Barron's 175 Words (Cram) Flashcards

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1
Q

bring about

phr. v.

A

to cause to happen; produce an effect

cause, lead to, result in

  • The creation of a national railroad system brought about big changes in the economy of the Midwest and west.
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2
Q

acute

adj.

A

adj. having the characteristics of being very serious or intense; reaching the point of crisis

critical, crucial, desperate

  • Natural disasters often produce acute needs for medicine, food and water.
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3
Q

apparent

adj.

A

easily seen or perceived; easily understood

clear–cut, evident, obvious

  • The apparent failure of dinosaurs to adjust to changes in the weather caused their extinction.
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4
Q

attribute

(noun)

A

an identifying characteristic or feature of something

aspect, trait, quality

One of Thomas Edison’s most famous attributes was his persistence.

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5
Q

dwelling

n.

A

a building where one resides

abode, home, lodging

  • The Hopi Indians carved their dwellings into large stone cliffs.
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6
Q

to encompass

A

to contain or include certain parts

consist of, contain, embody

  • The field of linguistics encompasses the areas of social, applied and theoretical language study.
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7
Q

every so often

adv. exp

A

referring to events that occur occasionally or at no specific time

every now and then, once in a while, now and again

sık sık

  • Every so often the Colima volcano in Mexico sends huge clouds of smoke into the air.
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8
Q

to contrast

A

to point out differences between two or more things or people by comparing the characteristics of each

balanced against, compared to, distinguished from

  • In the 1960s, suburban growth, contrasted with that of urban areas, showed a movement away from cities.
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9
Q

to get rid of

A

to discard, to cast aside, to reject

dispose of, throw away, discard

  • Medieval authorities generally got rid of the belief that the world was round.
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10
Q

indicative of

adj.

A

serving as proof or a symbol of something

evidence of, representative of, verification of

  • The students’s lab results were indicative of the high quality of their research methods and their creative problem–solving strategies.
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11
Q

to melt

A

to change from a solid state to a liquid state

liquefy,thaw

  • Water melts at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
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12
Q

heyday

n.

A

the high point of power, success or popularity

apex, pinnacle, zenith

The West experienced its nineteenth century economic heyday during the famous California gold rush of the 1840s.

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13
Q

to portray

A

to describe someone or something in a specific way

depict, render, represent

  • Some historians portray the development of the Internet as one of the most important scientific advancements of the twentieth century.
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14
Q

to put on the back burner

exp.

A

to postpone to a future time

defer, delay, suspend

  • Due to lack of funding, the transportation project was put on the back burner.
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15
Q

recover

v.

A

to rebuild or return to a previous condition or state

recoup, recuperate, regain

  • The economy recovered its strength after a long period of poor economic growth.
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16
Q

slender

adj.

A

the quality of being thin

slim, skinny

  • Snakes have long, slender bodies
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17
Q

staple

adj.

A

a principal ingredient or major element of something

chief, essential, prime

  • Corn, beans and squash were staple foods of the Hopi Indian diet.
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18
Q

to take on

A

to take the first steps in doing something

initiate, commence, undertake

  • Because of the doctor’s busy schedule, she is not sure if she should take on another research project.
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19
Q

user–friendly

adj.

A

referring to something that is easy to use, learn or operate

simple, uncomplicated

  • User–friendly computer programs are the most popular in today’s software marketplace.
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20
Q

to broaden

A

to increase a person’s knowledge, experience or interests

enlarge, expand, widen

  • The transcontinental railway system, completed in 1869, broadened the possibility for economic growth in all parts of the country.
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21
Q

to check out

A

to determine if something is correct or true; to examine carefully

examine, investigage, research

  • During a trip to Pery, archaeologist Johan Reinhard discovered a frozen female mummy while checking out what he thought was a mountain climber’s backpack.
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22
Q

adjacent to

prep.

