Word matching (Essential Words for the TOEFL)

Jun 7, 2016

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined word in the sentence.
1. Thistle plants have dense heads of small, pink or purple flowers.
  1. vibrant
  2. fragile
  3. thick
  4. gigantic
2. Fossil evidence confirms that the ancient cuttlefish has existed in its present form for more than 20 million years.
  1. proves
  2. reveals
  3. clarifies
  4. suggests
3. Crowd behavior is characterized as a spontaneous collective reaction to a publicly observed event.
  1. gratifying
  2. instinctive
  3. chaotic
  4. uninterrupted
4. In a television receiver, a narrow beam of electrons bombards the back of a screen in a scanning motion.
  1. negative
  2. thin
  3. steady
  4. balanced
5. Technical curricula are requisite in a wide range of fields.
  1. assimilated
  2. acquired
  3. promoted
  4. demanded
6. In the 1930s, the poor business environment created a lack of confidence in the economy.
  1. accelerated
  2. mirrored
  3. produced
  4. dictated
7. The evolution of life on Earth may be partially typical of the evolution of life on many other planets.
  1. somewhat
  2. occasionally
  3. nevertheless
  4. exceptionally
8. The value of a nation’s currency normally fluctuates, depending upon the strength of its economy and its trade balance.
  1. treasury
  2. money
  3. products
  4. exports
9. Modern commercial practice relies to a growing extent on arbitration to handle disputes.
  1. intensify
  2. manage
  3. postpone
  4. avoid
10. Under the microscope, cultivated silk fibers look coarse.
  1. delicate
  2. rough
  3. rigid
  4. immense
11. Curiosity prompted Leonardo da Vinci to become the world’s greatest designer.
  1. hastened
  2. induced
  3. obliged
  4. defied
12. The first swimsuit concealed the shape of the human body.
  1. hid
  2. revealed
  3. distorted
  4. flattered
13. Most species of birds walk long distances infrequently.
  1. rarely
  2. continually
  3. selectively
  4. briefly
14. Corn and soybeans are cultivated on Maryland’s eastern shore.
  1. found
  2. acquired
  3. grown
  4. cooked
15. Exacting standards and rigorous early training are evident where dance has become an art performed before an audience.
  1. emphasized
  2. suitable
  3. crucial
  4. apparent
16. For many years, scientists were baffled by the small size of the atom.
  1. limited
  2. amazed
  3. fascinated
  4. puzzled
17. The production of steel and the mining of coal are the predominant industries of Pennsylvania.
  1. overlooked
  2. archaic
  3. principal
  4. inactive
18. The sweet potato is chiefly grown in the southern United States.
  1. successfully
  2. rarely
  3. exclusively
  4. mostly
19. Once the English colonies became independent state, they faced the problem of giving themselves a fresh political organization.
  1. confronted
  2. solved
  3. anticipated
  4. eluded
20. The narrow, green-grey leaves of the sweet alyssum are untoothed and usually bear many silvery hairs.
  1. yield
  2. replace
  3. hide
  4. carry
21. Joseph Haydn was undoubtedly the most prolific of all symphony writers, and his works spanned what has been called the Classical era.
  1. interpreted
  2. launched
  3. covered
  4. exemplified
22. The human adult heart is normally the size of a clenched fist and weighs about
  300 grams.
  1. roughly
  2. actually
  3. scarcely
  4. typically
23. Pop art aimed to portray all facets of modern culture.
  1. aspects
  2. heroes
  3. celebrities
  4. problems
24. The construction of the Saint Lawrence seaway was an undertaking of great proportions.
  1. sacrifice
  2. dimensions
  3. triumphs
  4. renown
25. The classical economic theory explaining consumer behavior is built on the notion of marginal utility.
  1. opposition
  2. investigation
  3. effectiveness
  4. concept
26. Manitoba’s leaders anticipated the changing economic environment during the early part of the twentieth century.
  1. conformed to
  2. made use of
  3. predicted
  4. welcomed
27. Modes of suggestion are usually verbal or visual and sometimes may involve the other senses.
  1. enhance
  2. disrupt
  3. include
  4. influence
28. Teflon was inadvertently discovered by two scientists who were working with synthetic resins.
  1. conscientiously
  2. systematically
  3. unexpectedly
  4. miraculously
29. Many nature films omit information about the breeding, parenting, and fishing behavior of the Pel fishing owl.
  1. contribute
  2. narrate
  3. portray
  4. neglect
30. After the War of the Worlds broadcast, law enforcement agencies were inundated by the numerous inquiries they received.
