IELTS Vocab - U1 TO U3 Flashcards
ca thin string or strip of leather used to fasten shoes
(noun)
My … came undone/untied.
shoelace
/ˈʃuː.leɪs/
the character who tells you what is happening in a book or film
(noun, C2)
Michael Caine is the … in the documentary film.
narrator
/ˈner.eɪ.t̬ɚ/
A … of something is the same thing written or spoken using different words, often in a simpler and shorter form that makes the original meaning clearer
(noun)
I am sure that he will tell me if my … is inaccurate.
paraphrase
/ˈper.ə.freɪz/
relating to mathematics
(adjective, B2)
a … formula
a … equation/problem/calculation
a … genius (= a person who is exceptionally good at mathematics)
They claim 65% of people agree and 45% disagree - a … impossibility.
mathematical
/ˌmæθˈmæt̬.ɪ.kəl/
similar to each other
(adjective, B1)
The children all look very … .
alike
/əˈlaɪk/
If a group of people are …, they all help and support each other
(adjective)
a … family/community
close-knit
/ˌkloʊsˈnɪt/
the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed
(noun, B2)
You have to have a lot of … when you’re dealing with kids.
In the end I lost my … and shouted at her.
He’s a good teacher, but he doesn’t have much … with the slower pupils.
Making small-scale models takes/requires a great deal of … .
Their youngest son was beginning to try my … (= annoy me).
… - they’ll be here soon!
patience
/ˈpeɪ.ʃəns/
the part of your character that affects your moods and the way you behave
(noun)
[ C ] Their … are very different.
[ U ] Trudy has the nicest … of all our dogs.
temperament
/ˈtem.prə.mənt/
except
The form cannot be signed by anyone … … you.
other than
a state of total confusion with no order
(noun, B2)
Snow and ice have caused … on the roads.
Ever since our secretary walked out, the office has been in a state of total/utter … .
We muddled up the name labels and … ensued (= resulted).
chaos
/ˈkeɪ.ɑːs/
in a state of chaos
(adjective, C1)
The house is a bit … at the moment - we’ve got all these extra people staying and we’re still decorating.
He’s a … sort of a person - always trying to do twenty things at once.
chaotic
/keɪˈɑː.t̬ɪk/
the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn about it
(noun, C2)
All his … told him to stay near the car and wait for help.
[ + to infinitive ] Her first … was to run.
It is … that tells the birds when to begin their migration.
(figurative) Bob seems to have an … for (= is naturally good at) knowing which products will sell.
instinct
/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/
A … person is determined to do what he or she wants and refuses to do anything else
(adjective, B2)
They have huge arguments because they’re both so … .
stubborn
/ˈstʌb.ɚn/
to be born with the same physical or mental characteristics as one of your parents or grandparents
(verb, C2)
Rosie … her red hair from her mother.
inherit
/ɪnˈher.ɪt/
behaving or feeling in the way that a mother does towards her child, especially in a kind, loving way
… also means related by way of the mother
(adjective)
… instincts
She is very … towards her employees.
Her … grandmother (= mother’s mother) is still alive.
maternal
/məˈtɝː.nəl/
coming from or relating to someone’s father or his side of the family
typical of or like a father, especially a kind father
(adjective)
He’s very … with the baby.
… authority
My … grandparents (= my father’s parents) were Irish.
A general mixing of maternal and … genes occurs at conception.
paternal
/pəˈtɝː.nəl/
your closest relations, such as your parents, children, husband, or wife
He was the first member of … … … to attend university.
your immediate family
a party or a meeting when many people come together as a group
(noun,C1)
There will be a … of world leaders in Vienna next month.
a social … (= when people meet for pleasure not work)
gathering
/ˈɡæð.ɚ.ɪŋ/
If something is … … something else, it changes according to the speed or level of the other thing
If something is … … a particular subject, it is connected with it
(C2)
The amount of petrol a car uses is … … its speed.
