæɡ.nənt/
not moving or changing
Example: The water in the pond is stagnant.
evolve
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(v) /ɪˈvɑːlv/
to change or develop gradually
Example: The plants evolve over time to adapt to their environment.
regenerate
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(v) /rɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪt/
to produce again or create new
Example: The plants regenerate after the rain.
hybridize
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(v) /ˈhaɪ.brɪ.daɪz/
to mix different plants or animals to create something new
Example: Scientists hybridize different species to study their traits.
re-establish
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(v) /ˌriːɪˈstæblɪʃ/
to set something up again after it has been stopped or destroyed
Example: We need to re-establish the forest after the fire.
thrive
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(v) /θraɪv/
to grow or develop well or successfully
Example: The flowers thrive in the sunny garden.
candidate
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(n) /ˈkændɪdeɪt/
a person who is being considered for something, such as a job or an award
Example: She is a strong candidate for the scholarship.
pinpoint
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(v) /ˈpɪnˌpɔɪnt/
to find or identify exactly
Example: The team needs to pinpoint the exact location of the missing animal.
trait
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(n) /treɪt/
a distinguishing quality or characteristic
Example: Honesty is an important trait in a good friend.
tundra
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(n) /ˈtʌndrə/
a cold, flat area with no trees, where mainly mosses and small plants grow
Example: The tundra is home to many unique animals.
adaptation
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(n) /ˌædæpˈteɪʃən/
a change that helps someone or something survive in a new situation
Example: The animal's adaptation to the cold climate was very impressive.
insulate
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(v) /ˈɪn.sə.leɪt/
to protect something by putting a material around it that stops heat, sound, or electricity from passing through
Example: We need to insulate the house to keep it warm in winter.
repopulation
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(n) /ˌriːˈpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən/
the act of bringing back animals or plants that no longer exist
Example: Scientists are excited about the repopulation of extinct species.
boreal
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(adj) /ˈbɔr.i.əl/
relating to or located in the northern regions, especially the forests of the far north
Example: The boreal forest is home to many species of wildlife.
mitigate
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(v) /ˈmɪtɪˌɡeɪt/
to make something less severe or serious
Example: We need to mitigate the effects of pollution.
permafrost
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(n) /ˈpɜːrməfrɔːst/
a permanently frozen layer of soil found in polar regions
Example: Permafrost keeps many ancient plants and animals preserved.
capture
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(v) /ˈkæp.tʃər/
to take control of someone or something
Example: They want to capture the beauty of nature in their photos.
imagination
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(n) /ɪˌmædʒ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/
the ability to think of new ideas or images that are not real
Example: Her imagination helps her create beautiful stories.
threaten
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(v) /ˈθrɛtən/
to say you will harm someone or something
Example: The dark clouds threaten rain tomorrow.
emerge
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(v) /ɪˈmɜrdʒ/
to come out or appear from a hidden place
Example: The butterfly will emerge from its cocoon.
modification
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(n) /ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
a change made to something
Example: The teacher made a modification to the lesson plan.
moral
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(adj) /ˈmɔːrəl/
related to what is right or wrong in human behavior
Example: It is important to make a moral decision.
hazard
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(n) /ˈhæz.ɚd/
something that may cause harm or danger
Example: Walking alone at night can be a hazard.
calculate
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(v) /ˈkæl.kjʊ.leɪt/
to find a number or amount mathematically
Example: We need to calculate the total cost of the project.