TOEFL iBT Reading Questions - Sentence Simplification │ Inside the TOEFL Test

Summary

In this video, Michael from ETS explains the TOEFL iBT Reading section’s Sentence Simplification questions. These questions ask test-takers to choose a sentence that conveys the same meaning as the original but in a simpler form. The correct answer retains the essential ideas while omitting unnecessary details. Michael demonstrates with an example, showing how to identify the main points and avoid common pitfalls in the answer choices. The key to success in these questions is understanding cause/effect relationships and distinguishing essential information from non-essential details. Michael offers tips to improve reading skills for better performance on the test.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sentence Simplification questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section ask you to find a sentence that conveys the same meaning as a given sentence from the reading passage.
• 😀 The correct answer choice in Sentence Simplification questions should restate the most important information in a simpler way, leaving out minor or unimportant details.
• 😀 To recognize Sentence Simplification questions, look for the wording: 'Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the following sentence?'
• 😀 Incorrect answer choices may alter the meaning of the sentence or leave out essential information.
• 😀 The sentence in the question contains both essential and non-essential information; your task is to identify the essential information and disregard the non-essential parts.
• 😀 Understanding the relationship between pieces of information (such as cause/effect or conclusion/evidence) is crucial for answering Sentence Simplification questions correctly.
• 😀 An example question involving meteorite impacts and dinosaur extinction demonstrates how to identify the correct answer by comparing the given sentence with the choices.
• 😀 Choice A is often the correct answer, as it aligns with the essential information in the given sentence without adding unnecessary details.
• 😀 Watch out for answer choices that reverse cause and effect or omit essential content, such as Choice B and Choice D in the meteorite example.
• 😀 Improving your reading skills for Sentence Simplification questions involves identifying the main ideas and filtering out non-essential details like examples, parenthetical information, or specific data.
• 😀 Regular practice and focused reading will enhance your ability to answer Sentence Simplification questions and improve your TOEFL performance.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the TOEFL iBT Reading section discussed in the video?

The video focuses on the Sentence Simplification questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section, explaining how to identify a sentence that conveys the same meaning as a sentence in the passage.

How can you recognize a Sentence Simplification question?

Sentence Simplification questions can be recognized because the wording of the question will always be the same: 'Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the following sentence?'

What is the goal when answering a Sentence Simplification question?

The goal is to identify the answer choice that best expresses the essential information from the sentence, while leaving out non-essential details.

What types of relationships should you look for in Sentence Simplification questions?

You should look for important relationships, such as cause/effect relationships or conclusions based on evidence, as these are often present in the original sentence and must be reflected in the correct answer choice.

In the example about meteorite impacts and dinosaur extinction, what was the correct answer and why?

The correct answer was Choice A because it accurately restated the essential information from the sentence, mentioning the explosion, nitric acid, melted rock, fires, and destruction of plant life, which were the main ideas in the passage.

Why was Choice B incorrect in the meteorite impact example?

Choice B was incorrect because it incorrectly suggested that the fires released nitric acid, whereas the original sentence stated that the explosion caused the fires, which released the nitric acid.

What made Choice C incorrect in the meteorite impact example?

Choice C was incorrect because it left out essential information, specifically the fires and the destruction of plant life, which were key details in the original sentence.

Why was Choice D not correct in the example?

Choice D was incorrect because it reversed the cause-and-effect relationship, stating that the fires caused the explosions, when in fact the explosion caused the fires.

What is a recommended strategy to improve your skills for Sentence Simplification questions?

A recommended strategy is to practice by analyzing complex sentences or paragraphs, separating the main ideas from less important information, such as examples or specific details like dates and numbers.

What types of information are considered non-essential when answering Sentence Simplification questions?

Non-essential information includes examples, text in parentheses, and very specific details like numbers or dates that do not affect the overall meaning of the sentence.