400 Must Have Words For The Toefl (Cram)

Question 1

To leave; to give up

Answer 1

1. abandon v. To save their lives, the sailors had to abandon the sinking ship. Parts of speech: abandonment n

Question 2

In a harmful way; negatively

Answer 2

2. adversely adv. Excessive rainfall early in the spring can adversely affect the plant– ing of crops. Usage tips: Adversely is often followed by affect. Parts of speech: adversity n, adverse adj

Question 3

Gathered into or amounting to a whole

Answer 3

3. aggregate adj. It is impossible to judge last year’s performance without knowing the aggregate sales numbers. Usage tips Aggregate is often followed by a term like sum, total, or numbers. Parts of speech: aggregate v, aggregate n

Question 4

Preparing the land to grow crops; improvement for agricultural purposes

Answer 4

4. cultivation n. With the development of land cultivation, hunters and gatherers were able to settle in one place. Parts of speech: cultivate v
   Farmers use various methods of land __________.

Question 5

To supply with nourishment for plants by adding helpful substances to the soil

Answer 5

5. fertilize v. This farm fertilizes tomatoes more than any other crop. Parts of speech: fertilizer n, fertilization nInexperienced gardeners may not realize how important it is that they __________ their plants.

Question 6

To increase in power; to act with increased strength

Answer 6

6. intensify v. Jacob’s long absence intensified his certainty that he should marry Rose. Parts of speech: intensification n, intense adj

Question 7

The supplying of water to dry land

Answer 7

7. irrigation n. In dry areas of the country, you can see ditches all over the farm– land for irrigation. Parts of speech: irrigate v

Question 8

To gain possession of; to get

Answer 8

8. obtain v. After a series of difficult interviews, he finally was able to obtain the job.

Question 9

The process by which green plants make their own food by combining water, salts, and carbon dioxide in the pres– ence of light.

Answer 9

9. photosynthesis n. Oxygen is a by–product of the process of photosynthesis. Parts of speech: photosynthesize v

Question 10

Water that falls to the Earth’s surface

Answer 10

10. precipitation n. In the Pacific Northwest, the high level of precipitation ensures rich, green plant life.

Question 11

To expect; to sense something before it happens

Answer 11

1. anticipate v. By placing sensors in earthquake–prone areas, scientists can antici– pate some tremors in time to warn the public. Parts of speech: anticipation n, anticipatory adj

Question 12

Extremely harmful; causing financial or physical ruin

Answer 12

2. catastrophic adj. The architect died in a catastrophic elevator accident. Parts of speech: catastrophe n, catastrophically adv

Question 13

To come together with great or violent force

Answer 13

3. collide v. As usual, their holiday was ruined when their in–laws’ views on poli– tics collided with their own. Parts of speech: collision n

Question 14

A sudden, often violent, outburst

Answer 14

4. eruption n. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 caused 57 deaths and immeasurable change to the face of the mountain. Usage tips: Eruption is often followed by an of phrase. Parts of speech: erupt v

Question 15

Severe hunger; a drastic food shortage

Answer 15

5. famine n. The potato famine in Ireland in the mid–nineteenth century caused large numbers of Irish people to emigrate to America.

Question 16

An overflowing of water; an excessive amount

Answer 16

6. flood n. The constant rain and poor drainage system caused a flood in town. The political party sent out a flood of letters criticizing their opponents. Parts of speech: flood v

Question 17

A strong influence

Answer 17

7. impact n. The speech about the importance of education made an impact on me. Usage tips: Impact is usually followed by on or of. Parts of speech: impact v

Question 18

To keep going, despite obstacles or discouragement; to maintain a purpose

Answer 18

8. persevere v. The hikers persevered despite the bad weather and the icy trail. Parts of speech: persist v, persistent adj

Question 19

To go down suddenly; to decrease by a great amount in a short time

Answer 19

9. plunge v. He jumped off the diving board and plunged into the pool. The value of the company’s stock plunged after its chief executive was arrested. Usage tips: Plunge is often followed by an into phrase. Parts of speech: plunge n

Question 20

To release a thing or an emotion

Answer 20

10. unleash v. When they saw the strange man on their property, they unleashed their dogs. He is from such an unemotional family, he will never learn to un–leash his feelings.

Question 21

To adjust to the circumstances; to make suitable

Answer 21

21. adapt v. to make suitable Dinosaurs could not adapt to the warmer temperatures. The teacher adapted the exercises for his more advanced students. Usage tips: Adapt is often followed by to. Parts of speech: adaptation n, adapter n, adaptable adj

Question 22

Various; showing a lot of differences within a group

Answer 22

22. diverse n. India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Usage tips: An –ly adverb (e.g., linguistically) often comes before diverse. Parts of speech: diversify v, diversity n, diversification n

Question 23

To develop; to come forth

Answer 23

3. evolve v. 2Modern–day sharks evolved from their ancestor Eryops, which lived more than 200 million years ago. Usage tips: Evolve is often followed by into or from. Parts of speech: evolution n, evolutionist n

Question 24

Part, characteristic

Answer 24

24. feature n. The best feature of this car is its heated seats. Usage tips: Feature is often followed by of. Parts of speech feature v

Question 25

A group of people born at about the same time

Answer 25

25. generation n. As older managers retired, a new generation of leaders took control of the company. Usage tips: Before generation, an adjective like new, next, earlier, or older is common. Generation is often followed by of. Parts of speech generational adj

Question 26

Naturally characteristic; always found within something, because it’s a basic part of that thing

Answer 26

26. inherent adj. No job can be interesting all the time. Boredom is inherent in any kind of work. Usage tips: Inherent is often followed by in. Parts of speech: inherently adv

Question 27

Movement from one place to another by a group of peo– ple or animals

Answer 27

27. migration n. The migration of farm workers from one state to the next depends primarily on the harvest. Usage tips: Migration is often followed by to or from. Parts of speech: migrate v, migrant n, migratory adj

Question 28

Related to the body; related to materials that can be seen or felt

Answer 28

28. physical adj. Because of the shape of its throat, an ape does not have the physical ability to speak. The mountains form a physical barrier between the west and the east. Usage tips: Physical usually comes before the noun it describes. Parts of speech: physically adv

Question 29

A series of steps leading to a result

Answer 29

29. process n. To get a good job, most people go through a long process of letter– writing and interviews. Usage tips: Process is often followed by of plus the –ing form of a verb. Parts of speech: proceed v, process v

Question 30

To continue living (despite some danger or illness)

Answer 30

30. survive v. After getting lost in the mountains, Gordon survived by eating wild plants and catching fish. Usage tips: Survive is often followed by a phrase with by. Parts of speech: survivor n, survival n

Question 31

Something that restricts thought or action

Answer 31

31. constraint n. The constraints of military life kept Eileen from seeing Private Mor– ris more than once a month. constrain v

Question 32

4Being made less clean by a germ or hazardous substance

Answer 32

32. contamination n. The contamination in the river came from the factory located just upstream. contaminate v, contaminant n

Question 33

To greatly decrease the supply of a resource or material

Answer 33

33. deplete v. The prolonged war depleted the country’s national treasury. depletion n

Question 34

To throw away; to get rid of; to kill

Answer 34

34. dispose of v. She disposed of her unwanted possessions before moving. The tyrant cruelly disposed of all his enemies. Usage tips Dispose of should be learned as a unit. In this meaning, dispose does not occur without of. disposal n, disposable adj

Question 35

In terms of elements; basically

Answer 35

35. elementally adv. Elementally, coal and diamonds are the same. element n, elemental adj

Question 36

Sending out from a small space into the general environment; a substance discharged into the air

Answer 36

36. emission n. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the emission of pollutants into the air. Usage tips Emission is usually followed by an of phrase. emit v

Question 37

Complete disappearance; the end of existence

Answer 37

37. extinction n. Human beings have caused the extinction of many other species. Usage tips Extinction implies an absolute end; an extinct thing cannot be brought back into existence. extinct adj

Question 38

A place where a liquid is collected and stored

Answer 38

38. reservoir n. Cult members threatened to poison the town’s water reservoir. reserve v

Question 39

To become reduced in size, amount, or value

Answer 39

39. shrink v. If you dry your clothing on the “high heat” setting, they may shrink. shrinkage n, shrinkable adj

Question 40

Firm and dependable; showing little change

Answer 40

40. stable adj. He fell because the ladder wasn’t stable. stability n, stably adv

Question 41

To change; to get accustomed to something

Answer 41

41. adjust v. Travelers are advised to adjust their watches before arriving in the new time zone. adjustment n, adjustable adj

Question 42

Chosen simply by whim or chance, not for any specific reason

Answer 42

42. arbitrary adj The decision to build a school in Blackberry Township was arbitrary, without any thought to future housing patterns. arbitrate v, arbitrator n, arbitrarily adv

Question 43

The number written below the line in a fraction In the fraction 1⁄2, the number 2 is the denominator.

