Vocabulary 101: TOEFL Academic Vocabulary & Spaced Repetition Guide

Why Vocabulary Matters for TOEFL

Vocabulary is the foundation of language comprehension and expression. A strong vocabulary doesn't just help you understand passages; it transforms how you communicate ideas, recognize patterns, and demonstrate academic language proficiency across all four TOEFL sections.

Reading: Understand academic texts, recognize paraphrases, identify main ideas
Listening: Follow lectures with technical terms, catch key details, understand context
Speaking: Express ideas precisely, use varied language, sound natural
Writing: Paraphrase sources, vary word choice, demonstrate academic register

The TOEFL Reality: You don't need to know every word in English. The TOEFL tests approximately 8,000-10,000 words. Focus on high-frequency academic vocabulary and learning strategies to handle unfamiliar words.

1. Academic Word List (AWL)

The Academic Word List contains 570 word families that appear frequently across academic texts. These aren't everyday words like "the" or "run." They're the sophisticated vocabulary of scholarly discourse.

Why AWL Matters

These words appear constantly in TOEFL reading passages and listening lectures. Master them once, use them everywhere.

High-Priority AWL Words (by frequency)

Sublist 1 (Most Common):

analyze (verb) - examine in detail
"Scientists analyze the data to find patterns."

approach (noun/verb) - method; to come near
"This approach to teaching is effective."

concept (noun) - idea or principle
"The concept of evolution transformed biology."

establish (verb) - set up, prove
"The study established a clear connection."

significant (adj) - important, meaningful
"The results showed significant improvement."

Also Essential:

indicate - show, suggest
process - series of actions
require - need
evidence - proof
research - systematic study
theory - explanation
function - purpose, role
method - way of doing
structure - organization
factor - element

Study Strategy: Start with AWL Sublist 1 (60 word families). These appear most frequently and give you the biggest impact for your study time. Then progress through Sublists 2-4 based on your test date.

2. Context Clues: Guess Meaning from Context

You'll never know every word on the TOEFL. The key is learning to infer meaning from context, a skill that helps in reading passages and even while listening to lectures.

Types of Context Clues

1. Definition or Explanation

The text directly explains the word's meaning.

Example: "Photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light into energy, is essential for life on Earth."
The phrase after the comma defines photosynthesis.

2. Synonym or Restatement

The text uses similar words or rephrases the idea.

Example: "The professor was meticulous in her research; she was extremely careful and precise with every detail."
Meticulous = careful and precise

3. Contrast or Antonym

The text shows what the word is NOT, helping you understand what it IS.

Example: "Unlike her gregarious sister who loved parties, Maria preferred quiet evenings alone."
Gregarious = opposite of preferring solitude = sociable

4. Examples

The text provides examples that illustrate the word's meaning.

Example: "The museum displayed various artifacts, including pottery, tools, and ancient weapons."
Artifacts = objects like pottery, tools, weapons

5. Cause and Effect

The relationship between events helps clarify meaning.

Example: "The drought lasted six months, causing crops to fail and rivers to dry up."
Drought = something that causes crop failure and dry rivers = lack of rain

Reading Strategy: In TOEFL Vocabulary questions, the answer is ALWAYS supported by context clues in the surrounding sentences. Never choose an answer based on what you think the word means. Always verify with the context.

3. Word Families: Multiply Your Vocabulary

A word family includes all the forms of a root word: noun, verb, adjective, adverb. When you learn one word, learn its entire family. You'll instantly multiply your vocabulary.

How Word Families Work

Most words can transform into different parts of speech by adding prefixes or suffixes.

Example 1: Analyze

analyze (verb) analysis (noun) analytical (adj) analytically (adv)

• "Scientists analyze the data carefully." (verb)
• "The analysis revealed surprising patterns." (noun)
• "She has an analytical mind for problem-solving." (adjective)
• "He approached the problem analytically." (adverb)

Example 2: Significant

significance (noun) significant (adj) significantly (adv) signify (verb)

Example 3: Economy

economy (noun) economic (adj) economical (adj) economically (adv) economist (noun)

• "The country's economy is growing." (noun - the system)
• "Economic policy affects everyone." (adj - relating to economy)
• "This car is very economical." (adj - saves money)
• "The factory operates economically." (adverb)

More High-Frequency Word Families

Create: create, creation, creative, creatively, creativity, creator
Benefit: benefit, beneficial, beneficially, beneficiary
Identify: identify, identification, identity, identifiable
Vary: vary, variable, variation, various, variety, varied

Efficiency Tip: When studying vocabulary, always note which part of speech each word is. The TOEFL often tests whether you can use the correct form: "The study provides significant [analysis/analytical] evidence."

