# PTE vocabulary list The academic words most often the answer in PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks, with a sentence from a real PTE question. - **associate** /əˈsəʊʃieɪt/ (verb): to connect two things as being linked. _A higher potassium intake has also been associated with increased bone density and bone strength._ - **determine** /dɪˈtɜːmɪn/ (verb): to decide or control what something will be. _Our purpose and background knowledge will also determine the strategies we use to read the text._ - **identify** /aɪˈdentɪfaɪ/ (verb): to recognize or find out what something is. _Using data from the scans, the team identified more than 1,000 settlements dotting the region._ - **establish** /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/ (verb): to set up or create something official. _Governments across the globe have established stringent criteria and certification processes for producers of green energy._ - **engage** /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/ (verb): to take part in an activity. _Many of us engage in financial transactions without fully grasping the implications of interest rates or investment risks._ - **factor** /ˈfæktə/ (noun): one of the things that influences a result. _However, individual tastes differ significantly and are influenced by a variety of factors._ - **benefit** /ˈbenɪfɪt/ (verb): to help or be useful to someone or something. _In everyday life, we sometimes use the term symbiosis to mean a relationship that benefits both parties._ - **potential** /pəˈtenʃl/ (noun): possible future ability or success. _This marked a significant achievement in the field of space communication, demonstrating the potential of laser technology in transmitting data across vast distances in space._ - **reflect** /rɪˈflekt/ (verb): to show or express something. _What is perhaps more important, however, is that our body language reflects how we judge, think, and feel about ourselves._ - **characteristic** /ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk/ (noun): a typical quality or feature of something. _Coastal pollution refers to the introduction of substances or any form of energy in the coastal environment, which results or is likely to result in adverse effects in the ecosystem due to changes in its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics._ - **conduct** /kənˈdʌkt/ (verb): to organize and carry out a study or activity. _For the first time Japanese researchers have conducted a real-life experiment that shows how some traffic jams appear for no apparent reason._ - **differ** /ˈdɪfə/ (verb): to be different from something else. _He observed that individuals differ in their inherited traits and that selection acts on such differences, leading to evolutionary change._ - **insight** /ˈɪnsaɪt/ (noun): a clear, deep understanding of something. _Mills was a contemporary sociologist who brought tremendous insight into the daily lives of society's members._ - **vulnerable** /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ (adjective): easily harmed or affected. _It is women, more than men, who are disproportionately more vulnerable to the effects of climate change._ - **emerge** /iˈmɜːdʒ/ (verb): to appear or become known. _A couple of key insights emerged about milkshake buyers._ - **influence** /ˈɪnfluəns/ (verb): to have an effect on someone or something. _The scientists had earlier found that nest temperature can influence the sex of lizard hatchlings._ - **reveal** /rɪˈviːl/ (verb): to show something that was hidden or unknown. _Videos revealed that the jays shake the nuts before selecting one, which apparently lets them gauge the nut's mass and perhaps also listen for the rattle of a well-packed shell._ - **shift** /ʃɪft/ (verb): to change from one thing or direction to another. _That means shifting to renewable sources of energy -- and, importantly, decarbonizing transportation, a sector that is now responsible for about a quarter of the world's carbon dioxide emissions._ - **species** /ˈspiːʃiːz/ (noun): a group of living things of the same kind. _When humans began farming some 12,000 years ago, they altered the future of our species forever._ - **adapt** /əˈdæpt/ (verb): to change to suit new conditions. _The agricultural sector must adapt to shifting weather patterns and increased extreme events, which requires an understanding of both climatology and plant science._ - **consume** /kənˈsjuːm/ (verb): to eat, drink or use up something. _Most people are aware that excessive and chronic drinking can severely impact their physical and mental health, but the exact effects will depend on the amount of alcohol consumed and how frequently someone drinks it._ - **ensure** /ɪnˈʃɔː/ (verb): to make certain that something happens. _Just because an article appears in a print publication does not ensure its credibility._ - **impact** /ˈɪmpækt/ (noun): a strong effect on something. _The slow process of global warming may have a different impact on various regions._ - **interact** /ˌɪntərˈækt/ (verb): to act together or affect each other. _In reality, many complex factors and personal reasons may interact to motivate a person or family to move._ - **maintain** /meɪnˈteɪn/ (verb): to keep something in the same good state. _In general, sleeping on your back or side is best for preventing neck or back pain as both positions help maintain your spine's natural curves._ - **occur** /əˈkɜː/ (verb): to happen. _Archaeological sites on six of these isles -- part of a 1,200-kilometer-long chain -- indicate that migrations to the islands