Essential Words for the TOEFL - Lesson 3

Question 1

alter
v. altered
n. alteration
adj. alterable
adv. alterably

Answer 1

v. to change or make different
syn. modify

Will the storm alter its course and miss the coast?
Gloria hasn’t altered her plans to return to school.

Question 2

analyze
n. analyzed
n. analysis

Answer 2

v. to study something carefully; to separate into parts for study
syn. examine

Scientists must analyze problems thoroughly.
Analysis of the substance confirms the presence of nitrogen.

Question 3

ancient

Answer 3

adj. something from a long time ago; very old
syn. old

Archaeologists analyze ancient civilizations.
Dave found an ancient Roman coin.

Question 4

annoying
n. annoyance
v. annoy
adv. annoyingly

Answer 4

adj. a slight bother disturbing to a person
syn. bothersome

Mosquitos can be an annoying part of a vacation at the beach.
She annoyed her parents by coming home late.

Question 5

anticipate
adj. anticipantory
n. anticipation

Answer 5

v. to think about or prepare for something ahead of time
syn. predict

No one can anticipate the results of the games.
They planned their vacation with anticipation.

Question 6

ascertain
adj. ascertainable
adv. ascertainably
n. ascertainment

Answer 6

v. to discover; find out
syn. determine

I tried to ascertain if he was telling the truth.
The jury made a decision based on its ascertainment of the facts.

Question 7

conform
n. conformity
n. conformist

Answer 7

v. to follow established rules or patterns of behavior
syn. adapt

You must conform to the rules or leave the club.
She has always been a conformist.

Question 8

enrich
n. enrichment
adj. enriching

Answer 8

v. to make rich; to make something of greater value
syn. enhance

The fine arts enrich our lives.
The discovery of oil was an enrichment for the country.

Question 9

intensify
n. intensity
adj. intense
adj. intensive
adv. intensely
adv. intensively

Answer 9

v. to make stronger in feeling or quality
syn. heighten

The importance of the test will sometimes intensify the nervousness of the students.
The chess match was played with great intensity.

Question 10

intolerable
n. intolerance
adv. intolerably
adv. intolerantly
adj. intolerant

Answer 10

adj. difficult or painful to experience; not able to accept different ways of thought or behavior
syn. unbearable

Any opposition to the rules is intolerable.
His boss was intolerant of his tardiness.

Question 11

ongoing

Answer 11

adj. continuing
syn. current

The tutoring project is an ongoing program of the school.
Maintaining roads is an ongoing job.

Question 12

potential
adj. potential
adv. potentially

Answer 12

n. an ability, happening, or opportunity that has not occurred or been developed
syn. possibility

The medical students have shown great potential to become doctors.
Small space heaters are a potential fire hazard.

Question 13

propose
n. proposal
n. proposition
adj. proposed

Answer 13

v. to suggest or plan to do something
syn. suggest

The governor is going to propose new taxes.
Her proposal was well accepted.

Question 14

restore
n. restoration
adj. restored

Answer 14

v. to give back or bring back something; to return to the original condition
syn. revitalize

He restored my confidence in him.
It is a beautiful restoration of the old table.