2. GENERAL STRATEGIESGENERAL STRATEGIES
• Be familiar with the directions.
• Do not spend too much time
reading the passages!
• Do not worry if a reading
passage is on a topic that you are
unfamiliar with.
• Never leave any questions blank
on your answer sheet.
3. STRATEGIES FOR THE READINGSTRATEGIES FOR THE READING
COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION
QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
Skim the reading passage to determine
the main idea and the overall
organization of ideas in the passage.
Look ahead at the questions to
determine what types of questions you
must answer.
Find the section of the passage that
deals with each question.
4. Read the part of the passage
that contains the answer
carefully.
Choose the best answer to
each question from the four
answer choices listed in your
test book.
5. How to Prepare for theHow to Prepare for the
Reading SectionReading Section
#Tip 1
In order to be a better reader, you need to read
a lot in the target language. Read about a
variety of topics that are relevant to this test,
such as:
- Social science
- Science and technology
- North American history, geography, government
and history
- Art
- Biography
6. How to Prepare for theHow to Prepare for the
Reading SectionReading Section
#Tip 2
Practice speed-reading techniques such as
skimming and scanning.
Skimming: is the skill used to quickly identify
the main ideas of a text. Quite often
the first question after a reading
passage refers to a main idea.
Skimming is done at a speed three to four
times faster than normal reading.
8. Size matters
Here’s something to think about the next time
you go shopping. Have you ever noticed how
many trolleys are available when you go to the
supermarket? In my experience, it seems like
hundreds! But how about the number of hand
baskets? Invariably I struggle to find even one,
especially when I only need a few items. Why
might this be the case? Well it seems to be a
tactic used to encourage us to buy more. If you
are walking around with an empty trolley, you are
more tempted to fill it, so if you a planning on
only doing a quick shop, always try to find a
basket. It will be lighter, easier to use and is sure
to save you money!
9. • 1. What can you find in large
numbers at a supermarket?
• 2. Why can this be a problem?
• 3. How can you avoid spending more
than you planned?
• 4. Why is it a good idea to use a
basket instead of a trolley?
10. • 1. What can you find in large
numbers at a supermarket?
• You can always find large numbers of
trolleys at a supermarket.
11. • 2. Why can this be a problem?
• It can be a problem because you
might only want a few things but be
tempted to buy more because of the
room in the trolley.
12. • 3. How can you avoid spending more
than you planned if you only need a
few items?
• Always try to use a shopping basket
instead of a trolley.
13. • 4. Why is it a good idea to use a
basket instead of a trolley?
• It is a good idea because a basket is
lighter, easier to use and may even
save you money.
14. How to Prepare for theHow to Prepare for the
Reading SectionReading Section
#Tip 2
Practice speed-reading techniques such as
skimming and scanning.
Scanning: is a technique you often use when
looking up a word in a telephone book or a
dictionary. You search for key words or
ideas. In most cases you know what you’re
looking for, so you’re concentrating on
finding a particular answer.
16. • 1 What can you save from shopping at this place?
• 2 How many good reasons are there for shopping
there?
• 3 What is the telephone number?
• 4 What can you earn with Argos?
• 5 What are the names of the catering firm?
• 6 How long does the offer last?
17. • 1 What can you save from shopping at this place?
• Pounds
• 2 How many good reasons are there for shopping
there?
• Over a hundred
• 3 What is the telephone number?
• 0151 207 3898
• 4 What can you earn with Argos?
• Hundreds of pounds
• 5 How long does the offer last?
• For 3 weeks
18. SKILL 1: MAIN IDEASKILL 1: MAIN IDEA
QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
The most effective way to answer
the main idea question is to ask
yourself what the whole passage is
about, not just a portion of it.
The answers that cover specific
details are either too narrow or too
broad.
19. • More than 50% of the time, the main
idea of a passage is stated in the first
sentence of the paragraph.
• Sometimes the main idea or topic
sentence comes at the end of the
paragraph and, on occasion, anywhere
in the paragraph. They may not be
stated at all, but simply implied.
• Make a habit of reading the opening and
closing statement of each paragraph.
20. Basketball was invented in 1891 by a physical
education instructor in Springfield, Massachusetts,
by the name of James Naismith. Because of the
terrible weather in winter, his physical education
students were indoors rather than outdoors. They
really did not like the idea of boring, repetitive
exercises and preferred the excitement and
challenge of a game. Naismith figured out a team
sport that could be played indoors on a
gymnasium floor, that involved a lot of running,
that kept all team members involved, and that did
not allow the tackling and physical contact of
American-style football.
What is the main idea of this passage?
(A) The life of James Naismith
(B) The history of sports
(C) Physical education and exercise
(D) The origin of basketball
21. Example
Basketball was invented in 1891 by a physical
education instructor in Springfield, Massachusetts, by
the name of James Naismith. Because of the terrible
weather in winter, his physical education students
were indoors rather than outdoors. They really did not
like the idea of boring, repetitive exercises and
preferred the excitement and challenge of a game.
Naismith figured out a team sport that could be
played indoors on a gymnasium floor, that involved a
lot of running, that kept all team members involved,
and that did not allow the tackling and physical
contact of American-style football.
