Getting to Know the TOEFL iBT Test

The Vocabulary Section

Practicing a long list of vocabulary just a week before the test is not very useful, because you may forget most of them or confuse the ones that look or sound the same

We are going to look at these seven tips.?

They will help you practice new words in a more systematic way.?

Number one, read whenever possible.?

Number two, write down new words.?

Number three, vocally practice new words.?

Four, visually remember words.?

Five, make the words meaningful by examples.?

Six, use new words regularly so that you don't forget them.?

Seven, identify different parts of a new word.?

Reading is not just important for picking up new words.

It will put these words into context, meaning you will learn a new word and also understand how it can be used.

So try to read regularly, like 30 minutes a day.

Also try to read different passages from a variety of subjects like history, physics, social sciences in order to see new words.

When you read, try to understand the passage as a whole before you look up the unfamiliar words.

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Tip number two, write the words.

This will help you remember them along with the meaning.

Also, it's a good idea to keep a diary so that you will have a collection of all your new words that you can easily revise when you need them.

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Tip number three, vocally practice new words.

Have a word of the day and use your newly learnt word throughout the day, so you will learn to use it in context and not forget it quickly.

Say the words out loud and pay attention to the word stress, because word stress can change that word's meaning.

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Tip number four, visually remembering words is very helpful.

Try writing words on small sticky notes and adding them to items around the house so that you will associate new words with their relevant images.

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Tip number five, try to memorize words in a meaningful way, like a special example that makes sense to you.

You don't need to use the exact same examples you find in a dictionary.

Instead, you can change some of those words to make the example easier for you to remember.

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Tip number six, use new words regularly.

In order to do so, you need to have a daily or weekly schedule to practice these words in your writing or your speaking, so that you don't forget them.

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Tip number seven, identify different parts of new words.

Identify the root, suffix, or parts used after the root, and prefix, or parts that are used before the root. Try to dissect a word if possible, to guess the meaning.

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