TOEFL iBT Reading Questions - Inference and Rhetorical Purpose │ Inside the TOEFL Test

Summary

In this video, Michael from ETS breaks down key strategies for tackling Inference and Rhetorical Purpose questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section. He explains how inference questions require identifying unstated ideas, using words like 'infer,' 'imply,' or 'suggest.' Rhetorical Purpose questions, on the other hand, ask why the author included certain information. Michael provides tips on skimming passages, eliminating incorrect answers, and understanding key phrases like the 'to clause' in rhetorical questions. His advice is designed to help students improve their reading skills and succeed on the TOEFL exam.

Takeaways

• 😀 Inference questions in the TOEFL Reading section ask you to identify information or ideas not explicitly stated in the passage.
• 😀 Rhetorical purpose questions ask why the author included a specific piece of information in the text.
• 😀 Words like 'infer,' 'imply,' or 'suggest' often signal an inference question.
• 😀 If you're unsure about an answer, try eliminating incorrect choices to narrow down your options.
• 😀 For inference questions, the correct answer is usually supported by specific evidence from the passage.
• 😀 Rhetorical purpose questions focus on understanding the author's intent behind the inclusion of particular details.
• 😀 When answering rhetorical purpose questions, pay attention to the 'to clause' at the beginning of each option.
• 😀 Skimming is a valuable technique for building reading skills, allowing you to quickly identify the main ideas.
• 😀 To practice skimming, read the introduction, the first sentence of each middle paragraph, and the conclusion.
• 😀 Always review vocabulary related to rhetorical purposes to better understand the author’s intentions and improve your accuracy in answering these types of questions.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video script?

The video focuses on explaining Inference and Rhetorical Purpose questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section, providing strategies and sample questions to help students understand these types of questions.

How can you identify an Inference question in the TOEFL iBT Reading section?

Inference questions typically use words such as 'infer,' 'imply,' or 'suggest,' indicating that the answer requires understanding information not explicitly stated in the passage.

What strategy is suggested when you're unsure about the correct answer in Inference or Rhetorical Purpose questions?

The strategy is to eliminate incorrect answers first. This can help narrow down the options and increase the chances of selecting the right answer.

How do Inference questions differ from Rhetorical Purpose questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section?

Inference questions ask about information or ideas that are not explicitly stated in the passage, whereas Rhetorical Purpose questions ask why the author presented certain information.

What is an example of a keyword in a Rhetorical Purpose question?

Rhetorical Purpose questions often start with phrases like 'why the author includes' or similar wording. The 'to clause' in the answer choices is key to identifying the correct purpose.

What is the correct answer to the example Inference question in the script, and why?

The correct answer is Choice C, because it is supported by the information in the passage about scientists' knowledge in 1980 and the location of the impact site in the Yucatan.

Why is Choice A incorrect in the example Inference question?

Choice A is incorrect because there is no mention or implication in the passage about geologists keeping the impact site secret.

What is the correct answer to the example Rhetorical Purpose question in the script, and why?

The correct answer is Choice C, as the passage presents information about meteorites and dinosaurs to demonstrate the importance of meteorite impacts on the extinction event.

What is skimming, and why is it useful for answering TOEFL reading questions?

Skimming is reading quickly to identify the main ideas of a passage. It is useful for getting an overview of the text before going back for a more detailed reading, which can help with answering questions more efficiently.

What specific reading strategy is recommended for skimming passages?

The recommended skimming strategy is to read the introductory paragraph, the first sentence of each middle paragraph, and the concluding paragraph to get a sense of the main ideas.