Preliminary Test 1 - with guidance
time is not suitable or good for something.
cantankerous (adj) bad-tempered and
complaining a lot.
impertinent (adj) rude and not respectful,
especially to someone who is older or more
important.
unleash (v) 1 to suddenly let a strong force,
feeling etc. have its full effect, 2 to let a dog
run free after it has been held.
pit sb/sth against (v phr) to test your
strength, ability, power etc. against someone
else.
hubris (n) great and unreasonable pride.
outwit (v) to gain an advantage over someone
using tricks or clever plans.
dishearten (v) to lose hope and the
determination to continue doing something.
a fish out of water (phr) feeling
uncomfortable because you are in an
unfamiliar place or situation.
clench (v) clench your fists/teeth/jaw etc. to hold
your hands, teeth etc. together tightly, usually
because you feel angry or determined.
clutch (v) to hold something or someone tightly,
especially because you are frightened, in pain,
or do not want to lose something.
veritable (adj) a word used to emphasize a
comparison that you think is correct.
diversify (v) to make a business or economy
start to produce a range of different products
or services.
manifest (v) to show a feeling, attitude etc.
enumerate (v) to name a list of things one by
one.
diffident (adj) shy and unwilling to make
people notice you or talk about you.
precept (n) a rule on which a way of thinking or
behaving is based.
ingratiating (adj) trying too hard to get
someone's approval.
imperceptible (adj) an imperceptible change,
movement etc. is difficult to see or notice
because it is very small.
Mini-dictionary
inopportune (adj) an inopportune moment or
retract (v) if part of an animal's body retracts or
is retracted, it moves back into the main part.
restitut
ion (n) the act of giving back something
that was lost or stolen to its owner, or of
paying for damage.
retaliation (n) action against someone who has
done something bad to you.
supplication (n) to ask or pray for help from
someone in power or from God.
strain (n) a breed or type of animal, plant etc.
antigen (n) a substance that makes the body
produce antibodies.
compatible (adj) 1 compatible machines,
methods, ideas etc. can exist together or be
used together without causing problems, 2
two people that are compatible are able to
have a good relationship.
Preliminary Test 2
thrive (v) if something such as a company or
plant thrives, it becomes very successful or ve
J
strong and healthy.
trot (v) to run fairly slowly, taking short steps.
hide (n) an animal's skin, especially when it has
been removed to be used for leather.
sheath (v) to be enclosed in a protective outer
cover.
disengage (v) to separate something from
something else that is fastened to it or holding
it.
disentangle (v) to remove knots from ropes,
strings etc. that have become twisted or tied
together.
digress (v) to move away from the main subjec:
that you are talking or writing about.
prevalent (adj) common at a particular time or
in a particular place.
eminent (adj) an eminent person is famous and
admired by many people.
 imminent (adj) an event that is imminent wi/1
happen very soon.
utter (adj) utter failure/rubbish/fool etc. a
complete failure etc.
inimitable (adj) too good or skilful for anyone
else to copy with the same high standard.
sibling (n) a brother or sister.
progeny (n) the descendants of a person,
animal, or plant form, or the things that can
develop from something else.
enlist (v) to join the army, navy etc.
engrossed (adj) so interested in something that
you do not notice anything else.
nucleus (n) a small, important group at the
center of a larger group or organization.
recur (v) if something, especially something bad
or unpleasant, recurs, it happens again.
slump (v) to suddenly go down in price, value,
or number.
wilt (v) if a plant wilts, it bends over because it
is too dry or old.
droop (v) to hang or bend downwards.
sag (v) to sink or bend downwards and away
from the usual position.
venture (n) a new business activity that involves
taking risks.
blemish (n) a small mark, especially a mark on
someone's skin or on the surface of an object,
that spoils its appearance.
doctrine (n) a belief or set of beliefs that form
the main part of a religion or system of ideas.
material (adj) important and having a
noticeable effect.
culprit (n) the reason for a particular problem or
d ifficu lty.
squander (v) to spend money or use your time
carelessly on things that are not useful.
eschew (v) to deliberately avoid doing or using
something, usually for moral, religious, or
practica! reasons.
Preliminary Test 3
pore (n) one of the small hales in your skin that
liquid, especially sweat can pass through, ora
similar hole in the surface of a plant.
/
symbiotic (adj) to describe the relationship
between two different living things that
depend on each other for particular
advantages.
algae (n) a very simple plant without stems or
leaves that grows in or near water.
mollusc (n) a type of sea or land animal that
has a soft body covered by a hard shell.
degradation (n) the process by which
something changes to a worse condition.
prohibitive (adj) prohibitive prices are so high
that they prevent people from buying
something.
protracted (adj) lasting a long time, especially
longer than usual, or necessary.
adjourn (v) if a meeting or law court adjourns,
or if the person in charge adjourns it, it
finishes or stops for a short time.
stagger (v) to walk or move unsteadily, almost
falling over.
trudge (v) to walk with slow, heavy steps,
especially because you are tired.
pace (n) 1 the speed at which you walk or run,
2 the rate or speed at which something
happens or at which someone does
something.
concede (v) to admit that something is true or
correct although you wish it was not true.
assent (v) to agree to a suggestion, idea etc.
after considering it carefully.
bequeath (v) to officially arrange for someone
to have something that you own after your
death.
precedent (n) something of the same type that
has happened or existed before.
witless (adj) not very intelligent or sensible; silly.
makeshift (adj) made for temporary use when
you need something and there is nothing
better available.
timber (n) wood used for building or making
things, or the trees that produce this wood.
termite (n) an insect that eats and destroys
wood from trees and buildings.
drag (v) to pull someone or something along the
ground, often because they are too heavy to
carry.
Mini-dictionary
sawmill (n) a factory where logs are cut into
boards using a machine.
devise (v) to plan or invent a way of doing
something, especially something complicated
and clever.
canopy (n) something that spreads above you
like a roof.
humid (adj) weather that is humid makes you
feel uncomfortable because the air feels very
hot and wet.
bio-diversity (n) variety of plant and animal
life.
contamination (n) bad effect on something
caused by poison ora dangerous substance.
