PREPARATION FOR THE

TOEFL

READING COMPREHENSION
Overview
 How to prepare for the TOEFL
 Reading comprehension
 Conclusion
English as universal academic language: good or
bad?

 “English has become the language of choice for many

international scholarly journals, and the trend is
continuing to rise.” (Swales, a professor of Linguistics)
 “… the rapidly changing worlds of science and
technology seems to pushing Malaysian academics
more and more toward English.” (Ahmad, Malaysia)
 “… the importance of using academic language as a
tunnel, a bridge, a tool to communicate with outside
world.” (Ouyang, China)
 HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TOEFL® TEST

1. Understanding the probable format of a TOEFL®

test (e.g., Paper-based Test)
Section Number of Time Score Ranges
Questions
Listening 50 questions 35 minutes 31 – 68
comprehension
Structure and 40 questions 25 minutes 31 – 68
written
expression
Reading 50 questions 55 minutes 31 – 67
comprehension

TOTAL 140 questions 115 minutes 310 – 677

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TOEFL® TEST
(2)

2. Improving your knowledge of the English

language, such as reading newspaper or children’s
books to improve vocabulary and structure.
3. Working on the skills and strategies specific to the
TOEFL® test.
4. Using your intuition.
Types of questions
A. Main idea questions
 What is the topic of the passage?
 What is the main idea of the passage?
 What is the author’s main point in the passage?
 How to answer?
 Read the first sentence of each paragraph.
 Look for a common theme or idea
 Read quickly to check that you have found the topic sentence.
 Eliminate any definitely wrong answers and choose the best
answer.
 Sample question
Esperanto is what is called a planned, or artificial, language. It was created more than a
century ago by Polish eye doctor Ludwik Lazar Zamenhof. Zamenhof believed that a
common language would help to alleviate some of the misunderstandings among cultures.
In Zamenhof’s first attempt at a universal language, he tried to create a language that
was as uncomplicated as possible. …
Next, Zamenhof tried a different way of constructing …
in 1887, Zamenhof wrote a description of this language …

1. The topic of the passage is

(A) a language developed in the last few years
(B) one man’s efforts to create a universal language
(C) how language can be improved
(D) using language to communicate internationally
B. Stated detail questions
 According to the passage …
 The passage indicates that …
 It is stated in the passage …
 How to answer?
 Choose a key word in the question
 Skim part of the passage for the key word.
 Read the sentence containing the key word carefully
 Look for the answer that restate the idea in the passage.
 Sample question
Esperanto is what is called a planned, or artificial, language. It was created more than a
century ago by Polish eye doctor Ludwik Lazar Zamenhof. Zamenhof believed that a
common language would help to alleviate some of the misunderstandings among cultures.
In Zamenhof’s first attempt at a universal language, he tried to create a language that
was as uncomplicated as possible. …
Next, Zamenhof tried a different way of constructing …
in 1887, Zamenhof wrote a description of this language …

2. According to the passage, Zamerhof wanted to create a universal language

(A) To resolve cultural differences
(B) To provide a more complex language
(C) To build a name for himself
(D) To create one world culture
C. Unstated detail questions
 Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage…
 Which of the following is not stated…
 How to answer?
 Choose the key word in the question and scan it in the
passage.
 Read the sentence containing the key word or idea carefully.
 Look at the answers and choose the answer that is not true
or not discussed in the passage.
D. Pronoun referent questions
 The pronoun “…” in line … refers to which of the
following?
 The pronoun “they” in line 5 refers to…
 How to answer?
 Findthe pronoun.
 Look for nouns that come before the pronoun.
 Read the part of the passage before the pronoun carefully.
 Choose the best answer.
E. Implied detail questions
 It is implied in the passage that…
 It can be inferred from the passage that…
 How to answer?
 Choose the word in the question.
 Scan the text for the key word.
 Carefully read the sentence that contains the key word.
 Sample question
Esperanto is what is called a planned, or artificial, language. It was created more than a
century ago by Polish eye doctor Ludwik Lazar Zamenhof. Zamenhof believed that a
common language would help to alleviate some of the misunderstandings among
cultures….
In 1905, the First World Congress of Esperanto took place in France, with
approximately 700 attendees from 20 different countries. Congress was held annually for
nine years, and 4,000 attendees were registered for the Tenth World Esperanto scheduled
for 1914…

3. It can be inferred from the passage that the Third World Congress of Esperanto
took place
(A) In 1905
(B) In 1907
(C) In 1909
(D) In 1913
F. Vocabulary questions
 What is the meaning … ?
 Which of the following is closest in meaning to …?
 The word ‘extricated’ in line 8 is closest meaning to which
of the following?
 How to answer?
 Findthe word in the passage.
 Read the sentence that contains the word carefully.
 Look for the context clues.
 Choose the answer.
 Sample question
Esperanto is what is called a planned, or artificial, language. It was created
more than a century ago by Polish eye doctor Ludwik Lazar Zamenhof.
Zamenhof believed that a common language would help to alleviate some of the
misunderstandings among cultures.
In 1887, Zamenhof wrote a description of this language … Esperanto clubs
began popping up throughout the Europe, and by 1905, Esperanto had spread
from Europe to America and Asia.

4. The expression “popping up” in line 17 could best replaced by

(A) leaping
(B) shouting
(C) hiding
(D) opening
CONCLUSION
Some tips for test takers
 Prepare to the test as early as possible.
 Purchase some books related to TOEFL® test, such
as practice test books for frequent practice, or some
listening materials.
 Find a partner to discuss TOEFL® materials.
 Allocate some time to practice, and keep
practicing.
conclusion
 Reduce your anxiety.
 Being well prepared
 Try to maintain positive attitudes
 Exercising for a few days before the test
 Don't worry about how fast other people finish their
test; just concentrate on your own test
 If you don't know a question skip it for the time being
(come back to it later if you have time), and remember
that you don't have to always get every question right
to do well on the test. 
Sources
 The materials in this presentation are mainly taken
from Longman Preparation Course for the
TOEFL® Test: Skills and Strategies, by Deborah
Phillips (1996), and other sources.