Answer 43

43. denominator n. Usage tips The phrase lowest common denominator means “the most basic and unsophisticated things that most people share.” denominate v, denomination n, denominational adj

Question 44

At a very fast rate

Answer 44

44. exponentially adv. In Turkey, the value of the lira has decreased exponentially in the last several decades. Usage tips Exponentially is taken from mathematics, where an exponent is a number indicating how many times something is multiplied by itself. For example, 43 contains the exponent “3,” indicating 4 × 4 × 4. exponent n, exponential adj

Question 45

Immeasurably small

Answer 45

45. infinitesimal adj. The number of contaminants in the water was infinitesimal, so the water was safe to drink. Parts of speech infinitesimally adv

Question 46

To increase or make as great as possible

Answer 46

46. maximize v. A coach helps each athlete maximize his or her potential. maximum n, maximum adj

Question 47

Being an equal distance apart everywhere

Answer 47

47. parallel adj. The street where I live runs parallel to the main road through town. Usage tips Parallel is often followed by to. parallel n, parallel adv

Question 48

A part in relation to the whole

Answer 48

48. proportion n. The average employee spends a large proportion of each workday answering e–mails. Usage tips Proportion is often followed by of. proportionate adj, proportionally adv

Question 49

The cost per unit of a good or service; the motion or change that happens in a certain time.

Answer 49

49. rate n. Postal rates in Japan are among the highest in the world. Some grasses grow at the rate of one inch per day. rate v, rating n

Question 50

To organize or arrange in succession

Answer 50

50. sequence v. Volunteers have been asked to sequence the files and organize the boxes. sequence n, sequentially adv

Question 51

Precision; exactness

Answer 51

51. accuracy n. The research department checks all our articles for accuracy of facts before we print them. Usage tips Accuracy is often followed by of. Parts of speech accurate adj, accurately adv

Question 52

Next to

Answer 52

52. adjacent adj Even though the villages are adjacent to each other, their residents speak different languages. Usage tips Adjacent is often followed by to. Parts of speech adjacency n

Question 53

To press together

Answer 53

53. compress v. To make the foundation stronger, they compressed the soil before pouring the concrete. compression n, compressed adj

Question 54

Practically; in a way that can work

Answer 54

54. feasibly adv. Scientists can’t feasibly bring energy from deep ocean currents to where it is needed—on land. feasibility n, feasible adj

Question 55

To empty or hollow out

Answer 55

55. gut v. In order to remodel the house, we must first gut it and throw away all the old fixtures. Usage tips Gut also means “the stomach of an animal”; this verb makes an image, that the inside of a building is like the inside of an animal. gut n, gutted adj

Question 56

In a whole or complete manner

Answer 56

56. integrally adv. Writing and spelling are taught integrally as part of the reading program. integrate v, integrity n, integral n, integral adj

Question 57

To lie over part of something; to have elements in common

Answer 57

57. overlap v. One of the two assistants will likely get fired, since most of their du– ties in the office overlap. overlap n

Question 58

To keep or hold

Answer 58

58. retain v. The rain fell so heavily that the banks of the river could not retain all the water. retainer n, retention n

Question 59

To pass slowly for a long time, as a liquid or gas might

Answer 59

59. seep v. As the containers rusted, the toxic waste seeped into the ground. Usage tips Seep is often followed by into or through.

Question 60

Something constructed, such as a building

Answer 60

60. structure n. Most companies have a social structure that can’t be understood by outsiders. structure v, structural adj, structurally adv

Question 61

To move throughout an area or group; to move along a somewhat circular route

Answer 61

61. circulate v. somewhat circular route The gossip circulated quickly through the small town. Blood circulates more quickly during physical exercise. Usage tips Circulate is often followed by through. Parts of speech circulation n

Question 62

To be slowly weakened by chemical reactions

Answer 62

62. corrode v. Sitting in salt water, the old coins corroded and became very easy to break. Usage tips A familiar kind of corrosion produces rust, the reddish coating on iron or steel that has been exposed to air and water. Parts of speech corrosion n

Question 63

To come from, usually through a long, slow process

Answer 63

63. derive v. The Cyrillic alphabet was derived from the Greek alphabet. Usage tips Derive is often followed by from. Parts of speech derivation n, derivative adj

Question 64

Discovering something that cannot easily be found

Answer 64

64. detection n. With new medical technology, the detection of cancer is much easier nowadays. Usage tips Detection is often followed by an of phrase. Parts of speech detect v, detectable adj

Question 65

Quickly and efficiently

Answer 65

65. expeditiously adv Using carrier pigeons, the military commanders exchanged mes– sages expeditiously. Parts of speech expedite v, expedition n, expeditious adj

Question 66

To make use of; to carry out

Answer 66

66. implement v. Not until after the new software was installed could we implement the new filing system. Parts of speech implement n, implementation n

Question 67

Setting something into position for use

Answer 67

67. installation n. Installation of the new software takes only four minutes. Parts of speech install v

Question 68

The act of keeping something in good condition

Answer 68

68. maintenance n. The only problem with living in such a big house is that it requires a lot of maintenance. Parts of speech maintain v

Question 69

An imitation or representation

Answer 69

69. simulation n. To test car safety, automobile makers study crash simulations. Parts of speech simulate v, simulator n

Question 70

Ahead of the times; novel

Answer 70

70. innovative adj. The innovative use of props and lighting drew many favorable comments. Parts of speech innovation n nov=new

Question 71

The process of burning

Answer 71

1. combustion n. When air quality is poor, combustion of materials in a fireplace is prohibited. Usage tips Combustion is often followed by of. Parts of speech combust v, combustible adj

Question 72

One part of a system or whole

Answer 72

2. component n. Their home theater system has a number of separate components. Usage tips Component is often followed or preceded by of.

Question 73

To transport from one place to another; to transmit or make known

Answer 73

3. convey v. A messenger conveyed the prince’s letter to the commander of the army. The worst part about being a doctor was when she had to convey bad news to a family. conveyance n, conveyor n

Question 74

Separately; distinctly

Answer 74

4. discretely adv. In order to understand how the engine worked, each component needed to be studied discretely. discrete adj

Question 75

A central or essential part around which other parts are gathered; a core

Answer 75

5. nucleus n. The nucleus of many European cities is the town square. Usage tips Nucleus is often followed by of. Parts of speech nuclear adj

Question 76

To spread or flow through out ; to pass through or penetrate

Answer 76

6.permeate v The smell of cooking permeated the entire apartment building. permeation n

Question 77

To turn around; to take turns in sequence

Answer 77

7. rotate v. The planet rotates on its axis once every 14 Earth days. The children rotate classroom responsibilities on a weekly basis. rotation n

Question 78

Of, or relating to, the sun

Answer 78

8. solar adj. The ancient society kept time with a solar calendar.

Question 79

The point of origin or creation

Answer 79

9. source n. The reporter was unable to identify the source of the information for his story. source v

Question 80

To set off or initiate

Answer 80

10. trigger v. I was certain any mention of politics would trigger a big argument. trigger n

Question 81

The act of taking possession of something

Answer 81

1. acquisition n. Our recent acquisition of over 2,000 books makes ours the biggest library in the region.

Question 82

Something unusual

Answer 82

2. anomaly n. White tigers get their beautiful coloring from a genetic anomaly.

Question 83

With awareness of one’s actions

Answer 83

3. consciously adv. He may have hurt her feelings, but he never would have done so consciously.

Question 84

To reduce in value or strength

Answer 84

4. degrade v. The roads in cold or wet areas of the United States degrade faster than those in warm, sunny regions.

Question 85

Opening; a big difference in amount or quality

Answer 85

5. gap n. The small gap between the walls in the old house caused cold drafts to come in.

Question 86

Beyond doubt; unquestionable

Answer 86

6. indisputable adj. The members of the jury found her guilty because they found the facts of the case indisputable.

Question 87

To come between

Answer 87

7. intervene v. A good mediator intervenes only as much as necessary to settle a dispute between other parties.

Question 88

By means of a natural sense about things that are hard to observe

Answer 88

8. intuitively adv. Many mothers know intuitively when something is wrong with their children.

Question 89

To move back or away from

Answer 89

9. recede v. After the age of 30, his hairline began to recede further back from his forehead.

Question 90

To bring or get back

Answer 90

10. retrieve v. Most dogs can be trained to retrieve objects that their owners have thrown.

Question 91

Believing that humans cannot know whether there is a god

Answer 91

1. agnostic His devoutly Christian parents had problems with his agnostic beliefs.

Question 92

The belief that natural objects, such as trees, have souls

Answer 92

2. animism n. Desert cultures that practice animism often believe that winds con– tain spirits.

Question 93

One who does not believe in the existence of a supreme being

Answer 93

3. atheist n. He argued that his scientific training made it impossible for him to be anything but an atheist.

Question 94

To favor an opinion or a course of action

Answer 94

4. be inclined to v. He couldn’t say which candidate he favored, but he had always been inclined to vote Republican.

Question 95

To consider thoughtfully

Answer 95

5. contemplate v. If you contemplate each step for so long, we will never complete this project on time.

Question 96

To worship as a god

Answer 96

6. deify v. When people deify the leader of their country, the leader is able to abuse power more easily.

Question 97

Relating to a church

Answer 97

7. ecclesiastical adj. He was looking specifically for a university where he could study ecclesiastical history.