Preliminary Test 4
roam (v) to walk or travel, usually for a long
time, with no clear purpose or direction.
devoted (adj) showing great love and loyalty for
someone or something.
orchard (n) a place where fruit trees are grown.
span (v) to include all of a particular space or
a rea.
blossom (v) if trees blossom, they produce
flowers.
endurance (n) the ability to suffer difficulties or
pain with strength and patience.
rear (v) to look after a person or animal until
they are fully grown.
bear (v) if a tree bears fruit, it produces fruit.
saga (n) a long story, especially one that
continues over a period of many years.
hurtle (v) if something, especially something big
or heavy, hurtles somewhere, it moves or falls
very fast.
candid (adj) directly truthful, even when the
truth may be unpleasant or embarrassing.
frank (adj) honest and truthful in what you say.
ramification (n) an additional result of
something you do, which may not have been
clear when you first decided to do it.
bequest (n) money or property which you
arrange to give to someone after your death.
Mini-dictionary
rustle (v) if leaves, papers, clothes etc. rustle, or
if you rustle them, they make a noise as they
rub against each other.
hassle (v) to be continuously asking someone to
do something in a way that annoys them.
hustle (v) to make someone move quickly, hurry.
raffle (v) to offer something as a prize in a raffle
(a kind of competition or game).
tactile (adj) connected with your sense of
touch.
savor (n) a taste or smell, especially one that is
pleasant.
puff (v) to breathe quickly and with difficulty
after running, carrying something heavy etc.
pout (v) to push out your lips because you are
annoyed orto look sexually attractive.
grimace (v) to twist your face in an ugly way
because you are feeling pain, or because you
are trying to be funny.
gloat (v) to show in an unpleasant way that you
are happy about your own success or about
someone else's failure.
undaunted (adj) not afraid of continuing to try
to do something in spite of difficulties or
danger.
expulsion (n) the process of sending a person
or group of people away from a place often by
using force.
exemption (n) permission not to do something
you would normally have to do.
agitate (v) to make someone feel anxious,
upset, and nervous.
beset (v) to make someone experience serious
problems or dangers.
incite (v) to deliberately encourage people to
cause trouble, fight, argue etc.
forage (v) to go around searching for food or
other supplies.
pollen (n) a fine powder produced by flowers,
which is carried by the wind or by insects to
other flowers of the same type making them
produce seeds.
nectar (n) the sweet liquid that bees collect
from flowers.
hive (n) a small box where bees are kept.
drone (n) a male bee that does no work.
scavenge (v) if an animal scavenges, it eats
anything that it can find.
scarcity (n) situation in which there is not
enough of something.
flee (v) to leave somewhere very quickly in order
to escape from danger.
Preliminary Test 5
longevity (n) long life.
periphery (n) the outer area or edge that
surrounds a place.
onus (n) the responsibility for something.
foster (v) 1 to take someone else's child into
your family for a period of time but without
becoming their legal parent, 2 to help a skill,
feeling, idea etc. develop over a period of
time.
stipend (n) an amount of money paid regularly
to someone such as a priest or student as
wages or money to live on.
collaborative (adj) collaborative effort/work
/project etc. involving two or more people
working together to achieve something.
counterfeit (adj) made to look exactly like
something else.
expendable (adj) no longer useful or important
so that you can get rid of it.
extracurricular (adj) extracurricular activities
are not part of the course that a student is
doing.
terrestrial (adj) connected with the Earth rather
than with the moon or other planets.
detour (v) to make a detour (a way of going
from one place to another that is longer than
the usual way).
contour (n) the shape of the outer edges of
something such asan area of land or
someone's body.
retain (v) to keep something or continue to
have something.
engender (v) to be the cause of a situation or
feeling.
brandish (v) to wave something around in a
dangerous or threatening way, especially a
weapon.
pulsate (v) to make sounds or movements that
are strong and regular like a heart beating.
lurch (v) to move suddenly forwards or
sideways, usually because you cannot control
your movements.
twitch (v) if a part of someone's body twitches,
it makes a small, sudden, uncontrolled
movement.
plunge (v) to move, fall, or be thrown suddenly
forwa~sordownwa~s.
dart (v) to move suddenly and quickly in a
pa rticu lar di rection.
incur (v) to put yourself in an unpleasant
situation by your own actions, so that you lose
something, get punished etc.
trigger (v) to make something happen very
quickly, especially a series of violent events.
synchron
ize (v) to arrange for two or more
actions to happen at exactly the same time.
drape (v) to cover or decorate something with
folds of cloth.
slash (v) a word used especially in newspapers
and advertising meaning to greatly reduce an
amount, price etc.
shuffle (v) to mix playing cards around into a
different order before playing a game with
them.
sift (v) to put flour, sugar etc. through a sieve or
similar container in order to remove large
pieces.
shrivel (v) if something shrivels or is shriveled, it
becomes smaller and its surface is covered in
lines because it is very dry or old.
snuggle (v) to settle into a warm comfortable
position.
pasture (n) land or a field that is covered with
grass and is used for cattle, sheep etc. to feed
Oíl.
indigenous (adj) indigenous animals, plants
etc. have always lived or grown naturally in the
place where they are, as opposed to others
that were brought there.
detrimental (adj) causing harm or damage.
Preliminary Test 6
stir (v) to make something move slightly.
peek (v) to look quickly at something, especially
something that you are not supposed to see.
Mini-dictionary
glance (v) to quickly look at someone or
something once.
peer (v) to look very carefully or hard, especially
because you are having difficulty in seeing.
gaze (v) to look at someone or something for a
long time, giving it all your attention often
without realizing you are doing so.
rapids (n pi) part of a river where the water
looks white because it is moving very fast over
rocks.
rivulet (n) a very small stream of liquid,
especially water.
geyser (n) a natural spring of hot water that
sometimes rises suddenly into the air.
capitulate (v) to accept or agree to something
that you have been opposing until now.
dignify (v) to make something or someone
seem better or more important than they really
are by using a particular word to describe
them.
encapsulate (v) to put the main facts or ideas
of something in a short form ora small space.
succumb(v) to stop opposing someone or
something that is stronger than you, and allow
them to take control.
peruse (v) to read something, especially in a
careful way.
devious (adj) using dishonest tricks and
deceiving people in order to get what you
want.
despondent (adj) unhappy and not hopeful.
embed (v) to fix something firmly and deeply
into something else.
Preliminary Test 7
granary (n) a place where grain, especially
wheat, is stored.
silo (n) a tall structure like a tower that is used
for storing grain, winter food for farm animals
etc.
congregate (v) to come together in a group.
accumulate (v) to gradually get more and more
money, possessions, knowledge etc. over a
period of time.
throng (v) if people throng a place, they go
there in large numbers.
Mini-dictionary
collate (v) to gather information together,
examine it carefully, and compare it with other
information to find any differences.
intersect (v) if two lines or roads intersect, they
meet or go across each other.
impair (v) to make something less good than it
usually is or less good than it should be.
propensity (n) a natural tendency to behave in
a particular way.
inflame (v) to make someone's feelings of
anger, excitement etc. much stronger.
covenant (n) a formal agreement between two
or more people.
deluge (v) to send a very large number of
letters, questions etc. to someone ali at the
same time.
indulge (v) to let someone have or do whatever
they want, even if it is bad for them.
cater for (phr v) to provide a particular group of
people with everything that they need or
want.
indispensable (adj) someone or something
that is indispensable is so important or useful
that it is impossible to manage without them.
Preliminary Test 8
stumble on/across(phr v) to discover
something or meet someone by chance and
unexpectedly.
oblique (adj) not looking or pointing directly at
something.
subsist (v) to stay alive on only small amounts
of food or money.
concurrent (adj) existing or happening at the
same time.
repulse (v) if something or someone repulses
you, you feel they are very unpleasant.
apprehend (v) if a criminal is apprehended,
they are found and taken away by the police;
arrest.
commiserate (v) to express your sympathy for
someone who is unhappy about something.
acquit (v) to give a decision in a court of law
that someone is not guilty of a crime.
garbled (adj) a garbled statement or report is
very unclear and confusing.
fumble (v) to hold or try and move something
with your hands carelessly or awkwardly.
crucial (adj) something that is crucial is
extremely important because everything else
depends on it.
limb (n) an arm or leg.
fin (n) one of the thin body parts that a fish uses
to swim.
mutate (v) if a plant or animal mutates, it
develops a feature that makes it different from
other plants or animals of the same kind,
because of a change in its genetic structure.
forebear (n) someone who was a member of
your family a long time in the past.
Final Test 1 - with guidance
quotient (n) the number which is obtained
when one number is divided by another.
portent (n) a sign or warning that something
going to happen.
potent (adj) having a powerful effect or
influence on your body or mind.
lineage (n) the way in which members of a
family are descended from other members.
behold (v) to see orto look at something.
pristine (adj) extremely fresh or clean.
protocol (n) the system of rules on the correct
and acceptable way to behave on official
occasions.
myriad (adj/n) too many to count.
cessation (n) a pause or stop.
inception (n) the start of an organization or
i nstitution.
penultimate (adj) next to the last.
grind (v) a) to break something such as corn or
coffee beans into small pieces or powder,
either in a machine or between two hard
surfaces.
stem from (phr v) to develop as a result of
something else.
outright (adv) completely.
put up with sb (phr v) to accept an unpleasant
situation or person without complaining.
put sb down (phr v) to keep criticizing
someone in front of other people.
be taken in (phr v) to be completely deceived
by someone so that you believe a lie.
inhibited (adj) not confident or relaxed enough
to do or say what you want to.
abundance (n) a large quantity of something.
culmination (n) the culmination of the final or
highest point that is reached after a long
period of effort or development.
indignant (adj) expressing anger and surprise,
because you feel insulted or unfairly treated.
infatuated (adj) having unreasonably strong
feelings of love, but only for a short time and
especially for someone that you do not know
very well.
solvent (adj) having enough money to pay your
debts.
consensus(n) an opinion that everyone in a
is group will agree with or accept.
salvation (n) something that prevents danger,
loss, or failure.
obtuse (adj) slow to understand things, in a
way that is annoying
obese (adj) very fat in a way that is unhealthy.
dread (n) afear of something in the future.
blur (n) a shape that you cannot see clearly.
convoluted (adj) complicated and difficult to
understand.
curtail (v) to reduce something such as the
amount of money you spend.
conscript (v) to make someone join the army,
navy etc.
grandiose (adj) grandiose plans sound very
important or impressive, but will never really
happen because they are not practica!.
mangy (adj) dirty and in bad condition.
meager (adj) a meager amount of food, money
etc. is too small and is much less than you
need.
morbid (adj) having a strong and unhealthy
interest in unpleasant subjects, especially
death.
legible (adj) written or printed clearly enough
for you to read.
Mini-dictionary
eligible (adj) someone who is eligible for
something is able or allowed to do it, for
example because they are the right age.
petty (adj) a problem, detail, worry etc. that is
petty is small and unimportant.
nominal (adj) a nominal sum of money is very
small, especially when compared with the
usual amount that would be paid for
something.
temporal (adj) related to or limited by time.
ingenious (adj) an ingenious plan, idea,
invention etc. is the result of clever thinking
and new ideas, and works well.
compulsive (adj) compulsive behavior is very
difficult to stop or control, and is often a result
of ora sign of a mental problem.
plaintive (adj) a plaintive sound is high, like
someone crying, and sounds sad.
speckled (adj) covered with many small marks
or spots.
trifle (n) something unimportant or not
valuable.
asset (n) something or someone that is useful
because they help you succeed or deal with
problems.
nestle (v) to be in a position that seems to be
protected by the hills etc. around.
precipitation (n) the act of doing something
too quickly in a way that is not sensible.
consortium (n) a combination of several
companies, banks etc. working together to
buy something, build something etc.
headlong (adv) falling with your head first and
the rest of your body following.
hindsight (n) the ability to understand facts
about a situation only after it has happened.
displace (v) to take the place of someone or
something.
imposition (n) something that someone
unreasonably expects or asks you to do for
them, which is inconvenient.
infuse (v) to fill something or someone with a
particular feeling or quality.
proliferate (v) if something proliferates it
increases rapidly and spreads to many different
places.
