Master the Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 3 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 3
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photoreceptor
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(n) /ˌfoʊtoʊrɪˈsɛptər/
a molecule in cells that detects light
Example: The plant uses a photoreceptor to sense light during the day.
thermometer
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(n) /θərˈmɒmɪtər/
an instrument for measuring temperature
Example: A thermometer can show if the water is hot or cold.
resilient
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(adj) /rɪˈzɪl.jənt/
able to recover quickly from difficult conditions
Example: The plant is resilient and grows even in harsh weather.
phytochrome
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(n) /ˈfaɪtoʊˌkroʊm/
a molecule in plants that helps them detect light and temperature
Example: Phytochrome is important for plant growth.
gauge
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(n) /ɡeɪdʒ/
an instrument for measuring or testing something
Example: The scientist used a gauge to check the temperature.
proportional
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(adj) /prəˈpɔrʃənl/
corresponding in size or amount to something else
Example: The rewards were proportional to the effort put in.
stimulate
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(v) /ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt/
to encourage something to happen or to increase
Example: The warm weather can stimulate plant growth.
responsive
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(adj) /rɪˈspɑːnsɪv/
able to react quickly or positively to changes or new ideas
Example: The students are responsive to their teacher's feedback.
pinpoint
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(v) /ˈpɪnˌpɔɪnt/
to identify something exactly
Example: The researchers can pinpoint the temperature changes in plants.
mechanism
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(n) /ˈmɛkənɪzəm/
a system of parts working together in a machine or process
Example: The mechanism in the engine helps it run smoothly.
unpredictable
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(adj) /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbl/
not able to be predicted or expected
Example: The weather has become very unpredictable lately.
breed
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(v) /briːd/
to produce young plants or animals
Example: Farmers hope to breed stronger plants.
thermal
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(adj) /ˈθɜrməl/
related to heat or temperature
Example: The thermal blanket keeps me warm at night.
stress
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(n) /strɛs/
a pressure or force that causes a change or problem
Example: Too much stress can make you feel tired.
accelerate
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(v) /ækˈsɛləˌreɪt/
to make something go faster or happen more quickly
Example: We need to accelerate our work to finish on time.
activate
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(v) /ˈæktɪveɪt/
to make something start working
Example: You need to activate the software before using it.
inactivate
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(v) /ˌɪnˈæktɪveɪt/
to make something not active or to disable it
Example: The light can inactivate the molecules in the plant.
compete
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(v) /kəmˈpiːt/
to try to be better or more successful than someone else
Example: Animals compete for food and space.
reversion
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(n) /rɪˈvɜrʒən/
the act of returning to a previous state or condition
Example: The reversion of the plant growth happened when the temperature dropped.
suppress
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(v) /səˈprɛs/
to stop something from being expressed or feeling something
Example: The teacher tried to suppress her laughter during the serious meeting.
detach
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(v) /dɪˈtæʧ/
to separate something from something else
Example: The scientist needs to detach the DNA from the molecule.
express
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(v) /ɪkˈsprɛs/
to show or say a feeling or opinion
Example: She can express her thoughts clearly.
resume
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(v) /rɪˈzum/
to start doing something again after stopping
Example: The meeting will resume after the break.
evolve
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(v) /ɪˈvɑlv/
to change or develop gradually over time
Example: Over millions of years, some animals evolve to adapt to their environments.
co-opt
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(v) /koʊˈɑːpt/
to take something for a different use or purpose
Example: The team decided to co-opt the existing technology for their new project.
indicator
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(n) /ˈɪndɪˌkeɪtər/
something that shows or indicates something
Example: The temperature is an indicator of the weather.
considerable
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(adj) /kənˈsɪdərəbl/
large enough to be noticed or thought important
Example: Some plants have considerable temperature sensitivity.
sensitivity
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(n) /ˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪti/
the ability to notice or feel things easily
Example: The flowers show sensitivity to temperature changes.
dual
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(adj) /ˈduː.əl/
having two parts or roles
Example: The device has a dual purpose: it works as a phone and a camera.
rhyme
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(n) /raɪm/
a similarity of sounds at the end of words
Example: The little girl loves to sing a rhyme.
dictate
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(v) /dɪkˈteɪt/
to say or state something in an authoritative way
Example: The teacher will dictate the rules for the game.
leafing
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(v) /ˈliːfɪŋ/
the act of producing new leaves
Example: The tree is leafing in spring.
culmination
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(n) /ˌkʌlməˈneɪʃən/
the highest point or most important part of something
Example: The culmination of his work was a big celebration.
molecular
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(adj) /məˈlɛkjələr/
relating to very small parts, especially atoms and molecules
Example: The scientist studied the molecular structure of the compound.
scalpel
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(n) /ˈskælpəl/
a small knife used for surgery
Example: The doctor used a scalpel to make a precise cut.
collaborate
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(v) /kəˈlæbəˌreɪt/
to work together with others
Example: The scientists collaborate on important research.
transfer
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(v) /trænˈsfɜr/
to move something from one place to another
Example: The teacher will transfer the information to the students.
yield
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(v) /jiːld/
to produce or provide something, such as a result or crop
Example: The farm will yield a lot of vegetables this year.
threat
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(n) /θrɛt/
something that could cause harm or danger
Example: The storm poses a serious threat to the picnic.
estimate
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(v) /ˈɛstəˌmeɪt/
to make a guess about the value or size of something
Example: They estimate the cost of the project to be high.
agricultural
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(adj) /ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəl/
related to farming or growing plants
Example: The agricultural methods have changed over the years.
bud
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(n) /bʌd/
a young part of a plant that will grow into a leaf, flower, or shoot
Example: The tree will bud in the spring.
bind
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(v) /baɪnd/
to tie or unite something together
Example: The two pieces of paper bind together with glue.
restrict
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(v) /rɪˈstrɪkt/
to limit the amount or range of something
Example: The rules restrict how many players can be on the field.
inactive
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(adj) /ɪnˈæktɪv/
not working or not being used
Example: The old machines are inactive in the shed.
mercury
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(n) /ˈmɜːrkjʊri/
a chemical element used in thermometers and other instruments
Example: The thermometer has mercury inside it.
revert
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(v) /rɪˈvɜrt/
to go back to a previous state or condition
Example: The computer will revert to the last saved version if there is a problem.
genetic
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(adj) /dʒəˈnɛtɪk/
related to genes and heredity
Example: The genetic information in plants helps them grow.
switch
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(v) /swɪtʃ/
to change from one thing to another
Example: You can switch the lights off.
cellular
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(adj) /ˈsɛljələr/
relating to the cells of a living thing
Example: The cellular structure of the plant is very important for its health.