Lesson 28: Essential Words for the TOEFL

Jun 7, 2016

aggravating ○ amusement ○ conceivably ○ convert ○ curative ○ debilitating ○ deplete ○ finite ○ perceive ○ security ○ toxic ○ tranquility ○ trap ○ undeniably ○ underestimated

aggravating
[adj.] making worse; annoying
[Syn.] irritating

[n.] aggravation
[v.] aggravate

The aggravating delay was caused by road repairs.
The shortage of work aggravated the crisis in the small town.

amusement
[n.] something that holds interest and is enjoyable
[Syn.] diversion

[adv.] amusingly
[adj.] amusing
[v.] amuse

We listened in amusement as he tried to convince his friend to lend him $50.
His amusing comment made everyone laugh.

conceivably
[adv.] feasibly; believable
[Syn.] possibly

[adj.] conceivable
[v.] conceive

They could conceivably earn first place with their science project.
It is conceivable that humans will travel to distant planets one day.

convert
[v.] to change from one form or state to another
[Syn.] alter

[adj.] convertible
[n.] conversion

When boiled, liquids convert to gases.
The conversion from Fahrenheit to centigrade can be easily made.

curative
[adj.] being able to restore to good condition
[Syn.] healing.

[n.] cure

The curative properties of certain plants have been well documented.
There is no simple cure for the ills of society.

debilitating
[adj.] weakening
[Syn.] weakening

[v.] debilitate
[n.] debility

The lack of investment savings has a debilitating effect on the economy.
The patient’s debility restricted him to the room.

deplete
[v.] to use up; to reduce greatly
[Syn.] consume

[adj.] depleted
[n.] depletion

She depleted all of her savings to buy the word processor.
The depletion of the Earth’s oil reserves poses a threat to our current style of life.

finite
[adj.] of a certain amount; having an end; not infinite
[Syn.] limited

There were a finite number of explanations for the unusual reactions.
Is there a finite number of stars in the universe?

perceive
[v.] to sense; to become aware of
[Syn.] observe

[adv.] perceptibly
[adj.] perceivable
[adj.] perceptive
[adv.] perceptively
[n.] perception

We perceive major differences between the two political parties.
Porpoises are very perceptive mammals.

security
[n.] the feeling of freedom from danger, doubt, or worry
[Syn.] safety

[adv.] securely
[adj.] secure
[v.] secure

Her sense of security increased as her grades improved.
We secured all of the doors of the lab before leaving.

toxic
[adj.] harmful; capable of being fatal
[Syn.] poisonous

[n.] toxicity

Disposal of toxic wastes is an ongoing problem.
This product has the highest toxicity of any known to science.

tranquility
[n.] calm; quietness
[Syn.] peacefulness

[adv.] tranquilly
[adj.] tranquil
[v.] tranquilize

The tranquility of the lake at sunrise inspired a profound sense of well-being.
His tranquil manner of expression made us all feel more secure.

trap
[v.] to catch and hold onto, usually by trickery; deceived
[Syn.] retain

[adj.] trapped
[n.] trap

I was trapped into paying for the meal.
The trapped animals were released after being tagged by the wildlife conservationists.

undeniably
[adv.] clearly true
[Syn.] absolutely

[adj.] undeniable

Of all the planets in our solar system, Earth is undeniably the most conducive to supporting life.
It is undeniable that he has skill, but he needs to show more initiative.

underestimated
[adj.] guessed lower than the actual quality or quantity
[Syn.] miscalculated

[v.] underestimate

The underestimated demand for tickets made the theater manager plan better for the next performance.
The treasurer underestimated the cost of the new furniture.

Choose the synonym.
1. curative
  1. healing
  2. gratifying
  3. toxic
  4. conceivable
2. limited
  1. sustained
  2. ample
  3. finite
  4. approximate
3. amusement
  1. peacefulness
  2. demonstration
  3. diversion
  4. marvel
4. security
  1. power
  2. safety
  3. trap
  4. cure
5. debilitating
  1. convincing
  2. formidable
  3. accelerating
  4. weakening
6. aggravate
  1. irritate
  2. convert
  3. isolate
  4. initiate
7. conceivably
  1. absolutely
  2. aptly
  3. possibly
  4. tranquilly
8. alter
  1. sustain
  2. launch
  3. detect
  4. convert
9. depleted
  1. retained
  2. consumed
  3. polluted
  4. inundated
10. perceive
  1. deny
  2. miscalculate
  3. observe
  4. estimate
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined word in the sentence.
1. Underestimated tax revenues caused the severe budget crunches that plagued local governments during the early 1970s.
  1. Depleted
  2. Finite
  3. Disappointing
  4. Miscalculated
2. Casey Stengel was undeniably one of the most successful coaches in the history of baseball.
  1. absolutely
  2. unexpectedly
  3. conceivably
  4. likely
3. The power of the sun is trapped by the leaves of plants and used to produce food by a process called photosynthesis.
  1. perceived
  2. reflected
  3. retained
  4. converted
4. Some people find tranquility when they are far away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
  1. peacefulness
  2. amusement
  3. fulfillment
  4. security
5. All Cnidarians have the potential to affect human physiology owing to the toxic nature of their nematocysts.
  1. curative
  2. debilitating
  3. poisonous
  4. aggravating

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