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IELTS · Sublist 7B2C1

AWL Sublist 7Adaptation & Scope

60 academic word families from the Coxhead Academic Word List. Includes: adapt, adult, advocate, aid, channel, chemical, classic, comprehensive, comprise, confirm, contrary, convert, couple, decade, definite.

IELTS Academic Word List

Sublist 7: 60 Word Families

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Sublist 7 — Adaptation & Scope. Includes: adapt, adult, advocate, aid, channel, chemical, classic, comprehensive, comprise, confirm, contrary, convert, couple, decade, definite.

0 / 60 mastered
adaptverbəˈdæpt
n adaptationadj adaptablen adaptability

Adjust or modify to suit new conditions or requirements.

Collocationsadapt to changeadapt quicklydifficult to adaptadapt the approachsuccessfully adapt

Species must adapt to changing environmental conditions to survive.

compriseverbkəmˈpraɪz
v comprise

Consist of or be made up of specified parts or elements.

Collocationscomprise the majoritylargely comprisecomprise the bulkcomprise membersmainly comprise

The committee comprises representatives from twelve member states.

adultnounˈædʌlt
n adulthoodn adults

A fully grown person; relating to people who have reached maturity.

Collocationsadult populationyoung adultadult educationconsenting adultmature adult

Health behaviours established in youth tend to persist into adult life and are difficult to change.

advocateverbˈædvəkeɪt
n advocacyv advocatedv advocatingv advocates

Publicly support or recommend a particular cause or policy.

Collocationsadvocate the useadvocate changestrongly advocateadvocate reformadvocate the approach

Many researchers advocate the use of mixed methods to improve the validity of educational research.

aidnoun / verbeɪd
v aidingv aidedv unaidedn aids

Help, support, or assistance, particularly given to those in need.

Collocationsforeign aidhumanitarian aidfinancial aidvisual aidfirst aid

Visual representations can significantly aid the comprehension of complex statistical information.

channelnoun / verbˈtʃænl
v channellingv channelledn channels

A means of communication or a route through which information or resources flow.

Collocationschannel resourcescommunication channelchannel fundschannel of distributionofficial channel

Governments can channel private investment towards sustainability goals through targeted tax incentives.

chemicaladjectiveˈkemɪkl
adv chemicallyn chemicals

Relating to substances and the reactions between them.

Collocationschemical reactionchemical compoundchemical industrychemical analysischemical weapons

Stricter regulations on chemical waste disposal have reduced contamination of groundwater supplies.

classicadjectiveˈklæsɪk
adj classicaln classics

Typical example of a particular style; widely regarded as outstanding.

Collocationsclassic exampleclassic studyabsolute classicmodern classicclassic case

The study employed a classic randomised controlled trial design to test the intervention's effectiveness.

comprehensiveadjectiveˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv
adv comprehensively

Including or dealing with all the important elements of something.

Collocationscomprehensive reviewcomprehensive overviewfully comprehensivecomprehensive analysiscomprehensive plan

A comprehensive review of the literature revealed significant gaps in understanding long-term outcomes.

confirmverbkənˈfɜːm
n confirmationv confirmingv confirmedv confirms

Establish the truth or correctness of something previously suspected.

Collocationsconfirm the findingsconfirm the resultsconfirm the diagnosisconfirm the hypothesissubsequently confirm

The replication study served to confirm the findings of the original experiment.

contraryadjectiveˈkɒntrəri
adv contrarily

Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning to something.

Collocationscontrary to expectationson the contrarycontrary viewcontrary to beliefcontrary evidence

Contrary to predictions, the placebo group demonstrated a comparable improvement in outcomes.

convertverbkənˈvɜːt
n conversionadj convertiblen conversionsv convertingv convertedn converts

Change something into a different form, function, or substance.

Collocationsconvert intoconvert energyconvert datasuccessfully convertconvert currency

Solar panels convert electromagnetic radiation from the sun into electrical energy.

coupleverbˈkʌpl
v couplingv coupledn couples

Connect or combine two things together.

Collocationscoupled withclosely coupledtightly coupledcouple togethercouple the systems

Rising temperatures, coupled with reduced rainfall, are expected to intensify water stress in arid regions.

decadenounˈdekeɪd
n decades

A period of ten years, typically counted from a specified starting point.

Collocationsover the decadepast decadewithin a decadethe previous decadedecade of growth

Over the past decade, improvements in diagnostic technology have substantially increased early cancer detection rates.

definiteadjectiveˈdefɪnət
adv definitelyadv indefinitelyadj definitiveadj indefinite

Clear and certain, with no room for doubt.

