Introduction to Vocabulary Questions

Vocabulary questions are one of the question types you'll encounter on the TOEFL reading section. These questions test your knowledge of English vocabulary and your ability to understand words in context.

You can identify vocabulary questions by looking for words or phrases that are underlined or highlighted in the passage. The question will then ask you to choose the best definition for the underlined or highlighted word.

It's important to note that vocabulary questions are not just about knowing the definition of the word in isolationConsidering the word separately from the passage or its context.. You also need to be able to understand how the word is used in the context of the passage. Therefore, it's important to read the surrounding sentences and even the entire paragraph to get a better understanding of the meaning of the word.

Spotting vocabulary questions is a breeze once you know the clues! They often zero in on a specific word or phrase, nudging you with prompts like "the word ___ most nearly means..." or "what does the word ___ mean in the passage?" Keep an eye out for repeated or standout terms in the text—those are prime candidates for testing your word-savvy skills.

To answer vocabulary questions correctly, it's helpful to have a strong vocabulary and to practice using context cluesHints found within a text that can help deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words. to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. Here are some strategies that can help:

1. Relate the word to other concepts you are familiar with.
2. Use context clues to understand the meaning.
3. Identify the part of speechThe grammatical category of a word, such as noun, verb, adjective, etc. of the word and eliminate answer choices that don’t fit that category.

By using these strategies and practicing them regularly, you can improve your ability to answer vocabulary questions and do well on the TOEFL reading section.

Example of a Vocabulary Question: