Reading Reading

ToeflToeflSUMMARY SUMMARY

OF SKILLSOF SKILLS

SKILL ONESKILL ONE Answer Answer Main IdeaMain Idea questions correctly questions correctly

If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…

topic, subject, title, primary idea, main topic, subject, title, primary idea, main idea,idea,

main point, With what is the author main point, With what is the author primarilyprimarily

concernedconcerned??TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time…

Read the Read the FIRST SENTENCEFIRST SENTENCE of each of each paragraph or the paragraph or the THESIS STATEMENTTHESIS STATEMENT of the of the essay…essay…

SKILL TWOSKILL TWO Recognize the Recognize the ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION of ideas. of ideas.

If you see the following questions…If you see the following questions…How is the information in the passage How is the information in the passage organizedorganized??

How is the information in the second paragraph How is the information in the second paragraph relatedrelated to theto the

information in the first paragraph?information in the first paragraph?

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Read the Read the FIRST LINEFIRST LINE of each paragraph of each paragraphLook for words that show the Look for words that show the

relationshiprelationship

between the paragraphsbetween the paragraphs

SKILL THREESKILL THREE Answer the stated Answer the stated DETAILDETAIL questions correctly questions correctly

If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…AccordingAccording to the passage… It is to the passage… It is statedstated in the passage… The in the passage… The

passage passage indicatesindicates that… The author that… The author mentionsmentions that… Which that… Which ofof

the following is the following is truetrue…?…?

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Choose a Choose a KEY WORDKEY WORD in the question in the questionFINDFIND the key word in the passage & read the key word in the passage & read

the sentence carefully…the sentence carefully… Find the Find the BEST BEST answer that restates the answer that restates the

idea in the passage.idea in the passage.

SKILL FOURSKILL FOUR

Find Find UNSTATEDUNSTATED details. details.

If you see the following questions…If you see the following questions…Which of the following is Which of the following is not statednot stated?... is ?... is not mentionednot mentioned??

… … is not discussed?... All of the following are true is not discussed?... All of the following are true exceptexcept……

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Choose a Choose a KEY WORDKEY WORD in the question in the questionFINDFIND the key word in the passage & read the key word in the passage & read

the sentence carefully…the sentence carefully… Find the answer that is Find the answer that is NOT TRUENOT TRUE or or NOT NOT

DISCUSSEDDISCUSSED in the passage. in the passage.

SKILL FIVESKILL FIVE

Find Find PRONOUN PRONOUN references.references.

If you see the question…If you see the question…The The pronoun “…”pronoun “…” in line X in line X refers refers to which of the to which of the

following?following?

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Find the Find the pronounpronoun in the passage. in the passage.Look for Look for nounsnouns that come before the that come before the

pronoun.pronoun.

SKILL SIXSKILL SIX Answer Answer IMPLIED DETAILIMPLIED DETAIL questions correctly. questions correctly.

If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…It is It is IMPLIEDIMPLIED in the passage that… It can be in the passage that… It can be INFERREDINFERRED

from thefrom thepassage that… It is most LIKELY that… What passage that… It is most LIKELY that… What PROBABLYPROBABLYhappened…?happened…?

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Fist Choose a Fist Choose a KEY WORDKEY WORD in the question in the questionLook forLook for this/these word/s in the passage this/these word/s in the passageCarefully Carefully read the sentenceread the sentence with the key with the key

word.word.Look for the Look for the option that could be trueoption that could be true

according to that sentence.according to that sentence.

SKILL SEVENSKILL SEVEN Answer Answer TRANSITIONTRANSITION questions correctly. questions correctly.

If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…The paragraph The paragraph PRECEDING PRECEDING the passage probably… What is the passage probably… What is

most most likely in the paragraph likely in the paragraph FOLLOWINGFOLLOWING the passage… the passage…

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Read the Read the FIRST LINEFIRST LINE of the passage for of the passage for

the the “Preceding”…“Preceding”… and and LAST LINELAST LINE for the for the “Following”“Following” questions. questions.

Make up your mindMake up your mind about what comes about what comes before/ after.before/ after.

Choose the best option that is reflected in Choose the best option that is reflected in the first/last line of the passage.the first/last line of the passage.

