TOEFL iBT DECEMBER 20. 2015 Speaking Task 3: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The student proposes that the university should have an electric bulletin board due to two reasons. The first reason is that students pass by the bulletin board every day, and the second reason is that the university will look much tidier and much cleaner. In the conversation, the woman disagrees with the proposal. Her first reason is that not everyone passes by the bulletin board every day. She once saw a poster about a show on campus, but if the information had been only posted in the library, she wouldn’t have been able to know about it. As for the second reason, she mentions that many students will think it’s too slow to read information posted on the electric bulletin board, but posters are much more convenient.
The student proposes that the university should have an electric bulletin board due to two reasons. The first reason is that students pass by the bulletin board every day, and the second reason is that the university will look much tidier and much cleaner. In the conversation, the woman disagrees with the proposal. Her first reason is that not everyone passes by the bulletin board every day. She once saw a poster about a show on campus, but if the information had been only posted in the library, she wouldn’t have been able to know about it. As for the second reason, she mentions that many students will think it’s too slow to read information posted on the electric bulletin board, but posters are much more convenient.
TOEFL iBT DECEMBER 20. 2015 Speaking Task 4: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor introduces the concept of shaping which means children observe the reaction of people around them when they learn a new skill, parents and teachers can better educate the children based on this quality. He offers an example of his kid to illustrate it. When his kid just started coloring, he got praises and compliments despite the quality of his work.
After a while, the professor changed the strategy. Not like before, this time he only praised his kid when he was able to color the tree, he gradually raised the bar and his child started improving little by little as well. And now the professor only tells his kid that he’s doing a good job when he’s able to color the trunk of the tree. That’s how the professor uses the example of his own child to illustrate the concept of shaping.
In the lecture, the professor introduces the concept of shaping which means children observe the reaction of people around them when they learn a new skill, parents and teachers can better educate the children based on this quality. He offers an example of his kid to illustrate it. When his kid just started coloring, he got praises and compliments despite the quality of his work.
After a while, the professor changed the strategy. Not like before, this time he only praised his kid when he was able to color the tree, he gradually raised the bar and his child started improving little by little as well. And now the professor only tells his kid that he’s doing a good job when he’s able to color the trunk of the tree. That’s how the professor uses the example of his own child to illustrate the concept of shaping.
TOEFL iBT DECEMBER 20. 2015 Speaking Task 5: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
The woman’s problem is that she chose American landscape as the topic of her presentation, unfortunately someone else chose exactly the same topic. There are two possible solutions. The first solution is to stick to this topic, and the second solution is to change her topic to folk art. If I were in her shoes, I would choose the first solution. Because as she mentions in the conversation, she’s really interested in American landscape and she knows a lot about it, so although someone chose the same topic, I’m sure she will still be able to do a great job. I personally don’t recommend the other solution, because choosing a different topic means that she will have to do everything about the presentation from scratch, it’s too much work and a lot of time will be wasted. That’s why in this case, I think the first solution is a better option.
The woman’s problem is that she chose American landscape as the topic of her presentation, unfortunately someone else chose exactly the same topic. There are two possible solutions. The first solution is to stick to this topic, and the second solution is to change her topic to folk art. If I were in her shoes, I would choose the first solution. Because as she mentions in the conversation, she’s really interested in American landscape and she knows a lot about it, so although someone chose the same topic, I’m sure she will still be able to do a great job. I personally don’t recommend the other solution, because choosing a different topic means that she will have to do everything about the presentation from scratch, it’s too much work and a lot of time will be wasted. That’s why in this case, I think the first solution is a better option.