Mini-dictionary
linger (v) to stay somewhere a little longer,
especially because you do not want to leave.
avenge (v) to do something to hurt or punish
someone because they have harmed or
offended you.
elicit (v) to succeed in getting information or a
reaction from someone, especially when this is
difficult.
conspicuous(adj) someone or something that
is conspicuous is very easy to notice, especially
because they are different from everything or
everyone else around them.
meticulous (adj) very careful about small
details, and always making sure that
everything is done correctly.
retaliation (n) action against someone who has
done something bad to you.
remission (n) a period when an illness improves
for a time.
aggregate (v) to put things together in a group
to form a total.
bias (n) a tendency to consider one person,
group, idea etc. more favorably than others.
sniffle (n) an act or sound of sniffling (to
breathe air into your nose noisily, especially in
short breaths).
trickle (n) a thin slow flow of liquid.
leak (n) a small hale that lets liquid or gas flow
into or out of something.
defy (v) to refuse to abey a law or rule, or refuse
to do what someone in authority tells you to
do.
descry (v) to notice or see something, especially
when it is a long way away.
prowess (n) great skill at doing something.
cement (v) to make a relationship between
people or countries firm and strong.
elude (v) if something that you want eludes
you, you fail to find or achieve it.
console (v) to make someone feel better when
they are feeling sad or disappointed.
fathom (v) to understand what something
means after thinking about it carefully.
yield (v) to produce a result, answer, or a piece
of information.
singular (adj) very unusual or strange.
obelisk (n) a tall pointed stone pillar.
wand (n) a thin stick you hold in your hand to
do magic tricks.
clarity (n) the quality of expressing ideas or
thoughts in a clear way.
Final Test 2
swarm (v) if people swarm somewhere, they go
there as a large, uncontrolled crowd.
crater (n) a round hole in the ground, especially
made by an explosion or by something that
has fallen from the sky.
cherish (v) to love someone or something very
much and take care of them well.
cohesion (n) if there is cohesion among a group
of people, a set of ideas etc., all the parts or
members of it are connected or related in a
reasonable way to form a whole.
irrepressible (adj) full of energy, confidence,
and happiness so that you never seem
unhappy.
ascribe (v) to believe something or someone has
a particular quality.
condense (v) to make something that is spoken
or written shorter, by using fewer words to
give the same information.
appraisal (n) a statement or opinion judging
the worth, value, or condition of something.
snip (v) to cut something by making quick cuts
with scissors.
crush (v) to press something in arder to break it
into very small pieces, or into a powder.
mull sth over (phr v) to think about a
problem, plan etc. and consider it for a long
time.
misnomer (n) a wrong or unsuitable name.
indentation (n) 1 a cut into the surface or
edge of something, 2 a space at the beginning
of a line of writing.
impregnable (adj) a building that is
impregnable is so strong that no one can get
into it by force.
vindicate (v) to prove that someone or
something is right or true; justify.
spur sb on (phr v) to encourage someone to try
harder in arder to succeed.
avid (adj) avid reader/listener/fan etc. someone
who does something, listens to something etc.
as muchas they can.
attire (n) clothes.
defamation (n) the act of defaming someone
(to write or say something that makes people
have an unfairly bad opinion of someone or
something).
recapitulate (v) to repeat the main points of
something that has just been said.
propagate (v) 1 to grow and produce new
plants orto make a plant do this, 2 to spread
an idea, belief etc. to many people.
exorbitant (adj) an exorbitant price, rate,
demand etc. is much higher than is reasonable
or usual.
begrudge (v) to feel jealous of someone
because they have something which you think
they do not deserve.
itinerary (n) a plan or list of the places you will
visit on a journey.
distemper (n) an infectious disease that affects
dogs and cats.
animosity (n) strong dislike or hatred.
disseminate (v) to spread information, ideas
etc. to as many people as possible, especially
in arder to influence them.
dissension (n) disagreement and argument
among a group of people.
dissipation (n) the enjoyment of physical
pleasures such as drinking too much alcohol,
that are harmful to your health.
emirate (n) the position or country of an emir
(a Muslim ruler, especially in Asia and parts of
A frica).
janitor (n) someone who looks after a school or
other large building.
inveterate (adj) inveterate liar/smoker etc.
someone who smokes a lot, lies a lot etc. and
cannot stop.
mason (n) someone whose job is cutting stone
into pieces to be used in buildings.
incorrigible (adj) someone who is incorrigible
is bad in a way that cannot be changed or
improved.
