TOEFL 1

Question 1

contrast

Answer 1

(verb) put in opposition to show or emphasize differences

“The middle school teacher contrasted her best student’s work with that of her weakest student.”

Question 2

core

Answer 2

(noun) the center of an object

Think: apple core

“The Earth’s inner core is about the same temperature as the surface of the Sun.”

Question 3

clay

Answer 3

(noun) a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

“When fired in a kiln clay becomes a ceramic material that is used to produce earthenware stoneware and porcelain.”

Question 4

void

Answer 4

(noun) an empty area or space
(noun) the state of nonexistence

“Nothing lives in the void of space.”

Question 5

hazard

Answer 5

(noun) a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

“Working in a nuclear reactor can be a radiation hazard.”

Question 6

defect

Answer 6

(noun) an imperfection in an object or machine

Think: de-effect

“If your shirt has a missing button that’s a defect and you should return it.”

Question 7

plaster

Answer 7

(noun) a mixture used to cover walls and ceilings

Think: paste over “

The handyman used plaster to cover up the hole in the wall.”

Question 8

investment

Answer 8

(noun) the act of investing; laying out money or capital in an enterprise with the expectation of profit

Think: men in vests (bankers wear fancy vests)

“Her early investment in Apple stock doubled her money.”

Question 9

cast

Answer 9

(noun) the actors in a play

“The cast of the TV show Friends consists of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.”

Question 10

cast

Answer 10

(noun) container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens

“I made a cast of my face so I could give all my friends a bronze model of myself.”

Question 11

estimate

Answer 11

(noun) an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

“I don’t know the exact value of √2, but I estimate it to be about 1.41.”

Question 12

consume

Answer 12

(verb) use up resources or materials

“The car consumes gasoline.”

Question 13

consume

Answer 13

(verb) eat excessively

“The tiger consumed the whole goat in ten minutes.”

Question 14

scatter

Answer 14

(verb) to cause to separate and go in different directions

“She scatter the flowers into the wind.”

Question 15

expose

Answer 15

(verb) make secret information known to the public

“The newspaper exposed the politician’s secret affairs.”

Question 16

particle

Answer 16

(noun) a tiny piece of something

Think: part

“Particles of dust were blown around the room by the fan.”

Question 17

minor

Answer 17

(adj) of lesser importance, size, or effect

Think: minute

“The paper cut was a minor injury.”

Question 18

minority

Answer 18

(noun) a group of people who differ racially or politically from a larger group of which it is a part

“Korean Americans are an ethnic minority.”

Question 19

major

Answer 19

(noun) the principal field of study of a student at a university

“When I was at Harvard, I majored in Economics, with a minor in Computer Science.”

Question 20

major

Answer 20

(adj) of greater importance, size or effect

“The hurricane was a major disaster.”

Question 21

majority

Answer 21

(noun) the greater in number of two parts

“The majority voted to pass the new law.”

Question 22

minute

Answer 22

(adj) infinitely or immeasurably small

Think: minor

"”A begger has only a minute chance of becoming President.”