3 30 00 0 B Bu us si in ne es ss s E En ng gl li is sh h w wo or rd ds s

C Co om mm mo on nl ly y f fo ou un nd d i in n t th he e T TO OE EI IC C T Te es st t

Chris Quinn

TOEICisaregisteredtrademarkofEducationalTestingService.
ThispublicationhasbeenneitherreviewednorendorsedbytheEducationalTestingService.
M a s t e r t h e T O E I C T O E I C W o r d s |2


HowtousethiseBook

The words in this ebook are divided into Word Sets, organized by TOEIC Topics. These are words and phrases most
oftenheardinconversationsandtextsthatfocusoneachtopic.YouwillwanttostudyeachWordSetasagroup,andsee
howthewordsareusedinthesentencesprovided.

Notethatsomeofthewordsinthissectionhaveothermeaningsnotgivenhere.Thedefinitionsyoucanfindherearefor
howthosewordsareoftenusedontheTOEIC.

1. HighlightinYELLOWwordsthatyoualreadyknowonthislist.Makesureyoucheckthedefinitionsprovidedtomakesure
youunderstandtheBusinessEnglishmeaningofeachword.

2. Forwordsyoudontknow,makeFlashCardstohelpyoustudyandrememberthem.Onceyoufeelyoucanrememberaword,
highlightitinYELLOW.

3. AsyoustudyEnglish,ifyouuseawordinasentenceyoucreated,highlightitinPINK!

HowtomakeFlashCards

OneofthebestwaystolearnnewwordsistocreateFlashcards,whichhaveaNewVocabularyWordononeside(along
with its Part of Speech and other words usually Related or Used with the New Vocabulary Word), along with
Definitions,ExampleSentences,Synonyms,ontheothersideofasmallpieceofheavypaper.

MakeyourFlashcardslooklikethefollowingexample:

FRONTOFCARD BACKOFCARD

verb
noun

auction

(related words) bid, charity, sale, donate, fundraiser


(verb) to sell something by having people offer
amounts of money.
(noun) an event where objects or prizes are sold to
the person who offers the most money.

Because our company is moving to the next state, we will be
auctioning off all of our big office equipment.

Will you attend this years charity auction? All the money they
raise will go towards helping homeless children.


(synonyms) none

ALWAYSCREATEFLASHCARDSBYWRITINGTHEM!Donotjustprintoutflashcardsyoufindontheinternet;and
dontjustbuyflashcardsinthestore.Makethecardsyourself.Why?Becausewhenyoumakethemyourself,youare
helpingyourmindandbodyrememberthewordsalittlemorejustwritingthewords,definitionsandsentenceshelps
yourememberthem.

M a s t e r t h e T O E I C T O E I C W o r d s |3


IfyouarelookingforaspecificTopictostudy,lookforthatTopicintheTOPICINDEXbelow.
IfyouarelookingforaspecificWord,lookforthatWordintheWORDINDEXbelow.

TOPICINDEX

Buying&Selling#1...............................................4
Buying&Selling#2...............................................5
Buying&Selling#3...............................................6

Communication#1................................................7
Communication#2................................................8

DescribingObjects,Actions&Ideas..................9

DescribingPeople...............................................10

Employment#1....................................................11
Employment#2....................................................12

Giving&Receiving#1........................................13
Giving&Receiving#2........................................14

Insurance..............................................................15

Mail.......................................................................16

Marketing#1........................................................17
Marketing#2........................................................18

Meetings#1..........................................................19
Meetings#2..........................................................20

Money:CountingMoney#1..............................21
Money:CountingMoney#2..............................22

Money:Making&LosingMoney#1................23
Money:Making&LosingMoney#2................24

News&Weather#1............................................25
News&Weather#2............................................26

OfficeLife#1........................................................27
OfficeLife#2........................................................28

Organizations......................................................29

ProblemSolving#1.............................................30
ProblemSolving#2.............................................31
ProblemSolving#3.............................................32

ProductCreation.................................................33

Projects&Planning#1........................................34
Projects&Planning#2........................................35
Projects&Planning#3........................................36
Projects&Planning#4........................................37
Projects&Planning#5........................................38

Time......................................................................39

Travel#1...............................................................40
Travel#2...............................................................41
Travel#3...............................................................42

MastertheTOEIC Buying&Selling |4

account:(noun)Afilethatincludesallinformationaboutasinglecustomer.
CanyoubringmetheMitchellaccount?Iwouldliketoreviewourcontractwiththem.

auction:(verb)Tosellsomethingbyhavingpeopleofferamountsofmoney.(noun)Aneventwhere
objectsorprizesaresoldtothepersonwhooffersthemostmoney.
Becauseourcompanyismovingtothenextstate,wewillbeauctioningoffallofourbigoffice
equipment.
Willyouattendthisyearscharityauction?Theyregoingtohavesomegreatitemsforsaletothe
highestbidder.

client:(noun)Someonewhobuysgoodsorservices.Synonym:customer
Sheisoneofourmostloyalclients;shehasbeenusingourservicesforover5years.

commission:(noun)Themoneywhichasalespersonreceivesformakingasale.
Acarsalespersonusuallyreceivesacommissioneverytimetheysellacar.

complimentary:(adjective)Free.
Youwillreceiveacomplimentarytotebagwhenyoudonatemoneytopublictelevision.

confirmationsheet:(noun)Adocumentthatgivesextraproofthatsomethingthatistrue/happened.
AfterIboughtmycameraonline,Ireceivedaconfirmationsheetalongwithmyreceipt.

contract:(noun)Awrittenagreement.(verb)Tobetemporarilyhiredtodosomething.
Canyoudrawupacontractfortheservicesyouwillprovideourcompany?
WewerecontractedtobuildtheannextothemainofficesofNike.

cutadeal:(verb)Tomakeabusinessarrangementorcontract.
Iwasabletocutadealwiththecontractorandwepaidverylittleforournewkitchen.

MastertheTOEIC Buying&Selling |5

gatherdust:(verb)Tobeunusedforalongtime.
NooneisbuyingthoseoldVCRplayers;theyrejustgatheringdustontheshelves.

instock:(adjective)Tohavesomethingreadytoselloruse.
Thestoredoesnothaveanyprintercartridgesinstock.

inthemarketfor(something):(adjective)Tobereadytobuysomething,towanttobuysomething.
Ihavebeeninthemarketforanewcomputerforalongtime.

invoice:(noun)Astatementlistingthepriceforservicesorproductsbought.(verb)Tosendaninvoice
forservicesorproductsbought.
Canyousendmeaninvoicefortheorderwemadeoverthephoneyesterday?
CanyouinvoicemefortheorderIplacedyesterday?

jackupthepriceof(something):(verb)Tomakeapricehigher.
Thesteelcompanydecidedtojackupthepriceofsteelatthebeginningoftheyear,hopingtoincrease
theirprofits.

rebate:(noun)discount.
WhenIboughtmycomputer,Ireceiveda$100rebateaftermailinginaformtothecomputer
manufacturer.

refund:(noun)Theamountofmoneygivenback.(verb)Togivemoneyback.
Ifyoureturnabookwithareceipt,youcangetafullrefund.
Canyourefundmethefullamountforthisbook?Idontwantit.

runshort:(verb)Tonothaveenoughofsomething.
Theyranshortongasolineatthegasstationandhadtocloseearly.

