Toefl exam Essentials

LISTENING
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get down: give one’s attention to; depress
Let’s get down to business.
The rain was getting her down.
have on: wear
The man has on a new sweater.
keep + –ing verb: continue without interruption
She kept talking throughout class despite the teacher’s
warnings.
jump in: begin or enter eagerly
The woman didn’t wait for instructions, she just jumped
right in.
make up your mind: settle, decide
I made up my mind to take the earlier train.
put off: to hold back to a later time
You will have to put off buying that dress until you have
more money.
show up: arrive, appear
He always late—he would show up late to his own funeral!
sleep on it: delay making a decision until the next day
After considering the plan, the council decided to sleep on
it and cast a vote the next day.
take place: happen, occur
U.S. presidential elections take place every four years.
used to + verb: something accomplished in the past, but
not in the present
She used to work as an investment banker, but now she’s a
teacher.

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TOEFL EXAM ESSENTIALS
QUICK QUIZ
Ask someone who speaks fluent English to read the following pas-
sages, questions, and answer choices into a tape recorder. Your
reader should speak at a normal, conversational pace. If you can’t
find someone to help you, read aloud to yourself and answer the
questions that follow. The answers can be found on page 48.
Woman 1: Are going to the party tonight?
Woman 2: I don’t think so. It’s been a long day. I’m beat!