IELTS Vocabulary Quiz

The scientist called the lizard's old feature an [atavism]. The word atavism is similar in meaning to…

• reappearance of ancestral traits

• complete loss of features

• discovery of new traits

• change without connection

The whale's strange legs were a [throwback] to land-living ancestors. The word throwback is similar in meaning to…

• return to an earlier form

• sudden transformation

• removal of abilities

• creation of something new

The term had negative [connotations] for many people. The word connotations is similar in meaning to…

• associated meanings

• strict definitions

• random expressions

• exact translations

Early humans lived in a [primitive] way. The word primitive is similar in meaning to…

• basic and ancient

• modern and advanced

• complex and detailed

• creative and new

A [palaeontologist] studies old bones and fossils. The word palaeontologist is similar in meaning to…

• scientist of fossils

• expert in plants

• doctor of animals

• teacher of chemistry

Dollo's law said evolution's [irreversibility] cannot be changed. The word irreversibility is similar in meaning to…

• impossibility of going back

• chance of repeating

• ability to undo

• cycle of change

Salamanders share a [lineage] with older ancestors. The word lineage is similar in meaning to…

• family ancestry

• present generation

• random groups

• unrelated species

The whale had leg-like [appendages] on its body. The word appendages is similar in meaning to…

• limbs or projections

• hidden organs

• small spots

• inner bones

The damage was [rendering] the old gene useless. The word rendering is similar in meaning to…

• causing to become

• keeping unchanged

• saving from loss

• returning to normal

Salamanders can [metamorphose] from tadpoles into adults. The word metamorphose is similar in meaning to…

• change form completely

• remain the same

• disappear slowly

• grow weaker