| Mastering Skills for the TOEFL iBT - Reading | |
| Chapter1 Skill A-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| prevalent (adj): | common |
| incessant (adj): | without end; going on and on |
| inflamed (adj): | swollen and red |
| cluster (n): | a small group of things that are connected or are very close together |
| impede (v): | to block; to cause resistance |
| Chapter1 Skill A-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| abstract (adj): | not concrete; impossible to touch or see in reality |
| comprehensive (adj): |
general; universal |
| implicit (adj): | indicated; inferred |
| condemned (adj): | found guilty of some crime or offense and put under punishment |
| futility (n): | worthlessness |
| Chapter1 Skill A-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| in the eyes of (prep phrase): |
under; by |
| inalienable (adj): | not capable of being taken or given away to another person |
| precluded (adj): | excluded from |
| exploit (v): | to take advantage of |
| penal (adj): | related to punishment or prison |
| Chapter1 Skill B-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| draw (v): | to pull; to take |
| diaphragm (n): | a muscular membrane that separates the upper and lower organs of the torso, used in breathing |
| deviate (v): | to differ from |
| vocal (adj): | related to the voice |
| manipulation (n): | control |
| Chapter1 Skill B-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| space probe (n): | an unmanned space craft used to collect data |
| refine (v): | to change to a more developed or more useful state |
| conception (n): | an understanding |
| fainter (adj): | less bright; harder to see |
| lie (v): | to be located |
| Chapter1 Skill B-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| weave (v): | to make cloth from thread |
| raw (adj): | unprocessed |
| fabric (n): | a cloth produced by weaving |
| colonist (n): | a person who leaves his or her native country to live in a colony |
| vicinity (v): | an adjacent or local area |
| Chapter1 Skill C-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| temperance (n): | moderation or restraint |
| analytical (adj): | based on reason or logic as a way to understand reality |
| rigorous (adj): | very strict; precise |
| plant the seeds (v. phrase): |
to do some work that will develop into something later |
| conquest (n): | the act of taking control of other nations by force |
| Chapter1 Skill C-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| phenomena (n): | occurrences; events |
| devastating (adj): | destroying everything |
| dependent (adj): | relying on |
| procreate (v): | to multiply by reproducing |
| beneficial (adj): | producing a useful result; advantageous |
| Chapter1 Skill C-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| inability (n): | a lack of ability |
| pitched (adj): | having a particular musical sound |
| receptive (adj): | able and willing to receive |
| distinguish (v): | to tell apart; to discriminate |
| attentively (adv): | with attention |
| Chapter1 Skill D-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| deposit (n): | things that remain or are left due to some natural process |
| upper (adj): | higher; above some lower part |
| glacier (n): | a huge mass of ice that moves over land |
| debris (n): | broken pieces of something that are scattered over an area |
| collectively (adv): | taken together |
| Chapter1 Skill D-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| store (v): | to keep for future use |
| modified (adj): | changed |
| intermediary (adj): | existing between |
| cache (n): | a place to keep valuable or important things; a fast storage buffer |
| access (n): | a way to get to or make use of |
| Chapter1 Skill D-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| inspire (v): | to cause; to be the source of an idea |
| bow (n): | a tool made of curved wood and string, used to shoot arrows |
| widespread (adj): | common |
| appertain to (v phrase): |
to relate to |
| pluck (v): | to pull and release in order to start vibrating |
| Chapter1 Skill E-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| ironic (adj): | stating something, while meaning the opposite, i.e. saying “you did well” while actually meaning that the person did NOT do well |
| legacy (n): | that which a person leaves behind them when they die |
| endure (v): | to put up with; to bear; to continue to do |
| depict (v): | to describe; to give a description of |
| garner (v): | to collect; to gain |
| Chapter1 Skill E-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| impart (v): | to communicate; to convey |
