Toefl vocabulary exercise - Free Printable

Let's solve this TOEFL vocabulary worksheet step by step.

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Step 1: Match the words with their definitions

We are given six vocabulary words:

- brusque
- diatribe
- epitome
- impoverish
- hasty
- despise
- famine

And seven definitions:

1. A time when there is an extreme lack of food. → famine
2. A sharp criticism or attack. → diatribe
3. Abrupt to the point of rudeness. → brusque
4. To hate. → despise
5. A perfect example of something. → epitome
6. In a hurry. → hasty
7. To reduce to poverty. → impoverish

✔ Matching:

| Word | Definition |
|-------------|----------|
| brusque | Abrupt to the point of rudeness. |
| diatribe | A sharp criticism or attack. |
| epitome | A perfect example of something. |
| impoverish | To reduce to poverty. |
| hasty | In a hurry. |
| despise | To hate. |
| famine | A time when there is an extreme lack of food. |

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Step 2: Fill in the blanks in the sentences

Now, use the correct word in each sentence.

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1. In order to avoid the police, the robbers made a ________ retreat.

- "Retreat" suggests they left quickly.
- The best fit is hasty (in a hurry).
- ✔ hasty

> Sentence: *In order to avoid the police, the robbers made a hasty retreat.*

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2. These medical bills are going to ________ me.

- Medical bills can cause financial hardship.
- "Impoverish" means to reduce to poverty.
- ✔ impoverish

> Sentence: *These medical bills are going to impoverish me.*

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3. I ________ early morning classes.

- This expresses strong dislike.
- "Despise" means to hate.
- ✔ despise

> Sentence: *I despise early morning classes.*

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4. The politician went into a ________ against her opponent.

- A political attack or criticism.
- "Diatribe" is a long, bitter criticism.
- ✔ diatribe

> Sentence: *The politician went into a diatribe against her opponent.*

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5. Millions of children in Ethiopia died due to the ________ there.

- Refers to lack of food.
- "Famine" is a period of extreme food shortage.
- ✔ famine

> Sentence: *Millions of children in Ethiopia died due to the famine there.*

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6. The duchess is the ________ of class.

- She is a perfect example of class.
- "Epitome" means a perfect example.
- ✔ epitome

> Sentence: *The duchess is the epitome of class.*

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7. After being away for so long, I expected more than her ________ greeting.

- She greeted abruptly or rudely.
- "Brusque" means abrupt and rude.
- ✔ brusque

> Sentence: *After being away for so long, I expected more than her brusque greeting.*

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✔ Final Answers:

#### Matching:
- brusque → Abrupt to the point of rudeness
- diatribe → A sharp criticism or attack
- epitome → A perfect example of something
- impoverish → To reduce to poverty
- hasty → In a hurry
- despise → To hate
- famine → A time when there is an extreme lack of food

#### Fill-in-the-blanks:
1. hasty
2. impoverish
3. despise
4. diatribe
5. famine
6. epitome
7. brusque

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This exercise helps build vocabulary for the TOEFL, focusing on context and precise word usage. Each word has a specific nuance — understanding those nuances is key to success on the exam.