Word of the Day:
VANGUARD
(VAN-gahrd)
The forefront of an action or movement, leading position or persons in a
movement: “They were in the vanguard of the war on poverty.”
In its strict military sense, vanguard means the troops moving at the head
of an army, the part of the army that goes ahead of the main body, an
advance guard.
VANGUARD
(VAN-gahrd)
The forefront of an action or movement, leading position or persons in a
movement: “They were in the vanguard of the war on poverty.”
In its strict military sense, vanguard means the troops moving at the head
of an army, the part of the army that goes ahead of the main body, an
advance guard.
PARTISAN (n.)
A person with strong and therefore biased beliefs
Are you pro-life or pro-choice? Do you favor staying the course in Afghanistan or withdrawing the troops? Do you think bailing out the big Wall Street banks was a good or a bad policy? If you have a strong view on these issues, you are a PARTISAN. Remember a PARTISAN speaks up and welcomes controversy. In contrast, NONPARTISAN issues enjoy widespread public support. For example, during the Cold War, most Americans supported the policy of containing Soviet expansion.
Quick Quiz:
At first the young poet was an eager partisan of the movement —----------.
A) criticizing the policies adopted by the movement leaders
B) simply composing poetry that had nothing to do with the advocates of the
movement
C) acting just like a blind person, closing his eyes on the weaknesses inherent in the
ideology on which the movement was based
Answer: C
A person with strong and therefore biased beliefs
Are you pro-life or pro-choice? Do you favor staying the course in Afghanistan or withdrawing the troops? Do you think bailing out the big Wall Street banks was a good or a bad policy? If you have a strong view on these issues, you are a PARTISAN. Remember a PARTISAN speaks up and welcomes controversy. In contrast, NONPARTISAN issues enjoy widespread public support. For example, during the Cold War, most Americans supported the policy of containing Soviet expansion.
Quick Quiz:
At first the young poet was an eager partisan of the movement —----------.
A) criticizing the policies adopted by the movement leaders
B) simply composing poetry that had nothing to do with the advocates of the
movement
C) acting just like a blind person, closing his eyes on the weaknesses inherent in the
ideology on which the movement was based
Answer: C
Word of the Day:
CONCUR
(kun-KUR)
To agree, be in accord with, unite in opinion.
Concur comes from the Latin con-, together, and currere, to run, flow,
and means literally to run or flow together, go along with. That derivation has
led to three slightly different meanings of the word.
First, concur may be used to mean to act together, combine in having an
effect, as “Time and chance concurred in our success.”
Second, concur may be used to mean happen together, occur at the
same time, coincide, as “His pay raise concurred with his promotion.”
The third and most common meaning of concur is to agree, as “Your
story concurs with theirs”; “We concurred on almost every point of negotiation.”
CONCUR
(kun-KUR)
To agree, be in accord with, unite in opinion.
Concur comes from the Latin con-, together, and currere, to run, flow,
and means literally to run or flow together, go along with. That derivation has
led to three slightly different meanings of the word.
First, concur may be used to mean to act together, combine in having an
effect, as “Time and chance concurred in our success.”
Second, concur may be used to mean happen together, occur at the
same time, coincide, as “His pay raise concurred with his promotion.”
The third and most common meaning of concur is to agree, as “Your
story concurs with theirs”; “We concurred on almost every point of negotiation.”
PUNDIT (n.)
An expert commentator; an authority who expresses his or her opinion, usually on political issues
From CNN's News Center to ESPN's Sports Center, television programs are filled with PUNDITS who offer their "expert" commentary on issues ranging from political campaigns to March Madness brackets. The PUNDITS almost always sound authoritative and convincing. But it is wise to maintain a healthy skepticism.
Quick Quiz:
—----------------, we'll all be wearing pink this year.
