Master the Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 3 vocabulary with our flashcard exercise.
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Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 3
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drift
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(v) /drɪft/
to be carried slowly by a current of air or water
Example: The leaves drift down from the trees.
displacement
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(n) /dɪsˈpleɪs.mənt/
the act of moving something from its place
Example: The displacement of the box caused a mess on the floor.
extensively
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(adv) /ɪkˈstɛnsɪvli/
in a large amount or degree
Example: She studied extensively to prepare for the exam.
controversy
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(n) /ˈkɒn.trə.vɜːr.si/
a disagreement or argument about something important
Example: The new law caused a lot of controversy.
laterally
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(adv) /ˈlæt.ə.rə.li/
in a sideways direction
Example: The dog moved laterally to avoid the puddle.
plausible
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(adj) /ˈplɔː.zə.bəl/
possible to believe; reasonable
Example: Her explanation for being late was plausible.
geophysics
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(n) /ˌdʒiːoʊˈfɪzɪks/
the study of the Earth's physical properties and processes
Example: Geophysics helps us understand how earthquakes happen.
paleontology
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(n) /ˌpeɪliənˈtɑlədʒi/
the study of ancient life through fossils
Example: She wants to study paleontology in college.
climatology
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(n) /ˌklaɪməˈtɑlədʒi/
the study of climate and its effects over time
Example: Climatology helps us understand how the Earth's climate has changed.
descendant
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(n) /dɪˈsɛndənt/
a person or animal that is descended from a particular ancestor
Example: She is a descendant of a famous explorer.
intriguing
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(adj) /ɪnˈtriguːɪŋ/
very interesting or fascinating
Example: The movie was so intriguing that I couldn't look away.
pursue
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(v) /pərˈsuː/
to follow or chase someone or something in order to catch them
Example: He decided to pursue his interest in science.
atmospheric
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(adj) /ˌæt.məˈsfɪr.ɪk/
relating to the atmosphere of the Earth
Example: The weather today is influenced by atmospheric conditions.
lecturer
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(n) /ˈlɛk.tʃər.ər/
a person who teaches at a college or university
Example: She wants to become a lecturer after finishing her studies.
aloft
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(adv) /əˈlɔft/
in or to a high place
Example: The bird flew aloft in the sky.
expedition
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(n) /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃən/
a journey taken for a specific purpose, often for exploration
Example: The explorers went on an expedition to discover new lands.
meteorologist
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(n) /ˌmiːtiəˈrɑːlədʒɪst/
a scientist who studies the weather
Example: The meteorologist delivers the weather forecast on TV.
thermodynamics
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(n) /ˌθɜr.moʊ.dɪˈnæm.ɪks/
the study of heat and energy
Example: Thermodynamics helps us understand how energy moves.
sideline
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(n) /ˈsaɪd.laɪn/
a secondary or less important activity
Example: Her painting was just a sideline to her main job.
geophysics
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(n) /ˌdʒiːoʊˈfɪzɪks/
the study of the Earth's physical properties and processes
Example: Geophysics helps us understand how earthquakes occur.
paleoclimatology
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(n) /ˌpeɪliəʊˈklaɪməˌtɒlədʒi/
the study of past climates
Example: Scientists use paleoclimatology to learn about the Earth's weather history.
context
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(n) /ˈkɒn.tɛkst/
the situation in which something happens, that helps you to understand it
Example: The teacher explained the context of the story.
extent
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(n) /ɪkˈstɛnt/
the degree to which something exists or is true
Example: The project was successful to a great extent.
reception
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(n) /rɪˈsɛpʃən/
the way in which people react to or think about something
Example: The reception of the book was very positive.
controversial
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(adj) /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːrʃəl/
causing a lot of disagreement or arguments
Example: The news article was controversial and sparked a heated debate.
characterize
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(v) /ˈkɛrɪktəraɪz/
to describe the distinctive nature or features of someone or something
Example: The teacher will characterize the different types of plants in the garden.
phase
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(n) /feɪz/
a stage or particular period in a process or series of events
Example: The project has three phases to complete.
rapidly
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(adv) /ˈræpɪdli/
very quickly
Example: The car drove rapidly down the street.
shifting
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(n) /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
the act of changing position or direction
Example: The shifting of the plates causes earthquakes.
index
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(n) /ˈɪn.dɛks/
a list or guide that shows where something can be found
Example: You can find the page number in the index.
sufficient
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(adj) /səˈfɪʃ.ənt/
enough to meet the needs or requirements
Example: The index should be a sufficient guide for those interested in Wegener's life.
aspect
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(n) /ˈæs.pɛkt/
a particular feature or part of something
Example: One important aspect of a healthy diet is eating vegetables.
interruption
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(n) /ˌɪntəˈrʌpʃən/
a break in what someone is doing or saying
Example: The interruption made her lose her thought.
entail
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(v) /ɪnˈteɪl/
to involve something as a necessary part
Example: The project will entail many hours of work.
standard
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(n) /ˈstændərd/
a level of quality or requirement
Example: He wants to maintain a high standard in his work.
notebook
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(n) /ˈnoʊt.bʊk/
a book with blank pages for writing notes
Example: She writes her homework in a notebook.
diary
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(n) /ˈdaɪəri/
a book for writing daily events or feelings
Example: She writes in her diary every night.
exception
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(n) /ɪkˈsɛpʃən/
a case that does not follow a rule or pattern
Example: The teacher made one exception for the late assignment.
advance
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(v) /ədˈvæns/
to move forward or make progress
Example: They want to advance their careers with new skills.
professional
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(adj) /prəˈfɛʃ.ən.əl/
related to a job that requires special education or training
Example: She is a professional writer.
extensive
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(adj) /ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/
covering a large area; having a wide range
Example: The library has an extensive collection of books.
speculate
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(v) /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt/
to guess or think about something without having all the facts
Example: People often speculate about what the future will be like.
parallel
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(adj) /ˈpær.ə.lel/
two or more lines or paths that are the same distance apart and never meet
Example: The two roads run parallel to each other.
evolve
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(v) /ɪˈvɑlv/
to change over time, especially to develop into a more advanced form
Example: His ideas about science continue to evolve.
biographer
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(n) /baɪˈɒɡrəfəɹ/
a person who writes about someone else's life
Example: The biographer researched many details of the scientist's life.
retrospectively
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(adv) /ˌrɛtrəspɛkˈtɪvli/
in a way that relates to things that happened in the past
Example: He looked at his past decisions retrospectively.
coherent
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(adj) /koʊˈhɪr.ənt/
logically connected and easy to understand
Example: The teacher gave a coherent explanation of the topic.
narrative
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(n) /ˈnær.ə.tɪv/
a story or account of events
Example: The teacher read a narrative about a brave hero.
intention
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(n) /ɪnˈtɛnʃən/
a plan or goal that someone wants to achieve
Example: She had a clear intention to finish her homework.
happenstance
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(n) /ˈhæpənˌstæns/
the occurrence of events by chance
Example: Their meeting was just a happenstance.
fulfilled
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(adj) /fʊlˈfʪɪld/
achieved or completed
Example: Her dreams were finally fulfilled.