Kinds of Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions on the TOEFL Exam With very few exceptions, most reading comprehension questions on the TOEFL exam will fall into one of nine categories: 1. main idea
2. vocabulary 3. specific fact or detail 4. exceptions
5. location of information 6. inferences
7. references
8. paraphrased sentences (computer-based test only) 9. sentence insertion (computer-based test only) 1. Main Idea
These questions ask you to identify the main idea of the passage (or sometimes part of a passage, such as a specific paragraph). Sample Questions: ■ The main idea of this passage is best expressed in which sentence? ■ Which of the following would be the best title for this passage? ■ What is this passage mainly about? ■ What is the author’s main purpose in this passage? 2. Vocabulary
There are two types of vocabulary questions. One kind asks you to determine the meaning of a word as it is used in the passage. The other, which appears on the computer-based tests, asks you to identify a synonym for the vocabulary word. Sample Questions: ■ The word indelible in paragraph 3 most likely means: ■ The word protest in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to: ■ The word remarkable in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by: ■ Look at the word in the passage. [highlighted word will be pointed out in the passage] Click on another word in the bold text that is closest in meaning to .
3. Specific Fact or Detail
This kind of question asks you to identify a specific fact or detail mentioned in the passage. Sample Questions: ■ What causes a lunar eclipse? ■ When did the last lunar eclipse occur? ■ What did many pagan cultures believe caused a lunar eclipse?
4. Exceptions
These questions ask you to identify which item was not specifically mentioned in the passage. Sample Questions: ■ Which characteristic does NOT describe an endothermic reaction? ■ Which of the following was NOT identified as a cause of the stock market crash? ■ A person with bipolar disorder would NOT exhibit which symptom?
5. Location of Information
This kind of question asks you to identify the exact place in the passage where specific information is provided. Sample Questions: ■ Where in the passage does the author define the term endothermic? ■ Click on the sentence in paragraph 2 in which the author mentions the symptoms of bipolar disorder. ■ Click on the paragraph that discusses the treatments for bipolar disorder. 6. Inferences
This type of question asks you to make an inference (draw a logical conclusion) based on the information in the passage. Sample Questions: ■ The author suggests that insects with more than eight legs: ■ This passage suggests that Greek tragedies are still so powerful because:
7. References
These questions ask you to determine what a specific word or phrase in the passage refers to. (The word or phrase is often a pronoun, such as “its.”) Sample Questions: ■ The word them in paragraph 3 refers to: ■ Look at the word in the passage. Click on the word or phrase in the bold text that refers to.
8. Paraphrased Sentences
This kind of question asks you to identify the sentence that best paraphrases (restates) one or more sentences from the passage. Sample Questions: ■ What does the author mean by the sentence ? ■ What does the author mean by the statement ?
9. Sentence Insertion
These questions ask you to identify the best (most logical) place within the passage to insert a new sentence. You will be asked to choose from several possible choices marked with a small square (■). Sample Question: The following sentence can be added to paragraph 2: These cycles of mania and depression are often unpredictable and can vary greatly in length. Where would this sentence best fit in the paragraph? Click on the square (■) to add the sentence to the paragraph. (Adapted From Chesla E.TOEFL Exam Success in only 6 Steps (2002), Learning Express, NY, pages 23-26)