Question 98

To praise or honor

Answer 98

8. exalt v. To praise or honor He would often exalt the virtues of his new wife.

Question 99

Having or exhibiting religious reverence

Answer 99

9. pious adj. Sometimes she was so pious that the rest of us felt like heathens.

Question 100

Anything offered to a deity as a religious thanksgiving; giving up something in order to have something more valuable later on

Answer 100

10. sacrifice v. Every harvest time, the Fadeloni people sacrificed vegetables to their gods as a show of thanks. In order to succeed in his career, he had to sacrifice his private life and his leisure time.

Question 101

To make worse; to anger or intensify

Answer 101

1. aggravate v. Running will aggravate your sore knees.

Question 102

Weakened or worn out because of age, illness, or exces– sive use

Answer 102

2. decrepit adj. The once–beautiful building was now dirty, decrepit, and roofless.

Question 103

An unhealthful condition caused by an infection or a long– term physical problem

Answer 103

3. disease n. Thanks to developments in medicine, many once–fatal diseases can now be cured.

Question 104

Causing death or disaster

Answer 104

4. fatally adv. The soldier was fatally wounded in the battle.

Question 105

The use of science and technology to investigate facts in criminal cases

Answer 105

5. forensics n. Advances in the study of forensics have made it much easier to identify criminals from very small traces of evidence.

Question 106

To continue to exist; to hold to a purpose, despite any obstacle

Answer 106

6. persist v. If your symptoms persist, you should go see a doctor. Lola persisted in her efforts to become a lawyer.

Question 107

An educated guess of how something will develop, es– pecially a disease

Answer 107

7. prognosis n. The room fell silent when the doctor gave Senator Grebe a grim prognosis of months of treatment.

Question 108

Located at an end; approaching death

Answer 108

8. terminal adj. The cancer ward at the hospital held both terminal and recovering patients.

Question 109

Any of the tubes that form a branching system, especially those that carry blood to the heart

Answer 109

9. vein n. She became fascinated with human anatomy, especially when she learned how veins transport oxygen.

Question 110

To inflict an injury on

Answer 110

10. wound v. Sometimes he didn’t realize his sharp humor could wound as well as entertain.

Question 111

Techniques for reducing sensation and feeling, especially to control pain

Answer 111

1. anesthesia n. The Civil War was the first American war when anesthesia was widely used in surgery on soldiers.

Question 112

To make bigger or better by adding to

Answer 112

2. augment v. In some types of popular cosmetic surgery people augment parts of their bodies. The college augmented its course offerings because students com– plained that there were too few choices.

Question 113

In a manner that is officially recognized

Answer 113

3. certifiably adv. He couldn’t be institutionalized until he was declared certifiably insane.

Question 114

A factor that makes something more difficult or complex

Answer 114

4. complication n. The surgeons could not easily stop the bleeding because of complications related to the patient’s diabetes.

Question 115

To restore to health

Answer 115

5. cure v. They say laughter can help cure many illnesses.

Question 116

To set in firmly; to insert in the body surgically

Answer 116

6. implant v. The actress had cheek implants to make her face look fuller.

Question 117

To insert a liquid by means of a syringe

Answer 117

7. inject v. The doctor used a needle to inject the medicine slowly into her arm.

Question 118

Excessively overweight

Answer 118

8. obese adj. More Americans are obese now because U.S. culture encourages overeating and discourages exercise.

Question 119

A specific way of performing or doing something

Answer 119

9. procedure n. The flight attendant explained the emergency evacuation procedure.

Question 120

A mark on the skin left after a wound has healed; a lasting sign of damage, either mental or physical

Answer 120

10. scar n. The surgery was successful, but it left a large scar across her abdomen.

Question 121

Related to the study of the position of stars, the sun, and the planets in the belief that they influence earthly events

Answer 121

1. astrological adj. Every day, Mona read her astrological forecast in the newspaper, and she was careful if the horoscope predicted trouble.

Question 122

Foretelling the future by finding patterns in physical objects

Answer 122

2. divination n. In Turkey, women offer divinations by reading the dregs from a cof– fee cup.

Question 123

To continually appear (in the form of a ghost) in the same place or to the same person

Answer 123

3. haunt v. *Some say the ghost of Princess Hilda haunts this castle, appearing as a headless form while she plays the piano. *The pictures of children dying in war have haunted me for a long time.

Question 124

Strong fear mixed with disgust

Answer 124

4. horror n. On Halloween night, all the horror movies were rented out. horrify v, horrific adj

Question 125

Acting as an agent between people or things

Answer 125

5. intermediary n. The plaintiff’s lawyer suggested that they hire an intermediary to help them discuss their case.

Question 126

To call on for support

Answer 126

6. invoke v. In many religions, believers invoke their god by holding out their hands. invocation n

Question 127

To reflect; to think quietly and deeply for a long time

Answer 127

7. meditate v. Every morning, the monks meditated for three hours in complete silence.

Question 128

A dimly visible form, usually thought to be the spirit of a dead person, a sunken ship, etc.

Answer 128

8. phantom n. Many visitors reported seeing a phantom who appeared around the lake.

Question 129

Relating to the supposed ability of the human mind to sense things that cannot be observed

Answer 129

9. psychic adj. The governor’s assistant claimed to have unique psychic abilities enabling him to read people’s minds.

Question 130

Having the power to renew oneself for an in– definite period of time

Answer 130

10. self–perpetuating adj. It is difficult to escape from a lie, as they are often self–perpetuating.

Question 131

To consume and incorporate; to become similar

Answer 131

1. assimilate v. (fit into) Not all of the overseas students could assimilate into the rigidly controlled school.

Question 132

The act of burning the dead

Answer 132

2. cremation n. Cremation is particularly common in Japan, where land for burial is very limited.

Question 133

To make something suitable for being in a home(usually a plant or animal)

Answer 133

3. domesticate v. The Barnes family hoped to domesticate the tiger, but their neighbors were skeptical. =tame

Question 134

Traditional myths of a people( beliefs, customs, and stories of a community) transmitted orally

Answer 134

4. folklore n.Through folklore, archaeologists have learned about the migration of Native Americans in North America. *folkloric adj

Question 135

Tobecomepreservedinclayorstoneorashafterdeath,so that a natural record is left of the original organism; to become rigid and stuck in old ways

Answer 135

5.fossilize v. The dinosaur eggs had fossilized over thousands of years.

Question 136

Something left from a long–ago culture, time period, or person

Answer 136

6. relic n. Relics of the war can still be found in the sand dunes along this shore.

Question 137

A ceremony meant to achieve a certain purpose

Answer 137

7. rite n. Many cultures have fertility rites that supposedly make it more likely for women to bear children.

Question 138

As part of a traditional ceremony or habit

Answer 138

8. ritually adv. The children ritually kissed their parents on the cheek before bed.

Question 139

A long story about important events long ago; a long story of heroic achievement

Answer 139

9. saga n. Many American families tell sagas about their ancestors’ arrival in the United States.

Question 140

A visible trace that something once existed

Answer 140

10. vestige n. The wilted flowers were the only vestige of their romantic weekend.

Question 141

To change for the better

Answer 141

1. amend v. The residents voted to amend their neighborhood policy on fences. amendment n

Question 142

Leaning unfairly in one direction

Answer 142

2. biased adj. Her newspaper article was criticized for being heavily biased toward the mayor’s proposal.

Question 143

Something that is carried; a source of stress or worry

Answer 143

3. burden n. The donkey walked slowly under the burden of its heavy load. The failing company faced the burden of bad debts and a poor reputation.

Question 144

To act in opposition to; to offer in response

Answer 144

4. counter v. The hockey player countered the punch with a smashing blow from his hockey stick. Jane countered every accusation with a specific example of her achievements.

Question 145

Truly doing a job, even if not officially

Answer 145

5. de facto adj. Popular support established the Citizens Party as the de facto government.

Question 146

To choose carefully among options; make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of different categories of people or things, esp. on the grounds of race, sex, or age

Answer 146

6. discriminate The governor wisely discriminated between urgent issues and those that could wait.

Question 147

A belief; a fanciful impulse, a conception of or belief about something; an impulse or desire, esp. one of a whimsical kind

Answer 147

7. notion n. The notion that older office equipment is unreliable is inaccurate. One morning, she suddenly took the notion to paint her kitchen red. Usage tips Notion can be followed by a that clause or a to phrase.

Question 148

To keep down by force; to weigh heavily on, by the unjust exercise of authority:

Answer 148

8. oppress v. Factory management oppressed workers through intimidation.

Question 149

A pattern or model; a set of assumptions

Answer 149

9. paradigm n. The usual paradigm for economic growth in developed countries does not apply to some poor nations.

Question 150

Causing to judge prematurely and unfairly

Answer 150

10. prejudiced adj. Many consumers are prejudiced against commercial goods made in third–world countries. prejudice v, prejudice n

Question 151

The courses of study offered by an educational institution

Answer 151

1. curriculum n. The teachers met to design a new curriculum for the Intensive English Program.

Question 152

in a way that is readily distinguishable by the senses; clearly:

Answer 152

2. distinctly adv. I distinctly remember saying that we would meet at noon.

Question 153

Highly educated; having or showing great knowledge or learning.

