TOEFL Speaking & Writing

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Academic Reading Listening Comprehension Speaking & Writing Scientific Vocabulary

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

A

abstract nounA noun referring to an idea, concept, or qualityTOEFL academic integrityThe ethical code governing honesty in academic workTOEFL acknowledgmentA statement recognizing someone's contributionTOEFL active voiceA grammatical form where the subject performs the actionTOEFL adaptTo become adjusted to new conditions; to modify for a new purpose.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS ambiguitythe quality of being open to more than one interpretationSAT · TOEFL analogyA comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification.GRE · SAT · TOEFL · IELTS analyticalRelating to the detailed examination of somethingTOEFL anecdotea short, interesting story about a real person or eventSAT · TOEFL annotationA note added to explain or comment on a textTOEFL appendixA section at the end of a document with additional materialTOEFL appropriate registerThe level of formality suited to the contextTOEFL argumentin functions, the independent variable; input to a functionSAT · TOEFL argument mappingA visual technique for displaying an argument's structureTOEFL argumentationThe process of presenting a reasoned caseTOEFL articulateTo express ideas clearly and effectively in speech or writingTOEFL · IELTS assertionA confident statement of fact or beliefTOEFL audienceThe readers or listeners a text or speech is aimed atTOEFL

B

background informationContext provided to help readers understand a topicTOEFL balanceA state of equilibrium; to keep in a steady position.TOEFL · IELTS bibliographicRelating to the cataloguing of books or sourcesTOEFL block quotationA long quotation set apart from the main textTOEFL bodyThe main section of a text between introduction and conclusionTOEFL body paragraphA paragraph that develops a main idea in an essayTOEFL bolsterto support or strengthen; to give a boost toGRE · SAT · TOEFL brevityshortness or conciseness, especially in speech or writingSAT · TOEFL build uponTo develop an existing idea furtherTOEFL

C

captionA brief description below an image or figureTOEFL case studyA detailed study of a specific subjectTOEFL cause and effectThe relationship between actions and their resultsTOEFL characterizeTo describe the distinctive qualities of somethingTOEFL chronologicalArranged in order of timeTOEFL circular argumentAn argument where the conclusion is used as a premiseTOEFL citationA reference to a source of informationTOEFL citation styleA set of rules for documenting sourcesTOEFL claimTo state or assert something as fact, especially without proof.TOEFL · IELTS clarityThe quality of being clear and easy to understandTOEFL classificationThe arrangement of things into categoriesTOEFL coherent argumentA well-organized argument that flows logicallyTOEFL cohesionThe action or fact of forming a united whole; logical connection between parts o…TOEFL · IELTS colloquialUsed in ordinary or familiar conversation, not formalTOEFL compareTo examine two or more quantities or expressions to determine their relative siz…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS compare and contrastTo examine similarities and differences between thingsTOEFL complex sentenceA sentence containing a main clause and a subordinate clauseTOEFL complex vocabularySophisticated words requiring academic context to understandTOEFL complexityThe state of having many parts and being difficult to understand or find answers…TOEFL · IELTS componenta part or element; in vectors, the projection along an axisSAT · TOEFL concedeTo admit that something is true or valid after initially denying or resisting it…TOEFL · IELTS conciseGiving a lot of information clearly and in few words; brief but comprehensive.TOEFL · IELTS conclusionthe result or outcome reached by logical deductionSAT · TOEFL concrete exampleA specific real-world illustration of an abstract conceptTOEFL conditionalDependent on or influenced by certain conditionsTOEFL connectiveA word or phrase joining parts of a sentence or argumentTOEFL constructive feedbackFeedback aimed at improving rather than criticizingTOEFL contentThe information or topics in a piece of writingTOEFL contentiousshowing an inclination to disagreeGRE · TOEFL context-dependentMeaning that varies according to surrounding circumstancesTOEFL contrasting viewA perspective that differs from the one being arguedTOEFL conventionA widely accepted practice, standard, or norm within a particular group or field…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS convincingCapable of persuading through logical argument and evidenceTOEFL counter-evidenceEvidence that contradicts a stated claimTOEFL counterargumentAn argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory.TOEFL · IELTS credibilityThe quality of being trusted and believedTOEFL credible sourceA reliable and authoritative referenceTOEFL critical thinkingThe objective analysis of facts to form a judgmentTOEFL cross-referenceA reference to another part of a document or another textTOEFL

