Vocabulary Test

Academic word list

In this section you can do practice tests for all groups of the academic word list. The Academic Word List (AWL) was developed by Averil Coxhead at the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. The list contains 570 word families which were selected because they appear with great frequency in a broad range of academic texts. The list does not include words that are in the most frequent 2000 words of English (the General Service List), thus making it specific to academic contexts. The AWL was primarily made so that it could be used by teachers as part of a programme preparing learners for tertiary level study or used by students working alone to learn the words most needed to study at colleges and universities. The 570 words are divided into 10 Groups. The Groups are ordered such that the words in the first Group are the most frequent words and those in the last Group are the least frequent. Group 1 Practice test sector available financial process individual specific principle estimate variables method data research contract environment export source assessment policy identified create derived factors procedure definition assume theory benefit evidence established authority major issues labour occur economic involved percent interpretation consistent income structure legal concept formula section required constitutional analysis distribution function area approach role legislation indicate response period context significant similar Group 2

Practice test community resident range construction strategies elements previous conclusion security aspects acquisition features text commission regulations computer items consumer achieve final positive evaluation assistance normal relevant distinction region traditional impact consequences chapter equation appropriate resources participation survey potential cultural transfer select credit affect categories perceived sought focus purchase injury site journal primary complex institute investment administration maintenance design obtained restricted conduct Group 3 Practice test comments convention published framework implies negative dominant illustrated outcomes constant shift deduction ensure specified justification funds reliance physical partnership location link coordination alternative initial validity task techniques excluded consent proportion demonstrate reaction criteria minorities technology philosophy removed sex compensation sequence corresponding maximum circumstances instance considerable sufficient corporate interaction contribution immigration component constraints technical emphasis scheme layer volume document registered core Group 4 Practice test overall emerged regime implementation project hence occupational internal goals retained sum integration mechanism parallel imposed despite job parameters approximate label concentration principal series predicted summary attitudes undertaken cycle

communication ethnic hypothesis professional status conference attributed annual obvious error implications apparent commitment subsequent debate dimensions promote statistics option domestic output access code investigation phase prior granted stress civil contrast resolution adequate Group 5 Practice test alter stability energy aware licence enforcement draft styles precise medical pursue symbolic marginal capacity generation exposure decline academic modified external psychology fundamental adjustment ratio whereas enable version perspective contact network facilitate welfare transition amendment logic rejected expansion clause prime target objective sustainable equivalent liberal notion substitution generated trend revenue compounds evolution conflict image discretion entities orientation consultation mental monitoring challenge Group 6 Practice test intelligence transformation presumption acknowledged utility furthermore accurate diversity attached recovery assigned tapes motivation bond edition nevertheless transport cited fees scope enhanced incorporated instructions subsidiary input abstract ministry capable expert preceding display incentive inhibition trace ignored incidence estate cooperative revealed index lecture discrimination overseas explicit aggregate gender underlying brief domain rational minimum interval neutral migration flexibility federal author initiatives allocation exceed Group 7

Practice test intervention confirmed definite classical chemical voluntary release visible finite publication channel file thesis equipment disposal solely deny identical submitted grade phenomenon paradigm ultimately extract survive converted transmission global inferred guarantee advocate dynamic simulation topic insert reverse decades comprise hierarchical unique comprehensive couple mode differentiation eliminate priority empirical ideology somewhat aid foundation adults adaptation quotation contrary media successive innovation prohibited isolated Group 8 Practice test highlighted eventually inspection termination displacement arbitrary reinforced denote offset exploitation detected abandon random revision virtually uniform predominantly thereby implicit tension ambiguous vehicle clarity conformity contemporary automatically accumulation appendix widespread infrastructure deviation fluctuations restore guidelines commodity minimises practitioners radical plus visual chart appreciation prospect dramatic contradiction currency inevitably complement accompany paragraph induced schedule intensity crucial via exhibit bias manipulation theme nuclear Group 9 Practice test bulk behalf unified commenced erosion anticipated minimal ceases vision mutual norms intermediate manual supplementary incompatible concurrent ethical preliminary integral conversely relaxed confined accommodation temporary distorted passive subordinate

analogous military scenario revolution diminished coherence suspended mature assurance rigid controversy sphere mediation format trigger qualitative portion medium coincide violation device insights refine devoted team overlap attained restraints inherent route protocol founded duration Group 10 Practice test whereby inclination encountered convinced assembly albeit enormous reluctant posed persistent undergo notwithstanding straightforward panel odd intrinsic compiled adjacent integrity forthcoming conceived ongoing so-called likewise nonetheless levy invoked colleagues depression collapse

100 words to Impress an Examiner!

