Essential Words for the TOEFL (7th edition) » Lesson 19

Word List
  • coherent
    adv. coherently; v. cohere; n. coherence; adj. cohesive*; n. cohesion*
    →
    adj. well reasoned; ideas that are clearly presented
           *sticking together as a group
    syn. logical
    It was a well-balanced, coherent presentation.
    There was a cohesive feeling among the new workers.
  • emulate
    →
    v. to match or achieve by imitation
    syn. mimic
    Young puppies tend to emulate the habits of older dogs.
    Many authors attempt to emulate Hemingway’s writing style.
  • evolve
    n. evolution
    →
    v. to grow; to go through a period of change
    syn. develop
    The management team’s idea evolved over a period of two years.
    The country’s hopes for a rapid evolution of its economy depend on approval of free trade agreements.
  • fabricate
    adj. fabricated; n. fabrication
    →
    v. to make up, usually with an intent to fool or trick; to lie
    syn. invent
    The executive fabricated the story about the merger.
    His alibi is the weakest fabrication I have ever heard.
  • generic
    adv. generically
    →
    adj. relating to a whole group or category of things
    syn. general
    “Bird” is the generic term used to describe animals with feathers.
    Universities provide students with the generic skills needed to compete in the workplace.
  • look over
    →
    ph. v. to review something; inspect
    syn. examine
    He asked his mentor to look over his essay.
    She looked over the research in the library’s database.
  • normally
    adj. normal; v. normalize; n. normalization; n. norm
    →
    adv. commonly; usually
    syn. typically
    It is normally quite cold this time of the year.
    The new treaty led to a normalization of relations between the two countries.
  • notion
    →
    n. an idea, belief, or opinion
    syn. concept
    She has the notion that she wants to become an architect.
    Some outlandish notions about the origin of the solar system have been disproved.
  • novel
    →
    adj. something unusual, uncommon; new
    syn. original
    The physicist had some novel ideas about traveling at the speed of light.
    The novel suggestions were implemented.
  • nurture
    adj. nurturing; n. nurture
    →
    v. to support and encourage the development of something
    syn. cultivate
    The owner of the vineyard carefully nurtures the grapevines in order to produce the best grapes.
    That school is well-known for having a nurturing learning environment.
  • opposition
    adj. opposed; v. oppose
    →
    n. the state of acting against; not being in agreement
    syn. resistance
    The students voiced their opposition to the rise in tuition.
    The government opposed price controls.
  • relate
    adj. related; n. relation; n. relationship
    →
    v. to tell; to show a connection between two things
    syn. communicate
    Although they did not agree with the plan, they did not relate their opposition to it.
    What is the relationship between supply and demand?
  • suspect
    adj. suspected; n. suspicion; n. suspect
    →
    v. to think that something is true, but having no proof
    syn. speculate
    He suspected that the substance was not present in the compound.
    I have a suspicion that he will want to participate in the investigation.
  • transform
    n. transformation; n. transformer
    →
    v. to change in form or appearance
    syn. alter
    The leader’s policies transformed the country in many positive ways.
    The student’s transformation from a “D” student to a “B” student was remarkable.
  • trigger
    adj. triggered
    →
    v. to initiate, cause, or start
    syn. generate
    The possibility of being in the path of a hurricane triggered fear in the residents of coastal areas.
    The town hall meeting triggered a lively debate about the need for increased taxes.
  • unbiased
    →
    adj. with no preconceptions
    syn. objective
    Her unbiased analysis of the problem allowed her to find the solution more rapidly.
    Here is unbiased proof that nitrogen exists in this compound.
  • varied
    adv. variably; adj. variable; adj. various; v. vary; n. variant; n. variety; n. variation; n. variability
    →
    adj. being of many different types
    syn. diverse
    The class expressed varied opinions about the movie.
    There are various ways to solve the problem.
Matching

Choose the synonym.

  1. nurture
    • a. function
    • b. cultivate
    • c. convey
    • d. agitate
  2. coherent
    • a. novel
    • b. original
    • c. logical
    • d. robust
  3. resistance
    • a. opposition
    • b. preservation
    • c. preconception
    • d. allocation
  4. evolve
    • a. develop
    • b. elude
    • c. involve
    • d. influence
  5. varied
    • a. diverse
    • b. feasible
    • c. hazardous
    • d. nominal
  6. trigger
    • a. harbor
    • b. transform
    • c. encounter
    • d. generate
  7. probe
    • a. expansion
    • b. means
    • c. investigation
    • d. abuse
  8. generic
    • a. docile
    • b. original
    • c. general
    • d. mundane
  9. mimic
    • a. saturate
    • b. simulate
    • c. emulate
    • d. create
  10. unbiased
    • a. antiquated
    • b. noteworthy
    • c. exhausted
    • d. objective
Multiple-Choice Test Questions

  1. The capacity among animals to reconstruct body parts is not as common as the ability to compensate for lost tissues. This is due to the complex anatomy of body parts, which requires more elaborate regeneration control mechanisms. If we look over only the vertebrates of the animal kingdom, salamanders are the best regenerators of body parts. Because of this characteristic, they are the subject of much folklore. For example, the fire salamander is so called because of an antiquated belief that it could withstand fire.

