Cambridge IELTS 15 - Academic - Test 1 - Reading - Passage 1

(of a plant or shrub) retaining leaves all year round

to grow or extend new branches from the main trunk or stem of a tree or plant

a plant or tree's branches and leaves collectively

to surround or cover something completely with a protective structure

(of plant or fruit tissue) soft, juicy, and succulent, often with a high water content

outer membranous covering of some fruits or seeds

to separate or divide something along a straight line

any long raised border or margin of a bone or tooth or membrane

made of or resembling lace

a deep and vivid red color

fleshy and usually brightly colored cover of some seeds that develops from the ovule stalk and partially or entirely envelops the seed

considered highly valuable or esteemed

a method or style of cooking that is specific to a country or region

a substance or combination of substances used to enhance or impart a specific taste to food or beverages

having properties or qualities suitable for treating or curing illnesses or promoting health

having the quality or effect of protecting something from decay, damage, or loss

a substance that exerts some force or effect

someone who buys and sells goods wholesale

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

(economics) an unprocessed material that can be traded in different exchanges or marketplaces

of or relating to or characteristic of Venice or its people

the state of having superiority over another party in terms of power, knowledge, influence, etc.

to utilize or take full advantage of something, often resources, opportunities, or skills

arranged for contracted work to be done by others

someone whose job is selling or buying shares, goods, or currencies

to be present or available in large amounts

related to the purchasing and selling of different goods and services

a group of aircraft belonging to and operated by the same company or organization

in a quick or immediate way

to exclude someone or something from participation or access

to increase rapidly to a high level

to resist or defend oneself against an attack or challenge, often by taking action to counter the aggression or difficulty

to create or establish an organization or place, especially by providing the finances

a company or group of people that are considered as a single unit by law

a business especially one run on a large scale

a dangerous disease spread by rats that causes fever and swellings, often kills if infected

(of a disease) transmittable from one person to another through close contact

(of people) behaving dangerously or aggressively due to the circumstances

lacking a sufficient amount of something in general

the ruler of a Muslim country (especially of the former Ottoman Empire)

to make something stay in the same state or condition

not favoring either side in a conflict, competition, debate, etc.

the state of being present; current existence

armed forces or soldiers, especially by large numbers

someone who enters by force in order to conquer

to gain control or possession of something through force, effort, or strategy

something purchased with the expectation that it will become more valuable or useful over time

to bring people or things together in one place

to remove something, such as a plant or tree, by pulling it completely out of the ground

a large piece of land used for growing sugar cane, coffee, tea, etc., particularly in a hot country

a specific area with unique characteristics

a young plant that develops from a seed, typically in the early stages of growth after germination

official permission, sanction, or approval

a white or gray powder made by heating certain types of rocks and is commonly used in building materials, making soil less acidic, or treating water

(of an animal, person, or plant) able to produce offspring, fruit, or seed

a thin fragment or slice (especially of wood) that has been shaved from something

a middle state between two opposing situations that is reached by slightly changing both of them, so that they can coexist

an official agreement that puts an end to a dispute

an official agreement between two or more governments or states

having a strong resolve or determination to achieve a particular goal or outcome

to reach or gain a particular thing, typically requiring significant amount of effort

influence or control over something or someone

in a sequential manner, referring to actions or events occurring in a specific order

a situation in which one organization or entity exclusively controls the production, distribution, or trade of a product or service, making other rivals unable to compete

to move goods or people illegally and secretly into or out of a country

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

the sudden release of lava, gases, and ash from a volcano

to completely remove or destroy something so that it no longer exists

a small group of trees planted closely together, often cultivated for their ornamental value or fruit production

to suddenly and forcibly take hold of something

to remove a plant from its original place and replant it somewhere else

a unit of weight equivalent to 1000 kilograms

a country considered as a group of people that share the same history, language, etc., and are ruled by the same government

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

to spend as much money as needed to get the best result without trying to save money