Vocabulary for IELTS – Part 20

Arrogant – unpleasantly proud and behaving as if you are more important than, or know more than, other people.

Sentence – He said that the press had misrepresented him as arrogant and bullying.

Awful – extremely bad or unpleasant.

Sentence – The awful truth about his disappearance finally dawned on her.

To disclaim – to say that you have no responsibility for, or knowledge of, something that has happened or been done.

Sentence – Businesses will be able to disclaim all or any part of the initial allowance if they wish.

To vary – to differ.

Sentence – Salary scales vary between states/from state to state/according to state/with each state.

Accurate – correct, exact, and without any mistakes.

Sentence – Police have stressed that this is the most accurate description of the killer to date.

Sacristy – vestry.

Sentence – The roof had fallen in long ago, and an enormous sycamore had grown on the spot where the sacristy had once stood.

Dreadful – causing fear, shock, or suffering.

Sentence – The weather was dreadful but we pressed on regardless.

Immoderate – too much or many, or more than is usual or reasonable.

Sentence – Although Leapor accepts that many women are guilty of inconstancy and immoderate behaviour, she none the less holds out the prospect of transformation.

Cozy – comfortable, pleasant, and inviting, esp. (of a room or building) because small and warm.

Sentence – Likewise, a pair of cozy coevolutionary symbionts embracing each other can only seem to lead to stagnant solipsism.

Garbage can – a large container for rubbish from a house or other building, usually made of strong plastic or metal and kept outside.

Sentence – Dumping Viola Angotti in the garbage can was a way of re-establishing his pride – of making himself feel big and important.

Perception – abelief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things seem.

Sentence – We need to gain a clearer perception of how young people feel about the problem.

Hang – to fasten or support something at the top leaving the other parts free to move, or to be held in this way.

Sentence – Bored youths hang around outside looking for trouble.

Immediate – happening or done without delay or very soon after something else.

Sentence – A five-day week has found an immediate welcome and much popularity since it was officially adopted across the country.

Mind – the part of a person that makes it possible for him or her to think, feel emotions, and understand things.

Sentence – I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got down to work.

Vague – not clearly expressed, known, described, or decided.

Sentence – Readers familiar with English history will find a vague parallel to the suppression of the monasteries.

Understandable – easy to understand.

Sentence – Their refusal to cooperate is perfectly/completely understandable, considering the circumstances.

Indisputable – true, and impossible to doubt.

Sentence – Hers is a performance of indisputable class making little but tremendously effective use of her famous fluttering gestures.

Terror – extreme fear.

Sentence – His complex anger flamed a fresh , and Ruth was in terror of him.

Highbrow – (of books, plays, etc.) involving serious and complicated or artistic ideas, or (of people) interested in serious and complicated subjects.

Sentence – Highbrow publishers and small bookshops are the most resolute opponents.

Cube – a solid object with six square sides of equal size.

Sentence – He spooned up several cakes of cube sugar and stuffed them into his mouth.

Well timed – happening or caused to happen at a suitable or effective time.

Sentence – For all its note of fantasy, however, the article was widely read and well timed.