TOEFL Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension

• The TOEFL Reading Comprehension section tests ability to understand academic texts in English.
• The section consists of 3-5 passages, each approximately 700 words.
• Passages are from academic subjects such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology.
• Question types:
  • Multiple-choice questions (mcq) that test understanding of main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary.
  • Factual information questions that require test-takers to locate specific information in the passage.
  • Negative factual information questions that require test-takers to identify what is NOT mentioned in the passage.
  • Inference questions that require test-takers to make inferences based on the passage.
  • Rhetorical purpose questions that require test-takers to identify the author's purpose or tone.

Vocabulary Building

• TOEFL tests vocabulary in all sections, but especially in Reading Comprehension.
• Focus on learning academic vocabulary, including:
  • General academic words (e.g. analyze, evaluate, summarize)
  • Domain-specific words (e.g. biology, psychology, economics)
  • Words with multiple meanings and nuances
• Strategies for building vocabulary:
  • Read academic texts and take note of unfamiliar words.
  • Use flashcards to review new vocabulary.
  • Learn prefixes, suffixes, and root words to decode unfamiliar words.

Speaking Strategies

• The TOEFL Speaking section tests ability to communicate effectively in English.
• The section consists of 6 tasks:
  • Task 1: Independent speaking (60 seconds) - describe a personal experience or preference.
  • Task 2: Independent speaking (60 seconds) - respond to a question on a familiar topic.
  • Task 3: Integrated speaking (60 seconds) - listen to a conversation and then respond.
  • Task 4: Integrated speaking (60 seconds) - listen to a lecture and then respond.
  • Task 5: Integrated speaking (90 seconds) - listen to a conversation and then respond.
  • Task 6: Integrated speaking (90 seconds) - listen to a lecture and then respond.
• Strategies for improving speaking:
  • Practice speaking regularly, using a timer to simulate the test.
  • Focus on pronunciation, intonation, and fluency.
  • Use transition words and phrases to connect ideas.

Listening Skills

• The TOEFL Listening section tests ability to understand spoken English in academic contexts.
• The section consists of 4-6 lectures or conversations, each 3-5 minutes long.
• Question types:
  • Multiple-choice questions that test understanding of main ideas and supporting details.
  • Factual information questions that require test-takers to locate specific information in the lecture or conversation.
  • Inference questions that require test-takers to make inferences based on the lecture or conversation.
• Strategies for improving listening:
  • Listen to academic lectures and conversations regularly.
  • Take notes while listening to improve comprehension and retention.
  • Focus on understanding main ideas and supporting details.

Writing Techniques

• The TOEFL Writing section tests ability to write clear, coherent, and well-organized essays.
• The section consists of 2 tasks:
  • Task 1: Integrated writing (150-225 words, 20 minutes) - read a passage and listen to a lecture, then write an essay that summarizes and responds to the information.
  • Task 2: Independent writing (300-350 words, 30 minutes) - respond to a topic or question.
• Strategies for improving writing:
  • Practice writing regularly, using a timer to simulate the test.
  • Focus on organization, coherence, and grammar.
  • Use transition words and phrases to connect ideas.

Reading Comprehension

• TOEFL Reading Comprehension section has 3-5 passages, each approximately 700 words, from academic subjects like humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology.
• Question types include multiple-choice, factual information, negative factual information, inference, and rhetorical purpose questions.

Vocabulary Building

• TOEFL tests vocabulary in all sections, especially Reading Comprehension.
• Focus on learning academic vocabulary, including general academic words, domain-specific words, and words with multiple meanings and nuances.
• Strategies for building vocabulary include reading academic texts, using flashcards, and learning prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Speaking Strategies

• TOEFL Speaking section has 6 tasks, including independent and integrated speaking, with a total of 60-90 seconds response time per task.
• Tasks include describing personal experiences, responding to questions, and listening to conversations or lectures and then responding.
• Strategies for improving speaking include practicing regularly, focusing on pronunciation, intonation, and fluency, and using transition words and phrases.

Listening Skills

• TOEFL Listening section has 4-6 lectures or conversations, each 3-5 minutes long.
• Question types include multiple-choice, factual information, and inference questions.
• Strategies for improving listening include listening to academic lectures and conversations regularly, taking notes while listening, and focusing on understanding main ideas and supporting details.

Writing Techniques

• TOEFL Writing section has 2 tasks, including integrated and independent writing, with a total of 20-30 minutes response time per task.
• Tasks include summarizing and responding to information, and responding to a topic or question.
• Strategies for improving writing include practicing regularly, focusing on organization, coherence, and grammar, and using transition words and phrases.

Test your understanding of academic texts in English with passages from humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology. Questions include multiple-choice and factual information types.