Mini-dictionary
genus (n) one of the groups into which
scientists divide animals or plants.
exude (v) exude confidence/sympathy etc. if you
exude a particular quality, it is easy to see that
you have a lot of it.
tacit (adj) tacit agreement, support etc. is
accepted or understood without actually being
officially agreed.
vested (adj) if you have a vested interest in
something happening, you have a strong
reason for wanting it to happen because you
will get an advantage from it.
prolific (adj) a prolific artist, writer etc.
produces many works of art, books etc.
prevailing (adj) existing or accepted in a
particular place or ata particular time.
protracted (adj) lasting a long time, especially
longer than usual, or necessary.
preposterous (adj) 1 completely unreasonable;
absurd, 2 extremely unusual and silly.
take a rain check (phr) used to say that you
will do something in the future but not now.
as happy as a clam (phr) very happy.
scoop (n) an important or exciting news story
that is printed in one newspaper before any of
the others know about it.
stealth (adj) the action of doing something very
quietly, slowly, or secretly so that no one
notices you.
tar (n) a black substance, thick and sticky when
hot but hard when cold, used especially for
making road surfaces.
doom (v) to make someone or something
certain to fail, die, be destroyed etc.
swift (adj) moving, or able to move, very fast.
stalk (v) to follow a person or animal quietly in
order to catch or kili them.
groove (n) a thin line cut into a surface,
especially to guide the movement of
something.
molten (adj) molten metal or rock has been
made into a liquid by being heated to a very
high temperature.
magma (n) hot melted rock below the surface
of the Earth.
germinate (v) if a seed germinates or if it is
germinated, it begins to grow.
Mini-dictionary
sow (v) to plant or scatter seeds on a piece of
ground.
prone (adj) likely to do something or suffer from
something, especially something bad or
harmful.
pathogenic (adj) causing disease in your body.
Final Test 3
depot (n) a place where goods are stored until
they are needed.
repository (n) a place where things are stored
in large quantities.
conveyor belt (n phr) a long continuous
moving band of rubber, cloth, or metal, used
for moving goods or partly finished products
from one place to another in a factory, or bags
from one place to another in an airport.
erratic (adj) erratic actions, movements etc.
seem to have no pattern or plan.
pan (v) to wash soil in a pan to separate gold
from it.
shears (n pi) a heavy tool for cutting, like a big
pair of scissors.
emboss (v) to make a raised pattern on the
surface of metal, paper, leather etc.
mould (n) a hollow container that you pour
liquid into, so that when the liquid becomes
solid, it takes the shape of the container.
burnish (v) to polish metal until it shines.
deity (n) god.
annex (v) to take control of a country or area
next to your own, especially by using force.
vessel (n) a ship or large boat.
providence (n) a force that sorne people
believe controls our lives, especially because it
is what God wants.
hazy (adj) not clear because of a slight mist that
is caused by heat, smoke etc.
patter (v) to make the quiet sound of
something hitting a surface lightly, quickly, and
repeatedly.
chime (v) if a bell or clock chimes, it makes a
ringing sound, especially to tell you what time
it is.
clink (v) if two glass or metal objects clink or if
you clink them, they make a short ringing
sound.
gauge (v) form a correct idea of how people daunting (adj) frightening in a way that makes
feel about something or what they are likely you feel less confident. ·
to do.
plausible (adj) a statement that is plausible is
decipher (v) to find the meaning of something reasonable and seems likely to be true.
that is difficult toread or understand.
stark (adj) unpleasantly clear and impossible to
conducive (adj) if a situation is conducive to avo id.
something such as work, rest etc., it provides
subservient (adj) someone who is subservient
conditions that make it easy for you to work
is too willing to do what other people want
etc.
them to do.
obnoxious (adj) extremely unpleasant or rude.
menial (adj) menial work is boring, needs no
magnanimous (adj) kind and generous, skill, and is not important.
especially to someone that you have defeated
poised (adj) not moving but ready to move or
in sorne way.
do something at any moment.
sweeping (adj) affecting many things, or
dubious (adj) making you doubt whether
making a big difference to things.
someone or something is honest, safe etc.
thorny (adj) thorny question/issue a question
incubation (n) the period between becoming
etc. that is complicated and difficult.
infected with a disease and showing the first
acquiesce(v) too ready to agree with someone physical signs of it.
or do what they want, without arguing or
flare-up (n) a situation in which someone
complaining.
suddenly becomes angry or violent.
incensed (adj) extremely angry.
susceptible (adj) tending to experience strong
assertion (n) something that you say or write feelings easily and be easily influenced by
that you strongly believe. other people.
like a cat on a hot tin roof (phr) so nervous gestation (n) the process by which a child,
or anxious that you cannot keep still or keep animal or plant develops.
your attention on one thing.
dearth (n) a lack of something.
a dog and pony show (phr) an event or a
the grim reaper (phr) metaphorical
situation that does not happen in the way that
description of death.
it should and is considered disreputable and
short-lived. cluster (n) a group of things of the same kind
that are very close together.
rim (n) the outside edge of something circular.
gregarious (adj) friendly and preferring to be
attenuate (v) to make something weaker or
with others rather than alone.
have less effect.
hinder (v) to make it difficult for someone to do
meek (adj) very quiet and gentle and unwilling
something or for something to develop.
to argue or express an opinion.
reverberation (n) a loud sound that hits a
beat around the bush (phr) to avoid or delay surface and is heard again and again.
talking about something embarrassing or
unpleasant. incessant (adj) an incessant activity, noise etc.
continues without stopping.
cry over spilled milk (phr) to waste time
feeling sorry about an earlier mistake or
problem that cannot be changed.
Final Test 4
pay sb no mind (phr) to not pay any attention
estuary (n) the wide part of a river where it
to someone or something or not care about
goes into the sea.
what they are saying or doing.
slough (n) an area of land covered in deep dirty
pound the pavement (phr) if a police officer
water or mud.
pounds the pavement, he walks regularly
around the area he is responsible for.

