The document discusses the TOEFL Reading Comprehension section. It aims to test students' ability to understand, interpret, and analyze texts on various topics. The section contains 4-6 passages of 200-450 words each, followed by 7-12 questions. There are a total of 50 questions on reading comprehension. Passage topics often relate to academic subjects like biology, physics, geography, American history, biographies, economics, social sciences, and arts.

1. TOEFL(Test of English Foreign Language)
By: Tira Nur Fitria S.Pd., M.Pd
tiranurfitria@gmail.com
READING
COMPREHENSIONSoal dan Pembahasan
1

2. READING COMPREHENSION
Tes TOEFL bagian Reading Comprehension Section
bertujuan untuk menguji kemampuan Anda dalam
memahami, menginterprestasikan, dan menganalisa
teks atau bacaan mengenai berbagai macam topik.
Bagian ini terdiri dari empat sampai enam
teks/bacaan kira-kira 200 - 450 kata. Setiap teks
biasanya diikuti oleh 7-12 pertanyaan.
Jumlah soal untuk Reading Comprehension adalah
50 soal.
Topik bacaan biasanya berkaitan dengan masalah-
masalah akademik, terutama textbook mengenai
Biologi, Fisika, Geografi, Sejarah Amerika, Biografi,
Ekonomi, Ilmu-ilmu Sosial, dan Seni.

3. Jawab Pertanyaan Gagasan Utama dengan Tepat
(Answer Main Idea Questions Correctly)
Tes TOEFL bagian Reading Comprehension Section bertujuan untuk
menguji kemampuan Anda dalam memahami, menginterprestasikan,
dan menganalisa teks atau bacaan mengenai berbagai macam topik.
Bagian ini terdiri dari empat sampai enam teks/bacaan kira-kira 200 -
450 kata. Setiap teks biasanya diikuti oleh 7-12 pertanyaan. Jumlah
soal untuk Reading Comprehension adalah 50 soal. Topik bacaan
biasanya berkaitan dengan masalah-masalah akademik, terutama
textbook mengenai Biologi, Fisika, Geografi, Sejarah Amerika, Biografi,
Ekonomi, Ilmu-ilmu Sosial, dan Seni.

4. SOAL
READING
COMPREHENSION
beserta PEMBAHASAN

5. Reading Comprehension Passage 1
Robert Moog was an American inventor who developed the Moog Synthesizer. It was one of the first
synthesizers to gain widespread use as a musical instrument. Moog’s synthesizers were an important pa Line of
musical innovation in rock and jazz music in the 1960s and 1970s. Robert Arthur Moog was born in Queens, a
borough of New York City 75 years ago. He became fascinated with electronics as a teenager, particularly an early
electronic music instrument called the theremin. Moog studied physic and electrical engineering at Queens
College and Columbia University, both in New York City and later received a Ph.D. in engineering physic Cornel
University in Ithaca, New York. In 1954, while still an undergraduate student, Moog formed his own company to
sell theremins and theremin kits.
Soon after, Moog began working on a keyboard instrument that could replicate the sound of any musical
instrument electronically. Working with American composer Herbert Deutsch, Moog introduced the prototype
Moog Synthesizer at a convention in 1964. The device represented a significant advance over previous electronic
synthesizer because of its use of new semiconductor technology, which made it smaller and considerably cheaper
than earlier machines. The Moog, as it was known, was soon in demand by musician all over the world.
In 1964, Moog began a collaboration with American composer and organist Walter Carlos (now Wendy Carlos),
who released the bestselling electronic music album Switched-On Bach in 1968. Rock groups such as the Beatles
and Yes and jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea began incorporating Moog Synthesizer into
their recordings, a trend that increased when the company introduced the compact and portable Minimoog in
1970. A Moog Synthesizer was also prominently featured on the soundtrack to the movie A Clockwork Orange in
1971. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2008

6. • 1. The word “prominently” in paragraph 3
can easily be replaced by …
• (A) significantly
(B) perfectly
(C) accurately
(D) excellently
• Jawab: (A) significantly
Keyword: featured on
Pembahasan:
• prominently = significantly = menonjol
• perfectly = sempurna
• accurately = akurat
• excellently = baik
• 2. The passage describes theremin as a/an
…
• (A) prototype of Moog Synthesizer
(B) initial electronic music instrument
(C) musical instrument to replicate the sound
(D) instrument of electronic tool
• Jawab: (B) initial electronic music
instrument
Keyword: instrument called theremin
Pembahasan: Initial electronic music
instrument. Dapat dilihat pada bacaan
‘particularly on early electronic music
instrument called theremin.

