IELTS Vocab - U8

Question 1

a circle of very large stones built in ancient times in southern England
noun
…, a prehistoric monument, was built more than 5,000 years ago.

Answer 1

Stonehenge
/ˌstoʊnˈhendʒ/

Question 2

coming or likely to happen very soon
adjective, C2
For a man in …danger of losing his job, he appeared quite unruffled.
Her remarks were intended to scotch rumours of an …election date.
He announced the …arrival of a messianic leader.
He gave a dire warning that an earthquake was ….
He warned that an enemy missile attack was ….

Answer 2

imminent
/ˈɪm.ə.nənt/

Question 3

before a particular time, or before doing a particular thing
IDIOM, B1
If you’re going to come, please let me know … … .
Did you check … … whether the venue was wheelchair-accessible?
Most holiday companies request a 20 percent deposit … … .

Answer 3

in advance
at an earlier time
before: I was sure I’d seen her face before.
beforehand: He knew beforehand that his speech would anger many people.
previously: She has previously denied the accusations.
in advance: You should prepare your ingredients in advance.
ahead of time: US Try to arrive at the airport ahead of time to minimize the possibility of delays.

Question 4

before the present time or in the past
adverb, FORMAL, B2
…, he had gone regularly to Europe, but now he seldom traveled.

Answer 4

formerly
/ˈfɔr·mər·li/

Question 5

happening one after another
She had her first three children …rapid ….
This is the seventh year … … that they’ve won the tournament.

Answer 5

in succession
/səkˈseʃ.ən/

Question 6

a number of similar events or people that happen, exist, etc. after each other
noun
A …of scandals and revelations has undermined the government over the past year.
Life was just an endless …of parties and dinners.

Answer 6

succession
/səkˈseʃ.ən/

Question 7

existing or happening before someone or something
adjective
The paintings are a development of ideas she explored in the …decade.
In conclusion, I hope the …arguments have convinced you of the need for action.

Answer 7

preceding
/priːˈsiː.dɪŋ/

Question 8

before the present time or the time referred to
adverb
She was …employed as a tour guide.
I had posted the card two months ….

Answer 8

previously
/ˈpriː.vi.əs.li/

Question 9

before a particular time or event
phrase, C1
the weeks … … her death
I was trying to finish up my work … … the trip.
He has to send his film scripts for government approval … … shooting.
He lived in Boston … … his arrest.
You should talk to a doctor … … undertaking any strenuous exercise regime.

Answer 9

prior to something
/praɪr/

Question 10

after something else
adverb, C1
In 1982 he was arrested and …convicted on drug trafficking charges.
He was badly injured in the crash and …died.

Answer 10

subsequently
/ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt.li/

Question 11

to stop keeping a record of something, or stop being certain that you know or remember what has happened
PHRASE
I have … … … the number of times you have been late this month.
So many customers came in that I … … after an hour.

Answer 11

lose track (of sth)
/træk/

Question 12

A …-…task takes a lot of time to do
adjective, C1
Producing a dictionary is a very …-…job.

Answer 12

time-consuming
/ˈtaɪm.kənˌsuː.mɪŋ/

Question 13

said to mean that you can spend as much time as you need in doing something, or that you should slow down
He …his …before answering the question.

Answer 13

take your time

Question 14

early enough
PHRASE
I got home just … …- it’s starting to rain.
If we don’t hurry up, we won’t be … …to catch the train.
We got there … plenty of …(= we arrived early) for the beginning of the game.

Answer 14

in time

Question 15

happening or done at the particular moment that it was expected to happen or be done
My parents go to the house … … … .

Answer 15

(right/dead/bang) on time

Question 16

a book in which you record your thoughts or feelings or what has happened each day
noun
While in hiding, Anne Frank kept a … .

Answer 16

diary
/ˈdaɪr.i/

Question 17

to be going somewhere very quickly, usually because you are late

Answer 17

be in a tearing hurry

Question 18

An …clock or watch shows the time using numbers around the edge and hands that point to the numbers
You can choose to have the time display as an …or digital clock.
She still uses an old-fashioned …alarm clock.

Answer 18

analogue
/ˈæn.ə.lɑːɡ/

Question 19

to reduce the difficulties or changes in a process or situation
By investing small amounts regularly, you can … … the effects of sudden rises and falls in the stock market.

Answer 19

smooth something out
/smuːð/

Question 20

to think about something that happened in the past
When I … … I can see where we went wrong.
It wasn’t such a bad experience when I … … on it.