Answer 153

3. erudite adj. Even though Stella was only a freshman, she was considered erudite by both her classmates and her professors.

Question 154

To strengthen; protect against attack

Answer 154

4. fortify v. To The high–priced drink had extra vitamins and minerals to fortify the body. fortification n

Question 155

Without being stated; unquestioningly; in a way that is not directly expressed;

Answer 155

5. implicitly adv. By joining the competition, she agreed implicitly to the rules.

Question 156

Restricted in outlook; relating to the local parish; small–minded, provincial, narrow, small–town

Answer 156

6. parochial adj. Marla moved from her rural community to get away from its parochial thinking. Sending your children to a parochial school can cost as much as sending them to college.

Question 157

Strictness; difficult situations that come from following rules strictly

Answer 157

7. rigor n. The wrestler followed his diet with rigor. The rigors of military life toughened the young men quickly. rigorous adj

Question 158

A list, especially of names

Answer 158

8. roster n. Two of the names on the roster were misspelled.

Question 159

Worldly rather than spiritual; not related to religion

Answer 159

9. secular adj. Few private schools in the United States are secular.

Question 160

To cause to stop for a period; to hang as to allow free movement

Answer 160

10. suspend v. The trial was suspended when the judge learned that one of the jury members knew the defense lawyer. The circus acrobat was suspended in midair.

Question 161

Loyalty, commitment

Answer 161

1. allegiance n. My allegiance to my country is based on respect for its principles.

Question 162

Large guns that shoot powerful shells; army units that han– dle such guns

Answer 162

2. artillery n. An artillery barrage broke down the city’s thick walls within seconds. The 47th Artillery fired on rebels camped in the city center.

Question 163

To fight against

Answer 163

3. battle v. TheViet Minh battled French forces at Dien Bien Phu for nearly two months in 1954.

Question 164

Stop (found in official statements, not usually in everyday speech.)

Answer 164

4. cease v. (cessation n) The lightning continued even after the thunder had ceased.

Question 165

A system of levels that places people high or low accord– ing to their importance

Answer 165

5. hierarchy n. (hierarchical adj) Starting as a lowly private, Burt Jones gradually rose through the hierarchy of the army.

Question 166

In the middle of the hardest fighting or work

Answer 166

6. in the trenches adv’l. With their unrealistic view of this war, our generals don’t know what things are like out in the trenches.

Question 167

To put members of a group into motion; (of a country or its government) prepare and organize (troops) for active service:

Answer 167

7. mobilize v. After a terrible storm, the governor mobilized the National Guard to rescue victims.

Question 168

To put into a many–leveled order, depending on importance or achievement

Answer 168

8. rank v. The Marines ranked Jim Hurst highest among all their officer can– didates.

Question 169

The relationship of one number or amount to another

Answer 169

9. ratio n. Military analysts say that the ratio of attackers to defenders in a battle should be about three to one for the attackers to win.

Question 170

Related to long–term plans for achieving a goal

Answer 170

10. strategic adj. United States has formed strategic friendships with Tajikistan and Mongolia to have Central Asian bases in the future.

Question 171

To make something (usually land) part of another unit

Answer 171

1. annex v. Bardstown grew by annexing several farms at the north edge of town.

Question 172

The highest point

Answer 172

2. apex n. Gregory knew that his running skills had to be at their apex during the tournament. Usage tips Apex is often used to describe the high point of someone’s abilities.

Question 173

To fall down, usually because of weakness

Answer 173

3. collapse v. the roof collapsed on top of me.

Question 174

A takeover by force or continued effort

Answer 174

4. conquest n. The first recorded conquest of Mt. Everest was by Tensing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hilary.

Question 175

To find an original way to make an object or a plan

Answer 175

5. devise v. The soldiers devised a way to cross the river into enemy territory without being seen.

Question 176

Aggressively entering into someone else’s territory

Answer 176

6. invasive adj. (invader n) Surgery with a laser is less invasive than surgery with a knife or scalpel.

Question 177

Strongest or most common

Answer 177

7. prevailing adj. (prevalence n) The prevailing attitude among our neighbors is to be friendly but not too friendly.

Question 178

To refuse to give in to a strong force or desire

Answer 178

8. resist v. Although many native nations resisted, the U.S. government eventually took over almost all Indian land.

Question 179

Harshly; extremely

Answer 179

9. severely adv. Commanders severely punished any soldier who criticized the battle plan.

Question 180

An action that breaks a law or agreement; mistreatment of something that deserves respect

Answer 180

10. violation n. (violator n) The army’s testing of new weapons was a violation of the cease–fire agreement. The sculptures at Mt. Rushmore may be a violation of sacred Indian land.

Question 181

In order according to time

Answer 181

1. chronologically adv. Allen’s book is arranged chronologically, from the First Crusade in 1095 to the fall of Granada in 1492. Usage tips Chronologically is often used with arranged, organized, listed, or some other word for order.

Question 182

Happen or exist at the same time

Answer 182

2. coincide v. TheViking attacks on western Europe coincided with an abnor– mally warm period in the Earth’s climate.

Question 183

A result, often one much later in time than the cause

Answer 183

3. consequence n. One consequence of global warming may be the flooding of low lying islands. Usage tips Consequence usually implies something negative or serious about the result.

Question 184

an area or object at the center

Answer 184

4. core n. The core of India’s film industry is in Bombay, where all but a few film studios are located.

Question 185

Say that something is not true

Answer 185

5. deny v. Movie star Allen Butcher denied that he and the Princess of Den– mark were getting married.

Question 186

Make something smaller or weaker; become smaller or weaker

Answer 186

6. diminish v. The Protestant Reformation diminished the power of the Roman Catholic Pope. Mr. Partridge’s influence in the company diminished after he relo– cated to a branch office.

Question 187

A system of imaginary lines running from north to south along the Earth’s surface, where each line is numbered from 0o to 180° west or east

Answer 187

7. longitude n. The prime meridian, a line running through Greenwich, England, is marked as 0° longitude.

Question 188

General environment or surroundings

Answer 188

8. milieu n. ManyVietnam veterans did not feel comfortable in the antiwar so– cial milieu of the 1970s.

Question 189

Frightening and overcontrolled by a government that interferes in nearly every aspect of personal life

Answer 189

9. Orwellian adj. Biometric devices like eye–scanners allow an Orwellian level of gov– ernment knowledge about everyone’s location.

Question 190

Coming back together peacefully after having been enemies

Answer 190

10. reconciliation n. South Africa avoided a bloodbath after apartheid by setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Question 191

To give out different amounts for different purposes

Answer 191

1. allocate v. The budget allocates $58 billion to the military and only about $2 billion to education. Usage tips Things that can be allocated are things that can be “spent”—money, time, energy, etc.

Question 192

A thing that can be bought and sold, such as grain, oil, or wood

Answer 192

2. commodity n. Tulip bulbs were one of the most valuable commodities in seventeenth–century Holland. Usage tips A thing is called a commodity only in the context of buying or selling it.

Question 193

To decrease in power or amount; politely refuse

Answer 193

3. decline v. America’s railroads declined because the automobile dominated American life.

Question 194

The value of one’s share in an investment

Answer 194

4. equity n. Barnard’s equity in the business was one–third, or about $350,000.

Question 195

A situation in which prices for many items rise quite fast

Answer 195

5. inflation n. During the rapid inflation of the 1970s, prices for food and fuel sometimes rose 20 percent in a single month.

Question 196

After all costs have been subtracted from an amount

Answer 196

6. net adj. My gross salary is around $35,000, but my net pay is closer to $29,000.

Question 197

For each person

Answer 197

7. per capita adv. Research shows we’re likely to sell 15 light bulbs per capita per year in medium–sized cities.

Question 198

Control according to a set of rules

Answer 198

8. regulate v. Trading on the NewYork Stock Exchange is regulated by officials of the exchange and by federal law.

Question 199

Money given by a government or other organization to sup– port an activity

Answer 199

9. subsidy n. Federal subsidies to grain farmers have helped them stay in business despite three years of bad weather.

Question 200

Obviously real because it can be seen, touched, or oth– erwise observed

Answer 200

10. tangible adj. One tangible benefit of putting electrical cables underground is a clearer view of the sky.

Question 201

To build up a large amount of something

Answer 201

1. accumulate v. Over several generations, the Hardington family accumulated vast wealth by buying and selling land.

Question 202

Wealth and the style of life that goes with it

Answer 202

2. affluence n. Mohadzir grew up amid affluence, which poorly prepared him for his grad student days in crowded apartments with no servants.

Question 203

Belonging to a special, honored group; a group of people considered (by others or themselves) to be the best in a particular society or category, esp. because of their power, talent, or wealth:

Answer 203

3. elite adj. Messner is an elite climber who recently ascended an 8,000–meter mountain without extra oxygen.

Question 204

To make a person or group poor

Answer 204

4. impoverish v. The collapse of the steel industry impoverished several counties in eastern Ohio.

Question 205

Extreme comfort, beyond what anyone needs

Answer 205

5. luxury n. Automakers try to give their cars an image of luxury by including extras like heated seats and satellite tracking systems.

