TOEFL

TEST ON ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN

LANGUAGE
OVERVIEW
TOEFL is a standardized English proficiency test. It assesses your ability to
both speak and understand English by analysing it in terms of speaking,
listening, reading and writing. These are all skills which will be needed to carry
out your academic studies and the test is used by institutions to ensure
students are able to proceed and succeed on their chosen course in a country
where the curriculum is taught in English.
THE STRUCTURE
SECTION TIME LIMIT QUESTIONS TASKS

READING 50 TO 70 30 TO 40 Read the passage and respond to

MINUTES QUESTIONS questions

LISTENING 40 TO 60 30 TO 40 Answer questions about a brief lecture

MINUTES QUESTIONS or classroom discussions

SPEAKING 20 MINUTES 4 TASKS Talk about a familiar topic and discuss

material you read and listened to

WRITING 50 MINUTES 2 TASKS Read a passage, listen to a recording,

type your response
 READING
TEST ON ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
READING OVERVIEW
The reading test includes 3 to 4 reading passages, each approximately 700
words long with 10 questions per passage. Passages or articles are usually
excerpts from university-level textbooks covering a variety of subjects. All the
information you need to answer the questions are included in the passage.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
TOEFL READING
Factual and Negative factual information
Factual information questions ask you to recognize information that are
explicitly stated in the text. This can include major ideas, supporting details
and definitions.

Negative factual information questions are similar, except that, instead of only
one answer being true, three of the four answers are true, and you have to
determine which one is false. Questions such as according to the paragraph
which of the following is NOT true? Or the author mentions all of the following
excepts
Inference and Rhetorical
Inference questions ask you to identify information or comprehend an idea
that is not directly stated in the text. These questions can be recognized
because they usually contain the words, “infer”, “imply” or “suggest”.

Rhetorical questions are similar because they also ask for information not
explicitly written in the text. These will ask why the author has presented a
piece of information. Question such as “Why does the author mention X” is an
example.
Reading vocabulary
Vocabulary questions ask you to identify the meanings of words or phrases as
they are used in the passage. It's easy to identify Vocabulary questions,
because there will be a word or phrase highlighted in the reading passage,
and you will see questions like these, with phrases like "closest in meaning" or
"the author means."
Sentence Simplification
These questions ask you to identify a sentence that has essentially the same
meaning as a sentence in the reading passage. The correct answer choice
contains the main ideas from the sentence in the passage but may leave out
minor or unimportant details. It should restate the most important
information in a simpler way.
Insert Text Questions
The Insert Text questions are designed to show that you understand the
logical order of ideas in a reading passage. In the reading section, every
reading passage has one Insert Text question. But instead of choosing from a
list of 4 choices, like with most Reading questions, you will click on one of the 4
black squares to insert the text into the paragraph
Prose Summary
The Prose Summary questions are designed to show that you recognize the
major ideas and the relative importance of information in a reading passage.
In a Prose Summary question, there are 6 answer choices, and you will need
to select the 3 correct choices that express the most important ideas in the
passage.

The incorrect answer choices will misrepresent information in the passage or

will discuss minor points.
SCORING FOR READING
The reading and listening sections are always multiple choice. On these sections, you’ll earn
one to three points for marking correct answers and zero points for every incorrect answer.
There is no penalty for getting a wrong answer, so always guess if you don’t know the answer
to a question.

Multiple answer questions have multiple correct answers. These include questions that have
two or more correct answer options, and reading section questions where you must organize
answer choices into summaries or charts. Each multiple answer question is worth either
two or three points, depending on how many answer choices you have to choose from.
You can earn partial credit on multiple answer questions by getting one or more correct
answers, even if you didn’t get every part of the question right.

Overall, you can earn 45 raw points in the this section

 WRITING
TEST ON ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
WRITING OVERVIEW
The writing section of the TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) included two writing tasks: an
integrated task and an independent task.

INTEGRATED TASK

This task consists of a 250-300 word passage on an academic subject followed by a

two-minute discussion on the same topic. The test taker is then given a question about the
topic. The test taker must write a 150-225 words summary of the important points made in
the listening passage and EXPLAIN how these points relate to those in the reading passage.
INDEPENDENT TASK

This task asks for an opinion about a topic. The test taker will use personal knowledge and
experience to write an essay of at least 300 words to answer the question. The test taker may
write more than 300 words if time permits.

