TOEFL Listening Comprehension

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Academic Reading Listening Comprehension Speaking & Writing Scientific Vocabulary

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V Z

A

absorbTo take in information or facts fullyTOEFL abstract thinkingThinking about concepts rather than specific instancesTOEFL academic vocabularyThe words commonly used in academic speech and writingTOEFL accessibleAble to be reached or used; friendly and easy to talk to.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS accommodateTo provide lodging or space for; to adapt to or make room for.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS account forTo explain the reason for somethingTOEFL accurateFree from error; exact and correctSAT · TOEFL · IELTS activelyIn an energetic and engaged mannerTOEFL acutePresent or experienced to a severe or intense degree; requiring immediate attent…SAT · TOEFL · IELTS adjacentIn geometry, lying next to or sharing a common side, vertex, or boundary without…GRE · SAT · TOEFL · IELTS administerTo manage and be responsible for the running of a business, organisation, or ins…SAT · TOEFL · IELTS adolescentA young person in the process of developing into an adultSAT · TOEFL adversePreventing success or development; harmful; unfavourable.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS affectTo have an effect on; to make a difference to.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS affirmto assert or confirm something to be true; to ratifySAT · TOEFL affluenthaving abundant money or possessions; wealthySAT · TOEFL · IELTS aggravateTo make a problem, injury, or offense worse or more serious.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS aggressiveReady to attack; showing anger; pursuing goals forcefullySAT · TOEFL agitateTo make someone troubled; to campaign for changeTOEFL aidHelp or support given to someoneTOEFL aimA purpose or intention; to direct toward a goalTOEFL alertQuick to notice problems; a warning signalTOEFL alleviateto make easier or less severe; to reduce pain or distressGRE · SAT · TOEFL alliancea union or association formed for a common purposeSAT · TOEFL alongsideSide by side with something elseTOEFL alterTo change or cause to change in characterTOEFL alternativeAvailable as another possibility or choice; one of two or more available possibi…TOEFL · IELTS ambitiousHaving a strong desire and determination to succeed; requiring exceptional effor…TOEFL · IELTS ambivalentHaving mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.GRE · TOEFL · IELTS amendTo make changes to improve or correct somethingTOEFL ampleabundant or plentiful; more than enoughSAT · TOEFL annotateto add notes or comments to a text or documentSAT · TOEFL anomalySomething that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.GRE · SAT · TOEFL anticipatoryComing before and preparing for something elseTOEFL appealto make an earnest or formal request; to be attractive or interestingSAT · TOEFL applicationThe practical use of somethingTOEFL appropriatesuitable or proper for a particular situation; to take or adoptGRE · SAT · TOEFL · IELTS argueTo give reasons or evidence in support of an idea or opinion.TOEFL · IELTS aspectA particular part or feature of something.TOEFL · IELTS assimilateTo absorb and integrate people, ideas, or information into a wider society or st…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS assumptionA thing that is accepted as true or certain to happen without proof.TOEFL · IELTS attend toTo pay attention to and process carefullyTOEFL attentivePaying close attention; considerateTOEFL attitudeA settled way of thinking or feeling about something.TOEFL · IELTS

B

backgroundA person's experience or knowledge base; a contextTOEFL background noiseSound present that is not part of the main signalTOEFL barrierA fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access; a problem that preve…TOEFL · IELTS benefitAn advantage or profit gained from something.TOEFL · IELTS bottom-up processingBuilding understanding from individual sounds and words upwardTOEFL boundaryA line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS breadthThe extent of something from side to side; rangeTOEFL broadlyIn a general way; not in detailTOEFL browseTo read or look through something casuallyTOEFL

C

capableHaving the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do somethingTOEFL capacityThe maximum amount that something can contain; the ability to do something.TOEFL · IELTS captureTo record or express something accuratelyTOEFL certainEstablished beyond doubt; specific but not namedTOEFL challengingTesting one's abilities in a stimulating wayTOEFL chapterA division of a book or academic textTOEFL characteristicA feature or quality belonging typically to a person, place, or thing.TOEFL · IELTS chronological orderArrangement of events in time orderTOEFL classifyTo arrange a group of people or things in classes or categories according to sha…TOEFL · IELTS closelyIn a manner that is very near to somethingTOEFL clueA piece of evidence helping to identify somethingTOEFL coherenceThe quality of being logical and consistentTOEFL coherentlyIn a logical and consistent mannerTOEFL collaborateTo work jointly on an activity or projectTOEFL collectTo gather things together from different sourcesTOEFL commentA verbal or written remark expressing an opinionTOEFL commonlyFrequently; in the most usual wayTOEFL compensateTo give something in recognition of loss or sufferingTOEFL competenceThe ability to do something successfully or efficiently.TOEFL · IELTS complexConsisting of many different and connected parts; not straightforward.TOEFL · IELTS comprehendTo understand something fullyTOEFL comprehensionThe ability to understand somethingTOEFL concentrateTo direct one's attention or effort; to increase the strength or density of some…TOEFL · IELTS concernA matter of interest or importance; to make someone anxious or worried.TOEFL · IELTS condensedMade more compact; reduced in volumeTOEFL connectionA relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something…TOEFL · IELTS consequencea result or effect following from an action or conditionSAT · TOEFL · IELTS considerableNotably large or importantTOEFL consistentlyIn the same way throughout; alwaysTOEFL constraintA limitation or restriction on somethingTOEFL constructTo build or create somethingTOEFL controversyProlonged public disagreement or heated discussion.TOEFL · IELTS conversionThe process of changing something from one form to anotherTOEFL conveyTo communicate or express somethingTOEFL cooperateTo work jointly towards the same end.TOEFL · IELTS copeTo deal effectively with something difficult.TOEFL · IELTS correspondTo have a close similarity or equivalenceTOEFL createTo bring something into existenceTOEFL criticalHaving decisive or crucial importance in the success or failure of something; ex…TOEFL · IELTS criticizeTo point out faults or problems in somethingTOEFL critiqueA detailed analysis and assessment of something.TOEFL · IELTS cueA signal that prompts action or provides informationTOEFL curriculumThe subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.TOEFL · IELTS