A

very close to something; near or next to

adjoining, nearby, neighboring

  • Many home buyers prefer houses that are adjacent to park lands
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23
Q

to deny

A

to insist that something is not true; to not allow something to happen

rebuff, refute, reject

  1. Opponents of the “greenhouse effect” theory deny that human activity could cause a major change in the Earth’s climate.
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24
Q

dim

adj

A

not bright; lacking light; being weak

faint, soft, weak

  • The dim light of the setting sun gave a peaceful feeling to the evening.
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25
Q

easygoing

adj

A

not easily bothered; peaceful

carefree, relaxed, laid–back, tasasız

  • The engineer’s easygoing personality makes him an ideal team leader.
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26
Q

to factor in

A

to consider or include information used to make conclusions

add in, include, incorporate

  • The price of raw material and the costs of production and transportation are factored in to the store price of an item.
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27
Q

to gather

A

to collect or come together

assemble, congregate, meet

  • On August 28, 1963, more than 100,000 citizens gathered in Washington to demonstrate their support for civil rights.
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28
Q

life span

n.

A

the amount of time that a living thing is expected to live

lifetime, natural life

  • The average life span of people born in the twenty–first century is more than double that of people who were born in the nineteenth century.
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29
Q

minuscule

adj.

A

being of very small size

diminutive, minute, tiny

  • Camels require only minuscule amounts of water, with many living up to six months in cooler seasons without taking a drink.
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30
Q

radical

adj.

A

causing fundamental, basic change that results in something very different from the original thing or idea

complete, thorough, total

  • In general, human beings dislike radical changes.
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31
Q

to render

A

to cause something to change or develop in a certain way

cause to be, develop into, make

kılmak,hale getirmek

  • Pure ice is completely clear, but if air bubbles are present, they render it cloudy
    v2. to melt the fat of an animal as you cook it:
  • Steam the goose to render some of the fat.
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32
Q

to run into

A

to meet, sometimes unexpectedly

come across, encounter, meet

  • Scientists have run into many challenges in their efforts to produce an alternative to the gas–powered automobile motor.
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33
Q

sole

adj.

A

the only one of its kind

exclusive, lone, single

  • At his death in 1959, Walter Williams, who was 117 years old, was the sole survivor of the four million soldiers who fought in the US Civil War.
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34
Q

worthwhile

adj.

A

having value in doing sth or being of benefit

meaningful, useful, valuable,rewarding

  • While preparing for the TOEFL, it is worthwhile to work on building a large English vocabulary.
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35
Q

to stem from

A

to have its origins in; to develop from a specific condition or situation

arise form, develop from, originate from

  • Cancun, Mexico is a famous resort city whose popularity among tourists stems from its ideal climate and beautiful beaches.
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36
Q

to surpass

A

to exceed expectations; to become greater or better

better, exceed, go beyond

  • It is a goal of most teachers to develop students whose knowledge and skills will one day surpass their own abilities.
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37
Q

to take up

A

to start a new activity or project

embark on*,engage in, start

  • Health experts often suggest taking up activities that reduce stress and improve physical condition.
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38
Q

stamina

n.

A

mental or physical strength spent over a long period of time

endurance, resistance, staying power

  • Among the important goals of long–distance runners are those of developing both mental and physical stamina.
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39
Q

to take after

A

to look or behave like someone else

be similar to, look like, resemble

  • The popularity of gorilla exhibits at zoos is due to the fact that their behavior so closely takes after that of human beings
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40
Q

outspoken

adj.

A

expressing honest opinions directly despite the negative effects they may have on other people

blunt*, candid*, forthright*

  • African–American journalist William Monroe Trotter was an outspoken supporter of civil rights in the early twentieth century.
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41
Q

to procure

A

to obtain something usually something hard to find

acquire, attain, obtain

  • A strong password, which cannot be procured by others, should be used to protect important computer files
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42
Q

recognition

n.