Question 206

A group of socially prominent people with special titles given by a king or queen, such as “duke” or “countess”

Answer 206

6. nobility n. In the Middle Ages, the nobility supposedly followed a code that required them to take care of poorer people who lived near their estates. *Usage tips Nobility is used as a name for a group of distinguished people; it can also mean “a highly dignified form of behavior.”

Question 207

Honor and respect for being better than the average

Answer 207

7. prestige n. The Grassleys enjoyed the prestige of living in the historic town, but they did not feel at home there.

Question 208

Able to enjoy special advantages because of one’s position (usually because of being born into a wealthy or powerful family); having special rights, advantages, or immunities:

Answer 208

8. privileged adj. Despite his privileged position in one of America’s most powerful families, the politician tried to portray himself as an ordinary person.

Question 209

To do very well in one’s business or personal life

Answer 209

9. prosper v.(prosperous adj) Vargas prospered after finally patenting his new inventions. *Usage tips A person can prosper; so can a group, a company, or an area.

Question 210

People with low–paying (often unskilled) jobs who are not poor but who are not securely in the middle class

Answer 210

10. working class n. The Farrelly family, like other members of the working class, were proud of their jobs and did not want any handouts from charity or the government.

Question 211

To get something, usually something with special value or meaning

Answer 211

1. acquire v. Bart hoped to acquire the 1898 D Indian Head penny, which would make his collection complete. Usage tips Unlike get, acquire implies that a possession has special value or meaning.

Question 212

To estimate the value of something

Answer 212

2. assess v. The Barnes building was assessed at $1.3 million, but it can proba– bly sell for much more than that.

Question 213

A possession that has positive value

Answer 213

3. asset n. Usage tips Some examples of assets are real estate, cash, and stock shares. the school is an asset to the community.

Question 214

Dangerous

Answer 214

4. hazardous adj. Parents have to be careful not to buy children’s clothes and toys made of hazardous materials.

Question 215

Together with one or more other parties

Answer 215

5. jointly adv. In most states, a husband and wife are assumed to own all their possessions jointly.

Question 216

To rent something for a long time (several months or years)

Answer 216

6. lease v. (lessor n, lessee n) Some drivers prefer to lease a car rather than buy one.

Question 217

Legal responsibility for harming a person or property; a person or thing whose presence or behavior is likely to cause embarrassment or put one at a disadvantage: advantage

Answer 217

7. liability n. Before you go river rafting, you sign a document releasing the trip leaders from liability in case of injury. Henderson is just a liability to our work team, because he never finishes anything on time.

Question 218

Owner, usually of a business or a building

Answer 218

8. proprietor n. The proprietor of Hekman’s Windows is Nels Hekman, grandson of the people who established the factory. Usage tips Very often, proprietor is followed by an of phrase.

Question 219

To protect ; protect from harm or damage with an appropriate measure:

Answer 219

9. safeguard v. A burglar–alarm system safeguards our house when we go away on vacation. Usage tips Safeguard implies continuous protection over a long time.

Question 220

Only

Answer 220

10. sole adj. Many people have wanted to invest in Harry’s publishing business, but he remains the sole owner. Usage tips Sole almost always appears before the noun it modifies. It does not come after a linking verb like be.

Question 221

To give an employee money or other things in exchange for the work he or she does

Answer 221

1. compensate v. My pay doesn’t properly compensate me for my efforts, but my other benefits, like health insurance, fill in the gap. Usage tips Compensate is often followed by a for phrase.

Question 222

Full of energy,activity, or progress

Answer 222

2. dynamic adj. This job requires a dynamic person, someone who will look for opportunities instead of just waiting around for them.

Question 223

Creative in thinking of ways to make money

Answer 223

3. enterprising adj. Immigrants are often among the most enterprising members of soci– ety, partly because anyone brave enough to make an overseas move is likely to be a risk–taker. (Note:Thereisnoverb“toenterprise.”)

Question 224

To take advantage of; to treat inconsiderately in order to profit; make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource)

Answer 224

4. exploit v. The company tried to exploit the low interest rates to expand oper– ations. The foreign mining company exploited our copper resources and then simply left.

Question 225

A possible benefit that motivates a person to do a certain thing

Answer 225

5. incentive n. This city’s willingness to support its public schools gave us an incentive to move here with our two young children. Usage tips Incentive is usually followed by a to phrase.

Question 226

Willing to work hard

Answer 226

6. industrious adj. The Dutch settlements in Ottawa County were founded by industrious farmers who objected to frivolous behavior such as dancing. Usage tips Only people can be industrious; companies cannot.

Question 227

Not very significant or effective

Answer 227

7. marginal adj. Our new advertising campaign had only marginal success, raising sales by a mere 3 percent.

Question 228

Value; success based on one’s work, not on luck

Answer 228

8. merit n. (meritorious adj) Pay raises at our company are based on merit, as determined by a committee of managers. Usage tips Merit is uncountable.

Question 229

To move someone to a higher position in a company

Answer 229

9. promote v. Because of his excellent handling of the Vredeman account, Jim Harris was promoted to vice president.

Question 230

To quit one’s job

Answer 230

10. resign v. (resignation n) Because of controversy over his leadership style, Morton resigned from his job as president.

Question 231

to remove one liquid from a mixture of liquids by boiling; to get something valuable from a confusing mix of ideas

Answer 231

1. distill v. The forest peoples of Southeast Asia distill an alcoholic drink called arak from a paste of palm berries. Most students are confused by her lectures, but Joe can always distill her main idea. distillation n, distillery n

Question 232

Able to create business opportunities from a wide variety of circumstances

Answer 232

2. entrepreneurial adj. Many engineers of the 1970s made great computers, but only a few were entrepreneurial enough to see the business possibilities in the new machines.

Question 233

To take out

Answer 233

3. extract v. International mining companies came to the Malay Peninsula to extract the region’s massive tin deposits.

Question 234

To argue back and forth about a price

Answer 234

4. haggle v. The customer and the shopkeeper haggled over the silver plate for more than an hour. Usage tips Haggle is often followed by a phrase with over or about.

Question 235

Fearless

Answer 235

5. intrepid adj. For nearly 200 years, only the most intrepid colonists would cross the Appalachian Mountains.

Question 236

A person who makes a living by selling things

Answer 236

6. merchant n. The spice merchants of the eastern markets charged top prices to the Dutch and British sailors, who had come too far to sail away without buying. Usage tips The word merchant might be preceded by another noun telling what the merchant sells (e.g., spice merchant or wine merchant).

Question 237

In an amount appropriate to each of several recipients

Answer 237

7. proportionately adv. The food aid was distributed proportionately per family, with larger families receiving more.

Question 238

The first one made of a machine or system

Answer 238

8. prototype n. The airplane manufacturer uses robots to test every prototype, just in case there is a problem with the design.

Question 239

Something one gets for having done well

Answer 239

9. reward n. The greatest reward of being a parent is to see your child make a wise decision.

Question 240

To move back and forth often between two places

Answer 240

10. shuttle v. The small jet shuttles between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore nearly every two hours.

Question 241

To speak out in favor of something; publicly recommend or support

Answer 241

1. advocate v. Some environmentalists advocate removing large dams from the Columbia River. Usage tips Advocate is usually followed by a term for a process or action, very often the –ing form of a verb

Question 242

The power to make decisions, to tell others what to do.

Answer 242

2. authority n. The governor has the authority to call the legislature together for emergency sessions.

Question 243

Strongly and with a lot of bad feelings

Answer 243

3. bitterly adv. Senator Thomas bitterly opposed the movement to design a new state flag.

Question 244

Someone who wants to be chosen, especially in an elec– tion, for a position

Answer 244

4. candidate n. (candidacy n) In most U.S. elections, there are only two major–party candidates for president.

Question 245

A group of several different groups or countries that are working together to achieve a certain goal.

Answer 245

5. coalition n. Several local churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples formed a coalition to promote understanding among people of different religions.

Question 246

To challenge; oppose (an action, decision, or theory) as mistaken or wrong

Answer 246

6. contest v. Dave Roper, who narrowly lost the mayor’s race, contested the results, demanding a recount of the votes.

Question 247

A process in which people choose officials

Answer 247

7. election n. Because of problems with vote–counting four years ago, inter– national observers monitored this year’s election to make sure it was fair.

Question 248

To bring into public office; to start formally

Answer 248

8. inaugurate v. The U.S. president is elected in November but is not inaugurated until the following January. An effort to bring electric service to farms and small towns was inaugurated with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. Usage tips When it means “bring into public office,” inaugurate is usually in the passive voice.

Question 249

An approved way for approaching a certain kind of situation

Answer 249

9. policy n. The policy said that government money could not be given to any private hospital.

Question 250

To find out a small group’s opinion so that you can guess what a much larger group thinks

Answer 250

10. poll v. The newspaper polled 500 registered voters and found that only 27 percent were in favor of expanding the city zoo.

Question 251

To say that someone did something wrong (e.g., committed a crime) متهم کردن

Answer 251

1. accuse v. Jordan was accused of using a stolen credit card to buy about $300 worth of electronic equipment. Usage tips Accuse is often used in the passive voice.

