TOEFL Reading Section: Practice Questions & Tips

For your education abroad, getting a good score in TOEFL is necessary, and for you to excel in the test, having a good grasp over the fundamentals of TOEFL is a necessity. 

The English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test is acceptable across 11,500+ global institutions and universities in 160+ countries. These include the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. There are three testing options: the iBT (internet-based test) Home Edition, conventional iBT at the TOEFL testing center, and the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition. 

The test aims at measuring the fundamental English abilities applicable to classrooms.

Parts of TOEFL

The TOEFL examination has four parts, which are the following: 

1. TOEFL Listening
2. TOEFL Reading
3. TOEFL Writing
4. TOEFL Speaking

These parts test the English language skills of candidates, assessing their abilities to listen, speak, respond to questions, and write answers. The test requires approximately three hours, although you should allot an additional half an hour per recommendation.

TOEFL Reading Test in Detail

The TOEFL Reading Section has two reading passages, each about 700 words long, and 10 questions based on each text. The Reading part should take around 35 minutes to finish. How you score this part is based on how many correct answers you give for reading comprehension.

Here is a table summarizing the question types, and example phrasing:

Questions Type	Question Phrasing
Factual Information	According to the passage, which of the following is true?
Negative Factual Information	Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
Inference	What can be inferred from the passage about...?
Rhetorical Purpose	Why does the author mention...?
Vocabulary	The word 'X' in the passage is closest in meaning to
Sentence Simplification	Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the sentence?
Insert Text	Where would the following sentence best fit in the paragraph?
Prose Summary	Select the three statements that best summarize the passage.

The TOEFL reading section question types may vary. Here are some key points to keep in mind about the TOEFL reading comprehension section: 

• Reading passages are excerpts that are taken from several college or university books. 
• They are mostly modified to be meaningful to everyone on their own. Editing is, however, minimal in this regard. 
• Every passage is roughly 700 words long, though individual portions may be smaller or bigger. 
• ETS has already classified the passages in the section as expository (explaining any specific topic or subject), or argumentative (text advocating any specific opinion with supporting material), or even historical (based on the events of the past). 
• The passages may have elements like problem/solution, cause/effect, contrast/compare, or classification as their intrinsic organizational elements. 
• There are eight question types in the Basic Information and Inferencing section.  Factual information questions are included in reading passages (three to six for each) and vocabulary-based questions (three to five for each passage). The former requires the identification of facts, and the latter requires choosing the right word or phrase definition in a suitable context.
• All passages will come with one to three inference and one to two rhetorical purpose questions, while there will also be one text-based question each. 
• Inference questions talk about ideas/ or arguments that are implicit, while rhetorical purpose questions ask about the usage of facts, quotations, or any other organization. 
• Insert text questions necessitate choosing the right placement within the passage. Some passages have negative factual information-based questions (0-2) while containing reference questions as well (0-2). 
• There are sometimes simplification questions (0-1 in every passage) asked. Students should choose the answer that is not true in the case of negative factual information queries. Reference queries will be about relationships between words in grammatical contexts. Sentence simplification questions will require choosing the answer, which helps in revising and simplifying the sentence. 
• Reading to Learn questions are of two types: fill in the table and prose summary. Only one question in this segment is expected for every passage. It can be any one of the two types mentioned. 
• Prose summary queries are about highlighting key ideas and prioritizing them on the basis of their relevance or importance. Fill-in-the-table queries are about contextualizing and organizing ideas from various reading passage portions. 

These are some pointers you must remember before appearing for the reading test in TOEFL.

Types of TOEFL Reading Passage

The types of questions in the TOEFL Reading Section are prepared to evaluate the reading and informational abilities of the candidate. The test takers must understand all the question types to solve them effectively.

So, let's understand the different types of questions covered under TOEFL Reading:  

1. Factual Information                 

To answer this question, you must analyze the given information and recognize the details explicitly or as stated facts in the passage. These facts could be in the form of ideas, supporting details, or definitions. Candidates are given four answer choices to choose from. Out of these, they are usually required to pick one answer, or sometimes even two. 

2. Negative Factual Information

In negative factual information, you must determine which answer option is 'FALSE.' Four answer options are available: three are true, and one is false.