A

praise or appreciation of a person’s work or achievements

acknowledgment, credit, gratitude*

  • Vicent van Gogh’s paintings did not receive the recognition that they deserved until well after his death.
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43
Q

to nourish

A

to give the food or encouragement necessary to grow

to encourage, nurture, support

  • Governments tend to nourish a feeling of national identity, but people more often identify with their region than with their country.
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44
Q

to foster

A

to encourage the development of an idea or policy

** advance, promote, further**

  • Respect for the law fosters peace and security in a society.
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45
Q

inasmuch as

conj.

A

in a limited way something is true

because of the fact that, insofar as, since

  • Thomas Edison was persistent, inasmuch as he conducted more than one thousand experiments to create the electric lightbulb until he was successful.
    2. used to explain the way in which, what you are saying is true
  • Ann is guilty, inasmuch as she knew what the others were planning
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46
Q

due to

exp.

A

as a result of

a consequence of, because of, an account of

  • New York City’s success as a center of world commerce and finance is due to its perfect location on the east coast.
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47
Q

to enhance

A

to increase in value or strength

develop, enrich, improve

  • The young teacher’s pleasant personality enhanced her ability to manage her classes.
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48
Q

conspicuous

adj.

A

easy to observe because it is different or unusual

evident, obvious, noticeable

  • The conspicuous absence of rainfall caused farmers to worry about their crops.
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49
Q

to diminish

A

to make less important or smaller

decrease, lessen, reduce

  • New methods of communication will probably diminish the need to use communication devices such as the telephone.
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50
Q

bold

adj.

A

showing courage or lack of fear

courageous, gallant*, valiant

  • The bold leadership style of the president changed the mood of the county’s people.
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51
Q

to attach importance to

A

to believe that something is important or deserves attention

attribute, ascribe*, confer**

  • At first, the residents of Pompei did not attach much importance to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius
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52
Q

beneath

prep.

A

under

below, under, underneath

  • Modern submarines can remain beneath the ocean’s surface for months at a time.
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53
Q

to collaborate (in)

A

to work together to achieve a certain goal or objective

join forces, pool resources, work together

  • Since 1990, large numbers of scientists have collaborated in the recording of the human genome.\n\nRelated:
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54
Q

to aim

A

the act of setting a mission, goal or objective

endeavor, goal, intention

  • One aim of public health care organizations is to offer education programs to the public.
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55
Q

to ascertain

A

to discover through an investigation; to find out something

determine, establish, verify

  • Before the Hublle space telescope was sent into space on April 24, 1990, scientists could not ascertain if black holes actually existed.
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56
Q

decay

n.

A

been destroyed by natural processes; become less important

atrophy, decomposition, deterioration

  • It is a well–known fact that foods high in sugar can cause tooth decay.
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57
Q

to devise

A

to make a plan designed to achieve a goal or serve a purpose

develop, formulate, plan

  • Data from the Mesopotamia civilization show that people had already devised mathematical rules by the year 3100 B.C.\
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58
Q

to exert

A

to make a strong effort to influence; to cause to happen

apply, exercise, put forth

  • Newspapers and magazines exert a lot of influence on a person’s views of world events.
  • the moon exerts a force on the Earth
  • he needs to exert himself to try to find an answer
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59
Q

shift

n.

A

changes in the way people think or do things

alteration, change, modification

  • Recently, there has been a shift away from hard–wired telephone systems to wireless cellular telephones.
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60
Q

outburst

n.

A

a sudden and powerful action or expression of emotion

eruption, explosion, outbreak

  • Security removed the man whose outbursts of disapproval disturbed the meeting.
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61
Q

to pinpoint

A

to find the precise location of something

identify, isolate, locate

  • The newest Doppler radar systems can pinpoint the location of bad weather.
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62
Q

provided that

exp.

A

if one event is to happen, then another must also happen

only if, on condition that, providing

  • Teachers may work in any state provided that they meet the license requirements set by that state.
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63
Q

nevertheless

adv.