4. Prefixes & Suffixes: Decode Unknown Words

Understanding common prefixes and suffixes lets you decode thousands of words instantly. Even if you've never seen "irreversible" before, if you know "ir-" (not), "reverse," and "-ible" (able to be), you can figure it out: "not able to be reversed."

High-Impact Prefixes

Negative Prefixes (NOT):

un-: unhappy, unable, uncertain
in-, im-, il-, ir-: inactive, impossible, illegal, irregular
dis-: disagree, disappear, dislike
non-: nonprofit, nonsense, nonverbal
mis-: misunderstand, mislead, misinterpret

Other Common Prefixes:

re-: again (rebuild, redo, review)
pre-: before (preview, prehistoric)
post-: after (postwar, postpone)
sub-: under (submarine, substandard)
inter-: between (international, interact)
trans-: across (transport, transfer)
over-: too much (overeat, overreact)
under-: too little (underestimate)

Essential Suffixes

Noun Suffixes:
• -tion/-sion: action/result (education, discussion)
• -ment: action/result (development, achievement)
• -ness: state/quality (happiness, darkness)
• -ity: state/quality (possibility, reality)
• -er/-or: person who (teacher, actor)
• -ist: person who specializes (scientist, linguist)

Adjective Suffixes:
• -able/-ible: capable of (readable, possible)
• -ful: full of (beautiful, helpful)
• -less: without (homeless, harmless)
• -ous/-ious: full of (dangerous, curious)
• -al: relating to (natural, cultural)
• -ive: tending to (active, creative)

Verb Suffixes:
• -ize/-ise: make/become (modernize, realize)
• -fy: make/become (simplify, clarify)
• -en: make/become (strengthen, widen)

Adverb Suffix:
• -ly: in a manner (quickly, carefully, significantly)

Decoding Strategy: When you see an unfamiliar word, break it down: un-predict-able = "not" + "tell beforehand" + "capable of being" = "not capable of being predicted."

5. Topic Vocabulary Clusters

TOEFL passages and lectures cover predictable topics. Learning vocabulary in thematic groups makes memorization easier and prepares you for common TOEFL themes.

Science & Research

Essential Terms: hypothesis, experiment, observation, variable, control group, data, correlation, causation, empirical, methodology, replicate, validate, peer review, breakthrough, innovation

Environment & Ecology

Essential Terms: ecosystem, biodiversity, habitat, species, extinction, endangered, conservation, sustainable, climate change, pollution, deforestation, renewable, fossil fuels, carbon footprint

History & Archaeology

Essential Terms: civilization, artifact, excavation, prehistoric, era, dynasty, empire, conquest, revolution, migration, domestication, nomadic, settlement, agriculture, urbanization

Psychology & Behavior

Essential Terms: cognitive, perception, memory, motivation, behavior, instinct, learned, innate, stimulus, response, adaptation, developmental, social, personality, subconscious

Economics & Business

Essential Terms: market, supply, demand, profit, investment, consumer, competition, monopoly, regulation, inflation, recession, trade, commerce, entrepreneur, stakeholder

Technology & Innovation

Essential Terms: invention, device, mechanism, automate, efficient, upgrade, obsolete, breakthrough, pioneering, cutting-edge, revolutionary, adopt, implement, infrastructure

Study Approach: Create mind maps for each topic with related words grouped together. This mirrors how vocabulary appears in actual TOEFL passages, clustered around themes, not random.

6. Synonyms & Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is crucial for integrated tasks. The TOEFL deliberately uses different words to express the same ideas between passages and lectures. Recognizing synonyms is essential for success.