Here are 100 advanced English words which should you be able to use them in a sentence will impress even educated native speakers! Perfect if you want to impress the examiner in examinations like: IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge CAE and CPE. If you are really serious about having an extensive and impressive vocabulary, try learning these and then try these advanced vocabulary tests. Part TWO aberration (n.) something that differs from the norm (In 1974, Poland won the World Cup, but the success turned out to be an aberration, and Poland have not won a World Cup since). abhor (v.) to hate, detest (Because he always wound up getting hit in the head when he tried to play cricket, Marcin began to abhor the sport).

acquiesce (v.) to agree without protesting (Though Mr. Pospieszny wanted to stay outside and work in his garage, when his wife told him that he had better come in to dinner, he acquiesced to her demands.) alacrity (n.) eagerness, speed (For some reason, Simon loved to help his girlfriend whenever he could, so when his girlfriend asked him to set the table he did so with alacrity.) amiable (adj.) friendly (An amiable fellow, Neil got along with just about everyone.) appease (v.) to calm, satisfy (When Jerry cries, his mother gives him chocolate to appease him.) arcane (adj.) obscure, secret, known only by a few (The professor is an expert in arcane Kashubian literature.) avarice (n.) excessive greed (The bankers avarice led him to amass an enormous personal fortune.) brazen (adj.) excessively bold, brash, clear and obvious (Critics condemned the writers brazen attempt to plagiarise Frankow-Czerwonkos work.) brusque (adj.) short, abrupt, dismissive (Simons brusque manner sometimes offends his colleagues.) cajole

(v.) to urge, coax (Magda's friends cajoled her into drinking too much.) callous (adj.) harsh, cold, unfeeling (The murderers callous lack of remorse shocked the jury.) candor (n.) honesty, frankness (We were surprised by the candor of the politicians speech because she is usually rather evasive.) chide (v.) to voice disapproval (Hania chided Gregory for his vulgar habits and sloppy appearance.) circumspect (adj.) cautious (Though I promised Martas father I would bring her home promptly by midnight, it would have been more circumspect not to have specified a time.) clandestine (adj.) secret (Announcing to her boyfriend that she was going to the library, Maria actually went to meet George for a clandestine liaison.) coerce (v.) to make somebody do something by force or threat (The court decided that David Beckham did not have to honor the contract because he had been coerced into signing it.) coherent (adj.) logically consistent, intelligible (William could not figure out what Harold had seen because he was too distraught to deliver a coherent statement.) complacency

(n.) self-satisfied ignorance of danger (Simon tried to shock his friends out of their complacency by painting a frightening picture of what might happen to them.) confidant (n.) a person entrusted with secrets (Shortly after we met, he became my chief confidant.) connive (v.) to plot, scheme (She connived to get me to give up my plans to start up a new business.) cumulative (adj.) increasing, building upon itself (The cumulative effect of hours spent using the World English website was a vast improvement in his vocabulary and general level of English.) debase (v.) to lower the quality or esteem of something (The large raise that he gave himself debased his motives for running the charity.) decry (v.) to criticize openly (Andrzej Lepper, the leader of the Polish Self Defence party decried the appaling state of Polish roads.) deferential (adj.) showing respect for anothers authority (Donata is always excessively deferential to any kind of authority figure.) demure (adj.) quiet, modest, reserved (Though everyone else at the party was dancing and going crazy, she remained demure.) deride (v.) to laugh at mockingly, scorn (The native speaker often derided the other teachers accent.)