| distinction (n): | difference |
| voluntary (adj): | done by free choice; on purpose |
| former (adj): | the first of two things mentioned |
| proficient (adj): | adept; skillful at doing something |
| Chapter1 Skill E-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| adorn (v): | to decorate; to add decorations to |
| medicine man (n): |
among certain peoples, a person believed to have magic powers often used for healing |
| recount (v): | to tell; to relate |
| spirit (n): | a ghost; a supernatural creature |
| craft (v): | to make |
| Chapter1 Skill F-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| indigenous (adj): | belonging to a particular area |
| location (n): | place; position |
| introduce (v): | to bring in |
| settle (v): | to establish a home in a new area |
| classify (v): | to put into a particular group or class |
| Chapter1 Skill F-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| triumph (n): | a win |
| likely to be (adj phrase): |
probably |
| embellish (v): | to make a story more interesting by adding facts and details that may not be true |
| largely (adv): | mostly; mainly |
| perish (v): | to die |
| Chapter1 Skill F-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| marginalized (adj): | lesser and unimportant |
| mainstream (adj): | popular |
| taboo (adj): | forbidden; not socially acceptable |
| colloquial (adj): | conversational; familiar |
| encrypted (adj): | coded |
| Skill Review 1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| nurture (v): | to nourish and tend to; to care for |
| component (n): | any of the parts that make up a machine |
| pore (n): | a small round opening in the surface of a living organism |
| vapor (n): | gas |
| condense (v): | to decrease the volume or size of a substance |
| cling (v): | to stick to |
| intercept (v): | to stop something going from one point to another |
| infiltrate (v): | to get through; to pass through |
| permeability (n): | the ability to allow liquids to pass through |
| dense (adj): | closely packed |
| saturated (adj): | wet; full of liquid |
| contamination (n): | pollution caused by unwanted substances |
| Skill Review 2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| expedition (n): | an organized journey with a purpose |
| respective (adj): | belonging to or relating to each person or thing mentioned |
| evolution (n): | the change in living organisms --- changing to suit the environments or surroundings |
| predator (n): | an animal that hunts or eats other animals |
| whaler (n): | a person or ship that hunts and kills whales |
| preservation (n): | a place that protects endangered and rare animals |
| safeguard (v): | to protect; to ensure the safety of |
| instance (n): | an example |
| hatch (v): | to break out of an egg |
| isolated (adj): | remote; standing alone or apart |
| Chapter2 Skill A-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| casualty (n): | a victim; a death |
| wave (n): | a spreading trend that involves many people |
| boost (v): | to make higher or greater |
| textiles (n): | fabrics, especially of the kinds used for clothes |
| pinpoint (v): | to locate or indicate exactly |
| blur (v): | to make unclear or difficult to see |
| momentum (n): | the driving force behind a course of events or an idea |
| combustion (n): | the process of burning |
| trigger (v): | to set off; to begin |
| turmoil (n): | a state of extreme confusion or disorder |
| agricultural (adj): | related to farming |
| come to light (v phrase): |
to come to public attention |
| catalyst (n): | something that triggers a process or an event |
| implement (v): | to use |
| fuel (v): | to support or stimulate |
| Chapter2 Skill A-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| digit (n): | a symbol used in a system of counting |
| comprise (v): | to make up; to compose |
| state (n): | a condition; a mode of being |
| voltage (n): | a measure of electrical force or difference between positive and negative charges |
| switch (n): | a device which turns a machine or electrical equipment on and off |
| enable (v): | to supply with a means; to make able |
| string (n): | a series of similar related things |
| express (v): | to communicate; to depict |
| transfer (v): | to send |
| browser (n): | a program that locates and displays sites or information on the Internet |
| lower case (n): | small letter; not capital |
| capacity (n): | the amount that can be contained |
| bear in mind (v phrase): |
to remember; to keep in mind |
| Chapter2 Skill A-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| adapt (v): | to change to fit a particular environment |
