Cambridge IELTS 11: Reading

untangle

to separate or resolve complexities or confusion in a situation, making it easier to understand or manage.

fraternal twins

twins that develop from two separate eggs fertilized by two different sperm cells, resulting in siblings that are genetically similar but not identical.

identical twins

twins that develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos, resulting in genetically identical siblings.

with respect to

the considerations or aspects of a particular subject or area.

ailment

a physical disorder or disease.

heredity

/həˈred.ə.ti/ the process by which characteristics are given from a parent to their child through the genes

interplay

the effect that two or more things have on each other

genetic makeup

The unique combination of genes and DNA inherited from an individual's parents, determining traits such as physical characteristics, susceptibility to diseases, and other biological attributes; the complete set of an organism's genetic information stored in its genome.

makeup

a combination of things that form something

heritability

/ˌher.ɪ.t̬əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/ the ability of a disease or characteristic to be passed from a parent or grandparent to a child through the genes

elemental

showing the strong power of nature, or basic or simple but strongly felt

at work

doing a job

epigenetic

/ˌep.ɪ.dʒəˈnet̬.ɪks/ a branch of genetics that studies the chemical reactions that turn genes on and off

in play

Actively involved, relevant, or under consideration in a situation, process, or context, such as a strategy, decision, or opportunity being actively pursued or affecting outcomes

fetus

a human being or animal as it is developing in the uterus before birth, after the organs have started to form

embryonic

/ˌem.briˈɑː.nɪk/ starting to develop

hardwired

If someone or something is hardwired to do a particular thing, they automatically do it and cannot change that behaviour

trailblazer

the first person to do something or go somewhere, who shows that it is also possible for other people