7. • 3. The pronoun “it” paragraph 2 refers
to…
• (A) electronic synthesizer
(B) a keyboard instrument
(C) prototype of Moog Synthesizer
(D) new semiconductor technology
• Jawab: (C) prototype of Moog
Synthesizer
Keyword: intoduced yhe prototype
Pembahasan: Prototype of Moog
Synthesizer. Jika dilihat dari bacaan
pada paragraf 3, Moog
memperkenalkan sebuah prototype
Moog Synthesizer.
• 4. According to the passage, all of the following
are true about The Moog, EXCEPT…
• (A) it was invented by Robert Moog
(B) it was first introduced in 1964
(C) it initiated new technology which was smaller
and cheaper than previous
(D) it was the first synthesizer in the world
• Jawab: (D) it was the first synthesizer in the
world
Keyword: made it smaller and considerably than
Pembahasan: it was the first synthesizer In the
world. Karena dalam bacaan ke-18-19 dituliskan
bahwa sebelumnya sudah diciptakan mesin
synthesizer “which made it smaller and
considerably cheaper than earlier machine”.

8. • 5. The paragraph following the passage most
likely discusses…
• (A) collaboration between The Moog and other
musicians
(B) the description of compact and portable
Mini Moog
(C) the improvement of Moog Synthesizer
(D) trend in the music industry about
synthesizer
• Jawab: (C) the improvement of Moog
Synthesizer
Keyword : Moo Sythesizer was also
prominently
Pembahasan: Yang paling mungkin dibahas
dalam paragraf selanjutnya adalah the
improvement of Moog synthesizer.
• 6. The main idea of paragraph three is …
• (A) the Moog’s collaboration in music field
(B) the Moog in the movie soundtrack
(C) the introduction of Minimoog
(D) the collaboration of The Moog with music
groups
• Jawab: (A) the Moog’s collaboration in music
field
Keyword: Moog began a collaboration
Pembahasan: the Moog’s collaboration in
music field. Dalam bacaan dituliskan bahwa
Moog mulai berkolaborasi dengan berbagai
musisi dalam berbagai genre musik.

9. Reading Comprehension Passage 2
Throughout history, people have been the victim of pickpockets. Today, pick pocketing is the one of the most
rapidly increasing crimes. Pickpockets are increasing in number and developing better methods to Line
practice their skill. Approximately one million Americans lose money to pickpockets every year, and none is
really safe from a skilled pickpockets. His victims, or ‘marks’ as they are called, can be rich or poor, young or
old.
During the eighteenth century, pickpockets were hanged in England, large crowds of people would gather
watch the hanging, which was supposed to be a warning to other pickpockets. However, in time the practice
was discontinued. The reason: while people were attentively watching the hanging of a pickpockets, other
pickpockets skillfully stole the money of spectators.
Police official say that the most efficient pickpockets come from South America. Many of these expert
pickpockets are trained in special school called ‘Jingle Bell Schools’. A pickpocket’s graduate from J. B. S when
he is able to steal a wallet from a dresses dummy (mannequin) that has bells inside its pockets.
Even the most well dressed, respectable person may be a pickpocket. Some of the favorite places of
pickpockets are banks, airports, racetrack, supermarkets, elevators, and train and bus stations. Oftentimes a
pickpocket will work with another pickpockets as his partner. Another kind of pickpockets works outside or
inside bars and specialize in stealing from women is called a ‘purse snatcher’.
To avoid being the victim of a pickpocket, it’s important to be very cautious and alert when in the midst of
large gathering of the people.

