Essential Words for the TOEFL (7th edition) » Lesson 26

Word List
  • abolish
    →
    v. to put an end to something
    syn. eliminate
    Many states have abolished the use of cell phones while driving.
    Activists have been attempting to abolish animal testing for decades.
  • chaotic
    n. chaos
    →
    adj. being in complete disorder and confusion
    syn. disorganized
    The traffic in Seoul is often chaotic.
    There was complete chaos when the world champions arrived at the airport.
  • controversial
    adv. controversially; n. controversy
    →
    adj. causing disagreement or argument
    syn. divisive
    The governor made a controversial decision to raise taxes.
    The controversy was caused by the proposal to build an airport in the area.
  • exemplify
    adj. exemplary
    →
    v. to give an example
    syn. symbolize
    The recent downturn in the housing industry exemplifies the poor economic conditions.
    Her exemplary academic achievement is representative of most students at this institution.
  • factor in
    →
    ph. v. to account for something while making a decision or analysis
    syn. consider
    The family had to factor in the price of gasoline as they planned their road trip.
    The architect did not factor in the required distance from the sidewalk in his design.
  • falter
    →
    v. to hesitate or waver
    syn. weaken
    In 2008, the United States economy began to falter dramatically.
    He faltered under peer pressure and agreed to dance with the girl.
  • gratifying
    adv. gratefully; adj. grateful; v. gratify; n. gratification; n. gratefulness
    →
    adj. giving pleasure or a feeling of accomplishment; showing thanks
    syn. satisfying
    Studying abroad can be a very gratifying experience.
    She was grateful for all the work he had done for her.
  • launch
    n. launch; n. launching
    →
    v. to cause something to begin
    syn. initiate
    The company launched a new program to attract more clients.
    The launching of the first Soviet Sputnik created concern among the American public.
  • legitimate
    adv. legitimately; n. legitimacy
    →
    adj. reasonable; lawful
    syn. authentic
    The engineer had a legitimate reason for changing the design of the building.
    The legitimacy of the theory has yet to be determined.
  • lethargy
    adj. lethargic; adv. lethargically
    →
    n. a lack of energy or commitment; lazy; indifferent
    syn. sluggishness
    The hippopotamus basking in the sun displayed almost total lethargy.
    When it is time to do homework assignments, many students become lethargic.
  • particular
    adv. particularly*
    →
    adj. a certain way or thing; unusual; hard to please;
           *especially
    syn. specific
    The speaker has a particular way of persuading his audience.
    Some customers are particularly difficult to satisfy.
  • radiant
    adv. radiantly; n. radiance; n. radiation; n. radiator
    →
    adj. sending out in all directions, especially heat or light
    syn. bright
    The actor’s radiant smile captivated the audience.
    The radiance of the fire prevented the firefighters from entering the house.
  • span
    n. span
    →
    v. the length of time or distance from one limit to the other; to cross
    syn. cover
    The old man’s life spanned two centuries.
    The span of the bridge is three miles.
  • spontaneous
    adv. spontaneously; n. spontaneity
    →
    adj. unplanned; uncontrolled
    syn. instinctive
    The spontaneous combustion inside the cylinder creates the power of the motor.
    The crowd reacted spontaneously to the danger.
  • stream
    v. stream
    →
    n. a natural flow of something; a pouring out
    syn. river
    There was a constant stream of information coming from the White House.
    Water streamed from the dam as workers attempted to make the repairs.
  • striking
    adv. strikingly
    →
    adj. drawing special attention to
    syn. remarkable
    His striking proposal saved the company from bankruptcy.
    That was a strikingly convincing argument that the speaker delivered.
Matching

Choose the synonym.

  1. gratifying
    • a. spontaneous
    • b. thriving
    • c. satisfying
    • d. analogous
  2. disorganized
    • a. disrupted
    • b. chaotic
    • c. instinctive
    • d. discernible
  3. factorin
    • a. compile
    • b. tolerate
    • c. consist
    • d. consider
  4. launch
    • a. initiate
    • b. isolate
    • c. compel
    • d. stream
  5. lethargic
    • a. spontaneous
    • b. analogous
    • c. sluggish
    • d. conscientious
  6. symbolize
    • a. radiate
    • b. exemplify
    • c. span
    • d. synthesize
  7. legitimate
    • a. peculiar
    • b. authentic
    • c. sharp
    • d. subsequent
  8. abolish
    • a. eliminate
    • b. falter
    • c. influx
    • d. allude
  9. falter
    • a. underscore
    • b. transport
    • c. weaken
    • d. withdraw
  10. radiant
    • a. covered
    • b. bright
    • c. potent
    • d. tedious
Multiple-Choice Test Questions

  1. In the communications and computer fields, research in optical switching is motivated by the need to transmit data streams at constantly higher speeds more efficiently. At the same time, customers demand transmission and switching rates far higher than can be provided by a purely electronic system. Due to developments in semiconductor lasers and in fiber optics, transmission at higher speeds is now possible.

