TOEFL词汇题精选440题001. Most of these leaders were invo Ived in public life as reformers, activists worki ng for wome n's right to vote, or authors, and were not representative at all of the great of ordinary wome n.The word "represe ntative" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) typical(B) satisfied(C) supportive(D) dist in ctive002. In the United States, Louis Comfort Tiffa ny (1843-1933) was the most noted exp onent of this style, produc ing a great variety of glass forms and surfaces, which were widely copied in their time and are highly prized today.The word "prized" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) valued(B) uni versal(C) un com mon(D) preserved003. The Art Nouveau style was a major force in the decorative arts from 1895 un til 1915, although its in flue nce continued throughout the mid-1920's. It was eve ntually to be overtake n by a new school of thought known as Fun cti on alism that had bee n prese nt since the tur n of the cen tury.The word "overtake n" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) surpassed(B) in cli ned(C) expressed(D) applied004. During most of their lives, surge glaciers behave like n ormal glaciers, traveli ng perhaps only a couple of in ches per day. However, at in tervals of 10 to 100 years, these glaciers move forward up to 100 times faster tha n usual.The word "in tervals" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) records(B) speeds(C) dista nces(D) periods 005. The in creas ing water pressure un der the glacier might lift it off its bed, overco ming the friction between ice and rock, thus freeing the glacier, which rapidly sliders dow nhill surge glaciers also might be in flue need by the climate, volca nic heat, or earthquakes.The word "free ing" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) push ing(B) releas ing(C) stre ngthe ning(D) draining006. A flood of ice would then surge into the Southern Sea. With the continued rise in sea level, more ice would plunge in to the ocea n, causing sea levels to rise even higher, which in turn would release more ice and set in moti on a vicious cycle.The word "pl un ge" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) drop(B) exte nd(C) melt(D) drift007. Group members look to in strume ntal leaders to "get thi ngs don e." Expressive leadership, on the other han d, is leadership that emphasizes thecollective well-being of asocial group's members.The word "collective" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) n ecessary(B) typical(C) group(D) particular 008. They offer sympathy whe n some one experiences difficulties or is subjected to discipli ne, are quick to lighte n a serious mome nt with humor, and try to resolve issues that threate n to divide the group. The word "resolve" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) avoid repeat ing(B) talk about(C) avoid thi nking about(D) find a solution for 009. Thousa nds of tons were extracted before 1875, when it was first noticed that the tar contained fossil rema ins. Major excavati ons were un dertake n that established the sig nifica nee of this remarkable site.The word "no ticed" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) predicted(B) announced(C) corrected(D) observed 010. Since then, over 100 tons of fossils, 1.5 million from vertebrates, 2.5 million from inv ertebrates, have bee n recovered, ofte n in den sely concen tratecta ngled masses.The word "ta ngled" is closest in mea ning to which of follow ing?(A) buried ben eath(B) twisted together(C) quickly formed(D) easily dated011. The asphalt at La Brea seeps to the surface, especially in the summer, and forms shallow puddles that would often have bee n con cealed by leaves and dust. The word "con cealed" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) highlighted(B) covered(C) tran sformed(D) con tami nated012. The ocea n bottom --- a regi on n early 2.5 times greater tha n the total la nd area of the Earth --- is a vast frontier that even today is largely un explored and un charted, un til about a cen tury ago, the deep-ocea n floor was completely in accessible, hidde n ben eath waters averagi ng over 3,600 meters deep.The word "in accessible" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) un recog ni zable(B) un reachable(C) unu sable(D) un safe013. The DSDP's drill ship, the Glomar Challe nger, was able to maintain a steady positi on on the ocea n's surface and drill in very deep waters,extracting samples of sedime nts and rock from the ocea n floor. The word "extracting" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) breaki ng(B) locat ing(C) rem oving(D) an alyz ing014. Today, largely on thestrength of evide nee gathered duri ng the Glomar Challenger's voyages, n early all earth seientists agree on the theories of plate teet onics and eon ti nen tal drift that expla in many of the geological processes that shape the Earth. The word "stre ngth" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) basis(B) purpose(C) discovery(D) en dura nee015. For every three Canadians in 1945, there were over five in 1966. In September 1966 Can ada's populati on passed the 20 milli on mark. Most of this surg ing growth came from n atural in crease.The word "surg