Question 252

According to what people say, although there is no proof:

Answer 252

2. allegedly adv. The chief financial officer of the company allegedly took company money for his personal use.

Question 253

Involving a dispute between two citizens, not a criminal charge

Answer 253

3. civil adj. in a civil suit against his neighbor, Barney claimed that the neigh– bor’s dog had bitten him. Usage tips In a court context, civil almost always appears in one of the following phrases: civil suit, civil action, civil court, civil proceedings, and civil penalties.

Question 254

To decide that someone is guilty of a crime; declare (someone) to be guilty of a criminal offense محكوم‌ كردن‌، مقصر دانستن

Answer 254

4. convict v. Dean was convicted of assault after the jury saw a video of him striking another man. Usage tips Convict is often used in the passive voice.

Question 255

Responsible for doing something bad گناهکار

Answer 255

5. guilty adj. The jury found that the director was guilty of embezzlement.

Question 256

A specific act that breaks the law تجاوز

Answer 256

6. offense n. Convicted twice of reckless driving,Victor will lose his license if he commits another serious traffic offense.

Question 257

A person who is one’s social equal; a person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person همتا

Answer 257

7. peer n. In requiring judgment by “a jury of one’s peers,” U.S. law meant to protect lower–class defendants from the possibly biased judgment of upper–class juries.

Question 258

Someone who, in the opinion of the police, might have com– mitted a certain crime

Answer 258

8. suspect n. The police were investigating the activities of five suspects in the liquor–store robbery.

Question 259

A judgment in a court case

Answer 259

9. verdict n. It took the jury only 30 minutes to reach a verdict of “guilty.” Usage tips Verdict is often the object of the verbs reach or arrive at.

Question 260

To see something, especially a crime, happen

Answer 260

10. witness v. After witnessing the car theft, Rodney called the police.

Question 261

To capture; understand or perceive:

Answer 261

1. apprehend v. The police apprehended the robbery suspect as he tried to get on a bus to Chicago. apprehension n

Question 262

To make sure of

Answer 262

2. ascertain v. The police failed to ascertain that the man they arrested was the Gregory Brown they were really looking for. Usage tips Ascertain is often followed by a that clause. Notice that the root of the word is the adjective certain, meaning “sure.”

Question 263

Related to a large organization with a lot of complicated procedures

Answer 263

3. bureaucratic adj. Before I could speak with the chief, I had to go through a bureaucratic runaround of identity checks and written requests. Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw–Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use. Usage tips Bureaucratic implies that something is inefficient and unnecessarily complicated. bureaucracy n

Question 264

To speak out against something in very strong terms; express complete disapproval of,

Answer 264

4. condemn v. Religious radicals condemned the government for allowing alcohol to be sold in restaurants. condemnation n

Question 265

Something that makes the truth of a statement seem more likely

Answer 265

5. evidence n. The most convincing evidence that Garner robbed the store was a videotape from surveillance cameras.

Question 266

To suggest that someone was involved in a crime or other wrong behavior; convey (a meaning or intention) indirectly through what one says

Answer 266

6. implicate v. No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the type of explosive used implicates the Heartland Freedom Militia. Usage tips Implicate is often followed by in. implication n

Question 267

An investigation; an act of asking for information

Answer 267

7. inquiry n. The FBI launched an inquiry into the relationship between organized crime and the trucking company.

Question 268

In a way that brings an unwanted person or thing into someone else’s affairs

Answer 268

8. intrusively adv. The new consultant from company headquarters appeared intrusively at meetings, staff parties, and other functions where he was not wanted. intrusion n, intruder n, intrusive adj

Question 269

To take something against its owner’s will

Answer 269

9. seize v. Federal agents can seize private homes and other property possibly used in the production or sale of illegal drugs. seizure n

Question 270

A process of watching something or someone for a long time, usually because the person is suspected of something

Answer 270

10. surveillance n. Police surveillance of one suspected car thief resulted in the arrest of a whole gang of carjackers.

Question 271

To examine something by looking at its parts

Answer 271

1. analyze v. Chemists analyzed the white powder and found it to be only a mix– ture of sugar and salt.

Question 272

To attack or criticize forcefully

Answer 272

2. assail v. With DNA evidence from the crime scene, the defense lawyer assailed the police for falsely arresting his client. assault n, assailant n

Question 273

Opposite

Answer 273

3. contrary adj. Contrary to most studies, Dr. Ito’s work shows the world’s climate is not getting warmer. Usage tips Common phrases are contrary to and on the contrary.

Question 274

To make a guess, the correctness of which will eventually be investigated systematically.

Answer 274

4. hypothesize v. Scientists hypothesize that planets capable of supporting life exist beyond our solar system, but they have not yet seen any. hypothesis n, hypothetical adj

Question 275

To make something less effective than usual

Answer 275

5. impair v. The snow impaired John’s ability to hear anyone’s footsteps. Usage tips The object of impair is often [someone’s] ability to.

Question 276

A conclusion drawn from evidence

Answer 276

6. inference n. Inspector Dowd’s inference that Ms. Miller was South African was based on her accent. infer v

Question 277

Based on unbiased standards, not on personal opinion

Answer 277

7. objectively adv. I don’t like Mr. Rowan, but looking objectively at his sales numbers, I saw that he was a very valuable employee.

Question 278

Believing that something is wrong; acting in a way that makes people believe you have done something wrong

Answer 278

8. suspicious adj. The neighbors became suspicious of Jim when he bought a big new car and some fancy clothes. Jim’s suspicious purchases made his neighbors think he might be getting money illegally. suspicion n, suspiciously adv

Question 279

To avoid getting upset about something

Answer 279

9. tolerate v. My math teacher tolerates a lot of talking in her class, but my his– tory teacher tells us to be quiet.

Question 280

Against (esp. in sports and legal use)

Answer 280

10. versus prep. In the debate, it was pro–war senators versus antiwar senators.

Question 281

Giving money or other gifts to a government official or other person in authority in order to get special privileges

Answer 281

1. bribery n. Bribery of police officers is common in countries where police salaries are very low.

Question 282

Disrespectfully; emphasizing the weaknesses of otherwise respected things

Answer 282

2. cynically adv. Employees of the Roadways Department cynically referred to their boss as “the banker” because he took so many bribes. cynic n, cynicism n, cynical adj

Question 283

To wear away and become smaller

Answer 283

3. erode v. People’s respect for the government eroded as more officials were arrested for corruption.

Question 284

To get away from something that tries to catch you

Answer 284

4. evade v. The robbery suspects tried to evade the police by fleeing to Canada.

Question 285

Extremely unattractive, in a way that catches a lot of attention; comically or repulsively ugly or distorted

Answer 285

5. grotesque adj. Spending $3.5 million to redecorate the governor’s house is a grotesque misuse of public money.

Question 286

Personal honesty and good character

Answer 286

6. integrity n. We don’t have a problem with our employees stealing from the store because we hire only people with a lot of integrity.

Question 287

Common; easy to find because it exists in great amounts

Answer 287

7. prevalent adj. Distrust of elected officials was prevalent in our county because many of them were friends with certain candidates.

Question 288

To make big improvements (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice)

Answer 288

8. reform v. The new law was an attempt to reform the system of giving money to political candidates.

Question 289

A case of wrongdoing that hurts someone’s reputation

Answer 289

9. scandal n. In the Watergate scandal, some of the president’s top advisors were revealed to be criminals.

Question 290

Reveal; expose something that is hidden

Answer 290

10. unmask v. The Forge Trucking Company was eventually unmasked as a front for organized crime.

Question 291

Kidnapping; the action or an instance of forcibly taking someone away against their will:

Answer 291

1. abduction n. Pirates got many crew members by abduction, snatching unlucky citizens from seaport towns.

Question 292

To force; to put pressure on someone to do something

Answer 292

2. coerce v. A criminal’s confession is not usable in court if the police coerce him or her into giving it. coercion n, coercive adj

Question 293

To prevent someone, for a relatively short time, from going on their way

Answer 293

3.detain v. The police detained at least 20 men for questioning, but charged none of them with a crime. detention n, detainee n

Question 294

In a style that is not normal and is offensive to many

Answer 294

4. deviant adj. The artist based his reputation on creating deviant works of art that disgusted most of the public. Usage tips Deviant always implies a bad opinion of someone or something.

Question 295

To twist or misrepresent; to make something seem different from what it really is

Answer 295

5. distort v. If you hold a pencil in a glass of water, the water distorts the appearance of the pencil.

Question 296

On purpose, not by accident

Answer 296

6. intentionally adv. Danny intentionally lost his last golf ball because he was tired of playing.

Question 297

Stealing a ship or taking the ship’s cargo; the unlawful copy– ing of books, CDs, etc.

Answer 297

7. piracy n. Modern–day piracy occurs mostly near groups of small, uninhabited islands where pirates can hide. The software company constantly battled piracy.

Question 298

A difficult situation, one that is hard to get out of

Answer 298

8. predicament n. College basketball stars face the predicament of wanting to gradu– ate but being tempted by high professional salaries.

Question 299

To illegally bring things into a country

Answer 299

9. smuggle v. The pirate Ben Dewar smuggled guns to British and Indian fighters in North America.