A. if you believe the fashion pundits
B. when you are a pundit
C. to be pundits
Answer: A
An expert commentator; an authority who expresses his or her opinion, usually on political issues
From CNN's News Center to ESPN's Sports Center, television programs are filled with PUNDITS who offer their "expert" commentary on issues ranging from political campaigns to March Madness brackets. The PUNDITS almost always sound authoritative and convincing. But it is wise to maintain a healthy skepticism.
Quick Quiz:
—----------------, we'll all be wearing pink this year.
A. if you believe the fashion pundits
B. when you are a pundit
C. to be pundits
Answer: A
Reading Passage: Make sure you look up the new words! @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Wegener and his predecessors
The hypothesis that the continents had once formed a single landmass before breaking apart and drifting to their present locations was first presented by Alfred Wegener to the German Geological Society on 6 January 1912.Although Wegener's theory was formed independently and was more complete than those of his predecessors, Wegener later credited a number of past authors with similar ideas: Franklin Coxworthy (between 1848 and 1890), Roberto Mantovani (between 1889 and 1909), William Henry Pickering (1907) and Frank Bursley Taylor (1908).
Evidence that continents 'drift'
Evidence for the movement of continents on tectonic plates is now extensive. Similar plant and animal fossils are found around different continent shores, suggesting that they were once joined. The fossils of Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile rather like a small crocodile, found both in Brazil and South Africa, are one example; another is the discovery of fossils of the land reptile Lystrosaurus from rocks of the same age from locations in South America, Africa, and Antarctica. There is also living evidence-the same animals being found on two continents. Some earthworm families (e.g.: Ocnerodrilidae, Acanthodrilidae, Octochaetidae) are found in South America and Africa, for instance.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The complementary arrangement of the facing sides of South America and Africa is obvious, but is a temporary coincidence. In millions of years, slab pull and ridge-push, and other forces of tectonophysics will further separate and rotate those two continents. It was this temporary feature which inspired Wegener to study what he defined as continental drift, although he did not live to see his hypothesis become generally accepted.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Widespread distribution of Permo-Carboniferous glacial sediments in South America, Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, India, Antarctica and Australia was one of the major pieces of evidence for the theory of continental drift. The continuity of glaciers, inferred from oriented glacial striations and deposits called tillites, suggested the existence of the supercontinent of Gondwana, which became a central element of the concept of continental drift. Striations indicated glacial flow away from the equator and toward the poles, in modern coordinates, and supported the idea that the southern continents had previously been in dramatically different locations, as well as contiguous with each other.
Wegener and his predecessors
The hypothesis that the continents had once formed a single landmass before breaking apart and drifting to their present locations was first presented by Alfred Wegener to the German Geological Society on 6 January 1912.Although Wegener's theory was formed independently and was more complete than those of his predecessors, Wegener later credited a number of past authors with similar ideas: Franklin Coxworthy (between 1848 and 1890), Roberto Mantovani (between 1889 and 1909), William Henry Pickering (1907) and Frank Bursley Taylor (1908).
Evidence that continents 'drift'
Evidence for the movement of continents on tectonic plates is now extensive. Similar plant and animal fossils are found around different continent shores, suggesting that they were once joined. The fossils of Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile rather like a small crocodile, found both in Brazil and South Africa, are one example; another is the discovery of fossils of the land reptile Lystrosaurus from rocks of the same age from locations in South America, Africa, and Antarctica. There is also living evidence-the same animals being found on two continents. Some earthworm families (e.g.: Ocnerodrilidae, Acanthodrilidae, Octochaetidae) are found in South America and Africa, for instance.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The complementary arrangement of the facing sides of South America and Africa is obvious, but is a temporary coincidence. In millions of years, slab pull and ridge-push, and other forces of tectonophysics will further separate and rotate those two continents. It was this temporary feature which inspired Wegener to study what he defined as continental drift, although he did not live to see his hypothesis become generally accepted.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Widespread distribution of Permo-Carboniferous glacial sediments in South America, Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, India, Antarctica and Australia was one of the major pieces of evidence for the theory of continental drift. The continuity of glaciers, inferred from oriented glacial striations and deposits called tillites, suggested the existence of the supercontinent of Gondwana, which became a central element of the concept of continental drift. Striations indicated glacial flow away from the equator and toward the poles, in modern coordinates, and supported the idea that the southern continents had previously been in dramatically different locations, as well as contiguous with each other.
