TOEFL Ryan

New Location

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Hey all! I have created a new URL for this blog and new design. I think it is better and easier for students to use. Please check it out here: http://TOEFLRyan.com

And send in a recording for evaluation, FREE!

Thanks,

TOEFL Ryan

TOEFL or IELTS? New Comparison Chart Released

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:20:00 +0000

ETS, the makers of the TOEFL, have just released a comparison chart for TOEFL vs IELTS. The purpose is to help educators (read: admissions offices) compare TOEFL to IELTS and IELTS to TOEFL.... but I think it will be interesting for students as well, especially if you have taken on of the two tests and wonder what your equivalent score might be. To access the chart (it is interactive) go to the ETS page here: http://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/scores/compare/

On this page you will also find access to more detailed analysis of the comparison by ETS. And, if you have taken both TOEFL and IELTS, I would love to hear what you think of the accuracy of this comparison! Please post in the COMMENTS section if you have!

Powerful TOEFL Tip Video Series, part 2 of 3

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:46:00 +0000

OK, you watched Part 1, now it is time to jump into Passive Voice and P.V.N.D.O. (Passive Voice No Direct Object). How to form and recognize the Passive Voice for the TOEFL, let's watch!

41 more great TOEFL words (finishing up the "A"s)!

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:07:00 +0000

Hey TOEFL people, let's finish up the letter "A" with 41 more great vocabulary words for the TOEFL (and English language generally). Remember, on the TOEFL you will only be asked for SYNONYMS! So learn all the synonyms here to help boost boost boost your TOEFL Reading score! And don't forget to feed the fish for good luck on your TOEFL test (it works! click above! :-) )

151. ASCRIBE v. to attribute; assign.
152. ASHAMED adj. feeling guilt or shame
153. ASPIRATION n. ambition; desire; an ambitious goal; yearning.
154. ASSAULT v. to attack; abuse.
155. ASSEMBLE v. bring together; congregate; gather; fit together.
156. ASSENT v. to approve; concur; express agreement
157. ASSERT v. to declare; affirm; express oneself firmly.
158. ASSET n. something advantageous or valuable
159. ASSIMILATE v. to absorb; take in; incorporate; adapt.
160. ASSISTANT n. one that assist; a helper; aide.
161. ASSOCIATE v. to link together; join in a relationship.
162. ASSORTMENT n. a collection of varied things; diversified group.
163. ASSUAGE v. to ease; pacify; relieve; lessen; soothe.
164. ASSURE v. to give confidence to; convince; to make certain.
165. ASTOUND v. to astonish; amaze; surprise.
166. ASTRAY adv. away from the proper path; wrong.
167. ASTUTE adj. keen; shrewd
168. ATHEISM n. denial of the existence of God
169. ATMOSPHERE n. the air; the surrounding environment or mood
170. ATROPHY v. to waste away.
171. ATTEMPT v. to make an effort; try; undertake.
172. ARREST v. to affirm; to testify on behalf of
173. ATTRACTION n. something that attracts; charm; allure.
174. AUDACIOUS adj. bold reckless
175. AUDIBLE adj capable of being heard
176. AUDIENCE n. spectators; those who rea4 see or hear a work.
177. AUGMENT v. to increase; make larger.
178. AUGUST adj. awe inspiring; imposing.
179. AUSTERE adj. severe; morally strict; simple and unadorned.
180. AUTHORIZE v. to give legal power; to approve; sanction
181. AUTOCRAT n. domineering person; despot
182. AUTOMATIC adj. following naturally; habitual; self-moving
183. AUTONOMOUS adj. independent; self-contained; self-governing.
184. AVARICE n. greed; cupidity.
185. AVERSION n. intense dislike; repulsion.
186. AVID adj. eager; enthusiastic
187. AVOW v. to confess; declare openly.
188. AWE n. wonder or admiration mixed with fear.
189. AWFUL adj. extremely bad or unpleasant; terrible; appalling.
190. AWKWARD adj. clumsy; ungraceful; embarrassing.
191. AXIOM n. maxim; universal truth

Powerful TOEFL Tip Video Series, part 1 of 3

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:05:00 +0000

Find out about P.V.N.D.O., what is it? And how can you use it to improve your TOEFL Reading, Speaking and Writing! It's about PASSIVE VOICE, so first, let's review prepositions, which are an important part of understanding this powerful tip for the TOEFL iBT!!!

