Essential Words for the TOEFL Lesson 30 Vocabulary Test

Choose the synonym.

astute

sporadic

relinquish

persevering

superior

truncate

precarious

persuade

wisdom

intense

The circulation war of the tabloids that took place in New York City in the 1920s was copied in Britain in the 1930s. This brought numerous circulation-boosting schemes. Prizes for readers were introduced in the 1890s and had become popular measures to woo new subscribers by the 1900s. Although the practice was condemned by the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association, gift schemes grew along with the number of newspapers for many years. They continue today.

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

Intensity, intimacy, and omnipresence have been identified as the distinctive characteristics of the motion-picture image. Its intensity stems from its power to capture the complete attention of the theatergoer. Outside the theater, a person’s attention is usually divided among the elements of the limitless reality around him or her, except for sporadic moments of concentration on what is selected for closer examination.

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

Established in 1942, the Voice of America is the international radio network of the U.S. Information Agency. Its charge is the widespread decree of a favorable understanding of the United States abroad. It achieves this task with a wide range of programs, including news, editorials, features, and music. The VOA has established a long-term modernization plan to increase its number of broadcasting languages from 42 to 60.

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

Jellyfish capture their prey by using nematocysts, small stinging organs found on their tentacles. They feed on organisms such as plankton, fish, and other jellyfish they may stumble upon while propelling themselves through the ocean. Their movement is produced through rhythmic contractions of the bell’s perimeter surface, which discharges water. This causes water to move the animal forward by jet propulsion. Some varieties of jellyfish are able to swim well, but most are weak swimmers that drift with sea currents.

The phrasal verb stumble upon in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

During his administration, Thomas Jefferson pursued a policy of expansion. He seized an opportunity when Napoleon Bonaparte decided to forfeit French ambitions in North America by offering the Louisiana Territory for sale. This remarkable acquisition, purchased for a few cents per acre, more than doubled the area of the United States. Jefferson had no constitutional right to complete the transaction. Nevertheless, he made up the rules as he went along, broadly interpreting the Constitution.

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

In some countries, high-speed driving is severely punished, while in others speed is ignored, tolerated, or encouraged. For example, French police fine drivers as much as 380 euros on the spot for driving more than 110 kilometers per hour, while the famous German expressway known as the “Autobahn” has no speed limit, although sections of it may have recommended limits. The lack of a speed limit and lighter police surveillance turn many drivers into skillful competitors.

In stating that high-speed driving is severely punished, the author means that_____.

As a U.S. congressman, Davy Crockett won a reputation as a witty, shrewd, and outspoken backwoodsman. It was in Washington that the legend of this man as a coonskinhatted bear hunter and tall-tale teller was created. There, his political allies promoted this image so he could compete with President Jackson’s image as a democrat.

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

The volcanic areas of southern Guatemala contain some of the nation’s most richest soils. However, the northern parts of this region are particularly subject to erosion encouraged by steep slopes and deforestation. Within the Sierra region, heavier rainfall combined with thinner soils on the steep slopes and the wanton destruction of forests have led to widespread erosion.

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

In all the Apache groups, the family structure was matrilocal. The women cared for the children, gathered plant food, and collected firewood and water. The men of the family hunted, fought, raided, and made weapons and shields. The most persuasive, tenacious, and successful family heads became Apache leaders. Those in authority were chosen because they had personal charisma and success in warfare.

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

Bishop Wright profoundly influenced the lives of his children. Wilbur and Orville, like their father, were independent thinkers. They had deep confidence in their own talents, and an unwavering faith in the soundness of their judgment. They were taught to endure difficulties and continue in the face of disappointment. Those qualities, when combined with their unique talents, help to explain the accomplishments of the Wright brothers as inventors.

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