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What are the most common types of reading questions on the TOEFL?
The TOEFL Reading section contains 3 to 4 passages, each containing 10 questions, for an aggregate of 30 to 40 questions.
When you are in front of the computer taking the test, you may advance forward and backward through the questions within each passage. This is important in the strategy to read the last question first and read in order backwards. Ten, nine, eight, etc…
The strategy of the test is to really focus on the questions. An average native speaker can answer 60% of the questions correctly with never reading the passage.
Process of elimination, and other strategies are necessary, but with a very strong comprehension of the question and the answer choices one can identify the answer correctly (or at least and narrow down the answer choices to a 50-50).
The difficulty of the passage is usually at an undergraduate university text level. As an ESL learner, this translates to a C1/C2 level, so in other words a quite difficult level.
The questions are usually at about to B1 level. The answer choices are at a B2 level.
The texts are usually based on the United States, however many of the passages can be from the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand.
The topics range from a variety starting with social sciences including anthropology economics psychology urban studies or psychology
There are also science and technology such as astronomy, geology, biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
They also dive into government, biographies, history, geography, and popular culture.
The world of the arts include architecture, design, painting, and sculptures.
Question Type 1
Vocabulary
Frequency: 3-6 times
Question Value: 1pt
Question Phrasing
The word _____ in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to?
The word _____ in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by?
The word _____ in paragraph 4 refers to?
According to paragraph 3, the term _____means?
Question Type 2
Factual Information – Detail Questions
Frequency: 4-8 times
Question Value: 1pt
Question Phrasing
According to paragraph 3, what does / is …?
According to paragraph 4, which of the following is true?
What does paragraph to say about …?
Question Type 3
Negative Factual Information – Negative Detail Questions
Frequency: 4-8 times
Question Value: 1pt
Question Phrasing
All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 2 EXCEPT …?
Which of the following is not mentioned in paragraph 3?
The author mentions all of the following EXCEPT …?
Question Type 4
Inference
Frequency: 2-4 times
Question Value: 1pt
Question Phrasing
What can be inferred about the information in paragraph 2 …?
In paragraph one, what can be inferred about the following …?
It can be inferred by the author that the passage will continue as …?
Question Type 5
Rhetorical Purpose – Author’s Purpose
Frequency: 2-4 times
Question Value: 1pt
Question Phrasing
Why does the author refer to when …?
In paragraph two, the author discusses _____ in order to …?
Why does the author mention …?
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