Collocationsdefinite answerdefinite conclusionno definite proofdefinite evidencedefinite plan

No definite conclusion can be drawn from the current data without further experimental validation.

denyverbdɪˈnaɪ
adj deniablen denialadj undeniablev deniesn denialsv denying

Refuse to admit the truth or existence of something; refuse to give.

Collocationsdeny accessdeny responsibilitydeny the allegationsflatly denydeny the claim

The authorities sought to deny access to archival records during the period of political transition.

differentiateverbˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪt
n differentiationv differentiatedv differentiatingv differentiates

Recognise or identify the differences between two or more things.

Collocationsdifferentiate betweenclearly differentiatefail to differentiatedifferentiate themselvesdifferentiate the products

The study was designed to differentiate between the effects of age and prior experience on task performance.

disposeverbdɪˈspəʊz
adj disposablen disposalv disposingv disposedv disposes

Get rid of by throwing away, selling, or giving to someone else.

Collocationsdispose ofsafely disposedispose of wastedispose of propertylawfully dispose

Regulations governing how organisations dispose of personal data are central to modern privacy law.

dynamicadjectivedaɪˈnæmɪk
adv dynamicallyn dynamics

Characterised by constant change, activity, or progress.

Collocationsdynamic environmentgroup dynamicshighly dynamicdynamic processmarket dynamics

The dynamic relationship between supply and demand is at the core of microeconomic theory.

eliminateverbɪˈlɪmɪneɪt
n eliminationv eliminatedv eliminatingv eliminates

Remove or get rid of something completely.

Collocationseliminate the needeliminate the riskeffectively eliminateeliminate povertyeliminate the possibility

The use of a control group helps to eliminate alternative explanations for observed differences.

empiricaladjectiveɪmˈpɪrɪkl
adv empiricallyn empiricism

Based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

Collocationsempirical evidenceempirical researchempirical studyempirical datastrong empirical

An empirical approach to social science requires that theories be tested against observable evidence.

equipverbɪˈkwɪp
n equipmentv equippingv equippedv equips

Supply someone or something with the necessary tools or skills.

Collocationsequip studentswell equippedequip with skillsfully equippedequip the laboratory

The programme seeks to equip graduates with the analytical skills demanded by the modern labour market.

extractnoun / verbɪkˈstrækt
n extractionv extractingv extractedn extracts

Remove or take out something, especially with effort or by force.

Collocationsextract informationextract dataextract a samplecarefully extractextract meaning

Researchers used computational methods to extract relevant themes from a large corpus of interview transcripts.

filenoun / verbfaɪl
v filingv filedn files

Submit a document officially; or store papers systematically.

Collocationsfile a complaintfile a reportfile documentsfile a claimelectronic file

The organisation was required to file annual reports detailing its environmental impact.

finiteadjectiveˈfaɪnaɪt
adv infinitelyadj infinite

Having a limit; not endless or boundless.

Collocationsfinite resourcesfinite supplyfinite numberfinite capacitystrictly finite

Natural resources are finite, and their depletion poses long-term risks to economic development.

foundationnounfaʊnˈdeɪʃn
n foundations

The basic underlying principle or starting point of something.

Collocationslay the foundationstrong foundationtheoretical foundationsolid foundationfoundation of knowledge

Early childhood education provides the cognitive and social foundation upon which later learning depends.

globenounɡləʊb
adv globallyn globalisationn globalizationadj global

The whole world, considered as a single place or community.

Collocationsacross the globearound the globeglobe spanningall over the globecorners of the globe

Supply chain disruptions affected manufacturers across the globe in the aftermath of the pandemic.

gradenoun / verbɡreɪd
v gradingv gradedn grades

Arrange or rank items according to quality, ability, or size.

Collocationsgrade studentstop gradepass gradegrade the workhigh-grade material

Assessment criteria should be clearly defined so that markers can grade work consistently and fairly.

guaranteenoun / verbˌɡærənˈtiː
v guaranteeingv guaranteedn guarantees

A formal assurance that certain conditions will be met or that something will happen.

Collocationsoffer a guaranteeno guaranteeguarantee successguarantee deliverylifetime guarantee

The treaty was designed to guarantee the rights of minority groups within the member states.

hierarchynounˈhaɪərɑːki
adj hierarchicaln hierarchies

A system in which members are ranked according to relative status or authority.

