TOEFL Academic Vocabulary in Context 3

Question 1

Read the sentence: "The researcher's findings were seminal in shaping modern theories of cognition." The word "seminal" is closest in meaning to:

Accepted Answer

Influential and foundational

Answer

Controversial

Answer

Preliminary

Answer

Widely criticized

Question 2

In the passage: "The government sought to ameliorate the conditions in overcrowded urban areas by investing in infrastructure." The word "ameliorate" means:

Accepted Answer

Improve

Answer

Worsen

Answer

Document

Answer

Ignore

Question 3

The sentence reads: "Scientists posit that dark matter comprises the majority of the universe's mass." The word "posit" in this context means:

Accepted Answer

Assume or put forward as a fact

Answer

Deny

Answer

Measure accurately

Answer

Disprove

Question 4

From a history lecture: "The treaty was an ephemeral solution that collapsed within a decade." The word "ephemeral" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

Lasting only a short time

Answer

Politically significant

Answer

Economically costly

Answer

Broadly supported

Question 5

In a biology passage: "The enzyme acts as a catalyst, expediting the chemical reaction without being consumed." The word "expediting" means:

Accepted Answer

Speeding up

Answer

Reversing

Answer

Blocking

Answer

Analyzing

Question 6

The academic text states: "The proliferation of misinformation online has led to widespread public confusion." The word "proliferation" means:

Accepted Answer

Rapid increase and spread

Answer

Suppression

Answer

Verification

Answer

Correction