MastertheTOEIC Buying&Selling |6

selllikehotcakes:(verb)Tosellveryquickly.
ThechildrenstoysweresellinglikehotcakesduringtheChristmasseason.

trialoffer:(noun)Anoffertouseaproducttoseeifyouwouldliketobuyit.
Asatrialoffer,wedliketogiveyouamonthsworthofGatoradeifyoudlikemoreafterthemonth,
simplysignupforayearssubscription!

stock:(noun)Themerchandise/productsthatashophasinthestore.(verb)Toputmerchandiseona
shelf.
Whatkindofstockareyoucarryingtoday?
Couldyoustocktheshoesonaisle5?Someoftheshelvesareempty.

store:(verb)Toputawayforfutureuse.Synonym:save,stockpile.(noun)Somethingthatisputaway
forfutureuse.Synonym:stash,stockpile,reserve.
Canyoustorethecannedfruitinthegarage,please?
Ialwayskeepastoreofcannedfruitinthegarageincaseofemergencies.

surcharge:(noun)Anextrafeeaddedtoabill.
Thehotelhada12%cleaningsurcharge.

warranty:(noun)Aguaranteethataproductisreliableandfreeofproblems,andthatthesellerwill
repairtheproductforfree.
Mycomputerhasa3yearwarrantycoveringanyproblemsitmighthave.

MastertheTOEIC Communications |7

accordingto(someoneorsomething):(adverb)Assaidortoldbysomeone;followingamethodor
seriesofsteps.
AccordingtoBob,wewillmakealotofmoneythisyear.
Wedideverythingaccordingtothetermsofouragreement.

busysignal:(noun)Aseriesofsharpbuzzingtonesheardonatelephonewhenthenumbercalledis
alreadybeingused.
WhenItriedtocallmymother,allIgotwasabusysignal.

consult:(verb)Toasksomeoneforadviceregardinganonpersonalissue/problem.
Iwouldliketoconsultwithmyaccountantbeforeproceeding.

cutoff/cut(someoneorsomething)off:(verb)Tointerruptsuddenly.
TheofficemanagercutmeoffasIwastryingtoexplainwhyIwaslate.

extension:(noun)Anadditionaltelephonesetthatisconnectedtothesametelephoneline.
Ourofficehas5differentextensions,oneforeachdepartment.

firsthandknowledge:(noun)Knowledgefromhavingpersonallyseen,heard,ordonesomething.
Heknewtheelectionwasfairbecausehehadfirsthandknowledgeofhowthevoteswerecounted.

gossip:(noun)Theactionoftalkingaboutpersonalorsensationalinformationaboutsomeoneelse.
(verb)Togivepersonalorsensationalinformationaboutsomeoneelse.
ThegossiparoundtheofficeisthatBarbaraandMichaelaredating,eventhoughBarbaraishis
manager.
Danielisalwaysgossipingwithcoworkersandmostofwhathesaysisnottrue.

hotline:(noun)Atelephonelinethatgivesquickanddirectaccesstoasourceofinformationorhelp.
Callourfreehotlinenowtoreceivefreeinformationonhowyoucansavehundredsofdollarstoday!

inblackandwhite:(adverb)Written.
Thecompanyrefusedtodealwiththecustomerscomplaintsuntiltheywereputinblackandwhite.

MastertheTOEIC Communications |8

negotiations:(noun)Aseriesofdiscussionsintendedtoproduceanagreement.
WewillopennegotiationswithRussiaregardingsellingtheiroilinourcountry.

outoftheloop:(verb)Tonotbeinvolvedinsomething,ornotbereceivinginformationsharingabout
something.
Iwasoutoftheloopduringthenegotiationsanddidnotknowwhatwasgoingon.

put(someone)onhold:(verb)Todisconnectsomeonetemporarilyfromthetelephone.
Iphonedthebankbuttheyputmeonholdbeforesomeonespoketome.

re:(noun)Regarding(usedonemailmessagesandmemos).Synonym:topic,about
To:.barack.obama@gmail.com
From:George.bush@hotmail.com
Re:HowtofixIraq

recipient:(noun)Someonewhoreceivessomething.
WhoshouldbetherecipientofthisletterImwriting?

rotaryphone:(noun)Anoldstylephonewithadial,notbuttons,foritsnumbers.
Mygrandmastillusesarotaryphoneatherhouse.

secondhand:(verb)Havingknowledgebecausesomeoneelsesaw,heardordidsomething.
Becausehewasnotatthevotingstation,heonlyhassecondhandknowledgeofhowthevotingwent.

tollfree:(adjective)Nocostfordoinganaction.
Ourcustomerservicephonenumberistollfree,sodonthesitatetocontactus.

touchtonephone:(noun)Anphonewithbuttonsforitsnumbers.
Ifyouhavetouchtonephone,pleaseenterthenumberofthepersonyouwithtoreach.

wordprocessing:(noun)Typingonacomputer.
Ineedtotakeawordprocessingclassthissummertoimprovemytypingspeed.
MastertheTOEIC DescribingObject,Actions&Ideas |9

consistent:(adjective)Notcontradictory;notchanging.Synonym:compatible,reliable,unchanging,
constant
Bobisconsistentlylatetowork.

credit:(verb)Toberecognizedashavingperformedanaction.(noun)Recognitionorapprovalforan
act,ability,orquality.
AbrahamLincolniscreditedwithfreeingtheslavesintheUnitedStates.
Hereceivedcreditforhelpinggetthenewlawpassed.

flyingcolors:(noun)Completesuccess.
Ipassedthetestwithflyingcolors.

historic:(adjective)Havingimportanceinorinfluenceonhistory.
TheelectionofBarackObamawasanhistoricmomentinAmericanhistory.

innovative:(adjective)Newandunusualindesignormethod.Synonym:creative,original,fresh,new
Nikeworkersarealwaysveryinnovativeintheirshoedesigns.

landmark:(adjective)Historicallyimportant.
ThemergerofMicrosoftandYahoowasalandmarkeventinthehistoryofcomputers.

ominous:(adjective)Hintingthatanevilortragicthingwillhappen.
Thereareominoussignsthattheeconomywillgodownnextyear.

outstanding:(adjective)Superiortoothersofitskind;ofmajorsignificanceorimportance.Synonym:
prominent,exceptional,extraordinary,remarkable,awesome.(adjective)owedasadebt.
Shemadeover$1millionlastyearsheisanoutstandingsalesperson!
VISAsaysIhaveanoutstandingbalancefromlastmonthwhichIneedtopaybythe15
th
ofthismonth.

suit:(adjective)Tomeettherequirementsofsomething,tobeacceptable.Synonym:fit,satisfy.
Wespentallafternoonlookingforadresstosuitmywifesneeds.

MastertheTOEIC DescribingPeople |10

esteem:(verb)Tobeseentohavevalueandworth.Synonym:admire,respect.
Becauseofhisworksavinglives,myfatherishighlyesteemedinthemedicalfield.

field:(verb)Thecategoryofwork/subjectthatsomeoneworksinorstudies.
Ihaveworkedfor15yearsinthefieldofchildhoodeducation.

homemaker:(verb)Apersonwhodoesnothaveajob,butdoesstayhomeandtakecareoftheir
house.
Mymotherwasahomemakerfor18yearsandonlygotajobafterIleftforcollege.

illustrious:(noun)Wellknownandverygreat.
Becauseofherbadbehavior,BritneySpearsisnotaveryillustriousstar.

indispensable:(adjective)Absolutelynecessary.Synonym:essential,required,requisite.
Becauseofhisgreatsuccessinselling,heisanindispensablememberofoursalesstaff.

meanbusiness:(verb)Tobeserious.
Ourbossmeansbusinesswhenhetellseveryonetoworkharder.

quickwithnumbers:(adjective)Tobeveryskilledatdoingmath.Synonym:goodwithnumbers.
Ifyouhavedifficultycompletingyouraccountsthismonth,askMarshaforhelp;shesquickwith
numbers.

renowned:(adjective)Famous.Synonym:famed,illustrious,celebrated
Appleisrenownedforitsmusicplayingdevices.

reputation:(noun)Thequalitiessomeoneorsomethingisknownfor.
Shehasareputationforcharmingclients.

rolemodel:(noun)Apersonwhoisagoodexample(inbehavior)foranotherpersontocopy.
BarakObamaisawonderfulrolemodelformychildren.

