Essential Words for the TOEFL Lesson 2 Vocabulary Test

Choose the synonym.

circumvent

advantage

fragile

contemporary

appealing

renowned

worthwhile

vigorous

refine

heyday

Over the years, investigators have evaluated the local folklore of areas where sightings of the celebrated Abominable Snowman have been reported. The same scientists have collected physical evidence, such as footprints, body parts, and photographs, but this evidence remains unconvincing. In 1960 the renowned mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand conducted an investigation of the reports of the creature but found no evidence of its existence.

The word celebrated in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Exercises that demand total body involvement improve and maintain fitness. The most effective way to feel more mentally alert and energetic is to engage in aerobic activity at least three times a week for 30 minutes. Such activities may include jogging, running, swimming, dancing, and fast walking.

The word energetic in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Most people do not appreciate the importance of packaging. Packages maintain the purity and freshness of their contents and protect them from elements outside. If the contents are harmful, corrosive, or poisonous, the package must also protect the outside environment. A package must identify its contents, which facilitates the distribution of the product.

The word distribution in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

A contemporary issue among psychologists is the activation or cause of the emotion, its structure or components, and its functions and consequences. Each of these aspects can be considered from a biosocial view. Generally, the biosocial theory focuses on the neurophysiological aspects of emotions and their roles as organizers of cognition and motivators of action.

The word contemporary in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

The early artists of the Hudson River school were Thomas Doughty, Asher Durand, and Thomas Cole. They found the wilderness in the Hudson River valley appealing. Although these painters studied in Europe, they first achieved a measure of success at home and chose the common theme of the remoteness and splendor of the American interior.

The word appealing in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Recent polls suggest that fewer people see an advantage in moving to the city than they used to. There was a time when cities attracted country dwellers like powerful magnets: cities had more jobs, better schools, and more services. Today, people often see pollution, crime, stress, and unemployment where they once saw an opportunity. Instead of advantages, they see disadvantages in uprooting their families for the uncertainty of urban life.

In stating that fewer people see an advantage in moving to the city, the author means that fewer people _____.

The growing popularity of television in the 1950s marked an important turning point in the entertainment world. This development created vast new entertainment choices for people who lived within the signal areas of TV stations. Later, with the advent of satellite and cable TV, almost everyone, regardless of location, was able to experience this entertainment medium.

The word advent in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Passerines form the dominant avian group on Earth today. They are regarded as the most highly evolved of all birds and occur in abundance. Humans have long enjoyed passerines for their songs and their almost infinite variety of colors, patterns, and behavioral traits. Many passerines are considered to be quite agile. Among the most energetic of them is the swallow, whose small body is designed for effortless maneuvering.

The word agile in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

In part, because seafood tends to spoil rapidly, in certain areas of the United States, shrimping is allowed only during specific predetermined seasons. For example, in Mississippi tidal waters, shrimping is allowed only between October and May. In the past, this short season made it difficult to find shrimp out of season. However, the development of freezing techniques in the 1940s encouraged the shrimping industry to expand, making it a global industry. The United States now imports shrimp from over sixty countries and shrimp can be bought at any time of the year.

The word encouraged in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Scientific disciplines, such as genetic engineering, are exploding with possibilities. As a result of new technologies and procedures to treat health conditions, new treatments for many diseases have been developed. Although the development of advanced methods will continue to change the face of healthcare, moral beliefs often collide with scientific advancements, slowing down the progress of some healthcare treatments.

The phrase collide with in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.