Avoid these TOEFL words during the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL iBT.
Why should you avoid these TOEFL words?
During the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL iBT, SpeechRater and ERater, two artificial scoring engines, will evaluate your vocabulary. Using the imprecise and vague words I included in the video will show that you have limited vocabulary. As a result, you will score lower on those two sections of the TOEFL exam. In addition, human raters will also score your speaking and writing tasks. These trained ESL specialists will also be unimpressed with the thirteen words I discussed in the video.
How can I improve my TOEFL vocabulary?
Several things will help you to improve your vocabulary usage.
First of all, get a college-level vocabulary list and begin learning the words on that list.
Second of all, spend about 45 minutes daily reading books, magazines, and newspapers so that you can begin seeing the words in context that you are studying. As you read, write 250-word summaries on the most important points of the passages. In addition, you can practice giving oral summaries of the passages that you are reading. Completing these written and oral summaries will help you to
- practice integrated speaking and writing tasks similar to the TOEFL exam.
- reinforce the grammar and the vocabulary words that you are reading.
- improve your overall academic English language proficiency.
Finally, spend 45 minutes daily listening to news, documentary, science, and history programs. Similar to your reading practice, practice making written and oral summaries to
- simulate TOEFL integrated speaking and writing tasks.
- strengthen your language-use skills.
- continue to advance your academic English language skills.
- dramatically improve your listening comprehension skills.
Michael Buckhoff, mbuckhoff@aol.com