| structure (n): | the way something is set up to operate |
| exhibit (n): | a public showing |
| vantage point (n): | the place one looks from |
| technical (adj): | related to the use of science or a scientific method |
| attribute (v): | to relate to a particular source or cause |
| approach (n): | a method; a way of doing |
| contribution (n): | a benefit or useful thing that is added |
| distort (v): | to change from the natural or original state |
| manipulate (v): | to control |
| abstract (adj): | not of the physical world; not concrete |
| aspect (n): | a feature or element |
| founder (n): | a person who establishes an institution or organization |
| establishment (n): | the setting up; the founding |
| task force (n): | a group that is given the job to accomplish a certain job or solve a certain problem |
| Chapter2 Skill A-4 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| outcome (n): | a result |
| significantly (adv): | considerably; quite |
| mental (adj): | related to the mind |
| distinction (n): | a difference; a point of uniqueness |
| source (n): | the origin; the cause |
| exhibit (v): | to show |
| indefinable (adj): | not able to be defined or described |
| symptom (n): | a sign of an illness or problem |
| intense (adj): | very strong; extreme |
| onset (n): | the beginning; the first stage |
| disorder (n): | a problem that affects the mind or body |
| accompany (v): | to appear with; to be associated with |
| maintain (v): | to keep; to continue |
| Chapter2 Skill A-5 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| expand (v): | to increase; to widen |
| region (n): | an area |
| role (n): | a position; a function |
| gender (n): | either male or female |
| integration (n): | the act of placing or bringing into |
| alongside (prep): | beside; with |
| occupation (n): | a job; paid work |
| tradition (n): | thoughts or behaviors followed by a group of people generation after generation |
| participate (v): | to take part; to do together |
| manual labor (n): | work done with the hands |
| link (v): | to connect; to associate with |
| social security (n): | a government program that helps people who lose their jobs or who can’t work for some reason |
| maternity (adj): | related to the time that a woman is pregnant or the first months of motherhood |
| transmitted (adj): | passed; caused to spread |
| abortion (n): | the ending of a pregnancy before a baby is able to survive outside of the mother |
| Chapter2 Skill B-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| distinctive (adj): | characteristic; distinguishing |
| dwindle (v): | to decrease almost to zero |
| dramatic (adj): | surprising; startling |
| trace (v): | to follow clues to the source or cause |
| immigrant (n): | a person who moves to settle in a new country |
| encroachment (n): | the act of advancing beyond a border or limit |
| hatch (v): | to cause to produce eggs and young |
| migration (n): | a journey to seasonal feeding grounds |
| offspring (n): | young |
| network (n): | an interconnected group of people who are in communication with each other |
| via (prep): | by way of; by means of |
| monitor (v): | to watch in order to note changes in |
| conservationist (n): |
a person who works to save or conserve natural resources |
| breed (v): | to cause to reproduce |
| flock (n): | a group of birds |
| Chapter2 Skill B-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| intervention (n): | the act of coming between in order to control or help |
| popularize (v): | to make popular; to increase acceptance of |
| ensure (v): | to guarantee; to make certain |
| decentralized (adj): |
having power or control spread among several points |
| attain (v): | to get; to reach |
| drive (n): | a force that pushes or gives power to something |
| maximization (n): | the act of raising to the highest point or condition |
| maintain (v): | to say; to declare to be true |
| permissive (adj): | tolerant; allowing |
| tariff (n): | a fee or tax applied to certain goods or industries |
| wage (n): | the money paid to an employee |
| detrimental (adj): | causing damage or harm |
| contingent (adj): | dependent; conditional |
| urbanization (n): | the building of cities or urban areas |
| wreak havoc (v phrase): |
to damage; to disrupt |
| disproportionately (adv): |
to a disproportionate degree; too great or too small when compared to something else |
| Victorian Era (n phrase): |
a period in British history during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) |