Important Note about SPEAKING and WRITING RE-SCORING:
Can test-takers request a score review of their Speaking and/or Writing responses?
Yes, you can request a score review up to 30 days after your test date.
Note: Your test cannot be reviewed if you have already requested that your scores be sent to an institution or agency.
You can make the request for review of either the Speaking or the Writing section (US$80 each), or you can request review of both the Speaking and Writing sections (US$160). Complete the Score Review Request Form (PDF) and send it along with the required fee to the address on the form. If you are paying by credit/debit card, you can fax the form. The results will be available approximately 3 weeks after we receive your request and payment
Can test-takers request a score review of their Speaking and/or Writing responses?
Yes, you can request a score review up to 30 days after your test date.
Note: Your test cannot be reviewed if you have already requested that your scores be sent to an institution or agency.
You can make the request for review of either the Speaking or the Writing section (US$80 each), or you can request review of both the Speaking and Writing sections (US$160). Complete the Score Review Request Form (PDF) and send it along with the required fee to the address on the form. If you are paying by credit/debit card, you can fax the form. The results will be available approximately 3 weeks after we receive your request and payment
DISSEMBLER and PREVARICATOR (n.)
Both are liars and deceivers
In Mean Girls, Regina George was a cunning DISSEMBLER who deliberately lied to her friends and to her enemies. In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Captain Barbarossa was a PREVARICATOR who repeatedly lied to Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and Will Turner.
Quick Quiz:
As Ted was notorious for being a dissembler, —---------.
A) he always told the truth
B) no one doubted his words
C) his words were not taken seriously
Answer: C
Both are liars and deceivers
In Mean Girls, Regina George was a cunning DISSEMBLER who deliberately lied to her friends and to her enemies. In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Captain Barbarossa was a PREVARICATOR who repeatedly lied to Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and Will Turner.
Quick Quiz:
As Ted was notorious for being a dissembler, —---------.
A) he always told the truth
B) no one doubted his words
C) his words were not taken seriously
Answer: C
TOEFL iBT November 28, 2015 Writing Topic:
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Is it more important for the government to spend money on art and music museums than on facilities like playgrounds, public swimming pool?
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Is it more important for the government to spend money on art and music museums than on facilities like playgrounds, public swimming pool?
PROPONENT (n.)
One who argues in support of something; an ADVOCATE; a champion of a cause
Although America has faced a number of challenging social problems, our nation has always produced leaders who were strong PROPONENTS of reform . For example, during the 19th century, Jane Addams was an outspoken PROPONENT for urban settlement houses. Today, former Vice-President A1 Gore is a vigorous ADVOCATE of implementing measures that will reduce global warming. One way to remember PROPONENT is to note that the prefix pro means to be for something.
Quick Quiz:
While the proponents of the theory tout its simplicity, there are others —--------.
A. who do not think otherwise
B. viewing the same as its liability
C. first proposing its tenets
Answer: B
One who argues in support of something; an ADVOCATE; a champion of a cause
Although America has faced a number of challenging social problems, our nation has always produced leaders who were strong PROPONENTS of reform . For example, during the 19th century, Jane Addams was an outspoken PROPONENT for urban settlement houses. Today, former Vice-President A1 Gore is a vigorous ADVOCATE of implementing measures that will reduce global warming. One way to remember PROPONENT is to note that the prefix pro means to be for something.
Quick Quiz:
While the proponents of the theory tout its simplicity, there are others —--------.
