Vocabulary

  • do in: To make completely tired out and exhausted
  • at least: As a minimum
  • in terms of
  • have to: Must do
  • of course: Sure ; Certainly
  • language proficiency: The ability to use a language with accuracy and fluency.
  • to do with: To be about something; concern
  • think of: To look on as (being something specific); consider
  • on the basis of: Because of; using as a reason or justification.
  • as well as: Also; in addition to
  • look at: To use your eyes to focus on something
  • pass muster: To meet required standards or be accepted as satisfactory.
  • rub shoulders: To associate with famous or important people.
  • based on: To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
  • figure out: To understand the behavior of someone
  • work in: To make an opening for something in your schedule
  • of interest: Relevant or important to someone or something.
  • in a sense: In one way of thinking; to some extent; in some ways.
  • think about: To consider something carefully.
  • in writing: Expressed or presented in written form, rather than spoken.
  • write over: To write on top of existing writing, often obscuring it.
  • get a sense: To understand or perceive something intuitively.
  • as opposed to: In contrast to; rather than.
  • out there: In or to a place that is far away
  • for example: As an illustration or instance.
  • right for: Suitable or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
  • jump through hoops: To do many difficult things to achieve a goal.
  • just kind of: Used to express a feeling or state in a vague or hesitant way.
  • in the world: Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
  • such as: For example; like
  • spread out: To extend or stretch over a large area.
  • at that time: During a specific point in the past.
  • on the cutting room floor: Removed or discarded during the editing process.
  • in other words: Stating something in a different way, often to make it clearer or more understandable.
  • pay off: To give money to get person to do something; bribe
  • same time: Occurring simultaneously or at the same point in time.
  • for someone: On behalf of or intended for a particular person.
  • out of time: Having no more time available to do something.
  • specific: Precise; particular; just about that thing
  • situation: Place, position or area that something is in
  • evidence: Factual proof that helps to establish the truth
  • vocabulary: Words that have to do with a particular subject
  • tend: To move or act in a certain manner
  • audience: Group of people attending a play, movie etc.
  • sense: Certain mental feeling or emotion
  • develop: To explain something in steps and in detail
  • expect: To believe something is probably going to happen
  • variety: Particular type of thing or person
  • career: Particular occupation in professional life
  • complex: Group of buildings all used for the same purpose
  • sentence: (Of a judge) to decide the punishment of
  • academic: Concerning education, schools, universities, etc.
  • fundamental: Forming a necessary part, base, or core
  • research: To study in order to discover new ideas and facts
  • measure: Plan to achieve a desired result
  • ability: The power, resources or skill to do something
  • field: Area of study, such as physics or biology
  • task: Big or small piece of work someone has to do
  • issue: To make something available to be used or sold
  • section: A part of a whole
  • decision: Choice made after thinking; final judgment
  • challenge: An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
  • evaluate: To form an idea to judge something carefully
  • introduce: To open an essay to set the scene
  • performance: Act of doing something
  • reason: To think and make conclusions in a logical manner
  • fair: Neither very good nor very bad; average
  • professional: Of jobs such as doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.
  • dive: Restaurant, bar or club with a bad reputation
  • essay: Short piece of written opinion on a subject
  • analyze: To study carefully to find out the meaning of
  • assessment: Conclusion, opinion formed after due consideration
  • lot: What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
  • ideally: In a perfect way; very suitably
  • proficiency: High amount of skill or ability in something
  • important: Having power or authority
  • kind: In a caring and helpful manner
  • bachelor: Person who earned a first degree at a university
  • complexity: State of having many parts and not being simple
  • salmon: Light pinkish orange color
  • muster: To gather or call together (soldiers, etc.)
  • grammatical: Conforming to the rules of syntax
  • diagram: A drawing intended to explain how something works
  • datum: Item of factual information
  • cohesion: State of being logical and well-organized
  • lexical: About words
  • upstream: In the direction opposite the flow of river/stream
  • phd: Advanced university degree; Doctor of Philosophy
  • toefl: Test Of English as a Foreign Language
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Preparing usage notes, please check back later

  • not found vocabularyNo vocabulary matches your filters
    • ability

      US /əˈbɪlɪti/

      UK /ə'bɪlətɪ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • The power, resources or skill to do something
      • A particular skill or talent.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • academic

      US /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/

      UK /ˌækə'demɪk/

      • Adjective
      • Concerning education, schools, universities, etc.
      • Concerning education, schools, universities, etc.
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Educator teaching at a college or university
      • A subject taught at schools and universities.
      B1
      More
    • analyze

