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Unit 16
Academic Words 3: Verbs of Science & Society
20 verbs for environment, law & health
How to Study These Words
These are words that appear again and again in YDS, YDT and YÖKDİL vocabulary, cloze and reading questions. Learn each word together with its typical partner words (e.g. impose a tax, comply with a rule) — in the exam, these partners are often the clue that decides the answer.
Study the table, cover the Turkish meanings and test yourself, then solve the two tests. Return to the list a few days later: spaced repetition is the most effective way to remember new vocabulary.
Word List
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| abolish | officially end a law, system or practice | Slavery was abolished in the nineteenth century in many countries. |
| allocate | officially give something for a particular purpose | More funds were allocated to education. |
| adapt (to) | change to suit new conditions | Animals adapt to their environment. |
| comply (with) | obey a rule or request | All factories must comply with safety rules. |
| consume | use up, eat or drink | Data centres consume huge amounts of electricity. |
| contaminate | make something dirty or poisonous | Chemicals contaminated the river. |
| convert (into) | change from one form into another | Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. |
| detect | notice or discover something hard to see | Sensors can detect small amounts of gas. |
| dispose (of) | get rid of something | Old batteries must be disposed of safely. |
| exploit | use something or someone unfairly for profit | Workers were exploited by their employers. |
| migrate | move from one region to another | Many birds migrate south in winter. |
| monitor | watch or check something over a period | Doctors monitor the patient's heart rate. |
| obtain | get something, especially with effort | It can be difficult to obtain a visa. |
| preserve | keep something in its original state | The city preserves its historic buildings. |
| prohibit | officially forbid | Smoking is prohibited in hospitals. |
| regulate | control something by rules | Laws regulate the use of pesticides. |
| resolve | find a solution to a problem | The two countries resolved their dispute peacefully. |
| transmit | pass something from one person or place to another | Mosquitoes transmit malaria. |
| deplete | reduce the amount of something until little is left | Overfishing has depleted fish stocks. |
| enforce | make sure that a law is obeyed | The police enforce traffic laws. |