The test taker has a total of 50 minutes to complete these two essays: 20 minutes for the
integrated task and 30 minutes for the independent task.
WRITING RUBRICS
TEST ON ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
T
A
S
K

1
T
A
S
K

2
WRITING REVISION
Writing CONTENT
FLUENCY AND COHESION
● Thesis Statement
● Transition words
● Topics that support the thesis
● Grammar and Spelling
● Main Ideas ● Sentence variety
● Supporting details
WRITING STRATEGIES
1. Understand the direction before you begin. Focus on the task
2. In the integrated section, take notes as you read. This will help you
remember the keywords.
3. Take note as you listen to help you understand the relationship between
the reading passage and the lecture.
4. Make an idea map (if possible) to help you organize the essay.
5. In the integrated task, write one paragraph about the reading passage
and another paragraph about the lecture.
6. Use words, grammar and sentence structures that are familiar to you
7. Pay attention to the time.
SAMPLE WRITING TASK (INTEGRATED)
LECTURE
Listen to the lecture
MODEL ANSWER
INDEPENDENT WRITING
DECODE THE ESSAY TOPIC

Each topic in the independent task shows you exactly what you should discuss
and how you should organize your response. You must decode the topic
carefully to determine the intended way of organizing your response. Don’t
forget to include an introduction and conclusion.

DEVELOP SUPPORTING IDEAS

Support your essays with the kinds of supports an essay topic asks for (such
as reasons, explanations and examples). Try to also personalize your essay as
much as possible.
MODEL OUTLINE
Questions:

People have various ways of relieving stress. What are some of the ways that
you find most effective in relieving stress? Give reasons and examples to
support your answers.
MODEL OUTLINE
Introduction: my ways of relieving stress BODY PARAGRAPH 2: get moving

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: get away from the stress Examples: go for a walk, go dancing, go to a gym

Examples: read books, see movies, visit Reason: helpful in providing outlet for stress
friends
P/S: a time last year when I was finally
Reason: necessary to leave stress to able to deal with a problem after going for a long, long
relieve it walk

P/S : a time last month when I was CONCLUSION:

able to finish a difficult assignment after I left it to
watch a movie To relieve stress you have to get away from it
and move.
Problem seem small and solution seem clear
 SPEAKING
TEST ON ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
OVERVIEW
In this section of the test, it tests your ability to demonstrate your skills in
discussing variety of topics. There will be 6 questions and try to answer to
each question as completely as possible.

In questions 1 and 2, you will speak about familiar topics. You need to show
your ability to speak clearly and coherently about the topic.

In questions 3 and 4, you will first read a short text. You will then listen to a
talk on a similar topic then be asked questions about what you have read and
heard. You will need to combine appropriate information from the text and
the talk to provide complete answer to the question.
Questions 5 and 6, you will listen to a part of a conversation or a lecture. You
will then be asked questions about what you heard. You need to demonstrate
your ability to speak clearly and coherently and your ability to accurately
convey information about what you heard.
SPEAKING
RUBRICS
SPEAKING
RUBRICS
SPEAKING STRATEGIES
1. Be familiar with direction while you are still preparing for it so during the
test you know what you are going to do.
2. Read the question carefully and answer what is being asked.
3. Organized your response clearly.
4. Use transition words to make your response cohesive
5. Stick to vocabulary,sentence structures that you are familiar with.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
TOEFL SPEAKING
The Free Choice Response

Independent free-choice questions generally give clues about how you should
answer. It is important to follow the clues that are given in the topic. See the
sample below
The Paired-Choice Response
In a paired-choice response, you will be given 2 choices that you must directly.
See the sample question below.
INDEPENDENT SPEAKING TEST
For this task, you'll be given a topic to speak about with no additional reading or listening
passages. You'll have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak your
answer.
In question one, you'll be presented with two situations or opinions. You'll be asked which
you prefer and you need to explain your choice.

Although there are some variations depending on the questions, raters will be looking for
three main things. First, delivery: Your speech needs to be clear and fluid with good
pronunciation. The pace or speed of your speech should be natural, and you should have
good sounding intonation patterns.

Second, language use: This is mainly how you use grammar and vocabulary to express your
ideas. And third, topic development: This is mainly how fully you answer the question, how
clearly you express your ideas, and how you can connect one idea to the next in a way that
is easy to follow.
INTEGRATED SPEAKING
Q2 INTEGRATED

You will read a passage about a campus-related topic. Then, you will listen to a
conversation about that topic. Then, you will have 30 seconds to prepare your
response and 60 seconds to speak your answer.

For question two, where you have both reading and listening passages, you will
be asked what the opinion is of a speaker in the listening passage, and you’ll
need to explain how that person’s opinion relates to the issues presented in
the reading passage.
 Good News for Movie Fans
The Student Association has just purchased a new sound system for the Old Lincoln Hall
auditorium, the place where movies on campus are currently shown. By installing the new
sound system, the Student Association hopes to attract more students to the movies and
increase ticket sales. Before making the purchase of the new equipment, the Student
Association conducted a survey on campus to see what kind of entertainment students liked
best. Going to the movies ranked number one. “Students at Northfield College love going to
the movies” said the president of the Student Association, “so we decided to make what
they already love even better. We’re confident that the investment into the sound system will
translate into increased ticket sales.”