MastertheTOEIC Employment |11

analyst:(noun)Someonewhoisskilledatanalyzinginformationanddata.
Illneedtocheckwithourbudgetanalystbeforeapprovingyourrequestforgivingmoremoneytothe
researchdepartment.

benefit:(noun)Somethingacompanygivesemployeesotherthansalary(ex.,healthinsurance,free
parking).Synonym:perk.
Ourcompanyoffersagenerousbenefitspackagetoallemployees,includingmedical,dentalandvision
insurance.

candidate:(noun)Someoneorsomethingthatisconsideredforsomething.(noun)Apoliticianwhois
runninginanelection.
Aheartattackwasthelikeliestcandidateforthecauseofhisdeath.
In2008,BarackObamawastheDemocraticcandidateforpresidentoftheUnitedStates.

CEO:(verb)ChiefExecutiveOfficer,thehighestrankingpersoninacompanyororganization,
responsibleformakingdaytodaydecisions.
TheCEOhadbeendoingsuchaterriblejob,thathewasforcedtoretireearly.

entrepreneur:(noun)Apersonwhostarts,manages,andtakestheriskofrunningtheirownbusiness.
Websitedesignisafieldofworkfullofmanysmallentrepreneurstryingtogetrich,butmanyfail.

humanresources:(noun)Theofficeinsideacompanyresponsibleforhelpingemployeeswith
problems.
Thehumanresourcesdepartmenthelpedmechoosemymedicalinsuranceplan.

overtime:(noun)Hoursworkedbeyondtheregularschedule.
Becauseofthetaxfilingdeadline,ouraccountantshavebeenworkingovertimetocompletethetax
reportontime.

perk:(noun)Somethingacompanygivesemployeesotherthansalary(ex.,healthinsurance,free
parking).Synonym:benefit.
OneoftheperksIgetformyjobisfreeparkingdowntown,whichsavesmealotofmoney!
MastertheTOEIC Employment |12

personnel:(verb)Thepeoplewhoworkforeacompany.
DuringtheChristmasseason,weneedtohiremorepersonneltohelpwiththedemandforserviceatour
stores.

promotion:(noun)Theadvancementofapersonhigherupwithinacompany.
Iamhopingtogetapromotionasaresultofallmyhardworkforthecompanythislastyear.

resign:(verb)Tovoluntarilyleaveaposition.
Vanessaresignedaftershefoundoutshewouldnotgetaraisethisyear.

seasonalwork/job:(verb)Ajobthatisonlyavailableatcertaintimesoftheyear.
Hehasaseasonaljobworkingattheislandresort;duringtherestoftheyearheisonthemainland.

takeapaycut:(verb)Toacceptadecreaseinonessalary.
Thetelephoneworkerswereforcedtotakeapaycutaftertheunsuccessfulstrike.

seniority:(noun)Thelengthoftimesomeonehasbeenatacompany.(noun)Thequalityofhaving
beenatacompanyforalongtime.
HowmuchsenioritydoyouhavecomparedwithMark?
Havingbeenherethelongest,Janethasthemostseniorityofallofourstaff.

subordinate:(noun)Apersonoflowerrank/levelinacompany.
Besuretotellyoursubordinatesthatyouwillbeobservingtheirworknextweek.

terminate:(verb)Toendacontractsuddenly.(verb)Tobefiredfromajob.
IterminatedmygymmembershipbecauseIneverusedit.
Becauseofhispoorleadership,theboardofdirectorsterminatedtheCEOlastmonth.

turnover:(noun)Therateatwhichpeopleleaveanorganizationandarereplacedbyotherpeople.
Becausewetreatouremployeessowell,wehaveaverylowturnover.

MastertheTOEIC Giving&Receiving |13

bail(someone)out/bailout:(verb)Tohelporrescueacompany/personwithfinancialproblems.
Thebankwasbailedoutbythegovernmentinordertomaintainstabilityintheeconomy.

borrow:(verb)Totemporarilyusesomethingwithoutpayingforitsuse.
BecauseIdonthavemyowncar,Iamalwaysborrowmybrotherscar.

compensation:(noun)something(suchasmoney)givenorreceivedaspaymentbecauseoflossor
injury.
Thefamiliesofdeadsoldiersshouldreceivesomecompensationforthelossoftheirlovedones.

donate:(verb)Topresentsomethingasagifttoacharityorcause.Synonym:contribute,give.
Idonatedmycartothechildrenshospitallastyear.

fundraiser:(noun)Aneventwhosegoalistoraisemoney.
TherewasafundraiserlastnighttohelpchildrenstarvinginAfrica.

interest:(noun)Apercentagechargeforaloan.
TheamountofinterestIhadtopayforthisloanisalmostequaltotheloanitself.

lease:(noun)Awrittenagreementtorentsomething.(verb)torentsomethingforaspecificamountof
time.
TheleaseonmycarstatesthatIneedtopay$200amonth.
Insteadofbuyingmylastcar,Idecidedtojustleaseit.

MastertheTOEIC Giving&Receiving |14

lend:(verb)Toletsomeoneborrowsomethingwithoutpayingforitsuse.
Ilendmyneighbormylawnmowerwheneverheneedstocuthislawn.

loan:(noun)Asumofmoneylentatinterest.(verb)Tolend.
Ineededtotakeoutahugeloantopayforthecar.
Canyouloanmeyourcar?Ineedtotakeareporttotheheadoffice.

mortgage:(noun)Adocumentstatingthevalueofaloangivenforpurchasingapieceoflandora
building;adocumentstatingwhoownsapieceofland.
Iwillbepayingoffthemortgageformyhouseinthirtyyears.

philanthropist:(noun)Apersonwholovesmankind,apersonwhoworkstohelpotherswithasking
formoney.
BillGateshasbecomequitethephilanthropistsinceleavingMicrosoft.

povertystricken:(adjective)Sufferingfrompoverty,extremelypoor.Synonym:destitute,
impoverished.
TherearemanypeopleinSouthAmericawhoarepovertystrickenandcannotfindenoughfoodtoeat.

underprivileged:(adjective)Economicallyandsociallybelowastandardlevel.
Becausethereareoftennotenoughjobsforparents,therearemanyunderprivilegedchildreninbig
cities.

MastertheTOEIC Insurance |15

deductible:(noun)Theamountofapersonneedstopaymustpayeachtimebeforereceivingbenefits
frominsurance.
IfIwanttofixmycarwindow,Ionlyhavetopaya$50deductiblemyinsurancecompanypaysthe
rest!

fullcoverage:(noun)Atypeofinsurancethatoffersprotectionagainstalmostallaccidentsor
problems.
WhenIrentacar,Ialwaysbuyfullcoverageincasesomethingbadhappens.

policy:(noun)Awrittencontractforinsurance.
ThepolicyonmyhousestatesthatIamresponsibleforanydamagecausedbyaflood.

premium:(noun)Theamountofmoneypaideachyearormonthtomaintainaccesstoaservice.
IhavetopaythepremiumformycarinsuranceeveryJuneandDecember.