TOEFL iBT DECEMBER 20. 2015 Speaking Task 6
In the lecture, the professor talks about two disadvantages of irrigation. The first one is that plants won’t grow properly when there’s too much water. Take soil growing plants like melons as an example, when the soil gets too wet, fungus starts to form, and it will keep melons from growing properly. That’s why the whole irrigation system has to be designed carefully to avoid this problem. The second disadvantage is that in low-rainfall areas, salt builds up in lakes, when there’s too much salt in water, it will be harmful to plants as well. @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
In the lecture, the professor talks about two disadvantages of irrigation. The first one is that plants won’t grow properly when there’s too much water. Take soil growing plants like melons as an example, when the soil gets too wet, fungus starts to form, and it will keep melons from growing properly. That’s why the whole irrigation system has to be designed carefully to avoid this problem. The second disadvantage is that in low-rainfall areas, salt builds up in lakes, when there’s too much salt in water, it will be harmful to plants as well. @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
TOEFL iBT DECEMBER 20. 2015 Reading Vocabulary Questions: @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Duration = length
Elaborate = complex
Enable = allow
Extract = remove
Lucrative = profitable
Margin = limit
Pioneering = original
Stimulate = encourage
Surplus = excess
To some degree = to a certain extent
Duration = length
Elaborate = complex
Enable = allow
Extract = remove
Lucrative = profitable
Margin = limit
Pioneering = original
Stimulate = encourage
Surplus = excess
To some degree = to a certain extent
Unorthodox (adj.)
Not ordina1y or typical; characterized by avoiding customary conventions and behaviors; unconventional
Individuals who are judged to show difficulty in self-control, in ability to withstand stress, or who hold UNORTHODOX moral and social standards, standards different from what is usual or accepted by most people, are likely to be labeled as exhibiting behavior disorders. The thinking of such people appears to be essentially “normal” in that they show efficient awareness of the environment. Behavior disorder is displayed mainly in antisocial acts, stemming from what many observers consider to be the individual's deviant evaluation of what is “right” or “wrong,” or of what is socially acceptable, which casues many to view their UNORTHODOX opinions and acts as abnormal.
Quick Quiz:
Many consider Dr. Johnsons’ approach to the treatment of disease as unorthodox in that he treats people’s disease with —-----------.
A. what other doctors recommend
B. a diet rather than with medicine
C. surgery instead of less aggressive modes of treatment
Answer: B
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Not ordina1y or typical; characterized by avoiding customary conventions and behaviors; unconventional
Individuals who are judged to show difficulty in self-control, in ability to withstand stress, or who hold UNORTHODOX moral and social standards, standards different from what is usual or accepted by most people, are likely to be labeled as exhibiting behavior disorders. The thinking of such people appears to be essentially “normal” in that they show efficient awareness of the environment. Behavior disorder is displayed mainly in antisocial acts, stemming from what many observers consider to be the individual's deviant evaluation of what is “right” or “wrong,” or of what is socially acceptable, which casues many to view their UNORTHODOX opinions and acts as abnormal.
Quick Quiz:
Many consider Dr. Johnsons’ approach to the treatment of disease as unorthodox in that he treats people’s disease with —-----------.
A. what other doctors recommend
B. a diet rather than with medicine
C. surgery instead of less aggressive modes of treatment
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Wry (adj.)
a wry expression or wry humor shows that you know a situation is bad, but you also think it is slightly amusing; a wry sense of humor is a sarcastic one. You were late for work, stepped into a mud puddle, and you forgot your lunch. If your co-worker asks how your morning is going, you can reply with a wry tone, "Perfectly perfect."
Penelope Ann Douglass Gilliatt (1932-1993) was English writer of essays, short stories, screenplays, and novels. Her fiction is noted for its sensitive, sometimes WRY look at the challenges and complexities of modern life in England and the United States.
Quick Quiz:
When I asked her how she felt after winning the race, she gave me a wry smile and said, —------.
A. “Euphoric”
B. “Pretty tired.”
C. “I can’t be happier”
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
a wry expression or wry humor shows that you know a situation is bad, but you also think it is slightly amusing; a wry sense of humor is a sarcastic one. You were late for work, stepped into a mud puddle, and you forgot your lunch. If your co-worker asks how your morning is going, you can reply with a wry tone, "Perfectly perfect."
Penelope Ann Douglass Gilliatt (1932-1993) was English writer of essays, short stories, screenplays, and novels. Her fiction is noted for its sensitive, sometimes WRY look at the challenges and complexities of modern life in England and the United States.
Quick Quiz:
When I asked her how she felt after winning the race, she gave me a wry smile and said, —------.
A. “Euphoric”
B. “Pretty tired.”
C. “I can’t be happier”
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Superficial (adj.)