D

data-drivenBased on the analysis of factual informationTOEFL debatableOpen to argument or disputeTOEFL declarativeMaking a statement or assertionTOEFL deductiveMoving from general principles to specific conclusionsTOEFL defendTo argue in favor of a positionTOEFL denseClosely compacted in substance; containing a great deal of material.TOEFL · IELTS depictionThe representation of something in a written or visual formTOEFL describeTo give an account of the qualities or characteristics of somethingTOEFL descriptionA spoken or written account of a person, object, or event.TOEFL · IELTS detailA small item of information or a small featureTOEFL develop an argumentTo build a case step by step using evidenceTOEFL dictionThe choice of words used in speech or writingTOEFL direct quotationAn exact reproduction of a source's wordsTOEFL discourse communityA group sharing common language normsTOEFL discourse markerA word or phrase organizing the flow of spoken or written textTOEFL discussTo talk or write about a topic in detail, taking into account different ideas an…TOEFL · IELTS documentationWritten evidence or recordsTOEFL draftA preliminary version of a piece of writingTOEFL

E

effective communicationConveying information clearly and accuratelyTOEFL effectivelyIn a way that produces a desired result; successfully.TOEFL · IELTS effectivenessThe degree to which something produces a desired resultTOEFL elaborationThe process of adding more detail to a plan or ideaTOEFL embedTo incorporate something into a larger structureTOEFL emphasis markerA word or phrase that stresses importanceTOEFL ethical writingWriting that respects intellectual property and represents ideas honestlyTOEFL evidence hierarchyA ranking of evidence types by reliabilityTOEFL evidence-based argumentA claim supported by factual data or researchTOEFL exampleA specific instance used to illustrate a general pointTOEFL explanationA statement clarifying somethingTOEFL explicit statementA direct and clear expression of meaningTOEFL expositiona comprehensive description and explanation; a large public exhibitionSAT · TOEFL expository writingWriting that explains or describes a subject clearlyTOEFL expressiveEffectively conveying thought or feelingTOEFL extendTo develop an idea further or make it more comprehensiveTOEFL

F

feedbackInformation about a performance used to improve future workTOEFL first draftThe initial version of a piece of writing before revisionTOEFL first-person perspectiveWriting from the author's own point of viewTOEFL flowThe smooth and logical movement of ideas through a textTOEFL flow of argumentThe logical progression of reasoning through a textTOEFL fluencyThe ability to express oneself with easeTOEFL footnoteAn explanatory note at the bottom of a pageTOEFL formalRelating to official or ceremonious languageTOEFL formal writingWriting that uses a serious, impersonal toneTOEFL formalityThe use of language appropriate for serious or official contextsTOEFL formatThe way in which something is arranged or presented.TOEFL · IELTS

G

generalizationA broad statement derived from specific casesTOEFL generalizeTo make a broad statement based on limited evidenceTOEFL genreA category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style,…GRE · TOEFL grammarThe rules governing the structure of a languageTOEFL

H

hedgeTo use cautious language to qualify a claimTOEFL hedge wordA word softening the certainty of a claimTOEFL hedgingUsing cautious language to qualify a claimTOEFL hedging languageCautious language that qualifies or limits claimsTOEFL hierarchyA system in which members of an organisation or society are ranked according to …TOEFL · IELTS

