Master the Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 2 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
(Related: https://engnovate.com/ielts-reading-tests/cambridge-ielts-17-academic-reading-test-2/)
Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 2 Passage 2
Back To Set1 / 46
domesticate
Click to show definition
(v) /dəˈmɛstəˌkeɪt/
to train a wild animal or plant to live with or be useful to humans
Example: People have tried to domesticate horses for thousands of years.
cultivate
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈkʌltɪˌveɪt/
to grow plants or crops
Example: Farmers cultivate fields to produce food.
revolutionary
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃəˌnɛri/
involving or causing a complete change
Example: The new discovery was revolutionary for science.
genome
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈdʒiːnoʊm/
the complete set of genetic material in an organism
Example: Scientists study the genome to understand how traits are inherited.
deliberate
Click to show definition
(adj) /dɪˈlɪbəˌreɪt/
done on purpose; intentional
Example: They made a deliberate choice to improve the plants.
alter
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈɔltər/
to change something
Example: We need to alter our plans for the weekend.
resistant
Click to show definition
(adj) /rɪˈzɪstənt/
able to not be harmed or affected by something
Example: The new tomato plants are resistant to diseases.
devastating
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/
causing great damage or destruction
Example: The storm had a devastating effect on the town.
mimic
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈmɪmɪk/
to copy someone or something
Example: He can mimic the sounds of different animals.
sorghum
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈsɔr.ɡəm/
a type of grain plant used for food or animal feed
Example: Farmers grow sorghum in many countries.
desirable
Click to show definition
(adj) /dɪˈzaɪərəbl/
wanted or wished for
Example: The larger fruit is a desirable feature for many farmers.
trait
Click to show definition
(n) /treɪt/
a quality or characteristic of someone or something
Example: Kindness is an important trait in a friend.
mutation
Click to show definition
(n) /mjuˈteɪʃən/
a change in the genetic structure of an organism
Example: The scientist studied a mutation to understand how it affects the plant.
diversity
Click to show definition
(n) /daɪˈvɜːrsɪti/
the state of having many different types or forms
Example: The city is known for its diversity of cultures.
genome
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈdʒiːnoʊm/
the complete set of genetic material in an organism
Example: Scientists study the genome of different plants to improve food supplies.
reintroduce
Click to show definition
(v) /ˌriːɪntrəˈdjuːs/
to bring back something that was introduced before
Example: They plan to reintroduce extinct plants to the area.
enhance
Click to show definition
(v) /ɪnˈhæns/
to make something better or improve it
Example: They want to enhance the flavor of the food.
truss
Click to show definition
(n) /trʌs/
a framework or support structure, especially in construction
Example: The builder used a truss to support the roof.
pigment
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈpɪɡmənt/
a substance that gives color to something
Example: The artist mixed different pigments to create a vibrant painting.
lycopene
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈlaɪkəpiːn/
a red pigment found in tomatoes and other fruits, believed to be healthy
Example: Lycopene can help make our bodies stronger.
aromatic
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˌær.əˈmæt.ɪk/
having a strong smell, often pleasant
Example: The flowers in the garden are very aromatic.
yield
Click to show definition
(n) /jiːld/
the amount of something produced or the quantity obtained
Example: The farmer hopes to increase the yield of his crops this year.
tolerant
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈtɑːlərənt/
able to accept or stand strong feelings, habits, or opinions that are different from your own
Example: She is tolerant of different opinions.
sprawling
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/
growing or spreading out over a large area
Example: The sprawling plant took up most of the garden.
compact
Click to show definition
(adj) /kəmˈpækt/
having a small size or taking up little space
Example: The box is very compact and easy to carry.
obscure
Click to show definition
(adj) /əbˈskjʊr/
not well known or difficult to understand
Example: Many obscure plants need more research.
staple
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈsteɪ.pəl/
a basic food that is used frequently and in large amounts
Example: Rice is a staple in many countries.
catapult
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈkætəˌpʌlt/
to throw or launch something forcefully
Example: They will catapult the new ideas into the market.
mainstream
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈmeɪnstriːm/
the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are considered normal or conventional
Example: Many new foods are trying to enter the mainstream.
foxtail
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈfɑksteɪl/
a type of grass that has a bushy top and is often found in fields
Example: Foxtail grows in many open areas.
oat-grass
Click to show definition
(n) /oʊt ˌɡræs/
a type of grass that is used for animal feed or to make beer
Example: Farmers grow oat-grass for their animals to eat.
cowpea
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈkaʊ.piː/
a type of plant that produces edible seeds and is often used for food
Example: Farmers are planting more cowpea to help with soil health.
thrive
Click to show definition
(v) /θraɪv/
to grow or develop well or vigorously
Example: The plants thrive in good soil.
reveal
Click to show definition
(v) /rɪˈviːl/
to make something known that was previously secret or hidden
Example: He didn't want to reveal his plans for the weekend.
domestication
Click to show definition
(n) /ˌdoʊˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən/
the process of taming wild plants or animals for human use
Example: Domestication allowed us to grow food crops in larger quantities.
relative
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈrɛl.ə.tɪv/
a person who is related to another person
Example: My relative visited us for the holidays.
groundcherry
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈɡraʊndˌʧɛri/
a small fruit that grows in a husk, similar to a cherry, and is related to the tomato
Example: The groundcherry is often sweet and can be eaten raw.
fast-track
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈfæst.træk/
to make something happen more quickly or easily
Example: They want to fast-track the project to finish it sooner.
devastating
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈdɛvəsteɪtɪŋ/
causing a lot of damage or destruction
Example: The storm had a devastating effect on the town.
resistant
Click to show definition
(adj) /rɪˈzɪstənt/
able to fight against something; not easily affected
Example: The plant is resistant to bugs.
trait
Click to show definition
(n) /treɪt/
a characteristic or quality of someone or something
Example: One important trait of a good friend is honesty.
native
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈneɪ.tɪv/
originating or produced in a particular place or environment
Example: The wild tomatoes are native to South America.
transform
Click to show definition
(v) /trænsˈfɔrm/
to change something completely
Example: The new method can transform how we grow food.
regulatory
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈrɛɡ.jə.lə.tɔːr.i/
related to controlling or managing something, especially by rules or laws
Example: The project needs regulatory approval before it can start.
approval
Click to show definition
(n) /əˈpruvəl/
the act of giving permission or saying something is good
Example: She received the approval to start the project.
potential
Click to show definition
(n) /pəˈtɛnʃəl/
the possibility of something happening or being developed
Example: This project has great potential for success.