D

definitionA statement of the exact meaning of a word or termTOEFL deliberateto think carefully about something; done consciously and intentionallySAT · TOEFL deliveryThe manner in which speech is presentedTOEFL depend onTo rely on something for supportTOEFL depictTo represent by a drawing, painting, or descriptionTOEFL detectTo discover or identify the presence or existence of something.TOEFL · IELTS determineTo cause or be the decisive factor in; to find outTOEFL developTo grow or cause to grow more advancedTOEFL deviceA technique used to achieve a particular purposeTOEFL diagramA simplified drawing showing how something worksTOEFL differentiateTo recognise or ascertain what makes someone or something different; to make dis…TOEFL · IELTS dilemmaA situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two courses of ac…SAT · TOEFL · IELTS diminishTo make or become lessTOEFL discernto perceive or recognize something; to distinguish clearlySAT · TOEFL discourseWritten or spoken communication or debate; a formal discussion of a topic.TOEFL · IELTS disengageTo release from connection; to stop participatingTOEFL disruptTo interrupt the normal course of; to radically change the way something works.TOEFL · IELTS distinctionA difference or contrast between similar things; recognition of excellence.TOEFL · IELTS distinguishTo recognize or point out a difference; to make different.TOEFL · IELTS distributeTo give shares of something to a number of recipientsTOEFL diverseShowing a great deal of variety; very different.TOEFL · IELTS diversifyTo make more varied or spread across more categoriesTOEFL dominateTo have power or control over others; to be most importantTOEFL drawTo produce a conclusion from informationTOEFL durableAble to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; long-lasting.TOEFL · IELTS

E

effectiveSuccessful in producing a desired or intended result.TOEFL · IELTS elaborateInvolving many carefully arranged parts; to explain in more detailTOEFL · IELTS embodyTo represent or express something concretelyTOEFL emphasisSpecial importance, value, or prominence given to something.TOEFL · IELTS emphasizeTo give special importance to something in speakingTOEFL encounterTo unexpectedly experience or be faced with something; a meeting with someone.TOEFL · IELTS engageTo occupy, attract, or involve someone's interest or attention.TOEFL · IELTS enormousVery large in size, quantity, or extent.TOEFL · IELTS ensureTo make certain that something will occur or be the case.TOEFL · IELTS evidenceThe available facts or information indicating whether a belief is true or valid.TOEFL · IELTS exhibitTo display publicly; to show a qualityTOEFL expandTo become or make largerTOEFL expand onTo give more detail about a topicTOEFL expertiseExpert skill or knowledge in a particular areaTOEFL explainTo make something clear by describing it in more detailTOEFL exploreTo examine or inquire into something fullyTOEFL extensiveCovering a large area or range; thoroughTOEFL extensivelyIn a thorough and detailed way covering a large areaTOEFL externalComing from outsideTOEFL extractTo remove or take out, especially by effortTOEFL

F

factA thing that is known or proven to be trueTOEFL fairlyTo a reasonable extent; somewhatTOEFL fieldworkResearch done in real-world settings outside the labTOEFL figureA number or diagram; an important personTOEFL findingsThe results of an investigationTOEFL flexibleReady and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances.TOEFL · IELTS fluentSpeaking or writing with ease and accuracyTOEFL focusThe centre of interest or activity; to pay particular attention to something.TOEFL · IELTS followTo understand; to come after somethingTOEFL foundationAn underlying basis or principle; an institution established by endowment.TOEFL · IELTS frequentOccurring or done many times at short intervalsTOEFL frequentlyRegularly or habitually; at short intervals.TOEFL · IELTS functionA mathematical relation that assigns exactly one output to each input from a giv…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS

G

gapA break or missing element in a series or textTOEFL gap-fillAn exercise requiring missing information to be addedTOEFL generalNot specific; affecting all or most peopleTOEFL general ideaThe main or central concept of a textTOEFL goalThe result or achievement toward which effort is directedTOEFL gradualTaking place or progressing slowly or by degrees.TOEFL · IELTS graspTo understand somethingTOEFL

