✨ Introduction
Mastering Reading Comprehension begins with mastering the words!
In this post, we dive deep into vocabulary taken directly from an actual CAT RC passage. Each word has been explained in a simple, easy-to-understand way, along with examples to help you grasp its usage in real contexts.
From words like "species" and "cognitive" to "subjection" and "paradise," strengthen your vocabulary one word at a time — and take your RC performance to the next level!
📚 What’s Inside This Vocabulary Post?
- 🔍 Words Sourced from an Actual CAT RC Passage: Directly pick up important vocabulary from real CAT exam material.
- 🧠 Meaningful Explanations: Understand the exact meaning and usage of each word in a simple, student-friendly way.
- ✍️ Context-Based Learning: Learn words with examples that reflect their actual usage in reading comprehension contexts.
- 🗂️ Quick Reference Format: Words are neatly listed with meanings, parts of speech, and example sentences for easy revision.
- 🚀 Boost Your RC and Verbal Ability Skills: Improve your understanding of tough passages by strengthening your vocabulary.
📝 Words Covered in This Article:
- Intensify
- Enmeshed
- Championed
- Dispossession
- Minerals
- Democratized
- Consolidated
- Substantially
- Renewables
- Localized
WORD-1: Intensify
Context:
"Both the direct and indirect impacts of renewable energy must be examined to ensure that a climate-smart future does not intensify social and environmental harm." - Climate Policy Report
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Intensify” means to make something stronger, more severe, or more extreme. When a situation, feeling, or condition intensifies, it becomes more pronounced or forceful. For instance, when efforts or conflicts intensify, they become more aggressive or pressing. In the given context, it highlights the concern that renewable energy development might unintentionally increase harm to people or the environment if not carefully planned.
Meaning: To become or make more intense or severe (Verb)
Pronunciation: in-TEN-suh-fy
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin “intensus” (stretched, strained) + “-fy” (to make or cause).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This verb is commonly used in both technical and emotional contexts—think climate impact, conflict, pain, or feelings like love or anger. It’s a great power verb that helps express escalation or deepening of a situation.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: escalate, strengthen, deepen, amplify, heighten
Antonyms: weaken, lessen, reduce, ease, diminish
Usage Examples:
- The government plans to intensify efforts to curb air pollution in urban areas.
- The storm began to intensify as it approached the coastline.
- Her emotions intensified when she heard the unexpected news.
- Global campaigns have intensified the awareness about ocean plastic pollution.
Cultural Reference:
"In times of crisis, art has the power to intensify our collective voice and inspire action." - Adapted from a TED Talk on Art and Activism
Think About It:
Can trying to solve one problem unintentionally intensify another? How can we prevent that in policymaking or personal decisions?
Quick Activity:
Write 3 sentences using “intensify” in different contexts: emotional, environmental, and political.
Memory Tip:
Think of a volume dial turning up—“intensify” means turning up the strength or pressure of something.
Real-World Application:
In journalism, using the word “intensify” helps convey the seriousness of evolving situations like protests, storms, or political tensions, making it a valuable tool for accurate and engaging reporting.
WORD-2: Enmeshed
Context:
"Although an emerging sector, renewables are enmeshed in long-standing resource extraction through their dependence on minerals and metals." - Climate Transition Analysis Report
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word “enmeshed” refers to being tangled, caught up, or deeply involved in something, often in a way that's hard to separate from. In this context, it suggests that the renewable energy sector, although new and future-oriented, is still deeply connected to old practices like mining for metals and minerals. This connection complicates the clean narrative of renewables, showing that progress isn’t always free from legacy systems.
Meaning: Deeply involved or entangled in something, often difficult to escape (Verb – past participle/adjective)
Pronunciation: en-MESHT
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Middle English “meschen” (to entangle), from Old French “meschier” meaning “to ensnare in a net.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Enmeshed” carries a tone of complexity or entrapment. It’s often used in contexts where people, systems, or institutions are entangled in complicated relationships, making it difficult to change or separate one from another. This word is great for academic, policy, and psychological writing.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: entangled, trapped, caught up, embroiled, intertwined
Antonyms: freed, released, detached, disengaged, separated
Usage Examples:
- She found herself enmeshed in a web of legal complications.