10. • 7. The best title for the passage
would be…
• (A) Pickpockets are well dressed
(B) Jingle Bell Schools
(C) Pickpockets
(D) The hanging of pickpockets
• Jawab: (C) Pickpockets
Keyword: have been the victim of
pickcpockets
Pembahasan: Keseluruhan bacaan
di atas berisi tentang pickpocket
(pencopet).
• 8. The hanging of pickpockets were not
continued because …
• (A) they were large crowd of people
(B) it was against humanity
(C) the police were not at the hanging
(D) it was not effective to stop pickpocketing
• Jawab: (D) it was not effective to stop
pickpocketing
Keyword: other pickpockets skillfully stole
the money
Pembahasan: Pada paragraf 2 dijelaskan
bahwa ketika para pencopet digantung,
pencopet yang lain beraksi di antara
kerumunan penonton.

11. • 9. Pick pocketing is … crime.
• (A) an old
(B) a modern
(C) a temporary
(D) a contemporary
• Jawab: (A) an old
Keyword: during the 18th century
Pembahasan: Pencopetan
merupakan kejahatan lama sejak
abad ke-18.
• 10. The passage mentions that
pickpockets steal in/from the following,
except
• (A) crowded places
(B) the shops
(C) drunkards
(D) women
• Jawab: (C) drunkards
Keyword: his victims can be rich or
poor, young or old
Pembahasan: Berdasarkan bacaan,
drunkard tidak disebutkan.

12. • 11. South Americans pickpockets are
the most efficient ones because …
• (A) they are well-trained
(B) they are handsome
(C) they are well-dressed
(D) they are respectable
• Jawab: (A) they are well-trained
Keyword: the most efficient
pickpockets come from South America
Pembahasan: Di Amerika Sealtan
terdapat sekolah untuk para pencopet.

13. Reading Comprehension Passage 3
The cause of tooth decay is acid, which is produced by bacteria in the mouth. The acid removes minerals from
tooth enamel, allowing tooth decay to begin; the saliva in your mouth encourages remineralization and Line
neutralizes the acid. The rate at which bacteria in the mouth produce acid depends on the amount of plaque on
the teeth, the composition of the microbial flora, and whether the bacteria of the plaque have been “primed” by
frequent exposure to sugar. To keep your teeth healthy, a regular dental hygiene program should be followed.
Removing plaque with a toothbrush and dental floss temporarily reduces the numbers of bacteria in the
mouth and thus reduces tooth decay. It also makes the surfaces of the teeth more accessible, enabling saliva to
neutralize acid and remineralise lesions. If fluoride is present in drinking water when teeth are forming, some
fluoride is incorporated into the enamel of the teeth, making them more resistant to attack by acid. Fluoride
toothpaste seems to act in another way, by promoting the remineralization of early carious lesions.
In addition to a regular dental hygiene program, a good way to keep your teeth healthy is to reduce your
intake of sweet food. The least cavity- causing way to eat sweets is to have them with meals and not between.
The number of times you eat sweets rather than the total amount determines how much harmful acid the
bacteria in your saliva produce. But the amount of sweets influences the quality of your saliva. Avoid, if you can,
sticky sweets that stay in your mouth a long time. Also try to brush and floss your teeth after eating sugary
foods. Even rinsing your mouth with water is effective. Whenever possible, eat foods with fiber, such as raw
carrot sticks, apples, celery sticks, etc., that scrape off plaque, acting as a toothbrush. Cavities can be greatly
reduced if these rules are followed when eating sweets.

14. • 12. What does this passage mainly
discuss?
• (A) Good nutrition
(B) Food with fiber
(C) Ways to keep your teeth healthy
(D) Fluoridization and cavities
• Jawab: (C) Ways to keep your teeth
healthy
Keyword: to keep your teeth healthy
Pembahasan: Bacaan tersebut
membahas tentang cara menjaga gigi
Anda sehat (Ways to keep your teeth
healthy).
• 13. According to the passage, all of the
following statements about plaque are true
EXCEPT…
• (A) it consists of acid producing bacteria
(B) it is not affected by eating sweets
(C) it can be removed from teeth by brushing
and flossing
(D) it reduces the positive effect of saliva
• Jawab: (B) It is not affected by eating sweets
Keyword: have been primed by frequent
exposure to sugar
Pembahasan: Pernyataan tentang plak
berdasarkan bacaan tersebut kecuali: “It is
not affected by eating sweets.”

