Essential Words for the TOEFL Lesson 12 Vocabulary Test

Choose the synonym.

benefit

carry out

rumored

lacking

thrive

susceptible

broaden

switch

retrieve

eloquent

Politics are an integral aspect of modern sports. In many places, political decisions determine which sports will be encouraged, how much public support will be available to promote recreational sports, and whether or not athletes will be free to compete in certain international competitions. Bitter controversies have arisen as some political support for popular sporting events has evaporated in various parts of the world.

The word evaporated in the passage is closest in meaning to

Rolltop desks are named after their sliding roll tops, or tambours, that cover the working surface of the upper part and can be locked. First introduced into England from France in the late eighteenth century, the rolltop desk had become a standard piece of office equipment by the end of the nineteenth century. It was mass-produced in large quantities. Shortly after this period of mass production, its popularity eroded.

The word eroded in the passage is closest in meaning to

The American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed furniture, but its distinctive appearance defies categorization. The furniture design was entirely dependent on the design of the building; the same motifs appear in both. He consistently favored built-in furniture because then the furniture was part of the architecture.

The word entirely in the passage is closest in meaning to

While the potential benefit of genetic engineering is substantial, the potential dangers may be equivalent. Improper handling could pose a health hazard to the public. For example, the introduction of cancer-causing genes into common infectious organisms like the influenza virus could be one of these dangers.

The word benefit in the passage is closest in meaning to

Jogging has been endorsed by many medical authorities as a valuable exercise for the heart and for general physical conditioning. It should be conducted every other day. Other medical authorities, however, warn that fallen arches and other ailments can result from jogging. Warm-up exercises before jogging, properly designed shoes, proper jogging technique, loose clothing, and general good health are vital for safe participation in this activity.

The word endorsed in the passage is closest in meaning to

In 1900, when countries such as Russia, Italy, and Japan claimed an exclusive right to trade with China, the secret society of “Boxers” was formed to oppose this intrusion into Chinese affairs. Members of the group were reported to have magical powers that protected them in attacks from invading foreigners. Nevertheless, more than 20,000 foreign troops eventually landed in China, successfully attacked Beijing, established their right to remain, and disbanded the Boxers.

In stating that the Boxers were reported to have magical powers, the author means that their magical powers

From 1890 to 1940, Los Angeles was the core orange-growing area. The city was inland from any potential port, but city leaders persuaded the U.S. Congress to finance a breakwater at the city of San Pedro. The territory between the two cities was annexed, and a great harbor was constructed between 1899 and 1914. As a result, Los Angeles experienced burgeoning economic growth.

The word burgeoning in the passage is closest in meaning to

Normal schools were established chiefly to train elementary-school teachers. They were commonly state-supported and offered a two-year course beyond high school. In the twentieth century, schools broadened their teacher-training requirements to at least four years. Therefore, after World War II, teacher-training institutions lengthened their programs. By the 1960s, most former normal schools had been absorbed into colleges or universities as departments or schools of education.

The word broadened in the passage is closest in meaning to

Experiments are underway to prove the usefulness of new oil discovery technology. They will enable vast accumulations of crude oil to be recovered along both the Athabasca River in northcentral Alberta, Canada, and along the Orinoco River in eastern Venezuela. If these experiments are successful and a significant volume of crude is found, the world’s petroleum supply may be extended by several decades.

The word recovered in the passage is closest in meaning to

The Internet is a powerful tool available to students around the world. Thanks to its rapid growth, researching any topic is now as easy as a mouse click. It is no longer commonplace to see students using information from books in a library because the Internet is far more convenient. Students can carry an enormous amount of information in their backpacks or briefcases just by having a laptop computer with access to the world wide web. Some people claim that digital books will soon replace physical books. Others believe that libraries will become obsolete and that scholars will turn to online sources to conduct research.

The word enormous in the passage is closest in meaning to