Mini-dictionary

-
silt (n) moving sand, mud, soil etc. that is carried
in water and then settles at a bend in a river,
an entrance to a port etc.
resilient (adj) someone who is resilient quickly
becomes healthy or happy again after an
illness, difficulty, change etc.
dredge (v) to remove mud or sand from the
bottom of a river, harbor.
in jeopardy (phr) in danger of being lost or
harmed.
whim (n) sudden feeling that you would like to
do something or have something, especially
when there is no particularly important or
good reason.
flock (v) to go to a place in large numbers
because something interesting or exciting is
happening there.
deranged (adj) behaving in a crazy or
dangerous way.
dislocate (v) to injure a joint so that the two
bones at the joint are moved out of their
normal position.
peril (n) great danger, especially of being
harmed or killed.
afflict (v) to make someone suffer or experience
serious problems.
mutilation (n) severe damage caused to
somebody's body by accident, disease etc.
cumulative (adj) increasing gradually as more
of something is added or happens.
contagious (adj) a disease that is contagious
can be passed from person to person by
touch.
gain ground (v phr) make steady progress and
become more popular, more successful etc.
legion (adj) very many; numerous.
crouch (v) to lower your body close to the
ground by bending your knees completely.
confine (v) to keep someone in a place that
they cannot leave, such as a prison.
stack (v) to form a neat pile or make things into
a neat pile.
throb (v) if a part of your body throbs, you get a
regular feeling of pain in it.
brace (n) something that is used to strengthen,
stiffen, or support something.
vice (n) a bad habit.
privation (n) a lack or loss of the things that
everyone needs, such as food, warmth, and
shelter.
distort (v) to explain a fact, statement, idea etc.
in a way that changes its real meaning.
malign (v) to say or write unpleasant things
about someone that are untrue.
lapse (n) a short time when someone is careless
or forgetful.
put a damper on sth (phr) to affect
something in a way that makes people sad,
disappointed, or less hopeful.
whistle in the dark (phr) to try to show that
you are brave when really you are afraid.
call it a day (phr) to decide to stop working,
especially because you have done enough or
you are tired.
take sth with a grain of salt (phr) to not
completely believe what someone tells you
because you know that they do not always tell
the truth.
grave (adj) very serious and worrying.
solemn (adj) very serious in behavior or style.
unencumbered (adj) without responsibilities,
permanent ties etc.
misgiving (n) a feeling of doubt, distrust, or
fear about what might happen or about
whether something is right.
misapprehension (n) a mistaken belief or a
wrong understanding of something.
lament (v) to express feelings of great sadness
about something.
abominate (v) to hate something very much.
bewail (v) to express deep sadness or
disappointment about something.
deplore (v) to disapprove very strongly of
something and criticize it severely, especially
publicly.
not be up to snuff (phr) not be good enough.
slant (v) to slope or move in a sloping line.
tip (v) to lean at an angle instead of being level
or straight, or to make something do this.
splurge (n) spending more money than you can
usually afford.
revel (v) to spend time dancing, eating, drinking
etc., especially ata party.

Mini-dictionary
spree (n) a short period of time doing
something that you enjoy, especially spending
money or drinking.
rampage (n) on the rampage rushing about in
a wild and violent way, often causing damage.
jot down (phr v) to write something quickly.
kudos (n) admiration and respect that you get
for being important or doing something
important.
curmudgeon (n) an old person who is often
angry or annoyed.
droll (adj) amusing.
genial (adj) having a cheerful and friendly
character or manner.
formidable (adj) a formidable person etc. is
one that you feel respect for because they are
very powerful, or impressive.
devout (adj) 1 someone who is devout has a
very strong belief in a religion, 2 a devout
hope or wish is one that you feel very strongly.
profess (v) clearly stating what you believe.
bestow (v) to give someone something of great
value or importance.
grudging (adj) done or given very unwillingly.
collude (v) to work with someone secretly,
especially in order to cheat or deceive other
people.
granite (n) 1 a very hard gray rock, often used
in building, 2 strict in a very serious and often
unpleasant way.
vulgar (adj) 1 remarks, jokes etc. that are vulgar
deal with sex in a very rude and offensive way,
2 impolite and showing bad manners.
disarray (n) the state of being completely
confused or untidy.
recluse (n) someone who chooses to live alone,
and does not like seeing or talking to other
peo ple.
tenacity (n) determination to do something and
unwillingness to stop trying even when the
situation becomes difficult.
obsolete (adj) no longer useful because
something newer and better has been
invented.
roost (v) if a bird roosts, it rests or sleeps
somewhere.
spawn (v) if a fish or frog spawns it produces
eggs in large quantities together.
harass (v) to treat someone unfairly by
threatening them or being continuously
unpleasant to them.
perch (n) a branch, stick, rod etc. where a bird
sits.
plumage (n) the feathers covering a bird's body.
patent (v) to obtain a special document that
says that you have the right to make or sell a
new invention or product and that no one else
is allowed to do so.
malleable (adj) something that is malleable is
easy to press or pull into a new shape.
dormant (adj) not active or not growing at the
present time but able to be active later.
Final Test 5
hail (v) to describe someone or something as
being very good, especially in newspapers,
magazines etc.
endear (v) to make someone popular and liked.
procure (v) to obtain something, especially
something that is difficult to get.
impunity (n) if you do something wrong or
immoral with impunity, there is no risk that
you will be punished for it.
embankment (n) a slope of earth, stones etc.
incarnation (n) representation of something.
enamel (v) to cover or decorate something with
enamel (a glass-like substance that is put onto
metal, clay etc. for decoration or protection).
dogged (adj) dogged actions or behavior show
that you are very determined to continue
doing something.
relegation (n) being moved into a lower
division of a sports league.
heave (v) to pull or lift something very heavy
with one great effort.
rinse (v) to wash clothes, dishes etc. quickly
with water, especially running water, and
without soap.
scrub (v) to rub something hard, especially with
a stiff brush in order to clean it.
have a head start (phr) to have an advantage
which allows you to be ahead of other people.
