TOEFL Academic Vocabulary in Context 2

Question 1

In the sentence 'The researcher's findings were deemed SEMINAL in the field of molecular biology,' what does 'seminal' most nearly mean?

Accepted Answer

Highly influential and original

Answer

'Seminal' means strongly influencing later developments; it describes work that is foundational or groundbreaking in a field.

Question 2

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The government's policy was criticized for being too _______, failing to account for the complexity of the economic situation.'

Accepted Answer

Simplistic

Answer

'Simplistic' means treating complex issues as simpler than they are, which matches the criticism of failing to account for complexity.

Question 3

The passage states that deforestation has an ADVERSE effect on local water cycles. In this context, 'adverse' most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

Harmful

Answer

'Adverse' means unfavorable or harmful; an adverse effect is one that causes damage or negative consequences.

Question 4

The word 'PROLIFERATE' in the sentence 'Misinformation tends to proliferate rapidly on social media platforms' most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

Increase and spread rapidly

Answer

'Proliferate' means to reproduce or increase rapidly; it describes growth or spread at a fast rate.

Question 5

In academic writing, a 'HYPOTHESIS' is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A tentative explanation to be tested

Answer

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested through investigation; it is tentative until supported by evidence.

TOEFL Practice Test

TOEFL Practice Test

TOEFL Academic Vocabulary in Context 2