ing" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) new(B) extra(C) accelerat ing(D) surpris ing 016. Whe n the prairies were being settled, un doubtedly, the good econo mic eon diti ons of the 1950's supported a growth in the population, but the expansion also derived from a trend toward earlier marriages and an in crease in the average size of families. The word "tre nd" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) tendency(B) aim(C) growth(D) directive017. After the peak year of 1957, the birth rate in Can ada bega n to deeli ne. It eon ti nued falling until in 1966, it stood at the lowest level in 25 years.The word "peak" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) poin ted(B) dismal(C) moun ta in(D) maximum018. Although the growth in Ca nada's populati on had slowed dow n by 1966 (the in crease the first half of the 1960's was only nine perce nt) , ano ther large populati on wave was coming over the horizon. It would be composed of the childre n who were born during the period of the high birth rateprior to 1957.The phrase "prior to" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) behi nd(B) since(C) duri ng(D) precedi ng 019. Advocates of orga nic foods --- a term whose meaning varies greatly --- freque ntly proclaim that such products are safer and more nu tritious tha n others.The word "Advocates" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) Prop onents(B) Mercha nts(C) In spectors(D) Con sumers020. There are nu mero usun substa ntiated reports that natural vitamins are superior to syn thetic on es, that fertilized eggs are nutritionally superior to unfertilized eggs, that un treated grains are better tha n fumigated grains, and the like.The word "un substa ntiated" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) un believable(B) uncon tested(C) un popular(D) unv erified021. But in many cases con sumers are misled if they believe orga nic foods can maintain health and provide better nu triti onal quality tha n conven ti on ally grown foods. So there is real cause for concern if con sumers, particularly those with limited in comes, distrust the regular food supply and buy only expe nsive orga nic foods in stead.The word "mai ntai n" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) improve(B) mon itor(C) preserve(D) restore022. I n additi on, there were performers and since con siderable importa nee was attached to avoiding mistakes in the enactment of rites, religious leaders usually assumed that task. The word "con siderable" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) thoughtful(B) substa ntial(C) relatio nal(D) cere monial023. I n additi on, there were performers and since con siderable importa nee was attached to avoidi ng mistakes in thee nactme nt of rites, religious leaders usually assumed that task.The word "en actme nt" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) establishme nt(B) performa nee(C) authorizati on(D) season024. Stagger ing tasks confron ted the people of the United States, North and South, when the Civil War ended. About a million and a half soldiers from both sides had to be demobilized, readjusted to civilia n life, and reabsorbed by the devastated economy. The word "Staggeri ng" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) specialized(B) confusing(C) various(D) overwhel ming025. About a millio n and a half soldiers from both sides had to be demobilized, readjusted to civilia n life, and reabsorbed by the devastated economy.The word "devastated" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) develop ing(B) rui ned(C) complicated(D) fragile026. Some bota ni sts hypothesized that the livi ng cells of pla nts acted as pumps. But many experime ntsdem on strated that the stems of plants in which all the cells are killed can still move water to appreciable heights. The word "dem on strated" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) ignored(B) showed(C) disguised(D) disti nguished027. As water is lost from the surface of the leaves, a n egative pressure, or tension, is created. The evaporated water is replaced by water movi ng from in side the pla nt in un broke n colu mns thatexte nd from the top of a plant to its roots. The same forces that create surface tension in any sample of water are responsible for the maintenance of these un broke n colu mns of water.The word "exte nd" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) stretch(B) branch(C) in crease(D) rotate028. By ope ning vast areas of uno ccupied land for reside ntial expa nsion, the omni buses, horse railways, commuter trains, and electric trolleys pulled settled regions outward two to four times more dista nt from city centers than they were in the premodern era. The word "vast" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) large(B) basic(C) new(D) urba n029. The new accessibility of land around the periphery of almost every major city sparked an explosi on of real estate developme nt and fueled what we now know as urban sprawl. Between 1890 and 1920, for example, some 250,000 new reside ntial lots were recorded within the borders of Chicago, most of them located in outly ing areas.The word "sparked" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) brought