Master the Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 1
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astonishing
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(adj) /əˈstɑː.nɪʃ.ɪŋ/
very surprising or impressive
Example: The results of the experiment were astonishing.
congested
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(adj) /kənˈdʒɛs.tɪd/
full of people or things, causing difficulty in movement
Example: The roads were congested with cars during rush hour.
expansion
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(n) /ɛkˈspænʃən/
the process of increasing in size, number, or importance
Example: The expansion of the city brought many new businesses.
overground
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(adj) /ˈoʊvərˌɡraʊnd/
describing something on or above the surface of the ground
Example: The overground train takes us to different parts of the city.
commission
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(n) /kəˈmɪʃ.ən/
an official group given authority to do something
Example: The artist received a commission to create a new sculpture.
slum
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(n) /slʌm/
a very poor and crowded area in a city
Example: Many families live in a slum with limited resources.
nightmare
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(n) /ˈnaɪtˌmɛr/
a bad dream that makes you feel scared or anxious
Example: She woke up from a nightmare in the middle of the night.
advocate
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(v) /ˈæd.və.keɪt/
to support or recommend a particular plan or policy
Example: She will advocate for better public transportation.
solicitor
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(n) /səˈlɪsɪtər/
a type of lawyer who gives legal advice and represents clients
Example: She wants to become a solicitor after finishing her studies.
relocate
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(v) /ˌriːloʊˈkeɪt/
to move to a new place
Example: They had to relocate to a bigger house.
suburb
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(n) /ˈsʌbɜrb/
a residential area situated on the outskirts of a city
Example: They moved to a suburb to enjoy a quieter life.
coincide
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(v) /koʊɪnˈsaɪd/
to happen at the same time or to occupy the same space
Example: The two events coincide on the same day.
merge
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(v) /mɜrdʒ/
to combine or join things together
Example: The two companies merge to create a bigger business.
radical
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(adj) /ˈræd.ɪ.kəl/
very different from the usual or traditional; extreme
Example: They had a radical idea to solve the problem.
scheme
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(n) /skiːm/
a plan or arrangement for achieving something
Example: The students created a scheme for their project.
persist
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(v) /pərˈsɪst/
to continue doing something despite difficulties
Example: They decided to persist with their plan to build the new railway.
demolish
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(v) /dɪˈmɒlɪʃ/
to completely destroy a building or structure
Example: They plan to demolish the old library next year.
trench
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(n) /trɛntʃ/
a long, narrow hole in the ground
Example: They dug a trench to lay the pipes.
construct
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(v) /kənˈstrʌkt/
to build or make something
Example: They want to construct a new building in the city.
arch
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(n) /ɑːrk/
a curved structure that supports something above it
Example: The architect designed a beautiful arch for the entrance.
tunnel
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(n) /ˈtʌnəl/
a long, underground passage
Example: The tunnel goes under the river.
extension
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(n) /ɪkˈstɛnʃən/
an increase in size, length, or range
Example: The company planned an extension of the railway line.
authorize
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(v) /ˈɔːθəraɪz/
to give permission for something
Example: The manager will authorize the new project.
locomotive
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(n) /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a powered vehicle that pulls trains
Example: The locomotive traveled through the countryside.
firebrick
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(n) /ˈfaɪərˌbrɪk/
a very strong type of brick that can resist extreme heat
Example: The oven was built with firebrick to withstand high temperatures.
boiler
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(n) /ˈbɔɪlər/
a container for heating water to produce steam
Example: The boiler in the basement heats the whole house.
condense
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(v) /kənˈdɛns/
to make something denser or shorter
Example: You need to condense your notes for the exam.
ventilation
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(n) /ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən/
the movement of fresh air into a closed space
Example: The room needs good ventilation to stay fresh.
shaft
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(n) /ʃæft/
a long, narrow, often vertical part of a structure
Example: The engineer checked the shaft of the machine for any wear.
fume
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(n) /fjuːm/
gas or smoke that is given off by something burning
Example: The car released dark fumes into the air.
circuit
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(n) /ˈsɜːrkɪt/
a closed path that electricity travels through
Example: The electrician fixed the broken circuit in the house.
alternative
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(n) /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/
a choice or option that is different from others
Example: We need to find an alternative to plastic bags.
confined
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(adj) /kənˈfaɪnd/
limited in space or area
Example: The room was confined and felt cramped.
reliable
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(adj) /rɪˈlaɪəbl/
able to be trusted to work well or to be good
Example: The new electric motor is reliable for the train.
generator
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(n) /dʒəˈneɪtər/
a machine that produces electricity
Example: The generator provides power for the whole house.