Why Synonyms Matter

Reading: Questions paraphrase passage content. You must recognize the match
Listening: Lectures paraphrase reading passages. You must connect them
Writing: You must paraphrase sources, not copy them
Speaking: Varied vocabulary shows language proficiency

Essential Synonym Groups

Important/Significant:
crucial, essential, vital, critical, key, major, primary, fundamental, substantial, considerable, notable, significant, meaningful, pivotal

Show/Demonstrate:
indicate, reveal, illustrate, display, exhibit, manifest, present, prove, confirm, suggest, imply

Increase/Grow:
rise, expand, escalate, intensify, amplify, augment, enhance, boost, strengthen, accelerate, surge

Decrease/Reduce:
decline, diminish, lessen, lower, minimize, shrink, weaken, drop, fall, plummet, dwindle

Difficult/Hard:
challenging, demanding, complex, complicated, intricate, arduous, strenuous, formidable

Help/Support:
assist, aid, facilitate, contribute, enable, promote, foster, encourage, strengthen, reinforce

Paraphrasing in Action

Reading Passage: "Deforestation significantly contributes to climate change."

Paraphrased: "Cutting down forests plays a major role in global warming."
deforestation → cutting down forests | significantly contributes → plays a major role | climate change → global warming

Writing Warning: In Integrated Writing, you MUST paraphrase. Don't copy exact phrases from the reading or lecture. Vary your vocabulary while maintaining accurate meaning.

7. Transition Words & Connectors

Transitions show relationships between ideas. They're essential for coherent speaking and writing, and recognizing them helps you follow complex reading passages and lectures.

Addition (Adding Information)

furthermore, moreover, additionally, in addition, also, besides, as well as, not only...but also, what's more, equally important

Contrast (Showing Difference)

however, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast, whereas, while, although, despite, conversely, yet, but, still

Cause and Effect (Showing Results)

therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, hence, accordingly, for this reason, due to, because of, leads to, results in, causes

Example (Illustrating Points)

for example, for instance, such as, specifically, in particular, to illustrate, namely, including, like, as seen in

Sequence (Ordering Ideas)

first, second, third, next, then, subsequently, following, finally, lastly, in the meantime, meanwhile, previously, ultimately

Emphasis (Highlighting Importance)

indeed, in fact, certainly, clearly, obviously, undoubtedly, particularly, especially, notably, it should be noted that

Comparison (Showing Similarity)

similarly, likewise, in the same way, equally, comparable to, just as, analogous to, correspondingly

Conclusion (Summarizing)

in conclusion, to summarize, in summary, overall, ultimately, in brief, to sum up, all in all, in short, on the whole

Speaking Strategy: Use transitions naturally in your responses: "First, I believe... Additionally, studies show... Therefore, I think..." This makes your speaking more organized and easier to follow.

8. Common Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs (verb + particle) are extremely common in conversational English. They appear frequently in TOEFL listening, especially in campus conversations.

High-Frequency Phrasal Verbs for TOEFL

figure out - understand, solve
"I can't figure out this problem."

point out - indicate, mention
"The professor pointed out an error."

bring up - mention, introduce (topic)
"She brought up an interesting point."

carry out - conduct, perform
"They carried out extensive research."

turn in - submit
"Don't forget to turn in your essay."

hand in - submit
"Please hand in your assignments."

make up - compensate, invent
"Can I make up the missed exam?"

catch up - reach the same level
"I need to catch up on readings."

look into - investigate
"We should look into this further."

come up with - create, devise
"She came up with a brilliant solution."

put off - postpone
"Don't put off studying until the last minute."

go over - review
"Let's go over the main points."

Listening Tip: Phrasal verbs are especially common in campus life listening passages. Practice recognizing them in spoken contexts, where they sound more natural than formal equivalents.

9. Effective Vocabulary Learning Strategies

Knowing WHAT to learn is important, but knowing HOW to learn efficiently is game-changing. These evidence-based strategies will help you build vocabulary that sticks.

1. Spaced Repetition: The Science of Memory

What is Spaced Repetition?

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at gradually increasing intervals. Instead of cramming words all at once, you review them right before you're about to forget them.

The Science: Research shows that spacing out reviews over time leads to stronger, longer-lasting memories than massed practice (cramming). This is called the "spacing effect."

Typical Schedule:

Day 1: Learn new word
Day 2: Review (1 day later)
Day 4: Review (2 days later)
Day 8: Review (4 days later)
Day 16: Review (8 days later)
Day 32: Review (16 days later)

Use PrepEx Flash Cards!

