Strategy Toefl for Reading Comprehension
The third
section of the TOEFL test is the Reading Comprehension section.
This section consists of fifty questions (some tests may be longer). You have
fifty-five minutes to complete the fifty questions in this section.
In this part
of the test you will be given reading passages, and you will be asked two types
of questions about the reading passages:
1.
Reading Comprehension questions ask you to answer
questions about the information given in the reading passages. There will be a
variety of questions about each reading passage, including main idea questions,
directly answered detail questions, and implied detail questions.
2.
Vocabulary questions ask you to
identify the meanings of vocabulary words in the reading passages. To answer
these questions, you may have to know the meanings of the words. You can also
identify the meanings of some of the words by understanding the context
surrounding the words.
GENERAL
STRATEGIES
1.
Be familiar with the directions. The
directions on every TOEFL test are the same, so it is not necessary to spend
time reading the directions carefully when you take the t should be completely
familiar with the directions before the day of the test.
2.
Do not spend too much time reading the passages! You do not
have time to read each reading passage in depth, and it is quite possible to
answer the questions correctly without first reading the passages in depth.
Some students prefer to spend a minute or two on each passage reading for the
main idea before starting on the questions. Other students prefer to move
directly to the questions without reading the passages first.
3.
Do not worry if a reading passage is on a topic that
you are unfamiliar with. All of the information that you need to answer the
questions is included in the passages. You do not need any background knowledge
to answer the questions.
4.
Never leave any questions blank on your answer sheet. Even if
you are unsure of the correct response, you should answer the question. There
is no penalty for guessing.
The Reading Comprehension section of the TOEFL
test consists of five reading passages, each followed by a number of reading
comprehension and vocabulary questions. Topics of the reading passages are
varied, but they are often informational subjects that might be studied in an
American university: American history, literature, art, architecture, geology,
geography, and astronomy, for example.
Time is
definitely a factor in the Reading Comprehension section. Many students who
take the TOEFL test note that they are unable to finish all the
questions in this section. Therefore, you need to make the most efficient use
of your time in this section to get the highest score. The following method is
the best way of attacking a reading passage to get the most questions correct
in a limited amount of time.
STRATEGIES FOR THE READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Skim the
reading passage to determine the main idea and the overall organization of
ideas in the passage.
You do not
need to understand every detail in a passage to answer the questions correctly.
It is therefore a waste of time to read the passage with the intent of
understanding every single detail before you try to answer the questions.
2. Look ahead
at the questions to determine what types of questions you must answer.
Each type of question is answered in a
different way.
3. Find the
section of the passage that deals with each question.
The question
type tells you exactly where to look in the passage to find correct answers.
a.
For main idea questions, look at
the first line of each paragraph. The main idea is the main idea of a paragraph
which contains information, explanation, description, or the opinion of the
author of the topic. The main idea is the explanation for the title of the
topic, explaining from the author's perspective. The main idea is a topic
description, it will be longer and be a complete sentence. Some things you need
to consider in answering questions about main idea, among others:
·
The kind of question regarding the details or the
details contained in certain parts of the reading.
·
Answer to this type of question in general can be
found directly in the passage.
·
Answer to questions of this kind are generally
administered sequentially in reading.
·
In many cases, detailed questions require you to
select the answer that is paraphrasing, or a restatement of the same intonation
with different words, and facts contained in the passage. A meyampaikan
paraphrasing the same meaning, but differ slightly in vocabulary and word usage
of language.
b.
For directly and indirectly answered detail questions, choose a
key word in the question, and skim for that key word (or a related idea) in
order in the passage.
c.
For vocabulary questions, the question will tell you
where the word is located in the passage.
d.
or where questions, the answers are found anywhere in
the passage.
4. Read the
part of the passage that contains the answer carefully.
The answer
will probably be in the same sentence (or one sentence before or after) the key
word or idea.
5. Choose the
best answer to each question from the four answer choices listed in your test
book.
You can choose the best answer
according to what is given in the appropriate section of the passage, eliminate
definitely wrong answers, and mark your best guess on the answer sheet.
Examples :
Alexis de Tocqueville, the French political
scientist, historian, philosopher and politician, is most famous for a
four-volume book he wrote called “Democracy in America”. He came to America in
1831 to study the American form of democracy and what it might mean to the rest
of the world. After a visit of only nine months, he wrote a remarkable book
which is regarded as a classic. De Tocqueville had unusual powers of
observation.
He described not only the democratic system of
government and how it operated, but also its effect on how Americans think,
feel, and act. Many scholars believe he had a deeper understanding of
traditional American beliefs and values than anyone else who has written about
the United States. What is so remarkable is that many of these traits which he
observed nearly 200 years ago, are still visible and meaningful today. His
observations are also important because the timing of his visit, the 1830s, was
before America was industrialized. This was the era of the small farmer, the
small businessman, and the settling of the western frontier. It was the period
of history when the traditional values of the new country were newly
established. In just a generation, some 40 years since the adoption of the U.S.
Constitution, the new form of government had already produced a society of
people with unique values. He was, however, a neutral observer and saw both the
good and bad sides of these qualities.
The first part of “Democracy in America” was written
in 1831-32 and published in 1835. A highly positive and optimistic account of
American government and society, the book was very well received. He attempted
to get a glimpse of the essence of American society, all the while promoting
his own philosophy: the equaling of the classes and the inevitable depth of
aristocratic privilege. The rest of the book he labored on for four years, and
in 1840 the second part was published. This was substantially more pessimistic
than the first, warning of the dangers despotism and governmental
centralization, and applying his ideas and criticisms more directly to France.
As a result, it was not received as well as the first part, except in England
where it was acclaimed highly.
1. What is the passage primarily about?
a.
Alexis de Tocqueville
b.
“Democracy in America”
c.
the progress
achieved in America within about 40 years after adoption of the U.S.
Constitution
d.
the impact of
the book “Democracy in America”
2. All of the following fields of professional interest
and activity are used to describe de Tocqueville EXCEPT
a. Philosopher
b.
Author
c. Political scientist
d. Politician
3. According to the passage, when did de Tocqueville
visit America
a.
1830s
b.
1831
c.
1831-32
d.
1835
4. The phrase “these traits” in lines 9-10 refers to
a.
Observations
b.
How Americans
think, feel, and act
c.
Traditional American beliefs and values
d.
Visible and
meaningful observations
5. What in the passage is mentioned as being truly
remarkable?
a.
Many of his observations are still visible and meaningful
today
b.
The book was so
detailed and thorough after only such a comparatively short visit
c.
That the second
volume should be so pessimistic in comparison with the first
d.
De Tocqueville’s
powers of observation
6. The word “unique” in line 16 is closest in meaning
to
a.
Clearly
identifiable
b.
Outstanding
c.
Unmatched
d.
Positive
7. The word “neutral” in line 16 is closest in meaning
to
a.
Impartial
b.
Careful
c.
Important
d.
Thorough
8. Which of the following can be inferred from the
passage?
a.
The English
don’t like the French
b.
The book was most important because it was the first time
that American values had been clearly documented
c.
De Tocqueville
was a slow writer
d.
De Tocqueville
was primarily motivated by an interest in his own country
9. According to the passage, “Democracy in America”
consisted of how many volumes?
a.
One
b.
Two
c.
Three
d.
Four
10. Which of the following is true, according to the
passage?
a.
The visit lasted
only five months
b.
The visit
coincided with American industrialization
c.
The first part was published in 1835; the second part in
1840
d.
The second part
was more optimistic than the first
Source : http://www.toeflskill.com/2011/05/reading-comprehension.html
