TOEFL · Arts & Humanities · Intermediate
English · 100 cards
Core Arts & Humanities vocabulary for the TOEFL, with example sentences.
All cards in TOEFL · Arts & Humanities · Intermediate
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literature
n. written works valued as art
She studies English literature.
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fiction
n. stories about imaginary events
He prefers fiction to history.
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plot
n. the main events of a story
The plot of the film was clever.
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theme
n. the central idea of a work
The theme of the novel is love.
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narrative
n. a spoken or written account of events
The narrative follows a young hero.
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genre
n. a category of art or writing
Mystery is her favorite genre.
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metaphor
n. a phrase that compares without like or as
The poem uses a striking metaphor.
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symbol
n. something that stands for an idea
The dove is a symbol of peace.
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imagery
n. vivid descriptive language in art
The poem is rich in imagery.
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verse
n. writing arranged in lines and rhythm
The song's verse is very poetic.
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prose
n. ordinary written language not in verse
His prose is clear and simple.
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rhyme
n. matching sounds at the ends of lines
The poem has a steady rhyme.
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tragedy
n. a serious play with a sad ending
The tragedy moved the audience to tears.
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comedy
n. a light play meant to amuse
The comedy had everyone laughing.
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drama
n. a serious play or its genre
She acts in a popular drama.
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dialogue
n. a conversation in a play or book
The dialogue felt very natural.
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plot twist
n. a sudden change in a story
The plot twist surprised readers.
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manuscript
n. an author's handwritten or original text
The old manuscript was hard to read.
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edition
n. a particular version of a published work
This is the first edition of the book.
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publication
n. the act of issuing printed work
The publication of the novel was delayed.
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critic
n. a person who judges art or writing
The critic praised the new film.
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review
n. a written opinion of a work
The review of the play was positive.
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masterpiece
n. an outstanding work of art
The painting is a true masterpiece.
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composition
n. a piece of music or art, or its arrangement
The composition won a major prize.
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composer
n. a person who writes music
The composer wrote many symphonies.
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symphony
n. a long musical work for an orchestra
The orchestra played a famous symphony.
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orchestra
n. a large group of musicians
The orchestra tuned their instruments.
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harmony
n. a pleasing combination of notes
The choir sang in perfect harmony.
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tempo
n. the speed of a piece of music
The song has a fast tempo.
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tone
n. the quality of a sound or mood
The poem has a sad tone.
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canvas
n. a cloth surface used for painting
The artist stretched a fresh canvas.
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portrait
n. a painting of a person
She painted a portrait of her mother.
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landscape
n. a painting of natural scenery
The landscape shows green hills.
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exhibition
n. a public display of art
The exhibition drew large crowds.
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architecture
n. the art of designing buildings
Gothic architecture features tall arches.
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architect
n. a person who designs buildings
The architect drew the new museum.
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structure
n. the way something is built or arranged
The structure of the poem is complex.
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foundation
n. the base on which something is built
A strong foundation supports the tower.
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column
n. a tall vertical support in a building
Marble columns lined the temple.
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arch
n. a curved structure over an opening
The stone arch framed the gate.
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dome
n. a rounded roof
The dome of the church is famous.
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philosophy
n. the study of ideas about life and knowledge
He studies ancient philosophy.
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philosopher
n. a person who studies philosophy
The philosopher wrote about justice.
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logic
n. reasoning done in a careful way
Her argument follows clear logic.
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argument
n. a set of reasons for a view
His argument convinced the class.
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concept
n. an abstract idea
Freedom is a key concept in the book.
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ethics
n. rules about right and wrong
The class discussed medical ethics.
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morality
n. ideas about good and bad behavior
The story explores human morality.
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wisdom
n. deep knowledge and good judgment
The elder shared his wisdom.
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heritage
n. traditions passed down over time
The festival honors local heritage.
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civilization
n. an advanced society with culture
Ancient civilization built great cities.
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empire
n. a group of nations under one ruler
The empire spread across many lands.
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dynasty
n. a line of rulers from one family
The dynasty ruled for centuries.
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monument
n. a structure built to honor someone
A monument marks the old battle.
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ruins
n. the remains of old buildings
Tourists visit the ancient ruins.
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era
n. a long period of time in history
The work belongs to a golden era.
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revolution
n. a major sudden change in society
The revolution changed the nation's art.
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linguistics
n. the scientific study of language
She majored in linguistics.
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grammar
n. the rules for forming sentences
English grammar can be tricky.
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vocabulary
n. the set of words a person knows
Reading builds your vocabulary.
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dialect
n. a regional form of a language
They speak a southern dialect.
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translation
n. the act of changing words to another language
The translation kept the original tone.
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interpretation
n. an explanation of a work's meaning
Her interpretation of the poem was new.
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context
n. the setting that gives meaning
The painting must be seen in context.
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influence
n. the power to affect art or thought
Jazz had a big influence on him.
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movement
n. a trend in art shared by many
The painting belongs to a famous movement.
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abstract
adj. not showing real objects directly
He prefers abstract painting.
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realistic
adj. showing things as they really are
The portrait is very realistic.
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elegant
adj. graceful and refined in style
The building has an elegant design.
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vivid
adj. bright and full of life
The poem paints a vivid scene.
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formal
adj. following strict rules of style
The essay uses formal language.
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sacred
adj. holy and treated with respect
The temple is a sacred place.
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medieval
adj. relating to the Middle Ages
The castle is a medieval ruin.
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contemporary
adj. belonging to the present time
She collects contemporary art.
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original
adj. new and not copied
His style is highly original.
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inspire
v. to fill someone with an idea or feeling
The sea inspired the painter.
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portray
v. to show or describe in art
The novel portrays village life.
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depict
v. to represent in a picture or words
The mural depicts a great battle.
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illustrate
v. to add pictures to explain
She illustrates children's books.
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compose
v. to write music or a text
He composed a song for the film.
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publish
v. to make a written work public
She published her first novel.
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narrate
v. to tell a story aloud
He narrated the documentary.
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interpret
v. to explain the meaning of something
Critics interpret the play in many ways.
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appreciate
v. to value and enjoy something
She learned to appreciate jazz.
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analyze
v. to study something in detail
Students analyze the poem's structure.
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reflect
v. to think deeply about something
The diary reflects her inner life.
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restore
v. to repair something to its original state
They restored the old painting.
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preserve
v. to keep something safe from harm
The city preserves its old temples.
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exhibit
v. to display in public
The artist exhibits her work yearly.
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sculpt
v. to shape material into a figure
He sculpts figures from clay.
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recite
v. to say a text aloud from memory
She recited a poem on stage.
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debate
n. a formal discussion of opposing views
The debate lasted two hours.
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quotation
n. words taken from a text or speech
The essay opens with a quotation.
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essay
n. a short piece of formal writing
She wrote an essay on art.
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biography
n. the written life story of a person
He read a biography of the king.
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myth
n. a traditional story about gods or heroes
The myth explains the seasons.
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legend
n. an old story believed to be partly true
The legend tells of a hidden city.
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folklore
n. the traditional stories of a people
Folklore shapes the village festival.
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protagonist
n. the main character in a story
The protagonist faces a hard choice.
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antagonist
n. the main opponent in a story
The antagonist tries to stop the hero.
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