      US /ˈænəˌlaɪz/

      UK /'ænəlaɪz/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To study carefully to find out the meaning of
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • as opposed to

      US

      UK

      • Preposition
      • In contrast to; rather than.
      • Instead of; in place of.
      A1
      More
    • as well as

      US /æz wɛl æz/

      UK /æz wel æz/

      • Adverb
      • Also; in addition to
      • Preposition
      • In addition to; and also.
      A1
      More
    • assessment

      US /əˈsɛsmənt/

      UK /əˈsesmənt/

      • Noun
      • Conclusion, opinion formed after due consideration
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • at least

      US /æt list/

      UK /æt li:st/

      • Adverb
      • As a minimum
      • Not less than
      • Phrase
      • No less than; at the minimum
      • Used to indicate that something is positive in a bad situation.
      C2
      More
    • at that time

      US /æt ðæt taɪm/

      UK /æt ðæt taim/

      • Phrase
      • During a specific point in the past.
      A1
      More
    • audience

      US /ˈɔdiəns/

      UK /ˈɔ:diəns/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Group of people attending a play, movie etc.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • bachelor

      US /ˈbætʃəlɚ, ˈbætʃlɚ/

      UK /'bætʃələ(r)/

      • Noun
      • Person who earned a first degree at a university
      • Man who has never married
      B2
      More
    • based on

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
      • Preposition
      • Using something as the main idea or foundation.
      • Relying on something as evidence or justification.
      A1
      More
    • career

      US /kəˈrɪr/

      UK /kə'rɪə(r)/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Particular occupation in professional life
      • The course of a person's life, especially in a particular pursuit or profession.
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To move forward very fast and without control
      • To advance or make progress rapidly
      A2
      More
    • challenge

      US /ˈtʃæləndʒ/

      UK /'tʃælɪndʒ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
      • Act of formally inviting someone to compete
      • Transitive Verb
      • To formally invite someone to compete at something
      • To question the correctness of something
      A2
      More
    • cohesion

      US /koˈhiʒən/

      UK /kəʊˈhi:ʒn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • State of being logical and well-organized
      B1
      More
    • complex

      US /kəmˈplɛks, ˈkɑmˌplɛks/

      UK /'kɒmpleks/

      • Countable Noun
      • Group of buildings all used for the same purpose
      • Adjective
      • Not being simple; having many parts or aspects
      A2
      More
    • complexity

      US /kəmˈplɛksɪti/

      UK /kəm'pleksətɪ/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • State of having many parts and not being simple
      • A factor or element that makes something complicated.
      B1
      More
    • datum

      US /ˈdetəm, ˈdætəm, ˈdɑtəm/

      UK /ˈdeɪtəm/

      • Noun
      • Item of factual information
      B1
      More
    • diagram

      US /ˈdaɪəˌɡræm/

      UK /'daɪəɡræm/

      • Noun
      • A drawing intended to explain how something works
      • Transitive Verb
      • To show or explain something by drawing a picture
      B1
      More
    • dive

      US /daɪv/

      UK /daɪv/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Restaurant, bar or club with a bad reputation
      • Rapid fall through air
      • Intransitive Verb
      • To swim deep under water with an air supply
      • To rapid fall through air
      B1
      More
    • do in

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To make completely tired out and exhausted
      • To destroy or cause damage to someone
      A1
      More
    • essay

      US /ˈɛsˌe, ɛˈse/

      UK /'eseɪ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Short piece of written opinion on a subject
      • A test of the quality of a metal or ore.
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To attempt or try.
      • To test or evaluate the quality of something.
      B1
      More
    • evaluate

      US /ɪˈvæljuˌet/

      UK /ɪˈvæljueɪt/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To form an idea to judge something carefully
      • To calculate or work out the value or amount of something.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • figure out

      US /ˈfɪɡjɚ aʊt/

      UK /ˈfiɡə aut/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To understand the behavior of someone
      • To think through logically to find a solution
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To understand or find an answer to something.
      • To find a solution to a problem or understand something.
      A1
      More
    • for example

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • As an illustration or instance.
      More
    • for someone

      US /fɚ ˈsʌmwʌn/

      UK /fə ˈsʌmwʌn/

      • other
      • On behalf of or intended for a particular person.
      A1
      More
    • fundamental

      US /ˌfʌndəˈmɛntl/

      UK /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/

      • Adjective
      • Forming a necessary part, base, or core
      • Of central importance.
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A basic part of something
      • (Music) the lowest note in a harmony
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • get a sense

      US

      UK

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To understand or perceive something intuitively.
      A1
      More
    • grammatical

