General Info, Tips & Strategies
What is the difference between skimming and scanning?
Skimming is reading quickly for main ideas; scanning is searching for specific information.
What is one reason the TOEFL includes answer traps?
To trick test takers into choosing wrong answers that look correct.
What are you asked to do in a sentence simplification question?
Paraphrase the sentence using the same subject and verb.
What are sentence insertion questions asking you to do?
Choose the best place to insert a new sentence into a paragraph.
Name two types of good keywords to scan for.
Proper nouns and numbers/dates.
What type of trap uses common knowledge but not info from the passage?
“Not in the Passage” trap.
What kind of answer should you eliminate in sentence simplification?
One that changes the subject or adds new ideas.
What should a new sentence do to fit well in a passage?
Link the sentences before and after the insertion point.
What are the three steps to skimming a passage?
Read the introduction, first and last sentence of each paragraph, and the conclusion.
Why are “exact wording” answers usually incorrect?
Because correct answers are paraphrased, not copied directly from the passage.
What does an inference question ask you to do?
Make a logical conclusion based on what the passage says.
What kind of language helps identify a wrong answer in negative fact questions?
Extreme language like “all,” “none,” “must,” etc.
Why should you scan after skimming a passage?
Because skimming gives you an idea of where to find answers in the passage.
What type of answer should you avoid if it includes words like “always” or “never”?
Extreme answers—usually wrong.
What is a key strategy for inference questions involving answer choices?
Eliminate half-truths or answers that go beyond the passage.
When should you do negative fact questions during the test?
Save them for last—they’re the hardest and require full understanding.
Name the three types of scanning keywords and briefly describe them.
Good: exact matches (names/dates); OK: synonyms; Bad: too general or common to help.
What are two benefits of taking notes in the reading section?
Helps you summarize paragraphs and find answers faster.
In a paraphrase question, why should you ignore descriptive modifiers?
Because they are not part of the essential meaning. Focus on subject and verb.
What two things should you summarize in sentence insertion questions?
The paragraph and the new sentence. Look for linking ideas.