50 New TOEFL Vocabulary Words

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Thu, 26 May 2011 23:23:00 +0000

OK TOEFL people! Here are 50 more words for TOEFL..... we are working our way through the "A"s, keep coming back for more!

101. AMPLIFY v. to enlarge; make more important; exaggerate.
102. AMUSING adj. entertaining; pleasing; humorous; facetious.
103. ANALOGOUS adj. similar; corresponding; comparable.
104. ANARCHY n. absence of government
105. ANCESTOR n. someone you are descended from, forefather.
106. ANCIENT adj. very old; existing long ago.
107. ANCILLARY adj. subordinate; auxiliary.
108. ANGUISH n. extreme pain; torment; regret
109. ANIMOSITY n. hatred; enmity
110. ANNEX v. to take control of
111. ANNOUNCE v. to proclaim, give notice of, declare.
112. ANOMALOUS adj. irregular; abnormal
113. ANTAGONISTIC adj. hostile; adverse; opposed
114. ANTECEDE v. logo before; precede.
115. ANTICIPATE v. to expect; foresee; realize ahead of time
116. ANTIQUATED adj. old-fashioned; outmoded.
117. ANTITHESIS n. direct opposite.
118. ANXIOUS adj. worried; uneasy; eager.
119. APATHY n. indifference; lack of emotion.
120. APERTURE n. an opening; orifice
121. APPALLING adj. horrifying; frightful; shocking.
122. APPEAL v. to request urgently; be attractive or interesting.
123. APPEASE v. to placate; soothe; pacify
124. APPEND v. to add as a supplement; attach.
125. APPLAUD v. to clap; express approval; praise.
126. APPOINTMENT n. a position or assignment; arranged meeting; rendezvous.
127. APPRAISAL n. an estimate of value; an evaluation, assessment
128. APPREHENSION n. dread; understanding.
129. APPRISE v. to inform
130. APPROPRIATE adj. suitable; proper; fitting.
131. APPROXIMATELY adv. nearly; almost; about
132. AQUEOUS adj. watery; formed by water.
133. ARBITRARY adj. determined by whim; despotic.
134. ARBITRATE v. to judge; decide a dispute.
135. ARCHAIC adj. no longer in use; antiquated
136. ARCHETYPE n. original model; prototype.
137. ARCHIVES n. repository for records; public records, historical documents.
138. ARDENT adj. intense; fervent; zealous; passionate&
139. ARDUOUS adj. strenuous; wearisome; difficult
140. ARGUMENTATIVE adj. disposed to agree; disputatious; contentious.
141. ARID .adj. dry; lacking moisture; lifeless; uninteresting.
142. AROMA n. a fragrance; agreeable odor.
143. AROUSE v. to excite; awaken; stimulate; provoke; kindle.
144. ARRANGE v. to put in order; settle; plan
145. ARREST v. to take to jail; to seize; stop; prevent
146. ARROGANT adj. overly proud; haughty.
147. ARTICLE n. a separate item; a non-fictional literary piece.
148. ARTICULATE adj. able to speak; dearly and distinctly expressed
149. ARTIST n. someone who creates art or beautiful things.
150. ASCENDANT adj. rising; dominant

Feed the Fish!

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Thu, 26 May 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Hey all, I have heard that feeding the fish at the top of the page will give you good luck on your TOEFL test..... just saying!

Updates coming in 24 hours! Keep checking back!

Thanks,

Ryan

TOEFL Vocabulary

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Tue, 24 May 2011 22:04:00 +0000

Hey TOEFL Takers! I found this great list of about 2000 TOEFL vocabulary words. I have taught TOEFL since 2000, over 10 years, and I was a TOEFL Test Site Administrator. I must say, this list is GOOD: real TOEFL words that will either be the question or one of the answer choices on the TOEFL. I am going to post about 100 words from the list approximately every two days, so keep checking back to get them all! Or leave me a note or comment and I will send them to you!

