Why section-specific vocab matters
Most TOEFL vocab lists treat the test as one giant vocabulary pool. That works fine for Reading and Listening lectures, which use the same formal academic register, but it leaves gaps in the other directions. Listening conversations lean heavily on phrasal verbs that rarely show up in academic reading. Speaking rewards short, confident, conversational phrases over rare formal vocabulary. Writing's Academic Discussion task is where precise connectors and qualifiers do the most band-shifting work. Studying by section lets you allocate vocabulary effort to where it actually moves your weakest band, instead of polishing words that contribute nothing in the section you most need to improve.
The 60 entries below are filtered from the broader academic vocabulary set by their TOEFL section-frequency. Each entry shows the word or phrase, a clean definition, and a usage example drawn from the register where the word actually appears on test day.
phenomenon
An observable event or fact (plural: phenomena).
Passage example: "This phenomenon was first observed in the 1970s and has since been documented in dozens of marine ecosystems."
paradigm
A dominant model or way of thinking in a field.
Passage example: "The discovery of plate tectonics produced a paradigm shift in mid-twentieth-century geology."
attribute
To explain something as caused by a specific source.
Passage example: "Historians attribute the demographic recovery to improvements in public sanitation."
derive
To obtain or come from.
Passage example: "The compound is derived from a fungus native to the Amazon."
undermine
To weaken or damage.
Passage example: "These findings undermine the previously accepted theory of cortical development."
facilitate
To make easier; to help bring about.
Passage example: "The new road network facilitated trade between the coastal and interior regions."
implication
A consequence that follows from a fact or finding.
Passage example: "The implications of this discovery extend well beyond paleontology."
subsequent
Following in time or order.
Passage example: "The initial eruption was minor, but subsequent events caused widespread destruction."
discrepancy
A difference between things expected to match.
Passage example: "The discrepancy between predicted and observed values suggested a flaw in the model."
consensus
A widely-shared agreement.
Passage example: "There is now scientific consensus that the species evolved independently on each island."
substantial
Large in size, value, or importance.
Passage example: "The colony required a substantial supply of fresh water and arable land."
prevail
To be most common or dominant; to win.
Passage example: "Despite competition from imported goods, traditional crafts prevailed in the region for two centuries."
refute
To disprove or argue against.
Passage example: "The author refutes the long-standing view that the migration was a single event."
conducive
Making something more likely or easier.
Passage example: "The warm, humid climate was conducive to rapid tropical disease transmission."
scrutiny
Close examination.
Passage example: "Under closer scrutiny, the artefact proved to be a nineteenth-century forgery."
figure out
Work out; solve.
Heard in: Student-advisor conversation. "I'm trying to figure out whether I can fit organic chemistry into my schedule next semester."
look into
Investigate.
Heard in: Professor to student. "Let me look into the deadline and email you tomorrow."
come up with
Think of; devise.
Heard in: Lab discussion. "We came up with three possible explanations for the data."
turn in
Submit (an assignment).
Heard in: Student conversation. "When do we have to turn in the final draft?"
point out
Draw attention to.
Heard in: Lecture. "As Darwin pointed out, variation within a species is the engine of evolution."
carry out
Perform; conduct.
Heard in: Methods lecture. "The team carried out the field survey across three river systems."
break down
Analyse into parts; or stop working.
Heard in: Lecture. "Let me break down the equation step by step before we move on."
build on
Extend or develop further.
Heard in: Lecture. "Modern macroeconomic theory builds on the Keynesian framework from the 1930s."
account for
Explain; constitute a proportion.
Heard in: Statistics lecture. "Genetic factors account for roughly thirty percent of the variation in height."
rule out
Exclude as a possibility.
Heard in: Lab discussion. "We can rule out measurement error as the cause of the anomaly."
draw on
Use as a source.
Heard in: Lecture intro. "The author draws on twentieth-century cognitive science to explain memory."
put off
Postpone.
Heard in: Student conversation. "I keep putting off the application essay because I don't know how to start."
give up
Stop trying.
Heard in: Student to professor. "I almost gave up on the math course but the tutor really helped."
deal with
Handle; manage.
Heard in: Student-advisor conversation. "How do you suggest I deal with the conflict between my two seminars?"
go through
Examine in detail.
Heard in: First-class lecture. "Let's go through the syllabus together so you know what to expect."
For 75 more phrasal verbs and 50 idioms used in Listening, see TOEFL idioms and phrasal verbs 2026.
In my view, ...
Open an opinion task with a clear stance.
Use in: Speaking Task 1. "In my view, studying alone is more effective than studying in a group."
