400 Must Have Words for the TOEFL LESSON 25 - Politics Vocabulary Test
Word List
advocate [ˈædvəkeɪt] v.
To speak out in favor of something
→ Some environmentalists advocate removing large dams from the Columbia River.
Usage tips Advocate is usually followed by a term for a process or action,very often the -ing form of a verb
Parts of speech advocate n., advocacy n.
authority [ɔːˈθɒrɪtɪ] n.
The power to make decisions, to tell others what to do.
→ The governor has the authority to call the legislature together for emergency sessions.
Usage tips A to phrase often follows authority.
Parts of speech authorize v., authoritative adj.
bitterly [ˈbɪtəlɪ] adv.
Strongly and with a lot of bad feelings
→ Senator Thomas bitterly opposed the movement to design a new state flag.
Parts of speech bitterness n., bitter adj.
candidate [ˈkændɪdeɪt] n.
Someone who wants to be chosen, especially in an election, for a position
→ In most U.S.elections, there are only two major-party candidates for president.
Usage tips Candidate is often followed by a for phrase.
Parts of speech candidacy n.
coalition [ˌkəʊəˈlɪʃən] n.
A group of several different groups or countries that are working together to achieve a certain goal.
→ Several local churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples formed a coalition to promote understanding among people of different religions.
contest [ˈkɒntest] v.
To challenge
→ Dave Roper, who narrowly lost the mayor’s race, contested the results, demanding a recount of the votes.
Usage tips The noun contest can mean a game, especially one played for a prize.
Parts of speech contest n.
election [əˈlɛkʃ(ə)n] n.
A process in which people choose officials
→ Because of problems with vote-counting four years ago, international observers monitored this year’s election to make sure it was fair.
Parts of speech elect v., elective adj.
inaugurate [ɪˈnɔːgjʊreɪt] v.
To bring into public office; to start formally
→ The U.S. president is elected in November but is not inaugurated until the following January.
Usage tips When it means “bring into public office,”inaugurate is usually in the passive voice.
Parts of speech inauguration n., inaugural adj.
policy [ˈpɒlɪsɪ] n.
An approved way for approaching a certain kind of situation
→ The policy said that government money could not be given to any private hospital.
poll [poul] v.
To find out a small group’s opinion so that you can guess what a much larger group thinks
→ The newspaper polled 500 registered voters and found that only 27 percent were in favor of expanding the city zoo.
Parts of speech poll n., pollster n.