about(B) surro un ded(C) sent out(D) followed030. An xious to take adva ntage of the possibilities of commut ing, real estate developers added 800,00(jbote ntial building sites to the Chicago region in just thirty years-lots that could have housed five to six million people.The word "pote ntial" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) certa in(B) popular(C) improved(D) possible031. The quality of preservati on is outstanding , but what is even more impressive is the nu mber of ichthyosaur fossils containing preserved embryos.The word "outsta nding" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) exte nsive(B) surpris ing(C) vertical(D) excelle nt032. Ichthyosaurs with embryos have bee n reported from 6 differe nt levels of the shale in a small area around Holzamde n, suggest ing that a specificsite was used by large nu mbers of ichthyosaurs repeatedly over time.The word "site" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) example(B) locati on(C) developme nt(D) characteristic033. The quality of preservati on is almost unm atched, and quarry operati ons have bee n carried out carefully with an aware ness of the value of the fossils. But these factors do not acco unt for the in terest ing questi on of how there came to be such a concen trati on of preg nant ichthyosaurs in a particular place very close to their time of giving birth.The phrase "acco unt for " is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) record(B) describe(C) equal(D) expla in034.In the seve ntee nth cen tury the orga n, the clavichord, and the harpsichord became the chief in strume nts of the keyboard group, a supremacy they maintained until the pia no suppla nted them at the end of the eightee nth cen tury.The words "a supremacy" in line 9 are closest in meaning to(A) a suggesti on(B) an improveme nt(C) a dominance(D) a developme nt 035. A series of mecha ni cal improveme nts continuing well into the nin etee nth cen tury, in cludi ng the in troducti on of pedals to susta in tone or to softe n it, the perfecti on of a metal frame, and steel wire of the fin est quality, fin ally produced an instrume nt capable of myriad tonal effects from the most delicate harm onies to an almost orchestral full ness of sound, from a liquid, singing tone to a ship, percussive brillianee. The word "myriad" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) no ticeable(B) many(C) loud(D) unu sual036. Each one was virtually a stone tow n, which is why the Spanish would later call them pueblos, the Spanish word for tow ns. These pueblos represe nt one of the An asazis' supreme achieveme nts. At least a doze n large stone houses took shape below the bluffs of Chiaco Canyon in n orthwest New Mexico.The word "supreme" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) most com mon(B) most outsta nding(C) most expe nsive(D) most convenient037. They fun cti oned as san ctuaries where the elders met to pla n festivals, perform ritual dan ces,settle pueblo affairs, and impart tribal lore to the youn ger gen erati on. The word "settle" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) si nk(B) decide(C) clarify(D) locate 038. Then, to conn ect the pueblos and to give access to the surro unding tablela nd, the architects laid out a system of public roads with stone staircases forasce nding cliff faces.The word "asce nding" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) arriv ing at (B) carv ing(C) conn ect ing(D) climbi ng039. Within a very short time, however, the incon gruity of playi ng lively music to a sole mn film became appare nt, and film pia ni sts bega n to take some care in matchi ng their pieces to the mood of the film.The word "sole mn" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) simple(B) serious(C) short(D) sile nt(D) extreme040. Certai n films had music especially composed for them. The most famous of these early specialscores was that composed and arra nged for D. W. Griffith's film Birth of a Nation, which was released in 1915.The word "composed" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) selected(B) comb ined(C) played(D) createdThe word "scores" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) totals(B) successes(C) musical compositi ons(D) groups of musicia nsc 041. The Earthcomprises three prin cipal layers: the dense, iron-rich core, the mantle made of silicate rocks that are semimolten at depth, and the thin, solid-surface crust.The word "comprises" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) adapts to(B) ben efits from(C) con sists of(D) focuses ond 042. These plates move over the semimolte n lower man tle to produce all of the major topographical features of the Earth. Active zones where intense deformati on occurs are confined to the n arrow, in terc onn ect ing boun daries of con tact of the plates.The word "inten se" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) surface(B) sudden(C) rarea 043. New ocea nic crust is formed along one or moremarg ins of each plate by material issu ing from deeper layers of the Earth's crust, for example, by volca nic eruptions of lava at midocean ridges. The word "marg ins" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) edges(B) peaks(C) in