Collocationsstrict hierarchysocial hierarchycorporate hierarchywithin the hierarchyhierarchy of needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs proposes that basic physiological requirements must be met before higher-order goals are pursued.

identicaladjectiveaɪˈdentɪkl
adv identically

Exactly the same, in every detail.

Collocationsidentical twinvirtually identicalidentical resultsidentical conditionsidentical copy

An identical experimental protocol was used across all three testing sites to ensure comparability of results.

ideologynounˌaɪdiˈɒlədʒi
adv ideologicallyadj ideologicaln ideologies

A system of beliefs and ideas that forms the basis of political or social theory.

Collocationspolitical ideologydominant ideologyunderlying ideologyideology of the stateshared ideology

Economic policy is rarely value-neutral; it invariably reflects an underlying ideology about the role of the state.

inferverbɪnˈfɜː(r)
n inferencen inferencesv inferringv inferredv infers

Reach a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.

Collocationsinfer causalityinfer meaningcannot inferreasonably inferinfer intent

From the correlation data alone, it is not possible to infer a causal relationship between the variables.

innovateverbˈɪnəveɪt
n innovationn innovationsadj innovativev innovatedn innovatorn innovators

Introduce new methods, ideas, or products.

Collocationscontinuously innovateinnovate or perishpressure to innovatefail to innovateinnovate rapidly

Firms that invest in research and development are better positioned to innovate and sustain competitive advantage.

insertverbɪnˈsɜːt
n insertionv insertingv insertedn inserts

Place or put something into another thing.

Collocationsinsert a paragraphinsert a clausecarefully insertinsert into the textinsert a statement

The editor requested that the authors insert a paragraph addressing the study's methodological limitations.

interveneverbˌɪntəˈviːn
n interventionn interventionsv intervenedv interveningv intervenes

Become involved deliberately in a situation in order to alter its outcome.

Collocationsintervene directlyintervene in the marketrefuse to interveneintervene militarilyintervene on behalf of

Public health authorities have a responsibility to intervene when individual behaviour creates risks for the wider community.

isolateverbˈaɪsəleɪt
n isolationn isolationismv isolatedv isolatingv isolates

Separate something from other things or people so it can be studied or contained.

Collocationsisolate the variableisolate the causecompletely isolateisolate the effectgeographically isolate

The laboratory procedure was designed to isolate the variable of interest by holding all other factors constant.

medianounˈmiːdiə

The main means by which large numbers of people receive information and entertainment.

Collocationsmass mediasocial medianews mediamedia coveragemedia attention

The media play a central role in shaping public understanding of complex scientific and political issues.

modenounməʊd
n modes

A particular way or method of doing something.

Collocationsmode of communicationmode of transportmode of deliveryprimary modedominant mode

The dominant mode of communication in academic discourse remains formal written text.

paradigmnounˈpærədaɪm
n paradigms

A typical example or framework of assumptions underlying a discipline or worldview.

Collocationsparadigm shiftdominant paradigmnew paradigmtheoretical paradigmscientific paradigm

The publication of Darwin's work represented a fundamental paradigm shift in biological science.

phenomenonnounfəˈnɒmɪnən
adj phenomenaln phenomena

An observable fact or event, especially one whose cause is in question.

Collocationsnatural phenomenonsocial phenomenonstudy the phenomenonexplain the phenomenoncomplex phenomenon

Globalisation is a complex phenomenon with economic, social, and cultural dimensions that resist simple explanation.

prioritynounpraɪˈɒrəti
n prioritisationn prioritizationv prioritisev prioritisedv prioritizev prioritized

Something regarded as more important than other matters and dealt with first.

Collocationstop prioritygive prioritynational priorityhighest priorityurgent priority

Reducing child poverty must be a national priority if long-term inequalities in educational attainment are to be addressed.

prohibitverbprəˈhɪbɪt
n prohibitionn prohibitionsadj prohibitivev prohibitingv prohibitedv prohibits

Formally forbid something by law, rule, or other authority.

Collocationsstrictly prohibitprohibit the useprohibit the salelegally prohibitprohibit smoking

International law prohibits the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances.

publicationnounˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃn
n publications

The act of producing material in printed or electronic form for public distribution.

Collocationspeer-reviewed publicationrecent publicationprior publicationpublication dateacademic publication

Publication in a peer-reviewed journal remains the primary means by which researchers disseminate their findings.

quotenoun / verbkwəʊt
n quotationn quotationsv quotingv quotedn quotes

Repeat or copy words from a written or spoken text, with acknowledgement of the source.

