TOEFL general academic vocabulary
74 words in this theme, levelled so you can tell what is worth your time at your band.
General academic vocabulary is the connective tissue of academic English — the verbs and nouns that introduce evidence, qualify a claim and mark a conclusion. It overlaps with core academic language and sits behind almost every inference question on the test.
Why this theme earns your time
Most of what separates a supported inference from an overstated one is a single word: *suggests* against *proves*, *contributes to* against *causes*. Getting those distinctions right is a vocabulary skill before it is a reasoning skill.
What the words look like
Every entry carries its part of speech, pronunciation, CEFR level, the collocations it actually appears in, and a sentence using it. A sample from the bank:
| Word | CEFR | Meaning | In use |
|---|---|---|---|
| accurateadj. /ˈækjərət/ | B2 | correct and true in every detailaccurate information · highly accurate | Modern dating techniques give archaeologists a far more accurate picture of ancient timelines. |
| conceptn. /ˈkɑːnsept/ | B2 | an idea or general principle about somethinga key concept · grasp the concept | Before we discuss the experiment, let me explain the basic concept of natural selection. |
| crucialadj. /ˈkruːʃl/ | B2 | extremely important because other things depend on itplay a crucial role · crucial to success | Careful measurement is crucial because even small errors can change the final results. |
| emphasizev. /ˈemfəsaɪz/ | B2 | to give special importance or attention to somethingemphasize the importance of · strongly emphasize | The professor emphasized that the exam would focus on material covered in recent weeks. |
| fundamentaladj. /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/ | B2 | forming the base of something; most basic and importanta fundamental principle · fundamental to | Understanding cell structure is fundamental to the study of modern biology. |
| illustratev. /ˈɪləstreɪt/ | B2 | to make something clear by giving examples or picturesillustrate a point · illustrate with examples | The professor used a simple diagram to illustrate how blood flows through the heart. |
| justifyv. /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/ | B2 | to give a good reason for somethingjustify a decision · justify the claim | In your conclusion, you must justify your position with clear reasoning and examples. |
| objectiveadj. /əbˈdʒektɪv/ | B2 | based on facts rather than personal feelings or opinionsan objective analysis · remain objective | A good researcher must remain objective and avoid letting personal opinions influence the results. |
| phenomenonn. /fəˈnɑːmɪnən/ | C1 | something that happens or exists, especially something that can be studieda natural phenomenon · explain the phenomenon | Bioluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon that scientists have observed in many deep-sea creatures. |
| processn. /ˈprɑːses/ | B1 | a series of actions or changes that produce a resultthe learning process · in the process of | Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. |
| significantadj. /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ | B2 | large or important enough to be noticed or to have an effecta significant difference · play a significant role | The study found a significant difference between students who reviewed notes daily and those who did not. |
| theoryn. /ˈθiːəri/ | B1 | a set of ideas that explains why or how something happensdevelop a theory · in theory | Darwin's theory of evolution changed the way biologists understand the natural world. |
What to learn at your level
Most of this theme sits at CEFR B2 (70% of its words). At band 4 the B1 and B2 entries are the ones that move your score; grinding C1 vocabulary before the B2 layer is solid is the most common way to spend weeks and gain nothing.
| Level | Words | Share |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | 11 | 15% |
| B2 | 52 | 70% |
| C1 | 11 | 15% |
Recognising a word is not knowing it
Complete the Words asks you to *produce* a word from context with only its opening letters shown, and the writing tasks ask you to produce it from nothing. That is why the PrepScore drill makes you write the word rather than flip a card, and counts it mastered only after two correct productions in a row. See how the vocabulary drill works.
Drill this theme free
Twenty words a day at no cost, tested by production rather than recognition.
Frequently asked questions
How does vocabulary affect inference questions?
The credited answer usually matches the strength of the passage’s own language. Reading *suggests* as *proves* is how a correct inference becomes an overstatement.
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By PrepScore · Last reviewed · Editorial standards