There are two main reasons.
Signal the organisation of your response.
Use in: Task 1 second sentence. "There are two main reasons for my preference."
First of all, ...
Introduce the first reason.
Use in: Body of any Speaking task. "First of all, studying alone lets me work at my own pace."
For example, ...
Introduce a concrete instance.
Use in: After a claim. "For example, last semester I switched from a study group to solo study and my grade improved."
On the other hand, ...
Acknowledge a counter-perspective.
Use in: Integrated tasks. "On the other hand, the professor in the lecture disagrees with that view."
According to the passage, ...
Cite the reading in an integrated task.
Use in: Task 2 or 3. "According to the passage, the university is planning to close the library at 9 pm."
The professor explains that ...
Cite the lecture in an integrated task.
Use in: Task 3 or 4. "The professor explains that this is an example of operant conditioning."
For this reason, ...
Connect a claim to its evidence.
Use in: Body of any task. "For this reason, I think the policy is more harmful than helpful."
In other words, ...
Restate a point for clarity.
Use in: When rephrasing a quoted source. "In other words, the author argues that early intervention works best."
What I would add is ...
Extend a thought you have already introduced.
Use in: Independent tasks. "What I would add is that the same principle applies to language learning."
I have personal experience with this.
Set up a concrete example from your life.
Use in: Task 1. "I have personal experience with this. Last summer I tried both approaches."
To put it simply, ...
Restate a complex idea more clearly.
Use in: Closing the response. "To put it simply, the benefits of group study were not worth the time cost for me."
That's because ...
Give a reason in a conversational tone.
Use in: Independent tasks. "That's because I learn better when I can stop and re-read difficult sections."
All in all, ...
Signal a brief conclusion.
Use in: Last sentence of a Task 1 response. "All in all, that's why I prefer studying alone."
It comes down to ...
Identify the core issue.
Use in: Closing or pivot. "It really comes down to which approach matches your learning style."
consequently
As a result.
Use in: "Sugar taxes reduce consumption; consequently, obesity rates fall over time."
nevertheless
In spite of that.
Use in: "The data is preliminary; nevertheless, the trend is consistent across studies."
furthermore
In addition (formal, slightly stronger than 'also').
Use in: "Furthermore, the revenue could fund healthier school meals in low-income areas."
in contrast
Highlights a clear difference.
Use in: "In contrast, Sweden took a stricter regulatory approach during the same period."
specifically
In particular; more precisely.
Use in: "Specifically, the tax applies only to drinks with more than 5 grams of added sugar per 100 ml."
accordingly
In a way that matches what was said.
Use in: "Demand fell, and producers responded accordingly by reducing supply."
notwithstanding
In spite of.
Use in: "Notwithstanding the objections raised, the policy was implemented in March 2024."
whereas
In contrast to.
Use in: "I agree with Marcus on the tax, whereas Sophia argues for direct regulation instead."
albeit
Although; even though.
Use in: "The result was positive, albeit smaller than the original estimate predicted."
in light of
Considering; in view of.
Use in: "In light of these findings, we should reconsider the original assumption."
with respect to
Concerning; regarding.
Use in: "With respect to cost, the new approach is roughly 40 percent cheaper."
contingent on
Dependent on.
Use in: "Approval is contingent on the city securing federal funding."
to a certain extent
Partly; with some qualification.
Use in: "I agree with Mia's concern, to a certain extent, but the data does not support the conclusion."
in light of these considerations
Closing connector that ties together prior points.
Use in: "In light of these considerations, I support the policy with the caveats noted above."
it follows that
Signals a logical conclusion.
Use in: "If the premise is true, it follows that the policy must address both supply and demand."
For 60 more transition phrases organised by Writing function, see TOEFL transition words and linking phrases 2026.
Related TOEFLMock resources
FAQ
Different vocab for each section?
Yes, with overlap. Reading is formal nouns and verbs of analysis. Listening leans on phrasal verbs (conversations especially). Speaking rewards short conversational phrases. Writing rewards precise connectors and qualifiers.
Which section's vocab first?
Your weakest. Take a TOEFLMock practice test to diagnose. Default order if undiagnosed: Writing, then Speaking, then Reading, then Listening.
Why so many phrasal verbs in Listening?
Listening passages reflect real spoken academic English, which uses phrasal verbs about 3x more often than written English.
Speaking vs Writing vocabulary?
Speaking rewards short and confident. Writing rewards precise and academic. Don't mix them or you sound stilted in Speaking.
Vocabulary changes for 2026 task types?
Level unchanged. New task types affect format, not register.