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TOEFL iBT Speaking and writing

TOEFL Speaking & Writing

Language for clear responses, supported opinions, comparisons, and academic discussion.

Independent TOEFL iBT study resource — not official exam material.

  • Teens and up
  • Academic English
  • Confident · B2
  • 30 words

The words

Every word in this set, with what it means. Tap a word to hear it.

articulate
to express an idea clearly in words
“The presenter articulated the main concern in two sentences.”
cohesion
the way parts of a text or idea fit together clearly
“Transitions help create cohesion between paragraphs.”
coherent
clear, logical, and easy to understand
“Her response was coherent even though she had little preparation time.”
elaborate
to give more details or explain an idea further
“Could you elaborate on the benefit you mentioned?”
fluency
the ability to speak or write smoothly and easily
“Regular conversation practice can improve fluency.”
instance
a particular example or occurrence of something
“For instance, public buses can reduce the number of cars on the road.”
nevertheless
despite what has just been said
“The route is longer; nevertheless, it is safer.”
paraphrase
to express the same meaning using different words
“Try to paraphrase the source instead of copying its sentence.”
perspective
a particular way of thinking about or viewing something
“Living abroad gave him a broader perspective on education.”
qualify
to make a statement less general or less certain
“The speaker qualifies the claim by mentioning the small sample.”
stance
a person's or group's position or opinion about an issue
“The writer's stance becomes clear in the final paragraph.”
transition
a word or phrase that connects one idea or part to another
“The transition from the example to the conclusion is smooth.”
clarify
to make an idea or statement easier to understand
“The second example clarifies what the author means by access.”
compare
to examine two or more things for similarities and differences
“The response compares online and face-to-face classes.”
contrast
to show how two things are different
“The essay contrasts short-term savings with long-term costs.”
emphasize
to give special importance or attention to something
“The conclusion emphasizes the role of public support.”
illustrate
to explain an idea by using an example or picture
“The speaker illustrates the problem with a personal example.”
summarize
to give the main points in a shorter form
“At the end, summarize the two reasons you discussed.”
claim
a statement that says something is true
“The claim is stronger when it is supported by specific evidence.”
counterargument
an argument that challenges or disagrees with another argument
“The writer acknowledges a counterargument before defending the proposal.”
counterpoint
an idea or fact that contrasts with or balances another idea
“The final paragraph offers a useful counterpoint to the initial concern.”
concession
something admitted to be true even though it weakens an argument slightly
“The concession makes the overall position sound more balanced.”
criterion
a standard used to judge or decide something
“Cost is one criterion, but environmental impact also matters.”
distinguish
to recognize or show the difference between two things
“The answer should distinguish facts from personal opinions.”
sequence
the order in which events or ideas happen
“Use time expressions to show the sequence of the process.”
specific
clearly identified or exact rather than general
“A specific example makes the explanation more convincing.”
relevant
directly connected with the subject being discussed
“Choose only the details that are relevant to the question.”
accurate
correct and free from mistakes
“Accurate pronunciation helps listeners understand the main idea.”
concise
giving information clearly in few words
“A concise introduction leaves more time for the main argument.”
conclude
to end by stating the main result or judgment
“The speaker concludes that a gradual change is most realistic.”