IELTS Reading Passages

243 words · View all IELTS words

A

abolishto formally put an end to something; to eliminate or eradicateSAT · TOEFL · IELTSabstractExisting in thought or as an idea but not having a concrete physical existenceGRE · SAT · TOEFL · IELTSabundantExisting or available in large quantities; plentiful.IELTSaccelerateTo begin to move more quickly; to increase the rate of something.SAT · IELTSaccommodateTo provide lodging or space for; to adapt to or make room for.SAT · TOEFL · IELTSaccurateFree from error; exact and correctSAT · TOEFL · IELTSachieveTo successfully bring about or reach a desired objective or result.SAT · TOEFL · IELTSactivateTo make something active or operative; to set in motion.SAT · IELTSacutePresent or experienced to a severe or intense degree; requiring immediate attent…SAT · TOEFL · IELTSadaptationThe process of changing to suit different conditions; an altered form of somethi…TOEFL · IELTSadjacentIn geometry, lying next to or sharing a common side, vertex, or boundary without…GRE · SAT · TOEFL · IELTSadministerTo manage and be responsible for the running of a business, organisation, or ins…SAT · TOEFL · IELTSadventthe arrival or coming of an important event; beginningSAT · IELTSadversePreventing success or development; harmful; unfavourable.SAT · TOEFL · IELTSaffluenthaving abundant money or possessions; wealthySAT · TOEFL · IELTSageingThe process of growing older; the characteristic changes that come with age.IELTSagricultureThe science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil and raisin…IELTSalternativeAvailable as another possibility or choice; one of two or more available possibi…TOEFL · IELTSaltitudeThe height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.SAT · IELTSanatomyThe branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of organisms.SAT · TOEFL · IELTSancientBelonging to the very distant past; very old.IELTSanthropologyThe study of human societies, cultures, and their development.IELTSaquaticRelating to or living in water.IELTSarchaeologicalRelating to the study of human history through excavation of sites and analysis …IELTSaridHaving little or no rain; dry; lacking in interest.IELTSartificialMade or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally; insincere.IELTSassessTo evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something.TOEFL · IELTSassimilateTo absorb and integrate people, ideas, or information into a wider society or st…GRE · TOEFL · IELTSassumptionA thing that is accepted as true or certain to happen without proof.TOEFL · IELTSastronomerA scientist who studies celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a…IELTSastronomyThe branch of science dealing with celestial objects, space, and the physical un…IELTSatmosphericRelating to the atmosphere of the earth or another planet.IELTSautonomousHaving the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs; independent.GRE · TOEFL · IELTS

C

canyonA deep gorge, typically one with a river flowing through it.IELTScarbonA chemical element; a key component of greenhouse gases causing climate change.IELTScatastrophicInvolving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.IELTSchronicPersisting for a long time or constantly recurring; of a problem, long-standing.IELTScirculateTo move continuously through a system; to pass from place to place.IELTScivilisationThe stage of human social and cultural development and organisation.IELTSclassifyTo arrange a group of people or things in classes or categories according to sha…TOEFL · IELTScoexistTo exist at the same time or in the same place.IELTScognitiveRelating to cognition or the mental processes of thinking, knowing, and perceivi…TOEFL · IELTScoincideTo occur at the same time or occupy the same space; to correspond in nature.IELTScollapseA sudden fall or failure of something; to fall down suddenly.TOEFL · IELTScolonisationThe action of settling among and establishing control over indigenous people of …IELTScoloniseTo establish a colony in a place; to take control of or dominate.IELTScometA celestial object moving around the sun with a tail of gas and dust.IELTScommodityA raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold.IELTScommunicateTo share or exchange information, news, or ideas.IELTScommunityA group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic…IELTScompeteTo strive to gain or win something by defeating rivals; to take part in a contes…IELTScompetenceThe ability to do something successfully or efficiently.TOEFL · IELTScomplementA thing that contributes features which improve or emphasise another's qualities…GRE · SAT · IELTScompositionThe nature of something's ingredients or constituents; the way it is made up.TOEFL · IELTScompoundA thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; to make worse.TOEFL · IELTSconferTo grant a title or benefit on someone; to have a discussion.IELTSconsequencea result or effect following from an action or conditionSAT · TOEFL · IELTSconservationThe protection of the natural environment, animals, or cultural heritage.TOEFL · IELTSconsumeTo eat, drink, or use up a resource; to buy or use goods and services.IELTScontemporaryLiving or occurring at the same time; relating to the present.TOEFL · IELTScontextThe circumstances that form the setting for an event or statement.TOEFL · IELTScontinentalRelating to a continent; of the mainland of Europe or a mainland region.IELTSconventionalBased on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed; conforming to…GRE · TOEFL · IELTSconvergenceThe process of converging; the tendency toward meeting at a common point.IELTScoral reefA ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and compaction of coral.IELTScriticalHaving decisive or crucial importance in the success or failure of something; ex…TOEFL · IELTScropA cultivated plant or the yield from it; to cut something short.IELTScultivateTo prepare and use land for crops; to develop a skill or quality.IELTScultivationThe preparation and use of land for crops; the process of nurturing growth.IELTScumulativeIncreasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions.SAT · IELTScurrencyA system of money in general use in a country; the quality of being current.TOEFL · IELTScurrentBelonging to the present time; a body of water or air moving in a definite direc…TOEFL · IELTScycleA series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order.TOEFL · IELTS

