Ascetic (adj.)
Living without any physical pleasures or comforts, especially for religious reasons
At the age of 29, Prince Siddhartha Gautama left the luxuries of his father's palace and for the next six years adopted an extreme ASCETIC life. For days at a time, he ate only a single grain of rice. His stomach became so empty that, by poking a finger into it, he could touch his backbone. Yet, Gautama gained only pain, not wisdom. He decided to give up extreme ASCETICISM and seek wisdom in other ways. Gautama was successful and soon became known as Buddha, a title meaning "the Enlightened One."
Quick Quiz:
Louis became an extremely devout and ascetic man, —--------.
A. doing his best to make most of his wealth
B. intent on losing weight to look fit and healthy
C. giving up what is referred to as worldly pleasures
Answer: C
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Living without any physical pleasures or comforts, especially for religious reasons
At the age of 29, Prince Siddhartha Gautama left the luxuries of his father's palace and for the next six years adopted an extreme ASCETIC life. For days at a time, he ate only a single grain of rice. His stomach became so empty that, by poking a finger into it, he could touch his backbone. Yet, Gautama gained only pain, not wisdom. He decided to give up extreme ASCETICISM and seek wisdom in other ways. Gautama was successful and soon became known as Buddha, a title meaning "the Enlightened One."
Quick Quiz:
Louis became an extremely devout and ascetic man, —--------.
A. doing his best to make most of his wealth
B. intent on losing weight to look fit and healthy
C. giving up what is referred to as worldly pleasures
Answer: C
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Word of the Day: CREED (rhymes with need)
Belief, professed faith or opinion, especially a system of religious belief. Synonyms include doctrine and dogma. In the United States it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on race or creed, belief. Creed comes from the Latin credo, “I believe,” the source of the English word credo (KREE-doh or, like the Latin, KRAY-doh). A credo is a declared set of beliefs or opinions. Credo and creed are synonymous. Credo is the more learned (LUR-nid) word, usually reserved for a formal declaration of belief. Creed is used more generally of any professed faith or opinion. The Latin credo is also the source of incredible, not believable, credible, believable, and credulous (KREJ-uh-lus). Credulous means inclined to believe, willing to accept something as true without questioning. Credulous and gullible are synonymous. To a credulous person, even the most outrageous tall tales seem credible.
Belief, professed faith or opinion, especially a system of religious belief. Synonyms include doctrine and dogma. In the United States it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on race or creed, belief. Creed comes from the Latin credo, “I believe,” the source of the English word credo (KREE-doh or, like the Latin, KRAY-doh). A credo is a declared set of beliefs or opinions. Credo and creed are synonymous. Credo is the more learned (LUR-nid) word, usually reserved for a formal declaration of belief. Creed is used more generally of any professed faith or opinion. The Latin credo is also the source of incredible, not believable, credible, believable, and credulous (KREJ-uh-lus). Credulous means inclined to believe, willing to accept something as true without questioning. Credulous and gullible are synonymous. To a credulous person, even the most outrageous tall tales seem credible.
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
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
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
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
TOEFL iBT Sunday December 13, 2015 Writing Topic!!!
Some people believe that companies that produce heavy pollution should pay for a penalty, such as a higher tax or fine. Others think there might be a better way to deal with this problem. What do you think?
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Some people believe that companies that produce heavy pollution should pay for a penalty, such as a higher tax or fine. Others think there might be a better way to deal with this problem. What do you think?
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
TOEFL iBT December 13, 2015 Reading Topics: Plate Tectonics @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
To get some ideas about the topic you may check this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics
To get some ideas about the topic you may check this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics
Wikipedia
Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics (from Latin tectonicus, from Ancient Greek τεκτονικός (tektonikós) 'pertaining to building')[2] is the scientific theory that Earth's lithosphere comprises a number of large tectonic plates, which have been slowly moving since 3–4 billion…
TOEFL iBT December 13, 2015 Reading Topics: Continental Drift @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
To get some ideas about the topic you may check this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_drift
To get some ideas about the topic you may check this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_drift
Wikipedia
Continental drift
movement of Earth's continents relative to each other
SKEPTIC (n.)
