400 Must Have Words for the TOEFL LESSON 2 - Disaster Vocabulary Test
Word List
anticipate [ænˈtisəˌpeit] v.
To expect; to sense something before it happens
→ By placing sensors in earthquake-prone areas, scientists can anticipate some tremors in time to warn the public.
Parts of speech anticipation n., anticipatory adj.
catastrophic [ˌkædəˈstrɑfɪk] adj.
Extremely harmful; causing financial or physical ruin
→ The architect died in a catastrophic elevator accident.
Parts of speech catastrophe n., catastrophically adv.
collide [kəˈlaɪd] v.
To come together with great or violent force
→ As usual, their holiday was ruined when their in-laws’ views on politics collided with their own.
Parts of speech collision n.
eruption [əˈrəpʃ(ə)n] n.
A sudden, often violent, outburst
→ The eruption of Mount St.Helens in 1980 caused 57 deaths and immeasurable change to the face of the mountain.
Usage tips Eruption is often followed by an of phrase.
Parts of speech erupt v.
famine [ˈfæmən] n.
Severe hunger; a drastic food shortage
→ The potato famine in Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century caused large numbers of Irish people to emigrate to America.
flood [fləd] n.
An overflowing of water; an excessive amount
→ The constant rain and poor drainage system caused a flood in town.
Parts of speech flood v.
impact [ˈɪmˌpækt] n.
A strong influence
→ The speech about the importance of education made an impact on me.
Usage tips Impact is usually followed by on or of.
Parts of speech impact v.
persevere [ˌpərsəˈvɪr] v.
To keep going, despite obstacles or discouragement; to maintain a purpose
→ The hikers persevered despite the bad weather and the icy trail.
Parts of speech persist v., persistent adj.
plunge [pləndʒ] v.
To go down suddenly; to decrease by a great amount in a short time
→ He jumped off the diving board and plunged into the pool.
Usage tips Plunge is often followed by an into phrase.
Parts of speech plunge n.
unleash [ˌənˈliʃ] v.
To release a thing or an emotion
→ When they saw the strange man on their property, they unleashed their dogs.
