TOEFL VOCABULARY LESSON 4

Optical illusions and their effects are often created through careful physical attributes, such as a nonstandard use of perspective, distorted angles, deceptive shading, unusual juxtaposition, and color effects.

The word deceptive in the passage is closest in meaning to

• elusive

• misleading

• altered

• ambiguous

A "Declaration of Sentiments", which called upon women to organize and to petition for their rights, was passed.

The word petition in the passage is closest to meaning to

• vote

• demand

• appeal

• persist

The participants who crafted the treaty concluded that the moon and all other celestial bodies were to be free for exploration and use by all nations. They also concurred that the use of weapons of mass destruction was to be forbidden in space.

The word concurred in the passage is closest in meaning to

• assumed

• agreed

• anticipated

• observed

The lawmaking process can become stagnant if the stated do not agree with the proposed legislation.

The phrase become stagnant in the passage is closest in meaning to

• continue flowing

• stop progressing

• be cancelled

• create arguments

Due to the astounding progress of integrated-circuit technology, an enormous number of transistors can be placed onto a single integrated-circuit chip.

The word astounding in the passage is closest in meaning to

• astonishing

• rapid

• solid

• resilient

Deer often wander into traffic, cause automobile accidents, trample lawns, eat flowers, and host insects that carry disease. Therefore, many residents are determined to restrict their movements, fence them out, or eliminate them altogether.

In stating that many people are determined to eliminate the deer, the author means that they

• want to decide what to do

• support their increase

• insist on reducing them

• favor enlarging the herd

The game of chess was not well organized until 1946, when the world chess governing body, FIDE, asserted its control over international play.

The word asserted in the passage is closest in meaning to

• enhanced

• empowered

• permitted

• declared

Despite the fact that all classification of human societies and cultures are arbitrary, they also attempt to note differences between various human societies.

The word arbitrary in the passage is closest in meaning to

• vague

• haphazard

• disputed

• elusive

Once the United States was designated to act on behalf of its neighbors to the south, episodes of foreign interference decreased until the 1960's, when Cuba wanted the support and economic aid of the former Union of Soviet Socialists Republics.

The word designated in the passage is closest in meaning to

• authorized

• accustomed

• determined

• tempted

J. Edgar Hoover was an astute professional who served as Director of the FBI for 48 years.

The word astute in the passage is closest in meaning to

• acclaimed

• celebrated

• perceptive

• eminent