Essential Words for the TOEFL (7th edition) » Lesson 2
Word List
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advantage
adv. advantageously; adj. advantageous
→ n. something that may help one to be successful or to gain something
syn. benefit
Is there any advantage in arriving early?
He was advantageously born into a rich family.
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advent
→ n. the coming or appearance of something
syn. arrival
With the advent of computers, many tasks have been made easier.
The orchestra’s latest newsletter announced the advent of the upcoming concert season.
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agile
adv. agilely; n. agileness; n. agility
→ adj. able to move in a quick and easy way
syn. nimble
Deer are very agile animals.
She moved agilely across the stage.
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albeit
→ conj. in spite of the facts, regardless of the fact
syn. although
His trip was successful, albeit tiring.
Albeit difficult at times, speaking another language is rewarding.
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appealing
v. appeal; n. appeal; adv. appealingly
→ adj. attractive or interesting
syn. alluring
Working abroad is appealing to many people.
Through his speeches, the candidate appealed to the voters.
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celebrated
→ adj. acclaimed; well-known and popular
syn. renowned
The celebrated pianist will be giving a concert this weekend.
San Francisco is celebrated for its multicultural makeup.
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circumvent
n. circumvention
→ v. to go around; avoid
syn. evade
The hacker attempted to circumvent the computer’s security system.
Circumvention of the freshman math requirement is possible.
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collide
n. collision
→ v. to hit one object against another with violent force; to be in opposition
syn. crash
The collision caused major damage to both cars.
Moon craters were caused when large asteroids collided with the moon.
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contemporary
n. contemporary
→ adj. modern, up-to-date, or (n.) a person living at the same time as another person
syn. current
Contemporary architecture makes very good use of space.
Cervantes was a contemporary of Shakespeare.
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distribute
n. distribution
→ v. to divide among people or to give out
syn. dispense
Many publishers now distribute their newspapers via the Internet.
The distribution of seeds is very quick with this new machine.
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encourage
n. encouragement; n. encourager; adv. encouragingly; adv. encouraging
→ v. to promote, help, or support
syn. stimulate
The government cut taxes in order to encourage spending.
The professor gave each student the encouragement that was needed to learn the material.
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energetic
n. energy; adv. energetically
→ adj. full of life, action, or power
syn. vigorous
Sam hasn’t been as energetic as he usually is.
There’s a lot of energy in these batteries.
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frail
n. frailty
→ adj. weak in health or in body
syn. fragile
The frail wings of the newborn bird could not lift it off the ground.
One of the frailties of human beings is laziness.
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heyday
→ n. a high point of success or abundance
syn. pinnacle
Many settlers became rich during the heyday of the California gold rush of the 1800s.
We are living in the heyday of digital communications.
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myth
adj. mythological; n. mythology
→ n. an invented story or idea
syn. legend
Throughout history myths were created in an attempt to explain many common natural occurrences.
Mythology is the study of legends and fables.
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refine
n. refinement; adj. refined
→ v. to make pure; to improve
syn. perfect (verb)
Factories must refine oil before it can be used as fuel.
A squirt of lime juice is the perfect refinement to cola.
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worthwhile
→ adj. value in doing something
syn. rewarding
It was worthwhile waiting ten hours in line for the tickets.
It’s worthwhile to prepare for the TOEFL.
Matching
Choose the synonym.
- circumvent
- a. celebrate
- b. attract
- c. evade
- d. appeal
- advantage
- a. benefit
- b. persistence
- c. nimbleness
- d. allure
- fragile
- a. modern
- b. famous
- c. refined
- d. frail
- contemporary
- a. timing
- b. current
- c. well-known
- d. perfect
- appealing
- a. refined
- b. encouraging
- c. alluring
- d. popular
- renowned
- a. unknown
- b. celebrated
- c. adverse
- d. disapprove
- worthwhile
- a. rewarding
- b. acceptable
- c. agile
- d. permitted
- vigorous
- a. attractive
- b. beautiful
- c. energetic
- d. advantageous
- refine
- a. persist
- b. value
- c. perfect
- d. divide
- heyday
- a. agreement
- b. acclaim
- c. postponement
- d. pinnacle
Multiple-Choice Test Questions
- Over the years, investigators have evaluated the local folklore of areas where sightings of the celebrated Abominable Snowman have been reported. The same scientists have collected physical evidence, such as footprints, body parts, and photographs, but this evidence remains unconvincing. In 1960 the renowned mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand conducted an investigation of the reports of the creature, but found no evidence of its existence.