15. • 14. We can infer from the passage that one
benefit of fluoride to healthy teeth is…
• (A) It strengthens tooth enamel
(B) it stimulates saliva production
(C) it makes teeth whiter
(D) It Is a replacement for brushing and
flossing in dental care
• Jawab: (A) it strengthens tooth enamel
Keyword: making them more resistant to
attarck by add
Pembahasan: Kita bisa menyimpulkan satu
manfaat dari fluoride untuk gigi, yaitu
memperkuat enamel gigi (It strengthens
tooth enamel.)
• 15. The word “it” in paragraph 2
refers to …
• (A) dental floss
(B) bacteria
(C) removal of plaque
(D) plaque
• Jawab: (C) removal of plaque
Keyword: removing plaque
Pembahasan: “it” paragraf ke 2
menunjukkan removal of plaque
(menghilangkan plak).

16. • 16. What can be concluded from the passage
about sweets?
• (A) All sweets should be avoided.
(B) Sweets should be eaten with care.
(C) It is better to eat sweets a little at a time
throughout the day.
(D) Sticky sweets are less harmful than other
sweets.
• Jawab: (B) Sweets should be eaten with
care.
Keyword: Avoid, if you can, sticky sweets
Pembahasan: Simpulan tentang “sweets”
(permen) adalah sweets should be eaten
with care. (Sweets harus dimakan dengan
hati-hati).
• 17. The word “scrape off” in paragraph 3 is
closest in meaning to…
• (A) repel
(B) rub together with
(C) remove
(D) dissolve
• Jawab: (C) remove
Keyword: acting as a toothbrush
Pembahasan: Kata “scrape off” yang
terdekat dalam arti untuk remove.
• repel = mengusir
• rub together with = gosok bersama-
sama dengan
• remove = menghapus
• dissolve = larut

17. • 18. According to the passage, the value of eating
foods with fiber is that …
• (A) they contain Vitamin A
(B) they are less expensive than a toothbrush
(C) they are able to remove the plaque from your
teeth
(D) they contain no sugar
• Jawab: (C) they are able to remove the plaque
from your teeth
Keyword: that scrape off plaque
Pembahasan: Menurut bagian ini, nilai makan
makanan dengan serat adalah bahwa “they are
able to remove the plaque from your teeth”
(mereka mampu menghilangkan plak dari gigi
Anda).
• 19. The author of the passage states that the
amount of acid produced by the bacteria in
your saliva increases …
• (A) with the amount of sweets you eat
(B) with the number of times you eat sweets
(C) if you eat sweets with your meals
(D) if you eat sticky sweets
• Jawab: (B) with the number of times you eat
sweets
Keyword: the amount of sweets influences the
quality of your saliva
Pembahasan: Jumlah asam yang diproduksi
oleh bakteri dalam air liur akan meningkat
seiring dengan jumlah permen yang dimakan.
(with the number of times you eat sweets.)

