VOCABULARY
Reading Passage 1: How Tennis Rackets Have Changed
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| stringer | A person who professionally strings tennis rackets | The player hired a new stringer to restring his rackets. |
| tweak | A slight adjustment or change | She made a small tweak to the tension of the strings. |
| customise | Modify to suit a particular individual or task | Pro players customise their equipment for performance. |
| spaghetti-strung | A non-traditional string pattern banned in tennis | The spaghetti-strung racket caused an unusual spin. |
| regulations | Official rules or laws | The tennis federation updated its regulations on racket use. |
| resonated | Produced a deep, clear sound or had emotional impact | The new string material resonated differently on impact. |
Reading Passage 2: The Pirates of the Ancient Mediterranean
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| eradicate | To completely destroy or remove | The empire launched a mission to eradicate piracy. |
| denial | A statement that something is not true | The official issued a denial of the accusations. |
| plunder | To steal goods using force, especially during war | Pirates would plunder ships carrying grain or gold. |
| ransom | Payment demanded for the release of a prisoner | They asked for a ransom in exchange for the Roman official. |
| exploitation | Unfair use of something for one’s own advantage | Piracy involved the exploitation of weak coastal communities. |
| cove | A small sheltered bay | Pirates often hid stolen goods in hidden coves. |
Reading Passage 3: The Persistence and Peril of Misinformation
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| misinformation | False or inaccurate information | The article was filled with misinformation. |
| regulation | Rules made by authority to control activities | Media regulation is vital in tackling fake news. |
| encode | To convert information into a particular format | The brain quickly encodes new information, true or false. |
| skepticism | Doubt as to the truth of something | A healthy level of skepticism can prevent manipulation. |
| verify | To confirm the truth or accuracy | Always verify sources before sharing a post. |
| mental operation | A process the brain uses to understand or manage input | Spinoza believed that belief involves a mental operation. |
| perceive | Become aware of or interpret something |