occurred 35,000 to 30,000 years ago, both from the south via Taiwan and from the north via the Japanese island of Kyushu._ - **preserve** /prɪˈzɜːv/ (verb): to keep something safe from harm or change. _Without access to chemical fertilizers, medieval farmers developed and relied heavily on the system of crop rotation to preserve the health of their arable land._ - **promote** /prəˈməʊt/ (verb): to encourage or help something to happen. _Ultraprocessed foods are usually high in sugar, salt and fat, all of which promote inflammation throughout the body._ - **address** /əˈdres/ (verb): to start dealing with a problem. _In order to address the widespread problem of low literacy, educators and policymakers must first understand why so many students struggle to read._ - **advent** /ˈædvent/ (noun): the arrival or start of something important. _With the advent of agriculture and homesteading, people began settling down._ - **contribute** /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/ (verb): to be one of the causes of something. _Previous studies have shown that climate change hits the poorest nations hardest, despite them contributing the least to climate change._ - **discovery** /dɪˈskʌvəri/ (noun): finding something that was not known before. _The discovery of radioactivity won the Curies and Becquerel the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903._ - **evidence** /ˈevɪdəns/ (noun): facts or signs that show something is true. _It puts into words your knowledge and your conceptual understanding and shows evidence of your ability to think critically._ - **evolve** /iˈvɒlv/ (verb): to develop or change gradually over time. _The stock of Australia's dwellings is evolving, with current homes having more bedrooms on average than homes ten years ago._ - **facilitate** /fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/ (verb): to make an action or process easier. _The classrooms are designed to facilitate hands-on activities and problems that require students to interact with each other to reach a solution._ - **monitor** /ˈmɒnɪtə/ (verb): to watch and check something over time. _National Ice Center uses satellite data to monitor icebergs near Antarctica._ - **phenomenon** /fəˈnɒmɪnən/ (noun): something that happens or exists, often unusual. _Riverbank erosion is an inevitable natural phenomenon of any floodplain region._ - **specific** /spəˈsɪfɪk/ (adjective): particular, not general. _We always read within a specific context, and this affects what we notice and what seems to matter._ - **acceptance** /əkˈseptəns/ (noun): agreement that something is right or suitable. _Very few reforms, such as the rather different decimal French Republican and Soviet calendars, had gained official acceptance, but each was put out of use shortly after its introduction._ - **consequence** /ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/ (noun): a result of an action, often a bad one. _But today, I more clearly understand the consequences of leaving my original profession._ - **detect** /dɪˈtekt/ (verb): to notice or discover something hard to see. _Researchers have discovered that tardigrades use tiny molecular sensors in their cells to detect the level of harmful molecules which are produced by stress._ - **equivalent** /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/ (adjective): equal in value, amount or meaning. _They estimate that humans consume about 5 grams of plastic per week, equivalent to a credit card._ - **exposure** /ɪkˈspəʊʒə/ (noun): being in contact with something, often harmful. _Studies have found that exposure to air pollution is linked to a greater risk of depression and suicide._ - **implement** /ˈɪmplɪment/ (verb): to put a plan or decision into action. _Leadership skills are needed to set the vision, and management skills are needed to implement a plan to achieve that vision._ - **participant** /pɑːˈtɪsɪpənt/ (noun): a person who takes part in something. _In such conditions, it is necessary to define special rules of behavior for all the participants in the energy sector._ - **principle** /ˈprɪnsəpl/ (noun): a basic rule or idea that explains how something works. _Observational astronomy, as the name suggests, is concerned with observing the skies and then analyzing the observations, using the principles of physics._ - **tremendous** /trəˈmendəs/ (adjective): very great in amount or level. _Moreover, access to appropriate assistive products can have a tremendous impact on community development and economic growth._ - **accelerate** /əkˈseləreɪt/ (verb): to make something happen faster. _It is either one or the other, because significant expansion of employment in a super-tight labor market will accelerate wages, and therefore prices._ - **adopt** /əˈdɒpt/ (verb): to start using a particular idea, method or habit. _So what principles should you adopt when you go out shopping?