Question 300

Exceptional badness, as demonstrated by many serious evil deeds

Answer 300

10. villainy n. Fred was not a natural criminal, but he learned all kinds of villainy while being jailed for a minor crime. villain n, villainous adj

Question 301

Making someone want it so much that the person feels ill without it

Answer 301

1. addictive adj. Some drugs, like heroin or methamphetamines, are addictive to almost everyone who tries them.

Question 302

A small group controlling a certain area of business

Answer 302

2. cartel n. The world’s major oil producers formed a cartel to control the price and supply of petroleum.

Question 303

Strong because large amounts are in a certain space

Answer 303

3. concentrated adj. Concentrated lemon juice is very sour, so I mix it with water when I make lemonade.

Question 304

To keep something from reaching a certain place; prohibit or forbid

Answer 304

4. interdict v. With faster patrol boats, the Coast Guard can more easily interdict drugs being smuggled by sea.

Question 305

Place next to one another

Answer 305

5. juxtapose v. If you juxtapose these two similar flowers, you can see clear differences between them.

Question 306

A mistaken belief; a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding

Answer 306

6. misconception n. A common misconception about rabbits is that they are a kind of rodent.

Question 307

Make small changes in order to get a certain result

Answer 307

7. modify v. People who live in high mountains often modify their car engines to run well in the thinner air.

Question 308

Powerful; having great power, influence, or effect

Answer 308

8. potent adj. A very potent type of marijuana with surprisingly strong effects be– came available in Burrytown.

Question 309

Left behind after most of a thing has gone

Answer 309

9. residual adj. In the airplane, agents found residual traces of heroin. Usage tips Residual is often followed by trace, amount, or some other word referring to “quantity.”

Question 310

In a quiet, hard–to–notice way

Answer 310

10. subtly adv. By subtly changing the soft drink’s formula, we improved its taste and made production cheaper.

Question 311

Relating to family members from earlier generations

Answer 311

1. ancestral adj. Sweden is my ancestral homeland, from which my great– grandfather emigrated in 1922. ancestor n, ancestry n

Question 312

Ability to stay together as a unit

Answer 312

2. cohesion n. Family cohesion is difficult if young people have to go far away to find work. Usage tips Cohesion can also be used to describe forces that keep materials or structures together.

Question 313

A direct relative in a later generation (such as one’s son, daughter, or grandchild)

Answer 313

3. descendant n. Billy Sobieski claimed to be a descendant of Jan Sobieski, a former king of Poland.

Question 314

Things passed down to you from your ancestors

Answer 314

4. inheritance n. My inheritance from my grandmother included her favorite necklace.

Question 315

Relatives

Answer 315

5. kin n. Even though my uncle didn’t really like me, he was kind to me because we were kin. Usage tips A common phrase is next of kin, meaning “closest relative.” kinship n

Question 316

True and respectable; in the context of family, born of a mother and father who were married to each other

Answer 316

6. legitimate adj. You can skip the meeting if you have a legitimate reason. Harcourt had two legitimate children with his wife Hannah and one illegitimate son with a woman whom he met while traveling legitimize v, legitimacy n.

Question 317

Relating to a father

Answer 317

7. paternal adj. My mother’s parents have both died, but my paternal grandparents are still alive. Usage tips Paternal may appear with maternal, meaning “relating to a mother.”

Question 318

Nearness

Answer 318

8. proximity n. The house was comfortable, except for its proximity to a busy road. Usage tips Proximity can be followed by an of phrase or a to phrase.

Question 319

Feelings; opinion based on feelings

Answer 319

9. sentiment n. I share your sentiments about air travel, but I disagree that cars are safer. Usage tips Sentiments (the plural) is more common than sentiment. sentimentality n, sentimental adj

Question 320

Brother or sister

Answer 320

10. sibling n. My siblings and I got together to buy our parents a gift for their anniversary. Usage tips Sibling is often preceded by a possessive noun or pronoun.

Question 321

An emotional closeness or warmth

Answer 321

1. affection n. I show affection for my girlfriend by spending time with her, not by spending money on her. affectionate adj

Question 322

To regularly spend time together

Answer 322

2. associate v. Carol doesn’t associate with people who smoke.

Question 323

A close connection

Answer 323

3. bond n. Some researchers say that there is an especially strong emotional bond between twins.

Question 324

A small group of friends who are unfriendly to people outside the group

Answer 324

4. clique n. High–schoolers form cliques to gain security and acceptance. Usage tips Clique indicates a negative feeling toward a group. cliquish adj

Question 325

To tell very personal things; tell someone about a secret or private matter while trusting them not to repeat it to others:

Answer 325

5. confide v. Teenagers are more willing to confide in a friend than in a parent. Usage tips almost always followed by an in phrase.

Question 326

Keeping out all but a few people

Answer 326

6. exclusive adj. The most exclusive universities accept only a small percentage of people who want to attend. Usage tips Exclusive can indicate a positive opinion, but in the context of friendship, it can mean “attached only to one person.”

Question 327

To change often, from one condition to another

Answer 327

7. fluctuate v. Earth’s climate fluctuates between warm periods and cold periods. Usage tips Fluctuate is usually followed by a between phrase (or by a from . . . to structure).

Question 328

As a shared characteristic

Answer 328

8. in common adv. Billy and Heather have a lot in common—basketball, a love of pizza, and an interest in snakes. Usage tips In common very often appears with the verb to have.

Question 329

Standing together despite pressure to move apart

Answer 329

9. solidarity n. Many student groups declared solidarity with the Latino Student Association in their effort to get a Spanish–speaking principal. Usage tips Solidarity is usually used in political contexts.

Question 330

Agreeable and ready to do something

Answer 330

10. willing adj. Because of their long friendship, Professor Gardner was willing to say a few words at Jones’s birthday celebration.

Question 331

Not simple; involving many parts that work together

Answer 331

1. complex adj. A modern car engine is too complex for most car owners to repair by themselves. complexity n

Question 332

Extremely sad and without hope for the future

Answer 332

2. despondent adj. After his girlfriend left him, Johnson was despondent and wouldn’t talk to anyone.

Question 333

A willingness to keep supporting someone you admire

Answer 333

3. devotion n. Grant showed great devotion to his wife, supporting her during her long illness. devote v, devotee n

Question 334

A difficult choice between two things(equally undesirable ones)

Answer 334

4. dilemma n. I was caught in a dilemma between traveling by airplane and taking a train, which is slower but more comfortable.

Question 335

To bring into being; to cause to exist

Answer 335

5. engender v. The government’s warnings about terrorism engendered fear throughout the nation. Usage tips Engender is often followed by a noun for an emotion.

Question 336

Faithful; giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution

Answer 336

6. loyal adj. Carter was loyal to his girlfriend and would not date anyone else.

Question 337

An extremely strong emotion, like love or anger

Answer 337

7. passion n. Debbie complained that there was no passion in her marriage.

Question 338

An increase in the number of something and in the number of places it can be found

Answer 338

8. proliferation n. The proliferation of fast–food restaurants has made it harder for Americans to eat healthy lunches.

Question 339

Doing as much for another as he or she has done for you; the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit

Answer 339

9. reciprocity n. Dan was giving a lot of attention to Kelly, but he felt no reciprocity in their relationship. reciprocate v, reciprocal adj

Question 340

To disappear suddenly

Answer 340

10. vanish v. When the sun came out, last night’s light snowfall vanished.

Question 341

A strong, long–lasting negative feeling تنفر

Answer 341

1. antipathy n. My antipathy toward telemarketers is so strong that I am often rude to them.

Question 342

In a way that shows a high opinion of oneself and a low opinion of others

Answer 342

2. arrogantly adv. Jenny told us about her party only one day in advance, arrogantly thinking we had nothing else to do.

Question 343

To say insulting and disrespectful things

Answer 343

3. berate v. The teacher lost his job because he cruelly berated students who made mistakes. Usage tips You can only berate someone directly—only when he or she can hear you.

Question 344

Having no respect اهانت آمیز

Answer 344

4. contemptuous n. Most scientists are contemptuous of reports that aliens from outer space have landed on the Earth. Usage tips A very common structure is be contemptuous of. contempt n, contemptible adj, contemptuously adv

Question 345

Hate very much

Answer 345

5. despise v. Tom grew to despise his greedy and unfriendly boss.

Question 346

An event that causes someone to feel that she or he has lost the respect of others

Answer 346

6. humiliation n. Losing the chess tournament was a great humiliation for Marie, and she never played chess again.

Question 347

Bothersome; doing small things that others don’t like

Answer 347

7. obnoxious adj. My obnoxious neighbor keeps talking to me while I’m trying to read in my backyard. obnoxiously adv

Question 348

Dishonor because one has done something wrong

Answer 348

8. shame n. Feeling deep shame because of their son’s crimes, the Ford family moved to a different town. shameful adj, ashamed adj, shamefully adv

Question 349

To mark with a visible feature that makes other people think, perhaps incorrectly, that someone or something is wrong; describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval:

Answer 349

9. stigmatize v. Cadbury’s beard and tattoos stigmatized him as a bad match for Wall Street, so he couldn’t find work as a financial analyst. stigma n

Question 350

Showing an extreme, hateful anger

Answer 350

10. vitriolic adj. The mayor’s vitriolic attacks against the city council only made him sound unreasonable.