18. Reading Comprehension Passage 4
Until recently, most American entrepreneurs were men. Discrimination against women in business, the demands of
caring for families, and lack of business training had kept the number of women entrepreneurs Line small. Now, however,
businesses owned by women account for more than $40 billion in annual revenues, and this figure is likely to continue
rising throughout the 1990s. As Carolyn Doppelt Gray, an official of the Small Business Administration, has noted, “The
1970s was the decade of women entering management, and the 1980s turned out to be the decade of the woman
entrepreneur”.
What are some of the factors behind this trend? For one thing, as more women earn advanced degrees in business and
enter the corporate world, they are finding obstacles. Women are still excluded from most executive suites. Charlotte
Taylor, a management consultant, had noted, “In the 1970s women believed if they got an MBA and worked hard they
could become chairman of the board. Now they’ve found out that isn’t going to happen, so they go out on their own”.
In the past, most women entrepreneurs worked in “women’s” fields: cosmetics and clothing, for example. But this is
changing. Consider ASK Computer Systems, a $22-million-a-year computer software business. It was founded in 1973 by
Sandra Kurtzig, who was then a housewife with degrees in math and engineering. When Kurtzig founded the business, her
first product was software that let weekly newspapers keep tabs on their newspaper carriers and her office was a bedroom
at home, with a shoebox under the bed to hold the company’s cash. After she succeeded with the newspaper software
system, she hired several bright computer-science graduates to develop additional programs. When these were marketed
and sold, ASK began to grow. It now has 200 employees, and Sandra Kurtzig owns $66.9 million of stock.
Of course, many women who start their own businesses fail, just as men often do. They still face hurdles in the business
world, especially problems in raising money; the banking and finance world is still dominated by men, and old attitudes die
hard. Most businesses owned by women are still quite small. But the situation is changing; there are likely to be many
more Sandra Kurtzigs in the years ahead.

19. • 20. What is the main idea of this passage?
• (A) Women today are better educated than in the
past, making them more attractive to the business
world.
(B) The computer is especially lucrative for women
today.
(C) Women are better at small businesses than men
are.
(D) Women today are opening more businesses of
their own.
• Jawab: (D) Women today are opening more
businesses of their own.
Keyword: businesses owned by women account for
more than $40 billion
Pembahasan: Gagasan utama bacaan tersebut
adalah Wanita masa kini makin banyak yang
membuka usaha sendiri.
• 21. The word “excluded” in paragraph 2 is closest
in meaning to…
• (A) not permitted in
(B) often invited to
(C) decorators of
(D) charged admission to
• Jawab: (A) not permitted in
Keyword: form most executive suites
Pembahasan: Kata “excluded” =
dikecualikan”pada paragraf ke 2 adalah memiliki
arti terdekat dengan not permitted in = tidak
diizinkan dalam.
• often invited to = sering diundang untuk.
• decorators of = dekorator dari.
• charged admission to = dibebankan masuk ke.

20. • 22. All of the following were mentioned in the
passage as detriments to women in the business
world EXCEPT…
• (A) women were required to stay at home with their
families
(B) women lacked ability to work in business
(C) women faced discrimination in business
(D) women were not trained in business
• Jawab: (B) women lacked ability to work in
business
Keyword: more women earn advanced degrees in
business
Pembahasan: Berlkut Ini adalah yang disebutkan
dalam bacaan sebagai kekurangan wanita di
dunia bisnis KECUALI wanita tidak
memiliki kemampuan untuk bekerja dalam bisnis
(women lacked ability to work in business).
• 23. In paragraph 2, “that” refers to …
• (A) a woman becomes chairman of the board
(B) women working hard
(C) women achieving advanced degrees
(D) women believing that business is a place for
them
• Jawab: (A) a woman becomes chairman of the
board
Keyword: they become chairman of the board
Pembahasan: Kata “that” pada paragraf ke
2 mengacu padaa woman becomes chairman
of the board (wanita yang menjadi ketua
dewan).

21. • 24. According to the passage, Charlotte Taylor believes
that women in the 1970s…
• (A) were unrealistic about their opportunities in
business management
(B) were still more interested in education than business
opportunities
(C) had fewer obstacles in business than they do today
(D) were unable to work hard enough to succeed in
business
• Jawab: (A) were unrealistic about their opportunities in
business management
Keyword: women believed if they got an MBA
Pembahasan: Menurut bacaan, Charlotte Taylor
percaya bahwa perempuan pada 1970-an kurang yakin
tentang peluang mereka dalam manajemen bisnis
(were unrealistic about their opportunities in business
management).
• 25. The author mentions the “shoebox under the bed” in
the third paragraph in order to…
• (A) show the frugality of women in business
(B) show the resourcefulness of Sandra Kurtzig
(C) point out that initially the financial resources of Sandra
Kurtzig’s business were limited
(D) suggest that the company needed to expand
• Jawab: (C) point out that initially the financial resources
of Sandra Kurtzig’s business were limited
Keyword: to hold the company’s cash
Pembahasan: Penulis menyebutkan “shoebox under the
bed” dalam paragraf ketiga untuk menunjukkan bahwa
pada awalnya sumberdaya keuangan dari bisnis Sandra
Kurtzig’s terbatas (point out that initially the financial
resources of Sandra Kurtzig’s business were limited).