VOCABULARY QUESTIONSVOCABULARY QUESTIONSSKILL EIGHTSKILL EIGHT

Find DEFINITIONS from STRUCTURAL Find DEFINITIONS from STRUCTURAL clues.clues.If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…What is…? What is the MEANING of…? What is true What is…? What is the MEANING of…? What is true

about…?about…?

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Look at Look at punctuationpunctuation… comma, … comma,

parantheses, dashes (parantheses, dashes (for for explanationsexplanations))RestatementRestatement… or,that is, in other words, … or,that is, in other words,

i.ei.eExamplesExamples… such as,for example, e.g… such as,for example, e.g

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… (cont) (cont)Find the Find the WORDWORD in the passage in the passageLocate any Locate any STRUCTURAL cluesSTRUCTURAL cluesRead the part of the passage Read the part of the passage AFTER AFTER

the structural clues the structural clues CAREFULLY.CAREFULLY.Eliminate any definitely wrongEliminate any definitely wrong

answers and choose the best answer answers and choose the best answer from the remaining clues.from the remaining clues.

SKILL NINESKILL NINE

Determine meanings from Determine meanings from WORD WORD PARTS.PARTS.

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Check out the LISTCheck out the LIST of word of word

formation (formation (prefixes, roots, suffixesprefixes, roots, suffixes) ) at the end of this presentation…at the end of this presentation…

Use these word parts to guessUse these word parts to guess the the meaning of the words.meaning of the words.

SKILL TENSKILL TEN

Use Use CONTEXTCONTEXT to determine meanings of to determine meanings of DIFFICULTDIFFICULT words. words.If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…What is the MEANING…? Which of the following is What is the MEANING…? Which of the following is

closest in MEANING to…? closest in MEANING to…? NOTE:NOTE: The word is a difficult one and that you probably The word is a difficult one and that you probably

do not know.do not know.

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… FindFind the word in the passage the word in the passageReadRead the sentence with the word the sentence with the word

CAREFULLYCAREFULLYLook for Look for CONTEXTCONTEXT clues to help you clues to help you

understand the meaningunderstand the meaning

SKILL ELEVENSKILL ELEVEN Use Use CONTEXT CONTEXT to determine meanings of to determine meanings of

SIMPLE SIMPLE words.words.If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…What is the MEANING…? Which of the following is closes in What is the MEANING…? Which of the following is closes in MEANING to…? MEANING to…? Note:Note: The word is a simple word, one that you see often in The word is a simple word, one that you see often in

everyday English.everyday English.

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… FindFind the word in the passage. the word in the passage.ReadRead the sentence with the word the sentence with the word

CAREFULLYCAREFULLYLook for CONTEXT clues to help you Look for CONTEXT clues to help you

understand the meaning as its usually understand the meaning as its usually different from the simple meaning.different from the simple meaning.

Choose the best option.Choose the best option.

OVERALL REVIEW OVERALL REVIEW QUESTIONS QUESTIONS SKILL TWELVESKILL TWELVE

Determine where Determine where SPECIFIC INFORMATIONSPECIFIC INFORMATION is is found.found.If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…WHERE in the passage…?WHERE in the passage…?

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… Choose a Choose a KEY WORD /IDEAKEY WORD /IDEA in the question in the questionSkim the lines in the passage that are Skim the lines in the passage that are

LISTEDLISTED in the answersin the answers. . Skim for the KEY Skim for the KEY WORD/IDEA.WORD/IDEA.

Choose the answer that contains the line Choose the answer that contains the line numbers of a numbers of a restatementrestatement of the of the question.question.

SKILL THIRTEENSKILL THIRTEEN Determine the TONE, PURPOSE, or Determine the TONE, PURPOSE, or COURSECOURSE

If you see the following in the question…If you see the following in the question…What is the TONE of the passage?... What is the author’s What is the TONE of the passage?... What is the author’s

PURPOSE in this passage?...In which COURSE would this PURPOSE in this passage?...In which COURSE would this reading be assigned?reading be assigned?