Are these documents … … the discussion?
relative to
continuing for a long period of time
(adjective, C2)
a … friendship
long-lasting
/ˌlɑːŋˈlæs.tɪŋ/
having existed for a long time
(adjective)
a … agreement
long-standing
/ˌlɑːŋˈstæn.dɪŋ/
connected in such a way that each thing has an effect on or depends on the other
(adjective)
… problems/issues/activities
Anxiety and depression are often … .
interrelated
/ˌɪn.t̬ɚ.rɪˈleɪ.t̬ɪd/
If two or more facts, numbers, etc. correlate or are …, there is a relationship between them
(verb)
Stress levels and heart disease are strongly … (= connected).
correlate
/ˈkɔːr.ə.leɪt/
a connection or relationship between two or more facts, numbers, etc.
(noun)
There’s a … between smoking and cancer.
correlation
/ˌkɔːr.əˈleɪ.ʃən/
an important skill that is needed to do a job
(noun)
managerial …
competency
/ˈkɑːm.pə.t̬ən.si/
to make many different things work effectively as a whole
(verb)
We need someone to … the whole campaign.
A number of charities are … their efforts to distribute food to the region.
coordinate
/koʊˈɔːr.dən.eɪt/
a child who is not old enough to go to formal school
(noun)
preschooler
/ˈpriːˌskuː.lɚ/
the period of time in a person’s life when they are developing into an adult
(noun)
She had a troubled … .
yet another novel about the joys and sorrows of …
adolescence
/ˌæd.əˈles.əns/
a brother or sister
(noun,C2)
I have four …: three brothers and a sister.
There was great … rivalry (= competition) between Peter and his brother.
sibling
/ˈsɪb.lɪŋ/
to give what is needed to someone
(verb)
… with: We always try to … (= help) our clients with financial assistance if necessary.
The new policies fail to … people with disabilities.
accommodate
/əˈkɑː.mə.deɪt/
to continue to exist for a long time
(verb)
The political system established in 1400 … until about 1650. (formal)
endure
/ɪnˈdʊr/
If a system, relationship, or discussion … …, it fails because there is a problem or disagreement.
break down
friendly and easy to talk to
(adjective)
Graham’s always very … - why don’t you talk the problem over with him?
approachable
/əˈproʊ.tʃə.bəl/
alone
(idiom)
Bridget learned to tie her shoes … … … when she was three.
I don’t mind going to the movies … … …
on your own
to make someone decide to say or do something
(C2)
What … you to say that?
I don’t know what … him to leave.
The success of the movie … the studio to dust off his previous script.
It was my high blood pressure that … me to embark on a new exercise regimen.
The conversation … me to examine some of my own prejudices.
There was a string of accounting scandals, … lawmakers to introduce several reform bills.
prompt someone to do something
/prɑːmpt/
involving discussion
(adjective)
a … essay
discursive
/dɪˈskɝː.sɪv/
in a way that offers a choice between two or more things
(adverb)
We could go to the Mexican restaurant, or … (= instead of that), we could try that new Italian place.
alternatively
/ɑːlˈtɝː.nə.t̬ɪv.li/
(in a system for dividing things according to appearance, quality, etc.) a type, or a group of things having some features that are the same
(noun, B2)
There are three … of accommodation - standard, executive, and deluxe.
category
/ˈkæt̬.ə.ɡri/
to write something down or remember it carefully
(idiom, C1)
I’ll just … … … of your name and address.
She … … mental … of the title.
… … … to call again next week.
make/take a note
written, created, or done using only one language
(adjective)
This is a … dictionary.
Only … English sentences were used and mixed Korean and English utterances were excluded from the analysis.
monolingual
/ˌmɑː.noʊˈlɪŋ.ɡwəl/
to discover or describe the exact facts about something
(verb, C2)
It is not possible to … precisely the time of death.
pinpoint
/ˈpɪn.pɔɪnt/
not showing fairness or respect to other people, especially towards the opposing team or player when playing sport
(adjective)
unsportsmanlike
/ʌnˈspɔːrts.mən.laɪk/
(of words and phrases) to often be used together in a way that sounds correct to people who have spoken the language all their lives, but might not be expected from the meaning
(verb)
collocate
/ˈkɑː.lə.keɪt/
to cause someone a disadvantage
(verb)
The present tax system … poor people.
