TOEFL vocabulary Flashcards
Please say the interpretation (translation) of each word or phrase ALOUD. Finally, you NEED TO CREATE A SENTENCE ALOUD with each word or phrase when you practice! Be creative and make them as long as possible. This is the way in which you will activate these words into your Surface Lexicon.
Diverse
Diverso:
The university offers a diverse range of courses, from sciences to the arts.
New York is known for its diverse population, which includes people from all over the world.
To ensure
‘Asegurarse’:
PAST: Ensured
To ensure everyone’s safety, please follow the emergency procedures outlined by the school.
The company implements strict quality checks to ensure the product meets all standards.
Simply put, …
Basicamente:
Simply put, global warming refers to the earth’s rising surface temperature.
Simply put, effective communication can greatly improve workplace productivity.
Firefighters
Bomberos:
Firefighters are trained to handle various emergencies, not just fires.
When the alarm sounded, the firefighters arrived within minutes to control the blaze.
Upset
Afectado/a emocionalmente:
She was upset about the low score on her test, despite studying hard.
It’s common to feel upset after receiving negative feedback, but it’s important to learn from it.
Messy
Desordenado/a:
His desk is always messy, covered with papers and books.
A messy room can make it difficult to find important items when you need them.
Facade
Fachada:
The old hotel kept its historic facade but renovated the interior completely.
Many companies create a friendly facade to attract more customers.
The way I see it, … / To my mind, …
Reemplazo de ‘‘I think’’:
The way I see it, practicing every day is the key to becoming fluent in English.
To my mind, reading extensively is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary.
To put out fires (all day)
Resolver problemas:
The team worked tirelessly to extinguish fires all day in the affected forest area.
Firefighters often have shifts that require them to be ready to extinguish fires all day.
To be (un)familiar with sth
Conocer algo (o no):
He is familiar with the streets of London since he has lived there for five years.
Many visitors are not familiar with local customs, which can lead to misunderstandings.
To bring sth
‘Traer’ algo:
PAST: Brought
Please remember to bring your textbooks to class every day.
She always brings her smile to work, brightening everyone’s day.
Tiring
Agotador:
After a tiring day at work, he likes to relax by watching his favorite TV show.
It can be tiring to climb a hill, but the view from the top is usually worth the effort.
Overconfident
Porfiado:
Being overconfident in an exam can lead to careless mistakes.
He was overconfident about the interview and did not prepare adequately.
Moreover
Además:
This trend has not been proven yet, so we cannot rely on customer’s experiences. Moreover, the recent study highlights the need for more advanced research in this area.
She’s not only talented; moreover, she has the discipline to train every day.
To be used to sth
Estar acostumbrado/a a algo:
After living here for a year, he is used to the cold weather.
She is used to waking up early for her morning run.
Hectic
Caotico / Frenetico:
The city life is hectic but exciting with something always happening.
Managing both work and study can be a hectic schedule for anyone.
Patrons
Comensales:
The cafe’s patrons enjoy the cozy atmosphere and free Wi-Fi.
Library patrons must return their books by the due date.
Hill
Monte, Loma:
The children enjoy sledding down the hill in winter.
It’s quite a challenge to bike up a steep hill.
Format
Formato:
The teacher showed us how to format our essays properly.
This document needs to be in PDF format before you submit it.
To praise / praise
Elogiar / Elogio:
PAST: Praised
The teacher’s praise motivated the students to work harder.
He received much praise for his honesty and hard work.
Custom
Costumbre / Personalizado(a):
In my country, it’s a custom to eat noodles on your birthday for long life.
That car has custom wheels. It looks straight out of the show ‘‘Enchulame la maquina’’.
Levels
Niveles:
The game has several levels, each more difficult than the last.
Water levels in the river rise during the rainy season.
Cheapskate
Tacaño (a):
He’s known as a cheapskate because he never tips at restaurants.
Don’t be such a cheapskate; sometimes it’s nice to treat your friends.
Sight
Vista:
The sight of the mountains in the morning is breathtaking.
He lost his glasses and couldn’t see any sight without them.
Tent
Carpa:
We pitched our tent by the lakeside and camped there overnight.
