Reading: Complete the Words

To get or gain something, such as a skill, knowledge, or possession.

“Children acquire language quickly through daily exposure.”

“The company acquired three smaller firms last year.”

Often used: acquire knowledge · acquire a skill · acquire property

TOEFL tip: When the passage shows 'acq____', recall the double context of gaining skills or goods; it often replaces 'get' in academic Reading.

To change your behavior or something's form so it fits a new situation.

“Desert plants adapt to survive with very little water.”

“Teachers must adapt their methods to different learners.”

Often used: adapt to change · adapt quickly · adapt to conditions

TOEFL tip: Do not confuse 'adapt' (change to fit) with 'adopt' (take on); the partial 'ada__' should trigger the survival/adjustment meaning.

To say that something is caused by or belongs to a particular person, thing, or reason.

“Most geologists attribute the canyon's depth to millions of years of river erosion.”

“The decline in bee populations has been attributed to pesticide use rather than to disease alone.”

Often used: attribute X to Y · widely attributed to · commonly attributed

TOEFL tip: In cause-and-effect questions, scan for 'attributed to' — the phrase marks the author's explanation of a cause, which is often the answer to a 'Why does X happen?' question.

A result or effect of an action or situation.

“Deforestation has serious consequences for wildlife.”

“He accepted the consequences of his decision.”

Often used: serious consequences · as a consequence · face the consequences

TOEFL tip: For 'conseq______', remember it names an effect; it often appears where the passage explains cause-and-effect relationships.

To give something, such as help or ideas, toward a result.

“Poor diet can contribute to heart disease.”

“Many volunteers contributed to the project's success.”

Often used: contribute to · contribute significantly · contribute funds

TOEFL tip: Complete 'contrib___' with the 'ute' ending; the noun form 'contribution' is a frequent word-form trap.

To become smaller, weaker, or fewer; or to politely refuse.

“Bird populations have declined sharply since 1990.”

“She declined the invitation to speak.”

Often used: decline rapidly · steady decline · in decline

TOEFL tip: 'Dec____' has two meanings; in data passages it means fall, so check whether the sentence describes numbers or a refusal.

Clearly different or separate from other things.

“The two species have distinct feeding habits.”

“There are three distinct stages in the process.”

Often used: distinct from · distinct advantage · distinct categories

TOEFL tip: Do not mix 'distinct' (clearly different) with 'distinctive' (characteristic); 'dist___' usually means separate categories in Reading.

Made up of many different types or kinds.

“The rainforest supports a diverse range of species.”

“The city has a diverse population.”

Often used: diverse range · culturally diverse · diverse ecosystem

TOEFL tip: Link 'div____' to the noun 'diversity'; both stress variety, common in ecology and social science texts.

To appear, become known, or come out of something.

“A new pattern emerged from the survey data.”

“The insect emerges from the cocoon in spring.”

Often used: emerge from · patterns emerge · emerge as a leader

TOEFL tip: For 'eme___', think 'come into view'; it is common in history and science passages describing new developments.

To make an approximate judgment of a number, size, or value.

“Experts estimate the bridge will take two years to build.”

“It is hard to estimate how many birds migrate here.”

Often used: roughly estimate · estimate the cost · conservative estimate

TOEFL tip: The noun and verb are spelled alike but stressed differently; 'est_____' near numbers usually means an approximate figure.

Easily seen or understood; obvious.

“It was evident that the plan had failed.”

“Her talent became evident at an early age.”

Often used: it is evident that · become evident · clearly evident

TOEFL tip: The stem 'evid___' connects to 'evidence'; both signal proof, so expect it near supporting details in the passage.

An idea proposed as a possible explanation that must still be tested.

“One hypothesis holds that the dinosaurs died out after an asteroid impact.”

“The researchers designed an experiment to test the hypothesis directly.”

Often used: test a hypothesis · propose a hypothesis · support the hypothesis

TOEFL tip: Science passages often present two competing hypotheses; note which one the author's evidence finally favors, as this is a classic Prose Summary point.

Important, well known, or easily noticed.

“A prominent feature of the landscape is the ridge running east to west.”

“She became the most prominent critic of the accepted theory.”

Often used: a prominent role · prominent figure · most prominent feature

TOEFL tip: 'Prominent' can mean physically noticeable or socially important; use the surrounding noun to choose the right synonym.

Large or important enough to have a noticeable effect.

“There was a significant rise in temperature over the decade.”

“Her research made a significant contribution to biology.”

Often used: significant impact · significant increase · statistically significant

TOEFL tip: When you see 'sig________', link it to measurable change; it frequently signals main ideas in Reading passages.