C2 words for IELTS – Group 2

C2 words for IELTS – Group 2

1. Conundrum – a confusing and difficult problem or question
   Examples:
   • Solving this math problem was a conundrum that took me hours to figure out.
   • The mystery of the missing keys was a conundrum that baffled the detectives.
   • The ethical conundrum of cloning is still being debated by scientists and lawmakers.
2. Ephemeral – lasting for a very short time
   Examples:
   • The beauty of cherry blossoms is ephemeral and only lasts for a few days.
   • The success of the internet startup was ephemeral and it quickly went bankrupt.
   • The popularity of the latest fashion trend is ephemeral and it will soon be replaced by something else.
3. Inscrutable – difficult to understand or interpret
   Examples:
   • The politician’s motives were inscrutable and no one knew what he was really after.
   • The ancient text was inscrutable to the modern scholar without translation.
   • The expression on his face was inscrutable, making it hard to tell if he was happy or sad.
4. Myriad – a very large number or variety
   Examples:
   • The city had a myriad of restaurants to choose from.
   • The book contained a myriad of facts and figures about the history of the region.
   • The artist used a myriad of colors to create a vibrant and complex painting.
5. Nefarious – wicked or criminal
   Examples:
   • The nefarious plot of the villains was to take over the world.
   • The nefarious actions of the dictator were condemned by the international community.
   • The thieves had a nefarious plan to rob the bank and get away with the money.
6. Querulous – complaining or whining in a petulant manner
   Examples:
   • The querulous customer complained about the service even though nothing was wrong.
   • The querulous child whined about not getting the toy he wanted.
   • The querulous tone of her voice annoyed her coworkers.
7. Salient – most noticeable or important
   Examples:
   • The salient point of the argument was that the proposal was too expensive.
   • The salient feature of the new car was its fuel efficiency.
   • The salient fact in the case was that the defendant had an alibi for the time of the crime.
8. Ubiquitous – present, appearing, or found everywhere
   Examples:
   • Smartphones are ubiquitous in modern society.
   • Fast food chains are ubiquitous in the United States.
   • The internet is ubiquitous and connects people all over the world.
9. Vexatious – causing annoyance, frustration, or worry
   Examples:
   • The vexatious delay in the flight schedule caused many passengers to miss their connecting flights.
   • The vexatious noise of the construction site next door kept the neighbors up all night.
   • The vexatious behavior of the students disrupted the class and made it difficult to teach.
10. Zealous – having great enthusiasm or passion for something
    Examples:
    • The zealous soccer fans cheered loudly for their team.
    • The zealous entrepreneur worked tirelessly to build her company from the ground up.
    • The zealous artist poured his heart and soul into his paintings.
11. Aberration – a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected
    Examples:
    • The sudden rain in the middle of summer was an aberration from the usual weather pattern.
    • The politician’s stance on the issue was an aberration from his party’s platform.
    • The athlete’s poor performance in the competition was an aberration from his usual record.
12. Bombastic – high-sounding but with little meaning, inflated
    Examples:
    • The politician’s speech was filled with bombastic rhetoric that didn’t address any real issues.
    • The artist’s abstract paintings were often criticized for their bombastic use of color and form.
    • The CEO’s email to employees was filled with bombastic language about the company’s success.
13. Cacophony – a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds Examples:
    • The construction site next door was a cacophony of drilling, hammering, and shouting.
    • The city traffic during rush hour was a cacophony of honking, screeching, and revving engines.
    • The band’s performance was marred by a cacophony of out-of-tune instruments and off-beat rhythms.
14. Disparage – regard or represent as being of little worth, belittle Examples:
    • The critic’s review disparaged the movie as being cliché and unoriginal.
    • The boss’s constant criticism and disparagement of his employees demotivated the team.
    • The politician’s opponent disparaged his record as a failed leader.
15. Enigma – a person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand Examples:
    • The disappearance of the plane remains an enigma to investigators.
    • The artist’s abstract painting was an enigma to many viewers who couldn’t decipher its meaning.
