Master the Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 1
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geoglyph
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(n) /ˈɡiːəɡlɪf/
a large drawing or design made on the ground
Example: The ancient geoglyph is visible from the sky.
downland
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(n) /ˈdaʊn.lænd/
an area of low hills, typically covered with grass
Example: The sheep grazed on the downland.
enigmatic
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(adj) /ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/
mysterious and difficult to understand
Example: The painting had an enigmatic beauty that captivated everyone.
priory
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(n) /ˈpraɪəri/
a place where monks live and work, often part of a larger religious community
Example: The monk spent many years at the priory.
scour
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(v) /skaʊər/
to search thoroughly for something
Example: I need to scour the house for my missing keys.
testament
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(n) /ˈtɛstəˌmənt/
something that proves or shows that something else is true
Example: The old book is a testament to the history of our town.
millennia
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(n) /mɪˈlɛniə/
a period of one thousand years
Example: People have lived in this area for millennia.
stylise
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(v) /ˈstaɪ.laɪz/
to design or represent something in a particular style
Example: The artist likes to stylise her paintings with bright colors.
disjoint
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(adj) /dɪsˈdʒɔɪnt/
not connected or overlapping
Example: The two sets of data are disjoint.
melt
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(v) /mɛlt/
to become liquid from being solid because of heat
Example: The ice will melt in the sun.
hillfort
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(n) /ˈhɪlˌfɔrt/
a large fortified settlement on a hill
Example: The old hillfort was a safe place for the people.
Neolithic
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(adj) /ˌniː.oʊˈlɪθ.ɪk/
relating to the last part of the Stone Age when people started farming
Example: The Neolithic period saw the rise of agriculture.
barrow
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(n) /ˈbæroʊ/
a large, often ancient burial mound
Example: The archaeologists discovered a barrow in the field.
carving
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(n) /ˈkɑrvɪŋ/
a shape or design made by cutting into a surface
Example: The carving on the wall is beautiful.
enigmatic
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(adj) /ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/
difficult to understand or explain
Example: The story had an enigmatic ending that made us think.
adequate
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(adj) /ˈædɪkwət/
enough in quantity or quality
Example: The notes she took in class were adequate for studying.
stimulate
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(v) /ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt/
to encourage something to happen or grow
Example: The teacher wants to stimulate interest in science.
luminescence
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(n) /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛ.səns/
the emission of light by a substance that has not been heated
Example: The rocks showed luminescence in the dark.
emblem
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(n) /ˈɛmbləm/
a symbol or sign that represents something
Example: The emblem on her shirt showed her school pride.
ritual
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(n) /ˈrɪtʃuəl/
a set of actions done in a specific way for a special purpose, often for religious or traditional reasons
Example: The teacher explained the ritual of celebrating New Year.
fertility
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(n) /fɚˈtɪl.ɪ.ti/
the ability to produce children or crops
Example: Fertility is important for farming.
cult
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(n) /kʌlt/
a group of people with strong religious or ideological beliefs
Example: She was fascinated by the cult and its unusual practices.
attest
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(v) /əˈtɛst/
to say that something is true or to show that something is true
Example: The documents attest to the history of the site.
mythology
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(n) /mɪˈθɑlədʒi/
the study of myths, especially ancient stories about gods and heroes
Example: She loves reading books about mythology.
gesture
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(n) /ˈdʒɛs.tʃər/
a movement of the hands or arms to express something
Example: She made a gesture to say hello.
lessen
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(v) /ˈlɛs.ən/
to make something smaller in amount or degree
Example: The medicine can lessen the pain.
glimpse
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(n) /ɡlɪmps/
a short look or view
Example: She caught a glimpse of the beautiful sunset.
scatter
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(v) /ˈskætər/
to spread or move in different directions
Example: The children scatter when they hear the ice cream truck.
vast
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(adj) /væst/
very large in size or amount
Example: The ocean is vast and full of mysteries.