    The phrasal verb look over in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. exclude
    • b. examine
    • c. emphasize
    • d. discuss
  2. Throughout history, most technological progress has been a result of relatively minor improvements and refinements rather than through major inventions. Organized research is well suited for this kind of development. However, organized research may discourage novel approaches and inhibit creativity, so seminal discoveries are still likely to be made by inventors in the classic individualistic tradition.

    The word novel in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. original
    • b. varied
    • c. coherent
    • d. unbiased
  3. Economist Alfred Marshall received acclaim for his economic ideas that integrated modern and classical economic theory. Classicists believed that price was determined by the cost of producing goods, but the modern school believed that price was dependent on the notion of marginal utility, or usefulness of the goods. Marshall’s theory that price is determined by both cost and utility gained wide acceptance.

    The word notion in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. investigation
    • b. concept
    • c. effectiveness
    • d. opposition
  4. Tidal waves are triggered by tectonic displacements. Volcanoes, landslides, or earthquakes on the sea floor can cause a sudden displacement of the water above. This displacement forms a small group of water waves having a wavelength equal to the water depth at the point of origin. In deep water, tidal waves are so long and so slight that ships seldom notice their presence. But as the waves reach shallow water, they increase in amplitude, making them potentially the most catastrophic of all ocean waves.

    The word triggered in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. fostered
    • b. heightened
    • c. inundated
    • d. generated
  5. Throughout the ages, the role of the heart was long considered a mystery. Some thought that it was the source of the soul. Others thought that it was the center of love, courage, happiness, and sadness. Primitive humans were no doubt aware of the heartbeat and probably recognized that the tiny heart, normally about the size of a fist, was an organ whose malfunction could cause sudden death.

    The word normally in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. roughly
    • b. rarely
    • c. scarcely
    • d. typically
  6. There is a growing sentiment in opposition to sea bass fishing. Most sea bass spawn between May and August, which coincides with the height of the fishing season. Fishing affects the reproductive capacity of the species disproportionately since it does not distinguish between males and females. Instead, it captures both indiscriminately. However, it takes six years longer for a female bass to become fertile than a male.

    In stating that there is a growing sentiment in opposition to sea bass fishing, the author means that people
    • a. favor the fishing of sea bass.
    • b. see it as a positive activity.
    • c. dislike sea bass.
    • d. are against its continuation.
  7. Gymnastic competitions are judged and scored on both an individual and a team basis. Judges award points to each participant in each event on a 0-to-10 scale, 10 being perfect. The goal of completely unbiased judging is very difficult to achieve. Although guidelines are provided, judges seldom agree on the quality of a performance.

    The word unbiased in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. objective
    • b. balanced
    • c. logical
    • d. suitable
  8. Prior to highly advanced weather satellite technology, sounding rockets were used to gather weather intelligence. Sounding rockets were unmanned rockets that recorded atmospheric conditions at heights that were 50–100 miles beyond the reach of airplanes and balloons. Emulating weather balloon technology, these rockets usually followed a vertical path as they investigated upper atmospheric conditions with their scientific instruments.

    The word emulating in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. replacing
    • b. improving
    • c. mimicking
    • d. altering
  9. Reality is perceived through appearances. However, appearances are incompatible with reality. If an oar in water looks broken but feels straight to the touch, this must be acknowledged. Thus, a coherent picture of reality requires that we acknowledge that appearances can be deceptive.

    The word coherent in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. logical
    • b. acceptable
    • c. distributed
    • d. vital
  10. “Speedwriting” was a writing system devised and patented by Emma Dearborn in 1924. The system used words that were recorded as they sounded, and only employed “long vowels.” Thus, “you” is written “u” and “like” is “lik.” Some letters were transformed to allow for speedy transcription, and the system often employed abbreviations and flourishes.

    The word transformed in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. illustrated
    • b. altered
    • c. written
    • d. conveyed
Answer Key
Favorite Books
Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know

The study of the English language has spread all over the world, and high school and college students everywhere have come to realize that language mastery depends on the possession of a comprehensive vocabulary. This is just what 1100 Words You Need to Know has been offering through the five earlier editions and continuing on this sixth one.

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