A

despite what has been mentioned or what has occurred

all the same, nonetheless, on the other hand

  • Nursing schools have waiting lists. Nevertheless, a shortage of health care workers is predicted through the year 2020.
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64
Q

to fond of

A

to like very much

attached to, like, partial to

  • Americans are especially fond of three sports: baseball, football and basketball.
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65
Q

to harvest

A

to collect or gather, especially a crop or seafood

collect, gather, reap

  • The blue crap is harvested from the Chesapeake Bay from early spring to late fall.
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66
Q

in the event

exp.

A

what someone should do in case a specific unexpected event occurs

in case

  • In the event of rain, the game will be postponed.
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67
Q

to uphold

A

to defend or support law, principle or policy

defend, support, sustain

  • The Supreme Court either upholds or rejects lower court decisions.
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68
Q

whereas

(adv)

A

although something is not true of one thing, it is true of another

but, on the other hand, while

Most liquids contract when frozen, whereas water expands.

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69
Q

stable

(adj)

A

not likely to change; steady

constant, firm, steady

  • The stable economic growth of the 1990s created thousands of new jobs across the country
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70
Q

succinct

(adj)

A

clearly explained with a small number of words7

brief, concise, to the point

  • The professor gave a succinct explanation of the Aztec civilization’s influence on Mexican Spanish vocabulary
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71
Q

symbolic

(adj)

A

representing something else by an association

illustrative, representative

  • A county’s national flag is symbolic of its culture and people
72
Q

thanks to

(exp)

A

because of

as a result of, due to, on account of

  • Thanks to increased spending in drug research, many new medicines and treatments have been developed.\
73
Q

to unravel

A

to separate the parts from a whole to make something clear

resolve, solve, sort out

  • Scientists have just begun to unravel the mysteries of the human body.
74
Q

to vanish

A

to disappear

** fade away, perish**

  • Experts cannot agree on why some ships vanish while passing through the Bermuda Triangle
75
Q

source

A

the place from which something comes

origin, fount*, root

  • Close, positive family relationships are an important source of happiness in life.
76
Q

struggle

n.

A

an arduous* fight or effort

battle, effort, labor

  • The Boston Tea Party was a key event in the USA’ struggle for independence from England.
77
Q

proficient

(adj)

A

thoroughly skilled in doing an activity

capable, competent, skillful

  • Language experts believe that learning a third language is easier after becoming proficient in a second language
78
Q

scattered

(adj)

A

spread out over a large area; not found in all places

dotted, spread out

  • Areas of scattered showers usually arrive long before a hurricane reaches land.
79
Q

haphazard

(adj)

A

done with little or no thought or attention

arbitrarily, carelessly, randomly

  • Some cities grow haphazardly because of improper planning
80
Q

to long for

(exp)

A

to want something very much

to crave*, desire, yearn for

  • During the economic depression of the 1930s, many people longed for a return to the successful years of the 1920s.
81
Q

moist

(adj)

A

adj. a little wet

damp, humid, wet

  • The fern is a plant that typically grows best under shady, moist conditions.
82
Q

to emerge

A

to come from somewhere or someone

appear, become known, materialize

  • The sport of soccer emerged from England during the 1830s.
83
Q

to exceed

A

to be greater than an expected number or amount

go above, go beyond, surpass*

  • The number of professors at the meeting exceeded everyone’s expectations.
84
Q

firsthand

(adj)

A

directly from the original source

direct, personal

  • Although knowledge of facts and procedures is very important, there is no substitute for firsthand experience.
85
Q

to advocate

A

to support or defend a certain way of doing something

promote, support, to back

  • Automobile safety groups have advocated seat belt use so successfully that now almost every state has a seat belt law.
86
Q

barely

(adv)

A

almost not existing or happening

hardly, just, scarcely

  • Most people who went looking for gold in California during the 1840s found barely enough to meet their living expenses.
87
Q

to conceal

A

to prevent from being known or seen

cover–up, hide, mask

  • The insects known as Walking Sticks use their similarity to tree branches to conceal themselves from predators.
88
Q

to be prone to

A

having a natural tendency or likelihood to do something

have a tendency to, be inclined to, likely to

  • Many people _are prone to _misunderstand the difficulty of learning a second language.
89
Q

cohesive

(adj)

A

closely joined; being together in harmony

consistent, unified, united

  • Team sports require cohesive groups of people who are willing to work together to reach a common goal.
90
Q

confidence

n.

