Master the Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 1
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conservation
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(n) /ˌkɒn.sərˈveɪ.ʃən/
the protection of plants, animals, and natural resources
Example: Many people work in conservation to protect the environment.
strained
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(adj) /streɪnd/
made weak or difficult by pressure or stress
Example: The relationship between the farmers and the land is strained.
cultivation
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(n) /ˌkʌl.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən/
the act of growing crops or plants
Example: Cultivation is important for producing food.
staple
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(n) /ˈsteɪ.pl/
a basic food that is eaten regularly
Example: Rice is a staple in many countries.
subsistence
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(n) /səbˈsɪstəns/
the action of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially at a minimal level
Example: The farmers rely on subsistence to feed their families.
devastating
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(adj) /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/
causing a lot of damage or destruction
Example: The storm had a devastating effect on the town.
habitat
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(n) /ˈhæb.ɪ.tæt/
the natural home of a plant or animal
Example: The forest is a perfect habitat for many animals.
biodiversity
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(n) /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.dɪˈvɜr.sɪ.ti/
the variety of different plants and animals in a particular area
Example: Biodiversity is essential for a healthy environment.
insectivorous
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(adj) /ɪnˌsɛkˈtɪvərəs/
feeding on insects
Example: The insectivorous bats eat many bugs every night.
thrive
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(v) /θraɪv/
to grow or develop well or vigorously
Example: The flowers thrive in the sunshine.
implication
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(n) /ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃən/
a possible effect or result of something
Example: The implication of the findings is that bats help farmers.
zoologist
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(n) /zuˈɑlədʒɪst/
a person who studies animals
Example: The zoologist studies the behavior of bats.
deforestation
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(n) /ˌdiːˌfɔːrɪˈsteɪʃən/
the act of cutting down or clearing away trees from a forest
Example: Deforestation is a big problem for many animals.
comprise
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(v) /kəmˈpraɪz/
to consist of or be made up of
Example: Many countries comprise the United Nations.
indigenous
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(adj) /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/
native to a particular place
Example: The indigenous bats help farmers in Madagascar.
swarming
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(n) /ˈswɔrmɪŋ/
a large group of insects moving together
Example: The farmer saw a swarming of insects above the rice fields.
suppress
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(v) /səˈprɛs/
to stop something from being seen or expressed
Example: They suppress their feelings during the meeting.
caterpillar
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(n) /ˈkætərˌpɪlər/
a young form of a butterfly or moth
Example: A caterpillar crawled slowly on the leaf.
webworm
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(n) /wɛbˌwɜrm/
a type of caterpillar that can harm plants
Example: The grass webworm is a pest that damages rice crops.
ultrasonic
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(adj) /ˌʌltrəˈsɒnɪk/
relating to sound waves with a frequency too high for humans to hear
Example: The researchers used ultrasonic recorders to study bat sounds.
echolocation
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(n) /ˌiːkoʊloʊˈkeɪʃən/
the ability to use sound waves to find objects or navigate
Example: Bats use echolocation to locate their food in the dark.
sequence
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(n) /ˈsiːkwəns/
a series of events or things that follow each other
Example: The sequence of numbers is important for the code.
foraging
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(v) /ˈfɔːr.ɪ.dʒɪŋ/
to search for and gather food
Example: Bats are foraging for insects at night.
ecosystem
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(n) /ˈiːkoʊˌsɪstəm/
a community of living things and their environment
Example: The rainforest has a rich ecosystem with many plants and animals.
susceptible
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(adj) /səˈsɛptɪbəl/
able to be easily influenced or affected
Example: Some plants are more susceptible to pests than others.
infestation
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(n) /ˌɪn.fɛsˈteɪ.ʃən/
a large number of insects or animals that cause harm
Example: The farm had an infestation of caterpillars.
borer
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(n) /ˈbɔːrər/
a type of insect that harms plants
Example: The borer attacked the coffee plants, causing damage.
cicada
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(n) /sɪˈkeɪdə/
a large insect that makes a loud noise in the summer
Example: I heard a cicada singing in the trees.
tabby
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(n) /ˈtæbi/
a type of striped or spotted cat, usually domestic
Example: The tabby slept on the windowsill.
stake
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(n) /steɪk/
a risk or a situation that is important
Example: The stakes for both farmers and conservationists are very high.
elephantiasis
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(n) /ˌɛlɪfəˈnaɪtəs/
a disease that causes swelling in the limbs and genitals due to a parasitic infection
Example: Elephantiasis can make it difficult for people to walk.
blackfly
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(n) /ˈblækˌflaɪ/
a small black fly that can cause disease in humans and animals
Example: Blackflies can be found near rivers and streams.
roost
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(v) /ruːst/
to rest or sleep in a high place
Example: The bats roost in the old trees.
sacred
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(adj) /ˈseɪkrɪd/
considered holy or very important
Example: Many people believe that the caves are sacred places.
ancestor
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(n) /ˈæn.ses.tər/
a person from whom you are descended
Example: My ancestor came from another country.
mutually
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(adv) /ˈmjuː.tʃu.ə.li/
in a way that is shared by two or more parties
Example: The farmers and bats help each other mutually.
sustainable
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(adj) /səˈsteɪnəbl/
able to be maintained or continued without harming the environment
Example: Farmers want to find sustainable ways to grow food.
livelihood
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(n) /ˈlaɪvlihʊd/
a way to earn money to live
Example: Many people rely on farming for their livelihood.
quantify
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(v) /ˈkwɒntɪfaɪ/
to measure or express something in numbers
Example: It is hard to quantify the amount of help we get.
regeneration
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(n) /rɪˈdʒɛnəreɪʃən/
the process of something being renewed or restored
Example: The forest showed signs of regeneration after the fire.
optimistic
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(adj) /ˌɑːp.tɪˈmɪs.tɪk/
hopeful and confident about the future
Example: She is optimistic about her chances of winning the competition.
insect
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(n) /ˈɪnˌsɛkt/
a small animal with six legs, often with wings
Example: An insect crawled on the table.
pest
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(n) /pɛst/
an unwanted insect or animal that damages plants or crops
Example: The farmer sprayed the field to get rid of the pest.
paddy
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(n) /ˈpædi/
a field of rice
Example: The farmer worked in the paddy every morning.
mammal
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(n) /ˈmæm.əl/
a type of animal that has hair or fur and feeds its babies with milk
Example: A dog is a mammal.
native
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(adj) /ˈneɪtɪv/
originating or produced in a particular country or region
Example: The native plants grow well in this area.
recorded
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(adj) /rɪˈkɔrdɪd/
something that has been registered or noted, often in writing or audio format
Example: The scientist studied thirty-six recorded bat species.
biological
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(adj) /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/
relating to living things
Example: The biological study showed how bats help the environment.
droppings
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(n) /ˈdrɒpɪŋz/
waste matter or feces, especially from animals
Example: The gardener found bat droppings near the trees.
nutrient
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(n) /ˈnuː.tri.ənt/
a substance that helps plants and animals grow
Example: Plants need a lot of nutrient to grow healthy.
run-off
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(n) /ˈrʌnˌɔf/
water that flows away from land after rain
Example: Run-off from the fields can carry soil into the river.