| Chapter2 Skill B-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| emerge (v): | to come out of |
| expose (v): | to be introduced; to experience |
| innovative (adj): | new and progressive |
| community (n): | a social group formed of people with similar interests |
| confine (v): | to limit; to restrict in some place |
| release (v): | to set free |
| venue (n): | a designated place for a performance |
| gig (n): | a contractual job for a musician |
| mentor (n): | an elder or more knowledgeable person who train or teaches a novice |
| renowned (adj): | famous; well-known |
| intensity (n): | a powerful focus; a discernable energy |
| preeminent (adj): | best; most exemplary |
| interpretation (n): | an understanding; a personal take |
| convention (n): | a standard practice |
| improvisation (n): | an unpracticed or unplanned performance |
| cite (v): | to reference |
| volume (n): | a thick written work |
| Chapter2 Skill B-4 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| rehabilitate (v): | to restore to normal life through therapy and education |
| likelihood (n): | a probability |
| causal (adj): | relating to or involving a cause |
| predispose (v): | to make one inclined or susceptible to |
| credibility (n): | an amount of reliability; a level to which something can be believed |
| stratification (n): | a condition of being layered or arranged in levels |
| slum (n): | an area of poverty marked by substandard housing |
| yield (v): | to produce or give forth naturally |
| delinquency (n): | a failure to follow the law |
| spontaneously (adv): |
automatically; without a visible cause |
| differentiate (v): | to distinguish; to tell apart |
| engage (v): | to do; to participate |
| in conjunction with (prep phrase): |
together with; in connection with |
| incarcerate (v): | to put into prison |
| Chapter2 Skill B-5 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| medieval (adj): | of or relating to the Middle Ages (450-1450) |
| optics (n): | the science of lenses, prisms, mirrors, etc. |
| notion (n): | an idea |
| set (n): | the scenery constructed for a theatrical performance |
| govern (v): | to serve as a guiding or determining principle |
| canvas (n): | a piece of heavy fabric on which artists paint |
| converge (v): | to come together; to meet |
| linear (adj): | of or relating to a line |
| plane (n): | a flat or level surface |
| scale (n): | a proportion used in determining size or dimensions |
| depict (v): | to represent; to show |
| milestone (n): | a turning point; an important event |
| treatise (n): | a systematic, usually long written explanation on a subject |
| baptistery (n): | a part of a church where baptisms are done |
| Chapter2 Skill C-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| algae (n): | any of a type of primitive plant that grows underwater but lacks true stems, roots, and leaves |
| salinity (n): | a concentration of salt in a solution |
| immerse (v): | to put below the surface of water |
| buoy (v): | to keep afloat; to maintain or support near the surface of water |
| fresh water (n): | water that is not salty |
| buoyant (adj): | tending to float on water |
| afloat (adj): | in a floating position or condition |
| lie back (v phrase): | to recline; to get into a lying position |
| evaporate (v): | to change from a liquid to a gas |
| runoff (n): | rain water that is not absorbed by soil and flows to a lower area |
| thrive (v): | to grow vigorously; to flourish |
| teem (v): | to abound; to swarm |
| climatic (adj): | relating to climate |
| steady (adj): | fixed; unchanging |
| irrigate (v): | to water an area by means of ditches, pipes, or streams |
| suspended (adj): | supported or kept from sinking |
| homogenous (adj): | all of the same kind or nature |
| Chapter2 Skill C-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| interchangeably (adv): |
in a manner that can be changed or switched |
| stem (n): | a main, central support of a plant |
| woody (adj): | like wood |
| shrub (n): | a bush; a low, woody plant having several stems growing from a base but no single trunk |
| temperate (adj): | characterized by moderate temperatures |
| tropics (n): | the region on Earth lying between 23º north and 23º south of the equator |
| flavor (v): | to add taste to |
| pinch (n): | a small amount that can be held between a finger and the thumb |
| dish (n): | a food |
| remedy (n): | a medicine or therapy used to relieve pain or cure disease |
| medicinal (adj): | relating to medicine |
| sprout (v): | to begin to grow; to appear just above the soil |
| harvest (v): | to collect ripe grains or fruits |
| gauge (v): | to judge |
