TOEFL iBT Reading Questions - Prose Summary │ Inside the TOEFL Test

Summary

In this video, Michael from ETS explains the Prose Summary questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section. These questions test your ability to recognize the main ideas and their importance in a reading passage. You will select three correct answers from six choices. The summary covers how to approach these questions, the scoring system, and tips for improving reading skills through practice. A sample question is used to demonstrate the process of selecting the correct answers, and suggestions are made to help you better organize and understand reading material.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Prose Summary questions on the TOEFL Reading section assess your ability to identify the major ideas and their relative importance in a passage.
• 😀 In a Prose Summary question, you are presented with six answer choices, from which you must select the three correct ones that reflect the most important ideas.
• 😀 Incorrect answer choices often misrepresent the information or focus on minor details that aren't crucial to the passage.
• 😀 The answers do not need to be in any particular order, and you can change them at any time during the allotted time for the reading section.
• 😀 Prose Summary questions contribute 2 points to your raw score; you get 2 points for three correct answers, 1 point for two correct answers, and 0 points for one or no correct answers.
• 😀 Each reading passage on the TOEFL will include one Prose Summary question that covers the whole passage, not just individual sections.
• 😀 When answering a Prose Summary question, consider whether the answer choices are factually correct and whether they address the most significant points from the passage.
• 😀 Example of a sample Prose Summary question: The passage discusses meteorites and dinosaur extinction. You are asked to identify key ideas from the passage.
• 😀 Answer choices are analyzed based on their relevance to the passage. Minor details or facts not central to the passage’s main ideas are typically incorrect.
• 😀 To improve your reading skills for TOEFL, creating outlines or charts based on your reading can help you identify main ideas and supporting details more effectively.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Prose Summary questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section?

The Prose Summary questions are designed to test your ability to recognize the major ideas and the relative importance of information in a reading passage.

How many answer choices are there in a Prose Summary question, and how many must be selected?

There are six answer choices in a Prose Summary question, and you must select three correct answers.

What will happen if you select two correct answers in a Prose Summary question?

If you select two correct answers, you will receive one point toward your raw score.

How are the correct and incorrect answers in a Prose Summary question characterized?

The incorrect answer choices will either misrepresent information in the passage or discuss minor points, while the correct ones express the most important ideas in the passage.

Do the answers in a Prose Summary question need to be in any particular order?

No, the answers don't need to be in any particular order.

Can you change your answers during the Reading section of the TOEFL iBT?

Yes, you can change your answers at any point during the allotted time for the Reading section.

How many Prose Summary questions are there in the TOEFL iBT Reading section?

Each reading passage will have one Prose Summary question.

What does a Prose Summary question typically cover?

A Prose Summary question typically covers the entire reading passage, not just a single sentence or paragraph.

Why is identifying the specific date of an event in a Prose Summary question not usually correct?

Identifying a specific date is generally considered a minor detail and does not usually qualify as one of the most important ideas in the passage.

What is an effective strategy for improving reading skills for TOEFL?

An effective strategy is to create your own outlines or charts while reading a passage. This helps in identifying the main ideas and supporting details.