Essential Words for the TOEFL Lesson 26 Vocabulary Test

Choose the synonym.

gratifying

disorganized

factorin

launch

lethargic

symbolize

legitimate

abolish

falter

radiant

In the communications and computer fields, research in optical switching is motivated by the need to transmit data streams at constantly higher speeds more efficiently. At the same time, customers demand transmission and switching rates far higher than can be provided by a purely electronic system. Due to developments in semiconductor lasers and in fiber optics, transmission at higher speeds is now possible.

The word streams in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

A striking example of a successful multiethnic country is Switzerland, where French, German, and Italian speakers from diverse religious groups live and work in harmony and prosperity. Ethnic diversity in Switzerland appears to have stimulated rather than divided the Swiss population. Studies of conditions in Switzerland demonstrate that harmony can coexist with diversity when certain characteristics are shared.

The word striking in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

In one of the most influential books on education ever written, Émile Rousseau argued that society should protect children from the corrupt nature of civilization and cautiously nurture their natural, spontaneous impulses, which, in Rousseau’s mind, were always healthy. He further maintained that it was important to avoid premature intellectualization of emotion so that the child’s intellect could develop without distortion.

The word spontaneous in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

The water available to fulfill a particular need is known as the water supply. When the need is domestic, industrial, or agricultural, the water must fulfill both quality and quantity requirements. Water supplies can be acquired by several types of water resources projects, such as dams, reservoirs, or wells.

The word particular in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Joseph Haydn was undoubtedly the most prolific of all symphony writers; his works spanned what has been called the Classical Era. He is most celebrated for taking the established forms of the symphony and shaping them into the forceful media for musical expression through invention and experimentation. These were recognized as innovations by composers who followed.

The word spanned in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Egyptomania, a term for the renewed interest in Egyptian culture that took place in Europe in the early 1800s, was inspired by Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign. During this era, a special interest arose for mummies. In fact, mummy unwrapping parties were a popular pastime among affluent people. Until they were later abolished, these parties, in which the mummies were unwrapped for entertainment, led to the destruction of an incalculable number of ancient Egyptian mummies.

The word abolished in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

An intaglio is an engraved gem that, when pressed into softened wax, produces an image in relief. This wax seal was once used as a means to identify legitimate letters and documents. The first engraving of hard stones existed as early as about 4000 B.C. in Mesopotamia, but the style of typical intaglios, which were usually mounted on rings, was developed by the ancient Greeks.

The word legitimate in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the trucking industry was quite chaotic. It was dominated by large numbers of itinerant owner-operators. The industry was considered to be unstable and in need of regulation. The National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 brought together two organized groups of trucking officials to develop standards of fair competition. This action led to the formation of the American Trucking Associations.

The word chaotic in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

Singapore is the only nation outside of mainland China and Taiwan where the majority of the population is ethnic Chinese. Its culture exemplifies this Chinese heritage, coupled with various diverse cultural influences. Its British colonial architecture and Chinese, Hindu, and Muslim shrines reflect the cultural diversity found in this international setting.

The word exemplifies in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.

The field of opera once belonged exclusively to the Europeans. Successful American opera seemed to be confined to Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and other obscure operatic works. More recently the opera world has witnessed growth in successful operatic works by Americans. In addition, new opera companies and small opera groups have been established. These developments are particularly gratifying to those who favor bringing a more American flavor to the opera stage.

The word gratifying in the passage is closest in meaning to_____.