MastertheTOEIC Mail |16

C.O.D.(cashondelivery):(adverb)Paymentisdueatthetimeofdelivery.
IneedtopayC.O.D.forthetelevisionsetwhenitarrives.

courier:(noun)Apersonorcompanyhiredtohanddelivermail.
Wehiredacouriertodeliverthelettertothepresidentofthecompany.

fragile:(adjective)easilybreakable.
Thisboxofglasswareisveryfragile,sobecareful!

metered(mail):(adjective)Mailthathasbeenmarkedbyamachinethatprintstheproperpostalrate
onthemailpackage.
Becausetheselettersaremeteredwedonthavetowastetimeputtingstampsonthem.

moneyorder:(noun)aslipofpapergivenbyabankorpostofficeallowingsomeonetoreceivea
specifiedamountofcash.
IneedtocashthismoneyorderfrommymotherbyTuesday.

parcel:(noun)Apieceofmailthathasbeenwrappedorpackaged.
Aparcelarrivedinthemailtoday;itwasabirthdaypresentfrommymother!

registeredmail:(noun)Atypeofmailwithanumbergiventoitthatallowsittobefollowed.
Couldyoupleasesendtheinvoiceasregisteredmail;Iwouldliketotrackitinroute.

scale:(noun)Amachineusedtoweighpackagesandletters.
Becausethescaleisbroken,wellhavetotakethispackagedowntopostofficetoseehowmuchitwill
costtosend.

snailmail:(noun)Paperorphysicalmailservice.
Somepeoplestillinsistonusingsnailmaildespitethefactthatemailsaremuchquicker.

sort:(verb)Toseparateintodifferentgroups.
Weneedtosorttheselettersbyzipcodebeforesendingthemout.
MastertheTOEIC Marketing |17

brand:(noun)Anameidentifyingacompanyorproduct.
MyfavoritebrandoficecreamisBreyers;theyhavesomanygreatflavors.

brochure:(noun)Asmallbookletorpamphlet.Synonym:booklet,folder,leaflet,pamphlet.
Haveyoureadthenewestbrochureonthisyearscarmodels?

contact:(noun)Apersonwhocanhelpprovidingcommunicationbetweentwopeopleorgroups;
communicationbetweentwopeopleorgroups.(verb)Tosucceedincommunicatingwith
someone.Synonym:reach,getaholdof,getintouchwith.
IfyouneedtocallMicrosoft,Ihaveacontactwhomighthelpus.
Ivehadlittlecontactwithmymotherthisyear.
Ineedtocontactourcompanypresident.

demand:(noun)Theamountofagoodorservicethatconsumerswanttopurchase.
Becauseofhigherunemployment,thedemandfornewhomeshasdroppedsubstantiallysincelastyear.

display:(noun)Somethingshowntothepublic.(verb)Toshowsomethinginapublicsetting.
TheChristmasdisplayinthewindowhadallkindsofdecorations.
Attheconvention,wedisplayedallourproductsatourbooth.

drumup:(verb)Tomakesomethinghappenbycontinuouseffort.Synonym:gather.
Wesentpeopletothemalltopassoutfliersaboutourstoretotryanddrumupsomebusiness.

hit:(noun)Asuccessfulorpopularproductoractivity.
AmericanIdolwasoneofthesurprisehitsof2002;noonecouldpredictitwouldbecomesopopular.

insert:(noun)Somethinginserted(likeapictureorchart)intoabrochureorbook.(verb)Toput
somethingintosomethingelse.
Thenewspaperhasaninsertfullofcouponsforthegrocerystore.
Insertthekeyintothelock,thenturnittoopenthedoor.
Ineedtoinsertapictureintothisemail.

MastertheTOEIC Marketing |18

leaflet:(noun)Asmallbook,usuallywithapapercover.Synonym:booklet,brochure,folder,
pamphlet.
Duringtheconvention,weneedvolunteerstohandoutleafletspromotingourproducts.

pamphlet:(noun)Asmallbookletorpamphlet.Synonym:booklet,folder,leaflet,brochure
Shewaspassingoutinformationalpamphletstovisitorsattheconference.

promotion:(noun)Anactivityusedtoincreasethevisibilityofaproductorservice.
Weneedtothinkofacreativepromotiontohelpsellournewlineofcomputers.

prospect:(noun)Apotentialcustomerorcandidateforsomething.
Ithinkthewomanwhojustleftisagoodprospectforournewlineoffootwear.

putout:(verb)Tosendoutaproductforsale;tosendoutinformation.
Theclothingstoreputsoutacatalogeverymonthforthecustomers.

salesforce:(noun)Agroupofpeopleinvolvedinthesellingprocess.
Wedoubledthenumberofpeopleinoursalesforceafteropeningtennewstores.

targetmarket:(noun)Aspecificgrouportypeofpersonaproductisdesignedfor.
Thetargetmarketforournewlineoftoysistentotwelveyearolds.

trend:(noun)Thegeneraldirectioninwhichsomethingisgoing;acurrentstyle.
Thecurrenttrendamongyoungmenistowearpantsthathangsolowtheyalmostfalloff.

MastertheTOEIC Meetings |19

adjournameeting:(verb)Toendameeting.
Wedecidedtoadjournthemeetinguntilthenextdaywhenthemanagerwasbackintown.

agenda:(noun)Alistoftopics/issuestobediscussedordealtwithatameeting.
Whatisontheagendafortomorrowsmeeting?

backandforth:(adverb)Backwardsandforwards,firstonewayandthentheotherway.
Thetwosidesarguedbackandforthbeforethejudgefinallysteppedinandmadeadecision.

boardofdirectors:(noun)Agroupofpeoplechosentooverseetheactionsofacompanyorlarge
institution(likeacollege)
Becauseofhispoorperformance,theBoardofDirectorsfiredthecompanysCEO.

callameetingtoorder:(verb)Tostartameeting.
Oursupervisorcalledthemeetingtoorderwheneveryonearrivedintheconferenceroom.

closeddoormeeting/session:(noun)Ameetingwhereonlycertainpeopleareallowedtoattend.
Becausewewilldiscussasensitivesubject,tomorrowsmeetingwillbeacloseddoorsession.

constructivecriticism:(noun)Criticismthatisnotharshandtriestohelpmakesomethingbetter.
Philalwaysgivesconstructivecriticism;henevermakesusfeelbadwhenwemakemistakes.

cutshort:(verb)Tointerruptorstopbeforeitisfinished.
Thespeechbyourmanagerwascutshortwhentheelectricitywentoffinthebuilding.

MastertheTOEIC Meetings |20

feedback:(noun)Theresponsesomegiventoaninquiryorexperiment.
Inordertomakeourhotelbetter,pleasegiveusfeedbackonif(andwhy)youenjoyedyourstayhere.

havethefloor:(verb)Tohavepermissiontospeakinameeting.
Thepresidenthadthefloorforalmostanhourduringthemeeting.

opendoormeeting/session:(noun)Ameetingwhereanyoneisallowedtoattend.
Inordertoavoidtheappearanceofsecrecy,ourannualbudgetmeetingsarealwaysopendoormeetings.

panel:(noun)Agroupofpeoplegatheredtodiscussanissue.
Attheconferencetherewasapaneldiscussionondevelopingnewsourcesofenergy.

podium:(noun)Asmallpieceoffurniturepeoplestandbehindwhilespeaking.
Immorecomfortablespeakingtoalargegroupfrombehindapodium.

solicit:(verb)Torequest.
TheCEOsolicitedideasfromtheboardmembersaboutwhatnewlocationsthecompanyshouldopen
storesin.

symposium:(noun)Ameetingorconferencefordiscussionofatopic.
NextmonthIllattendasymposiumonglobalwarming,andwillevenconductapresentation.

tableadiscussion:(verb)Topostponeadiscussionuntilalatertime.
Wetabledthediscussionaboutraisingemployeesalariesuntilthenextmeeting.

takeminutes:(verb)Towritedowntheproceedingsofameeting.
BecauseIcanwritefast,Iusuallytakeminutesatthemonthlysalesmeetings.

MastertheTOEIC CountingMoney |21

accountant:(noun)Apersonwhokeepstrackofmoneyforacompanyorperson.
Ineedtoaskmyaccountantaboutwhetherwecanaffordthenewcopier.

asset:(noun)Ausefulorvaluablequality,person,orthing.
YourEnglishskillsareavaluableassetforthecompanyyouworkfor.

balance:(noun)Theamountofmoneythatremainsafteraparthasbeenused,paidorsubtracted.
Becauseweonlypaidthe$200depositonthe$1000conferenceroomrentalfee,westillneedtopaythe
$800balance.

ballparkfigure/estimate:(noun)Aroughestimateorfigure.
Thecontractorgaveusaballparkfigureforthecostofrepairingthenewbuilding.

bookkeeping:(noun)Thepracticeorprofessionofrecordingthemoneygoingintoandoutofa
business.
EveryDecemberisthebusiesttimeofyearforourbookkeepingdepartment.

denomination:(noun)Acategoryofmoney/coinsallwiththesamevalue.
Cashregistershavecompartmentsforbillsofdifferentdenominations.

distribution:(noun)Thedivisionofmoney,materialorservicetovariousseparategroupsor
individuals.
Becauseofdifferingneeds,therewillnotbeanequitabledistributionofmoneytoallthedepartments.

estimate:(noun)Anapproximateamountofsomething.(verb)Tocalculateanapproximateamountof
something.
Thearchitectgaveanestimateastohowlongitwouldtaketobuildthehouse.
Thearchitectestimateditwouldtakethreemonthstobuildthehouse.