The festival had many food stalls and tents set up for visitors.
Features
Caracteristicas:
The new smartphone has several features that make it worth buying.
The car’s safety features were highlighted during the presentation.
Establishment
Establecimiento:
The establishment of the new library brought many benefits to the community.
This establishment has been serving the locals for over fifty years.
Income
Ingresos:
He took a second job to supplement his income.
A stable income is important for planning long-term financial goals.
Waiter / Waitress
Mesero (a):
The waiter was very attentive, ensuring our glasses were never empty.
She worked as a waitress during college to pay her tuition.
Etiquette
Etiqueta:
Understanding local etiquette is crucial when you travel to different countries.
Business etiquette includes a firm handshake and direct eye contact.
To point out
to indicate or specify)
PAST: Pointed out
The professor pointed out the key areas that needed improvement.
During the meeting, she pointed out several discrepancies in the report.
To go over
to review or examine something carefully:
Let’s go over the notes from today’s lecture to ensure we understand all the concepts.
Before submitting the essay, go over your work for any spelling or grammatical errors.
To Carry out
to perform or complete a task:
PAST: Carried out
The scientists carried out a series of experiments to confirm their hypothesis.
It’s essential to carry out thorough research before writing any academic paper.
To invest
Invertir
PAST: Invested
Invest time, invest money, invest emotions
To display something somewhere
(show, exhibit):
PAST: Displayed
The museum decided to display the ancient artifacts in the central gallery to attract more visitors.
Local cafes often display artwork from community artists on their walls to support and promote local talent.
Education
(schooling, learning):
Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic prospects of a country.
The disparity in education levels between urban and rural areas can significantly impact regional development.
Artist
(creators, painters):
Artists often draw inspiration from their surroundings, which is evident in the diversity of their work.
Contemporary artists are exploring digital mediums to express traditional themes in innovative ways.
Sketchy
(dubious, questionable):
The plan seemed sketchy and lacked the detail needed to assure the investors.
Some areas in the city are considered sketchy and are generally avoided after dark due to safety concerns.
In order to
(to, for the purpose of / PROPOSITO):
In order to improve your language skills, it is essential to practice speaking and writing regularly.
Students must organize their schedules effectively in order to manage their coursework and extracurricular activities.
While
(as, during the time that / DURANTE):
While studying the effects of pollution, the scientist discovered a correlation between air quality and public health.
While many enjoy the convenience of online shopping, others prefer the tactile experience of buying in-store.
To finance
(put money into, finance):
PAST: Financed
Many investors are looking to invest in renewable energy projects due to their potential for long-term profitability.
Governments around the world invest heavily in education to ensure a better future for the next generation.
Uncommon
(rare, unusual):
It’s uncommon to find such a diverse range of cuisines in a small town, making it a culinary hotspot.
Encountering such an uncommon species in its natural habitat was a thrilling experience for the researchers.
Mood
Animo’ que tengas; (atmosphere, ambiance):
The mood of the meeting shifted dramatically after the CEO announced the merger.
Rainy days often bring a somber mood to the city, which can be seen in the quieter streets and subdued activity.
To receive something / someone
Recibir
PAST: Received
Universities receive thousands of applications each year, and they must carefully evaluate each one to select the best candidates.
During the conference, the keynote speaker will receive an award for her groundbreaking research in environmental science.
Advantage / Disadvantage
Ventaja / desventaja
(SYNONYMS: benefit/drawback, pro/con)
One advantage of online learning is the flexibility it offers to students who have busy schedules.
A disadvantage of living in a big city is the high cost of living, which can be a burden for many residents.
This
(Demonstrative pronoun; SINGULAR): Este / Esta
- Distance: CLOSE -
This new technology has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry by providing more accurate diagnoses.
The results of this experiment were surprising, showing a significant increase in productivity.
These
(Demonstrative pronoun; PLURAL):
Estos / Estas
- Distance: CLOSE -
These findings suggest that there is a correlation between diet and cognitive function.
Students should take advantage of these resources available at the library to improve their research skills.
That
(Demonstrative pronoun; PLURAL):
Eso / Esa - Aquel
- Distance: FAR -
That policy change has greatly impacted the economy, leading to increased employment rates.