H

highlightTo draw attention to something as being especially important.TOEFL · IELTS

I

illustrateTo explain or make something clear by using examples, charts, or pictures.TOEFL · IELTS impactA marked effect or influence on someone or somethingTOEFL · IELTS implementTo put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.TOEFL · IELTS implicitNot stated directly but understood from contextGRE · TOEFL importantOf great significance or consequenceTOEFL incorporatemake into a whole or make part of a wholeGRE · TOEFL influenceThe capacity or power to have an effect on someone or something.TOEFL · IELTS informationFacts or data provided or learnedTOEFL initialExisting at the beginningTOEFL inputSomething that is put in or contributedTOEFL inquireTo seek information by askingTOEFL insightThe capacity to gain accurate and deep understanding of someone or something.TOEFL · IELTS integrateTo combine or incorporate parts into a whole; to bring into equal membership.TOEFL · IELTS intenseOf extreme force, degree, or strength; having strong feelings.TOEFL · IELTS intentWhat one intends to do; a firm decisionTOEFL interactiveAllowing two-way communication or responseTOEFL

K

key termA word or phrase central to understanding a topicTOEFL

L

lecture notesWritten records taken during a lectureTOEFL logicalOf or according to the rules of logic or formal argument.TOEFL · IELTS logical structureThe organization of ideas according to logical principlesTOEFL

M

macro-levelRelating to the large-scale or overall structure of somethingTOEFL mainPrincipal or most importantTOEFL majorImportant, serious, or significant; greater in number or importance.TOEFL · IELTS mentionTo refer to something briefly and without going into detail.TOEFL · IELTS methodA particular way of doing somethingTOEFL micro-levelRelating to the small-scale or detailed aspects of somethingTOEFL minorLess important; smaller in scaleTOEFL modelA simplified description or framework used in analysisTOEFL monitorTo observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time.TOEFL · IELTS motivateTo provide someone with a reason for doing something; to inspire action.TOEFL · IELTS

N

navigateTo plan and direct the route of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transport; to…TOEFL · IELTS noteA brief record of points heard in a lectureTOEFL note-takingThe practice of recording information heard or readTOEFL

O

obviousEasily perceived or understoodTOEFL occurTo happen; to come to pass.TOEFL · IELTS organizationThe way in which something is structuredTOEFL organizational cueA signal indicating the structure of a spoken or written textTOEFL organizeTo arrange things into a structured formTOEFL outcomeThe way a situation ends or resultsTOEFL overallTaking everything into account; general; with respect to the whole.TOEFL · IELTS overviewA general summary of the main pointsTOEFL

P

parallelOccurring at the same time and having similar propertiesTOEFL · IELTS participateTo take part in an action or discussionTOEFL patternA regular and intelligible form or sequence discernible in data.TOEFL · IELTS perceptionThe way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.TOEFL · IELTS perspectiveA particular way of regarding something; a point of viewTOEFL · IELTS predictTo say what will happen in the future based on evidenceTOEFL priorExisting or coming before in timeTOEFL prioritizeTo designate something as most importantTOEFL

Q

questionA sentence or inquiry seeking informationTOEFL

R

recallTo bring a fact or event back to mindTOEFL recognizeTo identify from past experience or knowledgeTOEFL recordTo set down for future referenceTOEFL refineTo improve by making small changesTOEFL reflectTo think deeply or carefully about something; to be a sign or consequence of.TOEFL · IELTS relateTo make a connection between two thingsTOEFL representTo stand for or be a symbol of; to act on behalf ofTOEFL reviewA formal assessment; to look back overTOEFL

S

sequenceAn ordered list of numbers following a specific pattern or rule, where each elem…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS signalAn action or event that sends a messageTOEFL simplifyTo reduce a mathematical expression to its most basic or compact form without ch…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS solutionA value or set of values that satisfies a given equation or system of equations.GRE · TOEFL · IELTS specifyTo identify clearly and definitelyTOEFL spoken discourseLanguage used in spoken communicationTOEFL spontaneousPerformed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse, without premeditation or…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS strategicDone according to a plan designed to achieve a goalTOEFL strategyA plan of action designed to achieve a long-term goal.TOEFL · IELTS stressEmphasis given to a syllable or word; pressure or worryTOEFL supportTo give assistance to; to corroborate or back up.TOEFL · IELTS surveyA broad investigation or overviewTOEFL

T

techniqueA specific way of doing something skillfullyTOEFL thoroughlyIn a detailed and careful wayTOEFL top-down processingUnderstanding text by drawing on prior knowledge and contextTOEFL transformTo change in form, character, or conditionTOEFL transmitTo send or pass something from one place to anotherTOEFL

U

ultimatelyIn the end; at the most basic levelTOEFL · IELTS understandTo comprehend the meaning of somethingTOEFL uniqueUnlike anything else; particular to one person or thingTOEFL · IELTS

V

variationA change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level.TOEFL · IELTS verbatimWord for word; exactly as spoken or writtenTOEFL visualRelating to sight; a picture or diagramTOEFL

Z

zoneAn area with a particular characteristic or useTOEFL