22. • 26. In the third paragraph, the word “this”
refers to…
• (A) women becoming entrepreneurs
(B) women buying cosmetics and clothing
(C) women working in “women’s fields”
(D) women staying at home
• Jawab: (C) women working in “women’s
fields”
Keyword: women entrepreneurs worked in
women’s fields
Pembahasan: Kata “this” pada paragraf ke
3 mengacu pada perempuan yang bekerja di
“bidang perempuan” (women working in
“women’s fields”).
• 27. The expression “keep tabs on” in the third
paragraph is closest in meaning to …
• (A) recognize the appearance of
(B) keep records of
(C) provide transportation for
(D) pay the salaries of
• Jawab: (B) keep records of
Keyword: let weekly newspapers
Pembahasan: Ungkapan “keep tabs on =
mengawasi” pada paragraf ke 3 memiliki arti
terdekat dengan keep records of (menyimpan
rekaman).
• recognize the appearance of = mengakui
tampilan
• provide transportation for = menyediakan
transportasi untuk
• pay the salaries of = membayar gaji

23. • 28. The word “hurdles” in the last paragraph
can be best replaced by…
• (A) fences
(B) obstacles
(C) questions
(D) small groups
• Jawab: (B) obstacles
Keyword: especially problem in raising money
Pembahasan: Kata “hurdles = rintangan”
dalam paragraf terakhir dapat digantikan
dengan kata obstacles (hambatan).
• fences = pagar
• obstacles = hambatan
• questions = pertanyaan
• small groups = kelompok kecil
• 29. It can be inferred from the passage that the
author believes that businesses operated by
women are small because …
• (A) women prefer a small intimate setting
(B) women can’t deal with money
(C) women are not able to borrow money easily
(D) many women fail at large businesses
• Jawab: (C) women are not able to borrow
money easily
Keyword: especially problem in raising money
Pembahasan: Bisnis yang dioperasikan oleh
wanita masih kecil karena mereka tidak dapat
meminjam uang dengan mudah (women are not
able to borrow money easily).

24. • 30. The author’s attitude about the
future of women in business is …
• (A) skeptical
(B) optimistic
(C) frustrated
(D) negative
• Jawab: (B) optimistic
Keyword: but the situation is changing
Pembahasan: Sikap penulis tentang
masa depan wanita dalamm bisnis
adalah optimis (optimistic)

25. Reading Comprehension Passage 5
This rapid transcontinental settlement and these new urban industrial circumstances of the last half of the
19“’ century were accompanied by the development of a national literature of great abundance and variety. Line
New themes, new forms, new subjects, new regions, new authors, new audiences all emerged in the literature
of this half century. As a result, at the onset of World War I, the spirit and substance of American literature had
evolved remarkably, just as its center of production had shifted from Boston to New York In the late 1880s and
the sources of its energy to Chicago and the Midwest. No longer was it produced, at least in its popular forms, in
the main by solemn, typically moralistic men from New England and the Old South; no longer were polite, well-
dressed, grammatically correct, middle-class young people the only central characters in its narratives no longer
were these narratives to be set in exotic places and remote times; no longer, indeed, were fiction, poetry, drama,
and formal history the chief acceptable forms of literary expression; no longer, finally, was literature read
primarily by young, middle class women. In sum, American literature in these years fulfilled in considerable
measure the condition Walt Whitman called for inl867 in describing Leaves of Grass: It treats, he said of his own
major work, each state and region as peers “and expands from them, and includes the world … connecting an
American citizen with the citizens of all nations.” At the same time, these years saw the emergence of what has
been designated “the literature of argument,” powerful works in sociology, philosophy, psychology, many of
them impelled by the spirit of exposure and reform. Just as America learned to play a role in this half century as
an autonomous international political, economic, and military power, so did its literature establish itself as a
producer of major works.

