TOEFL Words | Questions & Answers 2/44

This page gives you ten original TOEFL-style vocabulary items built around the target words below. Answer all ten first, then check your choices against the answer key at the end.

TOEFL Words | Questions 011-020

011. The old staircase had been concealed behind a bookshelf for decades until the new owners began renovating the house.

The word "concealed" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) covered
• (B) painted
• (C) removed
• (D) rebuilt

012. After the landslide, the mountain village remained inaccessible by road for nearly three weeks.

The word "inaccessible" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) undocumented
• (B) unreachable
• (C) unaffordable
• (D) unpopulated

013. The dentist spent nearly an hour extracting the damaged tooth before the patient could go home.

The word "extracting" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) removing
• (B) examining
• (C) cleaning
• (D) replacing

014. Much of the theory rests on the strength of evidence collected from three separate field studies conducted over a decade.

The word "strength" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) basis
• (B) purpose
• (C) length
• (D) popularity

015. Membership at the gym has been surging since the new year, with sign-ups nearly doubling each week.

The word "surging" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) declining
• (B) accelerating
• (C) pausing
• (D) varying

016. Researchers noted a clear trend toward remote work among younger employees in the technology sector.

The word "trend" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) tendency
• (B) requirement
• (C) shortage
• (D) resistance

017. Traffic on the highway reaches its peak between five and six in the evening on weekdays.

The word "peak" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) lowest point
• (B) maximum
• (C) average
• (D) starting point

018. The contractor inspected the wiring prior to closing up the walls.

The phrase "prior to" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) following
• (B) during
• (C) preceding
• (D) despite

019. Advocates of the new curfew law say it will reduce noise complaints in residential areas.

The word "Advocates" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) Proponents
• (B) Critics
• (C) Inspectors
• (D) Residents

020. The report contained several unsubstantiated claims about the safety of the new supplement.

The word "unsubstantiated" is closest in meaning to:

• (A) exaggerated
• (B) confidential
• (C) unverified
• (D) outdated

Answers

• 011 — A: concealed ≈ covered — hidden from view.
• 012 — B: inaccessible ≈ unreachable — cannot be reached or gotten to.
• 013 — A: extracting ≈ removing — taking something out, often with effort.
• 014 — A: strength ≈ basis — the foundation supporting a claim.
• 015 — B: surging ≈ accelerating — increasing rapidly.
• 016 — A: trend ≈ tendency — a general direction of change over time.
• 017 — B: peak ≈ maximum — the highest point reached.
• 018 — C: prior to ≈ preceding — coming before in time.
• 019 — A: Advocates ≈ Proponents — people who publicly support something.
• 020 — C: unsubstantiated ≈ unverified — not confirmed with evidence.

For more practice like this, browse the vocabulary hub or try a full reading practice set.