TOEFL iBT Reading key terms

A word, phrase, or sentence near an unfamiliar word that helps you guess its meaning or the form needed in a blank.

A set of words formed from the same base, such as act, action, and active. Knowing the set helps you pick the correct form for a blank.

A letter group attached to a base word to change its meaning or grammatical role, such as un- in unhappy or -ness in happiness.

An affix placed before a base word, such as re- in rewrite or dis- in disagree. It often changes the word's meaning.

An affix placed after a base word, such as -ful in helpful or -ly in quickly. It often changes the word's grammatical role.

The base part of a word that carries its core meaning, such as port in transport and portable. Roots help you recognize related words.

The grammatical category of a word, such as noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. The blank's grammar often shows which category fits.

A pair or group of words that native speakers commonly use together, such as heavy rain or make a decision. Unusual combinations often sound wrong.

A change in a word's form to show grammar, such as -ed for past tense or -s for plural. It does not create a new dictionary word.

A word that sounds the same as another but has different spelling or meaning, such as their and there. Context helps you choose the right one.

The central point that a text is mostly about. It is broader than a single detail and is often stated near the beginning or end.

A fact, example, or reason that explains or proves a text's main idea. Details answer questions such as who, what, when, or how much.

The reason a writer creates a text, such as to inform, persuade, request, warn, or advertise. Purpose shapes the text's tone and content.

The group of readers a text is written for, such as customers, employees, students, or the public. Audience affects word choice and level of detail.

A conclusion you reach by combining information in a text with what you already know, even when the text does not state it directly.

To read quickly while looking for one specific piece of information, such as a date, price, or name, without reading every word.

To read quickly to get a general sense of a text's topic or main idea without focusing on every detail.

A short title or label above a section of text. It tells readers what the section covers and helps them locate information quickly.

A shortened form of a word or phrase, such as approx. for approximately or Mon. for Monday. Daily texts often use them to save space.

The date after which a product, offer, or document is no longer valid. Missing it can make a coupon, ticket, or license unusable.

Small, dense text in a contract, advertisement, or notice that contains important conditions, limits, or fees. It is easy to skip but often matters.

A written promise from a seller or maker to repair or replace a product if it fails within a stated period. It usually lists conditions and limits.

A short public message that gives information, rules, warnings, or changes. Notices often appear on boards, websites, or in buildings.

A list or table showing times and dates for events, transport, classes, or appointments. Readers use it to plan when to arrive or depart.

A document with blank spaces for information you must provide, such as your name, address, or signature. Forms often include instructions and deadlines.

A proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested with evidence. Researchers may support, revise, or reject it after collecting data.

Information or facts that support or challenge a claim. In academic texts, evidence may come from experiments, observations, statistics, or documents.

An event, fact, or pattern that can be observed and studied, especially one that is unusual or not fully understood.

To examine something in detail by separating it into parts and studying how those parts relate or work together. Researchers analyze data to find patterns.

Large enough or important enough to matter, often in a statistical or practical sense. Academic writers use it to describe meaningful results or differences.

A possible effect, consequence, or conclusion that follows from a finding, idea, or decision, even if it is not stated directly.

The system of methods and procedures a researcher uses to collect and analyze information. It explains how a study was conducted and why.

A factor or characteristic that can change or take different values in a study, such as age, temperature, or income.

A relationship in which two variables change together in a pattern. It does not by itself prove that one variable causes the other.

To weaken an argument, claim, or position by providing evidence or reasoning that challenges it. In academic reading, a new finding can undermine an old theory.

Seeming reasonable or likely to be true based on the available evidence, though not yet proven. Researchers test plausible explanations before accepting them.

Open to more than one interpretation, or not clear enough to understand precisely. Ambiguous wording can make a passage's meaning uncertain.

To combine information from multiple sources or ideas to form a new overall understanding or conclusion. Academic answers often ask you to synthesize details from a passage.

To restate a text's meaning in your own words while keeping the original idea, usually to show understanding or avoid direct copying.