A

the act of having faith in a person’s ability to do something

belief, faith, trust

  • Athletes must have confidence in their ability to reach their training goals.
91
Q

against one’s will

(exp)

A

been forced to do something that you do not want to do

forced, involuntarily, unwillingly

  • The early colonists paid taxes to England against their will.
92
Q

ascent

n.

A

the act of going up or rising

ascension, climb, rise

  • Davy Crockett’s popularity made a fast ascent due to his successes as a war hero and politician for the common citizen.
93
Q

to encounter

A

to meet something or someone unexpectedly

come across, find, meet

bump into

  • When Christopher Columbus encountered native Americans, he believed that he was in India and that the natives were Indian.
94
Q

to exclude

A

to keep out or leave out; to omit

eliminate, keep out, shut out

  • All bacteria must be excluded from the operating rooms of hospitals to reduce the possibility of infection
95
Q

to flourish

A

to grow in a healthy way; to be active and vigorous

burgeon, prosper, thrive

  • Hong Kong is an international center of business and finance where free trade flourishes
96
Q

device

n.

A

a machine or tool

apparatus, implement, instrument

  • Guglielmo Marconi invented a device known as a spark transmitter, which led to the invention of modern radio communication
97
Q

mixed bag

(exp)

A

a variety

assortment, combination, variety

  • Encyclopedias provide a mixed bag of information on a variety of subjects.
98
Q

on the spot

(exp)

A

being at the right place at the exact moment of need

at once, immediately, instantly

  • When an emergency situation arises on US highways, help usually arrives on the spot within a short time.
99
Q

to overlook

A

to notice or see, but to pretend not to see

ignore, excuse, forgive

  • Many managers overlook the mistakes of younger, less experienced employees.
100
Q

harsh

(adj)

A

causing excessive pain or suffering; being extremely difficult to deal with

difficult, severe

  • Researches have studied the effects of harsh climatic conditions and high altitudes on the human body.
101
Q

interference

n.

A

an act of involvement, usually unwanted

obstruction, obstacle

  • Solar activity sometimes causes interference in radio communications.
102
Q

soaring

(adj)

A

rising very quickly

elevated, high, lofty

  • During periods of rising costs, salaries seldom keep up with soaring prices for life’s necessities.
103
Q

prominent

(adj)

A

very visible or noticeable; standing out from others

eye–catching, famous, well–known

  • The North Star, Polaris, is one of the most prominent stars in the northern sky.
104
Q

realm

n.

A

a world or area of activity

dominion, empire, world

  • Ants can carry up to fifty times their weight, making them the superstar weightlifters of their realm.
105
Q

to subscribe to

(exp)

A

to agree with a principle or idea

accept, agree with, join

  • The writers of the Declaration of Independence subscribed to the idea that all people are created equal.
106
Q

swift

(adj)

A

fast

fast, rapid, quick

  • Jet airplanes provide a means of swift, efficient travel over long distances.
107
Q

threatening

(adj)

A

having the characteristic of possibly causing destruction or damage

foreboding, frightening, ominous

  • Threatening clouds and lightning are factors that require the postponement of field sporting events.
108
Q

to think little of

(exp)

A

to give almost no credit or respect to an idea or person

fail to appreciate, undervalue, underrate

  • Most people living in the 1800s thought little of the idea that humans might someday create a flying machine.
109
Q

turmoil

n.

A

a situation where there is much trouble, conflict, or worry

chaos, confusion, disorder

  • The end of slavery in 1860s brought about much turmoil in the economy of the southern states.
110
Q

vast

(adj)

A

extremely large

enormous, gigantic, huge

  • Mount Saint Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, creating a vast cloud of ashes that covered a large part of the USA.
111
Q

to subject to

(exp)

A

to be most probably affected by something else

conditional on, dependent on

  • Farming is always subject to the influence of weather conditions during the growing season.
112
Q

to float

A

to discuss an idea among a group of people to get their reactions to the idea

propose, suggest, promote

  • Lawmakers floated the idea of the tax increase among their colleagues to get their opinions on the matter.
113
Q

hardship

n.