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO FILE

The man expresses his opinion of the Student Association’s recent purchase. State
his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.

(Preparation: 30 seconds; Response: 60 seconds)

 Music Coming to Cafeterias
Mary Dixon, Director of the Student Life Committee, announced yesterday that beginning next
semester, university cafeterias will broadcast classical music during mealtimes. “Music will foster
a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Dixon. “Students’ lives are hectic, and mealtimes provide
important opportunities to take a break and catch up with friends before moving on to the next
class or assignment.” Added Dixon, “We’re also hoping that, if we provide the music, students
will unplug their personal music devices—their Walkmans™ and MP3 players or whatever—and
will spend more time talking to each other. When students have their headphones on, they’re not
connecting with each other.”
INTEGRATED SPEAKING
Q3 AND Q4 INTEGRATED

In question three, you will read a passage about an academic subject. Then, you
will listen to part of a lecture on that same subject. You’ll have 30 seconds to
prepare your response, and 60 seconds to speak your answer.
For question three, the reading passage will always be about an important
academic term or concept that might be found in a first-year college textbook.

In question four, you’ll listen to part of a lecture. Then, you will have 20 seconds
to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak your answer, which will
always be a summary of the lecture.
INTEGRATED SPEAKING
Q3 SAMPLE

The peak-end rule describes a theory that humans judge past experiences
based upon a single high moment and the end of that event rather than
judging by a sum of the event in its entirety. Whether that peak moment is
good or bad, coupled with their feelings at the end of the event, determine
their overall perception of an experience being pleasant or unpleasant.

LISTEN TO A PART OF A LECTURE

INTEGRATED SPEAKING
QUESTION 4

listen to part of a talk from a geography class. Take notes on the main
points of the lecture.

What can we learn about identifying the age of icebergs from the
professor's discussion?

Preparation time: 20 seconds

Response time: 60 seconds

 LISTENING
TEST ON ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
OVERVIEW
The new TOEFL listening test has now 3 lectures instead of 4. Each lecture may
have 6 questions each.

There will also be 2 to 3 conversations containing 5 questions for each.

The test should be taken within 41 to 57 minutes.

The Listening test is designed to measure your ability to understand

conversations and lectures in English. It includes listening for basic
comprehension and pragmatic understanding.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
TOEFL LISTENING
GIST CONTENT
Gist means the main point or key idea. In the test, this type of questions ask
you to the main idea or topic of the lecture or the conversation.

You can identify this question mainly due to the phrases such as “mainly
about” "mainly discussing", "why does the student” or “what is the main
purpose."

*This question is always the first question after the listening.

*It is either gist content or gist purpose but never both of them
DETAIL
This type of questions ask you to remember specific facts about the lecture
and the conversation. You can recognize detail questions, because they
include phrases like "according to” and "what is” in the question.
FUNCTION
Function questions ask you to identify the particular meaning of a statement
in a given context, because a statement can have different meanings
depending on the situation. In other words, the real meaning is different from
the surface or literal meaning.

For example, if you are in a room with other people and someone says, "It's
getting chilly in here," what they might really be saying is, "Could someone
close the window?"

You can recognize function questions because they include phrases like:
"What does the professor mean when he says…?" or "Why does the student
say … ?"
ATTITUDE
Attitude questions ask you to show understanding of the speaker's attitude or their
feelings about something.

You can recognize attitude questions because they include phrases like "What is the
professor's attitude…?", "What does the student think about…?" and "What can be
inferred…?"

To identify the speaker's attitude, listen for phrases like "What I think..." or "It seems to
me…" in the lecture or conversation. The attitude question will then refer to how valid
the speaker's argument is or how sure of the facts the speaker is.

When you're answering Attitude questions, listen for the tone of the speaker's voice.
For example, if a conversation has someone accepting an apology, their tone would be
gentle and understanding.
ORGANIZATION
Organization questions ask you to show understanding of how a lecture is
structured.

You can recognize organization questions because they often include phrases
such as "Why does the professor mention…?" or "Why does the professor
discuss…?"

These kinds of phrases show that organization questions are often asked
about the examples in a lecture, so it helps to listen for examples, and think
about why the professor is using them.
CONNECTING CONTENT
Connecting content questions ask you to show understanding of the
relationships among ideas in a lecture. Connecting content questions may
require you to fill in a chart or table.

This type of question will ask you to put together information from different
sentences or different parts of the conversation or lecture. You may be asked
to identify things like: Steps in a process; or cause/effect relationships. Or you
may be asked to: Classify items in categories; or make a prediction.
INFERENCE
Inference questions ask the listener to show an understanding of the meaning
of something when it is not directly stated in the lecture or conversation.

You can recognize inference questions because they use phrases like "What
are the implications of …?", "What does the professor imply…?" or "What can
be inferred…?"