Test 2 - Reading - Passage 2

a group of medical signs that indicate a person is suffering from a particular disease or condition

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability and distinctive facial features.

to say that one is willing to damage something or hurt someone if one's demands are not met

The robber threatened the store clerk with a knife if they didn't hand over the money.

widely known for something negative or unfavorable

The city is notorious for its heavy traffic.

(of a disease) transmittable from one person to another through close contact

COVID-19 is highly contagious, spreading easily among individuals in crowded places.

to appear or happen unexpectedly

While reading the article, a related video popped up on the sidebar.

to destroy completely, especially by fire

The intense heat from the explosion burned out the surrounding vegetation.

someone or something that is being described, discussed, or dealt with

The main subject of today's lecture is the French Revolution.

a period of one thousand years, usually calculated from the year of the birth of Jesus Christ

Historians study events that occurred during the first millennium AD to understand ancient civilizations.

a gear in a vehicle's transmission system used to make it move backward

She shifted into reverse to back out of the parking space.

to establish or introduce something, such as a policy or program

They instituted new safety protocols to prevent accidents.

similar in every detail and totally alike

The two keys are identical; I can't distinguish one from the other.

(of a method, idea, or plan) likely to be successful or effective

The engineer proposed a practical solution to the problem.

a model or standard for making comparisons

the act of putting one thing into another

a single slender thread of something such as a fiber, hair, etc.

a vehicle that can use two or more different sources of power as needed, often petrol in addition to electricity or diesel

The latest hybrid SUV seamlessly switches between its petrol engine and electric motor during city commutes to maximize fuel economy.

completely lacking moral or honorable purpose or character

His base actions shocked everyone at the party.

doubtful or uncertain in terms of quality, reliability, or legitimacy

The decision to proceed with the project was questionable, given the lack of funding.

the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another

a particular type of animal or plant that has typically been domesticated by people in a certain way

The Border Collie breed is renowned for its intelligence and herding instincts.

to make things like items, people, particles, etc. spread out from a center and move in different directions

The wind scattered the autumn leaves in all directions, creating a colorful carpet on the ground.

a land measurement unit that equals 10000 square meters or 2471 acres

A hectare is a unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters or approximately 2.47 acres.

an event or situation that interrupts or disrupts the normal state or functioning of something

The loud music caused a disturbance in the neighborhood.

to damage or destroy something severely

The storm had the power to wreck houses along the coast.

lacking movement or circulation

The stagnant water in the pond had a foul odor and attracted mosquitoes.

not hospitable or inviting, often creating a sense of discomfort or unease

The hotel had an unwelcoming atmosphere.

to develop from a simple form to a more complex or sophisticated one over an extended period

The Internet has evolved from a basic communication tool to a complex network of information.

to regain strength and go back to normal

to breed two different plants or animals to create a new variety or species with mixed traits

Farmers hybridized two types of corn to increase yield.

to bring back a lost connection or a former condition

(of an animal, child, or plant) to grow with strength, health, or energy

The baby thrived in the loving and supportive care of her family.

someone who is competing in an election or for a job position

The candidate for mayor gave an inspiring speech at the rally.

the act of bringing something back into active use, attention, or importance after a period of decline or obscurity

The renovation project sparked a revival of interest in the historic building.

the act of opposing or refusing to accept something one disapproves of or disagrees with

The proposal met strong resistance from local residents.

to precisely locate or identify something or someone

Using advanced technology, scientists were able to pinpoint the epicenter of the earthquake within a matter of seconds.

the expansive flat Arctic regions, of North America, Asia, and Europe, in which no trees grow and the soil is always frozen

The Arctic tundra is characterized by its cold, treeless landscape and permafrost, making it a harsh environment for plant and animal life.

to expose someone or something to potential harm or risk

Ignoring safety protocols can endanger workers on a construction site.

a line of mountains or hills

The Rocky Mountain range stretches from Canada down to New Mexico, offering breathtaking vistas and challenging climbs.

a movie, TV program, etc. that is based on a book or play

The film adaptation of the bestselling novel stayed true to the book's plot and characters.

to protect or shield from cold, heat, sound, or electricity by surrounding with a material that prevents the transfer of energy

The homeowners decided to insulate their attic to keep the house warm in winter.

related to regions or climates located in the northern latitudes of the Earth, characterized by cold temperatures and typically dominated by coniferous forests

The boreal forests of Canada are home to diverse wildlife adapted to cold winters, such as moose, wolves, and bears.

the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and etc.