_ - **advance** /ədˈvɑːns/ (noun): progress or a new development. _All parts of these organizations invest heavily in building and showcasing impressive features and product advances, which are the areas in which these companies prefer to compete._ - **boost** /buːst/ (verb): to increase or improve something. _UBI entails giving every citizen a regular, unconditional payment to provide a financial safety net and boost the economy._ - **burden** /ˈbɜːdn/ (noun): a heavy responsibility or difficulty. _This places the burden and responsibility of making choices and directing one's life solely on the individual._ - **chronic** /ˈkrɒnɪk/ (adjective): lasting a long time (of an illness or problem). _People are living longer but with more chronic disease and disability._ - **core** /kɔː/ (noun): the central, most important part. _The technology, at its core, manipulates our sensory perception, creating a convincing illusion of reality._ - **degradation** /ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃn/ (noun): damage that makes something worse in quality. _Ecological consequences of coastal pollution include degradation of habitats and biodiversity, and alteration of environmental functions and processes, resulting in a greater susceptibility to disturbances and in the decline of ecosystem services._ - **demand** /dɪˈmɑːnd/ (noun): people's need or desire to buy or have something. _Demand is so high that 40 species are now under threat, including white agave worms._ - **demonstrate** /ˈdemənstreɪt/ (verb): to show clearly that something is true. _It was built for the World's Fair to demonstrate that iron could be as strong as stone while being infinitely lighter._ - **devastating** /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ (adjective): causing very great damage or harm. _It was a mass extinction event and it was devastating._ - **emphasis** /ˈemfəsɪs/ (noun): special importance given to something. _Strongly influenced by Dada and its emphasis on appropriation and everyday objects, artists increasingly worked with collage, consumer products, and a healthy dose of irony._ - **equitable** /ˈekwɪtəbl/ (adjective): fair and equal for everyone. _The situation calls for a reassessment of environmental policies, emphasizing the need to address these disparities and ensure equitable access to clean air._ - **overlook** /ˌəʊvəˈlʊk/ (verb): to fail to notice or consider something. _The white chunks previously had been overlooked as evidence of sloppy mixing or poor-quality raw material._ - **regardless** /rɪˈɡɑːdləs/ (adverb): without being affected by something. _That suggests calories are metabolized the same regardless of when they are consumed, says Johnstone._ - **tend** /tend/ (verb): to usually do or be something. _Higher education graduates are less likely to be unemployed and tend to have higher incomes than those without such qualifications._ - **witness** /ˈwɪtnəs/ (verb): to see something happen; be the time when it happens. _The late 20th century witnessed a resurgence of sign languages, recognized as complete and complex systems with rich grammar and expressive power._ - **accessible** /əkˈsesəbl/ (adjective): easy to reach, get or use. _We need to find the tools to fight COVID, and we need to make them accessible to all._ - **accompany** /əˈkʌmpəni/ (verb): to happen or exist together with something. _Trading, for example, is often accompanied by hard bargaining, in which both sides conceal their full hand and perhaps engage in some bluffing._ - **alternative** /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/ (noun): another possible choice. _A better alternative is to use reusable cups, which can reduce waste, save resources, and protect the planet._ - **competitive** /kəmˈpetətɪv/ (adjective): where people try hard to be better than others. _Preparing for a career is very important for young people in today's competitive society._ - **concentration** /ˌkɒnsnˈtreɪʃn/ (noun): giving most attention to one particular thing. _Its concentration on the transformation of data into actionable knowledge for decision-making makes scholarship in decision science highly collaborative._ - **convert** /kənˈvɜːt/ (verb): to change something into a different form. _Through specialized cells containing chlorophyll, plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct._ - **decline** /dɪˈklaɪn/ (noun): a gradual decrease in amount or quality. _This decline in sleep quality and quantity for adults persists until the child is about six years old._ - **distinct** /dɪˈstɪŋkt/ (adjective): clearly separate and different. _Australia and New Zealand, while distinct nations, share a profound and enduring connection._ - **encompass** /ɪnˈkʌmpəs/ (verb): to include a wide range of things. _Higher up is the need for love and belonging, encompassing friendships, family, and intimate relationships._ - **estimate** /ˈestɪmeɪt/ (verb): to roughly calculate an amount or number. _When Captain Cook visited these islands towards the end of the 18th century, he estimated that the population numbered about a hundred thousand._ - **evolutionary** /ˌiːvəˈluːʃənri/ (adjective): relating to how species develop over long periods. _These communities still live by hunting and gathering, as most humans did over evolutionary history._ - **extent** /ɪkˈstent/ (noun): how large, important or serious something is. _For many years, the complexity of DNA made understanding the full extent of its influence a distant dream._ - **obstacle** /ˈɒbstəkl/ (noun): something that blocks progress. _But the path to that cleaner future is daunting, clogged with political and societal roadblocks, as well as scientific obstacles._ - **overcome** /ˌəʊvəˈkʌm/ (verb): to succeed in dealing with a problem. _Early intervention can make a big difference in helping children overcome their difficulties and achieve their full potential._ - **passive** /ˈpæsɪv/ (adjective): accepting things without taking action. _Reading is an active process, not a passive one._ - **perspective** /pəˈspektɪv/ (noun): a particular way of thinking about something. _Analyzing food from a sociological perspective reveals the layers of meaning it carries beyond mere sustenance, encompassing issues of power, tradition, and resistance in a globalized world._ - **release** /rɪˈliːs/ (verb): to let something out or go free. _Those antibodies then cause certain cells in the body to release chemicals into the bloodstream, one of which is histamine (pronounced: HIS-tuh-meen)._ - **rooted** /ˈruːtɪd/ (adjective): having its origin or basis in something. _The world of organic agriculture has often been critiqued as being rooted more in philosophy than in science._ - **satisfy** /ˈsætɪsfaɪ/ (verb): to meet a need or want. _A market can be defined as a group of potential buyers with needs and wants and the purchasing power to satisfy them._ - **thereby** /ˌðeəˈbaɪ/ (adverb): as a result of this. _The primary purpose of assistive products is to maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being._ - **undermine** /ˌʌndəˈmaɪn/ (verb): to gradually weaken something. _Its causes are complex and multifaceted, reflecting a combination of domestic and international conditions that conspired to undermine economic stability and confidence._ - **vast** /vɑːst/ (adjective): extremely large. _The capability to process vast amounts of data simultaneously could lead to breakthroughs in cryptography, materials science, and complex system modeling._ - **characterize** /ˈkærəktəraɪz/ (verb): to describe the typical qualities of something. _The biosphere is characterized as an area that contains all living organisms and the products of their activities._ - **comparable** /ˈkɒmpərəbl/ (adjective): similar in size, amount or quality. _The amount of water was comparable to that found on the lunar surface by the same telescope in 2020._ - **diversity** /daɪˈvɜːsəti/ (noun): a wide variety of different things or people. _These distinct regions, each with its own unique weather patterns and characteristics, play a crucial role in shaping the diversity of life on our planet._ - **emission** /iˈmɪʃn/ (noun): gas or other substance sent out into the air. _Using less energy saves money and lowers greenhouse gas emissions._ - **feat** /fiːt/ (noun): an impressive achievement that needs skill or effort. _A team of Indian scientists has achieved a historic feat by successfully landing a spacecraft at the lunar south pole, where no one has ever gone before._ - **findings** /ˈfaɪndɪŋz/ (noun): the results of a study or investigation. _The scientists presented their findings at the Society for Experimental Biology's annual conference in Prague._ - **habitat** /ˈhæbɪtæt/ (noun): the natural home of an animal or plant. _These studies unveil the secrets of amphibian survival strategies in dense rainforests and the intricate relationships between species and their habitats._ - **identical** /aɪˈdentɪkl/ (adjective): exactly the same. _Research has found that the packaging of some edible products, especially those available on the black market, looks nearly identical to the real thing._ - **overlap** /ˌəʊvəˈlæp/ (verb): to partly cover or share the same area. _Both management and leadership are necessary skills, and they often overlap with one another._ - **pose** /pəʊz/ (verb): to create a problem, danger or difficulty. _Icebergs pose a danger to ships traversing the North Atlantic and the waters around Antarctica._ - **prior** /ˈpraɪə/ (adjective): existing or happening earlier. _The rate of deforestation and habitat loss, especially in the Amazon and Southeast Asian rainforests, is exceeding prior estimates._ - **pursue** /pəˈsjuː/ (verb): to try to achieve something over time. _Many companies will help fund employees' education who want to pursue advanced degrees or certifications in their field._ - **regard** /rɪˈɡɑːd/ (noun): (with regard to) about; concerning. _Most TED Talk speakers follow Steve Jobs's speaking style with regard to visuals._ - **regulate** /ˈreɡjuleɪt/ (verb): to control the level or amount of something. _It can also be found in barometers, which are used to measure air pressure and show changes in weather, and thermostats, which regulate the temperature of buildings._ - **relatively** /ˈrelətɪvli/ (adverb): fairly, when compared with others. _However, heat pumps are still relatively uncommon in the UK, with only 1% of British homes having one installed, compared to 60% of Norwegian homes._ - **severe** /sɪˈvɪə/ (adjective): very serious or bad. _The Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s, was the most severe and prolonged economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world._ - **shed** /ʃed/ (verb): (shed light on) to help explain something. _The answer to that question could shed light on the proficiency of these Stone Age humans as mariners and their mental capabilities overall._ - **substance** /ˈsʌbstəns/ (noun): a particular type of solid, liquid or gas. _Lava is an incredibly hot substance that forms when magma from the Earth's depths rises to the surface, and erupts through a volcano._ - **sufficient** /səˈfɪʃnt/ (adjective): enough for a particular purpose. _COVID-19 exposed the consequences of failing to make sufficient progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change._ - **unprecedented** /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ (adjective): never having happened or existed before. _The current generation of adolescents is growing up at a time of unprecedented change._ - **acknowledge** /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/ (verb): to accept or admit that something exists or is true. _While any attempt to be objective in your analysis is a good thing, it can be just as useful to acknowledge your biases in your research and arm the reader or consumer of your material accordingly._ - **array** /əˈreɪ/ (noun): a large group or range of things. _They are inundated with music emitting from a wide array of electronic devices, toys, and computers offering a limitless number of musical selections._ - **autonomy** /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ (noun): the freedom to make your own decisions. _The division of powers is constitutionally established, ensuring that each level of government has a degree of autonomy and can make decisions within its jurisdiction._ - **awareness** /əˈweənəs/ (noun): knowledge or understanding of a situation or problem. _The authors hope that their findings will raise awareness of the potential health risks of nanoplastic pollution, which is a growing environmental concern._ - **barrier** /ˈbæriə/ (noun): something that blocks progress or keeps things apart. _Employers of choice remove the barriers between the different segments of people's lives, by creating flexible conditions of work and a range of leave entitlements._ - **collaborative** /kəˈlæbərətɪv/ (adjective): involving people working together. _The faculty enjoys collaborative relationships with local museums, numerous galleries and a variety of other art organizations._ - **commitment** /kəˈmɪtmənt/ (noun): dedication to a cause, activity or person. _The field demands a commitment to truth and ethics, with journalists acting as watchdogs for society._ - **complement** /ˈkɒmplɪment/ (verb): to add to something in a way that improves it. _The authors said that this large-scale approach could complement traditional lab studies and help democratize motor learning research._ - **comprehensive** /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ (adjective): including everything or nearly everything. _This provides a more comprehensive and accurate measure when compared with confirmed COVID-19 deaths alone._ - **confront** /kənˈfrʌnt/ (verb): to face and deal with a difficult problem. _Over the decades, the UN expanded to encompass 193 member states, adapting its mission to confront emerging challenges like climate change, terrorism, and humanitarian crises._ - **consist** /kənˈsɪst/ (verb): (consist of) to be made up of. _The exascale supercomputer will use a modular architecture, consisting of several interconnected modules with different hardware and software configurations._ - **consistently** /kənˈsɪstəntli/ (adverb): always in the same way. _We can, and do, consistently communicate our feelings to one another._ - **constitute** /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/ (verb): to form or make up something. _If you had a worm that constituted a quarter of your body weight, you'd eat more too._ - **context** /ˈkɒntekst/ (noun): the situation in which something happens. _In the context of these regulations, foods marketed as organic are produced in a way that complies with organic standards set by national governments and international organic industry trade organizations._ - **conversely** /ˈkɒnvɜːsli/ (adverb): in an opposite way. _Adding heat will increase a body's temperature while removing heat will lower the temperature, thus changes in temperature are the result of the presence of heat, or conversely, the lack of heat._ - **detrimental** /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ (adjective): causing harm or damage. _Empirical studies have delineated a dual-edged nature of computer gaming, presenting both beneficial and detrimental outcomes._ - **diagnosis** /ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs/ (noun): identifying what illness or problem someone has. _There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, resulting in stigmatization and barriers to diagnosis and care._ - **disrupt** /dɪsˈrʌpt/ (verb): to stop something from working or continuing normally. _Meanwhile, a low pressure system has brought torrential rain to parts of the Northern Territory, causing floods and disrupting supplies._ - **diverse** /daɪˈvɜːs/ (adjective): very different from each other; varied. _Python, known for its simplicity and readability, has become widely used in diverse fields, from web development to data science._ - **embedded** /ɪmˈbedɪd/ (adjective): firmly fixed as part of something. _The game is so embedded in the public's consciousness that there is now even such a thing as a chess influencer._ - **encounter** /ɪnˈkaʊntə/ (verb): to experience or meet something. _An individual organism can regulate its internal processes rapidly to sustain itself within the usual range of environmental changes that it encounters hourly or daily._ - **endeavor** /ɪnˈdevə/ (verb): to try hard to do something. _But most students, most of the time should endeavor to be sensibly simple to develop a baseline style of short words, active verbs and relatively simple sentence carrying clear actions or identities._ - **enhance** /ɪnˈhɑːns/ (verb): to improve the quality or value of something. _Does the increase in the older population create an economic burden on society or can older people be mobilized to enhance the productivity of communities in which they work and live?