The system should ensure that borrowers are not … by sudden rises in mortgage rates.
penalize
/ˈpiː.nəl.aɪz/
not thinking enough or not worrying about the possible results of what you do
(adjective, B2)
[ + to infinitive ] It would be … to ignore these warnings.
irresponsible
/ˌɪr.əˈspɑːn.sə.bəl/
having patience
(adjective, B1)
Dinner will be ready in half an hour - just be …!
Be … with her - she’s very young.
patient
/ˈpeɪ.ʃənt/
willing to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them
(adjective, C1)
The present government is even less … of dissent.
People in Italy are more .. of children in public places than in Britain.
tolerant
/ˈtɑː.lɚ.ənt/
wishing to protect someone, especially a child, too much
(adjective)
The children of … parents often do not develop the skills they need to take care of themselves when they leave home.
overprotective
/ˌoʊ.vɚ.prəˈtek.tɪv/
If someone is …, they are difficult to control and do not behave in the way that is expected
(adjective, C1)
Her teachers regard her as a …, trouble-making girl.
rebellious
/rɪˈbel.i.əs/
allowing someone to have more of something enjoyable than is good for them
(adjective)
In part, the researchers pointed to … adults for raising children to believe they are “special” no matter what they do.
overindulgent
/ˌoʊ.vɚ.ɪnˈdʌl.dʒənt/
containing too many people or things
(adjective, C1)
… cities/prisons/schools
The world market for telecommunications is already … with businesses.
overcrowded
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈkraʊ.dɪd/
too easily upset
(adjective)
I think you’re being a little … - she didn’t mean it as a criticism.
oversensitive
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈsen.sə.t̬ɪv/
not done or happening when expected or when needed; late
(adjective)
My library books are a week … .
The baby is two weeks … (= the baby was expected to be born two weeks ago).
Changes to the tax system are long … .
She feels she’s … for promotion.
overdue
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈduː/
not liked by many people
(adjective, B2)
Night flights from the airport are … .
The president is becoming increasingly … .
unpopular
/ʌnˈpɑː.pjə.lɚ/
not probable or likely to happen
(adjective, B1)
[ + (that) ] It’s pretty … (that) they’ll turn up now - it’s nearly ten o’clock.
unlikely
/ʌnˈlaɪ.kli/
annoyed or unhappy
(adjective, formal)
I am very unhappy and … with what I have read.
He says you weren’t entirely … at the news.
displeased
/dɪˈspliːzd/
extremely surprising
(adjective, B1)
She eats an … amount of food.
You’ve had such bad luck it’s … .
You should see her wardrobe - it’s … - she’s got about 50 pairs of shoes.
unbelievable
/ˌʌn.bɪˈliː.və.bəl/
a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient
(noun, B2)
Not making a will can have serious … for your children and other family members.
Scientists think it is unlikely that any species will actually become extinct as a … of the oil spill.
I told the hairdresser to do what she wanted to my hair, and look at the …!
Well, if you insist on eating so much, you’ll have to suffer/take (= accept and deal with) the …!
consequence
/ˈkɑːn.sə.kwəns/
to refuse to obey rules or people in authority
(verb, B2)
Jacob … against his parents’ plans for him and left school at the age of 16.
If you are too strict with teenagers, they often … .
rebel
/rɪˈbel/
easily upset by the things people say or do, or causing people to be upset, embarrassed, or angry
(adjective, B2)
Her reply showed that she was very … to criticism.
He was very … about his scar and thought everyone was staring at him.
sensitive
/ˈsen.sə.t̬ɪv/
too; very
(adverb)
Earlier sales forecasts were … optimistic.
His films have been criticized for being … violent.
overly
/ˈoʊ.vɚ.li/
nervous or uncomfortable because you are worried about what people think about you or your actions
(adjective, C1)
He looked uncomfortable, like a … adolescent.
self-conscious
/ˌselfˈkɑːn.ʃəs/
extremely important or necessary
(adjective, B2)
a … decision/question
Her work has been … to the project’s success.
