The Language of the Test, List 5

On reading comprehension tests, the word development most likely refers to the development of ideas over the course of a reading passage. Typically, an author can't persuade you of his or her opinion in one sentence. Instead, he or she builds — or develops — an argument through logical reasoning and evidence.

Influence means "to have an effect on." On a standardized test, you may need to think about how one thing acts upon another. What is the influence of A on B? Does A strengthen the effect of B or does A weaken the effect of B? Since influence is a general word to describe all kinds of interactions, you could see it on many different sections of a test.

Accompanying means "going along with" or "being a part of." A reading passage might be paired with accompanying graphics (tables, charts, graphs, etc.).

Something significant is important or meaningful. It's a word to cue you to take notice.

A stance is an attitude or a position on an issue of some kind. Stances can be political or personal. An author's stance on a particular topic is his or her opinion or point of view on the topic.

On standardized tests, you will often be asked to find patterns, including patterns in the way an argument develops or in the types of evidence supporting a claim. On science tests, you may be asked to evaluate patterns in sets of data.

To portray is to describe using words, in writing or verbally. To portray someone is to describe them in such a way that the reader is left with a general sense based on specific incidents or details. When you are analyzing literary narratives, you might need to evaluate how an author has portrayed a character.

Something that's independent stands alone and is not influenced or controlled by someone or something else. The TOEFL Writing Section includes an independent writing task — meaning you do not need to rely on lectures, reading passages, or other source material to write your response. The Speaking Section also includes an independent task, in which you base your answer entirely on your own experiences and ideas.

When you explain something, you describe it in a way that makes it easy to understand. In reading passages, authors will explain the reasoning behind their claims or arguments — and when you write essays, you will also need to explain why you believe certain things are true.

To discuss is to talk about something, either out loud or in writing. On the Reading Section of the TOEFL, you might need to figure out why an author discusses certain topics.

When you present an idea, you put it forward so that others can learn about it or understand it. In reading passages, authors will present evidence to support their claims.

Something introductory is at the very beginning. The introductory paragraph of an essay is the very first paragraph, the one that introduces the main idea, or puts the main idea forward for the first time. Later paragraphs will often add details or evidence.

A characteristic is a feature of something. In fact, feature is a synonym of characteristic. All things in a certain class or category have characteristics in common. For example, feathers are a characteristic of birds, while hair or fur is a characteristic of mammals.

On the Writing Section of the TOEFL Exam, you will be expected to write effective essays. Effective writing does what it sets out to do — whether that's to persuade, to inform, or simply to entertain readers. To be effective, an essay must be well organized and stay on topic.

The verb cite has nothing to do with the nouns sight or site. When you cite something, you are giving credit where credit is due in a piece of writing. You can cite a source formally with a citation (like you would in a research paper) or you can informally cite something as you refer to it in a piece of writing.

A result is anything that follows from or is caused by something else. If you perform a science experiment, you might write a lab report explaining the results of the experiment. This word can also be used as a verb, as in "Studying for the TOEFL Exam will result in a higher score."

Your point of view is your perspective, the way you see things. On the Writing Section of the TOEFL Exam, you will be asked to complete an "independent writing task," in which you offer your perspective, or personal opinion, on a particular issue.

Something that's important is significant, meaningful, or necessary. The main ideas in an essay or reading passage are the most important ideas.

Organization is the way that something is arranged. When you write essays on the Writing Section of the TOEFL, you'll want to pay close attention to organization! Order your points logically so that your ideas are easy for a reader to follow.

If you contribute something, you give it, the way you might contribute money or canned goods to a food pantry. On standardized tests, this word is more often used in the sense of "cause" or "add to." For example, an author's use of positive adjectives might contribute to the hopeful tone of a reading passage.