Unlocking TOEIC Success: Mastering Tough Vocabulary Like a Pro!

{vi1})As a TOEIC tutor providing private lessons, I’ve compiled a list of word expressions that my students often find difficult and I’d like to share them with Korea Herald readers. Recently, while teaching working professionals aiming for a perfect TOEIC score, I noticed that many struggled to understand the following expressions. This is valuable, up-to-date information, so I recommend memorizing one or two expressions each day.{vi2}){vi3}){vi4}) 1. effective = as of, starting, beginning (taking effect from ~) {vi5}){vi6}){vi7})Effective the same date, sales staff will no longer be allowed to stay at MiraVista Hotels.{vi8}){vi9}){vi10})✅ Meaning: {vi11}){vi12}){vi13})→ From the same date, sales staff will no longer be allowed to stay at MiraVista Hotels.{vi14}){vi15}){vi16}) Analysis: {vi17}){vi18}){vi19})• Effective the same date = From that date (taking effect){vi20}){vi21})• be allowed to = to be permitted to{vi22}){vi23})• no longer = not anymore (negative expression){vi24}){vi25}){vi26}) Common usage situations: {vi27}){vi28}){vi29})• Policy change notifications{vi30}){vi31})• Internal regulation documents{vi32}){vi33})• Official emails{vi34}){vi35}){vi36}) Similar expression examples: {vi37}){vi38}){vi39})As of next Monday, our office hours will change.{vi40}){vi41})→ Starting from next Monday, our office hours will change.{vi42}){vi43})Starting tomorrow, masks will be required on campus.{vi44}){vi45})→ Beginning tomorrow, masks will be mandatory on campus.{vi46}){vi47})Effective July 1, employees must clock in by 9 A.M.{vi48}){vi49})→ From July 1, employees must clock in by 9 A.M.{vi50}){vi51}){vi52}) 2. attribute: as a noun, it means ‘characteristic’, ‘quality’ – Recently appeared as an answer in Part 6! {vi53}){vi54}){vi55})Honesty is his best attribute.{vi56}){vi57})Patience is a valuable attribute in teaching.{vi58}){vi59}){vi60})✅ Meaning: {vi61}){vi62}){vi63})→ Honesty is his best quality.{vi64}){vi65})→ Patience is a valuable quality in teaching.{vi66}){vi67}){vi68}) Analysis:{vi69}){vi70}){vi71})• attribute (noun) = quality, characteristic, essence{vi72}){vi73})• Often used with adjectives like valuable / rare / essential{vi74}){vi75})• The combination with adjectives is a key point in exams{vi76}){vi77}){vi78}) Common phrases: {vi79}){vi80}){vi81})Creativity is an essential attribute for designers.{vi82}){vi83})→ Creativity is an essential quality for designers.{vi84}){vi85})Intelligence is just one attribute of a good leader.{vi86}){vi87})→ Intelligence is just one characteristic of a good leader.{vi88}){vi89})Kindness is a rare attribute these days.{vi90}){vi91})→ Kindness is a rare quality these days.{vi92}){vi93}){vi94})3. Comparison of various negative expressions – Each has different parts of speech and usage! {vi95}){vi96}){vi97}){vi98}) no + noun {vi99}){vi100}){vi101})• There is no problem at all.{vi102}){vi103})→ There is absolutely no problem.{vi104}){vi105}){vi106}) never + verb {vi107}){vi108}){vi109})• I have never been to Paris.{vi110}){vi111})→ I have never visited Paris.{vi112}){vi113}){vi114}) not + adjective/verb/clause {vi115}){vi116}){vi117})• She is not ready yet.{vi118}){vi119})→ She isn’t prepared yet.{vi120}){vi121}){vi122}) nothing (pronoun) {vi123}){vi124}){vi125})• There’s nothing in the box.{vi126}){vi127})→ The box is empty.{vi128}){vi129}){vi130}) Summary: {vi131}){vi132}){vi133})• ‘no’ is an adjective modifying nouns{vi134}){vi135})• ‘never’ is an adverb modifying verbs (often appears with present perfect tense){vi136}){vi137})• ‘not’ is an adverb negating verbs, adjectives, or entire sentences{vi138}){vi139})• ‘nothing’ is a pronoun functioning as a subject or object{vi140}){vi141})