MastertheTOEIC CountingMoney |22

exchangerate:(noun)Thevalueofonekindofcurrencycomparedtoanother.
TheexchangeratebetweenthedollarandtheyenisfavorabletotheJapanesetourist.

figures:(noun)Numbersrelatedtomoneyortheamountofsomething.
Weneedtolookoverlastmonthsfigurestoseeifwemadeaprofit.

fiscal:(adjective)Financial;relatedtomoney.
Thegovernmenthasafiscalresponsibilitytomakesureinflationdoesntincreasetoofast.

itemize:(verb)Todivideabillintoseparatepricesforeachitem.
Afterweitemizedtheinvoice,wedeterminedthatmostofthecostcamefromonlyoneitem.

netincome:(noun)Theprofitaftertaxesandotherexpenseshavebeenpaid.
Imadeanetincomeof$3,600lastmonthafterfiguringoutthecostofourofficemove.

overhead:(noun)Allcostsofrunningabusinessotherthanwagesorrawmaterial.
BecauseIonlysellinformation,myonlinemarketingcompanyhasaverylowoverhead.

spreadsheet:(noun)Adocumentwithrowsandcolumnsforrecordingfinancialinformation.
IuseaspreadsheetprogramonmycomputertorecordwhatIbuyandsellformybusiness.

statement:(noun)Awrittendocumentlistingpurchasesandpayments.
Mybankstatementissenttomeonthe20
th
ofeverymonth.

MastertheTOEIC Making&LosingMoney |23

bankrupt:(noun)Unabletopayyourdebts,andlegallyfreefrompayingthem.
Aftersufferingheavylosseslastyear,ourcompanyfinallywentbankrupt.

breakeven:(verb)Tohaveexpensesequaltoprofits.
Afteronlythreemonthsthenewcompanywasabletobreakevenandbegintomakeaprofit.

buyastakein(something):(verb)Tobuypartownershipofacompanyorotherenterprise.
Thebankisplanningtobuyastakeinthesmallstocktradingcompanysothattheycaneasilygetinto
theinvestmentindustry.

buyoff(someone):(verb)Touseagiftormoneytodivertsomeonefromtheirdutyorpurpose
(similartoabribeandsometimesillegal).
Thelanddevelopertriedtobuyoffthecityplannerswith$5000foreachofthem,butwasnotsuccessful.

buyout(someone):(verb)Tobuysomeonesshareofacompanyorprojectinordertoremovethem
fromownership.
Thelargetextilecompanydecidedtobuyoutthesmallertextilecompanyinordertogetridofa
competitor.

costeffective:(adjective)Beingcheapertomake(oruse)thansell(orbuy).
Rightnowitisnotcosteffectivetobuyanelectriccar.

debt:(noun)Theamountofmoneysomeonehasborrowedandneedstorepay.
Thenationaldebthasrisenthisyeartonearly$10billion.

deposit:(noun)Apartialorinitialpaymentforsomething.(verb)Toputmoneyintoabank.
Weputdownadepositof$1000towardthepurchaseofournewhouse.
Idepositedmoneyintomycheckingaccountyesterday.

MastertheTOEIC Making&LosingMoney |24

intheblack:(adjective)Tobesuccessful,tobemakingmoney,tobeprofitable.
ThetoycompanyfinishedtheyearintheblackthankstoincreasedsalesduringChristmas.

inthered:(adjective)Tobelosingmoney,tobeunprofitable.
Sadly,thetruckingcompanyhasbeenintheredsincethepriceofgasolinebegantoriserapidly.

income:(noun)Theamountofmoneymadewithinatimeperiod(week,month,oryear).
Ourcompanyhasdoubleditsincomecomparedtolastyearsfigures.

overdraft:(noun)Theamountbywhichwithdrawalsfromabankaccountismorethandeposits.
Youmaywishtosignupforoverdraftprotectionwithyourcheckingaccounttoavoidfeesforaccidently
writingtoomanychecks.

profit:(noun)Moneythatremainsafterexpensesaresubtracted.(verb)togainsomething.
Weexpecttomakestrong,longtermprofitsonthenewhousingdevelopment.
IprofitedgreatlyfrommycollegeeducationnowIamaprofessoratauniversity.

revenue:(noun)Thetotalamountofmoneyreceivedbythecompanyforgoodsandservices.
Ourrevenuehasincreasedby50%sincelastyearthankstoincreasedawarenessofourserviceswithin
Europe.

withdrawal:(noun)Theremovalofmoneyfromanaccount.
Thecreditcardcompanymakesautomaticwithdrawalfrommybankonthe4
th
ofeverymonth.

MastertheTOEIC News&Weather |25

allege:(verb)Tosuspectbutnotyetproventrue.
ItwasallegedthatthecrimewascommittedbyMrs.Smith,butthereislittleproofthatshedidit.

arrest:(verb)Tocaptureandholdsomeonewiththeauthorityoflaw.
Thegentlemannextdoorwasarrestedyesterdayundersuspicionofburglary.

breakingnews:(noun)Newsthatishappeningrightnow.
MyfavoriteTVshowwasinterruptedbybreakingnewsregardingthecrashofthespaceshuttle.

bystander:(noun)Apersonwhoispresentataneventbutnotparticipatinginit.Synonym:observer,
onlooker,spectator,witness.
Thepolicequestionedallthebystandersafterthebankwasrobbed.

editorial:(noun)Anarticle/essayinanewspaper,onTV,orontheradiothatgivestheopinionofthe
writer.Synonym:commentary,column.
Didyoureadtheeditorialthisweekendinthenewspapercriticizingourgovernor?

eyewitness:(noun)Someonewhoseesaneventandreportswhathappened.Synonym:witness.
Becausehewasinthebank,heisaneyewitnesstotherobbery.

MastertheTOEIC News&Weather |26

flurries:(noun)Abrief,lightsnowfall.
WecanexpectsnowflurriesChristmasmorningandthroughouttheday.

forecast:(noun)Apredictionofthefutureusingscientificdataorhistoricalinformation.(verb)To
makeapredictionofthefutureusingscientificdataorhistoricalinformation.
Theeconomicforecastforthenextquarteristhatthenationaleconomywillimprove.
Theweatherreporterforecastheavyraintomorrow.

outbreak:(noun)Asuddenincreaseinsomething.
TherewasanoutbreakofswinefluthisyearinWesternEurope.

overcast:(adjective)Coveredwithcloudsormist.Synonym:cloudy.
Theskieswereovercastthismorninginthecity.

suspect:(noun)Apersonwhomightbeguiltyofacrime.(verb)Tothinksomethingistrueor
probable.
Mikeisasuspectintherobberybecausehewasseenrunningfromthebankafteritwasrobbed..
Becauseitisrainingsohard,Isuspectnoonewillgotothepark.

theft:(noun)Thecrimeofstealingmoneyorproperty.Synonym:robbery.
Atheftoccurredintheofficelastnight;someonestoletwocomputers.