regimental
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(adj) /ˌrɛdʒɪˈmɛn.təl/
relating to a military unit
Example: He wore a regimental badge on his uniform.
assign
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(v) /əˈsaɪn/
to give someone a particular job or task
Example: The teacher will assign homework every week.
controversial
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(adj) /ˌkɒn.trəˈvɜr.ʃəl/
causing a lot of disagreement or discussion
Example: The topic was controversial among the students.
prehistoric
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(adj) /ˌpriːhɪˈstɔrɪk/
relating to the time before written history
Example: The museum has many prehistoric tools.
overlap
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(v) /ˈoʊ.vər.læp/
to cover the same space or time as something else
Example: The two events overlap, so I can only attend one.
gleam
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(n) /ɡliːm/
a small, bright light or shine
Example: The gleam of the stars lit up the night sky.
fade
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(v) /feɪd/
to gradually become less strong or visible
Example: The colors of the painting will fade over time.
expose
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(v) /ɪkˈspoʊz/
to make something visible by uncovering it
Example: They want to expose the secret under the old tree.
outline
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(n) /ˈaʊtˌlaɪn/
a general description or summary of something
Example: The teacher asked us to make an outline for our project.
continuity
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(n) /ˌkɒntɪˈnjuːɪti/
the state of being continuous; unbroken
Example: There is a strong continuity in the local traditions.
custom
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(n) /ˈkʌstəm/
a traditional way of behaving or doing something in a particular society or place
Example: In my country, it is a custom to remove shoes before entering a home.
stretch
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(v) /strɛtʃ/
to make something longer or wider by pulling it
Example: I like to stretch my arms after sitting for a long time.
sleek
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(adj) /sliːk/
smooth and shiny
Example: The cat has a sleek coat.
stream
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(n) /striːm/
a small, flowing body of water
Example: The children played by the stream in the forest.
beak
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(n) /biːk/
the hard, pointed part of a bird's mouth
Example: The bird used its beak to find food.
elegant
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(adj) /ˈɛləɡənt/
graceful and attractive in appearance
Example: The dress she wore was very elegant.
situate
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(v) /ˈsɪtʃuˌeɪt/
to place something in a particular position
Example: The horse is situated on a steep slope.
mound
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(n) /maʊnd/
a raised area of earth; a small hill or hillock
Example: The children played on the mound in the park.
cemetery
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(n) /ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri/
a place where the dead are buried
Example: The family visited the cemetery to remember their loved one.
preserve
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(v) /prɪˈzɜrv/
to keep something in its original state or in good condition
Example: We need to preserve the old building.
appreciate
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(v) /əˈpriː.ʃi.eɪt/
to recognize the value of something
Example: I really appreciate all the help you gave me.
impression
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(n) /ɪmˈprɛʃən/
an effect or influence that someone or something has on another person or thing
Example: The tall building made a big impression on me.
construct
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(v) /kənˈstrʌkt/
to build or make something
Example: They construct a new playground in the park.
occupation
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(n) /ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən/
a person's job or profession
Example: Her occupation is a teacher.
indicate
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(v) /ˈɪn.dɪ.keɪt/
to show or point out something
Example: The sign indicates where the park is located.
inhabitant
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(n) /ɪnˈhæbɪtənt/
a person or animal that lives in a particular place
Example: Every inhabitant of the town knows each other.
associate
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(v) /əˈsoʊsiˌeɪt/
to link or connect something with something else
Example: People often associate the smell of cookies with happy memories.
depict
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(v) /dɪˈpɪkt/
to show something in a picture or story
Example: The artist will depict a landscape in her painting.
jewellery
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(n) /ˈdʒuːəlri/
items that people wear for decoration, such as rings and necklaces
Example: She loves to wear beautiful jewellery.
native
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(adj) /ˈneɪ.tɪv/
belonging to a particular place or environment
Example: She spoke with a native accent.
landscape
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(n) /ˈlændˌskeɪp/
a picture or view of an area of land, especially its features
Example: The landscape looks beautiful in the morning light.