[ + that ] It is … that the problem is tackled immediately.
crucial
/ˈkruː.ʃəl/
in a way that relates to the emotions
(adverb, B2)
Many children have become … disturbed as a result of the abuse they have suffered.
He was not an … stable person.
emotionally
/ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən.əl.i/
in or relating to a social situation
(adverb)
I chat to him at work now and then but I’ve never seen him … .
…, she’s a disaster - she’s always offending someone or picking a fight.
… they’re a great company to work for - I’ve never been to so many parties in my life.
socially
/ˈsoʊ.ʃəl.i/
a change from one form or type to another, or the process by which this happens
(noun, C2)
The health-care system is in … at the moment.
There will be an interim government to oversee the … to democracy.
transition
/trænˈzɪʃ.ən/
relating to physical objects or money rather than emotions or the spiritual world
(adjective)
the … world
… wealth never interested her.
material
/məˈtɪr.i.əl/
existing as an idea, feeling, or quality, not as a material object
(adjective, B2)
Truth and beauty are … concepts.
abstract
/ˈæb.strækt/
the time when someone is a baby or a very young child
(noun, C2, U)
Her youngest child died in … .
infancy
/ˈɪn.fən.si/
a sudden and short period of increased activity, effort, or speed
(noun)
a child’s growth …
Penn State ended the game with a 10–4 … (= period of scoring).
spurt
/spɜrt/
Something that is … is too big or complicated to be dealt with easily
(adjective)
She would be at the mercy of a … bureaucracy.
clumsy
/ˈklʌm.zi/
the process of thinking about something in order to make a decision
(noun, C2)
The … behind her conclusion is impossible to fault.
reasoning
/ˈriː.zən.ɪŋ/
in a way that is imagined or suggested but not necessarily real or true
(adverb)
Any electronic voting system is … hackable.
… speaking, caffeine does affect circulation.
hypothetically
/ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet̬.ɪ.kəl.i/
in a way that shows all the characteristics that you would expect from the stated person, thing, or group
(adverb)
She has that reserve and slight coldness of manner which is … English.
Paul, in his … blunt manner, told him he wasn’t interested.
typically
/ˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl.i/
having no equal; better or greater than any other
(adjective, formal)
They enjoyed success on a scale … by any previous rock band.
unparalleled
/ʌnˈper.əl.eld/
having developed too much
(adjective)
I don’t like body builders who are so … you can see the veins in their bulging muscles.
overdeveloped
/ˌoʊ.vɚ.dɪˈvel.əpt/
sticking out in a rounded shape
(adjective)
She dragged her … suitcase up the stairs.
big, … eyes
bulging
/ˈbʌl.dʒɪŋ/
used to describe an adult who behaves like a child
(adjective, disapproving)
They’re acting like … kids.
UK Jim is just an … schoolboy.
overgrown
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɡroʊn/
the practice of storing a large supply of something for future use
(noun)
Increasing instability is encouraging … .
Why is there this … of arms and ammunition?
stockpiling
/ˈstɑːk.paɪ.lɪŋ/
an action that is done to prevent something unpleasant or dangerous happening
(noun, C1)
Many people have been stockpiling food as a … against shortages.
They failed to take the necessary … to avoid infection.
precaution
/prɪˈkɑː.ʃən/
used to emphasize how bad a situation is
(adverb)
The safety precautions taken by large resort hotels are often … inadequate for the number of people who stay there.
The school’s textbooks are … out of date.
woefully
/ˈwoʊ.fəl.i/
the state of being completely grown physically
(noun)
How long does it take for the chicks to grow to …?
maturity
/məˈtʊr.ə.t̬i/
of or relating to children who are between about three and five years old and have not yet gone to school, and their activities
(adjective)
a … playgroup
… children/toys
preschool
/ˈpriː.skuːl/
not behaving in a way that is as calm and wise as people expect from someone of your age
(adjective, C2)
Stop being so silly and …, Chris!
She’s rather … for her age, don’t you think?
immature
/ˌɪm.əˈtʊr/