The word celebrated in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. elusive
- b. ambiguous
- c. renowned
- d. indistinct
- Exercises that demand total body involvement improve and maintain fitness. The most effective way to feel more mentally alert and energetic is to engage in aerobic activity at least three times a week for 30 minutes. Such activities may include jogging, running, swimming, dancing, and fast walking.
The word energetic in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. vigorous
- b. frail
- c. agile
- d. appealing
- Most people do not appreciate the importance of packaging. Packages maintain the purity and freshness of their contents and protect them from elements outside. If the contents are harmful, corrosive, or poisonous, the package must also protect the outside environment. A package must identify its contents, which facilitates distribution of the product.
The word distribution in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. usage
- b. disruption
- c. dispensing
- d. advertising
- A contemporary issue among psychologists is the activation or cause of emotion, its structure or components, and its functions and consequences. Each of these aspects can be considered from a biosocial view. Generally, biosocial theory focuses on the neurophysiological aspects of emotions and their roles as organizers of cognition and motivators of action.
The word contemporary in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. current
- b. acclaimed
- c. contemptuous
- d. favored
- The early artists of the Hudson River school were Thomas Doughty, Asher Durand, and Thomas Cole. They found the wilderness in the Hudson River valley appealing. Although these painters studied in Europe, they first achieved a measure of success at home, and chose the common theme of the remoteness and splendor of the American interior.
The word appealing in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. annoying
- b. ongoing
- c. spectacular
- d. alluring
- Recent polls suggest that fewer people see an advantage in moving to the city than they used to. There was a time when cities attracted country dwellers like powerful magnets: cities had more jobs, better schools, more services. Today, people often see pollution, crime, stress, and unemployment where they once saw opportunity. Instead of advantages, they see disadvantages in uprooting their families for the uncertainty of urban life.
In stating that fewer people see an advantage in moving to the city, the author means that fewer people- a. consider cities a poor option.
- b. prefer to relocate to big cities.
- c. take a positive view of cities.
- d. view city life as advantageous.
- The growing popularity of television in the 1950s marked an important turning point in the entertainment world. This development created vast new entertainment choices for people who lived within the signal areas of TV stations. Later, with the advent of satellite and cable TV , almost everyone, regardless of location, was able to experience this entertainment medium.
The word advent in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. dependence
- b. allowance
- c. explosion
- d. arrival
- Passerines form the dominant avian group on Earth today. They are regarded as the most highly evolved of all birds and occur in abundance. Humans have long enjoyed passerines for their songs and their almost infinite variety of colors, patterns, and behavioral traits. Many passerines are considered to be quite agile. Among the most energetic of them is the swallow, whose small body is designed for effortless maneuvering.
The word agile in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. nimble
- b. detectible
- c. broad
- d. fast
- In part because seafood tends to spoil rapidly, in certain areas of the United States, shrimping is allowed only during specific predetermined seasons. For example, in Mississippi tidal waters, shrimping is allowed only between October and May. In the past, this short season made it difficult to find shrimp out of season. However, the development of freezing techniques in the 1940s encouraged the shrimping industry to expand, making it a global industry. The United States now imports shrimp from over sixty countries and shrimp can be bought at any time of the year.
The word encouraged in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. advanced
- b. accepted
- c. stimulated
- d. wanted
- Scientific disciplines, such as genetic engineering, are exploding with possibilities. As a result of new technologies and procedures to treat health conditions, new treatments for many diseases have been developed. Although the development of advanced methods will continue to change the face of healthcare, moral beliefs often collide with scientific advancements, slowing down the progress of some healthcare treatments.
The phrase collide with in the passage is closest in meaning to- a. are in opposition to
- b. are absent from
- c. are associated with
- d. are concerned about
Answer Key

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