TOEFL Reading Section

TOEFL Test - Reading Section

In this TOEFL section you will read 3-5 passages and answer 12-14 questions about each passage. The section is scored based on the number of correct reading comprehension responses.

TOEFL Reading Purposes

  1.  To locate information with speed and accuracy, such as skimming text for key facts and important information
  2.  To obtain basic comprehension, such as understanding the main idea, key points, passage structure, passage purpose, important facts and details, vocabulary in context, and pronoun references
  3.  To learn from reading, such as understanding various relationships between ideas (e.g., compare-and-contrast, cause-and-effect, agree-disagree, or steps in a process) and tracing the development of ideas throughout the passage
  4.  To make inferences about an author’s opinion and what is implied in a passage

Reading Section Format

  Length of Passage: Approximately 700 words  
  Number of Passages: 3–5 passages  
  Questions: 12–14 questions per passage  
  Total Time: 60–100 minutes  
  Avg. Time per Question: 1.5 min  
  When Questions will Appear: After test takers finish read through or scroll to the end of the passage  
  Screen/Test Details: a) Test takers can view the entire passage while answering;  
    b) They can also review all the previous Reading questions and answers and even fill out the missed answers;  
    c) They can now click on some special purpose words and phrases in the reading passages to view a definition or explanation  

Passage Types (based on the author’s objectives)

  • Exposition - Explains a topic
  • Argumentation – Argues a point of view about a topic with evidence
  • Historical biographical/event narrative – Records a past event or a person’s life

Question Types by Format

  • Questions with four choices and a single answer in traditional multiple-choice format
  • Questions with four choices and a single answer that ask test takers to “insert a sentence” where it fits best in a passage
  • “Reading to learn” chart or summary questions with more than four choices and more than one answer

Question Types by Content

  • Main Idea questions
  • Key facts questions – locate the specifics
  • Paraphrase questions
    • In multiple-choice format
    • Could be a word, phrase or a sentence
    • Test the ability to select the answer choice with most accurate meaning based on the context
    • Variations include Definition questions, which ask you to trace the text which defines a word or phrase
  • Reference questions – typically pronoun reference
  • Structure questions
    • Before/After questions – identify a likely paragraph preceding or following the passage
    • Sentence insertion question - identify the best insertion position for a new sentence
  • Except/Not/Least questions – look for unsupported facts or opinions
  • Reading to learn questions 
    • Category Chart questions - sort different choices into different categories
    • Summary questions - select the most important ideas about the passage
  • Inference questions
    • Find the implied message