A. who do not think otherwise
B. viewing the same as its liability
C. first proposing its tenets
Answer: B
TOEFL iBT November 28, 2015: Speaking Question 1
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Your friend is going to a new school to study, what suggestions would you give him to help him blend in.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Your friend is going to a new school to study, what suggestions would you give him to help him blend in.
TOEFL iBT November 28, 2015: Speaking Question 2
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Do you think scientists should be required to study certain fields or to study whatever that interests them?
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Do you think scientists should be required to study certain fields or to study whatever that interests them?
TOEFL iBT November 28, 2015: Speaking Question 3
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The university is planning to make two changes to the summer course. The first change is to shorten the course from 8 weeks to 4 weeks. The second one is to reduce on-campus housing fee for students. In the listening, the man thinks it's a great idea. He mentions in his first reason that a lot of students didn't want to take the course because they wanted to spend time with their family or go traveling. Now that the course is shorter they can enjoy their vacation while not missing out on the course. The man took the summer course and he had a whole week before the course started to enjoy his vacation. As for the second reason, he points out that this way students get to save some money which is definitely a good thing for those with a limited budget.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The university is planning to make two changes to the summer course. The first change is to shorten the course from 8 weeks to 4 weeks. The second one is to reduce on-campus housing fee for students. In the listening, the man thinks it's a great idea. He mentions in his first reason that a lot of students didn't want to take the course because they wanted to spend time with their family or go traveling. Now that the course is shorter they can enjoy their vacation while not missing out on the course. The man took the summer course and he had a whole week before the course started to enjoy his vacation. As for the second reason, he points out that this way students get to save some money which is definitely a good thing for those with a limited budget.
TOEFL iBT November 28, 2015: Speaking Question 4
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor talks about vertical migration which means sometimes marine animals move up and down the ocean to protect themselves from predators and look for food supply. He offers us an example to illustrate it. There's this kind of fish. They swim to the surface of the ocean at night to feed on a type of organism. They choose to swim to the surface of the ocean at this time of day because it's dark at night and it's almost impossible for the predators to locate them. But during the day, this kind of fish swim back to the bottom of the ocean to avoid predators. This means they have to travel between the bottom and the surface of the sea, but this way they get to survive.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor talks about vertical migration which means sometimes marine animals move up and down the ocean to protect themselves from predators and look for food supply. He offers us an example to illustrate it. There's this kind of fish. They swim to the surface of the ocean at night to feed on a type of organism. They choose to swim to the surface of the ocean at this time of day because it's dark at night and it's almost impossible for the predators to locate them. But during the day, this kind of fish swim back to the bottom of the ocean to avoid predators. This means they have to travel between the bottom and the surface of the sea, but this way they get to survive.
TOEFL iBT November 28, 2015: Speaking Question 5
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The man's problem is that he accidentally left his guitar back home, but he's got a concert in a couple of days he has to practice for. There are two possible solutions. The first one is to go back home and retrieve the guitar. And the second solution is to borrow his roommate's guitar. If I were in his shoes, I'd go for the second solution because I'm pretty sure his roommate would be glad to help him out, plus he still has some time to get familiar with his roommate's guitar. I personally don't recommend the other solution because it's too far and it means he has to use the time he's supposed to spend studying on the road. That's why in this case, I think the second solution is a much better option.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The man's problem is that he accidentally left his guitar back home, but he's got a concert in a couple of days he has to practice for. There are two possible solutions. The first one is to go back home and retrieve the guitar. And the second solution is to borrow his roommate's guitar. If I were in his shoes, I'd go for the second solution because I'm pretty sure his roommate would be glad to help him out, plus he still has some time to get familiar with his roommate's guitar. I personally don't recommend the other solution because it's too far and it means he has to use the time he's supposed to spend studying on the road. That's why in this case, I think the second solution is a much better option.
