< V > TOEFL Vocabulary (3)

Evolution and Migration

1. adapt v. To adjust to the circumstances; to make suitable

Dinosaurs could not adapt to the warmer temperatures.

The teacher adapted the exercises for his more advanced students.

Usage tips Adapt is often followed by to.

Parts of speech adaptation n, adapter n, adaptable adj

2. diverse n. Various; showing a lot of differences within a group

India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world.

Usage tips An -ly adverb (e.g., linguistically) often comes before diverse.

Parts of speech diversify v, diversity n, diversification n

3. evolve v. To develop; to come forth

Modern-day sharks evolved from their ancestor Eryops, which lived more than 200 million years ago.

Usage tips Evolve is often followed by into or from.

Parts of speech evolution n, evolutionist n

4. feature n. Part, characteristic

The best feature of this car is its heated seats.

Usage tips Feature is often followed by of.

Parts of speech feature v

5. generation n. A group of people born at about the same time

As older managers retired, a new generation of leaders took control of the company.

Usage tips Before generation, an adjective like new, next, earlier, or older is common. Generation is often followed by of.

Parts of speech generational adj

6. inherent adj. Naturally characteristic; always found within something, because it’s a basic part of that thing

No job can be interesting all the time. Boredom is inherent in any kind of work.

Usage tips Inherent is often followed by in.

Parts of speech inherently adv

7. migration n. Movement from one place to another by a group of people or animals

The migration of farm workers from one state to the next depends primarily on the harvest.

Usage tips Migration is often followed by to or from.

Parts of speech migrate v, migrant n, migratory adj

8. physical adj. Related to the body; related to materials that can be seen or felt

Because of the shape of its throat, an ape does not have the physical ability to speak.

The mountains form a physical barrier between the west and the east.

Usage tips Physical usually comes before the noun it describes.

Parts of speech physically adv

9. process n. A series of steps leading to a result

To get a good job, most people go through a long process of letter-writing and interviews.

Usage tips Process is often followed by of plus the -ing form of a verb.

Parts of speech proceed v, process v

10. survive v. To continue living (despite some danger or illness)

After getting lost in the mountains, Gordon survived by eating wild plants and catching fish.

Usage tips Survive is often followed by a phrase with by.

Parts of speech survivor n, survival n