STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) · Reading and Vocabulary

Academic Vocabulary and Collocations

61 practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.

Practise Academic Vocabulary and Collocations now

Random questions from this topic, one at a time. You see the answer and the explanation straight after each one.

All 61 questions

  1. The new treatment proved so ______ that doctors began using it in hospitals across the country.
  2. The explorer's journey was ______ with danger, from storms at sea to attacks by wild animals.
  3. The professor's lecture was so ______ that students found it difficult to follow the argument.
  4. Scientists have ______ that the drought will continue for at least another year.
  5. The two companies decided to ______ their resources in order to develop the new technology.
  6. Her ______ for detail made her an excellent proofreader.
  7. The government has promised to ______ the problem of unemployment by creating new jobs.
  8. The minister's remarks were deliberately ______, so nobody could tell what he really thought.
  9. The old bridge is in a ______ condition and must be repaired before it collapses.
  10. Many species are now ______ because their habitats are being destroyed.
  11. The mayor was ______ for his honesty and fairness throughout his long career.
  12. The athlete showed great ______ when she returned to competition after a serious injury.
  13. The report ______ that more than half of the students walk to school.
  14. Prices of fresh fruit usually ______ in summer when supply increases.
  15. A good manager must be able to ______ tasks among the members of the team.
  16. The politician's ______ speech failed to answer any of the journalists' questions.
  17. The farmers were ______ by the news that the rains had finally arrived.
  18. The project was abandoned because the cost proved ______ to the budget available.
  19. It is ______ that students should read widely if they wish to improve their writing.
  20. The ______ of the two cultures produced a rich new tradition of music.
  21. Scientists use computers to ______ the weather several days in advance.
  22. The hotel offers a wide ______ of activities for guests of all ages.
  23. Many people have ______ their savings in property, hoping that prices will keep rising.
  24. There was a ______ difference between the two reports; one said the road was open and the other said it was closed.
  25. The company was forced to ______ its plans when the investors withdrew their money.
  26. The teacher gave a ______ explanation that left no room for doubt.
  27. The protesters demanded that the government ______ the new tax.
  28. Although the film received good reviews, it was a ______ failure at the box office.
  29. Heavy rain ______ the football match for an hour.
  30. The speaker ______ the audience with a series of surprising statistics.
  31. The scientist's research was ______ by a grant from the government.
  32. The accident was caused by ______ driving on a wet road.
  33. The two leaders held a ______ meeting to discuss trade between their countries.
  34. Students are encouraged to ______ from the text when writing their essays, but they must not copy whole paragraphs.
  35. The new software will ______ the process of registration and save a great deal of time.
  36. The police are ______ the cause of the fire.
  37. The company has a strict ______ against accepting gifts from customers.
  38. She is a very ______ person, who always keeps her promises.
  39. The explosion ______ a large crowd, and people rushed into the street.
  40. The city council ______ a plan to build a new park near the river.
  41. The patient's condition ______ after the operation, and he left hospital a week later.
  42. The author's style is clear, direct and ______ any unnecessary detail.
  43. Researchers have ______ a link between sleep and memory.
  44. It is ______ to consult a doctor before beginning a new exercise programme.
  45. The new law is ______ to reduce the number of road accidents.
  46. The detective examined every piece of ______ before naming the thief.
  47. He paid a ______ price for the old car, much less than its real value.
  48. The company's success is largely ______ to the hard work of its employees.
  49. The scientist was awarded a prize in ______ of her discovery.
  50. The speaker used a ______ to explain how the heart pumps blood.
  51. They ______ a long walk along the beach before sunset.
  52. The company was ______ to bankruptcy by its unwise investments.
  53. The journalist ______ the minister about the decision to close the school.
  54. His constant lateness ______ his teacher, who finally gave him a warning.
  55. There is a ______ of evidence that the new drug is safe; no study has yet been done.
  56. The company ______ its profits to a charity every year.
  57. The film is a ______ of two stories from the writer's childhood.
  58. The charity relies on ______ from the public to continue its work.
  59. The lawyer presented ______ evidence that proved his client was innocent.
  60. The two sides agreed to a ______ in the fighting while talks continued.
  61. The ______ of the mountain village makes it difficult for emergency services to reach.

Keep practising

More STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) topics

All STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) practice →

Ready for the full STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) test?

Take a mock testSTEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) hub