uPassable TOEFL Reading Module is based on UP expert instructors’ vast experience and the students’ questions, dilemmas, and mistakes. The Reading Module explores the students’ commonly asked questions and focuses on not only sharing the available materials and effective methods of learning but also detailed instructions on how to excel in the exam and score over 100 points. on completing the sections successfully. In addition to learning how to successfully complete the Reading Section, you will also learn how to recognize different question types and go about answering them as different question types require different approaches: sometimes you will need to read for detail, and sometimes you will need to be able to skim/scan the test. In this Module, you will also learn how to skim or scan a text and how to read for detail. Furthermore, the uPassable expert instructor will teach you about time management and how to cope with the anxiety the TOEFL test takers usually experience. Lastly, you will be provided with a significant number of extra free resources that you will be asked to download and complete so that you can progress toward the band score you need to achieve in the test, as well as a number of links to additional resources you may purchase – test takers are oftentimes tempted to download and buy a lot of TOEFL course books and test books, which is not what uPassable experts recommend that you do – instead, choose fewer high-quality books from which you will receive invaluable knowledge and practice – you will save your time and money. Also, do not forget to join the UP community and connect with other test takers – we are here to learn and progress together. Welcome!
Overview
The TOEFL Reading section is the first part of the test and it tests your ability to answer questions based on reading passages approximately 700 words long. In this section, you must read three or four passages, and answer 30 or 40 questions respectively. The comprehension of texts is tested based on analytical questions that search for details and general encompassing questions that summarize inferences about the texts. All reading passages deal with academic topics from North American universities and colleges, but no prior knowledge is necessary to answer the questions correctly. It is the ability to understand unknown reading passages but familiar topics and answer related questions that the Toefl creators are trying to verify.
The Reading section of the TOEFL test consists of 3 or 4 reading passages (texts), each around 700 words long and followed by 10 questions. If students receive the longer version, that means they have been awarded the Experimental section in the Reading. The test makers research new questions or topics for the reading prior to using them in the following year and that is done in the extra reading passage (Experimental section). The score from those extra 10 questions does not compute towards the final score. However, to provide equal enthusiasm on the part of test-takers, it is unknown which reading passage is experimental.
The Reading section lasts either 54 or 72 minutes, depending on the number of questions. In any case, students have approximately 107 seconds to dedicate to reading the relevant paragraph and answering each question.
The topics represented in the texts include, but are not limited to the arts and sciences (social, applied, and hard). Most commonly, interesting and unique phenomena in music, linguistics, sociology, psychology, chemistry, physics, maths, geology, architecture, and engineering get discussed in a scientific style similar to National Geographic reports.
Here is a rundown of our top TOEFL Reading tips:
Most students report that in terms of time management it is impossible to read the whole passage and then begin answering questions. We recommend skimming the passage more or less to get an overview of the tone and the argument, and then scanning paragraphs while you answer, so you can have some idea about the passage while answering. Or answer analytical questions first (according to the paragraph…) because they are easier to locate, and then come back to questions that require reading the whole passage.
Calculating 54 minutes for 30 questions means that in practice you would be awarded 108 seconds to read the relevant part of the passage and answer the questions (the same goes for 72 minutes and 40 questions). So practice by answering 10 questions in 18 minutes and try to reduce it for practice’s sake. We usually perform worse in stressful situations so monitor your progress and work towards reducing time.
Essentially, people taking the exam in the same room as you might finish reading before and begin the listening section. Even with headphones, you could hear them and you might focus with more difficulty. Add to that reading onscreen versus on paper, and it becomes easy to lose focus.
Focus on removing white noise, maybe even practice reading at home with background noise and sounds so as to prevent your score from being too affected.
It will time and hard work. If you are ready to commit yourself, here is what you can do:
Step 1: Do TOEFL Diagnostic Test – Reading Part.
Step 2: Calculate your score. If you scored lower than you need to, move on to
Step 3: Identify the most difficult questions that take most time to answer and you still get them wrong despite the fact that you can understand the text.
Step 4: Focus on the question type(s) in the UP TOEFL course.
Step 5: Read in English extensively and intensively: what you focus on, grows. If you focus on learning English, you will get better at it.
Step 6: Repeat the steps (after you have completed the Diagnostic test, do any of the tests from the sources recommended in the course).
No, there are no marks deducted when you answer the question wrong. So, always try to answer every question because sometimes your luck might work as well.
It is suggested that you must take 20 minutes to solve questions of every passage. So, practice a lot, so that you can manage time wisely and keep your eyes on the clock also while giving the test. Anyhow, make sure that you have enough time to solve questions of all passages (10 questions each).
Skimming and scanning skills are important in the Reading test, but it may be better to read the questions first. One thing is always true – the questions are easier to understand than the passages themselves. By quickly looking at the questions (it won’t take more than 45 seconds), you can get an idea on what to look for in the text, which will save time later.
The topics in IELTS are of general interest and come from books, magazines, newspapers, journals and so on. They will not be so difficult or technical that an educated person cannot understand them. It is sensible to spend some time reading the kind of text you are going to see in the test especially the ones you know little about.
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