READING: Stated Detail Questions

Summary

In this TOEFL reading preparation session, the focus is on mastering stated detail questions, where answers are clearly presented in the passage but may require paraphrasing. The key to success is locating keywords in the question, scanning the passage for corresponding information, and identifying paraphrased details. Through examples, students are taught how to efficiently find answers without reading the entire passage. By recognizing key phrases and using strategic scanning techniques, test-takers can answer stated detail questions accurately and confidently. The session emphasizes practicing these skills to enhance overall performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on answering stated detail questions, which are based on clearly stated facts in the passage.
• 😀 Paraphrase the information in the passage to match the answer choices, as they may not use the same words.
• 😀 Avoid reading the entire passage. Instead, start by reading the question to identify key information.
• 😀 Use keywords from the question to locate the relevant part of the passage where the answer is stated.
• 😀 Scanning the passage quickly helps find the main idea and saves time for the remaining questions.
• 😀 Key question phrases to look for: 'According to the passage', 'The passage indicates that', and 'Which of the following is true'.
• 😀 To answer correctly, identify the core idea in the passage and choose the option that restates it, even if the wording differs.
• 😀 For example, a question about Williamsburg's location should be answered by recognizing synonyms like 'situated' and 'peninsula'.
• 😀 For questions about specific locations or dates, scanning for these terms and understanding their context is critical.
• 😀 Practice is essential. The more you practice locating key information and paraphrasing, the easier stated detail questions become.
• 😀 Ensure that you understand the underlying concept of a stated detail question—finding factual information directly in the passage.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on preparing for the TOEFL reading section, specifically the 'stated detail' questions, where answers are directly stated in the passage but may require paraphrasing.

What does a 'stated detail' question require the test-taker to do?

A 'stated detail' question requires the test-taker to find information that is clearly stated in the passage, but the answer options are paraphrased and may not use the exact words from the passage.

Why is paraphrasing important when answering stated detail questions?

Paraphrasing is important because the answer options may not contain the same words as those in the passage. You need to recognize equivalent phrases or concepts to find the correct answer.

What strategy is recommended for answering stated detail questions?

The recommended strategy is to identify keywords in the question, locate these keywords in the passage, scan the passage for information, and select the answer that paraphrases the information correctly.

Why is reading the entire passage not recommended for answering these questions?

Reading the entire passage is not recommended because it is time-consuming. Instead, focusing on scanning the passage for specific details allows you to answer the questions more efficiently within the time limit.

What is the first step to take when answering a stated detail question?

The first step is to read the question and identify the key words or phrases that will guide you to the relevant information in the passage.

What role do synonyms play in answering stated detail questions?

Synonyms play a crucial role in stated detail questions because the passage may use different words than the answer choices. Recognizing synonyms helps to match the information in the passage to the correct answer.

How can a student prepare effectively for stated detail questions?

A student can prepare effectively by practicing keyword identification, scanning for relevant details in the passage, and focusing on paraphrasing skills to understand the connection between the passage and answer choices.

What are some common phrases used in stated detail questions on the TOEFL reading test?

Common phrases include 'According to the passage', 'The passage indicates', 'The author mentions that', and 'Which of the following is true?' These phrases signal that the question is asking for information directly stated in the passage.

How does scanning the passage help in answering stated detail questions?

Scanning the passage allows you to quickly locate the section of the text that contains the relevant information, helping you avoid wasting time reading the entire passage and allowing for a more efficient answer selection.