Understanding ‘Toll’: Boost Your IELTS Vocabulary
Learn the meanings and uses of the word ‘toll’ to improve your IELTS vocabulary. This video covers its function as a noun and verb, explores its history, and provides examples to help you use it correctly in various contexts.
Imagine you’re driving on a highway, and suddenly you see a sign that says “Toll Ahead.” What does this mean for you and your journey?
Today, we’re exploring the word “toll” and its various meanings to help boost your IELTS vocabulary.
Word type: Toll can function as both a noun and a verb in English.
Meaning: As a noun, a toll is a fee that you pay to use a particular road, bridge, or service.
It can also refer to the number of deaths, injuries, or losses resulting from a specific cause. As a verb, to toll means to announce or summon by ringing a bell, or to charge a fee for using something.
Word history: The word toll comes from Old English and is related to the German word “Zoll,” which means tax or duty.
It has been used in English since medieval times, originally referring to a payment for the right to sell goods in a market.
Antonyms: Some antonyms for toll include free, complimentary, and costless.
Synonyms: Synonyms for toll include fee, charge, tariff, levy, and cost.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples of how to use toll in different contexts. As a noun: The government introduced a new toll on the highway to fund road maintenance.
As a verb: The church bells tolled to mark the beginning of the service. In a figurative sense: The long hours at work were taking a toll on her health.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing toll with tool. Remember, a toll is a fee, while a tool is an instrument used to perform a task.
Another error is using toll incorrectly in phrases. For example, we say the toll of something, not the toll from something.
To wrap up, understanding the word toll and its various uses can help you express ideas about fees, consequences, and announcements more precisely in your IELTS exam.
Practice using this word in different contexts to become more comfortable with it. Remember, expanding your vocabulary is a gradual process, but each new word you learn brings you closer to achieving your target band score.
