TOEIC Part 1 – People’s Actions & Descriptions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key action verbs, passive‐voice phrases, and descriptive adjectives/prepositions commonly tested in TOEIC Part 1 photo descriptions.

Be adjusting

To change or reposition something slightly, e.g., 'One man is adjusting his glasses.'

Be admiring

To look at something with pleasure or appreciation.

Be bending over

To lean the upper body downward at the waist.

Be browsing

To look casually through items or along a display.

Be buttoning

To fasten the buttons on clothing.

Be carrying

To hold and move something from one place to another.

Be changing

To replace or switch something, such as lights or clothes.

Be clearing

To remove items in order to make a place clean or empty.

Be cutting

To divide something with a sharp tool.

Be emptying

To pour out or remove the contents of a container.

Be exchanging

To give something and receive something in return.

Be facing

To have the front or face turned toward something.

Be filing

To submit or organize paperwork.

Be filling

To make something full, e.g., ‘filling a barrel with oil.’

Be getting into

To enter a vehicle or place.

Be handing

To pass or give something directly to someone.

Be hanging

To attach something so it is suspended from above.

Be helping

To assist another person.

Be holding

To grasp, carry, or support with the hands.

Be leaning against

To rest one’s weight on something for support.

Be loading

To place goods or items onto a vehicle or container.

Be looking

To direct one’s eyes toward something.

Be photographing

To take a picture of something.

Be on

To be located on or atop something, e.g., 'on their bicycles.'

Be about (to)

To be going to do something soon, e.g., 'about to drive.'

Be ready

To be prepared for an action.

Have (possession)

To own or wear something, e.g., 'has a long-sleeved shirt on.'

Be engaged in

To be involved in an activity, such as a discussion.

Be gathered

To be assembled together in one place.

Be posted

To be positioned or displayed for notice.

Be seated

To be sitting down.

Has put

Has placed an item somewhere, e.g., 'briefcase on the floor.'

Has lifted

Has raised something up, e.g., 'lifted the wheelbarrow.'

Have left

Have departed from a place.

Have stopped

Have come to a halt, e.g., vehicles have stopped.

Be arranged

To be set in an orderly way.

Be closed for

To be shut because of a reason or time period.

Be covered with

To have a surface completely overlaid by something.

Be crowded

To be full of people; very busy.

Be decorated with

To have ornaments or adornments applied.

Be displayed

To be shown for viewing or sale.

Be exhibited

To be presented in an exhibition or show.

Be filled with

To contain to capacity.

Be laid out

To be spread or arranged for use or viewing.

Be lined up

To be arranged in a row or line.

Be loaded with

To be filled or packed heavily with items.

Be occupied

To be in use or taken by someone.

Be opened

To be unfastened or unsealed.

Be parked

(Of a vehicle) to be left standing in a location.

Be piled

To be heaped or stacked on top of each other.

Be placed

To be positioned or set in a spot.

Be reflected

To be mirrored on a surface such as water or glass.

Be stacked

To be arranged in piles vertically.

Be stocked with

To be supplied or filled with merchandise.

Be stuck

To be lodged or caught so as not to move.

Be tied to

To be fastened with rope or string to something else.

Be being cleaned

Currently in the process of being cleaned.

Be being constructed

Currently under construction.

Be being displayed

Currently being shown or exhibited.

Be being driven

Currently being operated or steered (vehicle).

Be being exchanged

Currently being traded or swapped.

Be being fixed

Currently undergoing repair.

Be being installed

Currently being put in place or fitted.

Be being lowered

Currently being brought downward.

Be being made

Currently in the process of being produced or manufactured.

Be being offered

Currently being provided for sale or acceptance.

Be being picked

Currently being selected or harvested.

Be being planted

Currently being set into the ground to grow.

Be being plowed

Currently being tilled or turned over (fields).

Be being pushed

Currently being moved by force applied from behind.

Be being raised

Currently being lifted upward.

Be being removed

Currently being taken away from a place.

Be being renovated

Currently undergoing renewal or major repair.

Be being repaired

Currently being mended or fixed.

Be being served

Currently being provided to customers or guests.

Be being swept

Currently being cleaned with a broom.

Be being towed

Currently being pulled by another vehicle.

Be being used

Currently in active use.

Be being washed

Currently being cleaned with water and soap.

Have been closed

Have already been shut or sealed.

Have been hung

Have already been suspended from above.

Have been paved

Have already been surfaced with asphalt or concrete.

Have been put out

Have already been placed outside or released.

Have been set

Have already been positioned in place.

Have been stacked

Have already been piled one atop another.

Have been taken by

Have already been occupied or claimed by someone.

Have been turned off

Have already been deactivated (lights, machines).

Have caused

Have produced or brought about a result, e.g., an accident has caused a jam.

Have fallen

Have toppled down or dropped.

Have stuck

Have become lodged or jammed.

There is / There are

Expression used to state the existence or presence of something in a place.

asleep

In the state of sleeping.

bare

Without covering; empty or plain.

behind

At the back of; in the rear of something.

clear (of traffic)

Free from obstruction or almost empty.

empty

Containing nothing; vacant.

in front of

Located before or ahead of something.

on display

Set out for people to look at.

outside

Situated on or to the exterior of a place or building.

overhead

Situated above head level.