I

illustrativeServing as an example or explanationTOEFL impartialtreating all rivals or disputants equally; unbiased and fairGRE · SAT · TOEFL implicationA conclusion that can be drawn from something although not explicitly stated; an…GRE · TOEFL · IELTS indentationThe setting in of text from the marginTOEFL inferenceA conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoningTOEFL integrate sourcesTo blend quoted or paraphrased material into your own textTOEFL integrationThe action of combining groups to create an equal society; mixing into a whole.TOEFL · IELTS interpretationAn explanation or understanding of somethingTOEFL introductionThe opening section of a piece of writingTOEFL issueAn important topic or problem for debate or discussion.TOEFL · IELTS

J

jargonSpecialized language used by a particular groupTOEFL

K

key argumentThe central claim around which an essay is organizedTOEFL

L

languageThe system of words and grammar used by a communityTOEFL language choiceThe selection of specific words to convey a meaningTOEFL lengthThe measurement of the extent of something along its greatest dimension; in geom…GRE · TOEFL lexicalRelating to the words of a languageTOEFL lexical densityThe proportion of content words in a textTOEFL linkA connection between two things; to connect or associate.TOEFL · IELTS linkerA word or phrase connecting parts of a textTOEFL linking verbA verb that connects the subject to an adjective or nounTOEFL literature reviewA survey and evaluation of existing research on a topicTOEFL logicReasoning conducted according to strict principlesTOEFL logical connectorA word that shows a relationship between ideasTOEFL logical fallacyAn error in reasoning that undermines an argumentTOEFL

M

main ideaThe central point of a piece of writingTOEFL main pointThe most important idea in a text or argumentTOEFL metacognitionAwareness and understanding of one's own thought processesTOEFL methodologicalRelating to the methods used in research or analysisTOEFL modal verbA verb expressing possibility, necessity, or permissionTOEFL modalityThe expression of possibility, necessity, or obligationTOEFL

N

narrativeA spoken or written account of connected events; a story.TOEFL · IELTS nominal groupA phrase centered on a nounTOEFL nominalizationTurning a verb or adjective into a nounTOEFL normativeRelating to an ideal standard or modelTOEFL note-taking strategyA method for recording key information efficientlyTOEFL nuanceA subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.SAT · TOEFL · IELTS

O

objective toneLanguage that presents facts without personal feelingsTOEFL objective writingWriting based on facts rather than personal feelingsTOEFL opinionA view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact.TOEFL · IELTS opposing argumentA line of reasoning contradicting one's positionTOEFL outlineTo give a summary of the main facts or points of something.TOEFL · IELTS

P

paragraphA distinct section of writing dealing with one topicTOEFL paragraph developmentThe process of expanding a topic sentence with supporting detailsTOEFL paragraph structureThe internal organization of a paragraphTOEFL paragraph unityThe quality of a paragraph dealing with a single ideaTOEFL parallel structureUsing the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparisonTOEFL paraphraseTo express the meaning of something using different words, typically to simplify…TOEFL · IELTS passive constructionA sentence structure in which the subject receives the actionTOEFL passive voiceA grammatical construction where the subject is acted uponTOEFL peer feedbackEvaluation of writing provided by another studentTOEFL peer reviewEvaluation of work by others in the same fieldTOEFL persuadeTo cause someone to do something through reasoning or argument.TOEFL · IELTS persuasiveGood at convincing people through argumentTOEFL plagiarismthe practice of taking someone else's work and passing it off as one's ownSAT · TOEFL point of viewA particular attitude or perspective expressed in writingTOEFL positionA particular way of approaching a topic in an argumentTOEFL precisionThe quality of being exact and accurateTOEFL premiseA previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows.TOEFL · IELTS primary sourceAn original document or firsthand accountTOEFL principal argumentThe most important claim in a textTOEFL problem-solutionAn organizational pattern presenting a problem and its resolutionTOEFL process analysisA description of how something works or is done step by stepTOEFL process writingAn approach to writing that emphasizes planning, drafting, and revisingTOEFL proofreadingThe process of checking for errors before submissionTOEFL purposeThe intended result or aim of a piece of writing or speechTOEFL purpose statementA sentence declaring the goal of a piece of writingTOEFL