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… TONE:TONE: there will be clues throughout the there will be clues throughout the

passage that the author is showing passage that the author is showing EMOTIONEMOTION rather than rather than just presenting factsjust presenting facts..Skim the passage looking for Skim the passage looking for cluesclues that author is that author is

showing EMOTION.showing EMOTION.

TIP – to save time… TIP – to save time… (Cont.) (Cont.)PURPOSE:PURPOSE: Draw a conclusion about Draw a conclusion about

the PURPOSE from the the PURPOSE from the main ideamain idea and and supporting detailssupporting details..Study the Study the main ideamain idea in the topic sentence in the topic sentence

and the and the details used to supportdetails used to support the main the main idea.idea.

Draw a conclusion about the purpose.Draw a conclusion about the purpose.COURSE:COURSE: Draw a conclusion about the Draw a conclusion about the

COURSE from the COURSE from the topictopic of the passage of the passage and the and the supporting details.supporting details. Study the Study the main ideamain idea in the topic sentence in the topic sentence

and the and the details used to supportdetails used to support the main the main idea.idea.

Draw a conclusion about the course.Draw a conclusion about the course.

READING COMPREHENSIONREADING COMPREHENSIONWord formation with prefixes, Word formation with prefixes,

Stems, and SuffixesStems, and SuffixesPREFIXESPREFIXES

Ab-Ab-Out of;Out of;Absorb (to take (something) out of something)Absorb (to take (something) out of something)Ante-Ante-Before;Before;Antecedent (someone or something that existed in the past)Antecedent (someone or something that existed in the past)Anti-Anti-Against;Against;Antigovernment (against the government)Antigovernment (against the government)Bi-Bi-Two;Two;Bidirectional (in two or both directions)Bidirectional (in two or both directions)

Circum-Circum-Around;Around;Circumvent (to avoid, to work around something)Circumvent (to avoid, to work around something)Co-, col-,Co-, col-,Together, with;Together, with;Cooperate (to work together)Cooperate (to work together)Com-,con-,Com-,con-,Commettee (a group working together) congreate (to Commettee (a group working together) congreate (to

come together)come together)Dis-Dis-Not, take away;Not, take away;Dissatisfied (not satisfed) Dissatisfied (not satisfed) Em-,en-,Em-,en-,İn,into,inside;İn,into,inside;Enclose (to surround, to include)Enclose (to surround, to include)

Ex-,Ex-,Out, from;Out, from;External (outside, outer)External (outside, outer)For-,fore-,For-,fore-,Ahead, to the front;Ahead, to the front;Forward (ahead)Forward (ahead)Il-,im-,Il-,im-,Not;Not;İllogical (not logical) impossible (not possible)İllogical (not logical) impossible (not possible)İm-,in-,İm-,in-,İn, into;İn, into;İmport (to bring into a country) inhale (to breathe in)İmport (to bring into a country) inhale (to breathe in)İn-,ir-,İn-,ir-,Not;Not;İncovenient (not convenient) irresponsible (not İncovenient (not convenient) irresponsible (not

responsible)responsible)

InInter-,ter-,Between, among;Between, among;IInterstate (between or among states)nterstate (between or among states)Re-,Re-,Again, back;Again, back;Revive (to bring back to life) reread (to read again)Revive (to bring back to life) reread (to read again)Sub-,Sub-,Below, under;Below, under;Subsurface (under the surface)Subsurface (under the surface)Syn-,Syn-,Same;Same;Synchronic (occurring at the same time)Synchronic (occurring at the same time)micro-,micro-,Very small;Very small;Microcomputer (a small computer)Microcomputer (a small computer)

Mis-,Mis-,Wrong(ly);Wrong(ly);Misbehave (to behave wrongly)Misbehave (to behave wrongly)Over-,Over-,Above, more;Above, more;Overcrowded (to be crowded above capacity)Overcrowded (to be crowded above capacity)Post-,Post-,After;After;Postwar (after the war) Postwar (after the war) Pre-,Pre-,Before;Before;Precede (to come before)Precede (to come before)

Pro-,Pro-,

Before, in front of, in favor of;Before, in front of, in favor of;

Proclaim (to present a claim before others)Proclaim (to present a claim before others)

Trans-,Trans-,

Across;Across;

