The TOEFL Exam: Essential English Vocabulary: List 9

Set yourself up for success on the TOEFL Exam by mastering these common English vocabulary words.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. alternative
    one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
    The third prong involves promoting alternatives to cars, including public transit, biking and walking. Scientific American (Sep 9, 2020)
  2. analysis
    a detailed investigation or examination of something
    The large analysis adds support to the findings of other recent studies. BBC (Nov 12, 2020)
  3. application
    a verbal or written request for assistance or admission
    The school begins accepting applications Monday and will consider 200 applicants for 72 positions in the first class, which will graduate in three years. Seattle Times (Sep 5, 2012)
  4. conclusion
    a position or opinion reached after consideration
    My own observations lead me to the same conclusion; but for the present we must put an end to the argument.  Davies, R. Rice
  5. consequence
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
    Long-term consequences are unclear at this point because the findings are so new. Fox News (May 28, 2020)
  6. context
    the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
    The tests serve different purposes in different contexts, they explained. BBC (Dec 23, 2020)
  7. disruptive
    characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
    The protestors launched a wave of disruptive protests in the city on Monday. The Guardian (Oct 7, 2019)
  8. distinct
    constituting a separate entity or part
    The Kentucky case presented a related but distinct issue. New York Times (Dec 17, 2020)
  9. dominant
    most frequent or common
    The dominant color was brown: brown wooden buildings, brown sandy streets, as if it were a faded photograph. The Devil's Arithmetic
  10. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
    I learned long ago that loss is not only probable but inevitable. Orphan Train
  11. isolated
    remote and separate physically or socially
    “It can’t be done. The prison sector is completely isolated from the rest of the Ice Court. It isn’t connected to the embassy. There’s no way to reach it from there.” Six of Crows
  12. nonchalant
    marked by casual unconcern or indifference
    Her voice was calm, but it was a forced calm, as if she was trying hard to sound nonchalant. The Name of the Wind
  13. perceive
    become aware of through the senses
    As visual beings, we perceive color and light without even a thought as to all the information we glean from it. Scientific American (Aug 8, 2017)
  14. persuade
    cause somebody to adopt a certain position or belief
    Father finally convinced Bud that work would do him good, and persuaded him to get a job. Woe Is I
  15. promote
    contribute to the progress or growth of
    Hearing that I was at the stadium to promote fitness, he insisted on doing push-ups with me in front of a cheering pack of kids. Becoming
  16. sufficient
    of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement
    I question whether our state officials provided sufficient staff and other resources to nursing homes early on. Washington Post (Aug 28, 2020)
  17. tedious
    so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
    It is difficult to find skilled workers, current and former employees said, because many jobs involve tedious work and require late hours. New York Times (Oct 26, 2020)
  18. tentative
    hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion
    Her gestures were slow and tentative and her eyes reflected deep mental confusion. Life of Pi
  19. transform
    change or alter in appearance or nature
    Then she shows us slides of her art gallery when it was just an abandoned building, and all the ways it’s transformed into what it is today. Piecing Me Together
  20. widespread
    distributed over a large area or extent
    Only 5 species became widespread and important around the world. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Created on Mon Jan 25 11:18:56 EST 2021 (updated Tue Sep 14 13:03:41 EDT 2021)

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