| flat (n): | a square container holding a dozen or more young plants in small pots or holders |
| seedling (n): | a young plant that is grown from a seed |
| bed (n): | a section of a garden where certain plants or flowers are grown |
| Chapter2 Skill C-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| gadget (n): | a device; a small machine |
| trigger (n): | a mechanism that activates something |
| inflated (adj): | unduly enlarged; raised beyond a reasonable level |
| trough (n): | the lowest part of a U curve |
| disillusionment (n): | disappointment; being freed from a false belief |
| enlightenment (n): | education that results in understanding |
| plateau (n): | a level period or state |
| publicized (adj): | made widely known |
| hype (v): | to promote through excessive publicity |
| scooter (n): | a child’s vehicle with two wheels and a tall upright handle |
| unveil (v): | to disclose; to reveal |
| blaze (n): | a big, bright fire |
| descend (v): | to go down |
| precursor (n): | a sign or an object that indicates or announces something to come |
| bulky (adj): | of a large, unmanageable size; difficult to hold or carry |
| pose (v): | to present; to put forth |
| Palm Pilot (n): | a trademark for a handheld digital organizer or personal digital assistant |
| Chapter2 Skill C-4 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| hand down (v phrase): |
to give or pass to a younger generation |
| orally (adv): | by means of voice |
| literary (adj): | related to literature |
| misfortune (n): | unfortunate trouble; bad luck |
| wrath (n): | punishment inflicted with anger |
| misery (n): | mental or emotional unhappiness |
| live up to (v phrase): |
to act in accordance with |
| sulk (v): | to show disappointment through silent, resentful protest |
| harass (v): | to annoy or trouble persistently |
| despair (n): | complete loss of hope |
| beggar (n): | a poor person who begs for money as a living |
| string (v): | to put string on an instrument or device |
| suitor (n): | a man who seeks to marry a woman |
| hail (v): | to acclaim |
| tribute (n): | a declaration of respect or admiration |
| puzzle (v): | to confuse; to baffle |
| Chapter2 Skill C-5 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| mere (adj): | only; just |
| conceive (v): | to think of first |
| dedicate (v): | to devote |
| obsessed (adj): | excessively preoccupied |
| will (n): | the power a person has to make deliberate choices about actions done or not done |
| inception (n): | the beginning or first stage |
| hold (v): | to assert; to affirm |
| assert (v): | to state positively; to affirm |
| gap (n): | a difference |
| emote (v): | to express emotions, especially when acting |
| gesture (v): | to motion with the body as a means of communication |
| contradictory (adj): | involving or being opposites, where both cannot be true at the same time |
| convey (v): | to communicate; to make known |
| emblematic (adj): | symbolic |
| Skill Review 1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| literal (adj): | conforming to the exact meaning of a word |
| intensify (v): | to make more intense |
| introverted (adj): | shy; tending to keep to oneself |
| peer (n): | an equal; a person of the same standing |
| evaluate (v): | to judge the value or quality of |
| cling (v): | to stay close to; to depend on emotionally |
| deepen (v): | to make stronger and more intense |
| reinforce (v): | to make stronger |
| initiative (n): | the desire to work; a plan of action |
| interact (v): | to communicate with |
| ultimate (adj): | last; of greatest strength or importance |
| Skill Review 2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| reverend (n): | a minister of a church |
| renown (n): | the quality of being widely admired |
| illuminating (adj): | creating clarity and understanding |
| sheltered (adj): | innocent; not exposed to different aspects of life |
| dynamics (n): | the way in which things work together |
| prudence (n): | the state of acting wisely and carefully, especially so as not to do anything immoral |
| protagonist (n): | the main, heroic character in a story |
| restraint (n): | the condition of being in control of emotions |
| melodramatically (adv): |
with excessive emotion |
| scrutiny (n): | a close, careful examination |
| incorporate (v): | to include |
| avid (adj): | enthusiastic; with strong interest |
| Chapter2 Skill D-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| biased (adj): | predisposed to favor one side; having an inclination to favor something |
| hinder (v): | to obstruct; to hamper or slow down |
