Master the Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
(Related: https://engnovate.com/ielts-reading-tests/cambridge-ielts-18-academic-reading-test-3/)
Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 3 Passage 1
Back To Set1 / 57
concrete
Click to show definition
(n) /kənˈkriːt/
a building material made from a mixture of cement, sand, small stones, and water
Example: The sidewalk is made of concrete.
alternative
Click to show definition
(n) /ɔlˈtɜrnətɪv/
a choice or option instead of something else
Example: We need an alternative to plastic bags.
generate
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈdʒɛn.ə.reɪt/
to produce or create something
Example: The sun can generate energy for our homes.
emission
Click to show definition
(n) /ɪˈmɪʃən/
the act of sending out gas, light, or other substances
Example: The emission from the factory made the air dirty.
ingredient
Click to show definition
(n) /ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/
a substance that is part of a mixture or recipe
Example: The cake needs one more ingredient to be ready.
soar
Click to show definition
(v) /sɔr/
to fly high in the air
Example: The birds soar gracefully in the sky.
aggravate
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈæɡrəˌveɪt/
to make a situation worse or more serious
Example: Loud noise can aggravate my headache.
innovate
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈɪnəˌveɪt/
to create new ideas or methods
Example: The team will innovate new designs for the building.
scramble
Click to show definition
(v) /ˈskræm.bəl/
to mix things together in a confused or hurried way
Example: The children scramble to gather their toys.
commodity
Click to show definition
(n) /kəˈmɒdəti/
a basic material that is bought and sold
Example: Gold is a valuable commodity in the market.
underpin
Click to show definition
(v) /ˌʌndərˈpɪn/
to support or strengthen something
Example: The team's research will underpin the new design.
extent
Click to show definition
(n) /ɪkˈstɛnt/
the degree to which something exists or is true
Example: The extent of his knowledge surprised everyone.
manufacture
Click to show definition
(v) /ˌmæn.jəˈfæk.tʃɚ/
to make goods in large quantities using machines
Example: Factories manufacture cars every day.
abundance
Click to show definition
(n) /əˈbʌn.dəns/
a large quantity of something
Example: There is an abundance of food at the festival.
marvellous
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈmɑrvələs/
extremely good, wonderful
Example: The cake was marvellous and everyone loved it.
mould
Click to show definition
(n) /moʊld/
a hollow shape used to make a solid object
Example: The artist used a mould to create a statue.
pour
Click to show definition
(v) /pɔr/
to cause a liquid to flow from one container to another
Example: Please pour the water into the glass.
reinforce
Click to show definition
(v) /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs/
to make something stronger or more intense
Example: The builders use steel to reinforce the walls.
thermal
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈθɜrml/
related to heat or temperature
Example: The thermal properties of the material help keep the building warm.
expansion
Click to show definition
(n) /ɪkˈspænʃən/
the act of becoming larger or more extensive
Example: The expansion of the city has brought more jobs.
timber
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈtɪm.bɚ/
wood that is used for building and construction
Example: The carpenter bought several pieces of timber for his project.
medieval
Click to show definition
(adj) /mɪˈdiː.vəl/
relating to the Middle Ages, a period in European history from around the 5th to the late 15th century
Example: The castle has a medieval look.
emerge
Click to show definition
(v) /ɪˈmɜrdʒ/
to come out into view or become known
Example: New ideas often emerge during discussions.
straightforward
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˌstreɪtˈfɔrdˌwɝd/
easy to understand or simple
Example: The instructions for the game are straightforward.
susceptible
Click to show definition
(adj) /səˈsɛptəbl/
likely to be influenced or harmed by something
Example: The wood is susceptible to pests.
pest
Click to show definition
(n) /pɛst/
an unwanted plant or animal that harms crops or property
Example: The garden has a pest that eats the leaves.
adhesive
Click to show definition
(n) /ædˈhiːsɪv/
a substance used for sticking objects or materials together
Example: We need an adhesive to fix this broken chair.
crosswise
Click to show definition
(adv) /ˈkrɔsˌwaɪz/
in a direction that is across or at an angle to something else
Example: The strips of wood were placed crosswise to make a stronger structure.
