Essential Words for the TOEFL - Lesson 10

Question 1

distinct
adv. distinctly
adj. distinctive
n. distinction

Answer 1

adj. clearly noticed; different
syn. definite

There was a distinct aroma of coffee in the restaurant.
The two theories are distinctly different from each other.

Question 2

dominant
adv. dominantly
v. dominate
n. domination

Answer 2

adj. primary or principal; having or exercising control over something
syn. major

The dominant life forms of the Paleozoic era lived in the water.
The skyscraper dominated the skyline.

Question 3

dormant
n. dormitory

Answer 3

adj. not growing or producing; asleep
syn. inactive

The volcano had been dormant for hundreds of years before the eruption last month.
The seniors live in the new dormitory.

Question 4

drab
adv. drably
n. drabness

Answer 4

adj. lacking color; uninteresting, boring
syn. colorless

Their clothing was quite drab.
The drabness of the desert made driving less interesting.

Question 5

dramatic
adv. dramatically
v. dramatize
n. drama

Answer 5

adj. something that captures the imagination; exciting
syn. emotional

The dramatic finish to the game left us speechless.
The hurricane dramatically changed the coastline.

Question 6

electic
adv. electically

Answer 6

adj. to select or represent something chosen from many sources or places
syn. diverse

He has an eclectic taste in music, from hard rock to classical.
The electric group of students came from fifteen different countries.

Question 7

elaborate
adv. elaborately
v. elaborate
n. elaboration

Answer 7

adj. something with a large number of parts; full of details
syn. complex

An elaborate headdress indicated rank within the Aztec community.
His elaboration of the issue was quite thorough.

Question 8

exceptional
adv. exceptionally

Answer 8

adj. unusual in a positive way
syn. phenomenal

The orchestra’s performance was exceptional.
The North Star is exceptionally bright.

Question 9

genuine / jen-yoo-in/
adv. genuinely
n. genuineness

Answer 9

adj. honest or true; real
syn. authentic

She was genuinely concerned about world hunger.
This is a genuine artifact from the American Civil War.

Question 10

hazardous
adv. hazardously
n. hazard

Answer 10

adj. very risky, unsafe
syn. dangerous

Handling flammable liquids is hazardous.
There are many hazards involved with starting a business.

Question 11

minuscule /min-uh-skyool/
adj. minute
n. minutia

Answer 11

adj. of little consequence; very small
syn. tiny

The sale of the building had a minuscule effect on the profits of the corporation.
some leaves are covered with minute hairs.

Question 12

prime
adj. primed
adj. prime
n. prime

Answer 12

v. to make ready; first in importance or in time
syn. prepare

The directors primed the actors before the performance.
Mozart passe away in the prime of his life.

Question 13

rudimentary
n. rudiment

Answer 13

adj. simple; not complex
syn. basic

He has a rudimentary knowledge of computers.
The rudiments of grammar are taught in all English classes.

Question 14

skeptical
adv. skeptically
n. skeptic

Answer 14

adj. to question the truthfulness of information presented as fact; to not trust
syn. unconvinced

The professor was skeptical about the theories of climate change.
To answer his skeptics, the scientist presented proof of his conclusions at the conference.

Question 15

stoic
adv. stoically
n. stoicism

Answer 15

adj. showing no emotion; appealing disinterested
syn. indifferent

His stoicism was unusual since he is normally an emotional boy.
His stoic reaction to the event surprised his friends.

Question 16

superficial
adv. superficially

Answer 16

adj. simple; not deep; near the surface
syn. shallow

The inspector determined that the crack in the bridge was only superficial.
You should not try to answer the question superficially.

Question 17

vigorous /vig-er-uhs /
adv. vigorously
n. vigor

Answer 17

adj. powerful, full of action
syn. strong

His vigorous defense of the issues impressed everyone.
He approached his work with vigor.