A

something that makes a person’s life difficult, such as health problem or lack of money

adversity, difficulty, suffering

  • The United States’ social security system is designed to reduce the financial hardships of citizens during their retirement years.
114
Q

minute

(adj)

A

extremely small or unimportant

insignificant, minuscule, tiny

  • A minute amount of poison from the Fierce Snake of Australia is enough to kill more than fifty adult humans.
115
Q

to distinguish

A

to notice the difference between two similar things or people

discern, identify, recognize

  • It is difficult for some people to distinguish the colors red, blue and green.
116
Q

to empower

A

to give someone the authority or the right to do something

allow, authorize, sanction

  • Modern computers have empowered people to organize their lives and discover new ways to solve problems.
117
Q

to excel (+in)

A

to do something very well; to do something much better than most people

  • In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prizes are awarded to professionals who excel in economics, literature, chemistry, physics and medicine.
118
Q

courageous

(adj)

A

showing no fear; not afraid

brave, bold, daring

  • Scientist Charles Darwin is known for the courageous theory on the evolution of human beings.
119
Q

crude

(adj)

A

not refined, advanced or very well developed

basic, rough, simple

  • The first cotton gin, which was a crude machine used to separate cotton from its seeds, was invented by Ely Whitney in 1793.
120
Q

to barter

A

to exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using money

** bargain, swap, trade**

  • Before the invention of paper money by the Chinese in the eighth century, people bartered to get what they needed.
121
Q

to afford

A

to be able to give or provide

allow, give, offer

  • Modern day vaccines afford protection from diseases that just thirty years ago caused many people to suffer
122
Q

to arrange

A

to put a group of people or things in a special order or position

coordinate, organize, set up

  • The Dewey Decimal System arranges library books by dividing all knowledge into ten areas, each with its own specific identifying number.
123
Q

strain

n.

A

a difficultly that is caused by too much stress or excessive demands

burden, pressure, stress

  • Many airports are not prepared to handle the strain of increased passenger traffic.
124
Q

surplus

n.

A

having more of something than is required or needed

excess, extra, spare

  • The school system’s budget surplus was used to increase teacher salaries.
125
Q

to take advantage of

(exp)

A

a situation or condition that benefits you

exploit, profit from, make the most of

  • It is necessary for a country to have an educated work force in order to take advantage of modern technology.
126
Q

to undertake

A

to begin a project or a job for which you are responsible

assume, commence, start

  • The automobile industry has undertaken studies to find out if hydrogen powered cars can be built and sold at a profit.
127
Q

to yield

A

to produce something

to bear, furnish, generate

  • A typical beehive can yield up to fifty–five pounds of honey every year.
128
Q

to be prized for

(exp)

A

used to refer to the characteristics of something that make it important and valuable

recognized, valued, well–known

  • A diamond is prized for its brilliance, clarity and color.
129
Q

rampant

(adj)

A

out of control; affecting a large area

uncontrolled, unchecked, widespread

  • Rampant price increases cause economic hardships.
130
Q

to rescue

A

to save from danger

** liberate, set free**

  • The rescue of the crew of the Apollo 13 moon mission was one of the most dramatic in the history of the space program.
131
Q

to saturate with

A

to make something wet; to be completely full of something

** douse, drench, soak**

  • Dew occurs when warm air, which is fully saturated with water, cools, leaving drops of water on grassy areas.
132
Q

somewhat

(adv)

A

a little; just slightly

a bit, to some extent

  • The rules of many card games differ somewhat from country to country.
133
Q

to halt

A

to stop

discontinue, finish, freeze

  • Jonas Salk developed the first vaccine against poliomyelitis, which halted the spread of the serious disease in 1950s.
134
Q

inhabitant

n.

