I Made Sujana

Pusat Bahasa/EED, the University of Mataram

TOEFL – READING
Coverage & Strategy

PSPD FK UNRAM
 I Made Sujana
EED, the University of Mataram

TOPICS
Section I: Listening Section III: Reading
Comprehension Comprehension

50 Quest. in 3 parts 50 Quest. in around 5

(Short conv., extended academic passages
conv., mini lectures) Score: 210 - 670
Score: 240 - 680

Section II: Structure &

Written Expressions

50 Quest. in 2 parts (A.

Finding the best answer;
B. Finding errors))
Score: 200 - 680

Score 450  List. 20 items (40%); SWE 21 items (52%); Reading 26 items (52%)
Score 500  List. 29 items (58%); SWE 26 items (65%); Reading 33 items (66%)
 I Made Sujana
EED, the University of Mataram

Samples of TOEFL Reading

Questions 11 – 20
Popular architecture in the United States in the beginning of the twentieth century continued as it had at
the end of the nineteenth century, with elaborately ornate historical motifs. The new skyscrapers sprouting up
at the time were often ornately finished with elements of Gothics or Roman detailing. During this period of
emphasis on intricate ornamentation, certain architects began moving in a different direction, from the historic
attention to ornate detailing toward more modern design typified by simplified flowing lines.
Frank Lloyd Wright, the best known of these early modern architects, developed a style that he termed
organic architecture, a building style based on natural forms rather than on the intricately detailed style that
had been popular. Wright started work in Chicago designing “prairie houses,” long, low building featuring
flowing horizontal lines and simplistic unity of design. These buildings often centered around massive stone
fireplaces with rooms open to each other and space flowing from one room to the next; they were intended to
fit the wide open expanses of the Midwest Plains that served as a setting for Chicago. These “prairie houses,”
found in Chicago’s suburban areas, served to tie the rapidly developing neighborhoods of Chicago with its
Plains heritage.

Answer the following questions.

 The paragraph preceding the passage most likely _______
 What is most likely in the paragraph following the passage?
How long does it take to answer those questions?
 I Made Sujana
EED, the University of Mataram
SECTION 3:
READING COMPREHENSION

QUESTION TYPES AND SAMPLES

TYPES OF QUESTIONS
1. Understand Main Ideas
2. Recognize the
Organization of Ideas
3. Answer stated Detail
Questions
SAMPLES OF QUESTIONS
 What is the topic of the passage?
 What is the subject of the passage?
 What is the main idea of the passage?
 What is the title of the passage?
 What is the main purpose of the passage?
 How is the information in this passage organized?
 How is the information in the second paragraph
related to the information in the first paragraph?
 According to the passage, ______________?
 It is stated in the passage ______________?
 The passage indicates that ______________?
 The author mentions that _______________?
 Which of the following is true ____________?
 I Made Sujana
EED, the University of Mataram
SECTION 3:
READING COMPREHENSION

QUESTION TYPES AND SAMPLES (cont.)

TYPES OF QUESTIONS
4. Find "Unstated" Details
5. Find Pronoun Referents
SAMPLES OF QUESTIONS
 Which of the following is not stated?
 Which of the following is not mentioned?
 Which of the following is not discussed?
 All of the following are true EXCEPT …
 What does "……." in line X refer to ?

6. Answer Implied Detail  It is implied in the passage that ____________

 It can be inferred from the passage that ______
Questions  It is most likely that _____________________
 What probably happened _________________
7. Answer Transition  The paragraph preceding the passage most likely
_______
Questions  What is most likely in the paragraph following
the passage?
 I Made Sujana
EED, the University of Mataram
SECTION 3:
READING COMPREHENSION

QUESTION TYPES AND SAMPLES (cont.)

TYPES OF QUESTIONS SAMPLES OF QUESTIONS
8. Understand Vocabulary in  What is the meaning of ______________?
Context  Which of the following is closest in
meaning to ________?
 The word "_________" in line X is closest in
meaning to which of the following?
9. Determine Where Specific  Where in the passage ______________?
Information is Found  In which line (s) ___________________?
10. Determine the Tone,  What is the tone of the passage?
Purpose, or Course  What is the author's purpose in this passage?
 In which course would this reading be assigned?
 I Made Sujana
EED, the University of Mataram

Reading Strategy on TOEFL

 Read the first and last sentences of the passage to

establish the topic and main idea.
 Skim the passage for the key concepts and vocabulary.
 Read the questions following the passage to find out
what kinds of information you are looking for. [DO
NOT read the options]
 Read the passage carefully, keeping in mind the
questions you will have to answer.
 I Made Sujana
EED, the University of Mataram

Reading Strategy on TOEFL (cont.)

 Answer the question. Use key words or phrases in

the question to scan the passage for the correct
answer.
 Guess if you do not know the correct answer.
I Made Sujana
Pusat Bahasa/
EED UNRAM

THANK YOU