| transience (n): | the condition of lasting for only a short period |
| methodology (n): | a system of methods or principles |
| phenomena (n): | some event or action perceived through the senses |
| encompass (v): | to include |
| evolution (n): | the process whereby organisms develop or change from generation to generation |
| celestial (adj): | belonging to or relating to the sky |
| nature (n): | essential characteristics |
| spectrum (n): | the band of colors visible to the eye |
| infrared (adj): | light with a wavelength beyond the red end of the visible spectrum |
| ultraviolet (adj): | light with a wavelength between violet (in the visible spectrum) and x-rays |
| gamma ray (n): | electromagnetic radiation of very high frequency |
| cosmic (adj): | relating to the universe |
| grasp (n): | understanding |
| Chapter2 Skill D-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| hieroglyphics (n): | a form of writing using pictures as symbols |
| circulation (n): | flow or movement |
| vital (energy) (adj): | life (energy) |
| blockage (n): | something which blocks or prevents something from passing |
| crevice (n): | a narrow opening |
| penetrate (v): | to get through; to find a way through |
| essence (n): | the basic or fundamental part of something |
| iceberg (n): | a huge mass of ice that floats in the sea |
| mechanism (n): | means; action |
| hormone (n): | chemicals made and released in the body by special glands |
| biochemical (adj): | relating to chemical compounds and reactions in the body |
| discredit (v): | to cause to be regarded with doubt and suspicion |
| Chapter2 Skill D-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| legendary (adj): | relating to a famous person or thing from the past |
| poet laureate (n): | an officially appointed poet commissioned to write for state occasions |
| acclaimed (adj): | praised; commended |
| reflect (v): | consider; think about |
| irony (adj): | humor that takes its effect from stating the opposite of what is meant |
| distinguish (v): | to mark or see as different |
| evoke (v): | to bring out |
| form (n): | type or variety |
| meditation (n): | a thought about a subject |
| infuse (v): | to fill with |
| ambiguity (n): | vague; having mixed or uncertain meanings |
| perilous (adj): | dangerous |
| paralleled (adj): | corresponding with; similar to |
| valedictorian (n): | student with the highest academic grade in class |
| figure (n): | individual; person |
| pivotal (adj): | crucially important |
| diverge (v): | to split; to go separate ways |
| Chapter2 Skill D-4 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| instrumental (adj): | being an important factor in or to something |
| ratification (n): | confirmation; a formal consent |
| spearhead (v): | to lead a movement or campaign |
| hurdle (n): | a problem; an obstacle |
| innate (adj): | of a natural gift or ability within a person; not learned |
| prestige (n): | fame; reputation |
| staunch (adj): | loyal; faithful |
| apparent (adj): | obvious |
| legislature (n): | the section of the government which has the power to make laws |
| veto (n): | the right to formally reject a proposal or to forbid an action |
| judiciary (n): | the branch of the government concerned with the legal system and the administration of justice |
| prophetic (adj): | foretelling the future |
| fortitude (n): | uncomplaining courage in the face of problems or adversity |
| Chapter2 Skill D-5 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| realism (n): | a realistic or lifelike representation in art or literature |
| inanimate (adj): | not living; inorganic |
| wart (n): | small hard growth found on the skin |
| objective (adj): | of an opinion or view that is not related to a personal beliefs or ideals |
| subjective (adj): | of an opinion or view related to personal beliefs or ideals |
| render (v): | to cause to become |
| bear in mind (v phrase): |
to remember; to keep in mind |
| wilderness (n): | a wild, uncultivated or uninhabited region |
| seemingly (adv): | apparently |
| dawn of time (n phase): |
the beginning of time |
| rugged (adj): | being rough and uneven |
| reverence (n): | great respect |
| Chapter2 Skill E-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| exclusive (adj): | involving the rejection or denial of something else |
| advent (n): | coming or arrival |
| legibility (n): | the ability to be read easily |
| dimension (n): | aspect |
| contemplate (v): | to think about; to consider |
| innovation (n): | something new which has been introduced |
| pre-requisite (n): | something that is needed beforehand |
