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TOEFL Vocabulary: Learning, memory, and behavior

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

Attention, recall, motivation, habit and workload: psychology and education vocabulary. It suits academic passages about how people learn, and it is just as useful when an interview question asks about your own study habits.

Most useful for: Read an Academic Passage · Listen to an Academic Talk · Academic Discussion · Take an Interview.

Learning, memory, and behavior is one of the medium themes in our TOEFL vocabulary list, where you can also find how the tiers work.

The 40 words

Learning, memory, and behavior — Medium tier
#WordMeaningTier
1attentionmental focus on a particular thingMedium
2behaviorthe way a person or animal actsMedium
3cognitionmental activity involved in knowingMedium
4collaborateto work with others on a taskMedium
5comprehensionunderstanding of what is read or heardMedium
6concentrationsustained attention to one thingMedium
7confidencebelief in one's ability or judgmentMedium
8cuea signal that helps someone remember or actMedium
9curriculumthe subjects and skills taught in a programMedium
10diagnoseto identify the nature of a problemMedium
11distractionsomething that pulls attention awayMedium
12engageto take part actively or hold interestMedium
13expertisespecialized knowledge or skillMedium
14habita behavior repeated regularlyMedium
15hypothesisa testable idea about a possible explanationMedium
16motivationa reason or desire to actMedium
17perceiveto become aware through the senses or mindMedium
18performancehow well an action or task is doneMedium
19preferencea stronger liking for one optionMedium
20processa series of actions leading to an outcomeMedium
21recallto bring stored information back to mindMedium
22recognizeto know something has been seen or learned beforeMedium
23reflectiveinvolving careful thought about experienceMedium
24retainto keep information or a skill over timeMedium
25retrieveto get information back from memory or storageMedium
26routinea repeated pattern of actionsMedium
27skillan ability developed through learning or practiceMedium
28stimulussomething that causes a responseMedium
29taska piece of work to be completedMedium
30techniquea specific way of doing a taskMedium
31transferto apply learning in a new situationMedium
32tutora person who teaches an individual or small groupMedium
33mentoran experienced person who guides someone elseMedium
34novicea person new to a field or skillMedium
35reflectioncareful thought about an experienceMedium
36reinforcementan effect that makes a behavior more likelyMedium
37sequencean ordered series of steps or eventsMedium
38spontaneoushappening without prior planningMedium
39stressmental or physical strain from demandsMedium
40workloadthe amount of work assigned or expectedMedium

Self-check: match the meaning

Cover the table above. Here are 8 of the 40 learning, memory, and behavior words, starting with attention: choose the word each definition describes.

  1. mental focus on a particular thing
    1. attention
    2. habit
    3. stimulus
    4. reflection
    Show answer

    A. attention

  2. sustained attention to one thing
    1. preference
    2. concentration
    3. mentor
    4. workload
    Show answer

    B. concentration

  3. something that pulls attention away
    1. retain
    2. spontaneous
    3. distraction
    4. comprehension
    Show answer

    C. distraction

  4. a reason or desire to act
    1. task
    2. cognition
    3. diagnose
    4. motivation
    Show answer

    D. motivation

  5. to bring stored information back to mind
    1. recall
    2. novice
    3. cue
    4. hypothesis
    Show answer

    A. recall

  6. a repeated pattern of actions
    1. stress
    2. routine
    3. expertise
    4. process
    Show answer

    B. routine

  7. to apply learning in a new situation
    1. collaborate
    2. performance
    3. transfer
    4. retrieve
    Show answer

    C. transfer

  8. an effect that makes a behavior more likely
    1. curriculum
    2. reflective
    3. technique
    4. reinforcement
    Show answer

    D. reinforcement

Using learning, memory, and behavior words on the test

  • In Read an Academic Passage, collaborate and distraction 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 performance or retrieve on the spot; note the definition, not just the word.
  • In Take an Interview, try using tutor or stress in a short example from your own life.
  • In the Academic Discussion, concentration and expertise can make your position precise; use them in a sentence that also gives a reason.

Other medium themes

Frequently Asked Questions

40, from attention to workload, all in the medium tier of our TOEFL list. The self-check quiz on this page tests 8 of them, beginning with attention.

Language like this is most useful in Read an Academic Passage, Listen to an Academic Talk, Take an Interview and Academic Discussion. These are general academic words worth recognizing quickly and using when they fit.

Start with concentration (sustained attention to one thing); motivation (a reason or desire to act); routine (a repeated pattern of actions). In Read an Academic Passage, collaborate and distraction often carry a paragraph's main point, so check how each one connects to the sentence before it.

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