A

a person who lives in a specific area

dweller, occupant, resident

  • Among the most important early inhabitants of western Alaska were the Eskimo.
135
Q

to linger

A

to remain in a place longer than usual

hang back, remain, stay behind

  • Even in the summer, snow frequently lingers on the tops of Hawaii’s highest mountains.
136
Q

misgiving about

n.

A

a feeling of uncertainty or fear that something will not happen as planned or expected

doubt, hesitation, worry

  • As Vice President under Ronald Reagan, George Bush did not discuss his misgivings about the President’s economic plan.
137
Q

cosmetic

(adj)

A

something done very quickly, with little attention to quality or detail

baştansağma,hasty, rapid, superficial

  • Many home owners make cosmetic repairs to their homes before selling them.
  • Many MPs denounced the resolution as a cosmetic exercise
  1. intended to make your hair, skin, body etc look more attractive
  • the cosmetic industry
  • cosmetic products
  • Are you on the diet for health or cosmetic reasons?
138
Q

feasible

adj.

A

likely to happen; possible and probable

realistic, reasonable, viable

  • The use of rubber wheels was not feasible until 1839, when Charles Goodyear invented a process that made rubber stronger.
139
Q

boost

n.

A

something that causes growth or improvement

enhance, improve, increase

  • The landing of a manned spacecraft on the moon in 1969 gave a boost to the United States space program during the 1970s.
140
Q

burst

n.

A

an unexpected short period of intense or increased

related: eruption, spurt, surge

  • Dolphins can swim at speeds of up to thirty miles per hour, with occasional bursts of up to forty miles per hour.
141
Q

chore

n.

A

an activity that is performed regularly especially around the house

duty, job, task

  • Before Florence Nightingale improved the image of nursing, the jobs of nurses were considered simple chores for women with little or no education.
142
Q

blend

n.

A

a mixture

assortment, combination, mixture

  • The population of the USA is a blend of people, language and cultures from all over the world.
143
Q

to cease

A

to stop

to conclude, end, finish

  • Many scientists agree that the destruction of tropical rain forests must cease in order to protect the earth’s most important producers of oxygen.
144
Q

to come across

(exp)

A

to find, usually unintentionally

come upon, encounter, fall upon

  • While exploring the Grand Canyon National Park, tourists come across one astounding view after another.
145
Q

acclaim

n.

A

something that deserves praise for its high quality or standing

applause, approval, commendation

  • Albert Einstein received international acclaim after his theory of relativity was accepted by the Royal Society of London in 1919.
146
Q

astounding

(adj)

A

very surprising; unbelievable

amazing, astonishing, surprising

  • The amount of water flowing over Niagara Falls is an astounding 600,000 gallons of water per second.
147
Q

deliberately

(adv)

A

done on purpose; done with a prior plan

by design, intentionally, purposely

  • By using genetic engineering, genes can be deliberately changed to produce new types of fruits and vegetables.
148
Q

diligent

(adj)

A

hard–working; paying attention to details

conscientious, meticulous, thorough

  • Bertrand Russell was a diligent mathematician and philosopher.
149
Q

drawback

n.

A

a disadvantage

downside, problem, shortcoming

  • One drawback of electric–powered cars is their short battery life.
150
Q

to engage in

A

to participate in an activity

take part in, undertake

  • To be well prepared for college, a student should not earn good grades but also engage in after–school activities.
151
Q

to map

A

to produce a plan, usually involving many steps

to chart, plot

  • In order for students to be successful in their studies, they should map out strategies that will lead them to academic success
152
Q

noticeably

(adj)

A

something that is easily seen or understood

clearly, evidently, visibly

  • After summer thunderstorms, the air temperature is noticeably cooler.
153
Q

forefront of

n.

