Question Types

Question TypesTOEFL iBTReading SectionElizabeth SypherPCV LatacungaWhat do you know about the TOEFL Reading Section?Overview

3-5 passages12-14 questions per passageTotal time: 60-100 minutes

3Time-saving TipsKnow the directions before the test.Know the question types.Watch your time.Spend no more than 5 minutes reading the passage.Allow 1-2 minutes to answer each question.ALWAYS answer the last question (worth 2pts).Question TypesExamples follow for types listed below in boldface

DetailVocabularySentence SimplificationReferenceRhetorical PurposeInferenceNegative Factual Sentence InsertionComplete the SummarySEE HANDOUT #1

5Vocabulary QuestionsIdentify meanings of words or phrases.Words tested are crucial to understanding the passage.Use CONTEXT CLUES to identify the word or phrase.

"The word X in the passage is closest in meaning to...""The phrase X in the passage is closest in meaning to...""In stating X, the author means that..."**SEE HANDOUT #2

Write the word grazed on the board. Ask ss to raise their hands if they know what this word means. Most students will not know. Then write the words around the grazed to complete the sentence The cow grazed on the green grass. Ask students if they can guess what the word means based on the context. Most Ss will come up with eat.Ask specifically which 2 words helped them guess the meaning. Circle cow and grass and connect them with a line arching over the sentence. Explain that the most common relationship between a cow and grass is to eat, therefore we can guess that the word graze means eat. Also point out that it is a verb.Do the same process with stipulated. The director stipulated that the students must complete an application to attend the workshop. Here the key words are director, students, and must. Again talk about the relationship between these words and the part of speech.

6grazedPRACTICE 17The cows grazed on the green grass.The cows grazed on the green grass.Context Clues Flow Chart

10stipulatedPRACTICE 211The director stipulated that the students must complete an application to attend the workshop.The director stipulated that the students must complete an application to attend the workshop.Inference QuestionsUnderstand an argument or idea that is strongly implied but not explicitly stated in the text.Key words: infer, suggest, imply

"Which of the following can be inferred about X?""The author of the passage implies that X..."

*Defend your choice by pointing to evidence in the passage that leads to the inference you have selected.Infer (v) - deduce or conclude (something) from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements. (inferir)Suggest (v) - put forward for consideration (sugerir)Imply (v) - indicate the truth or existence of (something) by suggestion rather than explicit reference. (implicar)

PRACTICE: SEE HANDOUT #314I watched a movie yesterday.It was an action film.I was very bored.I almost fell asleep.It was not what I expected it to be.

What can you infer from these statements?Negative Factual QuestionsIdentify what information is NOT true or NOT included in the passage.Look for information NOT stated in the passage.One answer is false.

"Which of the following is NOT true of X?""All of the following are true EXCEPT..."

*Check the passage for the information stated, i. e.,what is NOT mentioned is the correct answer.16Grocery ListI need the following items:BreadButterMilkSoap

All of the following are mentioned in the grocery list EXCEPT..."SoapBreadRiceMilk17