  1. delighted
  2. astonished
  3. agitated
  4. overwhelm
31. When widespread thunderstorms occur, the sky is commonly overcast with many intermingled layers of clouds of various types.
  1. extensive
  2. powerful
  3. severe
  4. hazardous
32. Martin Luther King gained recognition for his use of nonviolent methods.
  1. promoted
  2. rejected
  3. earned
  4. enhanced
33. President Ford was a frequent opponent of inflationary spending measures passed by Congress.
  1. submitted
  2. initiated
  3. financed
  4. approved
34. Presumably desolate desert and tundra areas actually harbor many forms of life.
  1. shelter
  2. generate
  3. favor
  4. halt
35. The major American comic publishing houses were founded during the early nineteenth century.
  1. circulated
  2. altered
  3. criticized
  4. established
36. The lack of water has been a major factor in industrial growth.
  1. use
  2. abuse
  3. shortage
  4. distribution
37. Organic compounds often contain special groups of atoms, called functional groups, that readily undergo chemical reaction.
  1. reluctantly
  2. occasionally
  3. freely
  4. repeatedly
38. Swallows are among the most agile passerine birds.
  1. energetic
  2. frail
  3. nimble
  4. beautiful
39. Daniel Webster applied the oratorical skill he had mastered as a lawyer to heighten his appeal for an end to slavery.
  1. popularize
  2. convey
  3. intensify
  4. retrieve
40. The thermostat is an element in some types of fire detection devices.
  1. problem
  2. amenity
  3. component
  4. advantage
41. Not until 1946 did the world chess governing body, FIDE, assert its control over international championship play.
  1. petition
  2. declare
  3. decrease
  4. relinquish
42. Casey Stengel was undeniably one of the most successful coaches in the history of baseball.
  1. conceivably
  2. unexpectedly
  3. likely
  4. absolutely
43. Pioneers traveling to the west found a vast treasury of natural resources.
  1. precious
  2. elaborate
  3. prominent
  4. huge
44. Folklore holds that mermaids are natural beings who have prophetic powers.
  1. analogous
  2. predictive
  3. intrusive
  4. formidable
45. The candidate’s support evaporated after the announcement of his program reached the newspapers and televisions news programs.
  1. broadened
  2. burgeoned
  3. disappeared
  4. suffered
46. Mollusks, crustaceans, and fish are plentiful in the Chesapeake Bay.
  1. abundant
  2. declining
  3. vanishing
  4. gathered
47. Politicians often woo voters by proposing sweeping reforms of governmental policy.
  1. forfeit
  2. deceive
  3. convince
  4. attract
48. Gymnasts perform athletic feats that requite a well-toned, limber body.
  1. tiny
  2. flexible
  3. slender
  4. strong
49. Although jellyfish move by jet propulsion, most are weak swimmers.
  1. superior
  2. impressive
  3. ineffective
  4. clever
50. In deep water, tidal waves are so long and so slight that ships seldom notice their presence.
  1. relate
  2. record
  3. observe
  4. suspect
51. The trade unions worked hard for an agreement that would be endorsed by their members.
  1. demanded by
  2. attractive to
  3. supported by
  4. of benefit to
52. Some people find tranquility when they are far away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
  1. security
  2. fulfillment
  3. amusement
  4. peacefulness
53. Bright feathers have been used for ornamentation since early times.
  1. Brilliant
  2. Long
  3. Unique
  4. Delicate
54. No deep understanding of the solar system can be achieved without an appreciation of the basic properties of the Sun.
  1. uniform
  2. thorough
  3. lasting
  4. accurate
55. Evidence concerning the origins of the native people living in the coastal areas of western Canada is vague.
  1. abundant
  2. contradictory
  3. unclear
  4. acknowledged
56. The Sweetwater River was supposedly named by General William Ashley in 1823 because its water tasted sweet to his trappers.