    The word streams in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. flows
    • b. pieces
    • c. files
    • d. particles
  2. A striking example of a successful multiethnic country is Switzerland, where French, German, and Italian speakers from diverse religious groups live and work in harmony and prosperity. Ethnic diversity in Switzerland appears to have stimulated rather than divided the Swiss population. Studies of conditions in Switzerland demonstrate that harmony can coexist with diversity when certain characteristics are shared.

    The word striking in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. spontaneous
    • b. characteristic
    • c. legitimate
    • d. remarkable
  3. In one of the most influential books on education ever written, Émile Rousseau argued that society should protect children from the corrupt nature of civilization and cautiously nurture their natural, spontaneous impulses, which, in Rousseau’s mind, were always healthy. He further maintained that it was important to avoid premature intellectualization of emotion so that the child’s intellect could develop without distortion.

    The word spontaneous in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. chaotic
    • b. gratifying
    • c. instinctive
    • d. uninterrupted
  4. The water available to fulfill a particular need is known as the water supply. When the need is domestic, industrial, or agricultural, the water must fulfill both quality and quantity requirements. Water supplies can be acquired by several types of water resources projects, such as dams, reservoirs, or wells.

    The word particular in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. critical
    • b. common
    • c. gratifying
    • d. specific
  5. Joseph Haydn was undoubtedly the most prolific of all symphony writers; his works spanned what has been called the Classical Era. He is most celebrated for taking the established forms of the symphony and shaping them into the forceful media for musical expression through invention and experimentation. These were recognized as innovations by composers who followed.

    The word spanned in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. exemplified
    • b. covered
    • c. launched
    • d. interpreted
  6. Egyptomania, a term for the renewed interest in Egyptian culture that took place in Europe in the early 1800s, was inspired by Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign. During this era, a special interest arose for mummies. In fact, mummy unwrapping parties were a popular pastime among affluent people. Until they were later abolished, these parties, in which the mummies were unwrapped for entertainment, led to the destruction of an incalculable number of ancient Egyptian mummies.

    The word abolished in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. weakened
    • b. eliminated
    • c. funded
    • d. lessened
  7. An intaglio is an engraved gem that, when pressed into softened wax, produces an image in relief. This wax seal was once used as a means to identify legitimate letters and documents. The first engraving of hard stones existed as early as about 4000 B.C. in Mesopotamia, but the style of typical intaglios, which were usually mounted on rings, was developed by the ancient Greeks.

    The word legitimate in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. normal
    • b. authentic
    • c. robust
    • d. secure
  8. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the trucking industry was quite chaotic. It was dominated by large numbers of itinerant owner-operators. The industry was considered to be unstable and in need of regulation. The National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 brought together two organized groups of trucking officials to develop standards of fair competition. This action led to the formation of the American Trucking Associations.

    The word chaotic in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. disorganized
    • b. inordinate
    • c. formidable
    • d. imposing
  9. Singapore is the only nation outside of mainland China and Taiwan where the majority of the population is ethnic Chinese. Its culture exemplifies this Chinese heritage, coupled with various diverse cultural influences. Its British colonial architecture and Chinese, Hindu, and Muslim shrines reflect the cultural diversity found in this international setting.

    The word exemplifies in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. symbolizes
    • b. radiates
    • c. shelters
    • d. cultivates
  10. The field of opera once belonged exclusively to the Europeans. Successful American opera seemed to be confined to Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and other obscure operatic works. More recently the opera world has witnessed growth in successful operatic works by Americans. In addition, new opera companies and small opera groups have been established. These developments are particularly gratifying to those who favor bringing a more American flavor to the opera stage.

    The word gratifying in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. prophetic
    • b. remarkable
    • c. bizarre
    • d. satisfying
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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