Shallow; lacking in depth; concerned with surface appearances
What do Cber (Clueless) and Daisy Buchanan (The Great Gatsby) have in common? Both were
SUPERFICIAL. In Clueless, Josh called Cber “a SUPERFICIAL space cadet” because she lacked direction. Daisy proved to be a SUPERFICIAL person who prized material possessions. For example, she burst into tears when Gatsby showed her his collection of English dress shirts. Gatsby would tragically discover that beneath Daisy's SUPERFICIAL surface there was only more surface.
Quick Quiz:
I’m afraid I actually have a superficial understanding of physics, so I would be grateful if you could —---------.
A. use more technical terms in your explanation
B. stop studying physics as well
C. explain the concept more simply
Answer: A
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Shallow; lacking in depth; concerned with surface appearances
What do Cber (Clueless) and Daisy Buchanan (The Great Gatsby) have in common? Both were
SUPERFICIAL. In Clueless, Josh called Cber “a SUPERFICIAL space cadet” because she lacked direction. Daisy proved to be a SUPERFICIAL person who prized material possessions. For example, she burst into tears when Gatsby showed her his collection of English dress shirts. Gatsby would tragically discover that beneath Daisy's SUPERFICIAL surface there was only more surface.
Quick Quiz:
I’m afraid I actually have a superficial understanding of physics, so I would be grateful if you could —---------.
A. use more technical terms in your explanation
B. stop studying physics as well
C. explain the concept more simply
Answer: A
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Extol, Laud, Acclaim, Tout (v.)
to praise someone or something; applaud
Largely on the basis of the works of the last three years of his life, van Gogh is, though not ACCLAIMED during his life time, generally considered one of the greatest Dutch painters of all time. His work exerted a powerful influence on the development of much modern painting, in particular on the works of the fauve painters, Chaim Soutine, and the German Expressionists, all of whom are LAUDED by art critics. Yet of the more than 800 oil paintings and 700 drawings that constitute his life's work and are EXTOLLED even by ordinary people today,, he sold only one in his lifetime. Always desperately poor, he was sustained by his faith in the urgency of what he had to communicate and by the generosity of Theo, who believed in him implicitly. The letters that he wrote to Theo from 1872 onward, and to other friends, give such a vivid account of his aims and beliefs, his hopes and disappointments, and his fluctuating physical and mental state that they form a unique and touching biographical record that is also a great human document, a document that makes us TOUT him not only for his works but also for his persistence and perseverance.
Quick Quiz:
Honig lauded his wife for —----------.
A. her indifference to human adversity
B. the contributions she made to charity
C. following her own absolute egocentricity
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
to praise someone or something; applaud
Largely on the basis of the works of the last three years of his life, van Gogh is, though not ACCLAIMED during his life time, generally considered one of the greatest Dutch painters of all time. His work exerted a powerful influence on the development of much modern painting, in particular on the works of the fauve painters, Chaim Soutine, and the German Expressionists, all of whom are LAUDED by art critics. Yet of the more than 800 oil paintings and 700 drawings that constitute his life's work and are EXTOLLED even by ordinary people today,, he sold only one in his lifetime. Always desperately poor, he was sustained by his faith in the urgency of what he had to communicate and by the generosity of Theo, who believed in him implicitly. The letters that he wrote to Theo from 1872 onward, and to other friends, give such a vivid account of his aims and beliefs, his hopes and disappointments, and his fluctuating physical and mental state that they form a unique and touching biographical record that is also a great human document, a document that makes us TOUT him not only for his works but also for his persistence and perseverance.
Quick Quiz:
Honig lauded his wife for —----------.
A. her indifference to human adversity
B. the contributions she made to charity
C. following her own absolute egocentricity
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Word of the Day: PERSONABLE (PUR-suh-nuh-buul)
Attractive, pleasing in appearance, handsome, comely, fair, presentable. In recent years, personable has come to be used to mean having a nice personality. You should avoid using the word in that way. The words sociable, affable, and amiable already suggest people who are friendly, pleasant, and approachable. There is no need for personable to take over this sense. An awkward or unbecoming person, no matter how friendly and pleasant, cannot correctly be personable. Reserve personable for someone who is either attractive in appearance or attractive both in appearance and personality.
