Essential Words for the TOEFL - Lesson 4 Flashcards
TOEFL
ambiguous
adv. ambiguously
n. ambiguity
adj. of unclear meaning; something that can be understood in more than one way
syn. vague
The men received an ambiguous message from their boss.
Her letter was full of ambiguities.
arbitrary
adv. arbitrarily
n. arbitrariness
adj. an action or decision made with little thought, order, or reason
syn. haphazard
Her choice of clothing seemed arbitrary.
The teacher arbitrarily decided to give the class a test.
assert
adv. assertively
n. assertiveness
n. assertion
adj. assertive
v. to express or defend oneself strongly; to state positively
syn. declare
The government asserted its control over the banking system.
The company president is an assertive individual.
astounding
v. astound
adv. astoundingly
adj. very surprising
syn. astonishing
The scientists made an astounding discovery.
The fans were astounded by their team’s success.
astute
adj. astutely
n. astuteness
adj. very intelligent, smart, clever
syn. perceptive
He was an astute worker, finishing in half the time it took the others to finish.
They astutely determined that there would be no chance to finish on time.
concur
n. concurrence
v. to have the same opinion or draw the same conclusion
syn. agree
The director concurred with the conclusions of the committee’s report.
Do you concur with the details of the business plan?
deceptively
adj. deceptive
v. deceive
n. deception
adv. making something appear true or good when it is false or bad
syn. misleadingly
The magician deceptively made the rabbit disappear.
Richard deceived Joe about the cost of the coat.
designate
n. designation
n. designator
v. to specify, name or select to do a task; to indicate
syn. assign
The president designated the vice president to represent him at the meeting.
The designated driver drove every one home after the party.
determined
n. determination
v. determine
adj. strong in one’s opinion, firm in conviction, to find out
syn. resolute
They were determined to go to graduate school.
The judge determined that the man was lying.
elicit
n. elicitation
v. to get the facts or draw out the truth
syn. extract
A lawyer will elicit all the facts necessary to prove her case.
Elicitation of the truth can be difficult at times.
embody
n. embodiment
v. to be a good example of a concept or idea
syn. examplify
The constitution is an embodiment of American ideals.
Charlotte embodies all of the qualities of a good leader.
instigate
n. instigator
adj. instigative
adv. instinctively
v. to cause a conflict or argument
syn. initiate
No one knew who had instigated the demonstration.
Dissatisfaction with government policies instigated the revolution.
mundane
adv. mundanely
n. mundaneness
n. mundanity
adj. common or routine
syn. ordinary
The student’s mundane summer job frustrated her.
His mother asked him to do all the mundane household chores.
petition
n. petition
v. to make a request
syn. appeal
Canada petitioned the United Nations to consider its case.
The student’s petition was denied.
relinquish
n. relinquishment
v. to give up control
syn. abdicate
The troubled executive relinquished her control of the company.
The relinquishment of his claim to the building will allow the building to be sold.
