Key terms & definitions

An adjustable device that limits how far a drill or other cutting tool can travel.

A group chosen to approach others on behalf of a larger community; in the novel, Ogilvy, Stent and Henderson join the group approaching the Martians.

A match between local rival teams.

The condition of land or buildings that have been abandoned and fallen into disrepair.

An expression, written $\frac{dy}{dx}$ or $f'(x)$, that gives the gradient of a curve at each value of where it is defined.

A quantity found from other measured quantities using a defined relationship or equation.

A unit formed by combining base units, such as metres per second for speed or joules for energy.

A unit formed by combining base units through multiplication or division, sometimes given a special name such as the newton.

A unit formed by combining SI base units, such as $\mathrm{m/s}$ for speed or the newton for force.

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis that contains blood vessels and sweat glands.

The removal of salt from seawater to produce freshwater.

The removal of dissolved salts from seawater or other salty water.

The removal of dissolved salts from salty or sea water.

The removal of dissolved salts from salty water or sea water.

Arranging values from largest to smallest.

An ordering from largest to smallest for numbers, or Z to A for text.

The idea that education in its existing school-based form should be abolished.

A model that uses words or stated rules to explain how a phenomenon occurs.

A model expressed in words or statements that explains how a system behaves.

A model that uses words or stated rules to explain how a phenomenon works.

A model that uses words or an analogy to describe how something is structured or behaves.

A numerical summary describing a feature of a dataset, such as its typical score or its spread.

Writing that sets out the characteristics of a place, pattern, event or set of results, using relevant detail.

Writing that develops a reader’s impression of a person, place or moment through carefully selected details.

Ending racial separation so that people of different races can use the same institutions and facilities.

A political party’s decision not to choose an existing representative as its candidate for a future election.

A reduced emotional response to something disturbing after repeated exposure to it.

The idea that people should receive rewards according to what they deserve, for example because of their effort or contribution.

The degradation of land in dry areas, making it less productive and increasingly desert-like.

Leaving military service without permission.