Q

qualifyTo limit or modify a statement to reduce its forceTOEFL qualitative dataNon-numerical information collected in researchTOEFL quotationA phrase repeated from a sourceTOEFL

R

readabilityThe ease with which a text can be read and understoodTOEFL reasoningThe process of forming conclusions from evidenceTOEFL reference listA list of all sources cited in a textTOEFL referencingThe practice of citing sources used in a textTOEFL referentialPointing to or referring to something outside the textTOEFL refutationThe action of proving a statement falseTOEFL refuteTo prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false; to deny or contradict.TOEFL · IELTS registerThe level of formality appropriate for a situationTOEFL relevanceThe quality of being closely connected to the subjectTOEFL reliableConsistently good in quality; can be trustedTOEFL repetitionThe action of repeating something that has already been saidTOEFL report writingThe skill of producing a formal document describing findingsTOEFL research questionA focused question guiding a research studyTOEFL restateTo say something again in different wordsTOEFL reviseTo change and improve a piece of writingTOEFL revisionThe process of improving a written draftTOEFL rhetoricThe art of effective or persuasive speaking or writingTOEFL rhetorical questionA question asked for effect rather than to get an answerTOEFL

S

secondary sourceA source interpreting or analyzing a primary sourceTOEFL semicolonA punctuation mark used to link closely related clausesTOEFL sentence structureThe way words and clauses are arranged in a sentenceTOEFL sentence varietyThe use of different sentence lengths and structuresTOEFL signal wordA word that indicates the structure of an argumentTOEFL signpost languageLanguage that tells readers what is coming or has just been saidTOEFL signpostingUsing language to guide the reader through a textTOEFL sophisticatedComplex and refined in styleTOEFL source evaluationAssessing the quality and reliability of a referenceTOEFL source integrationThe technique of incorporating outside material into one's writingTOEFL specificityThe quality of being clear and specificTOEFL speculateTo form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.TOEFL · IELTS spell outTo explain something clearly and in detailTOEFL stanceAn attitude or position taken on an issueTOEFL strengthenTo make an argument more convincingTOEFL structuralRelating to the way something is organizedTOEFL styleThe manner of writing that distinguishes an authorTOEFL subheadingA title given to a subsection of a documentTOEFL subordinate clauseA clause dependent on the main clause for its meaningTOEFL subordinating conjunctionA word introducing a dependent clauseTOEFL subordinationThe use of a clause to express a secondary idea in a sentenceTOEFL

T

tentativenessThe quality of being cautious or hesitant about a claimTOEFL text typeA category of writing defined by its purpose and structureTOEFL textual evidenceEvidence drawn directly from a written sourceTOEFL thematicRelating to or based on a theme or themesTOEFL thesisA statement expressing the central argument of a piece of writingTOEFL thesis statementA sentence expressing the central argument of an essayTOEFL toneThe writer's attitude as expressed through word choiceTOEFL topic developmentThe process of expanding the central idea of a paragraphTOEFL topic sentenceA sentence stating the main idea of a paragraphTOEFL transition wordA word or phrase that connects ideas between sentencesTOEFL

U

unambiguousLeaving no doubt about meaningTOEFL undermineTo lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of something, especially graduall…TOEFL · IELTS unityThe quality of forming a coherent and consistent wholeTOEFL

V

valid argumentA logically sound argument with well-supported premisesTOEFL viewpointA particular attitude or way of considering a matter; a point of view.TOEFL · IELTS vocabularyThe set of words known or used in a fieldTOEFL vocabulary rangeThe extent of one's vocabulary knowledgeTOEFL voiceThe distinctive style of a writer expressed in their workTOEFL

W

weighTo consider the importance or value of somethingTOEFL word choiceThe selection of specific words to convey meaning preciselyTOEFL word formThe grammatical category of a word such as noun or verbTOEFL wordinessThe use of too many words to express an ideaTOEFL wordyUsing more words than necessaryTOEFL write upTo record information in written formTOEFL