3. Reading Vocabulary

In reading vocabulary, you are given  a  word or phrase from the passage for which you must select a similar word from the given options. There will be four answer options, of which you must pick the word closest in meaning to the word or phrase in the question.

Recommended Reads:

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria	TOEFL Syllabus	TOEFL Exam Dates
TOEFL Exam Pattern	TOEFL Exam Fee	How to Register for TOEFL

TOEFL Reading Practice Questions

As discussed earlier, the TOEFL reading section consists of two 700 word passages. 10 questions are asked out of each passage. Given below is a sample passage and a few questions related to the same.

Passage: The Evolution of Renewable Energy Sources

The transition towards renewable energy sources, characterized by the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives, has been a significant development in the global energy landscape over the past few decades. Nations worldwide have been increasingly embracing renewable energy technologies to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster energy security. This transition has seen a remarkable increase in the adoption of solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy sources. With a growing awareness of the environmental impacts of traditional energy sources, countries are investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure and incentivizing their adoption through various policy measures. The rapid growth of the renewable energy sector signifies a paradigm shift in how societies produce and consume energy, paving the way towards a more sustainable future for generations to come. Additionally, the decentralized nature of renewable energy systems offers opportunities for communities to become self-sufficient in energy generation, reducing dependence on centralized power grids and promoting energy independence.

Questions

1. Which renewable energy sources are mentioned in the paragraph as part of the transition away from fossil fuels?

A. Solar, wind, hydroelectric

B. Nuclear, coal, natural gas

C. Oil, biofuels, geothermal

D. Uranium, biomass, tidal

2. What does the adoption of renewable energy sources signify in the context of the global energy transition?

A. An increase in greenhouse gas emissions

B. A shift towards more environmentally sustainable practices

C. A decrease in renewable energy investments

D. A reliance on traditional energy sources

3. How are governments incentivizing the adoption of renewable energy technologies?

A. By imposing higher taxes on renewable energy equipment

B. By reducing subsidies for renewable energy projects

C. By implementing policy measures and financial incentives

D. By limiting access to renewable energy resources

4. What advantages do decentralized renewable energy systems offer to communities?

A. Increased dependence on centralized power grids

B. Reduced energy independence

C. Opportunities for self-sufficiency in energy generation

D. Higher reliance on fossil fuel-powered energy grids

Important Preparation Tips to Improve Your TOEFL Reading Score

Improving your TOEFL Reading Score involves several key preparation strategies:

1. Understand the Format: 

Familiarize yourself with the structure of the TOEFL iBT Reading section, which includes two passages of about 700 words each.

2. Practice Regularly: 

Take full practice tests to get used to the types of questions and time constraints.

3. Focus on Vocabulary: 

Learn the meanings of general academic words and phrases that are commonly used in academic texts.

4. Develop Reading Strategies: 

Learn to recognize information directly stated in the text and information that is implied.

5. Use Official Resources: 

Utilize official ETS resources like TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner and TOEFL Talks webinars for insights-driven preparation.

6. Analyze Past Tests: 

Review correct answers from past TOEFL tests to understand how questions are scored and to improve your approach.

By following these tips and using official ETS materials, you can enhance your reading comprehension skills and improve your TOEFL Reading Score.

Best Books and Resources for TOEFL

The ETS website offers a comprehensive range of resources for TOEFL preparation. The TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner is a free, 8-week plan that includes helpful tips, skill-building activities, and sample test questions.

Additionally, TOEFL Talks webinars provide an overview of the test, registration information, and score understanding. For those seeking more in-depth study materials, the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT® Test and the TOEFL iBT® Test Savings Bundle are highly recommended. 

Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT® Test: 

The guide is an essential resource for test-takers, providing:

• Four full-length practice tests to familiarize yourself with the test format.
• Hundreds of real TOEFL iBT test questions and essay topics for comprehensive practice.
• Tips and exercises for all four language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

TOEFL Test Collections: 

ETS offers various collections to support preparation, including:

• Practice tests that cover a broad range of topics and question types.
• Skill-building activities aimed at improving specific language proficiency areas.
• Sample test questions that mirror the actual TOEFL test's format and difficulty.

These resources are designed to help test-takers achieve their goals by providing accessible formats and personalized insight-driven content.

Know More:

Documents Required for TOEFL

How to Prepare for TOEFL

TOEFL Exam Preparation Tips