_ - **exceed** /ɪkˈsiːd/ (verb): to be more than a particular amount or limit. _Around the age of 6 months, an infant's need for energy and nutrients starts to exceed what is provided by breast milk, and complementary foods are necessary to meet those needs._ - **foster** /ˈfɒstə/ (verb): to encourage something to develop. _The results indicated not only a positive environmental impact but also a change in the social fabric of urban communities, fostering a more connected and accessible city environment._ - **fraction** /ˈfrækʃn/ (noun): a small part or amount of something. _In other words, these devices are transparent to the human eye but still absorb a fraction of the solar light which they can then convert into electricity._ - **framework** /ˈfreɪmwɜːk/ (noun): a basic structure of rules or ideas. _The absence of a universal framework for digital governance only adds to the complexity, mirroring the geopolitical debates over the recognition of nation-states._ - **generate** /ˈdʒenəreɪt/ (verb): to produce or create something. _She says the exercise has generated significant interest from trade unions and government._ - **incorporate** /ɪnˈkɔːpəreɪt/ (verb): to include something as part of a whole. _For the first time, dictionary publishers are incorporating real, spoken English into their data._ - **influx** /ˈɪnflʌks/ (noun): a large number of people or things arriving. _It also spins revenue from the influx of tourists, participants and Olympic related paraphernalia._ - **navigate** /ˈnævɪɡeɪt/ (verb): to find your way from one place to another. _Butterflies, being diurnal creatures, have evolved to navigate using the sun._ - **notion** /ˈnəʊʃn/ (noun): an idea or belief about something. _Economists, for example, create mathematically-based models on the notion that people act rationally as far as their own economic interests are concerned._ - **objective** /əbˈdʒektɪv/ (adjective): based on facts, not personal feelings. _In an ideal world, 'objective' or 'balanced' information would present all the evidence for and against, and leave you to weigh this up and draw conclusions._ - **observe** /əbˈzɜːv/ (verb): to watch or notice something carefully. _Scientists have not yet observed dark matter directly._ - **outcome** /ˈaʊtkʌm/ (noun): the result of an action or process. _By addressing these early on, it may be possible to prevent or delay the onset of YOD and improve the outcomes for the affected individuals and their families._ - **overwhelming** /ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋ/ (adjective): too great or strong to deal with easily. _An insignificant amount for an adult could be overwhelming for a small child._ - **pace** /peɪs/ (noun): the speed at which something happens. _The pace of life seems to have accelerated, with the expectation of instant communication and the constant flow of information shaping a new cultural norm of immediacy._ - **perceive** /pəˈsiːv/ (verb): to notice or understand something in a particular way. _As the light exits the raindrop, it bends again, creating the spectrum of colors we perceive as a rainbow._ - **pivotal** /ˈpɪvətl/ (adjective): very important; central to what happens. _Despite its complexities, the UN remains a pivotal force in international affairs, mediating conflicts, delivering aid, and advocating for human dignity worldwide._ - **prevalent** /ˈprevələnt/ (adjective): common or widespread at a particular time. _Ecotourism itself did not become prevalent as a travel concept until the late 1980s._ - **proximity** /prɒkˈsɪməti/ (noun): being near to something in space. _This bond is rooted in a shared history, common cultural values, and geographic proximity._ - **relevant** /ˈreləvənt/ (adjective): closely connected to the subject being discussed. _Having tracked down research that is relevant to your area of interest, the next task is to actually make sense of that research._ - **restore** /rɪˈstɔː/ (verb): to bring back to a former good condition. _At the disease sites, they will reduce gut inflammation and restore the bacterial community there._ - **significant** /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ (adjective): large or important enough to have an effect. _They spend a significant amount of time with us, understanding our strengths and weaknesses and helping us improve._ - **stimulate** /ˈstɪmjuleɪt/ (verb): to encourage something to grow or become active. _This, in turn, will stimulate further investment due to the multiplier effect and significant rural-to-urban migration._ - **substantial** /səbˈstænʃl/ (adjective): large in amount, size or importance. _A recent study suggests that short bursts of vigorous activity every day climbing stairs, carrying a heavy load of groceries, or stepping up the pace of housework can provide substantial health benefits._ - **susceptible** /səˈseptəbl/ (adjective): easily affected or harmed by something. _It's a country very susceptible to the impacts of the climate crisis._ - **sustainable** /səˈsteɪnəbl/ (adjective): able to continue without harming the environment. _Ecotourism and other forms of sustainable travel have their origins with the environmental movement of the 1970s._ - **tackle** /ˈtækl/ (verb): to make an effort to deal with a problem. _Universal basic income (UBI) has become more popular as a way to tackle economic inequality._ - **transform** /trænsˈfɔːm/ (verb): to change something completely. _Diabetes and obesity rates can be reduced by transforming towns and cities into places where it is safe and convenient to walk, cycle or take public transport rather than drive._ - **transmit** /trænzˈmɪt/ (verb): to pass something from one person or thing to another. _Plague is an infectious disease and is transmitted between animals via their fleas._ - **underscore** /ˌʌndəˈskɔː/ (verb): to emphasize or show that something is important. _This statement underscores the idea that VR's power lies in its ability to connect with users beyond the visual, tapping into a deeper, emotional response._ - **vital** /ˈvaɪtl/ (adjective): extremely