Cam 10 Test 1 - Passage 1

fundamental — fundamental to life

essential or extremely important; thiết yếu, nền tảng

stepwell — ancient stepwells

a well reached by descending steps; giếng bậc thang

spectacular monument — spectacular ancient monuments

an extremely impressive historic structure; công trình lịch sử ngoạn mục

bygone era — monuments from a bygone era

a period of time in the distant past; thời đại đã qua

gain access — gain access to groundwater

to obtain the ability to reach or use something; có thể tiếp cận

irrigation — water for irrigation

the artificial supply of water to crops; sự tưới tiêu

utilitarian application — a utilitarian application

a practical use rather than a decorative one; ứng dụng mang tính thực dụng

shape — vary in shape

the physical form or outline of something; hình dạng

dotted — dotted around the region

scattered across different places; nằm rải rác

resting place — a resting place for travellers

a place where people can stop and rest; nơi nghỉ chân

comprise — comprise a series of steps

to consist of or be made up of; bao gồm

stone step — descend stone steps

a stair made of stone; bậc thang bằng đá

descend [di'send] from — descend from ground level

to move down from a higher place; đi xuống từ

recede — the water level recedes

to move back or become lower; rút xuống, lùi lại

negotiate — negotiate steep steps

to get past or through a difficult route; đàm phán, vượt qua khéo léo

open crater — a vast open crater

a large bowl-shaped hollow in the ground; miệng núi lửa

sloping side — a steeply sloping side

a side that rises or falls at an angle; mặt bên dốc

tier /ti3/ — arranged in tiers

one of several levels or rows; tầng, bậc

elaborate [i'læbərit] — an elaborate design

detailed and carefully planned; công phu, cầu kỳ

via — reach the water via steps

by way of or using something; qua, thông qua

storey — several storeys deep

one level of a building or structure; tầng

pillar — supported by pillars

a tall upright column that supports a structure; cột trụ

pavilion — a shaded pavilion

an open or partly open structure used for shelter; đình, mái nghỉ

shelter from — shelter from the heat

to protect oneself from something harmful or unpleasant; trú tránh khỏi

relentless [ri'lentlis] — relentless heat

continuing without becoming less intense; gay gắt, không ngừng

intricate — intricate carvings

having many small and complicated details; tinh xảo, phức tạp

sculpture — decorative sculptures

art made by carving or shaping material; tác phẩm điêu khắc

embellish — embellish a monument

to make something more attractive by adding details; tô điểm, trang trí

combing — combing her hair

making hair neat with a comb; chải tóc

churn butter — churning butter by hand

agitating cream to produce butter; đánh hoặc khuấy kem thành bơ

construct — construct a stepwell

to build something; xây dựng

disuse — fall into disuse

the state of no longer being used; tình trạng không còn được sử dụng

derelict ['derilikt]— a derelict building

abandoned and in poor condition; bỏ hoang, xuống cấp

divert — divert water for irrigation

to redirect something for a particular purpose; chuyển hướng

dry spell — a prolonged dry spell

a period with little or no rain; đợt khô hạn

drought — a severe drought

a long period without enough rainfall; hạn hán

neglect — years of neglect

failure to care for something properly; sự bỏ bê, sao nhãng

medieval engineering — medieval engineering techniques

engineering from the Middle Ages; kỹ thuật xây dựng thời Trung Cổ

flock to — tourists flock to the wells

to go somewhere in large numbers; đổ xô đến

far-flung — far-flung villages

very distant or remote; xa xôi, hẻo lánh

gaze in wonder — gaze in wonder at the monument

to look for a long time with admiration; ngắm nhìn đầy kinh ngạc

ingenuity [indʒi'nju:iti]— human ingenuity

the ability to invent clever solutions; sự khéo léo, óc sáng tạo

artistry — remarkable artistry

great creative skill in making art; tài nghệ nghệ thuật

ancient civilisations — ancient civilisations of India

societies that existed a very long time ago; các nền văn minh cổ đại

existence — human existence

the state of being alive or real; sự tồn tại

silt up — a well silts up

to become filled or blocked with fine sediment; bị bồi lấp bởi phù sa

pristine condition — in pristine condition

in an original, clean, undamaged state; trong tình trạng nguyên vẹn

carve into — carve designs into stone

to cut a shape or pattern into a surface; chạm khắc lên

honour — honour the sun god

to show deep respect for someone or something; tôn vinh, tỏ lòng kính trọng

resemble — resemble a tank

to look like or be similar to; giống, tương tự

tank — a large water tank

a container or basin for storing water; bể chứa nước

well — draw water from a well

a deep hole used to obtain groundwater; giếng nước

reservoir — a water reservoir

a place where water is stored; hồ hoặc bể chứa nước

hallmark — a hallmark of stepwell architecture

a typical or distinctive feature; dấu hiệu đặc trưng

stun — stun visitors

to amaze or shock someone greatly; làm kinh ngạc, choáng ngợp

geometrical [dʒiə'metrikəl] formation — a stunning geometrical formation

an arrangement of shapes following geometric patterns; cấu trúc hình học

terrace — stepped terraces

a flat level area forming part of a stepped structure; nền bậc thang

shrine — a carved shrine

a small sacred place used for worship; điện thờ, miếu thờ

commission — commission a monument

to officially order or pay for work to be done; nhiệm vụ, phận sự, hoa hồng

ruined town — an old ruined town

a town with many destroyed or decaying buildings; thị trấn đổ nát

striking pattern — a striking geometric pattern

a very noticeable or impressive design; hoa văn nổi bật, ấn tượng

veranda [və'rændə]— covered verandas

roofed open-sided platforms along a building; các hành lang hoặc hiên có mái che

ornate pillar — ornate stone pillars

a highly decorated supporting column; cột trụ trang trí cầu kỳ

colonnade [kol3neid]— a long colonnade

a row of columns, usually supporting a roof; hàng cột, dãy cột