E

ecologyThe branch of biology dealing with the relations of organisms to one another and…IELTSeconomicRelating to economics or the economy; justified in terms of profitability.TOEFL · IELTSeconomyThe state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of g…IELTSecosystemA biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.TOEFL · IELTSeffectiveSuccessful in producing a desired or intended result.TOEFL · IELTSelementA component or constituent of a whole; a basic matter of a subject.TOEFL · IELTSelevationThe action of raising something or being raised; height above sea level.IELTSemissionThe production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.TOEFL · IELTSencounterTo unexpectedly experience or be faced with something; a meeting with someone.TOEFL · IELTSendangerTo put at risk or in danger.IELTSendureTo remain in existence; to suffer patiently.TOEFL · IELTSenforceTo compel observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation.TOEFL · IELTSerosionThe gradual destruction or diminution of something; the wearing away of rock or …TOEFL · IELTSeruptTo break out suddenly and dramatically; to become suddenly active.IELTSevolutionThe gradual development of something into a more complex or better form.TOEFL · IELTSevolutionaryRelating to the gradual development of something; relating to Darwin's theory.IELTSexcavationThe action of excavating something; a site that is being or has been excavated.IELTSexceedTo be greater than or surpass something.TOEFL · IELTSexpeditionA journey undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose.IELTSexploitTo make full use of a resource; to take advantage of someone unfairly.IELTSextinctionThe state or process of being eliminated; a species ceasing to exist.TOEFL · IELTS

P

parallelOccurring at the same time and having similar propertiesTOEFL · IELTSparasiteAn organism that lives in or on a host organism and benefits at the host's expen…SAT · TOEFL · IELTSparticleA minute portion of matter; a small piece or amount of something.IELTSpeninsulaA piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of wate…IELTSperceptionThe way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.TOEFL · IELTSperiodicallyOccurring or appearing at intervals; regularly.IELTSpermafrostA thick subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout the year.IELTSphotosynthesisThe process by which plants use sunlight, water, and CO2 to produce food.TOEFL · IELTSplanktonTiny organisms drifting in the sea that form the base of marine food chains.IELTSplateauAn area of relatively level high ground; a state of little or no change after pr…IELTSpolarRelating to the North or South Pole; of opposite extremes.IELTSpollinateTo transfer pollen to a plant so that it can fertilise and reproduce.IELTSpredatorAn animal that naturally preys on others; a person or organisation that exploits…TOEFL · IELTSpredatorySeeking to exploit others; relating to an animal that naturally preys on others.IELTSprehistoryThe period before written records; the events of this period.IELTSpreyAn animal hunted and killed by another for food; a victim.TOEFL · IELTSprimitiveRelating to an early stage of development; not sophisticated.IELTSprimordialExisting at or from the beginning of time; ancient and fundamental.IELTSpropagateTo breed or spread by natural processes; to promote an idea widely.IELTSproteinA class of nitrogenous organic compounds essential to living organisms.TOEFL · IELTS