important or necessary. _This precipitation is a vital part of the water cycle._ - **akin** /əˈkɪn/ (adjective): (akin to) similar to. _Defining sovereignty in the digital era presents a complex challenge, akin to the difficulty of defining a country._ - **assumption** /əˈsʌmpʃn/ (noun): something believed to be true without proof. _This discovery challenges the previous assumption that these asteroids were completely dry and could explain the origin and distribution of water in our solar system._ - **attribute** /əˈtrɪbjuːt/ (verb): to say that something is caused by something. _The researchers attribute this finding to "male" being historically seen as the default gender._ - **compound** /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ (noun): a substance made of two or more elements. _Vitamins are distinct in several ways from other biologically important compounds such as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids._ - **comprise** /kəmˈpraɪz/ (verb): to consist of; be made up of. _The initial membership comprised 51 countries, each committed to maintaining international security, fostering economic development,and upholding human rights standards._ - **concept** /ˈkɒnsept/ (noun): an idea of what something is or should be. _For a start, we need to change our concept of 'retirement', and we need to change mind-sets arising from earlier government policy which, in the face of high unemployment levels, encouraged mature workers to take early retirement._ - **conviction** /kənˈvɪkʃn/ (noun): a strong belief or opinion. _But a book on 'Risk' by my colleague John Adams has made me re-examine my deeply held convictions._ - **cope** /kəʊp/ (verb): to deal successfully with something difficult. _If a couple does divorce, there are specific considerations they should take into account to help their children cope._ - **correlate** /ˈkɒrəleɪt/ (verb): to be connected, so one changes as the other changes. _In their paper in BioScience, the two researchers showed that reintroducing the wolves was correlated with increased growth of willow and cottonwood in the park._ - **decisive** /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/ (adjective): firm and producing a clear result. _We need decisive action if we are remedying this worsening situation._ - **deficiency** /dɪˈfɪʃnsi/ (noun): a lack of something that is needed. _Dry lips are a common problem that can have various causes, including nutrient deficiencies, medications, weather, and other factors._ - **deplete** /dɪˈpliːt/ (verb): to greatly reduce the amount of something. _The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the US Southwest, but today, it is drastically depleted due to overuse, megadrought, and climate change._ - **dissemination** /dɪˌsemɪˈneɪʃn/ (noun): the spreading of information to many people. _The exponential growth of the Internet was heralded, in the 1990s, as revolutionizing the production and dissemination of information._ - **distinguish** /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ (verb): to mark something as different from others. _Scientists have discovered 118 chemical elements, distinguished by the number of protons in their nuclei._ - **distribute** /dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/ (verb): to share or spread something among people. _The number of poor people in a country and the average quality of life depend on how equally or unequally income is distributed across the population._ - **diverge** /daɪˈvɜːdʒ/ (verb): to separate and develop in different directions. _When I meet old friends who are now physicians and surgeons, I sense how our views on medical problems have diverged._ - **elusive** /iˈluːsɪv/ (adjective): difficult to find, achieve or understand. _While the comprehensive picture remains elusive, research has illuminated some contributing factors._ - **emulate** /ˈemjuleɪt/ (verb): to copy someone you admire. _In search of lessons to apply in our own careers, we often try to emulate what effective leaders do._ - **enact** /ɪˈnækt/ (verb): to make a proposal into law. _That's because limitations on new tax credits enacted in August as part of the Inflation Reduction Act won't be put into force all at once, the Treasury Department announced this week._ - **evoke** /ɪˈvəʊk/ (verb): to bring a feeling or memory into the mind. _Then, they decorate it with glittering lights, colorful ornaments, and an elegant tree topper, making it the focal point of all their activities and evoking all those warm, cheerful holiday emotions._ - **favorable** /ˈfeɪvərəbl/ (adjective): good or helpful; giving an advantage. _One advantage of vegetative propagation is that plants with favorable traits are repeatedly reproduced._ - **forefront** /ˈfɔːfrʌnt/ (noun): the leading or most important position. _Researchers in this field are at the forefront of developing resilient agricultural systems that can withstand the impacts of a changing climate._ - **fragmented** /fræɡˈmentɪd/ (adjective): broken into separate parts. _The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's outermost layer is fragmented into a dozen or more large and small plates that are moving relative to one another._ - **incentive** /ɪnˈsentɪv/ (noun): something that encourages you to do something. _A control group just tried to lose weight without any economic incentive._ - **indicate** /ˈɪndɪkeɪt/ (verb): to show or suggest that something is true. _Evidence indicates the giant elliptical galaxy Messier 87 contains a supermassive black hole over 6 billion times the mass of our sun._ - **inequality** /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ (noun): an unfair difference between groups in society. _These barriers are often unfair and reflect the social and economic inequalities in our society._ - **innate** /ɪˈneɪt/ (adjective): present from birth; natural, not learned. _Indeed, a sense of rhythm seems to be innate._ - **intake** /ˈɪnteɪk/ (noun): the amount of food or drink taken in. _Between March and September, men consumed about 17 per cent more calories per day than they did during the rest of the year, while women's food intake stayed about the same._ - **latter** /ˈlætə/ (noun): the second of two things just mentioned. _The former involves communicating a clear vision and persuading subordinates to follow it, while the latter involves seeking input and feedback from subordinates to create a shared goal._ - **mitigate** /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ (verb): to make something bad less harmful or serious. _This involves recognizing the potential for cognitive and social skill development through selective game genres while instituting boundaries to mitigate exposure to harmful content and prevent problematic gaming behaviors._ - **mortality** /mɔːˈtæləti/ (noun): death, or the number of deaths in a group. _Social ties also reduce mortality risk among adults with documented medical conditions._ - **mutual** /ˈmjuːtʃuəl/ (adjective): felt or done equally by each side toward the other. _When everyone in a corporation shares the same values and goals, it's possible to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, and support._ - **notorious** /nəʊˈtɔːriəs/ (adjective): famous for something bad. _The most notorious among these is the female Anopheles mosquito, the primary vector for malaria, a disease that claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa._ - **nurture** /ˈnɜːtʃə/ (verb): to care for something while it grows and develops. _Through nurturing each bonsai, the grower embarks on a personal journey, discovering not just the art of miniaturization but also the profound lessons of growth, adaptation, and the transient nature of existence itself._ - **potent** /ˈpəʊtnt/ (adjective): very powerful or effective. _Cuteness in offspring is a potent protective mechanism that ensures survival for otherwise completely dependent infants._ - **predominantly** /prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/ (adverb): mostly; mainly. _The data suggested that bloggers predominantly write individually rather than in groups, with millennials being the most active demographic._ - **prohibit** /prəˈhɪbɪt/ (verb): to officially forbid something. _A crime is generally a deliberate act that results in harm, physical or otherwise, toward one or more people, in a manner prohibited by law._ - **radical** /ˈrædɪkl/ (adjective): new and very different from what is usual. _Early impressionist painters were considered radical in their time because they broke many of the rules of the picture-making that had been set by earlier generations._ - **renowned** /rɪˈnaʊnd/ (adjective): famous and respected. _He's renowned for his beautiful water lilies and Japanese footbridge scenes, which brilliantly play with light and color._ - **replicate** /ˈreplɪkeɪt/ (verb): to copy something exactly. _Tiny 'living machines' made of frog cells can replicate themselves, making copies that can then go on to do the same._ - **resistant** /rɪˈzɪstənt/ (adjective): not easily damaged or affected by something. _In addition, changes made to the construction codes in Los Angeles during the last 20 years have strengthened the city's buildings and highways, making them more resistant to quakes._ - **sedentary** /ˈsedntri/ (adjective): involving a lot of sitting and little exercise. _Additionally, the immersive nature of many games can lead to sedentary lifestyle habits, contributing to obesity and related health issues._ - **stimulus** /ˈstɪmjələs/ (noun): something that causes a reaction in a living thing. _Robots may soon be able to sense and avoid potentially harmful stimuli, thanks to a system that mimics the human pain response._ - **thrive** /θraɪv/ (verb): to grow, develop or succeed very well. _The results are delicious: they are not just surviving but thriving._ - **transition** /trænˈzɪʃn/ (noun): a change from one state or condition to another. _Bold, fast, and wide-ranging action needs to be taken by governments and businesses, but the transition to a low-carbon world also requires the participation of citizens._ - **tribute** /ˈtrɪbjuːt/ (noun): something done or given to show respect or thanks. _An Australian sheep farmer paid his own unique tribute to his beloved aunt._ - **trigger** /ˈtrɪɡə/ (verb): to cause something to start happening. _Scientists warn that this level of warming could trigger tipping points that would spark runaway climate change._ - **undergo** /ˌʌndəˈɡəʊ/ (verb): to experience a process or change. _But before leaving his home country to study at the UK's Royal College of Art seven years ago, he underwent a traditional and highly technical education in Seoul National University._ - **unravel** /ʌnˈrævl/ (verb): to explain or solve something complicated. _Figuring out what peace and quiet actually does for our mental and physical health is the ambition of a group of neuroscientists and health professionals who are beginning to unravel the benefits._ - **yield** /jiːld/ (noun): the amount produced, for example by crops. _Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture, affecting crop yields and farming practices worldwide._