Transport (to carry across)Transport (to carry across)

Un-,Un-,

Not;Not;

Unclear (not clear)Unclear (not clear)

ROOTSROOTSAlterAlterOther, different;Other, different;Alternative (another choice)Alternative (another choice)AnthroAnthroHuman;Human;Anthropology (the study of humankind)Anthropology (the study of humankind)AquaAquaWater;Water;Aquarium (water container/tank)Aquarium (water container/tank)AstroAstroStar;Star;Astronomer (a person who studies stars)Astronomer (a person who studies stars)AutoAutoSelf;Self;Automobile (moving by itself (vehicle))Automobile (moving by itself (vehicle))

BioBioLife;Life;Biography (a description of someone’s life)Biography (a description of someone’s life)ChronChronTime;Time;Synchronic (occuring at the same time)Synchronic (occuring at the same time)CycleCycleCircle;Circle;Bicycle (two circles (wheels))Bicycle (two circles (wheels))DemoDemoPeople;People;Demographics (a description (science) of people (population))Demographics (a description (science) of people (population))Dic,dictDic,dictTo speak, to say;To speak, to say;Dictate (to say words (out loud))Dictate (to say words (out loud))EquiEquiEqual;Equal;Equilibrium (balance (having equal weight on both or all sides)Equilibrium (balance (having equal weight on both or all sides)

ExtraExtraOver, in addition;Over, in addition;Extraordinary (out of the ordinary)Extraordinary (out of the ordinary)GeoGeoEarth;Earth;Geography (a description (science) of the earth)Geography (a description (science) of the earth)GraphGraphTo write;To write;Phonograph (a device that records (writes) sounds)Phonograph (a device that records (writes) sounds)HomoHomoSame;Same;Homogeneous (of the same kind)Homogeneous (of the same kind)Hydr(o)Hydr(o)Water;Water;Hydrology (a science of water)Hydrology (a science of water)HyperHyperExtra, over;Extra, over;Hyperactive ( overactive)Hyperactive ( overactive)JudicJudicLaw;Law;Judicial (associated with the law)Judicial (associated with the law)

LiberLiberFree;Free;Liberate (to set free)Liberate (to set free)Log(y)Log(y)Study of, description of;Study of, description of;Sociology (the study/description of society)Sociology (the study/description of society)ManuManuHand;Hand;Manufacture (produce by hand)Manufacture (produce by hand)MediMediMiddle;Middle;Mediterranean Sea (the sea that is in the middle of the earth)Mediterranean Sea (the sea that is in the middle of the earth)Medieval (pertaining to the Middle Ages)Medieval (pertaining to the Middle Ages)MeterMeterTo measure;To measure;Geometry (a sicence of measuring the earth)Geometry (a sicence of measuring the earth)Mit/sMit/sTo send;To send;Transmit (to send over)Transmit (to send over)MobilMobilMovable;Movable;Mobility (motion, movement)Mobility (motion, movement)

MonoMonoOne;One;Monosyllabic (consisting of one syllable)Monosyllabic (consisting of one syllable)MortMortDeath;Death;Mortal (someone/thing that ) can dieMortal (someone/thing that ) can diePhonPhonVoice, sound;Voice, sound;Phonology (a study (science) of voice or sounds)Phonology (a study (science) of voice or sounds)PhotoPhotoLight;Light;Photosensitive (sensitive to light)Photosensitive (sensitive to light)PolyPolyMany;Many;Polysyllabic ((consisting of) many syllables)Polysyllabic ((consisting of) many syllables)PortPortTo carry;To carry;Transport (to carry over/to)Transport (to carry over/to)

PrimPrimFirst;First;Prime minister (the first (most important) ministerPrime minister (the first (most important) ministerScopeScopeTo view;To view;Microscope (an instrument for viewing very small Microscope (an instrument for viewing very small

things)things)Scrib,scripScrib,scripTo write;To write;Tapescript (something written on tape)Tapescript (something written on tape)Simu(l)Simu(l)Same time;Same time;Simultaneous (occurring at the same time)Simultaneous (occurring at the same time)Spec(t)Spec(t)To look;To look;Spectacular (worthy of being looked at, watched)Spectacular (worthy of being looked at, watched)