26. • 31. The main idea of this passage is …
• (A) that the new American literature was less
provincial than the old
(B) that World War I caused a dramatic change
in America
(C) that centers of culture shifted from East to
West
(D) that most people were wary of the new
literature
• Jawab: (A) that the new American literature
was less provincial
Keyword: were accompanied by the
development of a national literature
Pembahasan: Gagasan utama dari bacaan ini
adalah sastra Amerika baru kurang
kedaerahan dari yang lawas (that the new
American literature was less provincial than
the old).
• 32. It can be inferred from lines 1-3 that the
previous passage probably discussed …
• (A) the Importance of tradition to writers
(B) new developments in industrialization and
population shifts
(C) the fashions and values of 19th century
America
(D) the limitations of American literature to
this time
• Jawab: (B) new developments In
Industrialization and population shifts
Keyword: the rapid transcontinental
settlement and these new urban Industrial
Pembahasan: Yang dapat disimpulkan dari
kalimat 1 adalah perkembangan pergeseran
industrialisasl dan populasi yang baru (new
developments in industrialization and
population shifts).

27. • 33. The word “evolved” is closest in
meaning to…
• (A) became famous
(B) turned back
(C) diminished
(D) changed
• Jawab: (D) changed
Keyword: had shifted from
Pembahasan: evolved – berevolusi
became famous = menjadi terkenal turned
back = berbalik diminished = berkurang
changed = berubah
• 34. The word “it” refers to…
• (A) the population
(B) the energy
(C) American literature
(D) the manufacturing
• Jawab: (C) American literature
Keyword: the spirit and substance of
American literature
Keyword: the spirit and substance of
American literature
Pembahasan: Kata “it” mengacu pada
sastra Amerika (American literature).

28. • 35. The word “exotic” is closest in meaning
to…
• (A) urban
(B) unusual
(C) well-known
(D) old-fashioned
• Jawab : (B) unusual Keyword Pembahasan
Keyword: exotic places and remote times
Pembahasan: Kata “exotic” = eksotis arti
yang terdekat unusual = tidak biasa
• urban = perkotaan
• unusual = tidak biasa
• well-known = terkenal
• old-fashioned = kuno
• 36. The author uses the word “indeed”
for what purpose?
• (A) to emphasize the contrast he is
making
(B) for variety in a lengthy paragraph
(C) to wind down his argument
(D) to show a favorable attitude to
these forms of literature
• Jawab: (A) to emphasize the contrast
he is making
Keyword: no longer
Pembahasan: Penulis menggunakan
kata ” indeed = benar” untuk
menekankan kontras (to emphasize
the contrast he is making).

29. • 37. The phrase “these years” in line 17
refers to …
• (A) 1850-1900
(B) the 1900s
(C) the early 1800s
(D) the present
• Jawab: (A) 1850-1900
Keyword: in late 1880s
Pembahasan: Ungkapan “these years =
bertahun-tahun” dalam mengacu pada
1850-1900.
• 38. It can be inferred from the passage
that Walt Whitman…
• (A) disliked urban life
(B) was disapproving of the new
literature
(C) wrote Leaves of Grass
(D) was an international diplomat
• Jawab: (C) wrote Leaves of Grass
Keyword: in describing Leaves of Grass
Keyword: in describing Leaves of Grass
Pembahasan: Hal yang dapat
disimpulkan tentang Walt Whitman
adalah menulis Leaves of Grass.