TOEFL iBT November 28, 2015: Speaking Question 6
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor talks about two production costs that will affect the price of the products. The first one is delivery fee. For instance, if a car company has to deliver the cars to a location which is much closer to where the consumers are, that means they'll have to spend money on delivery, and that eventually will raise the price of the car. The second one is advertising fee. Companies need to spend money on publicity to make their products known to the public. For example, they advertise in magazine and on TV. And of course that costs money too. So it will increase the cost of production eventually as well.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor talks about two production costs that will affect the price of the products. The first one is delivery fee. For instance, if a car company has to deliver the cars to a location which is much closer to where the consumers are, that means they'll have to spend money on delivery, and that eventually will raise the price of the car. The second one is advertising fee. Companies need to spend money on publicity to make their products known to the public. For example, they advertise in magazine and on TV. And of course that costs money too. So it will increase the cost of production eventually as well.
Word of the Day:
OBLIGATORY
(uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee)
Required, necessary, binding, mandatory.
Obligatory duties are those you must perform to fulfill an obligation or
responsibility. Doing miscellaneous paperwork is an obligatory function of
the clerical worker.
Do not pronounce the initial o in obligatory like the o in open. Pronounce
it like the a in above.
OBLIGATORY
(uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee)
Required, necessary, binding, mandatory.
Obligatory duties are those you must perform to fulfill an obligation or
responsibility. Doing miscellaneous paperwork is an obligatory function of
the clerical worker.
Do not pronounce the initial o in obligatory like the o in open. Pronounce
it like the a in above.
HEDONIST (n.)
A person who believes that pleasure is the chief goal of life
In Ancient Greece, the HEDONISTS urged their followers to "eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Although it is a long way from Ancient Greece to the home of rapper Ricky Ross in Miami, the HEDONISTIC principle of pursuing pleasure remains the same. During the tour of his "crib," Ross proudly displayed the interior of his Escalade Maybach, a Cadillac Escalade with the interior of a Maybach. Hooked up with leather seats, plasmas, and satellites, the interior provides everything a HEDONIST could possibly ask for and more.
Quick Quiz:
Ted is actually a hedonist whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and —-----.
A. self-gratification
B. self-esteem
C. sacrifice for others
Answer: A
A person who believes that pleasure is the chief goal of life
In Ancient Greece, the HEDONISTS urged their followers to "eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Although it is a long way from Ancient Greece to the home of rapper Ricky Ross in Miami, the HEDONISTIC principle of pursuing pleasure remains the same. During the tour of his "crib," Ross proudly displayed the interior of his Escalade Maybach, a Cadillac Escalade with the interior of a Maybach. Hooked up with leather seats, plasmas, and satellites, the interior provides everything a HEDONIST could possibly ask for and more.
Quick Quiz:
Ted is actually a hedonist whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and —-----.
A. self-gratification
B. self-esteem
C. sacrifice for others
Answer: A
Word of the Day:
OBLIGATORY
(uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee)
Required, necessary, binding, mandatory.
Obligatory duties are those you must perform to fulfill an obligation or
responsibility. Doing miscellaneous paperwork is an obligatory function of
the clerical worker.
Do not pronounce the initial o in obligatory like the o in open. Pronounce
it like the a in above.
OBLIGATORY
(uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee)
Required, necessary, binding, mandatory.
Obligatory duties are those you must perform to fulfill an obligation or
responsibility. Doing miscellaneous paperwork is an obligatory function of
the clerical worker.
Do not pronounce the initial o in obligatory like the o in open. Pronounce
it like the a in above.
TOEFL iBT November 30, 2105- Speaking Question 1
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Which one of the following qualities do you think a good school should have; students who like to help each other, knowledgeable teachers or strict rules?
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Which one of the following qualities do you think a good school should have; students who like to help each other, knowledgeable teachers or strict rules?
TOEFL iBT November 30, 2105- Speaking Question 2
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Which one do you think is more important? The process of doing something or the result at the end?
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Which one do you think is more important? The process of doing something or the result at the end?