The question:
What is the main idea of this passage?
(A) The life of James Naismith
(B) The history of sports
(C) Physical education and exercise
(D) The origin of basketball.
22. MAIN IDEA QUESTIONSMAIN IDEA QUESTIONS
How to identify the
question
What is the topic of the passage?
What is the subject of this passage?
What is the main idea of the passage?
What is the author’s main point in the passage?
With what is the author primarily concerned?
Which of the following would be the best title?
Where to find the
answer
The answer to this type of question can
generally be determined by looking at
the first sentence of each paragraph.
How to answer the
question
1. Read the first line of each paragraph.
2. Look for common theme or idea in the first
lines.
3. Pass your eyes quickly over the rest of the
passage to check that you really have found
the topic sentence(s).
4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers and
choose the best answer from the remaining
choices.
23. SKILL 2: STATED DETAILSKILL 2: STATED DETAIL
QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
Flutes have been around for quite some time, in all sorts of shapes and sizes and
made from a variety of materials. The oldest known flutes are about 20,000
years old; they were made from hollowed-out bones with holes cut in them. In
addition to bone, older flutes were often constructed from bamboo or hollowed-
out wood.
Today’s flutes are generally made of metal, and in addition to the holes they
have a complicated system of keys, levers, and pads. The instrument belonging
to well-known flautist James Galway is not just made of any metal; it is made of
gold.
1. According to the passage, the oldest flutes
(A) had holes cut in them
(B) were made of metal
(C) were made 200,000 years ago
(D) had a complicated set of levers and pads.
2. The passage indicates that James Galway’s flute is made of
(A) bones
(B) bamboo
(C) wood
(D) gold
24. Flutes have been around for quite some time, in all sorts of
shapes and sizes and made from a variety of materials. The
oldest known flutes are about 20,000 years old; they were
made from hollowed-out bones with holes cut in them. In
addition to bone, older flutes were often constructed from
bamboo or hollowed-out wood.
Today’s flutes are generally made of metal, and in addition to
the holes they have a complicated system of keys, levers, and
pads. The instrument belonging to well-known flautist James
Galway is not just made of any metal; it is made of gold.
1. According to the passage, the oldest flutes
(A) had holes cut in them
(B) were made of metal
(C) were made 200,000 years ago
(D) had a complicated set of levers and pads.
2. The passage indicates that James Galway’s flute is made of
(A) bones
(B) bamboo
(C) wood
(D) gold
25. STATED DETAIL QUESTIONS
HOW TO
IDENTIFY THE
QUESTION
According to the passage,…
It is stated in the passage that…
The passage indicates that…
The author mentions that…
Which of the following is true…?
WHERE TO FIND
THE ANSWER
The answers to these questions are
found in order in the passage.
HOW TO
ANSWER THE
QUESTION
1. Choose a key word in the question.
2. Skim the appropriate part of the passage for
the key word ( or related idea).
3. Read the sentence that contains the key word
or idea carefully.
4. Look for the answer that restates an idea in
the passage.
5. Eliminate the definitely wrong answers and
choose the best answer from the remaining
choices.
26. SKILL 3: UNSTATED DETAILSKILL 3: UNSTATED DETAIL
QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
The Florida Keys are a beautiful chain of
almost 1,000 coral and limestone islands.
These islands form an arc that heads first
southwest and then west from the
mainland. U.S. Highway 1, called the
Overseas Highway, connects the main
islands in the chain. On this highway, it is
necessary to cross 42 bridges over the
ocean to cover the 159 miles from Miami,
on the mainland, to Key West, the farthest
island on the highway and the
southernmost city in the United States.
27. 1.Which of the following is NOT mentioned
about the Florida Keys?
(A) The Florida Keys are a chain of islands.
(B) The Florida Keys contain coral and limestone.
(C) The Florida Keys are in the shape of an arc.
(D) The Florida Keys are not all inhabited.
2.Which of the following is NOT true about
U.S. Highway 1?
(A) It is also known as the Overseas Highway.
(B) It joins all of the islands in the Florida Keys.
(C) It has more than 40 bridges.
(D) It connects Miami and Key West.
28. The Florida Keys are a beautiful chain of almost 1,000 coral
and limestone islands. These islands form an arc that heads
first southwest and then west from the mainland. U.S.
Highway 1, called the Overseas Highway, connects the
main islands in the chain. On this highway, it is necessary
to cross 42 bridges over the ocean to cover the 159 miles
from Miami, on the mainland, to Key West, the farthest
island on the highway and the southernmost city in the
United States.
1.Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the Florida
Keys?
(A) The Florida Keys are a chain of islands.
(B) The Florida Keys contain coral and limestone.
(C) The Florida Keys are in the shape of an arc.
(D) The Florida Keys are not all inhabited.
2.Which of the following is NOT true about U.S. Highway 1?
(A) It is also known as the Overseas Highway.
(B) It joins all of the islands in the Florida Keys.
(C) It has more than 40 bridges.
(D) It connects Miami and Key West.
29. ReferencesReferences
- Phillips, Deborah. 2001. Longman
Complete Course for the TOEFL Test.
New York: Addison-Wesley Longman,
Inc.
- And sources from the internet and
books