    • The sudden change in the CEO’s behavior was an enigma to his employees.
16. Furtive – attempting to avoid notice or attention, secretive Examples:
    • The spy’s furtive movements were captured on video by a surveillance camera.
    • The teenager’s furtive attempts to sneak out of the house at night were thwarted by her parents.
    • The employee’s furtive glance at her phone during the meeting was noticed by her boss.
17. Gregarious – fond of company, sociable Examples:
    • The gregarious host of the party made everyone feel welcome and included.
    • The dog was so gregarious that it greeted every visitor to the house with wagging tail.
    • The politician’s gregarious personality made him popular among his constituents.
18. Harbinger – a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another Examples:
    • The first snowfall of the year is often seen as a harbinger of winter.
    • The economic downturn was a harbinger of the recession that was to come.
    • The sudden drop in the stock market was a harbinger of the financial crisis.
19. Axiomatic – self-evident, unquestionable
    • It’s axiomatic that all living things need water to survive.
    • The idea that people have the right to free speech is axiomatic in democratic societies.
    • It’s axiomatic that two parallel lines will never intersect.
20. Equanimity – calmness, composure, evenness of temper
    • The surgeon maintained her equanimity throughout the lengthy and complex operation.
    • He faced the criticism with equanimity and did not let it bother him.
    • Even when the situation got heated, she remained a model of equanimity.
21. Genuflect – to kneel, bow or bend in reverence or worship
    • When entering the church, many people will genuflect and cross themselves.
    • The athlete genuflected before the game as a sign of respect for his opponents.
    • As a gesture of gratitude, she genuflected before her mentor and thanked him.
22. Intransigent – stubborn, unwilling to compromise
    • The union leaders were intransigent in their demands for higher wages.
    • Despite the overwhelming evidence, he remained intransigent in his belief that the Earth was flat.
    • She found it difficult to work with intransigent colleagues who refused to consider other viewpoints.
23. Juxtapose – to place side by side for comparison or contrast
    • The exhibit juxtaposed contemporary art with classic paintings from the Renaissance.
    • The author juxtaposed the protagonist’s inner thoughts with her outward actions.
    • The contrast between the modern skyscrapers and the historic buildings is striking when they are juxtaposed.
24. Limpid – clear, transparent, easy to understand
    • Her voice was as limpid and pure as a mountain stream.
    • The explanation was so limpid that even a child could understand it.
    • The writer’s style is limpid, making his ideas accessible to readers.
25. Metamorphosis – a profound change in form or nature
    • The butterfly undergoes a metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a winged insect.
    • The town underwent a metamorphosis from a sleepy village to a bustling metropolis.
    • Her experiences during the war caused a metamorphosis in her beliefs and attitudes.
26. Perspicacious – having keen insight, mentally sharp
    • The perspicacious detective quickly solved the crime.
    • The student’s perspicacious analysis of the poem impressed her teacher.
    • She is known for her perspicacious observations and insightful comments.
27. Querulous – complaining, whining, fretful
    • The querulous child constantly asked “Are we there yet?” during the long car ride.
    • The patient was querulous and demanded constant attention from the nurses.
    • Her querulous tone of voice made it difficult for others to take her seriously.
28. Vituperate – to criticize or berate harshly, to use abusive language towards
    • The politician vituperated his opponent during the debate, using personal attacks instead of addressing the issues.
    • He vituperated his boss in a scathing email that he later regretted sending.
    • Her mother-in-law would often vituperate her cooking, making her feel unwelcome in her own home.
29. Nonplussed – bewildered, confused, unsure how to react
    • He was nonplussed by her unexpected confession of love.
    • The teacher was nonplussed when the student asked a question that she couldn’t answer.
    • She was left feeling nonplussed by the strange turn of events.
30. Obdurate – stubborn, unyielding, resistant to persuasion
    • The obdurate child refused to eat her vegetables, no matter how much her parents pleaded.
    • The obdurate boss would not listen to any suggestions from her employees.
    • Despite the overwhelming evidence, the obdurate defendant maintained his innocence.