Master the Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 2 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 2
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desalination
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(n) /ˌdiːˌsælɪˈneɪʃən/
the process of removing salt from water
Example: Desalination can help provide fresh water in dry areas.
purify
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(v) /ˈpjʊrɪfaɪ/
to make something clean or free from dirt and impurities
Example: We need to purify the water before drinking it.
sustainable
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(adj) /səˈsteɪnəbl/
able to be maintained or continued over the long term
Example: We need sustainable solutions for our environment.
consumption
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(n) /kənˈsʌmpʃən/
the act of using up something, such as food or water
Example: The consumption of water is very important for our health.
groundwater
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(n) /ˈɡraʊndˌwɔːtər/
water that is located underground in soil or rock
Example: Farmers rely on groundwater for their crops.
confronted
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(v) /kənˈfrʌntɪd/
to face or deal with something difficult
Example: He confronted his fear of heights.
enormous
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(adj) /ɪˈnɔr.məs/
very large in size or amount
Example: The elephant is enormous and can weigh several tons.
carbon footprint
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(n) /ˈkɑrbən ˈfutprɪnt/
the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted by a person, organization, or product
Example: My family tries to reduce our carbon footprint by using less plastic.
generate
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(v) /ˈdʒɛn.ə.reɪt/
to produce or create something
Example: The device can generate clean drinking water.
particle
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(n) /ˈpɑːr.tɪ.kəl/
a very small piece of something
Example: The filter traps tiny particles from the water.
distilled
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(adj) /dɪˈstɪld/
purified liquid that has been changed into vapor and back to liquid
Example: The chef used distilled water for the recipe.
fluoride
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(n) /ˈflʊəˌraɪd/
a chemical that can help prevent tooth decay
Example: Fluoride is often added to toothpaste.
transmitted
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(v) /trænzˈmɪtɪd/
to send something from one place to another
Example: The signal was transmitted to the satellite.
servicing
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(n) /ˈsɜːrvɪsɪŋ/
the act of providing maintenance or support for something
Example: The company offers servicing for all its devices.
scarcity
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(n) /ˈskɛr.sɪ.ti/
the state of not having enough of something
Example: There is a scarcity of fresh water in some places.
stress
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(n) /strɛs/
a state of having too much to deal with
Example: She felt a lot of stress before the exam.
exceed
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(v) /ɪkˈsiːd/
to be greater than a particular amount or limit
Example: The demand exceeds the supply in many areas.
intensive
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(adj) /ɪnˈtɛn.sɪv/
requiring a lot of effort or attention
Example: The training program is very intensive.
operate
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(v) /ˈɒpəreɪt/
to control or work something, such as a machine or device
Example: They need to operate the machine carefully.
constant
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(adj) /ˈkɒnstənt/
happening all the time or repeatedly
Example: She needs a constant supply of water.
off the grid
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(phrase) /ɔf ði ɡrɪd/
living without connection to public utilities like electricity and water
Example: Some people choose to live off the grid in the mountains.
commercial
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(adj) /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
relating to buying and selling goods or services
Example: The commercial versions of the device will be available soon.
outright
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(adv) /ˈaʊtˌraɪt/
completely or immediately
Example: She bought the car outright.
microfinance
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(n) /ˈmaɪ.kroʊˌfaɪ.næns/
small loans given to poor people to help them start a business
Example: Many people use microfinance to create their own shops.
lease
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(n) /liːs/
an agreement to rent something
Example: They decided to lease the equipment for the project.
municipal
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(adj) /mjuˈnɪsɪpəl/
related to a city or town and its local government
Example: The municipal office is responsible for city planning.
reliable
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(adj) /rɪˈlaɪəbl/
trustworthy and dependable
Example: She bought a reliable car that starts every time.
niche
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(n) /niːʃ/
a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service
Example: The product is designed for niche markets like campers and boaters.
negotiate
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(v) /nɪˈɡoʊʃieɪt/
to discuss something in order to reach an agreement
Example: The two countries need to negotiate a peace treaty.
venture
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(n) /ˈvɛn.tʃər/
a business or project that is started, especially involving risk
Example: The entrepreneur decided to start a new venture in technology.
envisioned
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(v) /ɪnˈvɪʒ.ənd/
to imagine or picture something in the future
Example: The inventor envisioned a better way to clean water.
application
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(n) /ˌæp.lɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
the action of applying something for a particular use
Example: The new technology found application in many countries.
humanitarian
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(adj) /hjuːˈmænɪˌtɛəriən/
relating to helping people or improving their lives
Example: The organization focuses on humanitarian aid for those in need.
viable
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(adj) /ˈvaɪəbl/
capable of working successfully; feasible
Example: The plan to save water is viable for the community.
proceed
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(v) /prəˈsiːd/
to continue or go forward, especially after a pause
Example: We will proceed with the project next week.
realise
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(v) /ˈriːəlaɪz/
to become aware of something or to understand it
Example: I realize I need to drink more water.
bottom line
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(n) /ˈbɑːtəm laɪn/
the most important factor or main point
Example: The bottom line is that we need more clean water.
chief executive
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(n) /tʃif ɪɡˈzɛk.jʊ.tɪv/
the person with the most authority in a company
Example: The chief executive made an important announcement today.
funding
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(n) /ˈfʌndɪŋ/
money that is given for a specific purpose
Example: The project was successful because of the funding it received.
domestic
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(adj) /dəˈmɛstɪk/
related to or happening in one's own country
Example: She prefers domestic travel to international trips.
borehole
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(n) /ˈbɔːrˌhoʊl/
a deep hole made in the ground to get water or oil
Example: The workers drilled a borehole to find fresh water.
pollute
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(v) /pəˈluːt/
to make air, water, or land dirty and harmful
Example: Factories can pollute the river with chemicals.
processing
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(n) /ˈprɑːsɛsɪŋ/
the act of dealing with something in a systematic way
Example: Water processing is important for providing clean water.
sustain
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(v) /səˈsteɪn/
to keep something going or maintain it
Example: The project aims to sustain clean water access for everyone.
convert
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(v) /kənˈvɜːrt/
to change something into a different form or use
Example: You can convert saltwater into fresh water using this machine.
distil
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(v) /dɪˈstɪl/
to make a pure liquid from a mixture by heating it and allowing it to cool
Example: The factory will distil the water for safety.
transmit
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(v) /trænzˈmɪt/
to send something from one place to another
Example: The data is transmitted to the headquarters every day.
analysis
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(n) /əˈnæl.ɪ.sɪs/
a detailed examination of something in order to understand it better
Example: The analysis showed that many people need clean water.
severe
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(adj) /sɪˈvɪr/
very serious or extreme
Example: The region faced severe water shortages during the summer.
device
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(n) /dɪˈvaɪs/
a tool or machine made for a specific purpose
Example: The device helps people drink clean water.