ACT English and World Knowledge - Technical Objects

Here you will learn some English words related to technical objects, such as "canoe", "odometer", "pendulum", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT English and World Knowledge
antique [noun]

an object from an earlier time, considered valuable due to its historical significance, craftsmanship, or rarity

Ex: The museum curator carefully cataloged each antique in the exhibit .
quill [noun]

a writing tool made from a bird feather, typically the large flight feather of a goose or swan, with a sharpened end

Ex: She carefully dipped the quill into the inkwell before composing her poetry .
vane [noun]

a flat or curved object, often made of metal or plastic, designed to catch or direct airflow, typically used in weather vanes, turbines, or aircraft

Ex: The aircraft 's vane adjusted automatically to maintain stable flight .
pendulum [noun]

a device with a long thin bar and a weight at the end that swings side to side to keep a clock working

ratchet [noun]

a round metal part that rotates in one direction and locks in the opposite direction, used on art tools such as paintbrush handles or adjustable clamps

barb [noun]

a sharp projection or point, typically found on wire fencing, designed to deter and hinder passage or intrusion

Ex: Farmers use wire with sharp barbs to keep livestock contained in pastures .

a simple lighting device from earlier times, consisting of a rush stem soaked in fat or grease, used as a makeshift candle

Ex: She lit a rushlight to read by as the sun set over the countryside .
lathe [noun]

a machine tool that rotates a workpiece so one can shape it by cutting, sanding, or drilling

Ex: The lathe operator carefully adjusted the cutting tools to achieve the desired dimensions and surface finish .

a package or set of basic items or tools assembled to help someone get started with a particular activity

buttress [noun]

a protruding structure that supports a building or wall and is made out of bricks or stones

Ex: The Romanesque church featured exterior buttresses adorned with decorative carvings , adding to the architectural beauty of the building .
linen [noun]

cloth that is made from the fibers of a plant called flax, used to make fine clothes, etc.

Ex: As a sustainable choice , many environmentally-conscious consumers opt for linen towels and linens , appreciating the eco-friendly qualities of the natural fiber .
aqueduct [noun]

a channel or pipeline used to transport water over a long distance, usually from a remote source to a town or city

Ex: Many historic aqueducts are now popular tourist attractions .
viaduct [noun]

a long, elevated structure that carries a railway or road across a valley or river, typically held up by a series of arches

Ex: The historic stone viaduct is a landmark in the town , dating back to the 19th century .
pillar [noun]

an upright, tall, and strong structure made of stone, metal, or wood that provides support for a part of a building such as the roof

(computing) the part of a computer by which all programs work

Ex: During the computer ’s repair , the technician replaced the faulty processor to restore functionality .

an electronic instrument used to graphically display and analyze voltage signals over time, showing the waveform's amplitude, frequency, and other characteristics

Ex: The technician calibrated the oscilloscope before conducting tests on the electrical system .
odometer [noun]

a device in a vehicle that measures the distance traveled by counting the number of rotations of a vehicle's wheels

Ex: The odometer reading indicated that they were nearing their destination .

a collection of various equipment used for a particular task

munition [noun]

weapons and ammunition used for military or defense purposes, including firearms, bombs, grenades, and missiles

Ex:
torpedo [noun]

an explosive device placed on railroad tracks, activated by passing trains to warn engineers of potential dangers ahead

Ex: Torpedoes are critical safety devices on railways .
payload [noun]

the specific equipment or materials carried by a vehicle for a particular purpose

Ex: The truck 's payload capacity allowed it to transport heavy construction materials .
anchor [noun]

a heavy object, usually made of metal, designed to secure a vessel or structure firmly to the bottom of a body of water to prevent drifting

Ex: They used a large anchor to moor the floating platform to the seabed .
helix [noun]

a spiral shape that looks like a coil, often seen in things like springs, screws, or some types of antennas

Ex:
console [noun]

an electronic device used for playing video games on a television or display screen

Ex: She connected the console to the television for a better gaming experience .
drone [noun]

a flying vehicle such as an aircraft that is controlled from afar and has no pilot

Ex: The delivery company is testing drones to quickly transport packages to customers in remote areas .
foam [noun]

a light and airy material made by trapping gas bubbles in a solid or liquid substance during production

Ex: The car seat was cushioned with foam for long drives .
replica [noun]

an exact or very close copy of an object, often made to resemble the original in appearance and function

Ex: The archaeologist studied a replica of a stone tool to learn about ancient techniques .
vessel [noun]

any vehicle designed for travel across or through water

Ex: The cruise vessel offered luxurious accommodations and amenities for its passengers .
canoe [noun]

a narrow boat that is light and has pointed ends, which can be moved using paddles

Ex: Canoes are commonly used for recreational activities such as fishing , camping , and exploring remote waterways .

a specialized underwater vehicle designed to operate and navigate beneath the surface of water, typically used for exploration, research, or marine activities

Ex: Oceanographers deployed a submersible to study marine life in the abyssal zone .
hull [noun]

the main body or framework of a ship or boat, typically the outer shell that provides buoyancy and protects against water

Ex: They repaired the damaged hull of the fishing boat after it collided with a reef .
vellum [noun]

a type of parchment made from animal skin, typically calfskin, used for writing or printing

an object, often a missile or bullet, propelled through the air by force, typically for military or scientific purposes

Ex: The researchers launched a projectile into space to study cosmic radiation .
trowel [noun]

a hand tool with a flat, pointed, or rounded blade used for applying and spreading mortar, plaster, or other similar materials onto surfaces such as walls, floors, or ceilings during masonry or tile work

hoist [noun]

a mechanical device used for lifting and lowering heavy objects or materials vertically

a device or machine that is often unusual or complicated, made for a specific job

Ex: The old man tinkered away in his workshop , constructing a contraption to help him collect apples from the tallest branches .

a mechanical device powered by flowing or falling water, typically used to generate mechanical power for tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water

Ex: Engineers installed a modern waterwheel to generate electricity from the river 's current .
linotype [noun]

an innovative device used in printing, casting individual lines of type from molten metal, significantly advancing the efficiency of typesetting

Ex: In its heyday , the linotype was an essential tool in newspaper offices around the world .
stratum [noun]

a distinct layer or level within a system, often conceived as having depth or hierarchy

Ex: The cultural stratum of a civilization includes its art , literature , and traditions , reflecting its values and beliefs .
gauge [noun]

a measuring instrument or device used to determine the size, capacity, amount, or extent of something

Ex: The speedometer in the car serves as a gauge of the vehicle 's speed .
brocade [noun]

a richly decorative fabric characterized by raised patterns

Ex: The queen 's throne was upholstered in regal brocade .
caulk [noun]

a filler used in construction and repairs to make joints watertight

Ex: Silicone caulk is ideal for kitchen and bathroom surfaces .
tarp [noun]

a large sheet of strong, flexible material, typically made of canvas or polyethylene, used to protect or cover objects from weather or debris

Ex: Campers secured a tarp over their tent to shield against the sun and rain .