‘Somewhat’ is a useful word. It means ‘a little bit’ and has the function of qualifying an adjective.
She is somewhat taller than Mary.
It is somewhat more expensive.
Things have changed somewhat since I was a child.
I was somewhat surprised to hear that he had resigned.

When you learn new vocab, make sure that you note collocations too. For this group of words some collocations are:
immediate release, early release, release from, a feeling of release
throw into reverse, reverse of policy
be designed to simulate, try to simulate
sole survivor, leather sole, the soles of your feet
somewhat puzzled, somewhat delayed, somewhat unusual, differs somewhat from, looks somewhat like

Check the meanings of the words if you don’t already know them. Check the meanings of the various forms as sometimes they are different. You can check them at Time4english by clicking the words (http://www.time4english.com/aamain/lounge/awl.asp).

Vocabulary for IELTS – Academic Word List 82

Complete the sentences. Choose the correct word and then use the correct form of the word.

1. Pilots spend a lot of time with a flight ______________ before they are licensed to fly a particular plane. (simulate, release)
2. I think Paul looks ______________ like Tom Cruise; what do you think? (somewhat, simulate)
3. She was poor as a child, but had a _______________ of fortune in her later years.  (somewhat, reverse)
4. 4. She found a _______________ version of the movie; it had a different ending to the final copy. (sole, release)
5. This book is useful for _______________ jazz guitarists.  (sole, reverse)

Answers (in the wrong order)
5. solo    3. reverse    2. somewhat   1. simulator     4. pre-release