teriors(D) dista nces d 044. If at such a spread ing con tact the two plates support con ti nen ts, a rift is formed that will gradually wide n and become flooded by the sea. The Atla ntic Ocea n formed like this as the American and Afro- Europea n plates move in opposite directi ons. The word "support" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) separate(B) create(C) reduce(D) hold d 045. Coin cide nt with concerns about the accelerati ng loss of species and habitats has bee n a grow in gappreciati on of the importa nee of biological diversity, the nu mber of species in a particular ecosystem, to the health of the Earth and huma n well- be in g.The word "appreciati on" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) ignorance(B) recog niti on(C) tolera nee(D) forgive nessd 046. An alie n explori ng Earth would probably give priority to the pla net's dominant, most-distinctive feature-the ocean. Huma ns have abias toward land that sometimes gets in the way of truly exam ining global issues.The word "bias" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) concern(B) disadva ntage(C) attitude(D) prejudice047. The prevailing winds in the Great Basi n are from the west. Warm, moist air from the Pacific Ocea n is forced upward as it crosses the Sierra Nevada.The word "prevaili ng" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) most freque nt(B) occasi onal(C) gen tle(D) most dan gerous048. There seem to have bee n several periods with in the last tens of thousa nds of years whe n wateraccumulated in these bas ins. The rise and fall of the lakes were un doubtedly lin ked to the adva nces and retreats of the great ice sheets that covered much of the northern part of the North America n con ti nent duri ng those times. The word "accumulated" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) dried(B) flooded(C) collected(D) evaporated049. All livi ng creature, especially huma n bein gs, have their peculiarities, but everyth ing about the little sea cucumber seems unu sual. What else can be said about a bizarre animal that, among other ecce ntricities, eats mud, feeds almost continu ously day and ni ght but can live without eating for long periods, and can be pois onous but is con sidered supremely edible by gourmets?The phrase "bizarre" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) odd(B) marine(C) simple(D) rare050. Its major enemies are fish and crabs, when attacked, it squirts all its internal organs into the water. It alsocasts off attached structures such as ten tacles. The sea cucumber will eviscerate and rege nerate itself if it is attacked or even touched; it will do the same if the surro unding water temperature is too high or if the water becomes too polluted. The phrase "casts off" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) grows aga in(B) grabs(C) gets rid of(D) uses as a weap on051. A folk culture is small, isolated, cohesive, con servative, n early self-sufficie nt group that is homoge neous in custom and race, with a strong family or clan structure and highly developed rituals.The word "homoge neous" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) uniform(B) gen eral(C) primitive(D) traditio nal052. Un altered folk cultures no Ion ger exist in industrialized countries such as the United States and Can ada. Perhaps the n earest moder n equivale nt in An glo-America is the Amish, a Germa n America n farmi ng sect that largely renoun ces the products and labor sav ing devices of the in dustrial age. The phrase "largely renoun ces" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) gen erally rejects(B) greatly modifies(C) loudly declares(D) often criticizes053. Secular in stituti ons, of con trol such as the police and army take the place of religion and family in maintaining order, and a money-based economprevails . Because of these con trasts, "popular" may be viewed as clearly different from "folk". The word "prevails" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) domin ates(B) provides(C) develops(D) inv ests054. Conven ti onal computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicti ng short-lived local storms like the Edm onton tor nado, because the available weather data are gen erally not detailed eno ugh to allow computers to discer n thesubtle atmospheric cha nges that precede these storms.The word "subtle" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) complex(B) regular(C) imagi ned(D) slight055. Com mun icatio ns satellites can tran smit data around the world cheaply and in sta ntan eously, and moder n computers can quickly compile and an alyz ing this large volume of weather in formati on.The word "compile" is closest in mea ning to which of follow ing?