Answer 20

look back
lʊk

Question 21

the present time, in which large amounts of information are available because of developments in computer technology
noun
In today’s … …, peer-to-peer opinion-shaping is becoming increasingly important.
The dawn of the … … has inspired many new technologies and advancements in communication.

Answer 21

information age
/ɪn.fɚˈmeɪ.ʃən ˌeɪdʒ/

Question 22

the present time, in which many things are done by computer and large amounts of information are available because of computer
noun
New business models have emerged in the … ….
We are in a … … and the movie industry needs to catch up.
technology

Answer 22

digital age
/ˈdɪdʒ.ə.t̬əl ˌeɪdʒ/

Question 23

to go back into the past
Visiting her house was like … … … …/stepping back 50 years.

Answer 23

step back (in time)

Question 24

a feeling of pleasure and also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past
noun, C2
Some people feel … for their schooldays.
Hearing that song again filled him with ….
a wave (= sudden strong feeling) of …

Answer 24

nostalgia
nɑːˈstæl.dʒə

Question 25

feeling happy and also slightly sad when you think about things that happened in the past adjective, C2 Talking about our old family holidays has made me feel all ... . We'll take a ... look at the musical hits of the 60s.

Answer 25

nostalgic nɑːˈstæl.dʒɪk

Question 26

following the order in which a series of events happened adjective Give me the dates in ... order.

Answer 26

chronological ˌkrɒn.əˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl

Question 27

...events, numbers, etc. follow one after another without an interruption adjective, C2 This is the fifth ... weekend that I've spent working.

Answer 27

consecutive kənˈsek.jə.t̬ɪv

Question 28

a period between two events or times, or the space between two points noun, C2 We see each other at regular ... - usually about once a month.

Answer 28

interval ˈɪn.t̬ɚ.vəl

Question 29

any stage in a series of events or in a process of development noun, B2 The project is only in its initial ... as yet, but it's looking quite promising. We're entering a new ... in international relations.

Answer 29

phase feɪz

Question 30

a short remark or written statement noun, B2 The story didn't even get a ... in the newspaper. When I ordered the catalogue, there was no ... of any payment.

Answer 30

mention ˈmen.ʃən

Question 31

someone who writes about or studies history noun, C1 Her father was an eminent .... This is the acclaimed ... John Taylor's first sortie into fiction. Some ... think that history repeats itself. The archive is a goldmine for .... The book was written by an amateur local ....

Answer 31

historian hɪˈstɔːr.i.ən

Question 32

to have existed or happened before another thing verb These cave paintings ... any others which are known.

Answer 32

predate ˌpriːˈdeɪt

Question 33

a period of time of which particular events or stages of development are typical noun, B2 the Jefferson ... a bygone (= past) ... the post-war ... They had worked for peace during the long ... of conflict. The fall of the Berlin wall marked the end of an ... .

Answer 33

era ˈɪr.ə

Question 34

the act of removing earth that is covering very old objects buried in the ground in order to discover things about the past noun Three skulls and one full skeleton were discovered during the ... of an Egyptian tomb. She has taken part in several ... of Roman settlements across Europe.

Answer 34

excavation ˌeks.kəˈveɪ.ʃən

Question 35

connected with astronomy adjective the Royal ... Society ... observations/instruments

Answer 35

astronomical /ˌæs.trəˈnɑː.mɪ.kəl

Question 36

the scientific study of the universe and of objects that exist naturally in space, such as the moon, the sun, planets, and stars noun, C2

Answer 36

astronomy əˈstrɑː.nə.mi

Question 37

a period of 1,000 years, or the time when a period of 1,000 years ends noun, C2 The corpse had lain preserved in the soil for almost two millennia.

Answer 37

millennium mɪˈlen.i.əm plural millennia or millenniums

Question 38

to rub or be rubbed away gradually verb, C2 Wind and rain have ... the statues into shapeless lumps of stone. The cliffs are ... several feet a year.

Answer 38

erode ɪˈroʊd

Question 39

used when you do not accept something phrase, C2 I ... ... ... why you can't work on a Saturday. I ... ... ... the appeal of these highly expensive products. I ... ... ... why it's necessary to cut down these beautiful trees. What I ... ... ... is why her actions upset you so much. The matter seems quite simple to me and I ... ... ... why it is proving so hard to resolve.