  1. aptly
  2. presumably
  3. oddly
  4. predictably
57. Building construction is an ancient human activity.
  1. contemporary
  2. old
  3. ongoing
  4. vital
58. Because of his novel approaches to scientific problem, Edison was able to patent dozens of inventions.
  1. original
  2. varied
  3. coherent
  4. unbiased
59. Growth rings in a log are often so clearly visible that they can reliably indicate age.
  1. approximately
  2. dependably
  3. ordinarily
  4. periodically
60. The newspaper trip and the comic book represent the dominant graphic mythology of the twentieth century.
  1. magical
  2. routine
  3. major
  4. familiar
61. All things consist of atoms and molecules that are constantly in motion.
  1. always
  2. hardly
  3. definitely
  4. uniquely
62. Custer was cautioned by his advisors not to underestimate the strength of his opponent.
  1. persuaded
  2. warned
  3. challenged
  4. known
63. 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. converted
  4. retained
64. The coast of California is marked by a rugged mountain range and placid bays.
  1. scenic
  2. calm
  3. shallow
  4. sheltered
65. Lightning is electricity that is discharged as an enormous spark, hitting the closest spot on the ground.
  1. blinding
  2. mighty
  3. terrifying
  4. tremendous
66. There is a somewhat random character to the evolutionary process.
  1. potent
  2. slight
  3. peculiar
  4. unique
67. Contrary to popular opinion, the origin of the circus is comparatively recent, having little in common with ancient Roman circuses.
  1. apparently
  2. relatively
  3. sufficiently
  4. exceedingly
68. For calculating a calendar, it is convenient to use the tropical solar year.
  1. appropriate
  2. practical
  3. critical
  4. necessary
69. Underestimated tax revenues caused the severe budget crunches that plagued local governments during the early 1970s.
  1. Depleted
  2. Miscalculated
  3. Disappointing
  4. Finite
70. In contrast to their springtime nuptial plumage, ninny songbirds revert to a drab plumage during the winter.
  1. colorless
  2. different
  3. elaborate
  4. sensitive
71. The colossal Statue of Liberty is situated in New York Harbor on a small island park within sight of Ellis Island.
  1. isolated
  2. exhibited
  3. located
  4. visited
72. The disappearance of tropical rain forests is a direct result of wanton disregard of this valuable resource by mankind.
  1. sporadic
  2. troubling
  3. precarious
  4. senseless
73. The climate of Chicago is subject to abrupt changes of weather.
  1. disruptive
  2. sudden
  3. extreme
  4. adverse
74. The Carnegie Foundation is one of the major philanthropic organizations in the United States.
  1. governmental
  2. humanitarian
  3. altruistic
  4. partisan
75. Paul Newman’s apparently effortless acting skill has enabled him to play a variety of characters.
  1. deceptively
  2. visibly
  3. extremely
  4. seemingly
76. The Inuit live in scattered settlements throughout the northern reaches of Canada.
  1. widely dispersed
  2. well-maintained
  3. highly organized
  4. very primitive
77. The most elementary type of convection can be explained by the fact that heat rises.
  1. prevalent
  2. primary
  3. erratic
  4. mentioned
78. In order to detect the position of a particle, light must be reflected from it.
  1. existence
  2. location
  3. hue
  4. magnitude
79. The Twin Towers are familiar symbols of the New York City sky-line.
  1. marvels
  2. ingredients
  3. landmarks
  4. buildings
80. Astrology contends that the position of constellations at the moment of your birth profoundly influences your future.
  1. subsequently
  2. significantly
  3. unmistakably
  4. consistently
81. As a government official, Benjamin Franklin often traveled abroad.
  1. secretly
  2. widely
  3. overseas
  4. alone
82. In 1985, the Coca-Cola Company altered the secret formula of the drink’s ingredients.
  1. restored
  2. modified
  3. proposed
  4. enriched
83. Sustained industrial growth and strong consumer spending must be present
  in order for an economy to grow.
  1. Moderate
  2. Consistent
  3. Tangible
  4. Measurable
84. The volume of music contained in the archives of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers is extraordinary.
