TOEFL Reading SECRETS Every Student Should Know

Summary

This video provides valuable strategies for tackling TOEFL reading questions efficiently. Key tips include answering vocabulary questions quickly, managing time for longer questions, and utilizing the review button to stay on track. It emphasizes the importance of making inferences based on context and modifiers, as well as using the given sentence in summary questions for elimination. Additionally, it highlights how questions generally follow an order, allowing students to save time by reading and answering simultaneously. The video offers practical advice to improve test performance and streamline the test-taking process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on answering vocabulary questions quickly, as they require less time than other question types.
• 😀 Some questions, like sentence simplification, may take longer, so manage your time accordingly during the test.
• 😀 Keep track of your progress during the reading section—aim to be around question 6 or 7 after 10 minutes, and question 17 or 18 at 30 minutes.
• 😀 Inference questions can be easier if you focus on understanding the context and conditions presented in the passage.
• 😀 Modify your approach to inference questions by analyzing modifiers, such as adjectives and adverbs, for clues.
• 😀 Make inferences based on given conditions—think of them like the rules of a game that help you make educated guesses.
• 😀 When answering summary questions, use the provided sentence to eliminate irrelevant answer choices.
• 😀 The review button on the TOEFL test can be helpful for revisiting questions, but avoid skipping questions during the test.
• 😀 Don’t skip questions or jump around—reading in order helps maintain a logical flow and saves time.
• 😀 The answer to one question often appears near the answer to the next, so read and answer questions simultaneously.
• 😀 Summary questions test your understanding of the entire passage, but the provided sentence can often help you eliminate incorrect options.

Q & A

Why is it important to answer vocabulary questions quickly on the test?

Vocabulary questions should be answered quickly because they typically involve only processing the highlighted word and its context in a short sentence, making them simpler and faster compared to other types of questions.

How do different types of questions vary in terms of time management on the test?

Certain question types, like vocabulary questions, take less time, while others, such as sentence simplification or summary questions, are more time-consuming. Managing your time well and knowing which questions to answer quickly is key to success.

What is an inference, and how can it help in answering questions on the test?

An inference is a conclusion drawn based on evidence, rather than a direct statement. Understanding this concept can make inference questions easier, as you're required to make educated guesses based on context or details in the passage.

How can modifiers help in making inferences?

Modifiers (like adjectives or adverbs) can provide clues about what is implied but not directly stated. For instance, if something is described as 'the best' or 'almost always,' you can infer there are other options or exceptions.

What role do conditions play in making inferences?

Conditions help form inferences by setting specific rules or contexts. For example, understanding that each soccer team can only have 11 players allows you to infer that a team with 12 players would violate the rules.

How can the given sentence in a summary question help in answering it?

The given sentence can serve as a reference point to eliminate incorrect choices. By matching it with the overall passage, you can often rule out options that don't align with the central idea of the passage.

Why should you not skip questions during the test?

Skipping questions can disrupt your flow and make it harder to follow the passage's structure. It is better to stay on track, but if needed, you can use the review button to revisit questions later.

How does the order of questions help in answering them efficiently?

The questions generally follow the order of the passage, so you don’t need to read the entire passage beforehand. You can answer questions as you go, knowing that subsequent questions will likely be related to the same content.

Why are summary questions more challenging than other types of questions?

Summary questions are challenging because they require you to understand the entire passage, not just individual details. This often makes them the final question in a set, requiring you to recall everything you've read.

How can using the review button improve your test-taking strategy?

The review button allows you to go back to previous questions if needed. While it's better not to skip, the review button can be helpful for checking your answers or revisiting questions when you're uncertain.