Cam 8 Test 1 Passage 3

spontaneity (n)
/ˌspɒn.təˈneɪ.ə.ti/

• The quality of doing things naturally and without planning
  The spontaneity of the performance made it more enjoyable
  -Synonym: impulsiveness, naturalness
  -Antonym: premeditation, planning

smash against (v)
/smæʃt əˈɡɛnst/

• To hit something with great force, causing damage
  Several boats were smashed against the rocks during the storm
  -Synonym: collide, crash
  -Antonym: avoid, miss

run-down (adj)
/ˌrʌnˈdaʊn/

• In poor condition due to lack of care
  She was living in a run-down apartment
  -Synonym: dilapidated, neglected
  -Antonym: well-maintained, pristine

central business district (n)
/ˌsɛn.trəl ˈbɪz.nəs ˈdɪs.trɪkt/

• The main commercial area of a city
  The central business district is bustling during weekdays
  -Synonym: downtown, city center
  -Antonym: suburb, outskirts

ring road (n)
/ˈrɪŋ ˌrəʊd/

• A road that encircles a city to reduce traffic congestion
  The ring road helps divert traffic from the city center
  -Synonym: beltway, bypass
  -Antonym: main road, thoroughfare

parapsychologist (n)
/ˌpær.ə.saɪˈkɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

• A person who studies paranormal phenomena
  The parapsychologist conducted experiments on telepathy
  -Synonym: psychic researcher
  -Antonym: skeptic, scientist

derision (n)
/dɪˈrɪʒ.ən/

• Ridicule or mockery
  His proposal was met with derision by the committee
  -Synonym: ridicule, scorn
  -Antonym: respect, admiration

dozen of (n)
/ˈdʌz.ən əv/

• A group of twelve; often used to indicate many
  She received dozens of letters from fans
  -Synonym: many, scores
  -Antonym: few, handful

rigorous (adj)
/ˈrɪɡ.ər.əs/

• Thorough and accurate
  The study underwent rigorous testing before publication
  -Synonym: meticulous, strict
  -Antonym: lax, lenient

uncover (v)
/ʌnˈkʌv.ər/

• To reveal something hidden
  The investigation uncovered new evidence
  -Synonym: reveal, expose
  -Antonym: conceal, hide

constitute (v)
/ˈkɒn.stɪ.tʃuːt/

• To form or make up
  Women constitute a significant portion of the workforce
  -Synonym: comprise, form
  -Antonym: exclude, eliminate

genuine (adj)
/ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn/

• Real and sincere
  She showed genuine concern for her friend's well-being
  -Synonym: authentic, sincere
  -Antonym: fake, insincere

on the brink of (phrase)
/ɒn ðə brɪŋk əv/

• Very close to experiencing something, usually negative
  The company was on the brink of bankruptcy
  -Synonym: on the verge of, near
  -Antonym: far from, safe from

sceptics (n)
/ˈskep.tɪks/

• People who doubt or question beliefs
  Sceptics questioned the validity of the experiment
  -Synonym: doubters, disbelievers
  -Antonym: believers, supporters

advocate (v, n)
/ˈæd.və.keɪt/

• To publicly support an idea or policy
  She advocates for environmental protection
• A person who supports a cause
  He is a strong advocate for human rights
  -Synonym: supporter, proponent
  -Antonym: opponent, critic

so-called (adj)
/ˌsəʊˈkɔːld/

• Used to indicate a name or term that is not accurate
  The so-called expert gave incorrect information
  -Synonym: alleged, supposed
  -Antonym: actual, real

faint (adj, v)
/feɪnt/

• Slight and difficult to detect
  There was a faint smell of smoke in the room
• To lose consciousness briefly
  She fainted from exhaustion
  -Synonym: dim, weak
  -Antonym: strong, clear

swamp (v, n)
/swɒmp/

• To overwhelm with too much of something
  The office was swamped with paperwork
• An area of very wet, soft land
  Alligators live in the swamp
  -Synonym: flood, bog
  -Antonym: dry, desert

tranquility (n)
/træŋˈkwɪl.ə.ti/

• A peaceful and calm state
  She enjoyed the tranquility of the countryside
  -Synonym: peace, serenity
  -Antonym: chaos, noise

warmth (n)
/wɔːmθ/

• The heat produced by something
  The warmth of the fire was comforting
• The quality of being friendly and affectionate
  Her warmth made everyone feel welcome
  -Synonym: heat, affection
  -Antonym: coldness, hostility

reclining (adj)
/rɪˈklaɪ.nɪŋ/

• Leaning or lying back in a relaxed position
  He sat in a reclining chair and read a book
  -Synonym: leaning, lying
  -Antonym: upright, standing

seal (adj)
/siːld/

• Closed tightly to prevent entry or exit
  The envelope was sealed with wax
  -Synonym: closed, secured
  -Antonym: open, unsealed

sender (n)
/ˈsen.dər/

• A person who sends a message or parcel
  The sender's address is on the back of the envelope
  -Synonym: dispatcher, originator
  -Antonym: receiver, recipient

beam (n, v)
/biːm/

• A line of light or energy
  A beam of sunlight shone through the window
• To smile broadly
  She beamed with pride at her son's achievement
  -Synonym: ray, smile
  -Antonym: frown, darkness

point to (v)
/pɔɪnt tuː/

• To indicate or suggest something
  All evidence points to a guilty verdict
  -Synonym: indicate, suggest
  -Antonym: ignore, overlook

statistical (adj)
/stəˈtɪs.tɪ.kəl/

• Relating to statistics or data analysis
  The report included statistical data on population growth
  -Synonym: numerical, analytical
  -Antonym: anecdotal, qualitative

put down to chance (phrase)
/pʊt daʊn tuː tʃɑːns/

• To attribute something to luck or randomness
  They put the coincidence down to chance
  -Synonym: attribute to luck
  -Antonym: deliberate, intentional

flaw (n)
/flɔː/

• A fault or weakness in something
  There's a flaw in your argument
  -Synonym: defect, imperfection
  -Antonym: perfection, strength

routinely (adv)
/ruːˈtiːn.li/

• Regularly or as a normal part of a procedure
  The equipment is routinely checked for safety
  -Synonym: regularly, habitually
  -Antonym: occasionally, rarely

rule out (v)
/ruːl aʊt/

• To eliminate as a possibility
  The doctor ruled out an infection
  -Synonym: exclude, dismiss
  -Antonym: consider, include

range (v, n)
/reɪndʒ/

• To vary between limits
  Prices range from $10 to $100
• A set of different things of the same general type
  The store offers a wide range of products
  -Synonym: vary, assortment
  -Antonym: uniformity, singularity

sensory (adj)
/ˈsen.sər.i/

• Relating to the senses
  The sensory experience of the concert was overwhelming
  -Synonym: perceptual, sensuous
  -Antonym: insensible, unperceptive

leakage (n)
/ˈliː.kɪdʒ/

• The act of leaking or the amount leaked
  There was a gas leakage in the kitchen
  -Synonym: escape, seepage
  -Antonym: containment, retention

outright (adj, adv)
/ˈaʊt.raɪt/

• Complete and total
  It was an outright victory
• Open and direct
  She rejected the offer outright
  -Synonym: absolute, direct
  -Antonym: partial, indirect

draw up (v)
/drɔː ʌp/

• To prepare a document or plan
  They drew up a contract for the new employee
  -Synonym: draft, formulate
  -Antonym: discard, ignore