Welcome to the Core Academic Word List!
Welcome! If you want to score high on the TOEFL iBT, you need more than just "basic" English. You need the Core Academic Word List (AWL). These are words that appear in almost every college textbook, from Biology to History. Think of these words as the "skeleton" of your English—they hold everything else together. By learning these, you won't just understand the Reading passages better; you will also sound more professional in your Speaking and Writing tasks.
Don't worry if these words look difficult right now. We are going to break them down into simple steps so you can use them with confidence!
Why Vocabulary Matters for Your Score
The TOEFL examiners use a specific set of rules (rubrics) to grade you. In the Writing and Speaking sections, they look for Lexical Resource. This means:
1. Range: Can you use different words, or do you say the same basic words over and over?
2. Precision: Do you use the "exact" word for the situation?
3. Academic Tone: Do you sound like a university student?
Did you know? In the Reading section, about 25% of the questions are "Vocabulary in Context" questions. If you know the Core Academic Word List, you can answer these questions in seconds, saving you time for the harder "Summary" questions!
Step 1: High-Value Word Groups
Instead of learning random words, it is easier to learn them in functional groups. These are words that help you perform specific tasks in the exam.
Group A: Analyzing and Researching
Use these when you are talking about a scientific study or a lecture you heard.
1. Analyze (Verb): To look at something carefully to understand it.
Example: The researchers analyzed the soil samples to find traces of water.
2. Criteria (Noun): The standards used to make a decision.
Example: The main criteria for the scholarship are high grades and community service.
3. Evidence (Noun): Facts or information that prove something is true.
Example: There is no evidence to suggest that the Vikings traveled further south.
Group B: Change and Contrast
Use these when the Reading passage compares two different things.
1. Shift (Noun/Verb): A change in position or direction.
Example: There has been a major shift in how people consume news today.
2. Whereas (Conjunction): Used to show a contrast between two ideas.
Example: The first group stayed in the city, whereas the second group moved to the countryside.
3. Modify (Verb): To change something slightly to improve it.
Example: The architect had to modify the plans to stay within the budget.
Key Takeaway:
Don't just learn a word's meaning; learn its form. If you know analyze (verb), make sure you also know analysis (noun) and analytical (adjective). This allows you to vary your sentence structures!
Step 2: Show, Don't Just Tell (Weak vs. Strong)
To get a score above 25 in Writing or Speaking, you must replace "general" English with "academic" English. Look at these examples to see the difference.
Example 1: Describing a Result
Weak (Low Score): "The scientist got a big change in the results because of the new medicine."
Improved (High Score): "The researcher observed a significant transformation in the results due to the administration of the new drug."
Why it's better: Instead of got, we use observed. Instead of big change, we use significant transformation. These words are more precise and formal.
Example 2: Explaining a Reason
Weak (Low Score): "The price went up because there wasn't much oil."
Improved (High Score): "The commodity price increased consequently because of a diminished supply of oil."
Why it's better: Using consequently shows the examiner you understand cause and effect, which is a key academic skill.
Step 3: Mastering Collocations
A "collocation" is a group of words that naturally go together. If you use the wrong "partner" word, you will lose marks for naturalness.
1. Conduct + Research: You don't "make" research; you conduct it.
Example: The university is conducting research into renewable energy.
2. Establish + A Link: Instead of saying "show a connection," use "establish a link."
Example: Doctors have established a clear link between smoking and heart disease.
3. Pose + A Challenge: Instead of saying "it is a big problem," say it poses a challenge.
Example: The cold climate poses a significant challenge for local farmers.
Step 4: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even advanced students make these mistakes. Watch out for them!
1. Using "Etc." or "And so on": In academic writing, these are considered lazy. Instead of saying "They studied cats, dogs, etc.," say "They studied various species, including cats and dogs."
2. Personal Language: Avoid saying "I think" or "In my opinion" too much in the Integrated Writing task. Use academic phrases like: "The author contends that..." or "The evidence suggests that..."
3. Overusing "Very": "Very" is a weak word. Replace it with stronger academic adjectives.
- Instead of "Very important," use "Crucial" or "Essential."
- Instead of "Very small," use "Negligible."
- Instead of "Very clear," use "Evident."
Step 5: Quick Review and Memory Aids
How can you remember hundreds of new words? Try these tricks:
1. The "Daily Five": Don't try to learn 50 words in one day. Learn 5 words, but learn them deeply. Write a sentence for each one about your own life.
2. Use Flashcards (with a twist): On one side, write the word (e.g., Indicate). On the other side, write its collocations (e.g., Indicate a trend, Indicate a preference).
3. Categorize by "Charge": Is the word positive, negative, or neutral? For example, "Advocate" is usually positive, while "Distort" is usually negative.
Chapter Checklist:
- Can I define 50 core academic words?
- Can I change a verb (like "Create") into a noun ("Creation") or adjective ("Creative")?
- Can I replace the word "good" or "bad" with an academic alternative?
- Do I know which words "partner" together (collocations)?
Final Tip: When you practice your Speaking tasks today, try to use at least three words from this list. The more you speak them, the more natural they will feel during the real test! You've got this!