Attractive, pleasing in appearance, handsome, comely, fair, presentable. In recent years, personable has come to be used to mean having a nice personality. You should avoid using the word in that way. The words sociable, affable, and amiable already suggest people who are friendly, pleasant, and approachable. There is no need for personable to take over this sense. An awkward or unbecoming person, no matter how friendly and pleasant, cannot correctly be personable. Reserve personable for someone who is either attractive in appearance or attractive both in appearance and personality.
DIATRIBE and TIRADE (n.)
A bitter abusive denunciation; a thunderous verbal attack
What do Coach Carter (Coach Carter), Coach Gaines (Friday Night Lights), and Coach Boone (Remember the Titans) all have in common? All three coaches were passionate about building character and teamwork. And, if necessary, all three didn't hesitate to deliver a TIRADE when a player failed to follow team rules or perform to the best of his ability. For example, Coach Boone demanded perfection. In one memorable DIATRIBE he insisted, “We will be perfect in every aspect of the game. You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, and I will break my foot off in your John Brown hind pants and then you will run a mile. Perfection. Let's go to world.”
Quick Quiz:
Sir Thomas Beechman, conductor and impresario who founded and led several major orchestras, was admired generally for the verve and elegance of his interpretations, and he endeared himself to the public by his witty tirades against —---------.
A. the aptitude of his contemporary musicians
B. the insufficiencies of British musical standards
C. public indifference to the salutary effects of music
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
A bitter abusive denunciation; a thunderous verbal attack
What do Coach Carter (Coach Carter), Coach Gaines (Friday Night Lights), and Coach Boone (Remember the Titans) all have in common? All three coaches were passionate about building character and teamwork. And, if necessary, all three didn't hesitate to deliver a TIRADE when a player failed to follow team rules or perform to the best of his ability. For example, Coach Boone demanded perfection. In one memorable DIATRIBE he insisted, “We will be perfect in every aspect of the game. You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, and I will break my foot off in your John Brown hind pants and then you will run a mile. Perfection. Let's go to world.”
Quick Quiz:
Sir Thomas Beechman, conductor and impresario who founded and led several major orchestras, was admired generally for the verve and elegance of his interpretations, and he endeared himself to the public by his witty tirades against —---------.
A. the aptitude of his contemporary musicians
B. the insufficiencies of British musical standards
C. public indifference to the salutary effects of music
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Innocuous (adj.)
not offensive, dangerous, or harmful
Anxiety has been defined as a feeling of fear, dread, or apprehension that arises without a clear or appropriate real-life justification. Some authorities differentiate anxiety from true fear in that the latter is experienced in response to an actual threat or danger, such as those to one's physical safety. Anxiety, on the other hand, may arise in response to apparently INNOCUOUS situations or may be out of proportion to the actual degree of the external stress.
Quick Quiz:
The film producer dismissed the comment as quite innocuous, which —-------.
A. sounded like a harsh criticism out of ill will
B. was not intended to downgrade his work
C. he failed to answer due to its being hostile
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
not offensive, dangerous, or harmful
Anxiety has been defined as a feeling of fear, dread, or apprehension that arises without a clear or appropriate real-life justification. Some authorities differentiate anxiety from true fear in that the latter is experienced in response to an actual threat or danger, such as those to one's physical safety. Anxiety, on the other hand, may arise in response to apparently INNOCUOUS situations or may be out of proportion to the actual degree of the external stress.
Quick Quiz:
The film producer dismissed the comment as quite innocuous, which —-------.
A. sounded like a harsh criticism out of ill will
B. was not intended to downgrade his work
C. he failed to answer due to its being hostile
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Word of the Day: RESOLUTE(REZ-uh-loot)
Firmly determined or settled, resolved, having a set opinion or purpose, steadfast, unwavering, persevering.
Resolute comes from the Latin resolvere, the source also of the verb to resolve, which means to decide, determine, settle once and for all: “After much debate, the board of directors resolved to go ahead with the five-year plan.” “The lawyers tried to resolve the case out of court.” Resolute means resolved in one's opinion or purpose: “He was resolute about earning a master's degree and starting a successful business.” Antonyms of resolute include irresolute, unsteady, and vacillating (VAS-i-lay-ting).
