Source: The Economist, February 22, 2022 articles_for_IELTS articles_for_IELTS NEW WORDS Vile(adj)- morally bad; completely unacceptable
Fire off(phr.v)- to write or say something to somebody very quickly, often when
you are angry
Affidavit(n)- a written statement that you swear is true, and that can be used as
evidence in court
Fee(n)- an amount of money that you pay for professional advice or services
Combatant(n)- a person of group involved in fighting
Devious(adj)- behaving in a dishonest way, or tricking people, in order to get
something
Custody(n)- the legal right or duty to take care of or keep somebody/something
Neutral(adj)- not supporting or helping either side in a disagreement
Soften(v)- to become or to make somebody/something more kind or friendly and
less severe or critica
Cheesy(adj)- not very good or original, and without style, in a way that is
embarrassing but funny
Bicker(v)- to argue about things that are not important
Provoke(v)- to cause a particular reaction or have a particular effect
Pretend(v)- to behave in a particular way, in order to make other people believe
something that is not true
Amicable(adj)- done or achieved in a polite or friendly way and without arguing
Blame(n)- responsibility for doing something badly or wrongly; saying that
somebody is responsible for something
Appoint(v)- to arrange or decide on a time or place for doing something
Ghastly(adj)- very frightening and unpleasant, because it involves pain, death, etc.
Jurisdiction(n)- the authority that an official organization has to make legal
decisions about somebody/something