Collocationsquote directlyquote a passagequote the authorfrequently quotedquote out of context

When authors quote directly from a source, they must include the page number in the citation.

releasenoun / verbrɪˈliːs
v releasingv releasedn releases

Allow something to be available, distributed, or set free from confinement.

Collocationsrelease a reportrelease informationrelease of datarelease prisonersrelease a statement

The government agreed to release previously classified documents relating to the arms negotiations.

reverseverbrɪˈvɜːs
adj irreversiblen reversaladj reversiblen reversalsv reversingv reversed

Make something the opposite of what it was; move backwards.

Collocationsreverse the decisionreverse the trendreverse the policycompletely reversereverse the effects

Targeted policy interventions have the potential to reverse decades of increasing social inequality.

simulateverbˈsɪmjuleɪt
n simulationv simulatedv simulatingv simulates

Imitate or produce a model of a process, situation, or behaviour.

Collocationssimulate the processsimulate conditionsaccurately simulatesimulate the effectscomputer simulate

Computer models were used to simulate the spread of an infectious disease through a densely populated urban area.

soleadjectivesəʊl
adv solely

Being the only one; belonging to one individual or group.

Collocationssole responsibilitysole purposesole survivorsole proprietorsole source

The report cautions against relying on economic growth as the sole indicator of national well-being.

somewhatadverbˈsʌmwɒt

To a moderate extent or degree.

Collocationssomewhat surprisingsomewhat differentsomewhat limitedsomewhat bettersomewhat unusual

The observed effect was somewhat smaller than predicted by the theoretical model.

submitverbsəbˈmɪt
n submissionn submissionsv submittingv submittedv submits

Present a document, proposal, or application for consideration.

Collocationssubmit a manuscriptsubmit a proposalsubmit a reportformally submitsubmit evidence

Authors are required to submit their manuscript with a declaration of any competing financial interests.

successornounsəkˈsesə(r)
adv successivelyn successionadj successiven successionsn successors

A person or thing that comes after and takes the place of another.

Collocationsclear successorlikely successordesignated successorimmediate successorchosen successor

The new framework was designed as the direct successor to an earlier set of guidelines that had become outdated.

surviveverbsəˈvaɪv
n survivaln survivorn survivorsv survivingv survivedv survives

Continue to live or exist, especially after an adverse situation.

Collocationssurvive the crisismanage to survivebarely survivesurvive long-termunlikely to survive

Small enterprises that survive the first five years typically demonstrate strong adaptive capacity.

thesisnounˈθiːsɪs
n theses

A long piece of writing, or a central argument or claim being defended.

Collocationsdoctoral thesiscentral thesisdefend a thesissubmit a thesisopposing thesis

The doctoral thesis presented a novel theoretical framework for analysing cross-cultural communication patterns.

topicnounˈtɒpɪk
adj topicaln topics

A subject or theme of conversation, writing, or study.

Collocationsresearch topicdiscuss a topiccentral topichot topicrelated topic

The selection of a research topic should be guided by both personal interest and potential academic contribution.

transmitverbtrænzˈmɪt
n transmissionn transmissionsv transmittingv transmittedv transmits

Pass on or send something from one person, place, or thing to another.

Collocationstransmit informationtransmit a signaltransmit a diseaseeasily transmittedtransmit knowledge

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes.

ultimateadjectiveˈʌltɪmət
adv ultimately

Final or most extreme in degree; being the most fundamental.

Collocationsultimate goalultimate aimultimate responsibilityultimate authorityultimate success

The ultimate goal of welfare policy should be to reduce poverty and promote long-term self-sufficiency.

uniqueadjectivejuˈniːk
adv uniquelyn uniqueness

Being the only one of its kind; without equal or comparison.

Collocationsunique opportunityunique perspectiveunique featuretruly uniqueunique to the species

Each case study presented a unique set of contextual factors that complicated straightforward comparison.

visibleadjectiveˈvɪzəbl
adv visiblyn invisibilityn visibilityadj invisible

Able to be seen; noticeable or apparent.

Collocationsclearly visiblehighly visiblebecome visiblebarely visiblevisible to the naked eye

The effects of structural inequality are most visible in disparities in health, education, and housing.

voluntaryadjectiveˈvɒləntri
adv voluntarilyn volunteern volunteersv volunteeringv volunteered

Done, given, or acting of one's own free will; not paid.

Collocationsvoluntary workvoluntary participationpurely voluntaryvoluntary contributionvoluntary scheme

Participation in the survey was entirely voluntary and participants could withdraw at any stage without penalty.

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