Answer 39

fail to see/understand

Question 40

a raised area of earth made, especially in the past, for defence against enemy attack noun, [ C usually plural ]

Answer 40

earthwork

Question 41

a prehistoric circle of large stones or wooden objects noun

Answer 41

henge hendʒ

Question 42

to stop arguing or fighting against someone or something IDIOM, C1 Neither of them will ... ..., so they could be arguing for a very long time. Don't ... ... to your fears.

Answer 42

give way

Question 43

a member of a society that lives by hunting and collecting wild food, rather than by farming noun

Answer 43

hunter-gatherer /ˌhʌn.t̬ɚˈɡæð.ɚ.ɚ

Question 44

grass or similar plants suitable for animals such as cows and sheep to eat, or an area of land covered in this noun The sheep were grazing on the lush green .... Some fields are planted with crops for several years, and then returned to ... for the cattle.

Answer 44

pasture ˈpæs.tʃɚ

Question 45

a long, narrow open hole that is dug into the ground, usually at the side of a road or field, used especially for supplying or removing water or for dividing land noun

Answer 45

ditch dɪtʃ

Question 46

a vertical stick or pole stuck into the ground, usually to support something or show a position noun

Answer 46

post poʊst

Question 47

to build a building, wall, or other structure verb The war memorial was ... in 1950. The soldiers had ... barricades to protect themselves.

Answer 47

erect ɪˈrekt to build something build: The house was built in the 1950s. construct: The company wants to construct a 175-mile pipeline. put something up: Putting up a wall will not solve the problem. erect: It's unlawful to erect a building until you get approval. assemble: He has a job assembling furniture in a warehouse. put together: Without the instruction sheet, I've got no idea how to put all these parts together.

Question 48

to give some details about something ... ... the situation for me.

Answer 48

sketch in/out something

Question 49

someone who studies the buildings, graves, tools, and other objects of people who lived in the past noun, C1 A team of ... are working on a previously undisturbed area of the abbey grounds. She wanted to be an ... and took part in several digs in her youth. ... have uncovered the remains of an Anglo-Saxon settlement. The site of the temple was discovered by a group of amateur .... He is an ... who recently excavated an extraordinary Olmec site in Mexico.

Answer 49

archaeologist ˌɑːr.kiˈɑː.lə.dʒɪst

Question 50

despite what has just been said or referred to adverb, B2 The two rivals were ... united by the freemasonry of the acting profession. Much-malign for their derivative style, the band are ... enduringly popular. ..., accidents still occur. "..." is commonly used as a conjunctive adverb. The building is guarded around the clock, but robberies occur ....

Answer 50

nevertheless ˌnev.ɚ.ðəˈles

Question 51

a method of calculating the age of extremely old objects by measuring the amount of a particular type of carbon in them noun

Answer 51

carbon dating ˌkɑːr.bən ˈdeɪ.t̬ɪŋ/

Question 52

to happen phrase, B1 The concert ... ... next Thursday. The novel ... ... over the course of a single day. A pitched battle ... ... between the two groups. Bribery and intimidation ... ... under the noses of the bureaucrats. Elections are to ... ... for local council seats next month.

Answer 52

take place

Question 53

in a way that follows the order in which a series of events happened adverb The dates are arranged ... . The essays are organized thematically rather than ... .

Answer 53

chronologically ˌkrɒn.əˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl.i

Question 54

something that has been made or built from parts, especially a large building noun, C2 The proposed new office tower is a steel and glass ... 43 storeys high.

Answer 54

structure

Question 55

the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. noun, B2 She works in .../in the ... industry. The bridge is a marvellous work of engineering and ... . This website is currently under ... (= being created).

Answer 55

construction kənˈstrʌk.ʃən

Question 56

a structure with walls and a roof, such as a house or factory noun The once-empty site was now covered with ... .

Answer 56

building ˈbɪl.dɪŋ

Question 57

to look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise or admiration, or because you are thinking about something else verb, B2 Annette ... admiringly at Warren as he spoke. He spends hours ... out of the window when he should be working.

Answer 57

gaze ɡeɪz

Question 58

a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise noun, C2 I've always held musicians in ... . As children we were rather in ... of our grandfather. You can't help but stand in ... of (= respect greatly and fear slightly) powerful people.

Answer 58

awe ɑː

Question 59

(an example of) uncontrolled and excited behaviour or emotion that is sometimes violent noun, C2 In a ... of rage she hit him. the media ... over the celebrity wedding The audience worked/whipped themselves into a ... as they waited for her to come on stage. There was a ... of activity in the financial markets yesterday. In a moment of jealous ..., she cut the sleeves off all his shirts.

