TOEFL Vocabulary: Problems and solutions 40 easy-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
Something has gone wrong — a shortage, a broken part, a missing permission — and someone has to repair, replace, adjust or apologize. This problem-and-response pattern sits at the center of many campus conversations and most email prompts.
Most useful for: Read in Daily Life · Listen to a Conversation · Listen to an Announcement · Write an Email .
Problems and solutions is one of the easy themes in our
TOEFL vocabulary list , where you can also find how the tiers work.
The 40 words Problems and solutions — Easy tier # Word Meaning Tier 1 problem a situation needing a solution Easy 2 issue a matter that needs attention Easy 3 difficulty something that is hard to do Easy 4 challenge a demanding task or situation Easy 5 mistake an action or answer that is not correct Easy 6 error a failure to be accurate Easy 7 confusion a lack of clear understanding Easy 8 accident an unplanned event that causes harm or trouble Easy 9 damage harm that makes something less useful Easy 10 shortage a lack of enough of something Easy 11 loss the state of no longer having something Easy 12 risk the chance of an unwanted result Easy 13 limit the greatest amount allowed or possible Easy 14 rule an instruction about what is allowed Easy 15 requirement something that must be done or provided Easy 16 permission approval to do something Easy 17 warning a message about possible danger or trouble Easy 18 safe unlikely to cause harm Easy 19 dangerous likely to cause harm Easy 20 careful taking steps to avoid mistakes or harm Easy 21 check to look at something for accuracy Easy 22 noticeable easy to see or recognize Easy 23 missing not present where expected Easy 24 broken damaged and unable to work properly Easy 25 repair to make a damaged thing work again Easy 26 fix to correct a problem Easy 27 solve to find an answer to a problem Easy 28 replace to put something else in place of an item Easy 29 change to make or become different Easy 30 improve to make something better Easy 31 adjust to make a small change Easy 32 avoid to stay away from a problem or action Easy 33 prevent to stop something from happening Easy 34 protect to keep something from harm Easy 35 save to keep something from being lost or wasted Easy 36 need to require something Easy 37 allow to make an action possible or permitted Easy 38 refuse to say that something will not be accepted Easy 39 complain to express unhappiness about a problem Easy 40 apologize to say one is sorry for a mistake Easy
Self-check: match the meaning Cover the table above. Here are 8 of the 40 problems and solutions words, starting with problem : choose the word each definition describes.
a situation needing a solution problem rule replace save Show answer A. problem
a failure to be accurate dangerous error prevent apologize Show answer B. error
the state of no longer having something broken refuse loss mistake Show answer C. loss
approval to do something change difficulty shortage permission Show answer D. permission
to look at something for accuracy check protect accident requirement Show answer A. check
to correct a problem complain fix limit careful Show answer B. fix
to make a small change challenge safe adjust repair Show answer C. adjust
to require something damage missing improve need Show answer D. need
Using problems and solutions words on the test In Listen to a Conversation, listen for challenge and loss as signals of what each speaker needs or decides. In Write an Email, use safe or repair only where it states your request or point exactly. In Listen to an Announcement, avoid and complain tend to mark the key change or instruction, so note them when you hear them. In Read in Daily Life, words like error and limit tell you what a notice or email wants you to do, so read them as clues to the writer's purpose. Other easy themes
Previous ← Messages and conversation Next Time and quantity → Frequently Asked Questions How many words are in the problems and solutions list? + 40, from problem to apologize, all in the easy tier of our TOEFL list. The self-check quiz on this page tests 8 of them, beginning with problem.
Where do problems and solutions words appear on the TOEFL? + Language like this is most useful in Listen to a Conversation, Write an Email, Listen to an Announcement and Read in Daily Life. These are everyday words worth being able to use, not just recognize.
Which problems and solutions words should I learn first? + Start with error (a failure to be accurate); permission (approval to do something); fix (to correct a problem). In Listen to a Conversation, listen for challenge and loss as signals of what each speaker needs or decides.