Firmly determined or settled, resolved, having a set opinion or purpose, steadfast, unwavering, persevering.
Resolute comes from the Latin resolvere, the source also of the verb to resolve, which means to decide, determine, settle once and for all: “After much debate, the board of directors resolved to go ahead with the five-year plan.” “The lawyers tried to resolve the case out of court.” Resolute means resolved in one's opinion or purpose: “He was resolute about earning a master's degree and starting a successful business.” Antonyms of resolute include irresolute, unsteady, and vacillating (VAS-i-lay-ting).
Curtail (v.)
To cut short or reduce
The Gulf Oil Spill created an unprecedented environmental and economic disaster. As a toxic oil slick spread across the Gulfs once original beaches and wetlands, frustrated workers lost jobs while worried tourists CURTAILED and even cancelled vacation trips to the region. The spill underscored America's dependence upon gasoline. On average, Americans consume about 386 million gallons of gasoline each day. This massive rate of consumption cannot go on forever. Many experts argue that Americans must CURTAIL their fuel consumption by developing renewable sources of energy.
Quick Quiz
As part of her class management policy she always tries to curtail —------.
A. testing students on previously taught materials
B. expelling overly noisy students from class
C. whispering and note-passing in class.
Answer: C
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
To cut short or reduce
The Gulf Oil Spill created an unprecedented environmental and economic disaster. As a toxic oil slick spread across the Gulfs once original beaches and wetlands, frustrated workers lost jobs while worried tourists CURTAILED and even cancelled vacation trips to the region. The spill underscored America's dependence upon gasoline. On average, Americans consume about 386 million gallons of gasoline each day. This massive rate of consumption cannot go on forever. Many experts argue that Americans must CURTAIL their fuel consumption by developing renewable sources of energy.
Quick Quiz
As part of her class management policy she always tries to curtail —------.
A. testing students on previously taught materials
B. expelling overly noisy students from class
C. whispering and note-passing in class.
Answer: C
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Word of the Day: SUPPOSITION (SUHP-uh-ZISH-in)
An assumption, theory, hypothesis.To suppose means to assume as true, put something forward for consideration. A supposition is something supposed, an idea put forward for consideration. A hypothesis (hy-PAHTH-uh-sis), a conjecture (kun-JEK-chur), and a supposition are all assumptions or theories. A hypothesis is a preliminary or incomplete theory based on insufficientevidence: “There are conflicting hypotheses about the origin of the universe.” (The plural, hypotheses, is pronounced hy-PAHTH-uh-seez.) A conjecture is an assumption based on so little evidence that it is merely an educated guess: “Every week we hear different conjectures about trends in the stock market.” A supposition may be based on ample evidence or no evidence at all, and may be either sensible or irrational: “His suppositions about the company's financial condition proved consistent with the facts.”
An assumption, theory, hypothesis.To suppose means to assume as true, put something forward for consideration. A supposition is something supposed, an idea put forward for consideration. A hypothesis (hy-PAHTH-uh-sis), a conjecture (kun-JEK-chur), and a supposition are all assumptions or theories. A hypothesis is a preliminary or incomplete theory based on insufficientevidence: “There are conflicting hypotheses about the origin of the universe.” (The plural, hypotheses, is pronounced hy-PAHTH-uh-seez.) A conjecture is an assumption based on so little evidence that it is merely an educated guess: “Every week we hear different conjectures about trends in the stock market.” A supposition may be based on ample evidence or no evidence at all, and may be either sensible or irrational: “His suppositions about the company's financial condition proved consistent with the facts.”
SUBTLE (adj.)
A gradual change that is difficult to detect immediately
In the movie Clueless, Josh and Cher initially appear to dislike each other. In fact, Josh calls her a "superficial space cadet" and criticizes her for lacking direction. However, as the movie unfolds, there is a SUBTLE change in their relationship as they slowly become closer and closer. In the movie Billy Madison, a similar SUBTLE change occurs between Veronica Vaughn and Billy Madison. In the beginning, Ms. Vaughn detests Billy for his immature behavior. However, as Billy gradually matures, he begins to win Veronica's respect.