Question 351

Characteristic of a teenager; not fully grown up

Answer 351

1. adolescent adj. In policy meetings, George refuses to reason with anyone and just scowls in an adolescent way.

Question 352

A political or social goal that one believes is right and works to achieve

Answer 352

2. cause n. Our river cleanup effort would be more effective if someone famous spoke out for the cause.

Question 353

to fit so poorly together that the differences cause a problem

Answer 353

3. conflict v. A teenager’s need for security can conflict with his desire for inde– pendence from his family.

Question 354

Serious misbehavior; not doing what one should do; minor crime, esp. that committed by young people

Answer 354

4. delinquency n. Because of his laziness and delinquency, Lefty was an unreliable friend. Usage tips A common combination is juvenile delinquency, meaning “criminal behavior by a teenager.”

Question 355

Edge; in social contexts, parts of society that look or act very different from most people

Answer 355

5. fringe n. Punk music got its start at the fringe of London’s rock music culture. Usage tips Fringe implies an edge that is uneven and not very solid.

Question 356

Excessively interested in seeking pleasure

Answer 356

6. hedonistic adj.Suddenly wealthy, Allen fell into a hedonistic life of parties, expen– sive dinners, and heavy drinking. Usage tips Hedonistic usually implies that the pleasures are wrong. hedonist n, hedonism n, hedonistically adv

Question 357

In a way that accuses other people of weaknesses that the speaker also possesses

Answer 357

7. hypocritically adv. Henry spent $2,500 on a new suit and then hypocritically accused me of spending too much on clothes. hypocrite n, hypocrisy n

Question 358

Quietly moving or influencing people or things in order to get what you want

Answer 358

8. manipulation n. Bob’s manipulation of the boss’s feelings led to his promotion.

Question 359

To go against an established system or authority

Answer 359

9. rebel v. The people of Ghurdia rebelled against the dictator and set up a new government. Usage tips Rebel works well in political contexts and in contexts of personal relationships.

Question 360

The systems and conditions that exist now

Answer 360

10. status quo n. Let’s just maintain the status quo until we can think of a better way.

Question 361

Not concrete and realistic; not obviously related to every– day experience

Answer 361

1. abstract adj. Abstract painting became popular partly because early photogra– phy was very realistic.

Question 362

A larger environment that something fits into

Answer 362

2. context n. In the context of Soviet Russia, public art had to be about the tri– umph of communism and its leaders. Usage tips The preposition in often comes before context, and an of phrase often comes after it. contextualize v, contextual adj

Question 363

To show in pictures

Answer 363

3. depict v. Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel depicts nine scenes from the Bible.

Question 364

A direction or surface along which something can be measured; an aspect

Answer 364

4. dimension n. The three dimensions of physical objects are length, width, and depth. One dimension of the problem is their long history of competition.

Question 365

In a way that relates to beauty or appearance

Answer 365

5. esthetically adv. The outside of the office building is esthetically pleasing, but the inside is dark and unpleasant.

Question 366

Being part of the basic nature of something

Answer 366

6. intrinsic adj. Frequent elections are intrinsic to a democratic system.

Question 367

A way of seeing from a particular location; a way of thinking about something

Answer 367

7. perspective n. From my perspective, the entire town can be seen through a set of large windows. They held different perspectives on how to care for their aging parents.

Question 368

A description or drawing that reflects a certain point of view نمایش ، تشریح

Answer 368

8. portrayal n. Most portrayals of Abraham Lincoln emphasize his sense of humor and his honesty.

Question 369

A technique that tries to picture something as it really looks

Answer 369

9. realism n. Realism was popular among seventeenth–century Flemish painters like Rembrandt van Rijn.

Question 370

A range of different things, usually colors

Answer 370

10. spectrum n. Bart’s colorful designs include every color of the spectrum, from deep blue to vibrant red.

Question 371

Coming; arrival; the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event

Answer 371

1. advent n. The advent of the automobile greatly increased the demand for petroleum.

Question 372

Having more than one possible meaning

Answer 372

2. ambiguous adj. The sentence It’s hard to say is ambiguous, with different meanings in different contexts.

Question 373

A meaning implied, not stated directly

Answer 373

3. connotation n. When my boss says,“Thank you,”the connotation is that she’s done talking and I should leave.

Question 374

To figure out the meaning, even though it is written in a code or an unknown language

Answer 374

4. decipher v. The Rosetta Stone helped archaeologists decipher ancient Egyptian writing. Usage tips A cipher is a code or puzzle; decipher means “solve a puzzle written in code.”

Question 375

To mean something clearly and directly

Answer 375

5. denote v. T An “X” next to a name on this list denotes a person who has been chosen for the soccer team.

Question 376

Unable to read

Answer 376

6. illiterate adj. In many villages nearly everyone was illiterate and unschooled, and the few who could read held great power.

Question 377

Very clever and imaginative

Answer 377

7. ingenious adj. Ann thought up an ingenious way to keep other people from accidentally taking her pens. ingenuity n,

Question 378

Something written into a piece of rock or metal

Answer 378

8. inscription n. The inscription on my ring says “August 1,” because that was the day of our wedding.

Question 379

Related to the sounds in a language

Answer 379

9. phonetic adj. Children learning to write often make up phonetic spellings, based on the way a word sounds.

Question 380

Acting as a sign for some other thing or idea

Answer 380

10. symbolic adj. Since the 1970s, yellow ribbons have been symbolic of hope that someone will return from a dangerous situation. Usage tips Symbolic is often followed by an of phrase indicating the meaning of a symbol.

Question 381

Not good enough to be the work of professionals

Answer 381

1. amateurish adj. Whoever painted this room did an amateurish job, with all sorts of uneven edges.

Question 382

The group of actors in a play, movie, television show, etc.

Answer 382

2. cast n. Some viewers mistakenly start thinking that a TV show’s cast members are really the characters they play. cast v

Question 383

Extremely attractive and charming

Answer 383

3. charismatic adj. Because of the sparkle in his eye and his confident style, John F. Kennedy was a charismatic leader.

Question 384

Expensive, elaborately arranged, and full of celebration

Answer 384

4. gala adj. A college graduation party should be a gala affair, not a backyard barbecue. Usage tips Gala is somewhat old–fashioned, far more common in print than in speech.

Question 385

Very funny

Answer 385

5. hilarious adj. In my opinion, the most hilarious character on television was Basil Fawlty.

Question 386

Inventing a solution to an unexpected problem

Answer 386

6. improvisation n. Boy Scouts take pride in their improvisation when faced with trou– ble during a camping trip. improvise v, improvisational adj

Question 387

Unskilled; lacking the ability to perform a task

Answer 387

7. incompetent adj. Because we hired an incompetent builder to replace our roof, we now have leaks everywhere. Usage tips Usually, incompetent implies that someone tries to do something but fails.

Question 388

A channel or way for a meaning to be expressed

Answer 388

8. medium n. Watercolor art is often considered childish, but some artists have achieved great things working in that medium. Usage tips The plural of medium is media.

Question 389

A short, informal play

Answer 389

9. skit n. Marnie and Chris spent a long time practicing their skit for the school show.

Question 390

Enthusiasm; a deep determination to do well

Answer 390

10. zeal n. Unfortunately,Tom’s zeal to become a rock star distracted him from his studies. Usage tips Zeal is often followed by to plus a verb or by a for phrase. zealot n, zealous adj

Question 391

Largeness and a heavy appearance

Answer 391

1. bulk n. The bulk of Kevin’s athletic body was too great for one small chair, so he sat on a bench. bulky adj

Question 392

Moving unpredictably from one thing to another

Answer 392

2. capricious adj. Your college studies will go on too long if you make capricious jumps from one major to another. capriciousness n, capriciously adv

Question 393

Difficult to wear or carry because of weight or shape

Answer 393

3. cumbersome adj. To make it to the top of the mountain before dark, the hikers dumped their cumbersome tent.

Question 394

Interesting or unusual because of coming from a faraway place

Answer 394

4. exotic adj. I walked into the restaurant and smelled the exotic aromas of Malaysian spices. exoticism n, exotically adv

Question 395

To discourage or to slow down

Answer 395

5. inhibit v. This lotion will inhibit the itching caused by mosquito bites.

Question 396

The smallest possible amount or level

Answer 396

6. minimum n. The minimum for being accepted to Cavill University is a score of 60 on the test.

Question 397

Very noticeable; easily attracting attention

Answer 397

7. striking adj. Gordon had a striking new attitude after he learned self–discipline at the army academy.

Question 398

A movement in one direction or a widespread change in fashion

Answer 398

8. trend n. The trend among some young men is to wear their caps with the bill off to one side.

Question 399

An excessive concern for one’s appearance; excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements

Answer 399

9. vanity n. Mark’s vanity led him to spend far too much money on haircuts and new clothes.

Question 400

Exposed to possible harm

Answer 400

10. vulnerable adj. Babies and very old people are especially vulnerable to the new disease. vulnerability n, vulnerably adv