GMAT Natural Science Vocab

Question 1

preclude (v) /prɪˈkluːd/

Answer 1

preclude (v) /prɪˈkluːd/

to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing something

Example:

• His contract precludes him from discussing his work with anyone outside the company.
• The fact that your application was not successful this time does not preclude the possibility of you applying again next time.

Question 2

carpenter (n) /ˈkɑː.pɪn.tər/

Answer 2

a person whose job is making and repairing wooden objects and structures

Example:
- A self-employed boat repairer and carpenter, he had difficulty getting a mortgage.

Question 3

impenetrable (adj) /ɪmˈpen.ɪ.trə.bəl/

Answer 3

impossible to see through or go through:

Example:

• Outside, the fog was thick and impenetrable.
• an impenetrable barrier

Question 4

variation (n) /ˌveə.riˈeɪ.ʃən/

Answer 4

a change in amount or level

Example:

• Unemployment rates among white-collar workers show much less regional variation than corresponding rates among blue-collar workers.
• The medical tests showed some variation in the baby’s heart rate.
• global temperature variations over the last 140 years

Question 5

outermost (adj) /ˈaʊ.tə.məʊst/

Answer 5

at the greatest distance from the centre

Example:

• These spacecraft may send back data about the outermost reaches of the solar system.

Question 6

tunnel (v) /ˈtʌn.əl/

Answer 6

to dig a tunnel

Example:

• The decision has not yet been made whether to tunnel under the river or build a bridge over it.
• The alternative is to tunnel a route through the mountain.
• He was trapped in a collapsed building but managed to tunnel his way out.

Question 7

analogous (adj) /əˈnæl.ə.ɡəs/

Answer 7

having similar features to another thing and therefore able to be compared with it

Example:

• The experience of mystic trance is in a sense analogous to sleep or drunkenness.
• The emergency vehicle for the International Space Station is analogous to a lifeboat.

Question 8

encompass (v) /ɪnˈkʌm.pəs/

Answer 8

to include different types of things

Example:

• The festival is to encompass everything from music, theatre, and ballet to literature, cinema, and the visual arts.

Question 9

asteroid (n) /ˈæs.tər.ɔɪd/

Answer 9

one of many large rocks that circle the sun

Question 10

apprenticeship (n) /əˈpren.tɪs.ʃɪp/

Answer 10

a period of time working as an apprentice

Example:

• My father believed that if I got an apprenticeship to a proper trade I’d be financially secure for life.

Question 11

whirl (v) /wɝːl/

Answer 11

to (cause something to) turn around in circles

Example:

• She saw a mass of bodies whirling around on the dance floor.
• He stepped out into the night and the whirling snow.
• He whirled her around until she felt quite sick.

Question 12

crater (n) /ˈkreɪ.tər/

Answer 12

the round hole at the top of a volcano, or a hole in the ground similar to this

Example:

• a bomb crater
• With a good telescope, you can see craters on the moon.

Question 13

bout (n) /baʊt/

Answer 13

a short period of illness or involvement in an activity

Example:

• UK a bout of flu
• US a bout with the flu
• He suffered from periodic bouts of insanity.
  a drinking bout (= short period of drinking a lot of alcohol)

Question 14

subatomic (adj) /ˌsʌb·əˈtɑm·ɪk/

Answer 14

smaller than or within an atom

Example:

Yet subatomic particles perform the equivalent feat.

Question 15

hiss (v) /hɪs/

Answer 15

to make a noise like a long “s” sound:

Ex:

• Why do snakes hiss?
• The iron was hissing and spluttering.

Question 16

hognose snake (n)

Answer 16

Hognose snake is a common name for several colubrid snake species with upturned snouts.