Master the Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 3 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 3
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fundamental
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(adj) /ˌfʌndəˈmɛn(t)əl/
basic and important; forming the base or foundation
Example: Water is a fundamental need for all living things.
offend
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(v) /əˈfɛnd/
to make someone feel upset or angry
Example: He did not mean to offend anyone with his joke.
maximize
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(v) /ˈmæksɪmaɪz/
to make something as large or great as possible
Example: They want to maximize their profits this year.
circumstance
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(n) /ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/
a condition or situation that affects what happens
Example: The circumstances made it hard for him to go outside.
unmanaged
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(adj) /ʌnˈmænɪdʒd/
not controlled or regulated
Example: The fish population is low in the unmanaged area.
quota
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(n) /ˈkwoʊtə/
a limit on the number or amount of something
Example: There is a quota for how many fish can be caught each season.
lease
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(n) /liːs/
a contract to use something for a period of time in exchange for payment
Example: They signed a lease for the apartment.
corrupt
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(adj, v) /kəˈrʌpt/
dishonest or illegal behavior; to make something bad or immoral
Example: Some officials can be corrupt and accept bribes.
unsophisticated
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(adj) /ˌʌn.səˈfɪs.tɪ.keɪ.tɪd/
not having a lot of knowledge or experience
Example: The landowners were unsophisticated about environmental issues.
regulation
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(n) /ˌrɛɡ.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/
a rule made by a government or other authority
Example: The new regulation will help protect the environment.
out-compete
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(v) /aʊt.kəmˈpiːt/
to do better than someone else in a competition
Example: The new technology helped the company out-compete its rivals.
obligation
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(n) /ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃən/
something that you must do because of a law, rule, or promise
Example: You have an obligation to follow the rules.
shareholder
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(n) /ˈʃɛrˌhoʊldər/
a person or group that owns shares in a company
Example: The shareholder received dividends from the company.
fiduciary
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(n) /fɪˈdjuːʃiˌɛri/
a person or organization that is responsible for managing someone else's money or property with care
Example: The lawyer acted as a fiduciary for his client.
liable
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(adj) /ˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/
responsible for something and likely to be blamed
Example: The company is liable for any damage they cause.
humanitarian
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(adj) /hjuːˈmænɪˌtɛrɪən/
concerned with improving people's lives
Example: The organization works on humanitarian projects around the world.
sentiment
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(n) /ˈsɛntɪmənt/
a feeling or opinion about something
Example: His sentiment about the project was very positive.
stockholder
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(n) /ˈstɑkˌhoʊldər/
a person or organization that owns shares in a company
Example: The stockholder received the annual report in the mail.
sustainable
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(adj) /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/
able to be continued without harming the environment
Example: We need to use sustainable methods to protect nature.
destructive
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(adj) /dɪsˈtrʌktɪv/
causing harm or damage
Example: The storm had a destructive effect on the town.
unprofitable
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(adj) /ʌnˈprɒfɪtəbl/
not profitable; not making money
Example: The unprofitable store had to close down.
sue
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(v) /suː/
to take legal action against someone
Example: They decided to sue the company for damages.
disaster
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(n) /dɪˈzæstər/
a very bad event that causes a lot of harm or damage
Example: The storm was a disaster for the town.
track record
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(n) /træk ˈrɛkərd/
a history of someone's or something's performance or achievements
Example: The company has a good track record in customer service.
ashamed
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(adj) /əˈʃeɪmd/
feeling embarrassed or guilty because of something you have done
Example: She felt ashamed after making a mistake.
complain
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(v) /kəmˈpleɪn/
to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something
Example: She likes to complain when things don't go her way.
enforce
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(v) /ɪnˈfɔrs/
to make sure that people follow a law or rule
Example: The police enforce the laws in the city.
exert
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(v) /ɪɡˈzɜrt/
to use energy, effort, or influence to achieve something
Example: She will exert herself to finish the project on time.
supplier
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(n) /səˈplaɪər/
a person or company that provides goods or services
Example: The supplier delivered the products on time.
ignore
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(v) /ɪɡˈnɔr/
to not pay attention to something
Example: She will ignore the noise outside.
transmit
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(v) /trænzˈmɪt/
to send something from one place to another
Example: The radio can transmit music to the speakers.
infected
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(adj) /ɪnˈfɛktɪd/
having a disease caused by germs or bacteria
Example: The doctor said the patient is infected with a virus.
abandon
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(v) /əˈbændən/
to leave something or someone behind
Example: They had to abandon their old house.
comply
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(v) /kəmˈplaɪ/
to do what you are asked or expected to do
Example: The students must comply with the new rules.
plummet
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(v) /ˈplʌmɪt/
to fall suddenly and quickly
Example: The temperature will plummet overnight.
sensitive
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(adj) /ˈsɛnsɪtɪv/
easily affected by things around you
Example: She is sensitive to loud noises.
outraged
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(adj) /ˈaʊt.reɪdʒd/
very angry or upset
Example: The citizens were outraged by the unfair decision.
ultimate
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(adj) /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət/
most important or the final goal
Example: The ultimate goal of the project is to help the community.
necessity
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(n) /nəˈsɛs.ɪ.ti/
something that is needed or must be done
Example: Water is a necessity for all living things.
accordance
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(n) /əˈkɔːrdəns/
the state of following rules or standards
Example: The company works in accordance with environmental laws.
moral
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(adj) /ˈmɔr.əl/
related to what is right and wrong
Example: He believes it is important to have a moral compass.
principle
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(n) /ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/
a basic truth or law that is accepted as a guide to behavior or action
Example: The principle of honesty is important in all relationships.
reduction
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(n) /rɪˈdʌkʃən/
the act of making something smaller or less
Example: There was a reduction in the amount of waste produced by the factory.
recognize
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(v) /ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz/
to see and know someone or something again
Example: I recognize that song from the radio.
explicit
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(adj) /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/
clearly and openly stated
Example: The teacher gave explicit instructions for the assignment.
empowering
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(adj) /ɪmˈpaʊərɪŋ/
giving someone the confidence or power to do something
Example: The speech was empowering for everyone in the audience.
moralistic
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(adj) /ˌmɔːrəˈlɪstɪk/
having strong opinions about what is right and wrong
Example: She was very moralistic about how people should treat the environment.
admirable
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(adj) /ˈæd.mɪ.rə.bəl/
deserving respect and approval
Example: Her dedication to helping others is truly admirable.
selfish
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(adj) /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/
thinking only of oneself and not caring about others
Example: It is selfish to only think about your own needs.
reward
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(n) /rɪˈwɔrd/
something given to someone for doing good
Example: The teacher gave a reward to the student for excellent work.
attitude
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(n) /ˈætɪˌtjud/
a way of thinking or feeling about something
Example: Her attitude towards learning is very positive.
essential
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(adj) /ɪˈsɛnʃəl/
very important and necessary
Example: Good communication is essential for a successful team.
practice
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(n) /ˈpræktɪs/
the repeated exercise of an activity or skill to improve performance
Example: She goes to dance practice every Wednesday.