A

something in the first or highest position

front, head, vanguard

  • Japanese auto makers are in the forefront of developing cars that operate on both gas and electricity.
154
Q

hence

(adv)

A

as a result; therefore

consequently, thus

  • The flowers and leaves of a plant found in Eurasia produce a spray that can be burned; hence the names “gas plant” and “burning bush” were given to the plant
155
Q

to reveal

A

to show; to make something known to others

isclose, expose, make public, ?

  • fall approaches and trees stop producing chlorophyll, their leaves _reveal their true col_ors: yellow, orange, purple and gold.
156
Q

to set off

A

to cause a series of actions to start

to begin, cause, trigger

  • The government’s tax cut set off strong consumer spending, hence improving the nation’s economy.
157
Q

shortage of

n.

A

something that is not found in sufficient quantities; a lack

deficiency, dearth, scarcity

In many areas of the world there is a shortage of clean drinking water.

158
Q

outcome of

n.

A

the result of an action or activity

consequence, effect, end result

  • One of the outcomes of the United States Civil War was the end to slavery.
159
Q

to recall

A

to remember; to bear in mind

call to mind, recollect, remind

  • People who suffer from amnesia cannot recall events of the past.
160
Q

tangible

(adj)

A

something that is real; can be sensed

actual, concrete, substantial

  • The tangible results of a daily exercise program are increased energy, more flexibility and improved strength.
161
Q

to urge

A

to strongly encourage someone to follow a suggestion or advice

compel, drive, push

  • The professor urged his students not to wait until the last minute to complete their laboratory work.
162
Q

wholesome

(adj)

A

something that is healthy or good for someone (conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.)

clean, decent, moral

  • A wholesome lifestyle improves a person’s quality of life in his or her latter years.,
  • the food is plentiful and very wholesome
163
Q

ample

(adj)

A

having more than enough of something; sufficient

abundant, plentiful, substantial

  • Because farming families of the early 1900s were large, their houses had to have ample living space for all family members.
164
Q

to apply in

A

something that is important to or appropriate for a situation

be relevant, pertain to, relate to

  • English rules of grammar cannot be applied in all cases due to the fact that there are many exceptions to the rules.
165
Q

discreetly

(adv)

A

something done in a quiet, private way with great skill

cautiously,prudently, tactfully

  • When a manager must tell an employee that his job has been eliminated, the situation must be handled discreetly.
166
Q

to eager

A

to be excited about doing something

enthusiastic, ready, willing

  • Harriet Tubman, founder of Underground Railroad, was eager to help slaves escape from their owners and lead them to freedom
167
Q

landmark

(adj)

A

an important change, discovery, or event

breakthrough, innovative, milestone

  • The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence was a landmark historical event.
168
Q

to grasp

A

to come to an understanding

comprehend, follow

  • It is very difficult to grasp the enormous size of the galaxy.
169
Q

to hinder

A

to block or interfere with a process

hamper, interfere, obstruct

  • The unplanned growth of cities often hinders the development of public roads and transportation systems.
170
Q

to put up with

(exp)

A

to tolerate; to accept a bad situation without complaining

to bear, endure, suffer

  • Immigrants must often put up with difficult adjustments to life in their new land.
171
Q

ominous

(adj)

A

being of the feeling that something bad is going to happen

foreboding, menacing, threatening

  • One of the ominous signs that a forest is under attack by an insect is the appearance of large groups of dead trees.
172
Q

to turn into

A

to become; to turn out to be

to convert into, develop into, grow to be

  • After a butterfly pupa breaks out of its cocoon, it turns into a beautiful butterfly.
173
Q

to withstand

A

to successfully endure a condition; to accept

survive, tolerate

  • Modern jet engines, which can withstand long periods of operation, make trans–Pacific air travel possible.
174
Q

stature

n.

A

a certain high standing among other people or things

prominence, rank, status

  • John Steinbeck earned stature as a great American author for his ability to describe the real lives of ordinary people of the early 1900s.
175
Q

to take to

A

to like something or someone, usually right away

become fond of, enjoy, take pleasure in

  • Although life was difficult for the early settlers of the West, they quickly took to their homeland and its lifestyle.