Essential Words for the TOEFL Lesson 10 Vocabulary Test

Choose the synonym.

exceptional

stoic

prepare

eclectic

dangerous

elaborate

minuscule

superficial

authentic

vigorous

The development of centralized governments was not accompanied by centralized responsibility for road maintenance. One important development in the construction and maintenance of public transportation systems was the establishment of turnpike trusts. Entrepreneurs would join together to obtain government permission to take over a length of road for 21 years or build a new one and pay for its maintenance by collecting tolls. However, in its early years, road engineering was rudimentary, and many trusts did not know how to preserve the roads.

The word rudimentary in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Language is a system of communication specific to the human race. It is primarily oral-aural, since all naturally evolved large-scale linguistic systems have orderly patterns of sound produced by the human voice and perceived and processed by the ear. Despite the great variety of languages spoken throughout the world and the superficial differences among them, most linguists agree that all languages are essentially similar in structure and function.

The word superficial in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

The layers of volatile gases and liquids near and above the surface of the Earth are of prime importance, along with solar energy, to maintaining life on Earth. They are distributed and recycled throughout the relatively thin atmosphere of the Earth. This atmosphere is a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen and oxygen. However, the atmosphere also contains much smaller amounts of gases such as argon, carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor along with minute solid and liquid particles in suspension.

The word prime in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Avoidance is the most common form of defense in reptiles. At the first sign of danger, most snakes and lizards slither or dart away under cover; turtles and crocodiles plunge out of sight into water. But, in cases where danger presents itself abruptly and flight may be hazardous, reptiles may attack.

The word hazardous in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

As the Industrial Revolution developed in the nineteenth century, the era of wooden-hulled sailing ships gave way to that of steam-powered iron ships. Phenomenal changes took place in nearly every facet of ship design and operation. By the mid-1800s, these changes caused the end of the majestic wooden-hulled ship line. Despite its demise, another half-century would elapse before it was clear what form its replacement would take.

The word phenomenal in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Research suggests that musical ability is genetic. Twins have the same genetic makeup. Therefore, researchers asked more than 500 children to sing along with recorded popular songs and discovered that 80 percent were equally able or unable to duplicate the melody. These results support the claim that musical talent is inherited—many children have some talent, but few are exceptionally talented, and only they have any hope of becoming concert pianists.

In stating that few children are exceptionally talented, the author means that_____.

In the social sciences, conflict theory refers to the theoretical approach that views social phenomena as the result of conflict between individuals or groups. Conflict theory has developed at both micro and macro levels. Since much of the documented behavior is dramatic and unpredictable, theories of such behavior are more evaluative than analytic.

The word dramatic in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Feathers serve as an adaptable cover for the body of a bird. They form a smooth surface that reduces friction with the air, and they furnish flexible strong wings for flight and tails for steering. Feathers also act as superb insulation to conserve body heat and are relatively waterproof. Many songbirds in temperate zones reveal a drab plumage during the winter, in contrast to their brilliant springtime mating plumage.

The word drab in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Comic books began as collections of newspaper comic strips and took on a life of their own in the 1930s. The favorite reading matter of several generations of children, comic books often dealt with heroic characters who fought crime or terror. The newspaper strip and the comic book represent the dominant graphic mythology of the twentieth century.

The word dominant in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

The vast majority of animals exhibit a symmetrical form, therefore making form a fundamental, representative characteristic for most animals. All animals with a bilateral symmetry, those that have a distinct right and left side and a front and rear end, are classified together as Bilateria, a division of multicellular animals. Bilateria contrast with multicellular animals, which have a radial symmetry. An example is the jellyfish, which has no right or left sides.

The word distinct in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.