IELTS: a-c

Adjective existing as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
The concept of chance, that there could be events which are neither inevitable nor intentional, is difficult and abstract but it has gained strength as science has developed.
Verb make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
The original Hershey chocolate factory, maker of delectable treats, is set to close, mainly because it cannot accommodate new equipment.
Adjective (of information, measurements, statistics, etc.) correct in all details
The glass flowers made by Leopold Blaschka are so accurate that, in one case, he captured the pollinating mechanism of a flower 120 years before it was discovered by a botanist.
Verb get or reach something by working hard
French automaker Renault aims to entice consumers to the world of electric vehicles with the Zoe. Their mini electric vehicle recently achieved the equivalent of 163 mpg (262km) in the Future Car Challenge.
Verb accept or admit the truth or existence of something
Obama welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao to the White House even as the administration acknowledged that distrust still remains between the U.S. and China.
Noun something that has recently been bought or obtained
The acquisition of this iconic work by cosmetic magnate Ronald Lauder caused a shock in the Art world -- a spectacular $135 million paid, far away from the noisy auction houses.
Verb make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
Curcumin, the main chemical in the curry spice turmeric, has fluorescence properties that researchers in Massachusetts are adapting for bomb detection.
Adjective next to or adjoining something else
A similar set of automatic eyes surveyed crowds at The NFL Experience, a football-related exhibition adjacent to the stadium.
Noun a fully grown person; a person after an age (as 21) specified by law
adult
You can't buy a ticket yourself, children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult to see this movie.
Noun someone who supports somebody or something
In 2006, she founded her own charity called "Eva's Heroes" which helps children living with a disability. Eva has also been a strident advocate for the Latino community.
Verb to act on someone or something and cause a change
affect
Norman's injury didn't affect his desire to compete.
Verb to pretend that a false behavior or feeling is natural or genuine
affected
Julia affected a look of surprise, even though she already knew the secret.
Verb to cause strong emotions in (someone)
affected
The families were deeply affected when they visited the memorial.
Verb to cause a change in (a part of the body)
affecting
I don't feel so good. Something is affecting my stomach.
Verb change or cause to change in character or makeup
alter
Probiotic research shows that bacteria from the gut have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry and, in turn, treat anxiety and depression-related disorders.
Adjective one or more things available as another possibility
A young girl is institutionalized by her wicked stepfather. Retreating to an alternative reality as a coping strategy, she envisions a plan which will help her escape from the facility.
Adjective unclear because a choice between alternatives has not been made
Palin has remained ambiguous about her 2012 presidential intentions, telling Fox Business News that she is "months away" from a decision.
Noun comparison of two things that are similar in some way
De Vinci believed the workings of the human body to be an analogy for the workings of the universe.
Verb guess or be aware of (what will happen) and take action in order to be prepared
The photographer must anticipate and prepare for a moment where the boy and the dog look toward one another in an idyllic scene.
Verb guess or be aware of (what will happen) and take action in order to be prepared
The organizers of any huge sporting event have to anticipate trouble and try to stop it before it starts. Security officials at Tampa's Raymond james Stadium hoped to do so by using machines that recognize faces.
Verb convince somebody of something
"It is being reported that I'm having a nervous breakdown," he tweeted. "I assure you am not. This stemmed from a joke I made on The Howard Stern Show."
Adjective able to be used or obtained
available
I'm very excited to see this movie. I'll be first in line when tickets become available!
Noun something that aids or promotes well-being
The health benefits of humor start as soon as you anticipate the pleasure of a good laugh. New research shows that laughter reduces stress hormones and boosts immunity, effects that kick in even as you look forward to it.
Verb form a close personal relationship
A hitman who's in Bangkok to pull off a series of jobs falls for a local woman and bonds with his errand boy.
Noun connection based on kinship
Studies show that watching your friends and family in stressful situations can loosely synchronize your heart rates, a strong manifestation of human bonds.
Verb form a close personal relationship
Chihuahuas often bond to only one or two persons in a household. They can also be snobbish when it comes to other kinds of dogs, as the Chihuahua is a clannish breed.
Verb invite (someone) to do something that one thinks will be difficult
challenging
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has become a worldwide Internet trend with people filming themselves getting drenched in ice water while challenging others to donate money or do the same.
Verb direct toward a particular end or object
"My thoughts before a big race are usually pretty simple. I tell myself: 'Get out of the blocks, run your race, stay relaxed... channel your energy. Focus."
Phrase use a remote control to change channels quickly as you look for something to watch
channel surfing
I've been channel surfing for 15 minutes now but there's nothing to watch!
Noun the practice of going from one TV program to another usually by use of a remote control
channel surfing
Sunday’s 8-hour “Breaking Bad” session proves that Netflix is doing something right. But streaming video still lacks the numbing bliss of TV channel surfing -- settling for whatever's on, the human need to completely veg out.