(A) put together(B) look up(C) pile high(D) work over056. Meteorologists and computer scie ntists now work together to desig n computer programs and video equipme nt capable of tran sformi ng raw weather data into words, symbols, and vivid graphic displays that forecasters can in terpret easily and quickly. The word "raw" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing? (A) stormy(B) in accurate(C) uncooked(D) un processed057. People in the United States in the nin etee nth cen tury were haun ted by the prospect that un precede nted cha nge in the nation's economy would bring social chaos. The word "Prospect" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) regret(B) possibility(C) theory(D) circumsta nee058. Although the birth rate continued to decli ne from its high level of the eightee nth and early nineteenth century, the population roughly doubled every gen eratio n duri ng the rest of the nin etee nth cen turies. As the populati on grew, its makeup also cha nged. The word "roughly" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) harshly(B) surpris in gly(C) slowly(D) approximately059. Rapid in dustrializati on and in creased geographic mobility in the nin etee nth century had special implications for women because these cha nges ten ded toag nify social distinctions . As the roles men and wome n played in society became more rigidly defi ned, so did the roles they played in the home.The word "mag nify" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) solve(B) expla in(C) an alyze(D) in creaseThe word "dist in cti ons" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) differe nces(B) classes(C) accomplishme nts(D) characteristics060.In scie nee, a theory is a reas on able expla nati on of observed eve nts that are related. A theory ofte n invo Ives an imagi nary model that helps scie ntists picture the way an observed eve nt could be produced. The word "related" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) conn ected(B) described(C) completed(D) ide ntified061. If observati on s con firm the scie ntists' predicti ons, the theory issupported. The word "supported" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) fin ished(B) adjusted(C) inv estigated(D) upheld cities. Ice was used in hotels, taver ns, and hospitals, and by someforward-look ing city dealers in fresh meat, fresh fish, and butter. The phrase "forward-looking" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) progressive(B) popular(C) thrifty(D) well-established063. Making an efficie nt icebox was not as easy as we might now suppose. In the early nin etee nth cen tury, the kno wledge of the physics of heat, which was esse ntial to a science of refrigeration, wasrudimentary. The word "rudimentary" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) grow ing(B) un developed(C) n ecessary(D) unin terest ing064. Aside from perpetuat ing itself, thesole purpose of the America n Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters is to "foster, assist and susta in an in terest" in literature, music, and art.The word "sole" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) only(B) hono rable(C) com mon(D) official065. One awardsubsidizes a promis ing American writer's visit to Rome. There is eve n an award for a very good work of fiction that failed commercially-once won by the young Joh n Updike for The Poorhouse Fair and, more rece ntly, by Alice 10Walker for In Love and Trouble.The word "subsidizes" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) assures(B) finan ces(C) schedules(D) publishes066. Committee membershiprotates every year, so that new voices and opinions are con sta ntly heard.The word "rotates" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) alter nates(B) participates(C) decides(D) meets 067. One importa nt line of evide nee comes from flak ing patter ns of sto ne cores used in tool making: implements flaked with a clockwise moti on (in dicat ing a right-ha nded toolmaker) can be distinguished from hose flaked with a coun ter-clockwise rotati on (in dicat ing a left-ha nded toolmaker).The word "impleme nts" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) tools(B) desig ns(C) examples(D) pieces 068. Even scratches found on fossil huma n teeth offer clues. An cie nt huma ns are thought to have cut meat into strips by holding it between their teeth and slicing it with sto ne kni ves, as do the prese nt-day In uit.The word "clues" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) solutio ns(B) details(C) damage(D) in formatio n069. The variatio n betwee n thehemispheres corresp onds to which side of the body is used to perform specific activities. Such studies, as well as studies of tool use, in dicate that right-or left-sided dominance is not exclusive to moder n Homo sapie ns. The word "hemispheres" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) differe nces(B) sides(C) activities(D) studies070. Pla nts aresubject to attack and in fecti on by a remarkable variety of symbiotic species and have evolved a diverse array of mecha ni sms desig ned to frustrate the potential colonists.The phrase "subject to" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) susceptible to(B) classified by(C) attractive to(D) stre ngthe ned by071. The exter nal surfaces of pla nts, in additi on to being covered by an epidermis and a waxy cuticle, often carry spiky hairs known as trichomes, which either preve nt feedi ng by in sects or may everp un cture and kill in sect larvae.The word "pun cture" is closest in meaning to which of follow ing?(A) pierce(B) pin ch(C) surro und(D) cover072. Orchids are unique in hav ing the most highly developed of all blossoms, in which the usual male and female reproductive。