- Many families become enmeshed in generational cycles of conflict.
- The country is enmeshed in political alliances that limit its independence.
- Tech companies are increasingly enmeshed in global supply chains with ethical concerns.
Cultural Reference:
"We are enmeshed in a culture that measures success by productivity rather than presence." - Adapted from modern mindfulness discussions and critiques of hustle culture.
Think About It:
How can emerging technologies avoid becoming enmeshed in the very problems they aim to solve?
Quick Activity:
Write a short paragraph (3–4 sentences) describing a situation—personal, political, or environmental—where someone or something is “enmeshed.”
Memory Tip:
Think of a fish caught in a net—“mesh” is in the word, and “enmeshed” means being caught in something hard to get out of.
Real-World Application:
In psychology, “enmeshed” is used to describe relationships—often family ties—where personal boundaries are blurred, highlighting its use in therapy, counseling, and social work discussions.
WORD-3: Championed
Context:
"But renewables need to be further scrutinized before being championed as forging a path toward a low-carbon future." - Climate Policy Insight Article
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Championed” means to support, advocate for, or publicly promote a cause, idea, or person, especially in a dedicated or passionate way. In the given context, it implies that although renewable energy is often celebrated as a solution to climate change, it must undergo more thorough evaluation before being fully endorsed or promoted as the ultimate path to a sustainable future.
Meaning: To actively support or defend a cause, idea, or individual (Verb – past participle)
Pronunciation: CHAM-pee-uhnd
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner to Intermediate
Etymology: From Old French “champion” meaning “combatant,” later evolving to mean a defender or advocate.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word often appears in formal writing, leadership discussions, activism, and policy advocacy. It has a noble and assertive tone, making it great for speeches or persuasive essays. Use it when someone is not just supporting an idea silently, but actively promoting and defending it.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: advocated, promoted, defended, supported, backed
Antonyms: opposed, criticized, resisted, disapproved, rejected
Usage Examples:
- She championed the rights of indigenous communities in national forums.
- Many scientists have championed the use of vaccines to prevent disease outbreaks.
- He championed education reform throughout his political career.
- The initiative was championed by environmental groups around the world.
Cultural Reference:
"Rosa Parks is often championed as the mother of the civil rights movement." - Common phrase in U.S. civil rights history education
Think About It:
What cause or issue would you be willing to champion? Why is it worth advocating for?
Quick Activity:
List 3 public figures and the causes they’ve championed. Then write one sentence for each using “championed.”
Memory Tip:
Think of a “champion” not just as a winner, but as someone who fights for a cause—if you “champion” something, you stand up for it like a true champion in battle.
Real-World Application:
In business and leadership, leaders often champion new technologies or values within their organizations to drive innovation, inclusion, or change. This word frequently appears in strategy presentations and keynote speeches.
WORD-4: Dispossession
Context:
", it imposes costs on people and the environment. Hydropower projects, for instance, have led to community dispossession and exclusion." - Environmental Justice Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Dispossession” refers to the act of depriving someone of land, property, or other possessions—often through force, legal means, or unjust systems. In the provided context, it highlights how hydropower projects, while intended for development, have caused communities to lose their homes, land, or livelihoods, leading to social and economic exclusion. The word carries a strong emotional and historical weight, especially in discussions of indigenous rights, colonization, and displacement.
Meaning: The action of depriving someone of land, property, or possessions (Noun)
Pronunciation: dis-puh-ZESH-un
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin “dis-” (apart) + “possessio” (possession); meaning “to take away ownership.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Often used in historical, legal, and environmental contexts, “dispossession” is key to understanding systemic inequalities. It’s a critical word in analyzing how progress can sometimes come at the cost of vulnerable populations. Use it carefully and with awareness of its serious implications.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: eviction, expropriation, displacement, deprivation, seizure
Antonyms: restoration, possession, ownership, entitlement, inheritance
Usage Examples:
- The tribe faced decades of dispossession due to expanding agricultural and mining activities.
- Urban renewal often results in the dispossession of low-income families.
- Dispossession of ancestral lands is a recurring theme in post-colonial literature.
- The court ruled against the company in a landmark dispossession case involving indigenous territory.
