Master the Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 2 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 2
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multitude
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(n) /ˈmʌltɪtuːd/
a large number of things or people
Example: There was a multitude of stars in the sky.
ubiquitous
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(adj) /juˈbɪk.wɪ.t̬əs/
present everywhere
Example: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our daily lives.
microbe
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(n) /ˈmaɪ.kroʊb/
a very small organism, often a bacterium, that can be seen only with a microscope
Example: Scientists study microbes to learn how they affect our health.
inhabit
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(v) /ɪnˈhæbɪt/
to live in or occupy a place
Example: Many animals inhabit the forest.
absorb
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(v) /əbˈzɔrb/
to take in a substance or information
Example: Plants absorb sunlight to grow.
peril
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(n) /ˈpɛr.ɪl/
serious danger
Example: Driving without a seatbelt puts you in peril.
colony
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(n) /ˈkɒləni/
a group of the same type of animals or plants that live together
Example: The ants built a large colony in the ground.
microbiome
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(n) /ˌmaɪ.krəʊˈbaɪ.oʊm/
the community of microorganisms living in a particular environment, especially within the human body
Example: Every person has a unique microbiome that helps with digestion.
trillion
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(n) /ˈtrɪljən/
a number equal to 1,000 times a billion, or 1 followed by 12 zeros
Example: The country has a debt of twenty trillion dollars.
holobiont
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(n) /ˈhoʊloʊˌbaɪənt/
a thing made up of different organisms such as microbes and their host
Example: A human is a holobiont because it is made up of human cells and many microbes.
contentedly
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(adv) /kənˈtɛndɪdli/
in a way that shows happiness and satisfaction
Example: The cat lay contentedly in the sun.
panache
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(n) /pəˈnæʃ/
a stylish or self-assured manner
Example: She walked into the room with panache.
adept
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(adj) /əˈdɛpt/
skilled or proficient in a particular area
Example: She is an adept musician who plays several instruments.
enthrall
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(v) /ɛnˈθrɔl/
to hold the attention of someone completely
Example: The show will enthrall the audience.
bizarre
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(adj) /bɪˈzɑːr/
very strange or unusual
Example: The movie had a bizarre ending that surprised everyone.
potent
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(adj) /ˈpoʊ.tənt/
having great power or influence
Example: The medicine is potent and works quickly.
teem
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(v) /tiːm/
to be full of people or things
Example: The park was teem with kids playing.
animalcule
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(n) /ˌænɪˈmæl.kjuːl/
a very small animal, often microscopic, such as a tiny organism
Example: The scientist discovered a new animalcule in the water sample.
endure
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(v) /ɪnˈdjʊr/
to suffer something difficult or unpleasant
Example: She had to endure the long wait in line.
tolerance
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(n) /ˈtɑːlərəns/
the ability to accept or tolerate different opinions or behaviors
Example: We need to show tolerance to people who are different from us.
symbiotic
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(adj) /ˌsɪm.biˈɒt.ɪk/
relating to a close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species
Example: The plants and the fungi have a symbiotic relationship.
unravel
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(v) /ʌnˈrævəl/
to fall apart or explain something that is complicated
Example: The scientist will unravel the mysteries of bacteria.
digestion
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(n) /daɪˈdʒɛs.tʃən/
the process of breaking down food in the body
Example: Digestion helps our bodies use the food we eat.
regulate
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(v) /ˈrɛɡ.jə.leɪt/
to control or maintain something according to rules or principles
Example: The teacher will regulate the classroom activities.
eliminate
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(v) /ɪˈlɪməˌneɪt/
to completely remove or get rid of something
Example: We need to eliminate waste in our environment.
combat
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(v) /ˈkɒm.bæt/
to fight against something
Example: Doctors work to combat illness every day.
obsession
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(n) /əbˈsɛʃən/
a strong interest or worry about something
Example: Her obsession with cleanliness keeps her home spotless.
disrupt
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(v) /dɪsˈrʌpt/
to interrupt something or cause it to stop
Example: Loud noises can disrupt your concentration.
soar
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(v) /sɔr/
to fly high in the air
Example: The eagle can soar above the mountains.
allergy
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(n) /ˈælərdʒi/
a reaction of the body to something that is usually harmless
Example: She has an allergy to peanuts.
inflammatory
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(adj) /ɪnˈflæmətɔri/
causing or related to swelling and redness in the body
Example: She has inflammatory bowel disease.
norm
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(n) /nɔrm/
a standard or pattern that is usual or expected
Example: It is normal to feel nervous before a test.
detergent
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(n) /dɪˈtɜrdʒənt/
a substance used to clean things, especially clothes
Example: I bought some detergent to wash my clothes.
antibacterial
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(adj) /ˌæntiˌbækˈtɪəriəl/
able to kill or stop the growth of bacteria
Example: The doctor gave me an antibacterial cream for my cut.
diverse
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(adj) /dɪˈvɜrs/
including many different types or varieties
Example: The community is diverse and welcomes everyone.
unglamorous
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(adj) /ʌnˈɡlæm.ər.əs/
not attractive or exciting
Example: The readers of the book must be prepared for a decidedly unglamorous world.
fungus
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(n) /ˈfʌŋɡəs/
a type of simple plant that does not have leaves or flowers, such as mushrooms or yeast
Example: The fungus grows in the damp soil.
wipe out
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(v) /ˈwaɪp aʊt/
to eliminate completely; to destroy
Example: The heavy rain can wipe out the picnic plans.
luminescent
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(adj) /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛs.ənt/
giving off light
Example: The squid carry luminescent bacteria to protect themselves.
predator
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(n) /ˈprɛdətər/
an animal that hunts and eats other animals
Example: The lion is a powerful predator in the jungle.
distaste
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(n) /dɪsˈteɪst/
a strong feeling of dislike or disapproval
Example: She has a distaste for broccoli.
enthusiasm
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(n) /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/
a strong excitement for something
Example: Her enthusiasm for science is inspiring.
manipulate
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(v) /məˈnɪp.jə.leɪt/
to control or influence something in a clever or skillful way
Example: She can manipulate the computer program to get the results she wants.
neonatal
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(adj) /ˈniː.oʊˌneɪ.təl/
related to newborns, especially in the first few weeks of life
Example: The neonatal unit cares for sick babies.
cocktail
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(n) /ˈkɑk.teɪl/
a mixed drink usually made with alcohol and other ingredients
Example: I ordered a fun cocktail at the party.
bacteria
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(n) /bækˈtɪər.i.ə/
a tiny living thing that cannot be seen without a microscope, some of which can make people sick
Example: Bacteria are found everywhere in the environment.
immune
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(adj) /ɪˈmjun/
not affected by a disease or negative influence
Example: She has a strong immune system.
hygiene
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(n) /ˈhaɪdʒiːn/
the conditions or practices that help to maintain health and prevent disease
Example: Good hygiene is important to stay healthy.
antibiotic
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(n) /ˌæntiˈbaɪətɪk/
a medicine that helps to kill or stop the growth of bacteria
Example: The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for her infection.
microorganism
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(n) /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈɔr.ɡə.nɪ.zəm/
a very small living thing that can only be seen with a microscope
Example: Microorganisms are important for healthy soil.