despot (n.) one who has total power and rules brutally (The despot issued a death sentence for anyone who disobeyed his laws.) diligent (adj.) showing care in doing ones work (The diligent researcher made sure to double check her measurements.) elated (adj.) overjoyed, thrilled (When he found out he had won the lottery, the postman was elated.) eloquent (adj.) expressive, articulate, moving (The best man gave such an eloquent speech that most guests were crying.) embezzle (v.) to steal money by falsifying records (The accountant was fired for embezzling 10,000 of the companys funds.) empathy (n.) sensitivity to anothers feelings as if they were ones own (I feel such empathy for my dog when shes upset so am I!) enmity (n.) ill will, hatred, hostility (John and Scott have clearly not forgiven each other, because the enmity between them is obvious to anyone in their presence.) erudite (adj.) learned (My English teacher is such an erudite scholar that he has translated some of the most difficult and abstruse Old English poetry.) extol

(v.) to praise, revere (Kamila extolled the virtues of a vegetarian diet to her meat-loving boyfriend.) fabricate (v.) to make up, invent (When I arrived an hour late to class, I fabricated some excuse about my car breaking down on the way to work.) feral (adj.) wild, savage (That beast looks so feral that I would fear being alone with it.) flabbergasted (adj.) astounded (Whenever I read an Agatha Christie mystery novel, I am always flabbergasted when I learn the identity of the murderer.) forsake (v.) to give up, renounce (I won't forsake my conservative principles.) fractious (adj.) troublesome or irritable (Although the child insisted he wasnt tired, his fractious behaviour - especially his decision to crush his jam sandwiches all over the floor - convinced everyone present that it was time to put him to bed.) furtive (adj.) secretive, sly (Claudias placement of her drugs in her sock drawer was not as furtive as she thought, as the sock drawer is the first place most parents look.) gluttony (n.) overindulgence in food or drink (Helens fried chicken tastes so divine, I dont know how anyone can call gluttony a sin.) gratuitous (adj.) uncalled for, unwarranted (Every evening the guy at the fish and chip shop gives me a gratuitous helping of vinegar.)

haughty (adj.) disdainfully proud (The superstars haughty dismissal of her costars will backfire on her someday.) hypocrisy (n.) pretending to believe what one does not (Once the politician began passing legislation that contradicted his campaign promises, his hypocrisy became apparent.) impeccable (adj.) exemplary, flawless (If your grades were as impeccable as your brothers, then you too would receive a car for a graduation present.) impertinent (adj.) rude, insolent (Most of your comments are so impertinent that I dont wish to dignify them with an answer.) implacable (adj.) incapable of being appeased or mitigated (Watch out: once you shun Grandmothers cooking, she is totally implacable.) impudent (adj.) casually rude, insolent, impertinent (The impudent young woman looked her teacher up and down and told him he was hot.) incisive (adj.) clear, sharp, direct (The discussion wasnt going anywhere until her incisive comment allowed everyone to see what the true issues were.) indolent (adj.) lazy (Why should my indolent children, who cant even pick themselves up off the sofa to pour their own juice, be rewarded with a trip to Burger King?) inept

(adj.) not suitable or capable, unqualified (She proved how inept she was when she forgot two orders and spilled a pint of cider in a customers lap.) infamy (n.) notoriety, extreme ill repute (The infamy of his crime will not lessen as time passes.) inhibit (v.) to prevent, restrain, stop (When I told you I needed the car last night, I certainly never meant to inhibit you from going out.) innate (adj.) inborn, native, inherent (His incredible athletic talent is innate, he never trains, lifts weights, or practices.) insatiable (adj.) incapable of being satisfied (My insatiable appetite for blondes was a real problem on my recent holiday in Japan!) insular (adj.) separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off (Because of the sensitive nature of their jobs, those who work for MI5 must remain insular and generally only spend time with each other.) intrepid (adj.) brave in the face of danger (After scaling a live volcano prior to its eruption, the explorer was praised for his intrepid attitude.) inveterate (adj.) stubbornly established by habit (Im the first to admit that Im an inveterate cider drinkerI drink four pints a day.) Part TWO