Cultural Reference:
"Dispossession is not a past event, but an ongoing process." – Theme from the documentary *"This Land Is Our Land"* focusing on indigenous struggles around the globe
Think About It:
Can infrastructure development be truly sustainable if it leads to the dispossession of communities? What responsibilities do governments and companies have in such cases?
Quick Activity:
List three consequences of dispossession for a community. Then, rewrite a sentence from today’s news using the word “dispossession.”
Memory Tip:
Think: “dis” (not) + “possession” = not having what was once yours. Visualize someone losing keys to their home as a symbol of dispossession.
Real-World Application:
Dispossession is a central term in law, human rights, and environmental justice. It helps articulate how communities lose land or identity through large-scale development or political actions. NGOs and activists frequently use it in advocacy work.
WORD-5: Minerals
Context:
"Although an emerging sector, renewables are enmeshed in long-standing resource extraction through their dependence on minerals and metals." - Climate Transition Report
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Minerals” are naturally occurring, inorganic substances that have a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure. They are essential raw materials found in the Earth’s crust and are used in everything from construction to electronics. In the context of renewable energy, minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements are crucial for manufacturing batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines, linking the green energy sector back to traditional extractive industries.
Meaning: Naturally occurring substances with a defined chemical structure, often mined for use in various industries (Noun)
Pronunciation: MIN-uh-ruls
Difficulty Level: ⭐ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin “minera” meaning “mine” or “ore,” later adapted into Middle English as “mineral.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Although commonly associated with rocks and geology, the word “minerals” appears frequently in policy and business discussions, especially around sustainability and technology. It’s important to understand both its scientific and economic dimensions. Think beyond the classroom when you use this word.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: ores, elements, crystals, rocks (in general use)
Antonyms: synthetic materials, artificial compounds (in context)
Usage Examples:
- Minerals like lithium and cobalt are key to battery production.
- The country’s economy depends heavily on the export of minerals.
- Geologists discovered new mineral deposits beneath the mountain range.
- Some health supplements contain essential minerals for bodily functions.
Cultural Reference:
"The control of minerals is the new geopolitical frontier." – Popular theme in energy transition documentaries and policy debates
Think About It:
If minerals are crucial to clean energy, how can we ensure their extraction doesn’t repeat the mistakes of fossil fuel exploitation?
Quick Activity:
List five products you use every day that depend on minerals. Then match each with the mineral it likely contains.
Memory Tip:
Remember: “Minerals” = “Mine” + “Natural” → things we mine from nature. Think of colorful rocks inside a mine!
Real-World Application:
Understanding minerals is essential in industries like renewable energy, electronics, construction, and health. Governments and companies closely monitor mineral availability to plan for future technology needs and environmental impact.
WORD-6: Democratized
Context:
", the promise of renewables rests on their ability not only to reduce emissions but also to provide distributed, democratized access to energy." - Energy Equity Briefing
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Democratized” refers to making something accessible and available to all people, not just a privileged few. It comes from the idea of democracy—where power is shared equally. In the context of energy, it means creating systems that allow individuals and communities to generate, use, and control their own energy rather than relying solely on centralized power sources. It emphasizes fairness, participation, and decentralization.
Meaning: Made accessible to everyone; distributed equitably among people (Verb – past participle)
Pronunciation: dih-MOK-ruh-tized
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Greek “dēmokratia” (rule of the people); adapted into modern usage to mean spreading access or control.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Democratized” is a buzzword in modern policy, tech, and education. It's used to emphasize the breaking of monopolies or hierarchies—think democratized knowledge, democratized healthcare, or democratized finance. Watch how it's used metaphorically to frame fairness and decentralization.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: equalized, decentralized, opened up, liberated, made accessible
Antonyms: centralized, monopolized, restricted, exclusive, hierarchical
Usage Examples:
- Online learning platforms have democratized access to quality education.
- Blockchain is often praised for having democratized financial transactions.
- Solar technology has democratized energy by allowing individual households to generate power.
- The artist wanted to democratize art by bringing it into public spaces.
Cultural Reference:
"The internet has democratized information—but not necessarily truth." – Popular critique in digital media debates
Think About It:
Can something be truly democratized if the infrastructure behind it remains controlled by a few powerful entities?
