Essential Words for the TOEFL (7th edition) » Lesson 9

Word List
  • account for
    →
    ph. v. to take something into consideration; to provide reasons for an event
    syn. explain
    He did not account for Earth’s gravity in his physics calculations.
    Her intense studying accounts for her excellent grades.
  • accurate
    adv. accurately; n. accuracy
    →
    adj. careful and exact
    syn. precise
    She was able to make accurate observations with the new telescope.
    Experiments must be conducted with accuracy.
  • acute
    adv. acutely; n. acuteness
    →
    adj. having a sudden consequence or severe effect
    syn. intense
    The president was acutely aware of the fact that her decision would be unpopular.
    He was suffering from an acute headache.
  • classify
    adj. classified; n. classification
    →
    v. to place into groups according to type
    syn. arrange
    Biologists classify life forms into many phylla.
    The library’s catalog is a classification of books in the library.
  • currency
    →
    n. monetary unit; cash
    syn. money
    Most purchases in foreign countries must be made in the local currency.
    The Japanese currency is gaining strength against the dollar.
  • dense
    adv. densely; n. density
    →
    adj. closely packed or crowded; difficult to see through
    syn. thick
    The boating accident was caused by the dense fog.
    Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
  • dim
    adv. dimly; v. dim; n. dimness
    →
    adj. not bright or clear
    syn. faint
    The light was too dim for studying.
    The stars dimly lit the evening sky.
  • display
    n. display
    →
    v. to show; reveal
    syn. exhibit
    The model displayed the details of the human hand.
    The candidate’s display of anger was unfortunate.
  • exports
    adj. exported; v. export
    →
    n. products sold abroad
    syn. foreign sales
    The United States’ imports now exceed its exports.
    Exported goods are usually high in quality.
  • gigantic
    adv. gigantically
    →
    adj. very large
    syn. enormous
    Reaching the moon was a gigantic step in space exploration for mankind.
    New methods of farming offer gigantic advantages over the old methods.
  • impressive
    adv. impressively; v. impress; n. impression
    →
    adj. causing admiration because of an object’s importance, size, or quality
    syn. imposing
    Lincoln’s power of persuasion was impressive.
    Everyone left with a good impression of the play.
  • install
    n. installation; n. installer
    →
    v. to set up or create an office; to place in a fixed position
    syn. establish
    The software we needed was already installed on the computer.
    Antonia was installed as president of the art club last week.
  • jargon
    adj. jargony
    →
    n. language specific to a profession or activity
    syn. terminology
    The legal jargon in the contract was confusing.
    Science fiction jargon used in television shows and movies often comes from real science.
  • saturate
    n. saturation; adj. saturated
    →
    v. to fill or occupy to the maximum level
    syn. overflow
    In order to paint, you must saturate a brush with a hue of your choice.
    In order to obtain food, the sponge saturates itself with sea water.
  • straightforward
    adv. straightforwardly; n. straightforwardness
    →
    adj. easy to understand; simple; honest
    syn. uncomplicated
    The assembly directions were straightforward.
    His straightforward approach to his business dealings earned him respect.
  • uniform
    adv. uniformly; n. uniformity
    →
    adj. every part being the same;
    syn. consistent
    Bread has a uniform texture.
    The grades on the test were uniformly poor.
  • vibrant
    adv. vibrantly; n. vibrance
    →
    adj. lively; powerful; full of action; bright
    syn. brilliant
    His vibrant personality made him well liked by everyone.
    The vibrance of the city is attractive to many individuals.
Matching

Choose the synonym.

  1. enormous
    • a. prosperous
    • b. autonomous
    • c. gigantic
    • d. classified
  2. dialect
    • a. terminology
    • b. flaws
    • c. exports
    • d. jargon
  3. vibrant
    • a. brilliant
    • b. critical
    • c. paint
    • d. deep
  4. straightforward
    • a. agreeable
    • b. honest
    • c. useful
    • d. dependable
  5. imposing
    • a. impressive
    • b. creative
    • c. intriguing
    • d. ambiguous
  6. uniform
    • a. rigid
    • b. diverse
    • c. complex
    • d. consistent
  7. install
    • a. handin
    • b. setup
    • c. puton
    • d. getin
  8. saturate
    • a. overflow
    • b. seek
    • c. stagnate
    • d. surpass
  9. acute
    • a. intense
    • b. accurate
    • c. precise
    • d. gigantic
  10. classify
    • a. trust
    • b. learn
    • c. clarify
    • d. arrange
Multiple-Choice Test Questions

  1. Written by Adam Smith in 1776, The Wealth of Nations is a vibrant attack against mercantilism and one of the most influential books ever written on economics. One of its main ideas is that when people pursue their own selfish interests, society as a whole benefits. Competition, rather than private or government monopoly, should regulate prices and wages. He also believed that competition produces socially beneficial consequences and that government should not interfere with market forces.