Mini-dictionary
be in over one's head (phr) to be in a
situation which is too difficult far you to
understand.
lose one's head (phr) to become too anxious
to think or behave calmly.
shrub (n) a small bush with several woody
stems.
toll (n) a very bad effect on something or
someone overa long period of time.
glimmer (n) a light that is not very bright.
glint (n) a flash of light from a shiny surface.
bland (adj) without any excitement, strong
opinions, or special character.
shred (v) to cut or tear something into small
thin pieces.
knack (n) a special skill or ability that you usually
gain by practice.
get the better of sb (phr) be more clever
than somebody else and so gain an advantage
over them.
sizzle (v) to make a sound like water falling on
hot metal.
come into one's own (phr) to become very
good, useful, or important in a particular
situation.
get wind of (phr) to hear or find out about
something secretor private, especially if you
learn it accidentally or unofficially.
obscure (adj) not at all well known and usually
not very important.
skip (v) to move farwards with quick steps and
jumps.
totter (v) to walk or move unsteadily from side
to side as if you are going to fall over.
torso (n) our body, not including your head,
arms, or legs.
cadaver (n) a dead human body.
misshapen (adj) not the normal or natural
shape.
dabble (v) to do something or be involved in
something in a way that is not very serious.
venomous (adj) 1 full of extreme hatred or
anger, 2 a venomous snake, insect etc.
produces poison to attack its enemies.
feasible (adj) a plan, idea, or method that is
feasible is possible and is likely to work.
Mini-dictionary
gullible (adj) too ready to believe what other
people tell you, so that you are easily deceived.
plankton (n) the very small farms of plant and
animal life that live in water, especially the sea,
and are eaten by fish.
crustacean (n) an animal such as a lobster or a
crab that has a hard outer shell and several
pairs of legs, and usually lives in water.
navel (n) the small hollow or raised place in the
middle of your stomach.
umbilical cord (n phr) a long narrow tube of
flesh that joins an unborn baby to its mother.
ragged (adj) torn and in bad condition.
barnacle (n) a small sea animal with a hard
shell that sticks firmly to rocks and the bottom
of boats.
abrasive (adj) having a rough surface.
tributary (n) a stream or river that flows into a
larger river.
paddle (n) a short pole that is wide and flat at
one end or both ends, used far moving a small
boat along.
Final Test 6
prospector (n) someone who looks far gold,
minerals, oil etc.
jaunt (n) a short journey far pleasure.
residue (n) the part of something that is left
after the rest has gane or been taken away.
robust (adj) a robust person, animal or insect is
strong and healthy.
cavity (n) a hale or space inside something.
vent (n) a hale or pipe through which gases,
smoke, liquid etc. can enter or escape from an
enclosed space or a container.
moss (n) a small flat green or yellow plant that
grows in a thick furry mass on wet soil or rock.
larva (n) a creature like a fat worm that is a
young insect which has left the egg and has
not yet changed into an insect with wings.
pending (adj) while waiting far something, or
until something happens.
asylum (n) protection given to someone by a
government because they have escaped from
fighting or political trouble in their own
country.
perpetual (adj) continuing all the time without
stopping, especially in a way that is worrying.
shuttle (v) to travel frequently between two
places.
crave (v) to have an extremely strong desire for
something.
filigree (n) delicate work made of gold or silver
wire, used to decorate things.
desecrate (v) to spoil or damage something holy.
impound (v) if the police or law courts impound
your possessions they take them and keep them
until you claim them.
extremity (n) the part that is furthest away from
the center of something.
entice (v) to persuade someone to do something
by offering them something if they will do it.
imbue (v) to make someone feel an emotion very
strongly.
heart-wrenching (adj) causing very strong
emotion of sadness, nostalgia etc.
mangle (v) to damage or injure something badly
by crushing or twisting it.
spangle (v) to cover something with shiny spots.
wrangle (v) to argue with someone angrily for a
long time.
tangle (v) to become twisted together or make
something become twisted together in an
untidy mass.
swish (v) to move or make something move
quickly through the air with a smooth quiet
sound.
bristle (n) a short stiff hair, wire etc. that forms
part of a brush.
interject (v) to interrupt what someone else is
saying with a sudden remark.
supplant (v) to take the place of a person or
thing so that they are no longer used, no longer
in a position of power etc.
sublimate (v) to use the energy that comes from
sexual feelings to do something, such as work
or art, that is more acceptable to your society.
scrutinize (v) to examine someone or something
very thoroughly and carefully.
pull sb's leg (phr) to make a joke by telling
someone something that is not actually true.
twist sb's arm (phr) to persuade s
something they do not want to do.
alleviate (v) to make something less painful or
difficult.
correlate (v) if two or more facts, ideas etc.
correlate, or you correlate them, they are closely
connected or one causes another.
demean (v) to do something that you think you
are too good for.
unilateral (adj) a unilateral action or decision is
done by only one of the groups involved in a
situation.
incision (n) a cut into something, especially into
someone's body using a special knife during a
medical operation, or the act of making this
kind of cut.
expedient (n) a clever and effective way of
dealing with a problem, even though it may be
morally wrong.
rash (adj) doing something too quickly, without
thinking carefully about whether it is sensible or
not.
writhe (v) to twist your body from side to side
violently, especially because you are suffering
pain.
wither (v) if plants wither they become drier and
smaller and start to die.
subside (v) if a feeling or noise subsides, it
gradually decreases.
incitement (n) encouraging people to cause
trouble, fight, argue etc.
importune (v) to ask someone for something
repeatedly, especially in an annoying or
unreasonable way; beg.
expunge (v) to remove a name from a list, piece
of information, or book.
assimilate (v) to think about new ideas,
information etc. so that you feel ready to use
them.
kin (n) your family.
brink (n) on the brink of to be almost in a new
and very different situation.
aversion (n) a strong dislike of something or
someone.
illustrious (adj) famous and admired because of
what you have achieved in the past.
Mini-dictionary
exemplary (adj) excellent and providing a good
example for people to follow.
be bound up (phr v) to be strongly connected or
related to something.
bundle (n) a group of things such as papers,
clothes, or sticks that are fastened or tied
together.
whir (v) to make a fairly quiet, regular sound, like
the sound of a bird or insect moving its wings
very fast.
pilgrim (n) someone who travels a long way to a
holy place for a religious reason.
missionary (n) someone who has been sent to a
foreign country to teach people about
Christianity and persuade them to become
Christians.
beak (n) the hard pointed mouth of a bird.
slaughter (n) to kili large numbers of people or
animals in a cruel or violent way.
