400 Must Have Words for the TOEFL » LESSON 4 - Petroleum Alternatives

Word List
  • constraint [kənˈstreɪnt] n.
    Something that restricts thought or action
    → The constraints of military life kept Eileen from seeing Private Morris more than once a month.
    Parts of speech     constrain v.
  • contamination [kənˌtæməˈneɪʃ(ə)n] n.
    Being made less clean by a germ or hazardous substance
    → The contamination in the river came from the factory located just upstream.
    Parts of speech     contaminate v., contaminant n.
  • deplete [dəˈplit] v.
    To greatly decrease the supply of a resource or material
    → The prolonged war depleted the country’s national treasury.
    Parts of speech     depletion n.
  • dispose of [diˈspouzəv] v.
    To throw away; to get rid of; to kill
    → She disposed of her unwanted possessions before moving.
    Usage tips     Dispose of should be learned as a unit.In this meaning, dispose does not occur without of.
    Parts of speech     disposal n., disposable adj.
  • elementally [ˌeləˈmen(t)li] adv.
    In terms of elements; basically
    → Elementally, coal and diamonds are the same.
    Parts of speech     element n., elemental adj.
  • emission [əˈmɪʃ(ə)n] n.
    Sending out from a small space into the general environment; a substance discharged into the air
    → The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the emission of pollutants into the air.
    Usage tips     Emission is usually followed by an of phrase.
    Parts of speech     emit v.
  • extinction [ɪkˈstɪŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n] n.
    Complete disappearance; the end of existence
    → Human beings have caused the extinction of many other species.
    Usage tips     Extinction implies an absolute end; an extinct thing cannot be brought back into existence.
    Parts of speech     extinct adj.
  • reservoir [ˈrezəvwɑːr] n.
    A place where a liquid is collected and stored
    → Cult members threatened to poison the town’s water reservoir.
    Parts of speech     reserve v.
  • shrink [ʃrɪŋk] v.
    To become reduced in size, amount, or value
    → If you dry your clothing on the “high heat” setting, they may shrink.
    Parts of speech     shrinkage n., shrinkable adj.
  • stable [ˈsteɪbəl] adj.
    Firm and dependable; showing little change
    → He fell because the ladder wasn’t stable.
    Parts of speech     stability n., stably adv.

TOEFL Prep I Find the word that is closest in meaning to the opposite of each word in the left-hand column.Write the letter in the blank.

______ 1. stable(a) keep
______ 2. contamination(b) expand
______ 3. extinct(c) unsteady
______ 4. dispose of(d) existing
______ 5. shrink(e) purity

TOEFL Prep II Circle the word that best completes each sentence.

  1. The (constraints / contamination) of being in prison made her hate society even more.
  2. A recognition that the Earth is round was one of the (elemental / shrunken) advances in thought during the time period.
  3. Mother Teresa, who helped the poorest of the poor, had a great (disposal / reservoir) of love within her spirit.
  4. Automobiles are responsible for some (emissions / extinction) of greenhouse gases.
  5. By the end of the storm, the hikers had (depleted / reserved) even their emergency stores.
Answer Key
TOEFL Prep I
  1. c
  2. e
  3. d
  4. a
  5. b
TOEFL Prep II
  1. constraint
  2. elemental
  3. reservoir
  4. emission
  5. deplete
Answer Key

TOEFL Success Read the passage to review the vocabulary you have learned. Answer the question that follows.

Human consumption of fossil fuels is expected to fully deplete the Earth’s crude oil reserves by the year 2060. As underground reservoirs of oil continue to shrink, we have no choice but to find alternatives. One promising source, with much cleaner emissions, is called bio-diesel. Bio-diesel is often made from soybean oil, although it can be made from any vegetable oil that is not elementally different from soy. Bio-diesel can even be made from used cooking oils that homes or restaurants would otherwise dispose of. Bio-diesel can be used without constraint in any vehicle that runs on diesel—no modifications are needed. Presently, diesel engines can take up to 20 percent soy in their soy-diesel blend. As the need for bio-diesel increases and the technology improves, we may soon witness the extinction of the fossil-fueled vehicle. This is good news for the planet, as bio-diesel is a more stable source of energy than petroleum, and it reduces contamination of our air and water.

Bonus Structure— One promising source signals the point of this paragraph.

An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the three answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. In each blank, write the letter of one of your choices.
Bio-diesel is a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
•
•
•

a. Humans have shown little self-restraint in their consumption of fossil fuels.
b. Underground reservoirs of oil will soon be depleted.
c. Bio-diesel burns cleaner than fossil fuels.
d. Bio-diesel comes from a more stable source than petroleum.
e. Restaurants can save disposal fees on used cooking oil.

Answer Key
Answer Key
  1. a
  2. c
  3. d
Favorite Books
Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know

The study of the English language has spread all over the world, and high school and college students everywhere have come to realize that language mastery depends on the possession of a comprehensive vocabulary. This is just what 1100 Words You Need to Know has been offering through the five earlier editions and continuing on this sixth one.

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