Master the Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 1
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adopt
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(v) /əˈdɑpt/
to take something and use it as your own
Example: They decide to adopt a new way of building tunnels.
civilization
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(n) /ˌsɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society that has developed its own culture and way of life
Example: Ancient Egypt was a great civilization.
territory
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(n) /ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri/
an area of land that is controlled by a particular group or country
Example: The bird defended its territory from other animals.
reliable
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(adj) /rɪˈlaɪəbl/
able to be trusted or depended on
Example: She is a reliable friend who always helps me.
settlement
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(n) /ˈsɛtəlmənt/
a place where people live or have settled
Example: The new settlement was built near a river.
millennium
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(n) /mɪˈlɛn.i.əm/
a period of one thousand years
Example: The new millennium started in the year 2000.
interval
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(n) /ˈɪn.tɜr.vəl/
a space of time or distance between two things
Example: The class has a break after every interval.
excavate
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(v) /ˈɛk.skə.veɪt/
to dig a hole or tunnel to remove soil or other material
Example: They will excavate the site to find ancient artifacts.
ventilation
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(n) /ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən/
the movement of fresh air into a place
Example: Good ventilation helps keep the room cool.
remarkable
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(adj) /rɪˈmɑrkəbl/
worthy of attention; unusual or extraordinary
Example: The athlete's performance was remarkable.
agriculture
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(n) /ˈæɡrɪˌkʌltʃər/
the practice of farming and growing food
Example: Many people work in agriculture to grow crops and raise animals.
equip
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(v) /ɪˈkwɪp/
to provide with necessary items or equipment
Example: The team needs to equip themselves for the journey.
plumb line
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(n) /plʌm laɪn/
a line with a weight used to find vertical direction
Example: The builder used a plumb line to make sure the wall was straight.
slope
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(n) /sloʊp/
the degree of slant or angle of a surface
Example: The hill has a steep slope.
drain
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(v) /dreɪn/
to remove liquid from something
Example: We need to drain the water from the pool.
approximate
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(adj) /əˈprɑːk.sɪ.mət/
close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact
Example: The estimate was approximate, but it helped us plan the budget.
practical
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(adj) /ˈpræktɪkəl/
useful and suitable for real situations
Example: She gives practical advice to her friends.
alternative
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(n) /ɔːlˈtɜrnətɪv/
one of two or more things that can be chosen
Example: We need to find an alternative to this solution.
surveying
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(n) /sərˈveɪ.ɪŋ/
the activity of measuring and planning land
Example: Surveying helps people know where to build roads.
geometry
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(n) /dʒiˈɒm.ə.tree/
the branch of mathematics that deals with shapes, sizes, and properties of space
Example: She studied geometry in her math class.
deviate
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(v) /ˈdiː.vi.eɪt/
to move away from what is normal or expected
Example: The path may deviate from the original route.
penetrate
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(v) /ˈpɛn.ə.treɪt/
to pass into or through something
Example: The sunlight can penetrate the trees in the forest.
correction
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(n) /kəˈrɛkʃən/
the act of making something right or accurate
Example: The teacher made a correction to the homework.
deviation
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(n) /ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən/
the action of moving away from a set path or plan
Example: There was a small deviation in the plan when they took a different route.
inscription
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(n) /ɪnˈskrɪpʃən/
a word or phrase written on something
Example: The inscription on the stone was very old.
aqueduct
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(n) /ˈækwɪˌdʌkt/
a structure for bringing water from one place to another
Example: The aqueduct carries water over long distances.
lateral
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(adj) /ˈlæt̬.ɚ.əl/
relating to the sides of something
Example: The builder added a lateral link to connect the two tunnels.
corridor
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(n) /ˈkɔr.ɪ.dɔr/
a long passage in a building or train
Example: The corridor was filled with paintings.
obstacle
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(n) /ˈɑbstəkəl/
something that stops you from doing something
Example: He faced many obstacles but never gave up.
mineral
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(n) /ˈmɪn.ər.əl/
a natural substance that is not plant or animal
Example: They found a mineral in the cave.
extraction
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(n) /ɪkˈstrækʃən/
the process of taking something out or removing it
Example: The extraction of gold took a long time.
vein
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(n) /veɪn/
a line or channel that contains a mineral, usually underground
Example: The miners found a rich vein of gold.
pursue
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(v) /pɚˈsuː/
to try to get or do something over time
Example: The miners pursue the gold deep underground.
trace
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(n) /treɪs/
a mark or sign that shows something was there
Example: They found traces of an old road in the forest.
sole
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(n) /soʊl/
the only reason or aim for something
Example: The sole purpose of the meeting was to plan the new project.
excavate
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(v) /ˈɛk.skəˌveɪt/
to dig out earth or to remove it from a space
Example: Workers excavate the ground to build a tunnel.
quench
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(v) /kwɛnʧ/
to satisfy thirst by drinking
Example: I need to quench my thirst after the long walk.
advance
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(v) /ədˈvæns/
to move forward or make progress
Example: The soldiers advance towards the enemy line.
patron
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(n) /ˈpeɪtrən/
a person who supports or gives money to an artist, organization, or public project
Example: The museum thanked its patrons for their generous donations.
architect
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(n) /ˈɑːrkɪtɛkt/
a person who designs buildings
Example: The architect created a beautiful plan for the new school.
divert
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(v) /dɪˈvɜrt/
to change the direction of something
Example: They plan to divert traffic during the construction.
floodwater
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(n) /ˈflʌdˌwɔːtər/
water that covers land that is usually dry
Example: The floodwater reached the houses after the heavy rain.
threaten
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(v) /ˈθrɛtən/
to tell someone that you will harm them or cause problems if they do not do something
Example: He did not want to threaten anyone with his words.
harbor
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(n) /ˈhɑːrbər/
a place on the coast where boats can be safe from the wind and waves
Example: The boat is docked in the harbor.
construct
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(v) /kənˈstrʌkt/
to build something
Example: They construct buildings in the city.
technique
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(n) /tɛkˈniːk/
a way of doing something, especially in a skillful way
Example: She learned a new technique for painting.
consist
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(v) /kənˈsɪst/
to be made up of or formed from
Example: The group will consist of five members.
ensure
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(v) /ɪnˈʃʊr/
to make sure something happens or is done
Example: They need to ensure the safety of the workers.
route
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(n) /ruːt/
a way or path for traveling from one place to another
Example: She chose the shortest route to school.
shaft
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(n) /ʃæft/
a long, narrow part of something, usually used to hold or connect
Example: The workers climbed down into the shaft to dig deeper.
venture
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(v) /ˈvɛn.tʃər/
to dare to do something risky or take a chance
Example: They will venture into the forest to explore.
calculate
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(v) /ˈkæl.kjʊ.leɪt/
to find a number or amount from information you have
Example: We need to calculate the total cost of the project.
influence
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(v) /ˈɪnfluəns/
to have an effect on something or someone
Example: The weather can influence our plans for the picnic.
employ
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(v) /ɪmˈplɔɪ/
to use someone in a job or work
Example: Many companies employ new workers every year.
progress
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(n) /ˈprɑːɡrɛs/
movement forward in time or space
Example: The project shows great progress every week.