Quick Activity:
Write 3 sentences using “democratized” in different fields: education, energy, and technology.
Memory Tip:
Think: “democracy” + “-ized” = made for everyone. If it’s democratized, it’s shared—like everyone having a vote or voice.
Real-World Application:
“Democratized” is frequently used in discussions about innovation—how tools, data, and systems can be spread out and made usable by all. It's central to the vision of inclusive technology, renewable energy, and social progress.
WORD-7: Consolidated
Context:
"Small-scale, distributed forms of energy are only highly profitable to institutional investors if control is consolidated somewhere in the financial chain." - Green Energy Finance Brief
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Consolidated” means brought together into a single, unified whole, often to increase strength, control, or efficiency. In finance and business, it refers to merging control or ownership in order to streamline operations or maximize profits. In the context given, it suggests that even decentralized energy systems often end up being centrally controlled by investors or corporations to ensure consistent profitability.
Meaning: Brought together or unified into a stronger or more effective whole (Verb – past participle/adjective)
Pronunciation: kuhn-SOL-ih-day-tid
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin “consolidare” – “to make firm or solid,” from “com” (together) + “solidus” (solid).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Consolidated” is commonly used in business, politics, and infrastructure contexts. It implies centralization, control, and streamlining. Think of it as a power word when discussing control structures—often, what's decentralized in theory becomes consolidated in practice.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: unified, merged, combined, centralized, reinforced
Antonyms: fragmented, separated, decentralized, dispersed, dismantled
Usage Examples:
- The company consolidated its operations to cut costs and improve efficiency.
- Political power was consolidated under a single party after the election.
- They consolidated their debt into one monthly payment to simplify finances.
- Despite the decentralized nature of the internet, many services are consolidated under a few tech giants.
Cultural Reference:
"Media ownership has become increasingly consolidated, raising concerns about diversity of viewpoints." – Common theme in media literacy and journalism discourse
Think About It:
Does consolidation of control always improve efficiency, or can it sometimes stifle innovation and fairness?
Quick Activity:
Use “consolidated” in a sentence about business, one about politics, and one about personal organization (like organizing files or tasks).
Memory Tip:
Think: “solid” in “consolidated” = made strong or firm. Imagine combining building blocks into a solid structure—consolidation brings things together.
Real-World Application:
In financial reports, companies show consolidated statements to reflect the total position of all their branches and subsidiaries. It’s a key term in mergers, accounting, and power analysis.
WORD-8: Renewables
Context:
"Renewable energy can be produced at the household or neighborhood level. However, such small-scale, localized production is unlikely to generate high returns for investors." - Community Energy Equity Paper
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Renewables” is a shortened form of “renewable energy sources,” which refers to natural sources of power that replenish themselves over time and are considered more sustainable and environmentally friendly than fossil fuels. These include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. In the context provided, “renewables” refers to energy that can be produced locally (like rooftop solar panels), but which may not align with the traditional investment models focused on large-scale profitability.
Meaning: Energy sources that are naturally replenished and sustainable, such as solar, wind, and hydro power (Noun – plural)
Pronunciation: ri-NOO-uh-buhlz
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin “renovare” (to renew), adapted into modern environmental terminology as “renewable energy.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a core term in discussions around climate change, sustainability, and the energy transition. “Renewables” isn’t just a scientific or environmental term—it's deeply tied to economics, equity, and infrastructure debates. Don’t confuse it with "recyclables"; renewables refer to energy sources, not materials.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: green energy, sustainable energy, clean energy, alternative energy
Antonyms: fossil fuels, non-renewables, coal, oil, natural gas
Usage Examples:
- Governments around the world are investing heavily in renewables to combat climate change.
- Switching to renewables reduces our dependence on imported oil and gas.
- Many schools and public buildings are now powered by local renewables like solar panels.
- While renewables are eco-friendly, their infrastructure still requires careful planning and investment.
Cultural Reference:
"Renewables are no longer alternative—they’re essential." – Tagline from a Greenpeace campaign promoting clean energy
Think About It:
Should access to renewables be a basic right, just like access to clean water or education?
Quick Activity:
List all the types of renewable energy sources you know. Then, research one that is commonly used in your region and write a two-sentence summary.