Carbon emissions from factories contribute significantly to global warming.

to cause something or someone to fall to the ground

The boxer knocked down his opponent with a powerful uppercut.

to provide someone with support, hope, or confidence

The teacher always took the time to encourage her students, praising their efforts and boosting their confidence in the classroom.

to lessen something's seriousness, severity, or painfulness

Planting more trees can mitigate the impact of climate change.

ground that is permanently frozen

a visual view, scene, or panorama of a particular region or landscape

From the hilltop, the prospect of the valley was breathtaking.

to become visible after coming out of somewhere

The pattern on the fabric emerged slowly as the dye set in.

the general population

Propaganda was used to influence the masses.

the act of making small changes in something, usually for an enhancement

The modification of the car’s engine increased its performance.

concerned with right and wrong behavior

Teaching children moral values is essential for their development.

to put someone or something at danger or risk

Neglecting safety procedures can hazard the well-being of workers.

to find a number or amount using mathematics

She calculated the total cost of the groceries before going to the store.

to find out the exact size of something or someone

The tailor regularly measures customers to ensure a perfect fit for their clothes.

a Latin phrase (or its abbreviation) used to indicate that special attention should be paid to something

to give someone or something the means or ability to do something

Technology enables us to communicate instantly across the globe.

trees and plants in general, particularly those of a specific habitat or area

The dense vegetation in the tropical rainforest creates a lush canopy that filters sunlight and supports a myriad of wildlife.

not enough in degree or amount

The amount of evidence presented was deemed insufficient to support the claim.

(of an animal, plant, etc.) not having any living members, either due to natural causes, environmental changes, or human activity

The dodo bird is an example of a species that is now extinct, as it disappeared centuries ago due to human activity.

very well-known and admired

The actor gave a legendary performance that will be remembered for generations to come.

a group of birds of the same type, flying and feeding together

With a flutter of wings, the flock of sparrows descended upon the bird feeder, chirping excitedly as they feasted.

a thing or person that is striking or impressive to see, often because it is unusual or remarkable

The hot air balloons rising at dawn created a picturesque spectacle.

a representative or characteristic sample that is examined or analyzed to gain insights or understanding of a particular group or category

The scientist examined the specimen under the microscope for research.

a specialist in or student of the branch of biology that deals with how individual features and different characteristics are passed through genes

The geneticist conducted experiments to understand how certain traits are inherited in different animal species.

trying or wishing to gain great success, power, or wealth

Always the ambitious student, she dreamed of attending a top university and then establishing her own global enterprise.

a theory or statement that acts as the foundation of an argument

The entire debate was based on the premise that economic growth benefits all members of society.

to create an exact genetic copy of an organism or replicate something closely

Scientists successfully cloned the sheep "Dolly" from an adult cell.

to increase productivity of the soil by spreading suitable substances on it

Gardeners fertilize their vegetable patches with compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.

an unhatched or unborn offspring in the process of development, especially a human offspring roughly from the second to the eighth week after fertilization

During the first trimester, the human embryo undergoes rapid cell division and differentiation to form essential organs.

to be the first one to do, use, invent, or discover something

Marie Curie pioneered research on radioactivity.

having the latest and most advanced features or design

The cutting-edge medical device uses nanotechnology to deliver targeted treatments with unprecedented precision.

to try as hard as possible to achieve a goal

Despite facing obstacles, she strives to excel in her academic pursuits.

an animal that feeds on the flesh of other animals

Lions are powerful carnivores that hunt in prides.

a hollow space in a wall, used for putting in decorative objects such a statue, or other decorative items

The cathedral's interior was adorned with ornate niches, each housing a statue of a saint or biblical figure.

to show something to someone by pointing one's finger toward it

He pointed out the star constellation to his children.

to make someone or something weaker or less effective

The ongoing stress is debilitating his mental health.

a beauty treatment for one's face that consists of cleansing and messaging the face to improve its appearance and condition

The spa offers a relaxing facial with natural ingredients.

an abnormal mass of diseased cells that serves no function in the body and usually causes medical problems

a legal process where a judge and jury examine evidence in court to decide if the accused is guilty

The trial lasted for several weeks as witnesses testified and evidence was presented.

to make it necessary to ask a clear question that has not been answered, usually because something important or unclear has been said or done

The sudden change in plans begs the question of why it happened.