      US /ɡrəˈmætɪkəl/

      UK /grəˈmætɪkl/

      • Adjective
      • Conforming to the rules of syntax
      B1
      More
    • have to

      US /hæv tu/

      UK /ˈhæv tə/

      • Auxiliary Verb
      • Must do
      A1
      More
    • ideally

      US /aɪˈdiəli/

      UK /aɪ'di:əlɪ/

      • Adverb
      • In a perfect way; very suitably
      • In theory; according to an ideal or theoretical standard.
      B2
      More
    • in a sense

      US /ɪn e sɛns/

      UK /in ə sens/

      • Phrase
      • In one way of thinking; to some extent; in some ways.
      B1
      More
    • in other words

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Stating something in a different way, often to make it clearer or more understandable.
      More
    • in terms of

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • With regard to; concerning a particular aspect.
      A1
      More
    • in the world

      US /ɪn ði wɜrld/

      UK /in ðə wɜː(r)ld/

      • Phrase
      • Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
      • Used to indicate the extent or degree of something, often in a superlative sense.
      A1
      More
    • in writing

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Expressed or presented in written form, rather than spoken.
      • Officially recorded in a written document, especially for legal purposes.
      A1
      More
    • issue

      US /ˈɪʃu/

      UK /'ɪʃu:/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To make something available to be used or sold
      • To deliver a statement, etc. in an official manner
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Important topic discussed, debated or argued over
      • Single edition of a magazine
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • jump through hoops

      US /dʒʌmp θru hupz/

      UK /dʒʌmp θru: hu:ps/

      • other
      • To do many difficult things to achieve a goal.
      B2
      More
    • just kind of

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Used to express a feeling or state in a vague or hesitant way.
      • Used to indicate something is approximately or generally similar to something else.
      A2
      More
    • language proficiency

      US

      UK

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • The ability to use a language with accuracy and fluency.
      • A standardized assessment of one's language skills.
      More
    • lexical

      US /ˈlɛksɪkəl/

      UK /ˈleksɪkl/

      • Adjective
      • About words
      B1
      More
    • look at

      US /lʊk æt/

      UK /luk æt/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To use your eyes to focus on something
      • To focus your eyes on something carefully
      A1
      More
    • muster

      US /ˈmʌstɚ/

      UK /ˈmʌstə(r)/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To gather or call together (soldiers, etc.)
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • of course

      US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/

      UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/

      • Adverb
      • Sure ; Certainly
      • Phrase
      • For sure; certainly
      A2
      More
    • of interest

      US /əv ˈɪntrɪst/

      UK /əv ˈɪntrəst/

      • other
      • Relevant or important to someone or something.
      B2
      More
    • on the basis of

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Because of; using as a reason or justification.
      A1
      More
    • on the cutting room floor

      US /ɑn ðə ˈkʌtɪŋ rum flɔr/

      UK /ɒn ðə ˈkʌtɪŋ ru:m flɔ:/

      • other
      • Removed or discarded during the editing process.
      C1
      More
    • out of time

      US /aʊt ʌv taɪm/

      UK /aut ɔv taim/

      • Adjective
      • Having no more time available to do something.
      A1
      More
    • out there

      US /aʊt ðɛr/

      UK /aut ðɛə/

      • Adverb
      • In or to a place that is far away
      • Existing in the universe
      • Adjective
      • Unconventional; strange; avant-garde
      • Existing or available.
      A1
      More
    • pass muster

      US /ˈpæs ˈmʌstɚ/

      UK /ˈpɑ:s ˈmʌstə/

      • other
      • To meet required standards or be accepted as satisfactory.
      B2
      More
    • pay off

      US /pe ɔf/

      UK /pei ɔf/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To give money to get person to do something; bribe
      • To give money to settle a debt
      • Transitive Verb
      • To bribe someone.
      • To pay a debt in full.
      A1
      More
    • performance

      US / pɚˈfɔrməns/

      UK /pə'fɔ:məns/

      • Noun
      • Act of doing something
      • Activity done to entertain an audience
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • phd

      US

      UK

      • Noun
      • Advanced university degree; Doctor of Philosophy
      C2
      More
    • professional

      US /prəˈfɛʃənəl/

      UK /prə'feʃənl/

      • Adjective
      • Of jobs such as doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.
      • Acting/done properly as a qualified person would
      • Noun
      • Highly qualified person, e.g. lawyer or doctor
      • One who plays a sport or similar activity as a job
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • proficiency