carriage
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(n) /ˈkærɪdʒ/
a vehicle that is pulled by a horse
Example: They took a ride in a carriage through the park.
unreliable
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(adj) /ˌʌn.rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/
not able to be trusted or depended on
Example: The power supply was unreliable.
achievement
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(n) /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
something that has been done successfully, especially after a lot of effort
Example: Winning the contest was a big achievement for her.
profit
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(n) /ˈprɒfɪt/
the money a business earns after all costs are paid
Example: The company hopes to make a profit this year.
operation
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(n) /ˌɑːpəˈreɪʃən/
a process or action taken to achieve a result
Example: The operation of the new train system was very successful.
network
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(n) /ˈnɛtˌwɜrk/
a system of connected things or people
Example: We need to build a network of friends to help us.
congestion
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(n) /kənˈdʒɛs.tʃən/
the state of being too full or clogged
Example: Traffic congestion can make travel time much longer.
passenger
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(n) /ˈpæs.ɪn.dʒər/
a person who travels in a vehicle
Example: The passenger sat quietly during the ride.
capital
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(n) /ˈkæpɪtəl/
the most important city in a country or region, where the government is based
Example: The capital of France is Paris.
historic
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(adj) /hɪˈstɔrɪk/
important in history
Example: The historic building was visited by many tourists.
overcrowded
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(adj) /ˌoʊvərˈkraʊdɪd/
having too many people or things in a space
Example: The concert was overcrowded with fans.
horse-drawn
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(adj) /ˈhɔrs drɔn/
pulled by a horse
Example: They took a horse-drawn carriage to the park.
numerous
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(adj) /ˈnjuːmərəs/
many; a lot of
Example: There are numerous stars in the sky.
proposal
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(n) /prəˈpoʊ.zəl/
a plan or suggestion put forward for consideration
Example: His proposal for a new park was accepted by the city council.
submit
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(v) /səbˈmɪt/
to give a document or proposal for someone to consider or decide
Example: She will submit her application tomorrow.
reject
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(v) /rɪˈdʒɛkt/
to refuse to accept, believe, or agree with something
Example: The proposal was rejected by the committee.
establish
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(v) /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/
to create or start something that is meant to last
Example: They establish a new school in the town.
funding
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(n) /ˈfʌndɪŋ/
money needed for a specific purpose
Example: The school needed funding to buy new books.
critical
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(adj) /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
very important or necessary
Example: It is critical to follow the instructions carefully.
objector
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(n) /əbˈdʒɛk.tər/
a person who expresses disagreement or disapproval
Example: The objector wrote a letter to the city council.
collapse
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(v) /kəˈlæps/
to fall down suddenly
Example: The old building might collapse if there is an earthquake.
emission
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(n) /ɪˈmɪʃən/
a sending out of something, especially gas or liquid
Example: The engine's emission made the air dirty.
invest
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(v) /ɪnˈvɛst/
to spend money on something for profit or benefit
Example: They decide to invest in the new business.
schedule
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(n) /ˈskɛdʒ.uːl/
a plan that lists the time when things will happen
Example: She looked at her schedule to see when the meeting was.
technique
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(n) /tɛkˈnik/
a way of doing something skillfully
Example: The artist used a special technique to create her painting.
temporary
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(adj) /ˈtɛmpəˌrɛri/
lasting for a limited time; not permanent
Example: The workers built a temporary structure for the festival.
beam
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(n) /biːm/
a long piece of wood or metal
Example: The workers used a strong beam to support the roof.
layer
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(n) /ˈleɪ.ər/
a thickness of material that covers a surface or is between surfaces
Example: There is a layer of snow on the ground.
journey
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(n) /ˈdʒɜrn.i/
the act of traveling from one place to another
Example: My journey to school takes 20 minutes.
introduce
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(v) /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/
to make someone or something known for the first time
Example: They will introduce new trains next year.
fit
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(v) /fɪt/
to be the right size or shape for something
Example: The shoes fit perfectly.
tank
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(n) /tæŋk/
a large container for storing liquid, especially water or fuel
Example: The tank was filled with fresh water.
existing
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(adj) /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
being present or available now
Example: The existing buildings were too old to use.
electric
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(adj) /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/
related to or operated by electricity
Example: The electric train is fast and quiet.
transfer
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(v) /ˈtrænsfɜr/
to move something from one place to another
Example: You can transfer money to your bank account.
tiny
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(adj) /ˈtaɪni/
very small in size
Example: The mouse has tiny feet.
achievement
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(n) /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
something that has been successfully done or achieved
Example: Winning the award was a great achievement for her.
afterwards
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(adv) /ˈæf.tɚ.wɝːdz/
after a particular time or event
Example: They went to dinner and afterwards saw a movie.
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