TOEFL STUDY GUIDE

PART 4

Reading Comprehension Tips Test Design Features Tips 60 - 62

Length: 70 - 90 minutes
Number of questions:
m 44 - 60 questions:
n 4 - 5 passages of 250 - 350 words in length
n with 10 - 14 questions per passage
Linear section - because the Reading section is linear, test
takers can go back and forth between the questions in a set
or between sets.
Types of Reading questions
m Mostly traditional multiple-choice questions (1
question stem with 4 options)
m Some new question types:
n Test takers must interact more directly with
the text by clicking on or inserting text:
n Clicking on a sentence or paragraph within a
passage to find a main idea
n Clicking on a word or phrase within a
passage to test vocabulary/pronoun referents
n Vocabulary continues to be tested in context.
n Instead of having to choose a word similar in
meaning from among four choices,
examinees will choose another word from

m pronoun referents
m vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms
Reading Comprehension TIP 62
On the COMPUTER-BASED test, you will not be able to
see the questions first, but can refer back to the passage on
the screen.

Phrases & Paraphrases Tips 63 - 65
Reading Comprehension TIP 63
There are three major question types on the Reading
Comprehension section.
1. Specific questions;
2. vocabulary in context and reference questions;
3. and general questions.
The COMPUTER-BASED test will have a few different
types of questions including inserting a sentence (from a list
of choices) into the actual reading passage.
Reading Comprehension TIP 64
Specific questions: These questions ask for a specific piece
of information found in the passage. To answer them, go to
the passage to find it.
"Lead words" tell you what to look for in the passage. It is
often a noun or a noun phrase.
Reading Comprehension TIP 65
Vocabulary in context and reference questions:
m Vocabulary in context questions ask you for the
meaning of a specific word in the passage.
m Reference questions ask you what a specific pronoun
in the passage refers to.
The right answer to an EXCEPT/NOT question is the one