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

Widely criticized

Answer

Statistically insignificant

Answer

Difficult to replicate

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

Comprehensive

Answer

Rigorous

Answer

Transparent

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

Unexpected

Answer

Cyclical

Answer

Temporary

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

Decline steadily

Answer

Be fact-checked carefully

Answer

Reach a target audience

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A tentative explanation to be tested

Answer

A proven scientific law

Answer

A summary of existing research

Answer

A statistical method of analysis

Question 6

The author uses the word 'JUXTAPOSITION' to describe placing two contrasting ideas side by side. Which sentence best demonstrates juxtaposition?

Accepted Answer

Wealthy neighborhoods bordered by impoverished communities illustrate the city's inequality.

Answer

The scientist conducted three separate experiments to confirm the results.

Answer

The committee reviewed the proposal and asked for additional data.

Answer

Advances in renewable energy have been consistent over the past decade.