Master the Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 2 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 2
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conundrum
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(n) /kəˈnʌndrəm/
a confusing problem or question
Example: Finding a way to solve the problem was a real conundrum for the team.
causal
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(adj) /ˈkɔːzəl/
related to a cause or reasons that make something happen
Example: The study looked for a causal relationship between education and income.
industrialize
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(v) /ɪnˈdʌs.tri.ə.laɪz/
to develop industries in a country or region
Example: Many countries try to industrialize to improve their economy.
mediocre
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(adj) /ˌmiː.diˈoʊ.kər/
not very good; average quality
Example: The movie was just mediocre, not worth watching again.
compile
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(v) /kəmˈpaɪl/
to collect information and arrange it in a list or database
Example: The teacher will compile the test scores for the class.
ledger
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(n) /ˈlɛdʒər/
a book for keeping financial records
Example: The accountant checks the ledger for accuracy.
census
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(n) /ˈsɛn.səs/
an official count of a population
Example: The census was conducted every ten years.
inventory
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(n) /ˈɪnvənˌtɔri/
a list of items, especially goods in stock
Example: The store has a detailed inventory of all its products.
possession
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(n) /pəˈzɛʃən/
the state of having or owning something
Example: His possession of the rare book made him very happy.
archive
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(n) /ˈɑːr.kaɪv/
a collection of historical documents or records
Example: The students visited the archive to view old maps.
puzzle
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(n) /ˈpʌzl/
a game or problem that tests a person's skill or knowledge
Example: She enjoys solving a puzzle every evening.
productivity
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(n) /prɒdʌkˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/
the ability to produce something or the rate of production
Example: The team worked hard to improve their productivity.
literacy
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(n) /ˈlɪtərəsi/
the ability to read and write
Example: She works to improve literacy in her community.
bodice
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(n) /ˈbɒdɪs/
a woman's fitted top part of a dress
Example: She wore a beautiful bodice to the party.
stifle
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(v) /ˈstaɪfəl/
to stop something from happening or being expressed
Example: The rules stifle creativity in the classroom.
enrolment
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(n) /ɪnˈroʊlmənt/
the process of entering or registering for an educational program
Example: Her enrolment in the university was completed last week.
numeracy
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(n) /ˈnjuːməɹəsi/
the ability to understand and work with numbers
Example: She has strong numeracy skills that help her in math class.
industriousness
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(n) /ɪnˈdʌstriəsnəs/
the quality of being hardworking and diligent
Example: Her industriousness led her to achieve great success in her career.
demographic
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(n) /ˌdɛməˈɡræfɪk/
related to the characteristics of a population
Example: The demographic of the city is changing.
reconstruction
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(n) /ˌriː.kənˈstrʌk.ʃən/
the process of building something again or differently
Example: The reconstruction of the old bridge took several months.
unfold
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(v) /ʌnˈfoʊld/
to open something that has been folded or closed
Example: She likes to unfold the letter before reading it.
chastise
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(v) /ˈtʃæs.taɪz/
to criticize someone severely for doing something wrong
Example: The teacher will chastise the students if they talk during the lesson.
sermon
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(n) /ˈsɜːrmən/
a speech given in a church
Example: The priest delivered a powerful sermon on kindness.
spinster
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(n) /ˈspɪn.stɚ/
an unmarried woman, especially one who is older
Example: The spinster lived alone in a small cottage.
reprimand
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(v) /ˈrɛprɪˌmænd/
to speak to someone in a way that shows disapproval because of their bad behavior
Example: The teacher will reprimand the student for not doing their homework.
ordinance
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(n) /ˈɔrdɪnəns/
a law or rule made by a official authority
Example: The city council passed a new ordinance for pet owners.
summon
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(v) /ˈsʌmən/
to call for someone to come to a place
Example: He was summoned to the principal's office.
defiance
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(n) /dɪˈfaɪəns/
refusal to obey someone or something
Example: Her defiance surprised everyone at the meeting.
regulate
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(v) /ˈrɛɡ.jʊ.leɪt/
to control or maintain something according to rules or laws
Example: Laws are made to regulate businesses.
dominance
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(n) /ˈdɒmɪnəns/
the state of having control or power over something
Example: The dominance of the large company made it hard for small businesses to compete.
innovation
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(n) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/
a new idea or method
Example: The company is known for its innovation in technology.
cultivation
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(n) /ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/
the act of growing plants or crops
Example: Cultivation of vegetables takes time and effort.
threshold
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(n) /ˈθrɛʃhoʊld/
the level or point at which something begins or changes
Example: There is a threshold for passing the exam.
tipping point
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(n) /ˈtɪp.ɪŋ pɔɪnt/
a moment when a situation starts to change in a significant way
Example: The scientist believes we are close to a tipping point in climate change.
straightforward
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(adj) /ˌstreɪtˈfɔːrwərd/
simple and easy to understand
Example: The teacher gave a straightforward explanation of the topic.
laboratory
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(n) /ləˈbɔrətɔri/
a room or building used for scientific work
Example: The scientist works in a laboratory.
monopoly
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(n) /məˈnɑːpəli/
the control of a market by one company or group
Example: The company had a monopoly on the technology.
migration
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(n) /maɪˈɡreɪʃən/
the movement of people from one place to another
Example: Migration can happen for many reasons, like finding a new job.
resist
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(v) /rɪˈzɪst/
to fight against something or someone
Example: She will resist the temptation to eat dessert.
implication
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(n) /ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃən/
a possible meaning or effect of something that is not directly stated
Example: The implication of his words was clear.
restriction
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(n) /rɪˈstrɪkʃən/
a limit or control on something
Example: There are many restrictions on driving in the city.
artisan
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(n) /ˈɑːrtɪzən/
a skilled worker who makes things by hand
Example: An artisan created beautiful pottery in her workshop.
merchant
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(n) /ˈmɜrʧənt/
a person or business who buys and sells goods
Example: The merchant sold fruits and vegetables in the market.
oversee
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(v) /ˌoʊvərˈsiː/
to watch over and be in charge of something
Example: The manager will oversee the project from start to finish.
craft
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(n) /kræft/
a skilled activity, especially involving making things by hand
Example: She learned the craft of pottery.
trade
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(n) /treɪd/
the activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services
Example: He wants to learn more about trade and business.
indicator
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(n) /ˈɪn.dɪ.keɪ.tər/
something that shows or points out a situation or condition
Example: Temperature can be an indicator of weather changes.
demographic
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(n) /ˌdɛməˈɡræfɪk/
related to the study of populations and their characteristics
Example: The demographic shows how many people live in the city.
descendant
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(n) /dɪˈsɛndənt/
a person who is related to someone from the past
Example: She is a descendant of a famous writer.
innovative
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(adj) /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/
introducing new ideas or methods
Example: The innovative design of the smartphone impressed everyone.
barrier
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(n) /ˈbæriər/
something that stops or blocks movement or progress
Example: There was a barrier between the two countries.