Answer 59

frenzy ˈfren.zi

Question 60

a line that shows the time and the order in which events have happened noun

Answer 60

timeline ˈtaɪm.laɪn

Question 61

of or from a long time ago, having lasted for a very long time adjective, B1 ... civilizations/rights/laws ... monuments/ruins/woodlands the ... kingdoms of Mexico People have lived in this valley since ... times. History, ... and modern, has taught these people an intense distrust of their neighbours.

Answer 61

ancient ˈeɪn.ʃənt

Question 62

an object that has been made by a person, such as a tool or a decoration, especially one that is of historical interest noun The museum's collection includes ... dating back to prehistoric times. The house displays a number of paintings of the poet, as well as his typewriter and other personal ... .

Answer 62

artefact ˈɑːr.t̬ə.fækt

Question 63

describing the period before there were written records adjective ... man/humans/animals Painting originated in ... times.

Answer 63

prehistoric ˌpriː.hɪˈstɔːr.ɪk

Question 64

to exist or continue for a particular length of time verb Tennis has a history ... several centuries. Her acting career ... almost six decades.

Answer 64

span spæn

Question 65

a detailed examination of a subject noun The whole play reads like an ... of evil.

Answer 65

anatomy əˈnæt̬.ə.mi

Question 66

a formal piece of writing that deals with a particular subject noun a six-volume ... on trademark law

Answer 66

treatise ˈtriː.t̬ɪs

Question 67

praise, approval, or honour noun, B2 She got no ... for solving the problem. Her boss took ... for it/took (all) the ... instead. To her (great) ..., she admitted she was wrong. I gave him ... for (= thought that he would have) better judgment than he showed.

Answer 67

credit

Question 68

rich adjective, B2 He's a very ... man. With their natural resources they are potentially a very ... country.

Answer 68

wealthy ˈwel.θi

Question 69

if something is ..., you are able to buy it, own it, or have it adjective Is this dress ... in a larger size? Our autumn catalogue is now ... from our usual stockists. There's no money ... for an office party this year. It is vital that food is made ... to the famine areas. Do you have any double rooms ... this weekend?

Answer 69

available əˈveɪ.lə.bəl

Question 70

the degree to which people keep themselves or their environment clean, especially to prevent disease noun, C1 Poor standards of ... mean that the disease spreads fast. health and ... regulations dental/personal ...

Answer 70

hygiene ˈhaɪ.dʒiːn

Question 71

the most noticeable or important position noun She was one of the politicians at/in ... ... of the campaign to free the prisoners. His team is at ... ... of scientific research into vaccines.

Answer 71

the forefront ˈfɔːr.frʌnt

Question 72

a medical doctor, especially one who has general skill and is not a surgeon noun

Answer 72

physician /fɪˈzɪʃ.ən/

Question 73

Someone or something that is ... can be trusted or believed because he, she, or it works or behaves well in the way you expect adjective Is your watch ...? ... information Gideon is very ... - if he says he'll do something, he'll do it.

Answer 73

reliable rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl

Question 74

relating to the curing of a disease or medical condition adjective Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves, above the range of human hearing, for diagnostic and ... purposes. They found his blood contained the drug at a level that you might expect in an overdose, far exceeding a ... dose.

Answer 74

therapeutic ˌθer.əˈpjuː.t̬ɪk

Question 75

a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty noun an effective herbal ... for headaches The best ... for grief is hard work.

Answer 75

remedy ˈrem.ə.di

Question 76

to depend on or trust someone or something You can’t ... ... good weather for the whole trip. The system ... too heavily ... one person.

Answer 76

rely on/upon something/someone

Question 77

a medicine or chemical that can destroy harmful bacteria in the body or limit their growth noun, C2 I'm taking ... for a throat infection. a one-month course of ... Some types of ... are used to promote growth in farm animals. He's on ... for an ear infection.

Answer 77

antibiotic ˌæn.t̬i.baɪˈɑː.t̬ɪk

Question 78

(of a doctor) to say what medical treatment someone should have verb, C2 The drug is often ... for ulcers. [ + two objects ] I've been ... painkillers.

Answer 78

prescribe prɪˈskraɪb

Question 79

If you do something ..., you do it without thinking about it adverb, B2 I ... put my hand out to catch it.

