fluctuate
Data and change
To rise and fall or change repeatedly.
fluctuate over timefluctuating levels
ExampleThe graph shows how water levels fluctuate during the dry season.
TOEFL
TOEFL vocabulary list
TOEFL vocabulary list: academic words 11-20.
Continue with TOEFL academic vocabulary for research claims, lecture contrasts, reading passages, and written responses.
Page 1Page 2 of 2 · Words 11-20
How to use this page
Keep the order
Study the words in high-frequency order before switching to alphabetical review.
Read the examples
Use the example sentence to connect the word to a lecture or passage.
Review related forms
Pay attention to nouns, verbs, and adjectives from the same family.
Vocabulary Entries
10 entries on this pageallocate
Resources
To give time, money, or resources for a particular purpose.
ExampleThe university allocated more funding to laboratory equipment.
retain
Continuation
To keep something or continue to have it.
retain informationretain moisture
ExampleThe professor explains how clay soil can retain moisture after rainfall.
notion
Ideas
An idea, belief, or general understanding of something.
ExampleThe lecture challenges the notion that all deserts are lifeless.
preliminary
Research stages
Happening before the main or final stage.
preliminary resultspreliminary research
ExampleThe preliminary results suggest that the new method may be more accurate.
reinforce
Support
To strengthen an idea, argument, or structure.
ExampleThe second example reinforces the professor's main point.
attribute
Cause
To say that something is caused by a particular factor.
attribute toattributed the change to
ExampleResearchers attribute the decline to changes in ocean temperature.
whereas
Contrast
Used to compare two facts that are different.
ExampleThe reading supports the theory, whereas the lecture questions it.
plausible
Evaluation
Seeming reasonable or likely to be true.
plausible explanationplausible theory
ExampleThe passage gives a plausible explanation for the sudden population shift.
elaborate
Explanation
To explain something in more detail.
ExampleThe student elaborates on the lecture point with a short example.