TOEFL Words | Questions & Answers 38/44

This page drills ten more TOEFL vocabulary targets with new example sentences. Read each sentence, pick the option closest in meaning to the bolded word, then check the answer key at the end.

TOEFL Words | Questions 371-380

371. The demise of the once-popular department store chain surprised few analysts who had watched its sales decline for years.

The word "demise" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) growth
• (B) merger
• (C) death
• (D) relocation

372. The most surprising finding in the study was that sleep quality mattered more than sleep duration for memory.

The word "finding" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) personal opinion
• (B) funding source
• (C) review process
• (D) discovery

373. Compared with the company's overall revenue, the cost of the marketing error was insignificant.

The word "insignificant" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) unimportant
• (B) undisclosed
• (C) unexpected
• (D) avoidable

374. The new safety policy applies to every employee, regardless of rank or years of service.

The phrase "regardless of" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) in favor of
• (B) no matter what
• (C) instead of
• (D) on behalf of

375. There was a marked difference in vocabulary between the two translations of the same novel.

The word "marked" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) noticeable
• (B) minor
• (C) technical
• (D) intentional

376. To control costs, the workshop chose to confine production to just two furniture designs.

The word "confine" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) expand
• (B) advertise
• (C) outsource
• (D) restrict

377. The pottery shards found near the riverbank were, presumably, discarded by traders passing through centuries ago.

The word "presumably" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) originally
• (B) recently
• (C) deliberately
• (D) probably

378. Raising enough capital to compete with established airlines proved a formidable challenge for the new carrier.

The word "formidable" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) temporary
• (B) difficult
• (C) minor
• (D) familiar

379. Despite the law's stated intent to reduce traffic accidents, enforcement remained inconsistent across the state.

The word "intent" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) purpose
• (B) wording
• (C) history
• (D) cost

380. The smooth operation of the hospital's emergency room depends on clear communication between doctors and nurses.

The phrase "smooth operation" is closest in meaning to which of the following?

• (A) routine schedule
• (B) effective functioning
• (C) physical layout
• (D) staff turnover

Answers

• 371 — C: demise ≈ death — the end of something's existence.
• 372 — D: finding ≈ discovery — a result revealed by research.
• 373 — A: insignificant ≈ unimportant — too small to matter much.
• 374 — B: regardless of ≈ no matter what — without being affected by something.
• 375 — A: marked ≈ noticeable — clear enough to be easily seen.
• 376 — D: confine ≈ restrict — to keep within set limits.
• 377 — D: presumably ≈ probably — assumed to be true without direct proof.
• 378 — B: formidable ≈ difficult — hard to deal with or overcome.
• 379 — A: intent ≈ purpose — the aim behind an action or rule.
• 380 — B: smooth operation ≈ effective functioning — working well without disruption.

Keep building your word list on the vocabulary hub, then apply these words to full passages in reading practice.