jubilant

(adj.) extremely joyful, happy (The crowd was jubilant when the firefighter carried the woman from the flaming building.) knell (n.) the solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death (Echoing throughout our village, the funeral knell made the grey day even more grim.) lithe (adj.) graceful, flexible, supple (Although the dancers were all outstanding, Joannas control of her lithe body was particularly impressive.) lurid (adj.) ghastly, sensational (Barrys story, in which he described a character torturing his neighbour's tortoise, was judged too lurid to be published on the English Library's website.) maverick (n.) an independent, nonconformist person (John is a real maverick and always does things his own way.) maxim (n.) a common saying expressing a principle of conduct (Ms. Stones etiquette maxims are both entertaining and instructional.) meticulous (adj.) extremely careful with details (The ornate needlework in the brides gown was a product of meticulous handiwork.) modicum (n.) a small amount of something (Refusing to display even a modicum of sensitivity, Magda announced her bosss affair to the entire office.) morose

(adj.) gloomy or sullen (Davids morose nature made him very unpleasant to talk to.) myriad (adj.) consisting of a very great number (It was difficult to decide what to do on Saturday night because the city presented us with myriad possibilities for fun.) nadir (n.) the lowest point of something (My day was boring, but the nadir came when my new car was stolen.) nominal (adj.) trifling, insignificant (Because he was moving the following week and needed to get rid of his furniture more than he needed money, Kim sold everything for a nominal price.) novice (n.) a beginner, someone without training or experience (Because we were all novices at archery, our instructor decided to begin with the basics nuance (n.) a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression (The nuances of the poem were not obvious to the casual reader, but the teacher was able to point them out.) oblivious (adj.) lacking consciousness or awareness of something ( Oblivious to the burning smell emanating from the kitchen, my father did not notice that the rolls in the oven were burned until much too late.) obsequious (adj.) excessively compliant or submissive (Donald acted like Susans servant, obeying her every request in an obsequious manner.) obtuse

(adj.) lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect (Political opponents warned that the prime ministers obtuse approach to foreign policy would embroil the nation in mindless war.) panacea (n.) a remedy for all ills or difficulties (Doctors wish there was a single panacea for every disease, but sadly there is not.) parody (n.) a satirical imitation (A hush fell over the classroom when the teacher returned to find Magdalena acting out a parody of his teaching style.) penchant (n.) a tendency, partiality, preference (Fionas dinner parties quickly became monotonous on account of her penchant for Indian dishes.) perusal (n.) a careful examination, review (The actor agreed to accept the role after a three-month perusal of the movie script.) plethora (n.) an abundance, excess (The wedding banquet included a plethora of oysters piled almost three feet high.) predilection (n.) a preference or inclination for something (James has predilection for eating toad in the whole with tomato ketchup.) quaint (adj.) charmingly old-fashioned (Mary was delighted by the quaint bonnets she saw in Romania.) rash (adj.) hasty, incautious (Its best to think things over calmly and thoroughly, rather than make rash decisions.) a

refurbish (v.) to restore, clean up (After being refurbished the old Triumph motorcycle commanded the handsome price of $6000.) repudiate (v.) to reject, refuse to accept (Tom made a strong case for an extension of his curfew, but his mother repudiated it with a few biting words.) rife (adj.) abundant (Surprisingly, the teachers writing was rife with spelling errors.) salient (adj.) significant, conspicuous (One of the salient differences between Alison and Helen is that Alison is a couple of kilos heavier.) serendipity (n.) luck, finding good things without looking for them (In an amazing bit of serendipity, penniless Mark found a $50 bill on the back seat of the bus.) staid (adj.) sedate, serious, self-restrained (The staid butler never changed his expression no matter what happened.) superfluous (adj.) exceeding what is necessary (Samantha had already won the campaign so her constant flattery of others was superfluous.) sycophant (n.) one who flatters for self-gain (Some see the people in the cabinet as the Prime Ministers closest advisors, but others see them as sycophants.) taciturn

(adj.) not inclined to talk (Though Magda never seems to stop talking, her brother is quite taciturn.) truculent (adj.) ready to fight, cruel (This club doesnt really attract the dangerous types, so why was that bouncer being so truculent?) umbrage (n.) resentment, offence (He called me a lily-livered coward, and I took umbrage at the insult.) venerable (adj.) deserving of respect because of age or achievement (The venerable High Court judge had made several key rulings in landmark cases throughout the years.) vex (v.) to confuse or annoy (My boyfriend vexes me by pinching my bottom for hours on end.) vociferous (adj.) loud, boisterous (Im tired of his vociferous whining so Im breaking up with him.) wanton (adj.) undisciplined, lewd, lustful (Joannas wanton demeanor often made the frat guys next door very excited.) zenith (n.) the highest point, culminating point (I was too nice to tell Emily that she had reached the absolute zenith of her career with that one top 10 hit of hers.)

