40 medium-tier words, each with a short plain-English definition, followed by a quick quiz to check what stuck.
Test Ninjas Research · Updated October 1, 2026
The language of making and judging claims: assert, assume, infer, justify, warrant, counterargument. Academic passages and talks use these words to signal how strongly a point is held, and you will want several of them in a discussion post.
Argument and interpretation is one of the medium themes in our TOEFL vocabulary list, where you can also find how the tiers work.
The 40 words
Argument and interpretation — Medium tier
#
Word
Meaning
Tier
1
analyze
to examine parts to understand a whole
Medium
2
argument
a reasoned case supporting a position
Medium
3
assert
to state a position with confidence
Medium
4
assumption
an idea accepted without direct proof
Medium
5
attribute
to connect an effect to a cause
Medium
6
contend
to argue that a particular claim is true
Medium
7
claim
a statement presented as true
Medium
8
conclude
to reach a judgment from information
Medium
9
context
circumstances that give something meaning
Medium
10
contrast
to show meaningful differences
Medium
11
counterargument
a reasoned objection to a position
Medium
12
debate
a structured exchange of opposing views
Medium
13
define
to state the meaning or limits of a term
Medium
14
demonstrate
to show clearly through evidence or action
Medium
15
emphasize
to give special attention to a point
Medium
16
evaluate
to judge the quality or value of something
Medium
17
evidence
information used to support a conclusion
Medium
18
examine
to inspect closely and carefully
Medium
19
illustrate
to explain by giving an example
Medium
20
imply
to suggest without stating directly
Medium
21
infer
to reach a conclusion from clues
Medium
22
interpret
to explain the meaning of something
Medium
23
justify
to give good reasons for a choice or view
Medium
24
perspective
a particular way of viewing a subject
Medium
25
predict
to say what is likely to happen
Medium
26
premise
a statement on which an argument depends
Medium
27
qualify
to limit or add conditions to a claim
Medium
28
relevance
the connection of information to a question
Medium
29
reliable
likely to be accurate and dependable
Medium
30
represent
to stand for or describe something
Medium
31
significance
the importance of a finding or event
Medium
32
speculate
to form an idea without enough evidence to be sure
Medium
33
substantiate
to support a claim with evidence
Medium
34
suppose
to consider something as possible or true
Medium
35
theory
an organized explanation of observations
Medium
36
valid
well supported or logically acceptable
Medium
37
viewpoint
a position from which someone judges a matter
Medium
38
warrant
an assumption connecting evidence to a claim
Medium
39
weigh
to compare the strength of different factors
Medium
40
withdraw
to take back a claim or request
Medium
Self-check: match the meaning
Cover the table above. Here are 8 of the 40 argument and interpretation words, starting with analyze: choose the word each definition describes.
to examine parts to understand a whole
analyze
demonstrate
relevance
theory
Show answer
A. analyze
to argue that a particular claim is true
illustrate
contend
substantiate
withdraw
Show answer
B. contend
a reasoned objection to a position
perspective
warrant
counterargument
attribute
Show answer
C. counterargument
to judge the quality or value of something
reliable
assert
contrast
evaluate
Show answer
D. evaluate
to reach a conclusion from clues
infer
suppose
conclude
emphasize
Show answer
A. infer
a statement on which an argument depends
weigh
premise
define
imply
Show answer
B. premise
the importance of a finding or event
assumption
examine
significance
predict
Show answer
C. significance
well supported or logically acceptable
context
justify
represent
valid
Show answer
D. valid
Using argument and interpretation words on the test
In Read an Academic Passage, assumption and counterargument often carry a paragraph's main point, so check how each one connects to the sentence before it.
In Listen to an Academic Talk, a speaker may define examine or predict on the spot; note the definition, not just the word.
In the Academic Discussion, speculate and weigh can make your position precise; use them in a sentence that also gives a reason.
40, from analyze to withdraw, all in the medium tier of our TOEFL list. The self-check quiz on this page tests 8 of them, beginning with analyze.
Language like this is most useful in Read an Academic Passage, Listen to an Academic Talk and Academic Discussion. These are general academic words worth recognizing quickly and using when they fit.
Start with contend (to argue that a particular claim is true); evaluate (to judge the quality or value of something); premise (a statement on which an argument depends). In Read an Academic Passage, assumption and counterargument often carry a paragraph's main point, so check how each one connects to the sentence before it.