PART III: TOEFL Vocabulary Review

As you read the following passage, see if you can get the meaning of the underlined
words from the context in which they appear. Then, do the vocabulary builders that
follow.

To the Editor:

Your article on plans for aiding the elderly to pay their housing costs was not quite
clear in several aspects. I would like to clarify the requirements and exemptions
available for those who qualify.
In the first place, a tenant 62 years old or older must live in a rent-controlled or
rent-stabilized dwelling, pay more than one third of his or her income for rent, and
have a yearly income of $8,000 or less. Such a tenant must apply for exemption from
rent increases and must reapply each year thereafter. Once is not enough. It is
understood, however, that should the landlord make a major improvement, a new
furnace for example, all tenants must accept rent raises to pay for increased comfort.
The elderly, poor tenant is not excluded from such a rent increase.
Landlords receive tax exemptions as reimbursement for the money they lose in not
increasing rent for the elderly. In New York City, the cost of these tax reductions is
$41 million a year, a tremendous figure, but likely to be higher if more of the poor
elderly learn they may apply for exemptions. The city is so slow in processing
applications that some tenants have paid the full rent .They ought not to have done
so. They are fully protected by the law and, once they have applied for exemption,
they do not have to pay rent increases.
I appeal to you to clarify this issue so that the elderly poor of our city may become
aware of the housing benefits for which they qualify.
Clara Torres
Office of Housing for the Elderly

Vocabulary Builder 1

Directions: Choose the correct meaning of the underlined word.

1.

over 62 can apply for benefits at the Office of Housing for the
Tenants
Elderly.

(A) poor


(B) people over 62


(C) people who need aid

(D) people who need housing


2.

If you dont get that furnace repaired before winter,we will freeze to death.
(A) fire escape
(B) heater

(C) water container
(D) staircase

Chapter 3: Words in Context

3.

4.








5.









6.









7.









8.

Since landlords get reimbursements ,they shouldnt complain about losing

money.

(A) bills
(B) increases
(C) payments
(D) housing benefits

The elderly are not excluded from rent raises that all tenants have to pay
when the landlord makes a major improvement.
(A) obliged

(B) included
(C) excited
(D) eliminated

When their rent increased from $200 to $400 a month, they protested
against such a tremendous increase.
(A) light

(B) difficult
(C) huge
(D) tiring

Because the city is slow in processing applications, many of the elderly do

not get housing benefits.
(A) providing

(B) working on
(C) raising
(D) trying

The landlord notified his tenants that their rent would be increased the
following month.
(A) janitors

(B) friends
(C) occupants
(D) poor people

Reading a daily newspaper will make you aware of what is going on in the
world.
(A) knowledgeable

(B) ignorant
(C) alike
(D) dependent

PART III: TOEFL Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary Builder 1 Answers

1. The correct answer is (B).

2. The correct answer is (B).

3. The correct answer is (C).

4. The correct answer is (D).

5. The correct answer is (C).

6. The correct answer is (B).

7. The correct answer is (C).

8. The correct answer is (A).


Vocabulary Builder 2

Directions: Try to get the meaning of the underlined word from its context
in the following sentences. Choose the correct synonym. If you cannot figure
it out, look the word up in your dictionary.
1.

2.







3.








4.

It is inevitable that smoking will damage your health.

(A) invading
(B) unhealthy
(C) unavoidable
(D) intriguing

Whatyouneedafterahardweeksworkisalittlefrivolityovertheweekend.
(A) luxury

(B) harmony
(C) fireworks
(D) triviality

(B) scheme
(C) bomb
(D) headquarters

The general planned a new stratagem to conquer the rebel forces.

(A) strafing

Only a quack would recommend a lettuce diet to an athlete.

(A) charlatan

(B) duck
(C) coach
(D) doctor

Chapter 3: Words in Context

5.

6.







7.








8.








9.

The expression out of the frying pan and into the firemeans to go from one
dilemma to a worse one.

(A) situation
(B) predicament
(C) embarrassment
(D) aura

He made one last futile effort to convince her and left the house.
(A) difficult
(B) favorable

(C) firm
(D) ineffectual

After climbing to the zenith ,he slowly worked his way down the mountain.
(A) zero

(B) top
(C) cabin
(D) mountain

A glib answer will not serve for a serious question.

(A) gross

(B) capable
(C) facile
(D) ignorant

Mary set off on her vacation with the intention of finding a tall, dark,
handsome, debonair companion.
(A) doleful

(B) decent
(C) urbane
(D) mercenary

10. Ponce de Leon searched in vain for a means of rejuvenating the aged.
(A) making young again

(B) making weary again
(C) making wealthy again
(D) making merry again