TOEFL Academic Vocabulary in Context Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the sentence: "The author's argument is predicated on the assumption that all individuals seek rational outcomes." The word "predicated" means:
- Based or founded (Correct answer)
- Criticized
- Refuted
- Expanded
Correct answer: Based or founded
"Predicated on" means based on or founded upon a particular assumption or idea. It is commonly used in academic writing to signal the foundational premises of an argument.
Question 2: From an economics lecture: "The company's strategy to divest its non-core assets generated significant capital." The word "divest" means:
- Acquire additional holdings
- Sell off or dispose of (Correct answer)
- Regulate carefully
- Invest further in
Correct answer: Sell off or dispose of
"Divest" means to sell off subsidiary business interests or investments. In economics and business contexts, divestment is often a strategic move to raise funds or focus on core operations.
Question 3: In a psychology passage: "The study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying human memory consolidation." The word "elucidate" means:
- Challenge
- Make clear or explain (Correct answer)
- Measure
- Distort
Correct answer: Make clear or explain
"Elucidate" means to make something clear or to explain it in detail. In academic writing, researchers elucidate mechanisms, processes, or phenomena that were previously unclear or poorly understood.
Question 4: The passage states: "Climate change poses an existential threat to many indigenous communities whose livelihoods are contingent on stable ecosystems." The word "contingent" means:
- Opposed to
- Dependent on (Correct answer)
- Independent of
- Threatened by
Correct answer: Dependent on
"Contingent on" means dependent on or conditioned by something else. When a situation or outcome is contingent on a factor, it can only exist or occur if that factor is present.
Question 5: From a sociology text: "The researcher sought to identify latent patterns within the dataset that were not immediately apparent." The word "latent" means:
- Obvious and visible
- Present but not yet active or visible (Correct answer)
- Irrelevant
- Previously documented
Correct answer: Present but not yet active or visible
"Latent" describes something that exists but is not yet developed, obvious, or active. In research, latent patterns or variables are those that are not directly observable but can be inferred from the data.
Question 6: In the academic text: "The policy was rescinded after widespread opposition from stakeholders." The word "rescinded" means:
- Enforced strictly
- Officially canceled or revoked (Correct answer)
- Modified slightly
- Approved unanimously
Correct answer: Officially canceled or revoked
"Rescinded" means officially revoked, canceled, or taken back. Laws, policies, contracts, and decisions can be rescinded when they are withdrawn due to opposition, error, or changed circumstances.
TOEFL Academic Vocabulary in Context Questions and Answers 2
In the sentence: "The author's argument is predicated on the assumption that all individuals seek rational outcomes." The word "predicated" means: