Master the Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1
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sophisticated
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(adj) /səˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd/
having a lot of knowledge or experience of different things
Example: She is very sophisticated about modern art.
estimation
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(n) /ˌɛstəˈmeɪʃən/
an approximate calculation or judgment
Example: The estimation of the total cost was higher than expected.
inherit
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(v) /ɪnˈhɛrɪt/
to receive something from someone after they have died
Example: She will inherit her grandmother's jewelry.
conquer
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(v) /ˈkɒŋkər/
to take control of a place or people by force
Example: They wanted to conquer new lands.
excavate
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(v) /ˈɛk.skə.veɪt/
to dig out and remove earth or other material from a place
Example: They will excavate the site for the new building.
vessel
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(n) /ˈvɛsəl/
a ship or large boat
Example: The vessel sailed across the sea.
hull
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(n) /hʌl/
the outer body of a ship
Example: The hull of the boat was painted blue.
rig
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(v) /rɪɡ/
to fasten sails to a ship
Example: They will rig the sails before leaving the port.
plank
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(n) /plæŋk/
a long, flat piece of wood
Example: The carpenter cut a plank for the new table.
sew
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(v) /soʊ/
to join pieces of cloth together using a needle and thread
Example: I like to sew clothes for my dolls.
mortise
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(n) /ˈmɔːrtɪs/
a type of joint where one piece of wood fits into a hole in another piece
Example: A builder used a mortise to connect the two pieces of wood.
tenon
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(n) /ˈtɛnən/
a type of joint used to connect two pieces of wood or other material
Example: The carpenter used a tenon to join the two wooden planks together.
stitch
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(v) /stɪtʃ/
to join two pieces of fabric together using a needle and thread
Example: She will stitch the fabric to make a dress.
Mediterranean
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(adj) /ˌmɛdɪtəˈreɪniən/
related to the Mediterranean Sea or the countries around it
Example: The Mediterranean climate is warm and sunny.
component
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(n) /kəmˈpoʊ.nənt/
a part or element of something
Example: Every component in the machine is important for it to work.
systematic
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(adj) /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/
done according to a fixed plan or system
Example: The team followed a systematic approach to solve the problem.
dramatically
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(adv) /drəˈmætɪkli/
in a way that is sudden and extreme
Example: The weather changed dramatically from sunny to stormy.
merchant
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(n) /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
a person or business that buys and sells goods
Example: The merchant sold fruits and vegetables in the market.
unequalled
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(adj) /ʌnˈiː.kwəld/
better than anything else of the same type
Example: The technology of the ancient Romans was unequalled in its time.
lightweight
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(adj) /ˈlaɪtˌweɪt/
not heavy; easy to move or carry
Example: The box was lightweight, so I could lift it easily.
speedy
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(adj) /ˈspiːdi/
happening or done quickly
Example: The delivery service is very speedy.
ballast
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(n) /ˈbæl.æst/
a heavy material used in ships to provide stability
Example: The ship needed ballast to stay balanced in the water.
cripple
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(v) /ˈkrɪp.əl/
to hurt someone so that they cannot walk properly
Example: He was crippled in the accident.
naval
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(adj) /ˈneɪ.vəl/
related to ships or the navy
Example: The naval fleet was ready for deployment.
bronze
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(n) /brɒnz/
a yellow-brown metal made of copper and tin
Example: The statue is made of bronze.
battering ram
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(n) /ˈbætərɪŋ ræm/
a heavy beam used to break down doors or walls
Example: The soldiers used a battering ram to enter the fortress.
pierce
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(v) /pɪrs/
to penetrate or pass through something
Example: The arrow can pierce the target.
timber
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(n) /ˈtɪmbər/
wood used for building
Example: They used timber to build a strong fence.
oarsman
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(n) /ˈɔrz.mən/
a person who rows a boat
Example: The oarsman helped the boat move quickly through the water.
dominant
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(adj) /ˈdɑː.mɪ.nənt/
most important or powerful
Example: The trireme was the dominant warship in ancient Rome.
trireme
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(n) /ˈtraɪˌriːm/
an ancient type of warship with three rows of oars
Example: The trireme was very fast in battle.
supersede
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(v) /ˌsuːpərˈsiːd/
to take the place of something or someone
Example: The new technology will supersede the old one.
perception
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(n) /pərˈsɛpʃən/
the way you think about or understand something
Example: Her perception of the event was different from mine.
enroll
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(v) /ɪnˈrɔl/
to officially join a course or organization
Example: He decided to enroll in a new school.
cargo
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(n) /ˈkɑrɡoʊ/
goods transported by a ship
Example: The ship carried the cargo to the market.
rudder
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(n) /ˈrʌdər/
a piece of wood or metal at the back of a boat that helps it steer
Example: The boat turned quickly with the help of the rudder.
stern
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(adj) /stɜrn/
serious and strict in manner or behavior
Example: The teacher had a stern look when the students misbehaved.
tiller
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(n) /ˈtɪlər/
a bar or handle used to steer a boat
Example: He used the tiller to steer the small boat.
bow
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(n) /baʊ/
the front part of a ship
Example: The sailor stood at the bow, looking out at the sea.
coordinate
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(v) /koʊˈɔrdəˌneɪt/
to organize or work together
Example: The team needs to coordinate their efforts to finish the project.
gigantic
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(adj) /dʒaɪˈɡæn.tɪk/
extremely large or huge
Example: The city has a gigantic statue in the park.
intercept
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(v) /ˌɪntərˈsɛpt/
to stop something from continuing or being seen
Example: The police intercept the stolen goods before they leave the city.
towboat
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(n) /ˈtoʊˌboʊt/
a type of boat that pulls or pushes other boats
Example: The towboat helped the large ship get to the dock.
quay
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(n) /ki/
a platform where ships are loaded and unloaded
Example: The ship docked at the quay to load its cargo.
visibility
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(n) /ˌvɪz.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
the ability to see or be seen
Example: Good visibility is important for safe sailing.
phenomena
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(n) /fəˈnɑː.mə.nə/
a fact or event that can be observed or experienced
Example: The natural phenomena amazed everyone at the park.
facilitate
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(v) /fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt/
to make something easier to do
Example: The teacher will facilitate the group discussion.
succession
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(n) /səkˈsɛʃən/
a series of things or events that follow one after another
Example: The teacher showed us a succession of pictures from the trip.
landmark
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(n) /ˈlændˌmɑrk/
a building or object that is easy to see and recognize, often used to help people find their way
Example: The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris.
pole star
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(n) /poʊl stɑr/
the star that is directly above the North Pole, used for navigation
Example: Sailors used the pole star to find their way at night.
swell
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(n) /swɛl/
a long wave on the sea
Example: The swell made the boat rock gently on the water.
resemble
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(v) /rɪˈzɛm.bəl/
to be similar to something
Example: The ancient ships resemble some of the boats we use now.