Reading 1 : General Introduction
Objectives: TOEFL iBT Reading Skills:
• Understand the question types in the Reading section. • Understand the skills tested in the Reading section. • Be aware of current reading level, strengths, and challenges related to reading skills.
Warm-up Start by reflecting on your current strengths and challenges with reading. In this lesson, you will also learn how the TOEFL iBT Reading section is structured to better understand what to expect . Preparing for the TOEFL iBT Reading Section Before taking the TOEFL iBT, it is important to become familiar with the test format, structure, and the types of questions you will face . This knowledge will allow you to focus on understanding the content during the test, rather than trying to figure out the format while you’re taking it . Purpose of the Reading Section The Reading section evaluates how well you can read and understand academic materials, similar to what you’d encounter in a classroom or during your studies . 1 . Vocabulary. Words being tested are highlighted. When you see a highlighted word as you are reading, pay attention to the sentences around it, because that word will be tested in the questions . The question will ask you to choose a synonym. Sometimes (but not always) there will be clues in the sentence or the sentences before and after that will help you figure out the word . 2 . Sentence simplification . Here, a whole sentence is highlighted, instead of just one word . You will be asked to choose the best paraphrase of the most important information. 3. Fact. These questions ask about specific information directly stated in the text. 4. Negative fact. These are similar to fact questions except that you are looking for something that is NOT true according to the passage or that is NOT mentioned in the passage, instead of something that is either true or mentioned . These questions will have the word NOT or EXCEPT in capital letters . 5. Inference. Here the information is not directly stated but is implied. You have to figure out what the passage is indirectly saying . 6. Rhetorical purpose. These questions ask why certain information was included, or what the author was trying to accomplish . 7 . Reference. These questions ask what a word—usually a pronoun—refers to. Sometimes the word refers to something in the same sentence, and sometimes in a previous sentence. 8. Insert Text. For this type of question, you will be given a sentence that is NOT in the reading and be asked where it should go. You will have a choice of four locations in the passage (often, but not always, within the same paragraph) and have to choose the appropriate location. 9. Summary. This kind of question is worth two points. You will be asked to choose 3 out of 6 sentences given that would create a summary of the passage’s main ideas . On the computer test, you will drag the three sentences you choose into a chart.
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