| respectively (adv): | referring to each person or thing separately and in order |
| indispensable (adj): | necessary; essential |
| facilitate (v): | to help or assist someone |
| respite (n): | a break; a period of rest |
| implication (n): | an indirect indication |
| deterioration (n): | the process of becoming weaker, or less effective |
| Chapter2 Skill E-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| sustainable (adj): | being able to maintain a certain level |
| irrigate (v): | to supply land with water |
| depletion (n): | the reduction in number or amount of something |
| consumption (n): | the rate at which something is used |
| subsidize (v): | to provide financial support for |
| hazard (n): | risk or danger |
| impact (n): | an effect or influence |
| dwindling (adj): | lessening; decreasing |
| malnutrition (n): | the condition resulting from lack of food intake or an unbalanced diet |
| expend (v): | to use up |
| utilize (v): | to use |
| alleviate (v): | to make less severe; lessen |
| Chapter2 Skill E-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| span (v): | to extend to; to cover |
| diverse (adj): | varied; various |
| miscellany (n): | a mixture of various kinds |
| terrain (n): | a stretch of land, especially with reference to its physical characteristics |
| emissary (n): | a person sent on a mission, usually on behalf of the government |
| diplomatic (adj): | concerned with making agreements, usually between governments |
| inaugurate (v): | to mark the beginning of something |
| reign (n): | period of rule or control (by a king or leader) |
| implement (v): | to put into place; to carry out |
| flourish (v): | to prosper; succeed |
| disintegration (n): | to break up; to dissolve |
| encroachment (n): | intruding on another person’s territory |
| isolationism (n): | the policy of not joining with other countries in international political affairs |
| Chapter2 Skill E-4 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| solely (adv): | alone; without others |
| interpret (v): | to construe or take a certain meaning from something |
| oblivious (adj): | unaware of |
| emphasis (n): | a special importance; significance |
| pertain (to) (v): | to be related to; concerned with |
| diligent (adj): | doing things with care and concern |
| tuft (n): | a small bunch of grass |
| clipped (adj): | shortened |
| subterranean (adj): | underground |
| designate (v): | to choose or specify; to assign |
| blinders (n): | objects used to prevent full vision |
| aspire (v): | to have a desire to achieve |
| Chapter2 Skill E-5 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| intangible (adj): | not able to be felt or perceived by touch |
| egalitarianism (n): | the belief that all humans are equal and should enjoy the same rights |
| Taoism (n): | a Chinese philosophy that advocates a simple life with non-interference in the natural course of events |
| adaptation (n): | the process of changing to suit a particular need |
| intrinsically (adv): | inherently; belonging to something as part of its nature |
| at odds with (expression): | in opposition to |
| nudity (n): | the condition of being naked |
| cathartic (adj): | resulting in an emotional release |
| bereft of (adj): | deprived of something; having something taken away |
| determinant (n): | a factor or circumstance which determines an action or event |
| inevitably (adv): | unavoidably |
| Chapter2 Skill F-1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| delicate (adj): | easily damaged |
| disrupt (v): | to disturb or interrupt |
| retain (v): | to contain; to hold |
| tolerant (adj): | capable of enduring difficult conditions |
| deciduous (adj): | of trees or plants that shed their leaves at certain points during the year |
| canopy (n): | the top layer of a wood or forest consisting of the uppermost branches of trees |
| arctic (adj): | relating to the area around the North Pole |
| insulate (v): | to prevent the loss or passing of heat by covering with a certain material |
| fragile (adj): | easily broken; delicate |
| flora (n): | the wild plants in a particular region or time |
| fauna (n): | the animals associated with a particular region or time |
| repercussion (n): | a (usually indirect) result or consequence of an action |
| Chapter2 Skill F-2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| application (n): | a use or relevance |
| formidable (adj): | enormous; challenging |
| norms (n): | the characteristics which are considered normal for a society |
| scope (n): | range; extent |
| refrain (n): | a repeated phrase |