Don't forget to submit a sample speaking (see older posts)! And the video explaining the images on the Listening section, coming Wednesday (tomorrow) so check back!!

Ryan

First 100 TOEFL words:
1. ABANDON v. to give up something; desert; forsake.
2. ABASE v. to humiliate; degrade; lower.
3. ABATE v. to lessen subside; decrease.
4. ABDICATE v. to give up power; relinquish responsibility.
5. ABET v. to encourage a crone; to incite.
6. ABHOR v. to hate; loathe; detest; shun
7. ABHORRENT adj. disgusting; repugnant; repellent
8. ABILITY n. the capacity to do something; skill; competence.
9. ABJECT adj. wretched; miserable; base.
10. ABRIDGE v. to condense; shorten.
11. ABRUPT adj unexpectedly sudden; discontinuous; curt; brusque.
12. ABSOLUTE adj unlimited; perfect; not to be doubted
13. ABSOLVE v. to pardon; release from an obligation.
14. ABSORBED adj preoccupied; engrossed; assimilated.
1S. ABSTAIN v. to refrain from doing something; hold back
16. ABSTRACT adj theoretical; not concrete; non-representational
17. ABSURD adj. contrary to common sense; ridiculous; foolish; farcical
18. ABUNDANT adj. plentiful; more than sufficient; copious.
19. ABYSMAL adj. immeasurably deep or bad; extreme.
20. ABYSS n. a bottomless pit; immeasurable depth; chasm
21 ACCELERATE v. to speed up; cause to happen more quickly.
22 ACCENTUATE v. to emphasize; stress; accent
23. ACCESSIBLE adj. approachable; open to outsiders.
24. ACCESSORY n. a supplement; added part; aider of a crime.
25. ACCIDENTAL adj. occurring unexpectedly or by chance.
26. ACCLAIM v. to applaud; proclaim with app royal; praise
27. ACCOMMODATION n. an adaptation; compromise; lodging.
28. ACCOMPLICE n. a partner in a crime; an accessory.
29. ACCOUNTABLE adj. answerable; responsible; liable.
30. ACCUMULATE v. to coiled; amass; increase in amount
31. ACCURATE adj. correct; true
32. ACKNOWLEDGE v to admit the truth of; recognize; certify.
33. ACQUAINTANCE n. someone known slightly; personal knowledge
34. ACQUIESCE v. to passively comply; consent; submit
35. ACROBATICS n. gymnastics; tumbling; a show of agility~
36. ACRONYM n. a word formed from the initial letters of a name.
37. ACTIVITY n. movement; an event or function~
38. ACUTE adj perceptive; sharp.
39. ADAMANT adj unyielding; inflexible; firm
40. ADAPTATION n. an alteration; change; adjustment; modification
41. ADDITIONAL adj. added; extra; supplemental
42. ADEPT adj highly skilled; proficient; capable.
43. ADEQUATE adj. sufficient; suitable; barely satisfactory.
44. ADJACENT adj. close to; next to; adjoining.
45. ADJUSTABLE adj. adaptable; conformable; moveable.
46. ADMINISTER v. to direct; manage; be in charge of
47. ADMIRE v. to esteem; respect; approve.
48. ADMONISH v. to counsel against; wane; caution; reprove.
49. ADOPT v. to take in a child or idea as one’s own.
50. ADORE v. to revere; worship; love.
51. ADROIT adj. skillful; dexterous; adept
52. ADULATION n. excessive praise.
53. ADVENTURESOME adj. inclined to take risks; daring.
54. ADVERSARY n. opponent; enemy.
55. ADVISORY adj. consultative; giving advice.
56. ADVOCATE v. to recommend; support; plead in favor of
57. AESTHETIC/ESTHETIC adj. concerning beauty or taste; artistic.
58. AFFINITY n. attraction; kinship.
59. AFFLICT v. to torment; cause to suffer; distress.
60. AFFLICTION n. pain; suffering; a cause of suffering or distress.
61. AFFLUENT adj. wealthy; rich; opulent; abundant 62. AFFRONT n. an insult
63. AGGRANDIZE v. to enlarge
64. AGGRAVATE v. to make worse; annoy; intensify
65. AGGREGATE n. an assemblage; total amount
66. AGORESSIVE adj. hostile; vigorous; assertive; militant.
67. AGILITY n. nimbleness; quickness
68. AGITATE v. to excite; arouse interest in; upset
69. AGRARIAN adj. pertaining to the land; agricultural; rural
70. AGREEABLE adj. pleasing; comfortable; consenting; amiable
71. AILMENT n. an illness; a physical or menial disorder.
72. AJAR adj. partly open; not harmonious
73. AKIN adj. related; similar; analogous
74. ALERT adj. attentive; watchful; mentally responsive.
75. ALIEN adj. foreign; different; strange.
76. ALIENATE v. to turn away from, estrange; repel; make unfriendly.
77. ALLAY v. to calm reduce the intensity of
78. ALLEVIATE v. to relieve; lessen.
79. ALLOCATE v. to apportion; assign; set aside
8O. ALLOWANCE n. an allotment or provision; margin; acceptance
81. ALLUDE v. to refer to indirectly.
82. ALLURING adj. enticing; tempting; charming.
83. ALOOF adj. reserved; indifferent; distant
84. ALTER v. to change; modify; adjust
85. ALTERCATION n. noisy quarrel; vehement dispute.
86. ALTERNATE v. to take turns or switch off interchange regularly.
87. ALTERNATIVE n. a choice; another possibility.
88. AMASS v. to collect; gather; accumulate.
89. AMATEUR n. a nonprofessiona1; unskilled person.
90. AMAZE v. to surprise; astonish; fill with wonder.
91. AMBIENCE/AMBIANCE n. surrounding atmosphere.
92. AMBIGUOUS adj. unclear; open to different interpretations; vague.
93. AMBITION n. desire for power or distinction; aspiration.
94. AMBIVALENCE n. having mixed feelings; indecision.
95. AMBLE v. to walk leisurely.
96. AMENABLE adj. tradable; submissive; obedient
97. AMICABLE adj. friendly.
98. AMNESIA n. loss of memory from injury or illness.
99. AMORPHOUS adj. shapeless~
100. AMPLE adj. abundant; large; sufficient; plenty.

