Cambridge IELTS 17 - Academic - Test 2 - Reading - Passage 2

Here you can find the vocabulary from Test 2 - Reading - Passage 2 in the Cambridge IELTS 17 - Academic coursebook, to help you prepare for your IELTS exam.

review-disable

review

flashcard-disable

flashcard

spelling-disable

spelling

quiz-disable

quiz

start-learning
Cambridge IELTS 17 - Academic
attempt [noun]

the action or endeavor of trying to complete a task or achieve a goal, often one that is challenging

Ex: His attempt at cooking a gourmet meal resulted in a delicious dinner .

to change wild animals or plants for human use or cultivation

Ex: Cats were domesticated in ancient Egypt to control pests in grain stores .

to grow plants or crops, especially for farming or commercial purposes

Ex: The region is known for cultivating rice in its fertile fields .
nutritious [adjective]

(of food) containing substances that are good for the growth and health of the body

Ex: The smoothie was made with nutritious ingredients like spinach , berries , and yogurt .

to depend on someone or something for support and assistance

Ex: Many students rely on scholarships to fund their education .
revolutionary [adjective]

causing or involving a grand or fundamental change, particularly leading to major improvements

Ex: The adoption of renewable energy sources represents a revolutionary shift toward a more sustainable future .
genome [noun]

the complete set of genetic material of any living thing

Ex: Researchers are studying the genome of the coronavirus to track its mutations and develop effective vaccines .
DNA [noun]

(biochemistry) a chemical substance that carries the genetic information, which is present in every cell and some viruses

Ex: DNA carries the information that determines traits like eye color and height .
cell [noun]

an organism's smallest unit, capable of functioning on its own

Ex: The discovery of cells and the development of cell theory by scientists such as Robert Hooke and Theodor Schwann revolutionized our understanding of living organisms .
to alter [verb]

to cause something to change

Ex: A good haircut can completely alter one 's appearance .
crop [noun]

a plant that is grown for food over large areas of land

Ex: The crop of rice was abundant this year due to favorable weather conditions .
appealing [adjective]

pleasing and likely to arouse interest or desire

Ex:
fast-track [adjective]

taking place or progressing faster than usual

supply [noun]

the provided or available amount of something

Ex:
resistant [adjective]

not easily affected by external influences or forces

Ex: The new alloy is resistant to high temperatures , making it ideal for aerospace applications .

to destroy something completely

Ex: Economic downturns can devastate small businesses that rely on steady consumer spending .
edible [adjective]

safe or suitable for consumption as food

Ex: Some plants look pretty but are not edible .
maize [noun]

a tall plant growing in Central America that produces yellow seeds, which are used in cooking

Ex: As the summer sun set , a family gathered in the backyard , grilling maize skewers alongside juicy grilled meats .
mutation [noun]

(biology) a change in the structure of the genes of an individual that causes them to develop different physical features

Ex: Due to a mutation in his genes , the child was born with blue eyes , even though both parents had brown eyes .
trait [noun]

a distinguishing quality or characteristic, especially one that forms part of someone's personality or identity

Ex: Strong communication is a key trait for success in business .

the presence of a variety of distinct characteristics within a group

Ex: In our garden , the diversity of flowers creates a vibrant tapestry of colors and scents .
strain [noun]

a genetic variant or subtype of a microorganism, typically within a species, that possesses distinct characteristics from other members of the same species

Ex: Different strains of yeast are used in brewing beer to impart specific flavors and characteristics .

to find a solution to a problem, often through analysis, experimentation, or mathematical calculation

Ex: He can quickly work out complex mathematical problems .

from the point at which something began

Ex: I 'm currently working on building this website from scratch .

a part of a living organism that is made up of cells and is designed to perform a specific function

Ex: The leaf 's structure helps it absorb sunlight for photosynthesis .

to transfer something to the next generation or another person

Ex: The company 's founder passed down his ethos and values to all his successors .
pigment [noun]

a chemical compound in plants, animals, or microbes that produces a characteristic color in cells or tissues

Ex: Pathologists measured changes in skin pigment to monitor progression of the disorder .
to boost [verb]

to increase or enhance the amount, level, or intensity of something

Ex: Adding fertilizer to the soil can boost the growth of plants and flowers .
tolerant [adjective]

able to withstand particular environmental conditions or physiological stress

Ex: This species is tolerant to high temperatures .
extent [noun]

the point or degree to which something extends

sprawling [adjective]

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

habit [noun]

the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal)

licence [noun]

a legal document that grants permission to do something that is otherwise restricted by law

regulatory [adjective]

creating and enforcing rules or regulations to control or govern a particular activity or industry

Ex: The regulatory approval process for new drugs involves rigorous testing to assess their safety and efficacy .
obscure [adjective]

not well-known or widely recognized

Ex: Many people are unaware of the obscure author who wrote the influential book that shaped modern literature .
staple [adjective]

used or consumed regularly by many people as a fundamental part of daily life

Ex: In Mediterranean cuisine , olive oil is a staple ingredient in many dishes .

the opinions, activities, or methods that are considered normal because they are accepted by a majority of people

Ex: His views are far from the mainstream , often sparking controversy .
drought [noun]

a long period of time when there is not much raining

Ex: The farmers prayed for rain as the drought continued .

(of an animal, child, or plant) to grow with strength, health, or energy

Ex: The young lion thrived in the wild , becoming strong and majestic .

to make information that was previously unknown or kept in secrecy publicly known

Ex: After years of speculation , the archaeologists finally revealed the hidden chamber beneath the pyramid .

a Latin phrase (or its abbreviation) used to indicate that special attention should be paid to something

a condition in which harmful germs, such as bacteria or viruses, invade the body and cause harm, leading to symptoms such as fever, pain, and swelling

Ex: A flu infection can spread quickly in crowded environments like schools .
to arise [verb]

to originate or come into being from a particular source or point

Ex: Creative ideas can arise from observing the natural world .
genetically [adverb]

in a manner that is related to genetics or genes

Ex: The disorder was analyzed genetically to identify any genetic mutations or abnormalities .
to adapt [verb]

to adjust oneself to fit into a new environment or situation

Ex: It takes time to adapt to the changes in your daily routine .
scale [noun]

the size, amount, or degree of one thing compared with another

Ex: The scale of the forest fire was beyond anything the firefighters had ever encountered .
advisable [adjective]

better or recommended because it is wise in a given situation

Ex: It may be advisable to consult a doctor before starting the treatment .

to alter or change the genetic makeup of an organism through genetic engineering techniques

Ex: In the lab , they modified the mosquito genome to reduce the spread of malaria .

to cause a change in a person, thing, etc.

Ex: The economic downturn is expected to affect businesses across various sectors .
to mimic [verb]

to copy the style, technique, or subject matter of another artist or artwork

Ex: The band 's early songs often mimicked the sound of their musical idols .
to breed [verb]

to develop a particular kind of animal or plant by choosing and mating specific ones to get certain qualities

Ex: Experts will breed plants that can survive cold weather .
truss [noun]

a tight group of flowers or fruits that grow together on a single main stalk

Ex: He picked a truss of grapes from the garden .

to cause someone or something to rise quickly to a much higher level of success, importance, or attention

Ex: His invention catapulted him into the spotlight .