Answer 79

automatically ˌɑː.t̬əˈmæt̬.ɪ.kəl.i

Question 80

a medicine, or a set of medicines or drugs, used to improve a particular condition or illness noun He is currently on/taking ... for his heart. In the study, patients were taken off their usual ....

Answer 80

medication ˌmed.əˈkeɪ.ʃən

Question 81

a piece of paper on which a doctor writes the details of the medicine or drugs that someone needs noun, B1 a doctor's ... a ... for sedatives The doctor should give you a repeat ... (= another piece of paper allowing more of the same medicine to be given, often without the person seeing the doctor again). These drugs are only available on ... (= with a prescription from a doctor). ... charges (= the standard amount of money you pay for any medicine prescribed by a doctor) are rising in June.

Answer 81

prescription prɪˈskrɪp.ʃən

Question 82

a tall plant like a grass that grows in or near water, especially in North Africa, or paper made from this plant, especially by ancient Egyptians noun

Answer 82

papyrus pəˈpaɪ.rəs

Question 83

pain caused by something being wrong with one of your teeth noun I have terrible ....

Answer 83

toothache ˈtuːθ.eɪk

Question 84

a treatment for pain or illness in which thin needles are positioned just under the surface of the skin at special points around the body noun ... originated in China.

Answer 84

acupuncture ˈæk.jə.pʌŋk.tʃɚ

Question 85

the use of drugs, exercises, etc. to cure a person of an illness or injury noun, B2 free dental ... Perhaps it's time to try a new course of ... . This disease doesn't generally respond to (= improve as a result of) ... . There are various ... for this complaint.

Answer 85

treatment ˈtriːt.mənt

Question 86

human society with its well developed social organizations, or the culture and way of life of a society or country at a particular period in time noun, B2 Some people think that nuclear war would mean the end of ... . Cuzco was the centre of one of the world's most famous ..., that of the Incas.

Answer 86

civilization ˌsɪv.əl.əˈzeɪ.ʃən

Question 87

relating to the teeth adjective ... decay/treatment Have you made an appointment for your next ... check-up? Pregnant women don't have to pay ... charges under the current health system. She had to cancel her ... appointment. I had some very expensive ... treatment recently - but it'll save me problems in the future. There are only two ... practices in the town and another one is badly needed.

Answer 87

dental ˈden.t̬əl

Question 88

a mention of something noun, B2 Knowing what had happened, I avoided making any ... to (= mentioning) weddings. (formal) I am writing with/in ... to (= in connection with) your letter of 15 March.

Answer 88

reference /ˈref.ɚ.əns

Question 89

special, or this and not any other adjective, B2 She wanted a ... type of cactus. He wouldn't take just any book - he had to have this ... one! "Why did you ask?" "Oh, no ... reason, just making conversation."

Answer 89

particular pɚˈtɪk.jə.lɚ

Question 90

to cause worry, pain, or difficulty to someone or something over a period of time verb Financial problems have been ... their new business partners. My shoulder's been ... me all week.

Answer 90

plague pleɪɡ

Question 91

relating to people or things from modern times and not from a time in the past adjective ...-... engines are so much more efficient.

Answer 91

modern-day ˈmɑː.dɚn.deɪ

Question 92

not at all IDIOM, C1 It is ... ... ... certain that we'll finish the project by June. This isn't the last we'll hear of it ... ... ....

Answer 92

by no means

Question 93

damage, or a state that becomes gradually worse noun The dentist says I have a lot of tooth ... . There’s still too much crime, poverty, and ... in the neighborhood. Your attitude just contributes to the growing social ... .

Answer 93

decay dɪˈkeɪ

Question 94

(an) illness of people, animals, plants, etc., caused by infection or a failure of health rather than by an accident noun a contagious/infectious ... a common/rare/incurable/fatal ... They reported a sudden outbreak of the ... in the south of the country. The first symptom of the ... is a very high temperature. She has caught/contracted (= begun to have) a lung .../... of the lungs. Starvation and ... have killed thousands of refugees.

Answer 94

disease dɪˈziːz

Question 95

of, taken by, or done to the mouth adjective ... hygiene ... contraceptives ... surgery

Answer 95

oral ˈɔːr.əl

Question 96

to live in a place verb, C2 These remote islands are ... only by birds.

Answer 96

inhabit ɪnˈhæb.ɪt

Question 97

the work of a dentist noun

Answer 97

dentistry ˈden.t̬ɪ.stri