ESSENTIAL WORDS
FOR T,HE
6TH EDITION Steven J. Matthiesen
• A fully updated list of 500 words that frequently appear on the TOEFL
•
Definitions, sample sentences, and practice exercises to build your word power
•
An overview of each section of the TOEFL iBT and ITP
•
A Reading Section test with answers to help you assess your
test-taking readiness
• chaotic
• controversial
• exemplify:
• factor in gratifying
• interpret
LESSON 2
• launch
• legitimate
• lethargy
• particular radiant
• ridge
chaotic aqj. being in complete disorder and confusion
n. chaos 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 aqj. 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
ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE TOEFL
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.
interpret n. interpreter n. interpretation n. interpreting
u. to understand the meaning of something
syn. clarify
The ambiguous speech was very difficult to interpret.
Their interpretation of the story generated some interesting discussion.
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.
That group of workers is 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.
ridge n. the top of a mountain range; a raised part of any surface
syn. crest
A bald eagle stood on the ridge of the tall office building.
The mountain ridge was heavily forested.
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
aqj. unplanned; uncontrolled syn. instinctive
The spontaneous combustion inside the cylinder creates the power of the motor.
The crowd reacted spontaneously to the danger.
ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE TOEFL
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. strtkingly
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.
MATCIUNG
Choose the synonym.
1. gratifying 6. symbolize
(A) spontaneous (A) radiate
(B) thriving (B) exemplify
(C) satisfying (C) span
(D) analogous (D) synthesize
2.
disorganized 7. legitimate(A) disrupted (A) peculiar
(B) chaotic (B) authentic
(C) instinctive (C) sharp
(D) discernible (D) subsequent
3. factor in 8. ridge
(A) compile (A) crest
{B) tolerate (B) current
(C) consist (C) stream
(D) consider (D) radiance
4. launch 9. interpret
(A) initiate (A) specify
(B) isolate (B) investigate
(C) compel (C) clarify
(D) stream (D) initiate
5. lethargic 10. radiant
(A) spontaneous (A) covered
(B) analogous (B) bright
(C) sluggish (C) potent
(D) conscientious (D) tedious
ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE TOEFL
LESSON 26-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
® flows
® pieces
© files
@ 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
® spontaneous
® characteristic
© legitimate
@ remarkable
3. In one of the most influential books on education ever written, Emile 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
® chaotic
® gratifying
© instinctive
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
® critical
® common
© gratifying
@ 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
® exemplified
® covered
© launched
@ interpreted
6. Writing more than 2,500 years ago, the Greek historian Herodotus claimed that it took 100,000 people 20 years to build Khufu, one of the largest pyramids in Egypt. However, Herodotus visited Egypt almost 2, 700 years after Khufu was built, and historical facts are always open to interpretation anyway. Modem
Egyptologists estimate that it took as few as 5,000 men to quarry the stone, haul it to the site, and assemble the pyramid.
In stating that historical facts are always open to interpretation, the author means that they
® are changed with the passage of time.
® can be analyzed in a variety of ways.
© are facts and therefore indisputable.
ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE TOEFL
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 frrst 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
® normalize
@ authentic
© robust
@ 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
® disorganized
® inordinate
© formidable
@ 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
® symbolizes
® radiates
© shelters
@ 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
® prophetic
® remarkable
© bizarre
@ satisfying