IELTS Vocabulary: Contrast & comparison

A. Complete these sentences with the most appropriate word or expression from A, B or C. 1.The two machines differ considerably. One has an electric motor, the other runs on oil. A. differ B. differentiate C. differential 2.The contrast in weather between the north and the south of the country is very noticeable. A. comparison B. contrast C. compare 3.Many people cannot differentiate between lemon juice and lime juice. A. differ B. differentiate C. contrast 4.Children must be taught to distinguish between right and wrong. A. differ B. contrast C. distinguish 5.There is a distinction between being interested in politics and joining a political party. A. distinguish B. distinctive C. distinction 6.Can you tell the difference between a good boss and a bad one? A. difference B. differentiate C. contrast 7.The management must not discriminate between male and female applicants. A. differ B. contrast C. discriminate 8.Asia covers a huge area. By way of contrast Europe is very small. A. By way of contrast B. By ways of comparing C. By similar means 9.The new model of car is very similar to the old one. A. same B. similar C. common 10.Her political opinions are identical to mine. A. same B. exactly C. identical 11.Some political parties have such similar manifestos that they are difficult to tell apart . A. tell apart B. say apart C. speak apart 12.My friends and I enjoy doing many of the same things. In that respect, we have a lot in common . A. in similar B. in particular C. in common 13.There seems to be a large discrepancy between the number of people employed in service industries, and those employed in the primary sector. A. discriminate B. discretion C. discrepancy 14.British and Australian people share the same language, but in other respects they are as different as cats and dogs . A. cats and dogs B. chalk and cheese C. salt and pepper 15.Britain's economy is largely based on its industry, whereas a few hundred years ago it was an agrarian country. A. wherefore B. whereas C. whereby

1. ID 2739 Of all the boys, Jonathan has done the _____ work. 1. less 2. lesser 3. least 4. little 2. ID 2740 Our school gardener went to the _____ to buy a few pots of flowering plants. 1. orchard 2. plantation 3. estate 4. nursery 3. ID 2741 There will be a new _____ to train the basketball team for the coming tournament in April. 1. umpire 2. judge 3. referee 4. coach 4. ID 2742 It was unfortunate for Madam Tan to have sat next to a _____ in the train and have her purse stolen. 1. conman 2. pickpocket 3. burglar 4. robber

. ID 2743 Alan finally had his hair cut short after repeated warnings from the discipline master in school. 1. trimmed 2. snipped 3. shaved 4. tidied 6. ID 2744 The stretch of old pre-war houses in Joo Chiat Place has been selected for _____ as part of our country's effort to preserve our heritage. 1. restoration 2. revamping 3. rebuilding 4. revitalized 7. ID 2745 The Discovery Channel will be broadcasting a very educational _____ on "Volcanic Eruption" tomorrow night. 1. thriller 2. information report 3. documentary 4. drama 8 ID 31415 Frank realised his mistake and was ________________. 1. hurtful 2. resentful

3. mournful 4. remorseful 1. ID 2017 The volcanic eruption in the Philippines was an absolute _____ as many people were killed and villages were destroyed. 1. incident 2. accident 3. epidemic 4. catastrophe 2. ID 2018 The other Frog Prince showed a lack of _____ when he lied to the Princess and tricked her into kissing him. 1. humour 2. generosity 3. integrity 4. perseverance 3. ID 2019 The author, Dick King-Smith, has _____ traditional fairy tales by changing the plot or the characters in the original version. 1. created 2. modified 3. printed 4. discovered . ID 2020 The class bully was a constant source of _____ for the more timid pupils in his class. 1. awe 2. dread

3. pity 4. excitement 5. ID 2021 Jack was _____ to part with his impressive sports car although he could no longer afford to pay for it. 1. willing 2. impatient 3. resistant 4. reluctant