How to answer Vocabulary based Question? | Reading for TOEFL PDF Download

Vocabulary Questions

These questions ask you to identify the meanings of individual words and phrases as they are used in the reading passage (a word might have more than one meaning, but in the reading passage, only one of those meanings is relevant.) Vocabulary is chosen as it actually occurs in the passage. There is no "list of words” that must be tested. Usually, a word or phrase is chosen to be tested as a vocabulary item because understanding that word or phrase is important to understanding a large or important part of the passage. On the TOEFL iBT, words in the passage that are unusual, technical, or have special meanings in the context of the topic are defined for you. If you click on the word in the passage, a definition will appear in a box. This book defines words of this type at the end of the passage. Naturally, words that are tested as vocabulary questions are not defined for you.

How to Recognize Vocabulary Questions

Vocabulary questions are usually easy to identify. You will see one word or phrase highlighted in the passage. You are then asked a question like this:

• The word X in the passage is closest in meaning to

In the case of a phrase, the question might be:

• In stating X, the author means that

Tips for Vocabulary Questions

• Remember that the question is not just asking the meaning of a word; it is asking for the meaning as it is used in the passage. Do not just choose an answer lust because it can be the correct meaning of the word; understand which meaning the author is using in the passage.
• Reread the sentence in the passage, substituting the word or phrase you have chosen. Confirm that the sentence still makes sense in the context of the whole passage.

Examples

(I) Passage Excerpt: “In the animal world the task of moving about is fulfilled in many ways.
For some animals, locomotion is accomplished by changes in body shape ...''
Q. The word locomotion in the passage is closest in meaning to
(a) evolution
(b) movement
(c) survival
(d) escape

Explanation
Locomotion means "the ability to move from place to place.” In this example, it is a way of restating the phrase "the task of moving” in the preceding sentence. So the correct answer is choice b.

(ii) Passage Excerpt: “Some poisonous snake bites need to be treated immediately or the victim will suffer paralysis...''
Q. In stating that the victim will suffer paralysis the author means that the victim will
(a) lose the ability to move
(b) become unconscious
(c) undergo shock
(d) feel great pain

Explanation
In this example, both the words tested from the passage and the possible answers are phrases. Paralysis means "the inability to move,” so if the poison from a snake bite causes someone to "suffer paralysis," that person will "lose the ability to move.” The correct answer is choice a.