MastertheTOEIC OfficeLife |27

acrosstheboard:(adjective)Includingeveryoneoreverything.
Therewereacrosstheboardpaycutsatthecompanyduetothedownturnintheeconomy.

cartridge:(noun)Asmallboxorcasewithprinterinkortoner.
Dowehaveanyinkcartridgesinthesupplycloset?Myprinterisoutofink.

cater:(verb)Toprovidefoodforanevent.
ThelocalIndianrestaurantcateredourconferencelunchesanddinners.

daytimer:(noun)Anotebookthatkeepstrackofmeetingsanddailyactivities.Synonym:organizer
IdidntknowwehadameetingthismorningbecauseIlostmydaytimer.

inspection:(noun)Anexamination.Synonym:review,checkup,investigation,analysis.
Thereisasafetyinspectionatthefactoryeverymonth.

maintenance:(noun)Theworkofkeepingsomethinginproper,workingcondition.
Themaintenancecrewwascalledintorepairtheairconditioner.

policy:(noun)Awayofdoingthingsofficiallychosenbyanorganizationorperson.
Ourcompanyhasapolicyofnevertellingacustomerthattheyarewrong.

MastertheTOEIC OfficeLife |28

powercut:(noun)Asuddenturnoffofelectricalpower.
Theofficeexperiencedapowercutthismorning,causingallthecomputerstocrash.

poweroutage:(noun)Anaccidentalturnoffofelectricalpower.
Duringthesnowstorm,thecityexperiencedacompletepoweroutage.

qualitycontrol:(noun)Theactionofcheckingproductstomakesuretheyhavebeenmadewell.
Wehadtoincreaseourqualitycontrolprocedureswhenwebegantogetreportsfromcustomersthat
theywerebuyingbrokenproducts.

ream:(noun)Apacketofpaper.
Canyougotothestoreandget5reamsofcopypaper?

records:(noun)Afileofwritteninformationusedtokeepknowledge.
Ourrecordsshowthatyouhavenotpaidyourlastinvoice.

toner:(noun)Inkusedbyacopierorprinter.
Couldyoupleasegobuysomemoretoner;weneedtomakemorecopiesforthemeeting.

union:(noun)Anorganizationofpeoplewithsimilarneedsorconcerns(usuallyworkersor
countries).Synonym:coalition,association,alliance
Thelaborunionatmycompanyisdemandinghighersalaries.

MastertheTOEIC Organizations |29

annex:(noun)Abuildingaddedontoalargeroneornearthemainbuildingofacompany.
Ourmarketingdepartmentisnotlocatedinourmainofficetheyareinourannexacrossthestreet.

branch:(noun)Alimitedpartofalargerormorecomplexunitorsystem.Synonym:part,division,
specialty,department.(noun)Asmaller,separateofficeofalargercompany.
Hespecializedinanunusualbranchofmedicine.
UnitedCreditBankhassixdifferentbranchesintown,whichisveryconvenient.

jointventure:(noun)Anagreementoftwoormorecompaniestoworktogether.
ThenewjetfighterplaneistheresultofajointventureofBoeingandAirbus.

merger:(verb)Twocompanies/organizationsjoiningintoonecompany/organization.
StockholdersareoptimisticthatthemergerbetweenXeroxandDellwillbeprofitableinthecoming
years.

multinational:(noun)Acompanythatdoesbusinessinseveralcountries.
Mostofthelargestbanksintheworldarenowmultinationalbanks,withofficesinseveralcompanies.

plant:(noun)Afactory,aplacewheresomethingismade/built.
Therewasanunannouncedinspectionoftheplanttoseeiftheyfollowedallthesafetyregulations.

premises:(noun)Thephysicalareaofabuilding(bothinsideandoutside).
Theprotesterswereescortedoffthecompanypremisesbyarmedguards.

subsidiary:(noun)Acompanyownedbyanothercompany.
ThecompanythatmakesScioncarsisasubsidiaryofToyota.

takeover:(noun)Thepurchaseofanentirecompanybyanothercompany.
ItwouldbeillegalforMicrosofttodoatakeoverofApple,becausethenMicrosoftwouldalmostbea
monopoly.

MastertheTOEIC ProblemSolving |30

accountfor:(verb)Toprovideanexplanationoranswerforsomething
Icannotaccountforwhywelostsomuchmoneythismonth;wedidntdoanythingdifferentfromlast
month.

ataloss:(adjective)Dontunderstandwhysomethingistrueorhappened.
Iwasatalossastowhynotaxiwouldstoptopickusup.

backup:(verb)Tomakeacopyofacomputerfile.
BesuretobackupthefinancialreportbeforeyouleaveonFridayincasethereisaproblemwiththe
serverthisweekend.

comeup:(verb)Tohappenunexpectedly.
Iwasnotbeabletogotothepartybecausesomethingelsecameup.

doublecheck:(verb)Tochecksomethingagaintoconfirmthatitiscorrect.
Weshoulddoublechecktheprintedpricesofthenewproductsbeforethepricelistismailedtoour
customers.

faulty:(adjective)Notworkingcorrectlyduetoaninternalproblem.Synonym:defective.
Therocketexplodedbecauseofafaultyfueltank.

findout:(verb)Tolearnordiscoversomething
MymotherisangryatmebecauseshefoundoutIhadquitFrenchclass.

getridof(somethingorsomeone):(verb)Togiveorthrowsomethingaway,tosellordestroy
something.
SinceIlostsomuchweightlastyear,Ineedtogetridofallmyoldclothes.

MastertheTOEIC ProblemSolving |31

goover(something):(verb)Toexamineinordertodetermineaccuracy,quality,orcondition.
Synonym:study,review,check.
Weneedtogooverlastmonthsfigurestoseeifwemadeaprofit.

gothrough(something):(verb)Tolookthroughsomething.
Theteachergoesthroughouressayslookingformistakes.

investigate:(verb)Toexaminesystematically.
Weneedtoinvestigatewhytheplanecrashedintotherivertofindoutwhatwentwrong.

makeadifference:(verb)Tocauseachangeinasituation.
ItdoesnotmakeadifferencewhetherourMarkcomestothemeetingornothedoesnothaveavoicein
decidingwhatwewilldo.

proofread:(verb)Toreadsomethingtofindandcorrecterrors.Synonym:correct,edit.
Heprocrastinatedincompletingthetermpaper.

retrace:(verb)togobackoveragain.
Weneedtoretraceourrouteifwedontwanttogetlostonthistrip.

reveal:(verb)Tobringtoviewsomethingthatwashidden;toshow.
Afterthemagictrick,themagicianrevealedthehiddencarduphissleeve.

ruleout(someoneorsomething):(verb)Todecideagainstoreliminatesomeoneorsomething.
Thepoliceruledouttheoldmanasapossiblebankrobber.

MastertheTOEIC ProblemSolving |32

runinto(trouble/problems/difficulty/anissue):(verb)Toexperiencesomething,toencounter
something.
Themechanicranintotroublewhenhewasfixingmycarandhadtoordermorepartsbeforehecould
continue.

smoothoutthebumps:(verb)Toreducedifficulties/problemswithsomething.
Eventhoughourpresentationwasdisorganized,wewereabletosmoothoutthebumpsbyusingalotof
humortokeeptheaudienceinterested.

structuralflaw:(noun)Aproblemwiththedesignofamachine/objectthatmakesitnotworkwell.
Itwasdeterminedthattherockethadastructuralflawwhichresultedinitexplodinginthesky.

takeplace:(verb)Tohappen,tooccur.
Thesoccergametookplaceonthecoldestdayoftheyear.

tamper:(verb)Tointerfereinaharmfulmanner.
Donttamperintheaffairsofyoursupervisoryoullonlygetintheway.

throwmoneyat(something):(verb)Totrytosolveaproblembyspendingmoneyonit.
Becauseofourhighprofits,thepresidentofourcompanyiswillingtothrowmoneyatproblemstotryto
solvethem.

turnout:(verb)Tobefoundorknown,toprovetobetrue.
Itturnedoutthatmorepeoplecametothepartythanweexpected.

virus:(noun)Acomputerprogramthattriestomovefromonecomputertoanotheranddestroyor
changecomputerfiles.
Ihadtotakemycomputerinforrepairbecauseitwasfullofviruses.
Thepowerwentoutintheofficeduetofaultywiringtherepairmaninstalledlastweek.