Memory Tip:
Think: “renew” + “able” = able to be renewed. If it’s renewable, it won’t run out—like the sun rising every day!
Real-World Application:
Understanding “renewables” is crucial in many fields today—from public policy and engineering to finance and urban planning. Whether installing a solar panel or voting on energy policy, knowing the term helps make informed, future-focused decisions.
WORD-9: Substantially
Context:
"Since the demand for metals and minerals will increase substantially in a renewable-powered future..." - Sustainable Energy Foresight Paper
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Substantially” is an adverb used to describe something happening to a great extent or in a significant way. In the context of renewable energy, it emphasizes that the demand for critical materials like metals and minerals won’t just increase slightly—it will rise in a large, impactful way. This word is often used in formal or academic writing to highlight the scale or importance of change or effect.
Meaning: To a large degree; significantly or considerably (Adverb)
Pronunciation: sub-STAN-shuh-lee
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin “substantia” meaning “essence or substance,” evolved to mean “of real or considerable importance.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a great intensifier used in professional or academic settings. Use “substantially” when you want to highlight that a change or result isn’t minor—it’s notable or game-changing. Be careful not to overuse it; it loses power if used where “much” or “a lot” would suffice.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: significantly, greatly, markedly, considerably, enormously
Antonyms: slightly, minimally, marginally, barely, negligibly
Usage Examples:
- Greenhouse gas emissions have dropped substantially in countries adopting clean technologies.
- The company's profits increased substantially after it launched its new product line.
- Public awareness about climate change has grown substantially in the past decade.
- The new policy will substantially improve access to education in rural areas.
Cultural Reference:
"Substantially similar" is a legal phrase often used in copyright cases to assess infringement based on the extent of likeness between works.
Think About It:
What areas of your life or community have changed substantially over the past five years, and what triggered those changes?
Quick Activity:
Rewrite the sentence: “The program helped people.” Use “substantially” to make the sentence more powerful and precise.
Memory Tip:
Think: “substantial = solid or large” → “substantially” means in a big or important way. Imagine a small hill turning into a mountain—that’s a substantial change.
Real-World Application:
“Substantially” is widely used in reports, news, and speeches to indicate notable impact—like economic growth, environmental improvements, or social progress. Mastering its use sharpens persuasive and analytical writing.
WORD-10: Localized
Context:
"Renewable energy can be produced at the household or neighborhood level. However, such small-scale, localized production is unlikely to generate high returns for investors." - Energy Equity and Investment Trends
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Localized” refers to something that is restricted or specific to a particular area or region, rather than being widespread or centralized. In the context of renewable energy, “localized production” means energy is generated close to where it is used—such as rooftop solar panels or community wind turbines—rather than through large, national grids. While this form of energy generation supports self-sufficiency and decentralization, it may not align with traditional investment models that favor large-scale projects.
Meaning: Limited to or focused on a particular place or area (Adjective)
Pronunciation: LOH-kuh-lized
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin “localis” (pertaining to a place) + “-ized” (made or caused to be).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is useful when contrasting local vs. centralized systems—whether in energy, governance, or economies. Use it to discuss the benefits and limitations of solutions that work on a smaller, community-specific scale.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: regional, community-based, place-specific, area-bound, neighborhood-level
Antonyms: centralized, widespread, national, global, universal
Usage Examples:
- The city promoted localized food systems to reduce transportation emissions.
- Localized weather patterns can cause unexpected flooding in specific zones.
- The app offers localized content based on the user’s location.
- Localized healthcare models often lead to better patient outcomes in rural areas.
Cultural Reference:
"Think globally, act locally" – A popular environmental slogan that promotes localized solutions to global problems.
Think About It:
Can localized approaches be more effective than global ones in addressing climate change? Why or why not?
Quick Activity:
List three examples of localized systems in your community (e.g., food, energy, education). Write a sentence for each using “localized.”
Memory Tip:
“Localized” has “local” inside it—think of it as something that stays close to home, like a neighborhood solution rather than a national plan.
Real-World Application:
“Localized” is often used in urban planning, disaster management, renewable energy, and language services. It reflects the trend of tailoring services and solutions to specific communities or regions for higher relevance and impact.
