Word Smart for the TOEFL by Vanessa Coggshall
How to Build and Remember an Educated Vocabulary
Aug 3, 2009
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is given to prospective students who are applying for admission to a university where English is the principle language of instruction. It is an Internet-based exam with sections on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. A good vocabulary is helpful on all parts of the exam, and this book aims to bolster vocabulary to earn extra points on the test.
Word Smart for the TOEFL is mostly about words and their meanings. It begins with a summary of what is expected on the TOEFL. The advice for how to use the book, and suggestions for a notation system to increase learning are sensible and useful. The book then moves into the words, using Princeton's standard technique of grouping words by similar meaning and usage.
Studying Common TOEFL Words
The layout of the book is straightforward and easy on the eyes. The pages have little text, with one vocabulary word per page in some cases, and several per page in others. Each word is printed in a bold easy-to-read font along with its pronunciation. The part of speech and a simple, easy to understand definition come next.
Then, a sentence provides an example of the word in typical usage. The sentences are not too simple nor are they ridiculously complex. They are interesting – entertaining even; especially when coupled with an illustration.
Many of the words are accompanied by a two-tone illustration. The illustrations are deceptively effective. At first, the response to a picture might be "boy, that's stupid" or "what does that have to do with the meaning of the word?" The idea appears to not necessarily give a literal (and boring) illustration of the word, but to provide a memorable handle to aid memory and understanding of the context in which a word is likely to be used. Once students accept this and get used to it, the pictures are actually kind of fun to look at and think about.
Vocabulary Reinforcement and Study
At the end of each short section, there are drills to aid in learning and for practicing usage. There is a good mix of matching problems, puzzles, and writing prompts. Answer keys are provided. All the words are listed in alphabetical order at the end, for those who like the good old-fashioned method of mechanically reciting definitions and making up sentences.
According to the cover, the book contains 250 of the most tested TOEFL words. How the author and publisher have figured out which words these are isn't clear. People who take standardized tests like the TOEFL aren't supposed to divulge the test contents. If these are words are likely to be useful on the TOEFL, this book offers a great way to build and improve fundamental English vocabulary, expression, and comprehension.
References
Coggshall, Vanessa. Word Smart for the TOEFL. New York, NY: The Princeton Review, 2009.
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