MastertheTOEIC ProductCreation |33

appliance:(noun)anelectricalhouseholdmachine.
Refrigerators,microwaves,vacuums,TVsandwashingmachinesarejustafewoftheappliancesIhave
inmyhome.

component:(noun)onepartofamachine,system,policyormethod.
Wehadtoreturnthecopiertothemanufacturerbecauseitwasmissingseveralkeycomponents.

implement:(verb)Tobegintodoaplannedaction.Synonym:carryout.
Thegovernmentjustimplementednewlawsprotectingworkersfromworkingtoomanyhours.

innovation:(noun)thecreationofnewproductsorservices.
Thereisalotofinnovationinthecellphoneindustry,withnewfeaturesaddedtophoneeveryyear.

R&D:(noun)Researchinganddevelopingnewtechnologyorproducts.
TheR&Ddepartmenthasntbeenveryproductivethisyear;wehaventputoutanynewproducts
sincelastChristmas.

software:(noun)Programsusedonacomputertodovariousactivities(typing,fixingphotos,using
theinternet).Synonym:programs.
Mycomputerwassocheapbecauseitdidntcomewithanysoftware.

tutorial:(noun)Abookorprogramthatprovidesinstructionsonhowtouseordosomething.
Inordertousethenewaccountingprogram,Ihadtostudytheonlinetutorial.

upgrade:(verb)Toimprovethequalityofsomething,usuallybyaddingorchangingsomething.
Synonym:improve.(noun)Achangethatimprovesanearlierversion.
Ineedtoupgrademyoldcomputeritsover5yearsold.
IboughtanupgradeformycomputerCPU.

MastertheTOEIC Projects&Planning |34

asurething:(noun)Somethingthatissuretohappen.Synonym:asurebet,guaranteed.
Ifyoukeepyourmoneyinthestockmarket,makingaprofitafter10yearsisasurething.

aboutto(dosomething):(adverb)Tobeonthepointofdoingsomething.
Iwasabouttoleavewhenthephonerang.

aim:(noun)Thepurposefordoingsomething.Synonym:goal,target,objective.(verb)Tointendtodo
something,todirectanactiontowardsomeone/something.Synonym:target,direct.
Theaimofthenewadcampaignistoremindcustomersofwhytheyloveourcars.
Weaimtomakeourcustomershappy.
Thenewadcampaignisaimedatchildren.

aspire:(verb)Toworkhardtowardagoal.Synonym:seek,aimfor.
Sheaspirestobebestsalespersonattheoffice.

behindthescenes:(adjective/adverb)Notseenbythepublic.Synonym:hidden,private.
Thebusinessnegotiationsoccurredbehindthescenes;weonlysawthefinaldecisionafteritwas
announcedonthenews.

bottomline:(noun)Thecentralissueofadiscussion,themainpoint.(noun)Thetotal,thefinal
amountofmoneysomethingcosts.
Myfriendwantstoopenarestaurantbutthebottomlineisthatunlesshedoesmoreplanningitwill
fail.
IdontneedtoknowhowmucheverypieceofartImbuyingfortheofficecosts;justgivemethebottom
line.

breakdown(something):(verb)Todividesomethingintoparts,toseparatesomethingintosimpler
parts.
Becauseitwassobig,wetriedtobreakdowntheproblemintomanageablepieces.

brink:(noun)Apointatwhichsomething(anactionorevent)islikelytobegin.Synonym:threshold,
edge.
Thetwocountrieswereonthebrinkofwarduetothedisputedvalleyalongtheborder.

MastertheTOEIC Projects&Planning |35

calculatedrisk:(noun)Anactionthatmayfailbuthasagoodchancetosucceed.
Theytookacalculatedriskwhentheyputthenewcomputeronthemarket.

carryout(someaction):(verb)Toputsomethingintoaction.
Thescientistcarriedoutseveralexperimentsbeforepresentinghistheorytohiscolleagues.

carrythroughwith(someaction):(verb)Toputsomethingintoaction,todosomething.
Thesteelcompanycarriedthroughwiththeirplantorestructuretheirminingoperations.

comeupwith(something):(verb)Toproduceorfindathought/idea/answer.
Itriedtocomeupwithanameforthenewmagazine.

cutback:(verb)Tousefewerordolessofsomething.
Thecompanyhasbeencuttingbackontravelexpensesrecently.

cutcorners:(verb)Toeconomize,totrytospendlessmoney.
Becausewewereforcedtocutcornersperformancechecks,thenewcomputerdesigndidntworkvery
well.

dealwith(something):(verb)Tobeconcernedwithsomething,totakeactionaboutsomething.
Wewillhavetodealwiththeproblemtomorrow;wedonthavetimetothinkaboutittoday.

endup(doingsomethingorgoingsomewhere):(verb)Todosomethingthatonehadnotplannedto
do,togosomewhereonehadnotplannedtogo
Weendedupgoingtoarestaurantafterthemovielastnight.

MastertheTOEIC Projects&Planning |36

figureout(something):(verb)Totrytounderstandsomeoneorsomething,tosolvesomething.
IfinallyfiguredouthowtousethenewDVDplayer.

getahead:(adjective)Succeedormakeprogress(usuallyinonescareerorinsociety),growstronger.
Synonym:prosper,thrive,flourish,advance.
Withtheeconomysobadrightnow,itishardtogetahead.

get(something)offtheground:(verb)Tomakeasuccessfulbeginning.
Wewereunabletogetthenewproductoffthegroundthisyearbutwewilltryagainnextyear.

getthrough(something):(verb)Tocompletesomething,tofinishsomething.
Myfriendishavingtroublegettingthroughherfinalexams.

give(someoneorsomething)thegreenlight:(verb)Togivesomeonepermissiontogoaheadwitha
project;togivepermissionforaprojecttostart.
Ourbossgaveusthegreenlighttobeginworkonthenewsalescampaign.

gowith(something):(verb)Tochooseonethingratherthananother.
Wedecidedtogowiththesmallrentalcarratherthanthelargeone.

guideline:(noun)Arulethathelpsyoumakeappropriatedecisionsorbehavior.
OurlawyersmakesureIfollowallthesafetyguidelineswehavetomakesurenoonecansueus.

incase(somethinghappens)/incaseof(something):(adverb)ifsomethingshouldhappen.
Iwilltakemyumbrellaincaseitrains.

MastertheTOEIC Projects&Planning |37

infavorof(someoneorsomething):(verb)Toapproveorsupportsomeoneorsomething.
Everybodyisinfavorofthenewpolicechiefsboldsafetyplans.

inorderto(someaction):(preposition)Reasonfordoingsomething.
Theydecidedtoclosedowntheschoolforthesummerinordertodosomemajorrepairs.

institute:(verb)Toestablish,tobegin.(noun)Aplaceofstudyand/orresearch.
Thecompanyinstitutedanewpolicyregardingwhatemployeesneedtowearwhileatwork.
TherearemanylanguageinstitutesinParis.

keep(someoneorsomething)inmind:(verb)Torememberandthinkaboutsomeoneorsomething
whiledoinganaction.
Themanagertoldherstafftokeepinmindthatbecausethestorewillopenearlytomorrowtheyshould
gotobedearly.

makesense:(verb)Toseemreasonable.
Hisnewproposalreallydoesmakesense;letsdoit!

objective:(noun)Aresultdesiredbysomeone.
OneofoursalesobjectivesforthenextyearistoexpandintotheAsianmarket.

opento(something):(verb)Tobeagreeabletolearnorhearaboutnewideasorsuggestions.
Mostmembersoftheclasswereopentotheteachersideas.

procrastinate:(verb)Toputoffdoingsomething,usuallyduetolaziness;topostponeordelay
needlessly.Synonym:stall.
Heprocrastinatedincompletingthetermpaper.