Final Test 7
suspend (v) to hang something from something
else.
unearth (v) to find something after searching for
it. especially something that has been buried in
the ground.
vanguard (n) the leading position at the front of
an army or group of ships moving into battle, or
the soldiers who are in this position.
siege (n) a military operation during which an
army surrounds a place and tries to gain control
of it by stopping supplies of food, weapons etc.
from reaching it.
hitch (v) to fasten something to the back of a car
so that it can be pulled.
loiter (v) to stand or wait somewhere, especially
in a public place, without any clear reason.
retard (v) to delay the development of
something, orto make something happen more
slowly than expected.
uplifting (adj) making you feel more cheerful.
flit (v) to move lightly or quickly and not stay in
one place for very long.
suppress(v) to prevent important information or
opinions from becoming known, especially from
people who have a right to know.
Mini-dictionary
subdue (v) to prevent your emotions frorn
showing.
articulate (v) to express what you are thinking or
feeling very clearly.
instigate (v) to start trouble by persuading
someone to do something bad.
implicate (v) to show or seem to show that
someone is involved in something wrong or
criminal.
strive (v) to make a great effort to achieve
something.
expend (v) expend time/money etc. to use or
spend a lot of time etc. in order to do
something.
expound (v) to explain or talk about something
in detail.
condone (v) to accept or forgive behavior that
most people think is morally wrong.
concur (v) to agree with someone or have the
same opinion as them.
perpendicular (adj) not leaning to one side or
the other but exactly upright.
thrash (v) to beat someone violently in order to
punish them.
dominion (n) the power or right to rule people.
acute (adj) very serious or severe.
dismay (n) the worry, disappointment, and
unhappiness you feel when something
unpleasant happens.
contortion (n) the act of twisting something so
that it does not have its normal shape, and
looks strange or unattractive, or the fact of
being twisted in this way.
slam on the brakes (phr) to make a car stop
very suddenly.
brood (n) a family of young birds all born at the
same time.
mound (n) 1 a pile of earth or stones that looks
like a small hill, 2 a large pile of something.
huddle (v) if a group of people huddle together,
they gather closely together in a group,
especially because they are cold or frightened.
bountiful (adj) if something is bountiful, there is
more than enough of it.
array (n) a group or collection of things, usually
arranged so that you can see them all.
 palatable (adj) having a pleasant or acceptable
taste.
spoilage (n) waste resulting from something
being spoiled.
mold (n) a soft green or black substance that
grows on food which has been kept too long,
and on objects that are in warm, wet air.
yeast (n) a substance used for producing alcohol
in beer and wine and for making bread rise.
botulism (n) serious food poisoning caused by
bacteria in preserved meat and vegetables.
leaven (n) a substance, especially yeast, that is
added to a mixture of flour and water so that it
will swell and can be baked into bread.
bovine (adj) connected with cows.
legume (n) a bean, pea, lentil etc., used as food.
deplete (v) to reduce the amount of something
that is available.
i dash off (phr v) to write or draw something very
Final Test 8
denote (v) to mean.
aloft (adv) high up in the air.
enlightenment (n) the state of understanding
something clearly or the act of making someone
understand something clearly.
reminisce (v) to talk or think about pleasant
events in your past.
augment (v) to increase the value, amount,
effectiveness etc. of something.
supplicate (v) to ask or pray for help from
someone in power or from God.
copious (adj) existing or being produced in large
quantities.
volatile (adj) a volatile situation is likely to
change suddenly and without much warning.
-1
l.
futile (adj) actions that are futile are useless
because they have no chance of being
successful.
pledge (v) a firm promise or agreement,
especially one made publicly or officially.
condole (v) condole with sb to express sympathy
for someone's problems.
solace (n) a feeling of emotional comfort at a
time of great sadness or disappointment.
baffle (v) if something baffles someone, they
cannot understand or explain it at all.
muffle (v) to make a sound less loud and clear.
inter (v) to bury a dead person.
swivel (v) to turn something around that is fixed
to a moving central point.
congeal (v) if a liquid such as milk congeals, it
becomes thick or solid.
tap (v) to hit your hand or foot lightly against
something.
smack (v) to hit a child with your hand in order to
punish them.
aspire (v) to desire and work towards achieving
something important.
premeditated (adj) a premeditated crime or
attack is planned in advance and done
deliberately.
perpetuity (n) in perpetuity for all future time.
quickly.
lavish (adj) lavish gifts, meals etc. are large and
generous, and look as if they have cost a lot of
money.
irreverent (adj) having a lack of respect for
organizations, customs, beliefs etc.
toss one's hat into the ring (phr) to officially
announce that you will compete or take part in
something.
bite off more than one can chew (phr) to
try to do more than you are able to do.
eat humble pie (phr) to admit that you were
wrong about something.
paucity (n) less than is needed of something.
audacity (n) the quality of having enough
courage to take risks or say impolite things.
replenish (v) to fill something again or put new
supplies into something.
furnish (v) to supply or provide something.
festoon (v) to cover something with long pieces
of material, especially for decoration.
multi-hued (adj) of many colors.
ripple (v) to move in small waves, or to make
something move in this way.
sway (v) to move slowly from one side to another.
Mini-dictionary
weave (v) to move somewhere by turninq and
chanqinq direction a lot.
mainstay (íl) an irnportant part of sornethinq
that makes it possible for it to work properly or
continué to exist.
bumble off (phr v) to move away unsteadily and
slowly.
in a twinkling (phr) very quickly.
blotch (íl) a pink or red mark Oíl the skin. or a
colored mark Oíl sornethinq.
Mini-dictionary
carrion (n) dead flesh that is decayinq.
play possum (phr) to preterid to be asleep or
dead so that someone will not annoy or hurt
you.
feign (v) to preter-d to have a particular íeelinq or
to be ill, asleep etc.
mimicry (n) providinq protection by lookinq
exactly like somethinq else.
lush (adj) plants that are lush grow rnany leaves
and look healthy and stronq.