  1. quantity
  2. caliber
  3. assortment
  4. sound
85. The vast majority of animals exhibit a distinct symmetrical form.
  1. rudimentary
  2. familiar
  3. superficial
  4. definite
86. Evidence suggests that the rumor process eliminates the most improbable accounts of an event.
  1. elicits
  2. deletes
  3. emphasizes
  4. exaggerates
87. Great technological advances were made during the infancy of the United Stages’ industrial growth.
  1. expansion
  2. recovery
  3. beginning
  4. zenith
88. Querns have been used for centuries to crush grains.
  1. harvest
  2. grind
  3. distinguish
  4. transport
89. Advanced scientific disciplines like solar cell technology and genetic engineering are exploding with possibilities.
  1. new
  2. appealing
  3. celebrated
  4. valued
90. Water is easily the most complex of all the familiar substances that are single chemical compounds.
  1. conventional
  2. complicated
  3. curious
  4. valuable
91. The Constitution of the United defines the fundamental rights of its citizens.
  1. enacted
  2. ample
  3. essential
  4. selective
92. Rows of suction-like tube feet enable the starfish to creep along the ocean floor.
  1. crawl
  2. feed
  3. settle
  4. race
93. History consists of a complex weave of social, cultural, and economic forces that are not easily unraveled.
  1. separated
  2. disregarded
  3. condensed
  4. illustrated
94. The popular singer Madonna is known for her songs with outlandish lyrics.
  1. bizarre
  2. innovative
  3. melodical
  4. relaxing
95. When threatened, the opossum often feigns death.
  1. simulates
  2. withstands
  3. confronts
  4. avoids
96. The dim appearance of the Milky Way results from the combined light of stars too far away to be seen with the naked eye.
  1. curious
  2. faint
  3. immense
  4. unique
97. A seed is dormant at the time it is shed by its parent.
  1. minuscule
  2. inactive
  3. harvested
  4. primed
98. Some toxic contaminants in urban water supplies have been found to occur in harmful amounts.
  1. insignificant
  2. substantial
  3. mysterious
  4. unhealthy
99. Many cross-cultural communication difficulties can be attributed to inevitable blunders in behavior or speech.
  1. unwarranted
  2. unavoidable
  3. unlikely
  4. unpleasant
100. The composition of heavenly bodies can be discovered by analyzing the light they emit.
  1. examining
  2. intensifying
  3. observing
  4. detecting
101. It is known from past experience that ore deposits can be exhausted.
  1. depleted
  2. elusive
  3. extensive
  4. inaccessible
102. Faced with the numerous problems brought on by the new industrial age, wage earners were prone to solve their problems through organization.
  1. inclined
  2. cautioned
  3. fortunate
  4. compelled
103. Because much collective behavior is dramatic and unpredictable, theories of such behavior are more evaluative than analytic.
  1. hazardous
  2. emotional
  3. terrifying
  4. unexpected
104. Freshly cut wood must he completely dry before it can be used for construction.
  1. Coarsely
  2. Haphazardly
  3. Recently
  4. Evenly
105. Sword swallowers must first overcome their fear of projecting the sharp sword down their throat.
  1. disguise
  2. accentuate
  3. treat
  4. conquer
106. Telescopic images from outer space are often blurred by atmospheric conditions.
  1. clouded
  2. enhanced
  3. limited
  4. blocked
107. Some languages do not contain separate words for particular colors.
  1. specific
  2. uncommon
  3. radiant
  4. all
108. Mankind has made solid progress in the eradication of many harmful illnesses.
  1. negligible
  2. substantial
  3. mediocre
  4. sluggish
109. American poet James Merrily received critical acclaim for his work entitled Jim’s Book.
  1. disapproval
  2. advice
  3. attention
  4. praise
110. Aside from simply being annoying, loud noises can permanently damage the ear.
  1. bothersome
  2. unwelcome
  3. intolerable
  4. detected
111. Many delegates to the First Continental Congress felt that it would have been absurd not to give a forceful response to England’s closing of the port of Boston.
  1. ridiculous
  2. difficult
  3. feasible
  4. incorrect
112. Most tadpoles are vegetarians, albeit those of some species are carnivorous.
  1. supposedly
  2. since
  3. although
  4. simply
113. A preference for a certain color is and an extremely personal matter.
  1. fairly
  2. annoyingly
  3. highly
  4. obviously
114. All Cnidarians have the potential to affect human physiology owing to the toxic nature of their nematocysts.
  1. curative
  2. aggravating
  3. debilitating
  4. poisonous
115. With the advent of cable television and the use of satellites for broadcasting, television reception improved.
  1. arrival
  2. advantage
  3. distribution
  4. refinement
116. The Monroe Doctrine authorized the United States to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries in case of foreign invasion.
  1. forbade
  2. tempted
  3. elicited
  4. empowered
117. The natural forest vegetation has entirely disappeared from the landscape.
  1. completely
  2. reportedly
  3. slowly
  4. conspicuously
118. Davy Crockett was well known for his witticisms and story telling skills.
  1. wisdom
  2. charisma
  3. humor
  4. endurance
119. Nowadays coins lack intrinsic value and bills can no longer be converted to gold.
  1. inordinate
  2. nominal
  3. documented
  4. inherent
120. Anaximander argued that human beings are so helpless at birth that they would almost instantly die if put into the world on their own.