    The word vibrant in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. critical
    • b. brilliant
    • c. intriguing
    • d. convincing
  2. Despite its weaknesses and inner conflicts, the humanistic movement was heroic in its scope and energy, and exceptional in its aspirations. For human development in all fields, it created a context of seldom-equaled fertility. This era was saturated with advancements in both science and the liberal arts. Its characteristic modalities of thought, speech, and vision lent themselves to bring on the genius of humankind and provide a path for enduring achievement.

    By saying that the era was saturated with advancements, the author means that
    • a. there were too many new ideas.
    • b. society was filled with geniuses.
    • c. people became very rich.
    • d. there was an abundance of progress.
  3. The gigantic, intricately formed chasm of the Grand Canyon contains a great many impressive peaks, canyons, and ravines between its outer walls. The canyon includes a number of side canyons and surrounding plateaus. The deepest and most impressively beautiful section is within Grand Canyon National Park, which encompasses the Colorado River’s length from Lake Powell to Lake Mead.

    The word gigantic in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. deep
    • b. turbulent
    • c. enormous
    • d. thrilling
  4. The unified classical architectural style of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition buildings proved to be the most impressive and influential style of its time. A committee of East Coast architects and firms gathered in December 1890 to plan the fair buildings. The collective result was the construction of a group of 150 buildings known as the White City. Their design established white, columnar architecture as the only acceptable public style in the United States for 40 years thereafter.

    The word impressive in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. imposing
    • b. critical
    • c. massive
    • d. enduring
  5. The position of President of the United States has, in the past decade, expanded in its diversity. There were forty-two Caucasian presidents of the United States prior to President Barack Obama’s election. His installation as president inspired countless Americans to pursue their dreams regardless of race.

    The noun installation in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. establishment
    • b. term
    • c. triumph
    • d. energy
  6. England is the second-most densely populated country in Europe, preceded only by Malta. It has 255 inhabitants per square kilometer. In comparison, Italy has 200 inhabitants and Spain 87. Many European countries have agricultural economies, and their populations are unevenly distributed. For example, Paris has 3,550 people per square kilometer, while many parts of the rest of France contain fewer than 30 people per square kilometer.

    In stating that England is densely populated, the author means that its
    • a. population is the most unevenly distributed.
    • b. population is the largest in Europe.
    • c. population is the largest per square kilometer.
    • d. population is largest in its cities.
  7. In the field of artificial intelligence, scientists are studying methods for developing computer programs that display aspects of intelligent behavior. Research into all aspects of artificial intelligence is vigorous. However, some researchers doubt that artificial intelligence can truly replicate forms of intelligent behavior like that observed in intelligent living organisms. Indeed, artificial intelligence programs are simple when compared to the intuitive reasoning and induction capabilities of the human brain.

    The word display in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. exhibit
    • b. narrate
    • c. declare
    • d. arrange
  8. Canadian thistle is a bothersome North American weed that grows in clusters. However, some species such as the Scotch, or cotton thistle, which have dense heads of small pink or purple flowers, can make attractive garden plants and are widely cultivated for ornamental purposes throughout the Northeast.

    The word dense in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. small
    • b. many
    • c. beautiful
    • d. thick
  9. The Sun is not the only star known to be accompanied by an extensive planetary system. A few nearby stars are now known to be encircled by particles of undetermined size. This opens the strong hypothesis that the universe is filled with many solar systems similar to that of our sun. No deep understanding of the Solar System can be achieved without an appreciation of the basic properties of the Sun, which in part accounts for the existence of life on Earth.

    The phrase accounts for is closest in meaning to
    • a. brings about
    • b. comes from
    • c. gives details for
    • d. stems from
  10. An exchange rate is the rate at which one country’s currency may be exchanged for that of another. Exchange rates have been governed in recent years primarily by the forces of supply and demand. The exchange rate normally changes, depending upon the strength of a country’s economy and its trade balance.

    The word currency in the passage is closest in meaning to
    • a. exports
    • b. goods
    • c. gains
    • d. money
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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