A person who doubts; a skeptic asks questions and lacks faith
In the movie Men in Black, Edwards was originally a SKEPTIC who did not believe that aliens were actually living in New York City. In Bruce Almighty, Bruce was originally a SKEPTIC who did not believe that the man he met was really God. And in the movie Superbad, Seth was originally a SKEPTIC who did not believe Fogell’s fake ID, with the name “McLovin” from Hawaii, would work.
Quick Quiz:
He seems to have a good plan to revitalize the economy, but he should first convince the skeptics that his plan —----------.
A. is designed individually
B. is workable
C. requires no financial backing
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
A person who doubts; a skeptic asks questions and lacks faith
In the movie Men in Black, Edwards was originally a SKEPTIC who did not believe that aliens were actually living in New York City. In Bruce Almighty, Bruce was originally a SKEPTIC who did not believe that the man he met was really God. And in the movie Superbad, Seth was originally a SKEPTIC who did not believe Fogell’s fake ID, with the name “McLovin” from Hawaii, would work.
Quick Quiz:
He seems to have a good plan to revitalize the economy, but he should first convince the skeptics that his plan —----------.
A. is designed individually
B. is workable
C. requires no financial backing
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
TOEFL iBT December 12, 2015 Reading Vocabulary Questions
Master= skillful at solving the problem
Hierarchy=ranking
Rudimentary=simple
To a degree= to some extent
Initiate=introduce
Exceptional= extraordinary
Install=put in place
Valid=well founded
Lost favor=does not prefer
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Master= skillful at solving the problem
Hierarchy=ranking
Rudimentary=simple
To a degree= to some extent
Initiate=introduce
Exceptional= extraordinary
Install=put in place
Valid=well founded
Lost favor=does not prefer
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
TOEFL iBT December 12, 2015 Speaking Task 1: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
If your university is going to invite someone to give a speech, who do you think they should invite? A businessman, a scientist or a politician?
If your university is going to invite someone to give a speech, who do you think they should invite? A businessman, a scientist or a politician?
TOEFL iBT December 12, 2015 Speaking Task 2: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
If you have a misunderstanding with your friend, do you prefer talking it out in a public place or in a private place?
If you have a misunderstanding with your friend, do you prefer talking it out in a public place or in a private place?
TOEFL iBT December 12, 2015 Speaking Task 3
The university is planning to offer business class on Saturdays and lower the tuition fee. In the conversation, the woman agrees with the plan. The first reason is that a lot of students who take business class also work full-time, since the business class will now be offered on Saturdays, it means it's more possible for students who also work full-time to take the class. As for the second reason, she points out that lowering the tuition fee will make it possible for more students to take the class, they will be able to afford it
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The university is planning to offer business class on Saturdays and lower the tuition fee. In the conversation, the woman agrees with the plan. The first reason is that a lot of students who take business class also work full-time, since the business class will now be offered on Saturdays, it means it's more possible for students who also work full-time to take the class. As for the second reason, she points out that lowering the tuition fee will make it possible for more students to take the class, they will be able to afford it
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
TOEFL iBT December 12, 2015 Speaking Task 4: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor introduces the concept of loss aversion. He offers an example to illustrate it. The professor once went to a supermarket and bought food which cost him 20 dollars, but the cashier made a mistake and charged him 30 dollars instead. When the professor realized the mistake, he had to drive all the way back to the supermarket to get his 10 dollars back. But a couple of days later, his friend told him that a new cafe in town was giving 10 dollars to whoever was willing to try their new coffee, but the professor just wasn't interested in going at all.
In the lecture, the professor introduces the concept of loss aversion. He offers an example to illustrate it. The professor once went to a supermarket and bought food which cost him 20 dollars, but the cashier made a mistake and charged him 30 dollars instead. When the professor realized the mistake, he had to drive all the way back to the supermarket to get his 10 dollars back. But a couple of days later, his friend told him that a new cafe in town was giving 10 dollars to whoever was willing to try their new coffee, but the professor just wasn't interested in going at all.
