TOEFL Words | Questions & Answers 39/44

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 381-390

381. A cluster of small shops grew up around the new train station within just a few years.

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

• (A) ruin
• (B) plan
• (C) group
• (D) survey

382. The factory's sensors are designed to alert supervisors the moment temperatures exceed a safe threshold.

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

• (A) delay
• (B) punish
• (C) warn
• (D) monitor

383. Startled by the sudden noise, the mice went scurrying across the kitchen floor and disappeared behind the cabinet.

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

• (A) hiding
• (B) climbing
• (C) squeaking
• (D) rushing

384. Free online courses have made advanced mathematics far more accessible to students in remote areas.

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

• (A) available
• (B) expensive
• (C) advanced
• (D) optional

385. Differences in soil composition largely account for why crop yields vary so much between the two farms.

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

• (A) predict
• (B) explain
• (C) compete with
• (D) replace all of

386. The workshop brought together participants from remarkably diverse professional backgrounds, from engineering to poetry.

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

• (A) advanced
• (B) competitive
• (C) specialized
• (D) different

387. Researchers noted that participants who exercised in the morning reported better focus later in the day.

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

• (A) predicted
• (B) observed
• (C) denied
• (D) recommended

388. Good coaches emphasize consistent practice over occasional bursts of intense training.

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

• (A) stress
• (B) schedule
• (C) record
• (D) shorten

389. Before approval, the new alloy was subjected to extreme heat and pressure in repeated laboratory trials.

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

• (A) delivered
• (B) exposed
• (C) compared
• (D) protected

390. Simplicity and restraint capture the essence of the architect's design philosophy better than any single building.

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

• (A) visual style
• (B) construction cost
• (C) basic nature
• (D) public reception

Answers

• 381 — C: cluster ≈ group — a number of things gathered closely together.
• 382 — C: alert ≈ warn — to notify someone of a risk.
• 383 — D: scurrying ≈ rushing — moving quickly with short, hurried steps.
• 384 — A: accessible ≈ available — able to be reached or used easily.
• 385 — B: account for ≈ explain — to give the reason for something.
• 386 — D: diverse ≈ different — made up of varied kinds.
• 387 — B: noted ≈ observed — recorded as a fact after watching closely.
• 388 — A: emphasize ≈ stress — to give special importance to something.
• 389 — B: subjected ≈ exposed — made to experience or undergo something.
• 390 — C: essence ≈ basic nature — the core quality that defines something.

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