Researchers discovered that the new drug was more effective than previously existing treatments.
Those
(Demonstrative pronoun; PLURAL):
Esos / Esas - Aquellos / Aquellas
- Distance: FAR -
Those who participate in extracurricular activities tend to perform better academically.
The professor highlighted those points during his lecture to emphasize their importance.
To focus
(SYNONYMS: concentrate, center. Concentrarse, enfocarse)
PAST: Focused
To excel in the TOEFL, students need to focus on improving their vocabulary and grammar skills.
The study aims to focus on the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems.
Traffic jam
(Synonyms English: Roadblock, Congestion)
(Synonyms Spanish: Embotellamiento, Atasco)
“I was stuck in a traffic jam so long, I aged a year between the bakery and the bank.”
“This congestion is moving so slowly, I could’ve walked my dog across the country by now.”
Next to …
(Synonyms English: Beside, Adjacent)
(Synonyms Spanish: Al lado de, Junto a)
“I sat next to a mime at the party; it was the quietest dinner ever.”
“Living next to a bakery has its perks, like knowing you’re always just a roll’s throw from breakfast.”
Disinformation
(Synonyms English: Misinformation, Propaganda)
(Synonyms Spanish: Desinformación, Propaganda)
“I read so much disinformation online that I might win an award for the most misinformed person of the year.”
“Believing disinformation on the internet is like trusting a squirrel with your nuts.”
Although
(Synonyms English: Even though, Though)
(Synonyms Spanish: Aunque, A pesar de)
“Although I know I should diet, the donut shop keeps calling my name.”
“I decided to take up jogging, although my body thinks I’m chasing the ice cream truck.”
To complain
(Synonyms English: Grumble, Moan)
(Synonyms Spanish: Quejarse, Lamentarse)
“I would complain about waking up early, but my coffee hasn’t kicked in yet to care.”
“He loves to complain about the weather; it’s his favorite indoor sport.”
A Play
Synonyms in Spanish: Obra, Actuación
“I watched a play that was so dramatic, the characters probably needed a vacation after the final curtain!”
“During the last performance, the actor forgot his lines so often, the audience needed a script too.”
Ploy
Synonyms in English: Scheme, Stratagem
Synonyms in Spanish: Artimaña, Estratagema
“His ploy to skip school involved a fake fever so believable, even the thermometer was fooled.”
“She used a clever ploy to avoid doing chores; she pretended to be invisible, and surprisingly, it worked for a whole hour!”
Plot
Synonyms in English: Scheme, Plan
Synonyms in Spanish: Complot, Trama
“The plot of their weekend getaway was so secretive, even the GPS was left guessing.”
“They hatched a plot to surprise their friend with a birthday party so elaborate, it included a map and a treasure hunt.”
To bankrupt something or someone
Synonyms in English: Ruin, Break
Synonyms in Spanish: Arruinar, Quebrar
“He tried to bankrupt his piggy bank by buying every candy in the store, but all he got was a stomachache.”
“The business plan was so bad, it could bankrupt a billionaire with just the summary.”
To found something
Synonyms in English: Establish, Create
Synonyms in Spanish: Fundar, Crear
“She founded a club for people who can’t whisper, but meetings are never a secret.”
“He decided to establish a society for procrastinators, but the first meeting has been postponed indefinitely.”
In spite of / despite
Synonyms in English: Regardless of, Even with
Synonyms in Spanish: A pesar de, Pese a
“In spite of the rain, they held the picnic indoors and had a beach party in the living room.”
“Despite having directions, he got lost in his own backyard.”
Tailored
Synonyms in English: Customized, Fitted
Synonyms in Spanish: A medida, Personalizado
“She had a dress so tailored for the event, it arrived at the party before she did.”
“His tailored suit was so sharp, it could cut through a tense meeting like a knife.”
Beneficial
Synonyms in English: Advantageous, Helpful
Synonyms in Spanish: Beneficioso, Útil
“Eating carrots is so beneficial that I think I can see tomorrow.”
“Finding a shortcut on his way home was beneficial; he saved ten minutes and discovered a new ice cream shop.”