cross-laminated
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈkrɔs ˈlæməˌneɪtɪd/
made of layers of wood that are glued together in different directions
Example: The architect chose cross-laminated wood for the new building.
engineered
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˌɛn.dʒɪˈnɪrd/
made or modified in a clever way using scientific knowledge
Example: Cross-laminated timber is engineered wood that is strong and lightweight.
solid-sawn
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈsɒlɪd sɔːn/
made from solid pieces of wood, not engineered or composite
Example: The carpenter prefers to use solid-sawn wood for his furniture.
construction
Click to show definition
(n) /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the process of building something
Example: The construction of the new bridge will take two years.
supplier
Click to show definition
(n) /səˈplaɪər/
a person or company that provides goods or services
Example: The supplier delivered the materials on time.
demand
Click to show definition
(n) /dɪˈmænd/
the need or desire for something
Example: There is a high demand for new houses.
globally
Click to show definition
(adv) /ˈɡloʊbəli/
in a way that relates to the whole world
Example: People globally are concerned about climate change.
driver
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈdraɪvər/
a person who operates a vehicle
Example: The driver took us safely to our destination.
absorb
Click to show definition
(v) /əbˈzɔrb/
to take in or soak up a liquid or substance
Example: The sponge can absorb water quickly.
limitation
Click to show definition
(n) /ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃən/
a rule or limit on what can be done
Example: There is a limitation on how much money we can spend.
fly ash
Click to show definition
(n) /flaɪ æʃ/
a fine powder made from ash produced by burning coal
Example: Fly ash can be used to make stronger concrete.
slag
Click to show definition
(n) /slæɡ/
a waste material left after the extraction of metal from its ore
Example: The factory produces a lot of slag during the metal refining process.
iron ore
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈaɪərn ɔːr/
a type of rock that contains iron and can be used to make iron
Example: Iron ore is mined and processed to produce steel.
byproduct
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈbaɪˌprɒdʌkt/
a secondary product made during the production of something else
Example: The factory produces electricity as a byproduct of making steel.
smelting
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈsmɛltɪŋ/
the process of melting metal ores to get metal
Example: The factory focuses on smelting to produce iron for construction.
incorporate
Click to show definition
(v) /ɪnˈkɔːrpəreɪt/
to include or combine something as part of a whole
Example: We need to incorporate more green materials in our design.
durability
Click to show definition
(n) /ˌdʊr.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
the ability to last a long time without getting damaged
Example: The durability of materials is important in construction.
greenhouse
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈɡriːnˌhaʊs/
a building with glass walls and a glass roof for growing plants
Example: They built a greenhouse to grow vegetables.
straightforward
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˌstreɪtˈfɔːrwərd/
easy to understand or do; simple
Example: The instructions for the game were straightforward.
factor
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈfæktər/
something that helps to cause a result
Example: Many factors affect the weather.
life cycle
Click to show definition
(n) /laɪf ˈsaɪkl/
the series of stages that something goes through from the beginning to the end of its life
Example: Every plant goes through its own life cycle.
fossil fuel
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈfɑsəl fjul/
a natural substance like coal, oil, or natural gas that can be burned for energy
Example: Many cars run on fossil fuel.
perspective
Click to show definition
(n) /pərˈspɛktɪv/
a way of thinking about something
Example: Everyone has a different perspective on the story.
promising
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/
showing signs that something good may happen in the future
Example: The new ideas for building materials are promising for the environment.
abundant
Click to show definition
(adj) /əˈbʌndənt/
existing in large quantities; more than enough
Example: The garden had abundant flowers in spring.
conventional
Click to show definition
(adj) /kənˈvɛnʃənl/
following accepted customs or practices
Example: The builder chose a conventional design for the house.
cost-effective
Click to show definition
(adj) /ˌkɔst ɪˈfɛk.tɪv/
producing good results without wasting money
Example: The new system is very cost-effective.
resistance
Click to show definition
(n) /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the ability to fight against something
Example: There was resistance to the new rules at the meeting.
customer
Click to show definition
(n) /ˈkʌstəmər/
a person who buys goods or services
Example: The customer asked for a refund.