Why Is Studying Vocabulary Important for the TOEFL Exam?
Just accept this fact now: The TOEFL will contain at least some words that you don’t know.
So, why study vocabulary?
Here’s why: As you study vocabulary words, each word will slowly become part of your working language. Think of this like a toolbox. Each word that you add becomes another tool that you can use for any task at hand.
Whether you are working on the TOEFL reading test, the TOEFL writing tasks, or just having a conversation with a neighbor, you have a toolbox of awesome words to choose from.
How to Study Vocabulary Words
First, know that it will take time (and many study sessions!) for these vocabulary words to become part of your English toolbox. Our goal is not for you to memorize each word, but to be able to recognize and use it in context (or, when it is around other words, like on the TOEFL test).
To do this, we have to study the word in context. Here’s an example, using the word “deli.”
Max couldn’t wait for his class to end, because he was so hungry! He quickly packed up his books, said goodbye to his teacher and walked across the street to the deli. He ordered a turkey sandwich and chips, paid the cashier, and sat down to enjoy his lunch.
Can you guess what a deli is?
Even if you’ve never looked it up in a dictionary, I’d bet you can guess that it’s a place that sells sandwiches. Now, let’s look at the definition:
Deli (noun): food typically sold at a delicatessen, such as coldcuts, salads and pickles.
Pretty close, right? And even better, by studying the word in context, you can quickly add “deli” to the toolbox of words that you can use.
Here are few things you can do to study vocabulary words in context:
- Create sentences with the vocabulary word. Remember, these should be fun and personal for you! Don’t be afraid to be silly or to tell a story. An in-context sentence will look like this, “The penguins hated the zoo. So, they planned their escape” instead of “The man escaped.”
- Learn words with entertaining FluentU videos. FluentU is an online immersion platform where you learn English through real-world videos. The program’s unique Learn Mode, multimedia flashcards and personalized vocab lists are especially helpful for learning TOEFL vocabulary in context. Try FluentU’s free 15-day trial today!
- Look for clues if you encounter a word you don’t know. As you are working on your TOEFL listening and reading skills, practice using context to understand new vocabulary words. What words around the vocabulary word can help you guess the meaning?
30 Essential Words for the TOEFL Test
Here are 30 words that you’ll probably see in the TOEFL test—in the prompts, passages, questions or listening sections.
1. Considerable
Considerable (adjective): large or great in size, distance or amount
Jeff ate a considerable amount of ice cream. He couldn’t decide between chocolate, mint or strawberry, so he bought some of each.
2. Interpret
Interpret (verb): to give the meaning of something
Once you learn English, you can interpret for your Chinese-speaking parents when you travel to New York.
3. Attitude
Attitude (noun): manner, feeling or position, sometimes with regard to aperson or thing
My teacher has a friendly attitude; she always says hello to me, smiles and helps me study.
4. Estimate
Estimate (verb): to form an approximate judgment or opinion
I estimate that we will arrive around 5:00 p.m., if we don’t get lost!
5. Authority
Authority (noun): the power or right to control
The judge has the authority to decide the man’s punishment.
6. Demonstrate
Demonstrate (verb): to describe, explain or show by argumentsor reasoning
I’ll demonstrate how to make cookies. First, we mix the ingredients, then we put it them in the oven to bake.
7. Proceed
Proceed (verb): to move or go forward
The marching band will proceed through the street for the parade.
8. Stable
Stable (adjective): not likely to fall or change suddenly
The bridge was old and falling apart; it didn’t seem very stable!
9. Contribute
Contribute (verb): to give, especially to a common cause
A generous man decided to contribute all of his savings to charity.
10. Risk
Risk (noun): chance of injury or loss
The risk of losing my purse at this music festival is high, so I’ll leave it at home.
11. Prior
Prior (adjective): preceding in time or order; previous
Prior to the Internet, students looked up vocabulary words in big, heavy dictionaries.
12. Shift
Shift (verb): to transfer, change or exchange
Maria felt the weather shift from warm to cool very quickly.
13. Benefit
Benefit (noun): something that is good; an advantage
One of the benefits of my job is that I get free snacks at work every day!
14. Impact
Impact (noun): influence, effect or striking of one thing against another
The oil spill had a terrible impact on the animals and their environment.
15. Distribute
Distribute (verb): to divide or give out
The teacher distributed a test paper to each student.
16. Challenge
Challenge (verb): to call into question
The librarian challenged the idea that books are no longer important.
17. Evaluate
Evaluate (verb): to determine the value or significance
My teacher will evaluate my speaking ability during the test. I’m so nervous!
18. Former
Former (adjective): preceding in time, prior, earlier
My former boss helped me to get a new job.
19. Interfere
Interfere (verb): to come into opposition or conflict (one thing with another)
Megan’s new boyfriend interfered with her studies. She spent so much time with him that she didn’t have time to do her homework.
20. Issue
Issue (noun): a point, matter or dispute
The leaders disagreed on the issue of global warming.
21. Reinforce
Reinforce (verb): to strengthen; make more effective
Reinforced by a hot meal, I felt ready for the day.
22. Significantly
Significantly (adverb): in a great or important way
My cooking skills improved significantly after I took the cooking class.
23. Widespread
Widespread (adjective): found or distributed over a large area or group
There was widespread excitement in the school on the day of the concert!
24. Imply
Imply (verb): to suggest but not directly state
The angry look on my mother’s face implied that I was in big trouble.
25. Increase
Increase (verb): to become greater in size or quantity
The price of the movie ticket increased from $10 to $12.
26. Effective
Effective (adjective): successful at producing the desired result
The teacher was very effective; all of her students did well on the TOEFL!
27. Debate
Debate (verb): to argue about a subject, sometimes in a formal manner
My brother and I debated over what to eat for dinner. He wanted pizza, but I wanted sandwiches.
28. Sustain
Sustain (verb): to strengthen or support
The roof wasn’t able to sustain the weight of the heavy snow; it collapsed.
29. Support
Support (verb): to agree with or approve
The man couldn’t decide which presidential candidate to support, so he read about each of them.
30. Measure
Measure (verb): calculate the size, amount or degree of something
The seamstress measured her fabric for the dress.
Keep practicing your vocabulary in context and adding words to your vocabulary toolbox. You’ll be glad you did on the day of the TOEFL test!