IELTS Vocabulary — Set 81

Set 81 of IELTS Vocabulary covers 5 words: scenario, insignificance, deterioration, encounter, duality. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. scenario · noun/sɪˈnɛrioʊ/

   a hypothetical situation or sequence of events

   In a worst-case scenario, we could lose all our data if the system crashes.

   Synonyms: situation, outline, context

   Origin: From Italian 'scenario', meaning 'a scene, a setting', from Latin 'scenarium', meaning 'a place for scenery'.

2. insignificance · noun/ˌɪn.sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kəns/

   the quality of being unimportant or lacking in significance

   The insignificance of the minor details often gets overlooked during major project discussions.

   Synonyms: unimportance, triviality, inconsequence

   Origin: derived from the Latin word 'insignificantem', which is the accusative form of 'insignificans', meaning 'not significant'

3. deterioration · noun/dɪˌtɪr.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

   the process of becoming progressively worse

   The rapid deterioration of the building's structure has raised concerns among the local authorities.

   Synonyms: decline, deterioration, degradation

   Origin: From Latin 'deteriorare', meaning 'to make worse', from 'deterior', meaning 'worse'.

4. encounter · noun/ɪnˈkaʊntər/

   a meeting or confrontation with someone or something

   During her travels, she had a surprising encounter with an old friend she hadn't seen in years.

   Synonyms: meeting, confrontation, encounter

   Origin: from Middle French 'encontrer', from Latin 'incontra', meaning 'against, opposite'.

5. duality · noun/duˈæl.ɪ.ti/

   the quality or condition of being dual or having dual aspects

   The duality of human nature is often explored in literature, highlighting both the light and dark aspects of personality.

   Synonyms: duality, dichotomy, dualism

   Origin: From Latin 'dualitas', from 'dualis', meaning 'twofold'