TOEFL iBT December 12, 2015 Speaking Task 5: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The woman's problem is that she's the president of the camping club and she's supposed to take everyone camping this weekend, unfortunately the weather report said that it would rain. There are two possible solutions. The first one is to postpone the trip and go camping next weekend instead. And the second solution is to go this weekend and remind everyone to bring a raincoat. If I were in her shoes, I'd go for the first solution because her club members would probably understand since it's not really something within her control. I personally don't recommend the other solution because if it really rains, the members will have to stay inside the tents, what's the point of going camping if you can't even go outside?
The woman's problem is that she's the president of the camping club and she's supposed to take everyone camping this weekend, unfortunately the weather report said that it would rain. There are two possible solutions. The first one is to postpone the trip and go camping next weekend instead. And the second solution is to go this weekend and remind everyone to bring a raincoat. If I were in her shoes, I'd go for the first solution because her club members would probably understand since it's not really something within her control. I personally don't recommend the other solution because if it really rains, the members will have to stay inside the tents, what's the point of going camping if you can't even go outside?
TOEFL iBT December 12, 2015 Speaking Task 6
In the lecture, the professor talks about the characters of rainforest. The first one is warm climate. Take orchids as an example, orchids are pretty sensitive to the temperature, they can hardly survive the cold, but since the climate in the rainforest is relatively warm, the orchids can grow very well there. The other one is about canopy. The canopy created by layers and layers of leaves blocks the sunlight, so the environment on the ground is quite different from the environment over the canopy. A plant that can survive at that height will die once it falls onto the ground.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor talks about the characters of rainforest. The first one is warm climate. Take orchids as an example, orchids are pretty sensitive to the temperature, they can hardly survive the cold, but since the climate in the rainforest is relatively warm, the orchids can grow very well there. The other one is about canopy. The canopy created by layers and layers of leaves blocks the sunlight, so the environment on the ground is quite different from the environment over the canopy. A plant that can survive at that height will die once it falls onto the ground.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Charlatan (n.)
A fake; fraud; imposter; cheat
Would you trust the Wizard of Oz, Gilderoy Lockhart (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), or Frank Abagnale Jr. (Catch Me If You Can)? I hope not. All three of these men were CHARLATANS or imposters who could not be trusted. The Wizard of Oz was a CHARLATAN who tried to trick Dorothy and her friends. Gilderoy Lockhart was a CHARLATAN who interviewed famous wizards and witches and then took credit for their heroic deeds. And Frank Abagnale Jr. was a CHARLATAN who pretended to be an airline pilot and a surgeon.
Quick Quiz:
The famed faith healer turned out to be a charlatan because —--------.
A. no one believe him
B. though having no certificate in medicine he was able to cure disease
C. had pretended to have a disease-curing power only to swindle people
Answer: C
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
A fake; fraud; imposter; cheat
Would you trust the Wizard of Oz, Gilderoy Lockhart (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), or Frank Abagnale Jr. (Catch Me If You Can)? I hope not. All three of these men were CHARLATANS or imposters who could not be trusted. The Wizard of Oz was a CHARLATAN who tried to trick Dorothy and her friends. Gilderoy Lockhart was a CHARLATAN who interviewed famous wizards and witches and then took credit for their heroic deeds. And Frank Abagnale Jr. was a CHARLATAN who pretended to be an airline pilot and a surgeon.
Quick Quiz:
The famed faith healer turned out to be a charlatan because —--------.
A. no one believe him
B. though having no certificate in medicine he was able to cure disease
C. had pretended to have a disease-curing power only to swindle people
Answer: C
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
TOEFL iBT December 13, 2015 Reading Vocabulary Questions
Obviously=clearly
Widespread=common
Dense=thick
Thus=consequently
Shallow=small depth
Profound= very strong
Emergence= rise
Tactic=strategy
Adjacent to=next to
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Parallel=match
Hence=consequently
Obviously=clearly
Widespread=common
Dense=thick
Thus=consequently
Shallow=small depth
Profound= very strong
Emergence= rise
Tactic=strategy
Adjacent to=next to
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Parallel=match
Hence=consequently
ADMONISH (v.)