Quick Quiz:
The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they —---------.
A. cause so much trouble
B. are often ignored
C. are detected very easily
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
A gradual change that is difficult to detect immediately
In the movie Clueless, Josh and Cher initially appear to dislike each other. In fact, Josh calls her a "superficial space cadet" and criticizes her for lacking direction. However, as the movie unfolds, there is a SUBTLE change in their relationship as they slowly become closer and closer. In the movie Billy Madison, a similar SUBTLE change occurs between Veronica Vaughn and Billy Madison. In the beginning, Ms. Vaughn detests Billy for his immature behavior. However, as Billy gradually matures, he begins to win Veronica's respect.
Quick Quiz:
The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they —---------.
A. cause so much trouble
B. are often ignored
C. are detected very easily
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
CRYPTIC (adj.)
Having a hidden or ambiguous meaning; mysterious
As Harry Potter and the Chambe1• of Secrets opens, Dobby delivers this CRYPTIC message to Harry: "Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts." But why must Harry stay away from Hogwarts? We don't know, because the message is CRYPTIC. Later in the same book, this CRYPTIC message appears on one of the walls at Hogwarts: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, Beware." Once again, since the message is CRYPTIC, we are not sure what it means.
Quick Quiz:
Darby is a cheerfully relaxed young man who compiled cryptic crosswords for a monthly magazine in his spare time; crosswords that —-----------.
A. simple and at the same time time-consuming
B. are not easy to solve
C. are intended to distort reality
Answer: B
@ibtilTOEFLiBTGREIELTS
Having a hidden or ambiguous meaning; mysterious
As Harry Potter and the Chambe1• of Secrets opens, Dobby delivers this CRYPTIC message to Harry: "Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts." But why must Harry stay away from Hogwarts? We don't know, because the message is CRYPTIC. Later in the same book, this CRYPTIC message appears on one of the walls at Hogwarts: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, Beware." Once again, since the message is CRYPTIC, we are not sure what it means.
Quick Quiz:
Darby is a cheerfully relaxed young man who compiled cryptic crosswords for a monthly magazine in his spare time; crosswords that —-----------.
A. simple and at the same time time-consuming
B. are not easy to solve
C. are intended to distort reality
Answer: B
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Word 28: ARBITRARY (AHR-bi-TRAIR-ee or -TRER-ee)
Unreasoned, based on personal feelings or preferences rather than on reason, logic, or law: “An arbitrary price for a product is not necessarily a fair price”; “His arbitrary decisions have cost the company a lot of money.”
Arbitrary comes from the same Latin source as the words arbiter (AHR-bi-tur) and arbitrator (AHR-bi-TRAY-tur). Arbiter and arbitrator both mean a judge or umpire who makes a final decision or resolves a dispute. Arbitrary means making discretionary judgments or decisions that may or may not be fair or reasonable. Arbitrary has two other useful meanings. It may mean determined or arrived at in a random or illogical manner. For example, the arrangement of furniture in a room may be arbitrary, without an evident theme or pattern; arbitrary decisions are arrived at in a hasty, haphazard way. Arbitrary may also mean exercising unrestrained or absolute power: an arbitrary government has no regard for individual liberty.
Unreasoned, based on personal feelings or preferences rather than on reason, logic, or law: “An arbitrary price for a product is not necessarily a fair price”; “His arbitrary decisions have cost the company a lot of money.”
Arbitrary comes from the same Latin source as the words arbiter (AHR-bi-tur) and arbitrator (AHR-bi-TRAY-tur). Arbiter and arbitrator both mean a judge or umpire who makes a final decision or resolves a dispute. Arbitrary means making discretionary judgments or decisions that may or may not be fair or reasonable. Arbitrary has two other useful meanings. It may mean determined or arrived at in a random or illogical manner. For example, the arrangement of furniture in a room may be arbitrary, without an evident theme or pattern; arbitrary decisions are arrived at in a hasty, haphazard way. Arbitrary may also mean exercising unrestrained or absolute power: an arbitrary government has no regard for individual liberty.