Adjective sufficiently polite and considerate
They are being very civil about it. Stating that infidelity wasn't an issue, the source added, "The big problem with their relationship is the distance."
Adjective authoritative and perfect as a standard of its kind
Considered by some to be the greatest novel ever written, Anna Karenina is Tolstoy's classic tale of love and adultery set against the backdrop of high society in Russia.
Verb fall or cave in suddenly
At some point in geological history a part of the ceiling to an amazing 10km cavern collapsed, opening to the world the beauty of Krizna cave, in Slovenia.
Verb fall down or cave in suddenly
collapse
Some 30 homes were buried under tonnes of mud after a hillside collapsed on Sunday. The landslide was triggered by the heaviest rains to hit Colombia in four decades.
Verb fall down or cave in suddenly
The inflatable roof of the Metrodome collapsed Sunday after a snowstorm that dumped 17 inches (43 cms) on Minneapolis.
Verb give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
Serial presidential campaign flirter Gingrich doesn't just have problems committing to a run for the White House.
Verb pay for damage or injury
Despite attacks on their livestock, Pakistani herders don't have an atavistic enmity to snow leopards. One conservationist believes that if locals are compensated for their losses, they will have no interest in killing them.
Verb pay to make up for an error or injury
Passengers are beginning to suspect that airlines regularly get away with lying about weather delays. That way they don't have to compensate their customers for flights canceled for reasons under the airline's control.
Verb complete or go well with something else
Social media is one of a number of tools to engage with people - it can't be used alone but can complement more traditional means and reach a different group of people.
Noun a thing that adds value to something else
complement
Do you think these turquoise sun glasses are a good complement for my blue hair? I think they go pretty well together!
Noun group of buildings, apartments, etc., located near each other and used for a purpose
Four hundred and fifty people suddenly burst into song at the Crown Center complex in Kansas City.
Phrase application of computer graphics to create images in films, TV, printed media, art, etc.
computer-generated imagery
Can you guess which side of this picture is a photograph and which side is computer-generated imagery? It's becoming almost impossible to tell the difference between real life and CGI.
Phrase the process of using computers to create pictures or characters in film
computer-generated imaging
Now with computer-generated imaging (CGI), film-makers are able to create amazing special effects never possible before.
Noun main idea, picture, or plan of something
A handful of entrepreneurs have raised millions of dollars by pitching the concept of products they have yet to make. But financial backers have no clear way of getting a refund if young businesses fail to deliver.
Verb organize and carry out
You may think your toddler is just playing in the sand box, but she may really be conducting a sophisticated scientific experiment and making inferences every time she pours out another scoop of sand.
Noun person who purchases goods and services for personal use
Chinese consumers continue to have a voracious appetite for autos, as more of the country’s 1.3 billion people climb the economic ladder. They bought 22 million vehicles last year.
Verb to have something inside
contains
My mother's cook book contains over 200 recipes for healthy eating.
Noun following modern ideas or fashion in style or design
Its simple yet contemporary design creates a stunning effect. It combines two intersecting arcs and a square prism – and this makes the building more efficient.
Phrase art produced since World War II
Breaking another contemporary art auction record, hedge fund billionaire Steven A. Cohen privately scooped up a de Kooning “Woman” painting for roughly $137.5 million.
Noun dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views
Lady Gaga no doubt planned on causing maximum controversy by wearing the 'raw meat' ensemble - including a meat hat and purse - to the Los Angeles event.
Noun disagreement, typically when prolonged, public, and heated
Not everyone thinks this surveillance is a good thing. It has stirred some controversy about possible threats to the privacy rights of individuals.
Verb change the function or nature of something
A new public toilet that converts waste into fertilizer is helping the people of Haiti curb disease as well as revive the country's degraded farmland.
Noun central or most important part of something
A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
Noun order of rank in a company
QR codes are generally something we think of as silly, but it turns out they can actually serve interesting purposes for science, like tracking an entire colony of tagged ants to better understand their corporate ladder.
Adjective very important or significant
Japan’s newest and biggest pop star differs from most of her peers in one crucial aspect: she is a hologram.
Noun extremely significant or important
Brain lateralization, the distribution of function into right and left hemispheres, is crucial for understanding language, thought, and memory.
Adjective very important ------
crucial
It is crucial that we get all bugs fixed and both instances exactly the same ------------.
Verb to ride a bicycle
cycle
Cycling is a great way to see the Cambridge countryside which is only a few minutes out of town.
Adverb as a representative of or a proxy for
A group of women have united to attempt to bring a class action lawsuit against Walmart, claiming sexual discrimination, on behalf of more than a million women.
Verb играть в компьютерные игры
play computer games
We like often play computer gams. Our favorit game Minecraft.
Verb individuals connect or put themselves together to create something
self-assemble
Fire ants have evolved so remarkably that they can self-assemble into structural tools utilized by the entire colony, including a buoyant raft, to ensure it stays intact.