| predisposition (n): | the condition of being inclined to act in a certain way |
| unanimous (adj): | in complete agreement |
| deviance (n): | straying from the norm or accepted |
| inflict (v): | to impose upon or cause to suffer |
| devotion (n): | a great dedication or loyalty to; a great love for |
| uniformity (n): | the condition of being similar or unchanging |
| implication (n): | insinuation; being hinted or suggested indirectly |
| convent (n): | a community of nuns and the building they occupy |
| Chapter2 Skill F-3 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| imitation (n): | the act of copying or repeating something |
| magnitude (n): | quantity; extent; proportion |
| narrative (n): | an account (a telling) of an event or tale |
| paranoia (n): | a strong emotion characterized by the feelings of suspicion and distrust |
| stem from (v phrase): |
come from; have its origins in |
| condense (v): | to reduce in size |
| antagonist (n): | an opponent or enemy |
| tension (n): | strained relations or underlying hostility between people |
| resolution (n): | conclusion |
| organic (adj): | natural |
| predicament (n): | situation; dilemma |
| closure (n): | a sense of finality or completion |
| catastrophe (n): | a disaster |
| Chapter2 Skill F-4 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| plate (n): | a large, rigid section that is part of the Earth’s crust |
| continental (adj): | relating to one of the continents of the world |
| mantle (n): | the part of the Earth between the crust and the core |
| fuse (v): | to join as a result of heat being applied between the two parts |
| squash (v): | to crush by squeezing |
| cataclysmic (adj): | disastrous; involving great change |
| buckle (v): | to become bent as a result of pressure or heat |
| relentlessly (adv): | without sign of stopping; continuously |
| remote (adj): | isolated; far from anything |
| airstrip (n): | small field or piece of land where airplanes can take off and land |
| fallibility (n): | the condition of being likely to make mistakes or have an accident |
| ridge (n): | a long narrow raised area |
| Chapter2 Skill F-5 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| subdue (v): | to overpower and bring under control |
| intentionally (adv): | deliberately |
| relegate (v): | to move to a lower position or level |
| obscurity (n): | the condition of being unclear or not well known |
| ascendancy (n): | the condition of being in control or having power |
| patriarchal (adj): | relating to male leadership or male control |
| horrendous (adj): | horrible; terrible |
| soar (v): | to increase rapidly; to become higher |
| suffragette (n): | any of a group of women who campaigned for women’s rights |
| lobbying (n): | the process whereby attempts are made to influence elected representatives through personal contacts |
| Skill Review 1 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| appeal (n): | the pleasing quality of something that attracts people to it |
| durable (adj): | long lasting or tough |
| definition (n): | the degree of clearness and preciseness of a form |
| grainy (adj): | not sharp or distinct |
| textile (n): | any cloth or fabric made by weaving or knitting |
| vinyl (n): | a tough type of plastic |
| sag (v): | to hang loosely or bulge downward |
| dimensional (adj): | having a certain number of dimensions |
| intensity (n): | the condition of being concentrated or extreme |
| intimate (adj): | marked by close acquaintance or familiarity |
| dimmer switch (n): | a switch that can control the level and brightness of light |
| disperse (v): | to spread over a wide area |
| Skill Review 2 | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| supplement (v): | to add or make up a lack of |
| indigenous (adj): | native to a certain area |
| sap (n): | a liquid that circulates within a tree |
| adverse (adj): | unfavorable or negative |
| speculate (v): | to consider circumstances or possibilities without evidence or proof |
| drastic (adj): | terrible; extreme |
| concrete (adj): | specific; fixed or definite |
| in jeopardy (prep phrase): |
in danger of harm or loss |
| Practice Test | |
| Wordlist | Meaning |
| [Herbs and Drugs] | |
| synthetic (adj): | created artificially |
| dosage (n): | the optimum amount of medicine for a patient for a particular disease or problem |
| [William Shakespeare] | |
| epitaph (n): | an inscription on a gravestone |
| folio (n): | a book of a large size |
| [Pollination] | |
| proboscis (n): | a flexible, elongated part of certain inserts |
| anther(n): | the part of a plant in which the pollen sacs are contained |