Master the Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1
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extinct
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(adj) /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer existing
Example: The dinosaur is extinct.
thylacine
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(n) /ˈθaɪ.lə.saɪn/
an extinct type of marsupial that looked like a dog
Example: The thylacine was once found in Tasmania.
marsupial
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(n) /mɑːrˈsuː.pi.əl/
a type of mammal that has live young and carries them in a pouch
Example: The kangaroo is a marsupial that hops around the fields.
superficial
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(adj) /ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃəl/
not having depth or meaning, shallow
Example: Her understanding of the topic was superficial.
distinguishing
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(adj) /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/
making something different or special
Example: The distinguishing stripes on the animal help identify it.
terrain
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(n) /təˈreɪn/
a particular type of land or area
Example: The hikers explored different types of terrain on their trip.
eucalyptus
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(n) /ˌjuː.kəˈlɪp.təs/
a type of tall tree that grows in warm places, known for its strong wood and aromatic leaves
Example: Eucalyptus trees are common in Australia.
carnivorous
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(adj) /kɑrˈnɪvərəs/
eating meat
Example: Lions are carnivorous animals.
muscular
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(adj) /ˈmʌs.kjʊ.lɚ/
having well-developed muscles
Example: He has a muscular body from working out.
distend
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(v) /dɪsˈtɛnd/
to stretch or expand
Example: After eating a big meal, my stomach can distend.
adaptation
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(n) /ˌædæpˈteɪʃən/
a change to something that makes it more suitable for a new condition
Example: The adaptation of the thylacine helped it survive in its environment.
compensate
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(v) /ˈkɒmpənˌseɪt/
to give something to someone to make up for loss or injury
Example: The company will compensate workers for extra hours.
pursuit
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(n) /pərˈsuːt/
the act of chasing or striving to achieve something
Example: He is in pursuit of a better job.
nocturnal
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(adj) /nɒkˈtɜrnəl/
active during the night
Example: Owls are nocturnal animals that hunt at night.
temperament
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(n) /ˈtɛmpərəmənt/
a person's or animal's nature or character
Example: The thylacine had a shy, nervous temperament.
breeding
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(n) /ˈbridɪŋ/
the process of producing young animals or plants
Example: The breeding of dogs requires careful selection.
newborn
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(n) /ˈnuːbɔrn/
a very young baby, especially a baby that has just been born
Example: The mother took care of her newborn.
pouch
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(n) /paʊtʃ/
a bag that is part of the body of some animals, used to carry their babies
Example: The baby kangaroo slept in the pouch.
teat
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(n) /tiːt/
a nipple on a mammal's breast for feeding young
Example: The baby animal drank milk from its mother's teat.
lair
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(n) /lɛr/
a den or shelter where an animal lives
Example: The fox found a lair in the bushes.
widespread
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(adj) /ˈwaɪdˌsprɛd/
found or happening over a large area
Example: The disease was widespread in the region.
mainland
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(n) /ˈmeɪnˌlænd/
the main part of a country or continent, not including islands.
Example: She traveled to the mainland for her vacation.
carbon-dated
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(adj) /ˈkɑr.bən ˌdeɪ.tɪd/
determined the age of something using carbon dating
Example: The fossil found in the cave is carbon-dated to be very old.
fossil
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(n) /ˈfɑːsəl/
the remains of a plant or animal that lived a long time ago, preserved in rock
Example: The scientists found a fossil in the ground.
coincide
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(v) /koʊɪnˈsaɪd/
to happen at the same time or to be the same
Example: The two events coincide perfectly.
predator
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(n) /ˈprɛdətər/
an animal that hunts and kills other animals for food
Example: A lion is a predator in the jungle.
relentless
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(adj) /rɪˈlɛntləs/
continuing in a strong way without becoming weaker
Example: The soldiers showed relentless bravery during the battle.
bounty
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(n) /ˈbaʊnti/
a payment made to someone for killing an animal
Example: The bounty attracted many hunters to the area.
undoubtedly
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(adv) /ʌnˈdaʊtədli/
used to emphasize that something is true
Example: The test was undoubtedly difficult for everyone.
contribute
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(v) /kənˈtrɪb.juːt/
to give something, like money or help, to a common cause
Example: Many people contribute to community projects.
extinction
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(n) /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
the state of a species no longer existing
Example: The extinction of the thylacine happened a long time ago.
competition
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(n) /ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən/
the act of competing against others
Example: There is a lot of competition in the sports world.
habitat
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(n) /ˈhæbɪtæt/
the natural home or environment of an animal or plant
Example: The forest is a great habitat for many animals.
prey
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(n) /preɪ/
an animal that is hunted by another for food
Example: The hawk is a predator that catches its prey.
distemper
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(n) /dɪˈstɛmpər/
a disease that affects animals, especially dogs
Example: The dog got sick with distemper.
captivity
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(n) /kæpˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/
the state of being kept in a closed space, usually by humans
Example: The animals lived in captivity at the zoo.
naturalist
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(n) /ˈnætʃərəlɪst/
a person who studies plants and animals in their natural environment
Example: The naturalist observed the behavior of the animals in the forest.
demise
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(n) /dɪˈmaɪz/
the end or death of something
Example: The thylacine faced its demise due to many factors.
diminish
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(v) /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/
to make something smaller or less
Example: The teacher will diminish the homework for the next week.
extermination
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(n) /ɪkˌstɜːrmɪˈneɪʃən/
the act of completely destroying a group of animals or plants
Example: The extermination of the thylacine was a sad event in history.
preservation
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(n) /ˌprɛzərˈveɪʃən/
the act of keeping something safe or in good condition
Example: The preservation of the nature is important for future generations.
scarcity
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(n) /ˈskɛr.sɪ.ti/
a situation where there is not enough of something.
Example: There was a scarcity of food in the winter.
specimen
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(n) /ˈspɛsɪmən/
a sample of something for study or display
Example: The museum had a specimen of the rare bird.
expedition
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(n) /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃən/
a journey taken for a specific purpose, often exploratory
Example: They went on an expedition to study the ancient ruins.
definitive
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(adj) /dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv/
providing a final answer or decision
Example: The scientist provided definitive proof of the thylacine's extinction.
incompletely
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(adv) /ˌɪn.kəmˈpliːt.li/
not fully developed or finished
Example: The baby animals are born incompletely.
suckle
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(v) /ˈsʌkəl/
to feed from the breast or nipple
Example: The baby kangaroo will suckle for several months.
decline
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(n) /dɪˈklaɪn/
a decrease in the amount or quality of something
Example: The decline in the thylacine population was very serious.
attribute
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(v) /əˈtrɪb.juːt/
to say that something is caused by someone or something
Example: They attribute the success of the project to teamwork.
singular
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(adj) /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/
being one only or unique
Example: This animal has a singular appearance.
foresaw
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(v) /fɔːrˈsɔː/
to see or know something before it happens
Example: The scientist foresaw the changes in the environment.