28 REVIEW OF TOEFL9 IBT SECTIONS

REVIEW OF PR•PIS MI QUESTI•s

> PnNnpls
A prompt for the Reading section is usually a passage from an undergraduate College text­
book in one of the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or arts. The length of the
passage is from 650 to 800 words. lf there are technical words, they are explained in a glos­
sary after the passage. There are either three or four prompts in the Reading section with
twelve to fourteen questions after each prompt. When you are presented with three prompts,
all three will be graded. When you are presented with four prompts, only three will be graded,
and one will be used for experimental purposes. Vou should do your best on an four 1 prompts
because you will not know which of them will be graded. Questions 1-14 in this review refer
to the following prompt:

ºPreduclrl, .........,., and ...........

-+ Organisms that are capable of using carbon dioxide as their 19te source
of carbon are catled autotrophs (self-feeders), or producers. These are the
plants. They chemically fix carbon through photosynthesis. Organisms that
depend on producers as their carbon source are called heterotrophs (feed
on others), or consumers. Generally, these are animais. From the producers,
which manufacture their own food, energy flows through the system along [ª
circuit called the food chain, reaching consumers and eventuaHy detritivores.
Organisms that share the.same basic foods are said to be at the sarne trophic
levei. Ecosystems generaHy are structured in a food web, a complex network
of interconnected food chains. ln a food web, consumers participate in severa!
different food chains, comprising both strong interactions and weak interac­
tions between species in the food web.

Primary consumers feed on producers. IAl Because producers are always

plants, the primary consumar is called an herblvore, or plant eater. A camlvore
is a secondary consumar and primarily eats meat. lBI A consumar that feeds on
both producers (plants) and consumers (meat) is called an ormivore. lel
Detritivores (detritus feeders and decomposers) are the final link in the
endless chain. lDl Detritivores renew the entire system by releasing simple inor­
ganic compounds and nutrients with the breaking down of organic materiais.
Detritus refers to all the dead organic debris-remains, fallen leaves, and
wastes-that living processes leave. Detritus feeders-worms, mites, termites,
centipedes, snails, crabs, and even vultures, among otfiers-work like an army
to consume detritus and excrete nutrients that fuel an ecosystem. Decomposers
are primarily bacteria and fungi that digest organic debris outside their bodies
and absorb and release nutrients in the process. This metabolic work of micro­
bial decomposers produces the rotting that breaks down detritus. Detritus feed­
ers and decomposers, although different in operation, have a similar function in
an ecosystem.
30 REVIEW OF TOEFL• IBT SECTIONS

This review presents ttte types of questions that are most frequently tested on the TOEFL
They will appear randomly after a reading passage. Directions will appear with the questions.
but if you already recognize the type of question presented. and you are familiar with the
dlrectlons, you wlll save time. The less time you have to spend reading dlrectlons, the more
time you will have to read the passages and answer the questions. lhe number of points
assigned to each question is based on the evaluation system for the TOEFL. The frequency
level for each question is based on the average number of 12-14 questions that are usually
included in a reading passage.
Low 0-1
Average 1
High 2-4
Very high 3-5

1: TluE-FALSE
A True-Fa/se question asks you to identify the true statement.
Choose from four sentences.
Points-1
Frequency L.evel-Low

1. According to paragraph 1. which of the following is true about autotrophs?

• They use a chemical process to produce their own food.
<D They require plant matter in order to survive.
<c::> They need producers to provide them with carbon.
CD> They do not interact with other organisms in the food chain.

Paragraph 1 is marked with an arrow [-+].

2:VGCMUURY
A Vocabulary question asks you to choose a general synonym.
Choose from four words or phrases.
Points-1
Frequency Level-Very high

2. The word sole in the passage is closest in meaning to

© major
<D steady
• only
(D) ideal
32 REVIEW OF TOEfL<t IBT SECTtoNS

A Purpose question asks you to understand why the author organizes a passage or explains
a concept in a specific way.
Choose from four reasons.
Points-1
Frequency Level-Average

6. Why does the author mention •krit1" in paragraph 4?

<D To suggest a solution for a problem in the food chain
<D To provide evidence that contradicts previously stated opinions
© To present an explanation for the killing of krill
• To give an example of a complex food web

Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow .(..,.].

7:p..,..IIAIE
A Psraphrase question asks you to çhoose the best restatement.
Choose from four statements.
Points-1
Frequency Level-Average

7. Which of the sentences below best expresses the information in the highlighted statement
in the passage? Toe other choices change the meaning or leave out. important information.
© Part of the one million tons of krill harvested annually is used for protein in animal feed.
<D Both 1ivestock and chickens as well as humans eat krill as a main part of their diets.
CD The principal use of krill is for animal feed, although some of the one million tons is
eaten by peopl$.
• More than one million tons of krill is eaten by both animal� and humans every year.

8: DET•L
A Deta/1 question asks you to answer a questJon about a specific point in the passage.
Choose from four possible answers.
Points-1
Frequency Level-Very high

8. According to paragraph 7, how much land is used to grow-crops for animal feed?
© 80 percent of the acreage in Europe
(1) Most of the rain forest in Central America
• 50 percent of the farm land in Canada and the United States
<li> Half of the land in North and South Amarica

Paragraph 7 is marked with an arrow [-+]. ·