TeleTeleOver (at a) distance;Over (at a) distance;Telephone ( sound over distance)Telephone ( sound over distance)TempoTempoTime;Time;Temporary (for a limited time)Temporary (for a limited time)TerraTerraLand, earth;Land, earth;Terrain (surface of the land)Terrain (surface of the land)TractTractTo pull;To pull;Tractor (a machine that pulls)Tractor (a machine that pulls)

UniUniOne;One;Uniform (consistent (as one) in shape or appearance)Uniform (consistent (as one) in shape or appearance) VerVerTrue, genuine;True, genuine;Verify (to check for truthfulness, to proveVerify (to check for truthfulness, to proveto be true)to be true)Vit(a)Vit(a)Life;Life;Vital (very important for life)Vital (very important for life)Vid,visVid,visTo see;To see;Visible (can be seen)Visible (can be seen)

SUFFIXESSUFFIXES-able,-ible,-able,-ible,Adjective – able;Adjective – able;Lovable (can be loved)Lovable (can be loved)-al,-ical, -ial,-al,-ical, -ial,Adjective – belonging to, pertaining to, having to do with;Adjective – belonging to, pertaining to, having to do with;Magical (having to do with magic)Magical (having to do with magic)-ance,-ence,-ance,-ence,Noun – state of being;Noun – state of being;Presence (the state f being here) Absence (the state ofPresence (the state f being here) Absence (the state ofnot being here)not being here)-ant,-ent,-ant,-ent,Noun – someone or something who does something;Noun – someone or something who does something;Student (someone who studies)Student (someone who studies)

-er,-er,Noun – someone who does something;Noun – someone who does something;Worker (someone who works)Worker (someone who works)-fic,-fic,Adjective – making, doing;Adjective – making, doing;Specific (making special)Specific (making special)-ful,-ful,Adjective – full of;Adjective – full of;Playful, joyfulPlayful, joyful-fy,-fy,Verb- to add, to make;Verb- to add, to make;Simplify (to make simple)Simplify (to make simple)-hood,-hood,Noun – state, condition;Noun – state, condition;brotherhood, (the state of being brothers)brotherhood, (the state of being brothers)

-ic,-ic,Adjective – belonging to;Adjective – belonging to;Public (belonging to the people)Public (belonging to the people)Noun Noun Medic (one who belongs to or is associated withMedic (one who belongs to or is associated withmedicine)medicine)-ion,(-tion,-sion),-ion,(-tion,-sion),Noun – act, state;Noun – act, state;Motion (the act of moving) Decision (the act of deciding)Motion (the act of moving) Decision (the act of deciding)-ious,-ous,-ious,-ous,Adjective – full of, having the quality of;Adjective – full of, having the quality of;Ambiguous (having ambiguity)Ambiguous (having ambiguity)-ist,-ist,Noun – someone who is something or routinely does something;Noun – someone who is something or routinely does something;Violonist (someone who plays a violin)Violonist (someone who plays a violin)

-ism,-ism,Noun- belief, values of, practice of;Noun- belief, values of, practice of;Capitalism (values based on capital) Capitalism (values based on capital) -ity,-ty,-ity,-ty,Noun – state;Noun – state;Clarity (the state of being clear)Clarity (the state of being clear)-less,-less,Adjective – without;Adjective – without;Penniless (without a penny(coins))Penniless (without a penny(coins))-ly,-ly,Adverb- Adverb- Honestly, warmlyHonestly, warmly-ment,-ment,Noun – result of an action/state;Noun – result of an action/state;Development (the result of developing)Development (the result of developing)

-ness,-ness,Noun from adjectives – state, condition;Noun from adjectives – state, condition;Kindness (the state of being kind)Kindness (the state of being kind)-ship,-ship,Noun – state, condition;Noun – state, condition;Relationship (the state of being related to Relationship (the state of being related to

someone or something)someone or something)-ure,-ure,Noun – act, process, state;Noun – act, process, state;Adventure, temperatureAdventure, temperature-y, -y, Adjective – characterized by, like;Adjective – characterized by, like;lucky,happylucky,happy