  1. immediately
  2. presumably
  3. discreetly
  4. gradually
121. Mollusks have a wide range of locomotory patterns.
  1. reactions
  2. controls
  3. habits
  4. motions
122. In a recent newspaper poll, the compact disc was mentioned as the most popular medium of recorded music.
  1. illustration
  2. convention
  3. account
  4. survey
123. Quebec is a striking example of the challenges produced when two diverse groups of people live together.
  1. controversial
  2. legitimate
  3. characteristic
  4. remarkable
124. After doubling the wages of his employees, Henry Ford was sharply criticized for his action.
  1. overtly
  2. improperly
  3. severely
  4. impulsively
125. In the field of artificial intelligence, scientists study methods for developing computer programs that display aspects of intelligent behavior.
  1. depend on
  2. exhibit
  3. conform to
  4. classify
126. The cultural life of New Orleans is a synthesis of contributions by both blacks and whites.
  1. product
  2. combination
  3. reflection
  4. demonstration
127. Because their presence can upset normal markets, some products with commercial potential are intentionally kept off the market-place.
  1. deliberately
  2. confidentially
  3. constantly
  4. arbitrarily
128. Kapok is made from the silky fibers that encircle the seeds of the tropical silk cotton tree.
  1. surround
  2. release
  3. circulate
  4. destroy
129. All classifications of human societies and cultures are arbitrary.
  1. ambiguous
  2. insufficient
  3. haphazard
  4. useful
130. The fire salamander is so called because of an antiquated belief that it could withstand fire.
  1. a carefully fabricated
  2. a well-developed
  3. an old-fashioned
  4. a widely held
131. There are many means of converting mechanical energy into thermal energy.
  1. benefits
  2. descriptions
  3. theories
  4. methods
132. Streams were always a problem for stagecoach drivers.
  1. Bandits
  2. Storms
  3. Rivers
  4. Ridges
133. J. Edgar Hoover was an astute professional who served as director of the FBI for 48 years.
  1. resilient
  2. perceptive
  3. astounding
  4. determined
134. Industrial cities appeared after the full development of industrial capitalism in the core nation-states of the eighteenth century.
  1. diverse
  2. chief
  3. prosperous
  4. smallest
135. Many organisms change their function from one season to another.
  1. diet
  2. size
  3. shape
  4. role
136. Poorly constructed dwellings cannot withstand severe storms.
  1. boats
  2. piers
  3. houses
  4. roads
137. The cotton gin was commonplace on many nineteenth-century farms.
  1. sorely needed
  2. often required
  3. frequently seen
  4. visibly absent
138. Shrimping in Mississippi’s tidal areas is not allowed during the summer months.
  1. encouraged
  2. permitted
  3. worthwhile
  4. appealing
139. From the beginning of the twentieth century, dance phenomena became extremely prolific and colorful.
  1. fashion
  2. events
  3. expression
  4. rhythm
140. Any insect landing on the Venus flytrap touches trigger hairs that cause the trap to close tightly.
  1. quickly
  2. mercilessly
  3. firmly
  4. involuntarily
141. The sport of basketball highlights the athletic qualities of endurance, agility, and skill.
  1. emphasizes
  2. encompasses
  3. develops
  4. demands
142. No fan, electric or otherwise, actually cools the air.
  1. truly
  2. continuously
  3. persistently
  4. haphazardly
143. A revolution in women’s fashion during the second half of the twentieth century made trousers acceptable for almost all activities.
  1. available
  2. ideal
  3. attractive
  4. permissible
144. The president’s popularity has eroded since the publication of a recent newspaper article.
  1. shifted
  2. deteriorated
  3. recovered
  4. intensified
145. The vivid colors of the opal are produced by impurities or small cracks in the stone.
  1. fractures
  2. dents
  3. flaws
  4. particles
146. Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic was extremely perilous.
  1. expensive
  2. effective
  3. dangerous
  4. exhausting
147. Due to large deposits of debris left by glaciers, the Midwestern plain of the United States is an extremely fertile area for farming.
  1. spacious
  2. level
  3. rich
  4. arid
148. The inner harbor of Baltimore was once a contaminated part of the city.
  1. a secure
  2. an affordable
  3. a flourishing
  4. a polluted
149. The first practical calendar was developed by the Egyptians.
  1. standard
  2. intricate
  3. accurate
  4. functional
150. The history of human thought on the nature of the cosmos offers a number of remarkable lessons.
  1. exceptional
  2. inspiring
  3. enlightening
  4. identical

Back