Comprehensive list of common TOEIC Reading vocabulary to conquer any exam!

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

request

the act of politely or formally asking for something

Anna's boss requested her to do the task immediately. 

effectively

in a way that is successful and achieves what you want

Jenny should make sure that resources are used effectively. 

interruption

an occasion when someone or something stops something from happening for a short time

Harry ignored the interruption and carried on. 

distribution

the process of giving things out to several people, or spreading or supplying something

John had it printed for distribution among his friends. 

residential

relating to where people live

Peter is a residential neighborhood. 

article

a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine

Daisy is reading an article about the executives. 

superior

better than average or better than others of the same type

Jenny is one of the company’s superior officers. 

deliberate

intentional or planned

Sara made a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict.

determined

wanting to do something very much and not allowing anyone or any difficulties to stop you

Jenny was determined to be heard. 

gratitude

the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express thanks

John expressed his gratitude to the committee for their support. 

preference

the fact that you like something or someone more than another thing or person

Daisy chose a clock in preference to a watch. 

anticipate

to imagine or expect that something will happen

Peter anticipated scorn on his return to the theater. 

embarrassed

feeling ashamed or shy

Jenny became embarrassed at her mistake. 

The conference’s keynote speaker

the most important speaker at a conference who delivers the main address

Mr. Tom was the conference’s keynote speaker. 

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Arrange

to plan, prepare for, or organize something

Harry had just finished arranging the flowers. 

Assemble

to come together in a single place or bring parts together in a single group

John used to assemble toys. 

Asset

something valuable belonging to a person or organization that can be used for the payment of debts

Quick reflexes were Anna's chief asset. 

Assist

to help

A senior academic would assist Jenny in her work. 

Authority

the moral or legal right or ability to control

Anna had absolute authority over her subordinates.

Awareness

knowledge that something exists or understanding of a situation

Daisy needs to raise public awareness of the issue.

Background

the things that have made you into the person you are, or the situation and past events that explain why something happens in the way it does

Peter told everyone about his background. 

Behave

to act in a particular way

John always behaved like a gentleman.

Branch

one of the offices or groups that form part of a larger organization

One branch of their family emigrated to Russia. 

Chain

a set of connected or related things

Sara put the safety chain across on the front door. 

Coach

someone whose job is to teach people to improve at a sport, skill, or school subject

Peter is a brilliant coach. 

Commence

to begin something

Anna's design team commenced work. 

Commission

an official group of people who have been given responsibility to control something

Jenny received a commission to act as an informer. 

Conclude

to end a speech, meeting, or piece of writing

The teacher concluded our study with these words. 

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Charge

to ask for money for something

Jenny charged me 3 euros for the postcard.

No later than

at the latest; before or at a particular time

Harry’ll be back no later than 5 o’clock. 

Purchase

to buy something

Peter purchased an expensive car last month.

Reserve

to arrange for something to be kept for you

Anna can reserve seats via the telephone. 

Verify

to prove that something is true or correct

John verified his flight number. 

A variety of

many different types of things

Jim mixed a variety of traditional and modern elements. 

Clearance sale

a sale in which goods are sold cheaply to get rid of them

Anna bought our new carpet at a clearance sale. 

Eligible

having the necessary qualities or satisfying the necessary conditions

Peter is eligible to be elected as the president. 

Bulk

in large amounts

John spent the bulk of the summer at the beach. 

Celebrate

to take part in special enjoyable activities to show that a particular occasion is important

Daisy is celebrating my birthday by going out to dinner. 

Organize

to make arrangements for something to happen

Anna needs someone to help her organize her work. 

Participant

a person who takes part in an event or activity

Harry has been an active participant in the discussion.

Present

being in a particular place

Sara will be present at the lecture next week.

Select

to choose a small number of things or people from a larger group

Let Anna select a route for you. 

In honor of

in order to show respect and admiration for someone or something

Jenny is having a meal in honor of the new coach.