New video about the Listening section

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Mon, 23 May 2011 01:09:00 +0000

Find out some basic tips on what to listen for during those LONG lectures on the TOEFL iBT:

Record Here

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Sat, 21 May 2011 22:47:00 +0000

Speaking help

ryantboyd@me.com (TOEFL Ryan) — Sat, 21 May 2011 20:03:00 +0000

Hello all, here are some sample TOEFL speaking topics. Later this weekend I am going to post a link letting you submit your sample responses to me! Yes, that is correct! You can record from your computer, and get them evaluated. For now focus on practicing these topics. Remember, you only have 45 seconds to speak on these topics!

Talk about a time when you experienced success. Describe the experience and say why it was a success for you.
What is your favorite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
Name a person whom you truly admire. Describe the person and say why you admire him/her.
Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Describe it and explain why it is relaxing and peaceful for you.
Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your life. Describe the experience and say why it was difficult to overcome.
What is your most useful study aid? Describe it and explain why it is useful in helping you to study.
Talk about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. Describe this person and explain why he/she was so influential to you.
Where is your favorite place to study? Describe this place and say why it is a good place for you to study.
Talk about a positive experience with learning or using English. Describe the experience and say why it was a positive one.
What is your favorite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
Name a famous or influential figure who has inspired you. Describe this person and say why he/she has been inspirational to you.
Which place has fond memories for you? Describe this place and explain why it is memorable to you.
When have you been happily surprised by something? Describe the experience and say why the surprise was a happy one for you.
Describe a resource that helped you to do something better than before. Describe it and explain why it was helpful to you.
Describe a person from your country’s history. Why do you think this person was important?