      US /prəˈfɪʃənsi/

      UK /prə'fɪʃnsɪ/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • High amount of skill or ability in something
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • research

      US /rɪˈsɚtʃ, ˈriˌsɚtʃ/

      UK /rɪ'sɜ:tʃ/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To study in order to discover new ideas and facts
      • To study the market relating to marketing products and services.
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Study done to discover new ideas and facts
      • A particular area or topic of study.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • right for

      US

      UK

      • Adjective
      • Suitable or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
      • Correct or most appropriate.
      A1
      More
    • rub shoulders

      US

      UK

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To associate with famous or important people.
      B2
      More
    • salmon

      US /ˈsæmən/

      UK /ˈsæmən/

      • Noun
      • Light pinkish orange color
      • Large fish with silver skin and pink flesh
      B1
      More
    • same time

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Occurring simultaneously or at the same point in time.
      • At the identical time as before; recurring at a fixed hour.
      • Noun
      • An equal duration or period.
      A1
      More
    • section

      US / ˈsɛkʃən/

      UK /'sekʃn/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A part of a whole
      • Specific group of people from a larger group
      • Transitive Verb
      • To divide something into smaller parts
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • specific

      US /spɪˈsɪfɪk/

      UK /spəˈsɪfɪk/

      • Adjective
      • Precise; particular; just about that thing
      • Concerning one particular thing or kind of thing
      A2
      More
    • spread out

      US /sprɛd aʊt/

      UK /spred aut/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To extend or stretch over a large area.
      • To arrange things so that they cover a large area.
      B2
      More
    • such as

      US /sʌtʃ æz/

      UK /sʌtʃ æz/

      • Preposition
      • For example; like
      A1
      More
    • task

      US /tæsk/

      UK /tɑ:sk/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Big or small piece of work someone has to do
      • Transitive Verb
      • To be given something to do, e.g. wash dishes
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • tend

      US /tɛnd/

      UK /tend/

      • Intransitive Verb
      • To move or act in a certain manner
      • Transitive Verb
      • To take care of
      A2
      More
    • think about

      US /θɪŋk əˈbaʊt/

      UK /θiŋk əˈbaut/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To consider something carefully.
      • To remember or call to mind.
      A1
      More
    • think of

      US /θɪŋk ʌv/

      UK /θiŋk ɔv/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To look on as (being something specific); consider
      • To consider or remember something.
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To imagine or call something to mind
      A1
      More
    • to do with

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To be about something; concern
      A1
      More
    • toefl

      US /ˈtofəl/

      UK /ˈtəʊfəl/

      • Proper Noun
      • Test Of English as a Foreign Language
      B1
      More
    • upstream

      US /ˈʌpˈstrim/

      UK /ˌʌpˈstri:m/

      • Adverb
      • In the direction opposite the flow of river/stream
      B2
      More
    • variety

      US /vəˈraɪɪti/

      UK /və'raɪətɪ/

      • Noun
      • Particular type of thing or person
      • The quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity, sameness, or monotony.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • vocabulary

      US /voˈkæbjəˌlɛri/

      UK /və'kæbjələrɪ/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Words that have to do with a particular subject
      • The words that a person knows
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • work in

      US /wɚk ɪn/

      UK /wə:k in/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To make an opening for something in your schedule
      • To fit person/thing into a schedule or sequence
      A1
      More
    • write over

      US /raɪt ˈoʊvɚ/

      UK /raɪt ˈəuvə/

      • other
      • To write on top of existing writing, often obscuring it.
      B2
      More
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    01:03

    She took a brave step forward, leaving behind her comfort zone to chase her dreams.

    Vocabulary
    • brave

      adj. Having courage

    • comfort zone

      phr. A familiar situation where one feels safe

    Explanation
    a brave step is a noun phrase, where brave is an adjective modifying the noun step, meaning "a courageous step". forward is an adverb modifying step, meaning "ahead". The whole phrase serves as the object, answering the "what" of took (verb) — she took a brave step forward.

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    brave

    US/brev/
    UK/breɪv/
    adj.Brave
    v.t.To bravely face
    A2 Elementary

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    B1
    #task#writing#academic#larry#test#toefl

    Building a Fair Measure of English Writing Skills: A Conversation With Larry Davis

    0
    林宜悉 posted on 2026/04/18
    Ever wondered how English writing tests like TOEFL are actually made? Dive into a fascinating conversation with Larry Davis from ETS as he reveals the science behind creating fair writing assessments and discusses the validity frameworks used. You'll pick up advanced vocabulary and gain insights into complex sentence structures, perfect for anyone serious about academic English!

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