Our flash card system uses intelligent spaced repetition algorithms to show you words at optimal intervals. Cards you find difficult appear more frequently; cards you know well appear less often. Start building your deck →

2. Active Recall vs. Passive Review

❌ Passive Review (Less Effective):
Reading word lists, highlighting vocabulary, re-reading definitions

✓ Active Recall (Highly Effective):
Testing yourself with flash cards, writing sentences, covering definitions and trying to remember

Why it works: Retrieving information from memory (even when you struggle) strengthens neural connections far more than simply reviewing.

3. Contextual Learning: Words in Action

Always learn vocabulary in context, never in isolation. Create example sentences, read them in passages, hear them in lectures.

❌ Less Effective: "significant = important"

✓ More Effective: "The study found a significant relationship between diet and health, suggesting important implications for public policy."

4. Personal Connection: Make It Meaningful

Connect new words to your own experiences, interests, or funny associations. The more personally meaningful, the better you'll remember.

5. Multi-Sensory Engagement

See it: Read the word in context
Say it: Pronounce it out loud
Write it: Use it in a sentence
Hear it: Listen to native speakers use it

6. Quality Over Quantity

Don't try to learn 100 words a day. Focus on 10-15 high-frequency words daily, learn them deeply (meaning, usage, collocations, word family), and review consistently.

Common Mistake: Students often cram vocabulary the week before the test. This creates weak, short-term memories. Start building vocabulary early and use spaced repetition for long-term retention.

10. Building Your Vocabulary Study Plan

Here's a practical, sustainable approach to vocabulary building based on your test date.

If You Have 3+ Months

Weeks 1-4: AWL Sublist 1 (60 word families) + begin topic vocabulary
Weeks 5-8: AWL Sublist 2 (60 families) + prefixes/suffixes focus
Weeks 9-12: AWL Sublist 3 + phrasal verbs + context clues practice
Final weeks: Review all learned vocabulary with spaced repetition

If You Have 4-8 Weeks

Week 1-2: AWL Sublist 1 + high-frequency synonyms for paraphrasing
Week 3-4: Topic vocabulary for common TOEFL themes
Week 5-6: Prefixes, suffixes, and context clue strategies
Week 7-8: Intensive review with flash cards and practice tests

If You Have Less Than 4 Weeks

Focus on: AWL Sublist 1 only (most common academic words)
Priority: Context clue strategies (helps with unknown words)
Practice: Synonym recognition for paraphrasing
Review: Daily flash card sessions with PrepEx

PrepEx Flash Cards Feature

Our intelligent flash card system helps you build vocabulary efficiently:

Spaced repetition algorithm shows words at optimal intervals
Track progress with visual stats and mastery levels
Customizable decks for AWL, topic vocabulary, or your own words
Mobile-friendly for studying anywhere, anytime
Context sentences from real TOEFL-style passages

Start Your Flash Card Deck

Daily Routine (15-20 minutes)

Morning (5 min): Review flash cards from previous days
Midday (10 min): Learn 10-15 new words with example sentences
Evening (5 min): Quiz yourself on today's new words

Pro Tip: Consistency beats intensity. 15 minutes daily with spaced repetition will give you better results than 3-hour cramming sessions once a week.

What's Next?

You now have a comprehensive vocabulary learning system. The key is consistent, strategic practice using evidence-based techniques.

Immediate Action Steps

Start Your Flash Card Deck: Add 10-15 AWL Sublist 1 words today
Set a Daily Habit: 15 minutes, same time every day
Practice in Context: Use new words in speaking and writing
Track Your Progress: Keep a vocabulary journal or use PrepEx tracking
Apply Context Clues: Practice guessing meanings from TOEFL passages

Remember: Vocabulary building is a marathon, not a sprint. Trust the process of spaced repetition and consistent practice. Your future self will thank you.

Coming Soon

We're developing deeper vocabulary guides for specific TOEFL contexts:

• Academic Vocabulary Deep Dive: Complete AWL with usage patterns
• Reading Vocabulary Mastery: Decode complex passages with confidence
• Listening Vocabulary Bank: Campus conversations and lectures
• Speaking & Writing Vocabulary: Express ideas with precision and variety
• Thematic Vocabulary Collections: Science, history, social sciences, and more

Pair This With Grammar 101

Strong vocabulary works best with solid grammar. Together, they form the foundation of language mastery.

Explore Grammar 101

Vocabulary 101

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