Dr. Byrnes' TOEFL Reading Self-study Course: Sample Lecture
Question 1 (easy)
Some of these weapons will invariably hit the wrong targets, and competitive pressures might result in deployment of more systems that are not ready for the battlefield.
The word “invariably ” in the passage is closest in meaning to
easily
accurately
always
soon
Analysis
“Invariably'' is analyzed into “in-variable-ly.” “In” means ‘not,’ and “variable'' means ‘changing’ or ‘fluctuating.’ So “invariably” means ‘not changing, consistently,’ and ‘always.’
Answer：C
TOEFL reading vocab prefix+root+suffix
Question 2 (medium)
This is the time period in which most scientists formerly believed the area to be inhospitable for humans.
The word “inhospitable” in the passage is closest in meaning to
not familiar
not suitable
not dangerous
not reachable
Analysis
‘Inhospitable’ means not hospitable. ‘Hospitable’ means ‘friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests’ or ‘an environment being pleasant and favorable for living in.’ So ‘inhospitable’ means not ‘friendly, not pleasant to live in.’ These are synonyms of inhospitable:
uninviting, unwelcoming, bleak, forbidding.
B is the closest in meaning.
Answer：B
Question 3 (medium)
While these molecules might stay intact beneath the surface (as they evidently do on asteroids and comets), they probably cannot react with each other unless some kind of liquid or gas is available to move them about.
The word “intact” in the passage is closest in meaning to
buried
whole
confined
active
Analysis
‘Intact’ can be analyzed as in-tact. “In” means not and “tact” means to touch. So “intact” means ‘not touched, not damaged.’ These are synonyms of ‘intact’:
whole, entire, complete, unbroken, undamaged, unharmed, unscathed, untouched
Answer：B
Question 4 (medium)
This unprecedented development of a finite groundwater resource with an almost negligible natural recharge rate—that is, virtually no natural water source to replenish the water supply—has caused water tables in the region to fall drastically.
The word “unprecedented” in the passage is closest in meaning to
difficult to control
without any restriction
unlike anything in the past
rapidly expanding
Analysis
“Unprecedented” means ‘not-precedented.’ ‘Precedented’ means ‘supported by having a precedent.’ And ‘precedent’ means ‘an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example for the later cases.’ Based on these, we can infer that “unprecedented” means ‘being in a situation where there is no precedent. So, “unprecedented” means never done or known before, unlike anything in the past. These are synonyms of “unprecedented”:
unparalleled, unequaled, unmatched, unrivaled, unusual, novel
The opposite of “unprecedented” is normal or common.
Answer：C
Question 5 (medium)
It is a monumental scientific achievement, and its development illustrates the essential interplay between observation, prediction, and testing required for scientific progress.
The word “interplay” in the passage is closest in meaning to
sequence
interpretation
requirement
interaction
Analysis
‘Interplay’ is made of ‘inter’ (between) and ‘play’ (acting). So 'interplay’ means the way in which two or more things have an effect on each other.
Answer: D
Question 6 (medium)
The large hind legs were used for propulsion in water.
The word "propulsion" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Staying afloat
Changing direction
Decreasing weight
Moving forward
Analysis
The prefix ‘pro’ in ‘propulsion’ means ‘forward, in front of.’ So, ‘propulsion’ means the action of driving or pushing forward.
Answer：D
Question 7 (easy)
In the animal world the task of moving about is fulfilled in many ways. For some animals locomotion is accomplished by changes in body shape.
The word locomotion in the passage is closest in meaning to
evolution
movement
survival
escape
Analysis
‘Locomotion’ is made of ‘loco’ (=place) and ‘motion’ (=moving). So ‘locomotion’ means “the ability to move from place to place.”
Answer: B
Question 8 (easy)
This rapid origin and diversification of animals is often referred to as “the Cambrian explosion.”
The word “diversification” in the passage is closest in meaning to
emergence of many varieties
steady decline in number
gradual increase in body size
sudden disappearance
Analysis
‘Diversification’ comes from ‘diverse’ which means ‘varied.’ ‘Diversify’ means to make varied, and ‘diversification’ means the state or process of making varied.
Answer：A
Question 9 (easy)
The onrushing water arising from these flash floods likely also formed the odd teardrop-shaped “islands” (resembling the miniature versions seen in the wet sand of our beaches at low tide) that have been found on the plains close to the ends of the outflow channels.
The word “miniature” in the passage is closest in meaning to
temporary
small
multiple
familiar
Analysis
‘Miniature’ means small. These are synonyms of ‘miniature.’
small-scale, scaled-down, mini, tiny, little, small, minute
Answer：B
Question 10 (medium)
When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity
The word “autonomous” in the passage is closest in meaning to
artistic
important
independent
established
Analysis
“Autonomous” can be analyzed into these parts:
auto (self) + nomy (rule, law) + -ous (full of) = full of self-ruling
So “autonomous” means not being subject to the rule or control of another, independent.’
Answer: B
Question 11 (medium)
Later Byzantine columns were monolithic and usually made of marble.
The word “monolithic” in the passage is closest in meaning to
huge
formed of straight line
formed of monotonous pattern
formed of single stone
Answer
‘Monolithic’ is analyzed into these parts:
mono (one) + lith (stone) + ic (of the)
So, ‘monolithic’ means ‘of a single stone.”
Answer: D
Question 12 (hard)
The undisputed pre-Columbian presence in Oceana of the sweet potato, which is a New World domesticate, has sometimes been used to support Heyerdahl’s “American Indians in the Pacific” theories.
The word “undisputed” in the passage is closest in meaning to
mysterious
unexpected
acknowledged
significant
“Undisputed” means ‘not disputed.’ ‘Dispute’ means ‘to question whether a statement is true.’ So ‘undisputed’ means ‘not questioned, undoubted, uncontested, unchallenged.’ The derived meaning of ‘undisputed” from this is, ‘decided, accepted, acknowledged.
Answer：C