MastertheTOEIC Projects&Planning |38

proposal:(noun)Aplanthatisintroducedorsuggested.Synonym:suggestion.
Mr.Jonesputforthaproposaltorecyclemoretohelpthecompanysavemoney.

prosandcons:(noun)whatisgoodandbadaboutaparticularideaorplan.
WeneedtodiscusstheprosandconsofswitchingtoApplecomputers.

pumpmoneyinto(something):(verb)Tospendalotofmoneyonsomethingtoachieveagoal.
Thegovernmentispumpingalotofmoneyintotheeconomytotryandgetthecountryoutofthe
recession.

put(something)onhold:(verb)Topostponeaproject.
Theconstructioncompanyputtheprojectonholdwhiletheyresearchedtheproblem.

resources:(noun)Aperson,material,oramountofmoneythatcanbeusedtoaccomplishagoal.
Duetoalackofresources,wedonthavethemoneytoopenthenewstore.

stickwith(something):(verb)Tocontinuedoingsomething,tonotquitsomething.
Mybrotherhasbeenabletostickwithhispianolessonsdespitehisbusyschedule.

strategy:(verb)Alongtermplanofactionforachievingagoal.
Weneedadifferentmarketingstrategyifwearegoingtosurvivethiscurrenteconomicdownturn.

upto(someone)to(dosomeaction):(verb)Toberesponsiblefordoingsomeaction.
Itisuptothecompanypresidenttodecidewhenthemeetingwillstart.

workout:(verb)Toendsuccessfully,tohaveaspecificresult;tosucceed.
IhopethateverythingwillworkoutformyfriendwhenshemovestoJapan;doesntevenknowhowto
speakJapanese.

MastertheTOEIC Time |39

advancenotice:(noun)Beinginformedbeforesomethinghappens.
BecauseIwasgivenadvancenoticeaboutthetopicofhisspeech,Iwasabletopreparequestions.

annual:(adjective)Yearly.
EveryoneisinvitedtotheannualChristmasparty.

bimonthly:(adverb/adjective)Twiceamonth.
Ourcompanyholdsbimonthlyseminarsonlineinstructingusersonhowtousethenewbilling
program.

biweekly:(adverb/adjective)Twiceaweek.
Wehaveabiweeklystrategymeetingtodiscussnewsalescampaigns.

endless:(adverb/adjective)Somethingthatneverends.Synonym:lifetime,neverending.
Yesterdaysmeetingwassolongitfeltendless.

lastminute:(adjective)Justbeforeadeadlineorduedate.
Wehadtomakesomelastminutechangestotheadafterourbossdecideditwasntgoodenoughfor
todayspresentation.

quarter:(noun)Oneofsomething,usuallymoneyorayear.
Ourprofitsroselastquarter,butthisquarterwearelosingmoney!

MastertheTOEIC Travel |40

accommodation:(noun)Roomandboard(board=meals)ataplaceyoudonotown(ex.hotel).
Synonym:lodgings.(noun)Somethingthatmeetsaneed.
Wehadahardtimefindingaccommodationintownduetothehugeconventionthisweekend.
Theairlineshadtomakesomeaccommodationforthemaninthewheelchairhesatnearthedoor.

bookaticket/flight:(verb)Tosignupandpayfortravelingbybus,trainorplane
IbookaticketlastnightonlineformytriptoEgypt.

commute:(verb)Totraveltoandfromwork(byanykindofvehicle).
Ittakesmeabout45minutestocommutetoworkbycar;ifIgobybus,ittakesanhour!

commuter:(noun)Apersonwhousespublictransportation.
Alotofcommuterstakethelightrailtraintoandfromwork.

congestion:(noun)Alotoftrafficthatresultsincarshavingtomoveslowly.
ThereisheavycongestiononHighway26everydayduringrushhour.

connection:(noun)Theactofgettingonasecond(orthird)planetakenonsingletrip.
Becausewemissedourconnection,wewerestrandedinNewYorkforthenight.

derailment:(noun)Anaccidentinwhichatrainrunsoffitstrack.
Iwaslatetotheconferencebecausetherewasaderailmentjustoutsidethecity.

dropin:(verb)Tocasuallyvisit,tovisitwithoutnotifyingthepersonaheadoftime.Synonym:come
by,dropby.
BesuretodropintoournewstoreonMainStreetandseeallthewonderfulproductswehavetosell.

MastertheTOEIC Travel |41

freight:(noun)Productscarriedbyalargevehicle.(adjective)Somethingthatcarriesfreight(train,
truck,vanorcaronly).
Whatkindoffreightisinyourtruck?Youusuallycarrylumber.
Freighttrainstransportgoodsallaroundthecountry.

frequentflyer:(noun)Apersonwhoregularlyfliesforpleasureorwork.
Ifyousignupforourfrequentflyerprogram,youwillreceive50%discountonyournextplaneticket.

hailataxi/cab:(verb)Toraiseyourhandandstopataxi.
ItseemsIcanneverhailataxi;theyneverstopforme.

hospitality:(noun)Generoustreatmentofguests.
Thishotelhasgreathospitality;theyhaveafreewinetastinginthelobbyeverynight!

intersection:(noun)Aplacewheretworoadsmeet.
Therewasanaccidentattheintersectionof5
th
andHoytStreets.

itinerary:(noun)Aplannedrouteforatrip.
MywifeplannedthecompleteitineraryforourtriptoMexiconextmonth.

layover:(noun)Astopatalocationthatisnotthefinaldestinationofatrip.
Igotinsolatebecausetherewasa3hourlayoverinDenver.

offseason:(noun)Thepartoftheyearthathastheleastamountofactivityforsomething.
Becausethehotelisonthecoast,winterisitsoffseason.

overheadcompartment:(noun)Adrawerorshelfonatrainorairplanelocatedabovethehead.
Pleasemakesurethattheoverheadcompartmentsareclosedfirmlytoavoidanythingfallingonyou
whileweareflying.

packagetour:(noun)Aprepaidtourthatincludeshotel,mostmeals,andpossiblyotherservices.
WhenItravel,IliketogoonapackagetoursoIdonthavetoplananythingwhileImonvacation.
MastertheTOEIC |42

peakseason:(verb)Themostpopularseasontodosomething.
WemadethemistakeofgoingtoHawaiiduringthepeakseason;everyhotelwasbookedsolid.

pullinto:(verb)Toarriveatadestination.Synonym:arrive,reach.
Aftera5hourtrip,thetrainisabouttopullintoUnionStation.

redeye:(noun)Aplane,trainorbustripthatonlytravelsduringthenight.
IdontenjoytakingredeyeflightsbecauseIneverseemtogetagoodnightssleep.

refreshments:(noun)Asnackorlightmealanddrinks.
Theflightattendantbroughtbyarefreshmentscartmidwaythroughtheflight.

runway:(noun)Theplacewhereplanestakeoffandland.
Whenitsnows,planesoftengetstuckontherunway.

shuteye:(noun)Sleep.
Icouldntgetanyshuteyeontheflightback;nowImsotired!

stranded:(adjective)Toleavesomethingorsomeoneinadifficultorhelplessposition.
Becausewemissedourconnection,wewerestrandedinNewYorkforthenight.

turbulence:(noun)Violentwindexperiencedduringaflight.
Weexperiencedstrongturbulencewhileflyingthroughthemountains.

AFinalWordfromChris

Ihopethisbook,MastertheTOEIC:TOEICWords,hasbeenhelpful.Itismygoaltomakesureyou
gettheTOEICscoreyouwant.Ifthereisanythinginthisbookthatyoudontunderstand,please
contactmeatchris@masterthetoeic.com.

Allthebest,

ChrisQuinn,President&FounderofArkadianInterMediaEnterprisesLLC