To earnestly caution; to warn against (another) to avoid a course of action
Admonish implies the giving of advice or a warning in order to rectify or avoid something: "A gallows erected on an eminence admonished the offenders of the fate that awaited them" (William Hickling Prescott).
Quick Quiz:
They told me I was a fool and admonished me for —---------.
A. taking risks with my health
B. making friends with sagacious people
C. telling the bare truth
Answer: A
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
To earnestly caution; to warn against (another) to avoid a course of action
Admonish implies the giving of advice or a warning in order to rectify or avoid something: "A gallows erected on an eminence admonished the offenders of the fate that awaited them" (William Hickling Prescott).
Quick Quiz:
They told me I was a fool and admonished me for —---------.
A. taking risks with my health
B. making friends with sagacious people
C. telling the bare truth
Answer: A
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
CAPRICIOUS and MERCURIAL (adj.)
Very changeable; fickle; characterized by constantly-shifting moods
In 2008, teenagers coveted tickets to attend sold-out concerts featuring the Jonas Brothers. The young fans shrieked with delight as the "Joe Bros" sang their hit song "Burning Up." But pop music fans are CAPRJCIOUS. Soon after a new type of music appeared the same teenagers forgot all about their old favorites. Now Jonas Brothers group has fallen into oblivion. In a recent interview, the group’s spokesman stated that the group is optimistic to regain its popularity and that people inattention to them was not due to the performance of the group but instead because of the MERCURIAL nature of human beings, who keep changing moods.
Quick Quiz:
The weather in New York City is capricious, especially in the springtime, with good weather one day, and —---------— the next.
A. another spell of fine weather
B. no change
C. freezing rain
Answer: C
Very changeable; fickle; characterized by constantly-shifting moods
In 2008, teenagers coveted tickets to attend sold-out concerts featuring the Jonas Brothers. The young fans shrieked with delight as the "Joe Bros" sang their hit song "Burning Up." But pop music fans are CAPRJCIOUS. Soon after a new type of music appeared the same teenagers forgot all about their old favorites. Now Jonas Brothers group has fallen into oblivion. In a recent interview, the group’s spokesman stated that the group is optimistic to regain its popularity and that people inattention to them was not due to the performance of the group but instead because of the MERCURIAL nature of human beings, who keep changing moods.
Quick Quiz:
The weather in New York City is capricious, especially in the springtime, with good weather one day, and —---------— the next.
A. another spell of fine weather
B. no change
C. freezing rain
Answer: C
Word of the Day: TAWDRY (TAW-dree, rhymes with Audrey)
Cheap and showy, gaudy, garish, sleazy.
Legend has it that tawdry comes from the phrase “tawdry lace,” a corruption of “Saint Audrey lace,” a type of lace sold at Saint Audrey's fair in England. Apparently the lace was of inferior quality, thus over time the
word tawdry came to mean cheap and showy. Today the word may be used both literally and figuratively. A person may wear tawdry clothing or have a tawdry reputation.
Cheap and showy, gaudy, garish, sleazy.
Legend has it that tawdry comes from the phrase “tawdry lace,” a corruption of “Saint Audrey lace,” a type of lace sold at Saint Audrey's fair in England. Apparently the lace was of inferior quality, thus over time the
word tawdry came to mean cheap and showy. Today the word may be used both literally and figuratively. A person may wear tawdry clothing or have a tawdry reputation.
Word of the Day: ARDUOUS(AHR-joo-us)
Very difficult, hard to achieve or accomplish, requiring great effort. “Compiling the annual report is an arduous task.” “Raising children is an arduous responsibility.” Synonyms of arduous include strenuous, laborious, and toilsome.
Very difficult, hard to achieve or accomplish, requiring great effort. “Compiling the annual report is an arduous task.” “Raising children is an arduous responsibility.” Synonyms of arduous include strenuous, laborious, and toilsome.