comfortable 15. politely TOEFL Exam Essentials Book 1094
86 TOEFL EXAM ESSENTIALS
can skip questions and return to them later. You can also change your answers. The following chart compares the reading com-
prehension segments on the two tests:
Computer Test: Paper-and-Pencil:
Reading Reading Comprehension
Comprehension
70–90 minutes 55 minutes
44–55 questions 50 questions
5–6 reading passages 5–6 reading passages
6–10 questions per passage 7–12 questions per passage
Most questions are multiple All questions are multiple choice, but some follow
choice. special directions.
SKILL BUILDERS
Becoming an active reader takes practice. To improve your com- prehension skills, try the following techniques while you read:
■
Skim ahead. Scan the text before you read. Note how the text is broken into sections, what the main topics are
in each section, and the order in which the topics are covered. Look for highlighted key words and ideas.
■
Jump back. Review the text after you read. Go over summaries, headings, and highlighted information. This
process will help you remember information and make connections between ideas.
READING 87
■
Look up new words. Keep a dictionary on hand as you read and look up any unfamiliar words. List new
vocabulary words and their definitions in a notebook so you can review them later.
■
Highlight important information. Highlight or underline key terms, main ideas, and new concepts as
you read. If you don’t own the book, use a notebook to jot down information.
■
Take notes. Record your questions, observations, and opinions about what you read. What is the main idea of
the passage? Do you agree with the author?
■
Connect what you read with your own experience or with another topic you have studied. For example, if you
are reading about the 1989 student protest in Tiananmen Square, you may note how it was similar to
or different from student protests in the United States in the 1960s.
QUESTION TYPES IN THE READING SECTION
The reading comprehension questions on the TOEFL exam fall into nine categories:
Test Time Saver
To use your time effectively during the exam, answer all of the questions about one reading passage before going on
to the next one.