Essential Words for the TOEFL Lesson 19 Vocabulary Test

Choose the synonym.
nurture

coherent

resistance

evolve

varied

trigger

probe

generic

mimic

unbiased

The capacity among animals to reconstruct body parts is not as common as the ability to compensate for lost tissues. This is due to the complex anatomy of body parts, which requires more elaborate regeneration control mechanisms. If we look over only the vertebrates of the animal kingdom, salamanders are the best regenerators of body parts. Because of this characteristic, they are the subject of much folklore. For example, the fire salamander is so called because of an antiquated belief that it could withstand fire.

The phrasal verb look over in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Throughout history, most technological progress has been a result of relatively minor improvements and refinements rather than through major inventions. Organized research is well suited for this kind of development. However, organized research may discourage novel approaches and inhibit creativity, so seminal discoveries are still likely to be made by inventors in the classic individualistic tradition.

The word novel in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Economist Alfred Marshall received acclaim for his economic ideas that integrated modern and classical economic theory. Classicists believed that price was determined by the cost of producing goods, but the modern school believed that price was dependent on the notion of marginal utility, or usefulness of the goods. Marshall’s theory that price is determined by both cost and utility gained wide acceptance.

The word notion in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Tidal waves are triggered by tectonic displacements. Volcanoes, landslides, or earthquakes on the sea floor can cause a sudden displacement of the water above. This displacement forms a small group of water waves having a wavelength equal to the water depth at the point of origin. In deep water, tidal waves are so long and so slight that ships seldom notice their presence. But as the waves reach shallow water, they increase in amplitude, making them potentially the most catastrophic of all ocean waves.

The word triggered in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Throughout the ages, the role of the heart was long considered a mystery. Some thought that it was the source of the soul. Others thought that it was the center of love, courage, happiness, and sadness. Primitive humans were no doubt aware of the heartbeat and probably recognized that the tiny heart, normally about the size of a fist, was an organ whose malfunction could cause sudden death.

The word normally in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

There is a growing sentiment in opposition to sea bass fishing. Most sea bass spawn between May and August, which coincides with the height of the fishing season. Fishing affects the reproductive capacity of the species disproportionately since it does not distinguish between males and females. Instead, it captures both indiscriminately. However, it takes six years longer for a female bass to become fertile than a male.

In stating that there is a growing sentiment in opposition to sea bass fishing, the author means that people _____.

Gymnastic competitions are judged and scored on both an individual and a team basis. Judges award points to each participant in each event on a 0-to-10 scale, 10 being perfect. The goal of completely unbiased judging is very difficult to achieve. Although guidelines are provided, judges seldom agree on the quality of a performance.

The word unbiased in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Prior to highly advanced weather satellite technology, sounding rockets were used to gather weather intelligence. Sounding rockets were unmanned rockets that recorded atmospheric conditions at heights that were 50–100 miles beyond the reach of airplanes and balloons. Emulating weather balloon technology, these rockets usually followed a vertical path as they investigated upper atmospheric conditions with their scientific instruments.

The word emulating in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

Reality is perceived through appearances. However, appearances are incompatible with reality. If an oar in water looks broken but feels straight to the touch, this must be acknowledged. Thus, a coherent picture of reality requires that we acknowledge that appearances can be deceptive.

The word coherent in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.

“Speedwriting” was a writing system devised and patented by Emma Dearborn in 1924. The system used words that were recorded as they sounded, and only employed “long vowels.” Thus, “you” is written “u” and “like” is “lik.” Some letters were transformed to allow for speedy transcription, and the system often employed abbreviations and flourishes.

The word transformed in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.