The reading part of the TOEFL ibT exam aims to evaluate the reading comprehension of the test takers in academic settings. It also measures their comprehension of written academic materials such as books and journals. This blog on the TOEFL reading section will give you complete information on the pattern of questions, their types, topics, marking system, and preparation tips.
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TOEFL Reading Section: An Overview
The reading part of the TOEFL iBT exam remains the same for both home and test centre editions in terms of their format, content, and question types. They have similar structures and difficulty levels. Below, we have tabulated the features of the TOEFL reading part of the iBT exam.
| Features | TOEFL iBT Exam (Centre & Home Edition) |
| No. of Passages | 2 |
| Total Questions | 20 (10 Questions per passage) |
| Word Count | 700 |
| Text Sources | Academic journals University level textbooks Research papers |
| Total Duration | 35 Minutes |
TOEFL Reading Passages in the iBT Exam
- The TOEFL reading section involves test takers reading 2 long passages.
- After reading each passage, they have to answer 10 questions.
- This task is required to be completed in 35 minutes of duration.
- The subject matter of these passages covers
- A wide range of academic disciplines (science, humanities, social sciences, etc.)
- Contemporary issues with academic relevance
- Abstract concepts
- Historical developments and their significance in the modern world
- These passages contain
- Highly advanced vocabularies
- Technical academic terminologies
- Dense informations
- Sophisticated arguments and counter-arguments
- These passages contain
- Highly advanced vocabularies
- Technical academic terminologies
- Dense informations
- Sophisticated arguments and counter-arguments
TOEFL Reading Question Types
The reading part of the TOEFL iBT test consists of the following types of questions.
Vocabulary: Choose a synonym for the highlighted word in the passage
Inferences: Draw a logical conclusion based on the information given in the passage
References (Pronoun Referent): Identify a word or phrase in the passage that refers to the same in the question.
Sentence Simplification (Paraphrase): Choosing the best restatement of an important sentence in the reading passage.
Rhetorical Purpose: Search for the reason for including the word, phrase, or sentence in the passage
Sentence Insertion: Locate a place in the passage to insert a sentence
Details: Write on specific point given in the passage shortly
Classification: Match phrases with their categories
Prose Summary: Complete a summary of the reading passage by choosing 3 statements from a list of 6 statements.
Exception: Choose the odd option out
How are the TOEFL Reading Questions Formatted?
- In the TOEFL reading section, 8 out of 10 questions per passage are multiple-choice with four answer options.
- Additionally, there is one drag-and-drop question and one drag-and-drop summary question.
- The 8 multiple choice questions in the IELTS reading section are of 1 mark each, whereas the other two questions carry more than 1 mark, between 2-4.
What Skills Are Evaluated in the TOEFL Reading Section?
As mentioned above, the TOEFL reading section analyses the test taker’s ability to read academic texts and comprehend their meaning. It also evaluates the following skills.
- Understanding main ideas and details, such as the central theme of a passage
- Recognising key supportive facts and details
- Drawing conclusions and making inferences
- Determining the meaning of unfamiliar words
- Understanding the author’s tone and intent
- Identifying connections across different parts of the passage
- Ability to summarise key facts
How is TOEFL Reading Scored?
- The TOEFL reading section is scored between 0-30.
- The reading section score is then added up with the rest of the section’s scores to derive a final total score, which is between 0-120.
- The reading section has four proficiency levels.
- Where a test taker’s score falls within that range, it tells their proficiency for that skill.
| Reading Section Score | Level of Proficiency |
|---|---|
| 0-3 | Below Low Intermediate |
| 4-17 | Low-Intermediate |
| 18-23 | High Intermediate |
| 24-30 | Advanced |
General Strategies to Answer TOEFL Reading Questions
Following are the general strategies to answer the TOEFL reading questions
- Make yourself aware of the pattern, format, and types of the TOEFL reading section questions
- Go through the instructions given in the exam
- Quickly read the passage to understand the main idea behind it and then move to the questions part.
- For the multiple-choice part, read the question and then scan the passage to find the best possible answer.
- Eliminate the incorrect options based on your reading
- Choose the right answer that may seem fit and move to the next question
- For drag-and-drop questions, read the passage and mark the important keywords around it
- If you don’t know a word, infer its meaning by surrounding lines.
Key Takeaways by Smart Academy
The TOEFL reading section of the iBT exam evaluates test takers’ reading comprehension, measuring their ability to read and comprehend academic texts.
The reading section questions are of various types, assessing vocabulary understanding, ability to connect information, identification of the author’s tone, understanding of the central theme of the topic, etc.
Test takers’ proficiency in tackling such questions depends on their awareness and thorough preparation of the section’s pattern and format.
FAQs
What is a good TOEFL reading score?
A good TOEFL reading score varies between 18-30 (high intermediate to advanced) depending on the country, university, and course requirements.
How long is the TOEFL reading section?
The TOEFL reading section consists of 2 passages, each approximately 700 words long. After reading each passage, test takers must answer 10 questions per passage within 35 minutes.
How many questions are in the TOEFL reading section?
There are a total of 20 questions to be answered in the TOEFL reading section, 10 questions per passage.
How is TOEFL reading scored?
The TOEFL reading section is scored between 0-30, which is then added up with the rest of the section’s scores to derive a final total score, which is between 0-120.
How can I improve my TOEFL reading score?
To improve your TOEFL reading section score, start reading English newspapers and magazines, expand academic vocabulary, practice proactive reading techniques, improve reading speed, and practice timed mock tests.