30. • 39. All of the following can be inferred from
the passage about the new literature
EXCEPT…
• (A) it was not highly regarded Internationally
(B) it introduced new american themes,
characters, and settings
(C)
itbrokewithmanyliterarytraditionsofthepast
(D) it spoke to the issue of reform and change
• Jawab: (A) it was not highly regarded
internationally
Keyword: 50 did its literature establish itself
Pembahasan: Simpulan di atas adalah benar
tentang “new literature” literatur baru
kecuali sangat tidak dihargai secara
internasional (It was not highly regarded
internationally).
• 40. This passage would probably be
read in which of the following
academic courses?
• (A) European history
(B) American literature
(C) Current events
(D) International affairs
• Jawab: (B) American literature
Keyword: substance of American
literature
Pembahasan: Bagian ini mungkin
akan dibaca di mana di kelas sastra
Amerika.

31. Reading Comprehension Passage 6
Scientists do not yet thoroughly understand just how the body of an individual becomes sensitive to a
substance that is harmless or even wholesome for the average person. Milk, wheat, and egg, for example. Line
rank among the most healthful and widely used foods. Yet these foods can cause persons sensitive to them to
suffer greatly. At first, the body of the individual is not harmed by coming into contact with the substance. After
a varying interval of time, usually longer than a few weeks, the body becomes sensitive to it, and an allergy has
begun to develop. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out if you have a food allergy since it can show up so many
different ways.
Your symptoms could be caused by many other problems. You may have rashes, hives, joint pains mimicking
arthritis, headaches, irritability, or depression. The most common food allergies are to milk, eggs, seafood,
wheat, nuts, seeds, chocolate, oranges, and tomatoes. Many of these allergies will not develop if these foods
are not fed to an infant until her or his intestines mature at around seven months.
Breast milk also tends to be protective. Migraines can be set off by foods containing tyramine,
phenethylamine, monosodium glutamate, or sodium nitrate. Common foods which contain these are chocolate,
aged cheeses, sour cream, red wine, pickled herring, chicken livers, avocados, ripe bananas, cured meats, many
Oriental and prepared foods (read the labels!). Some people have been successful in treating their migraines
with supplements of B-vitamins, particularly B6 and niacin.
Children who are hyperactive may benefit from eliminating food additives, especially colorings, and foods
high in salicylates from their diets. A few of these are almonds, green peppers, peaches, tea, grapes. This is the
diet made popular by Benjamin Feingold, who has written the book Why your Child is 30 Hyperactive. Other
researchers have had mixed results when testing whether the diet is effective.

32. • 41. The topic of this passage is…
• (A) reactions to foods
(B) food and nutrition
(C) infants and allergies
(D) a good diet
• Jawab: (A) reactions to foods
Keyword: an individual
becomes sensitive to a
substance
Pembahasan: Topik dari bacaan
tersebut adalah reaksi
terhadap makan (reactios of
foods).
• 42. According to the passage, the difficulty in
diagnosing allergies to foods is due to …
• (A) the vast number of different foods we eat
(B) lack of a proper treatment plan
(C) the similarity of symptoms of the allergy to
other problems
(D) the use of the prepared formula to feed
babies
• Jawab: (C) the similarity of symptoms of the
allergy to other problems
Keyword: it can show up so many different
ways
Pembahasan: Menurut bagian ini, kesutitan
dalam mendiagnosis alergi terhadap makanan
adalah karena kemiripan gejala alergi dengan
masalah lain (the similarity of symptoms of the
allergy to other problems).

33. • 43. The word “symptoms” in
line 8 is closest in meaning to …
• (A) indications
(B) diet
(C) diagnosis
(D) prescriptions
• Jawab: (A) indications
Keyword: could be caused by
many other problems
Pembahasan:
• symptoms = gejala
• indications = indikasi
• diet = diet
• diagnosis = diagnosis
• prescriptions = resep
• 44. The phrase “set off” is closest to the
meaning …
• (A) relieved
(B) identified
(C) avoided
(D) triggered
• Jawab: (D) triggered
Keyword: by foods containing
Pembahasan: Ungkapan “set off” adalah
paling mirip dengan arti triggered = dipicu
• relieved = lega
• identified= diidentifikasi
• avoided= dihindari

34. • 45. What can be inferred about babies from
this passage?
• (A) They can eat almost anything.
(B) They should have a carefully restricted diet
as infants.
(C) They gain little benefit from being
breastfed.
(D)They may become hyperactive if fed solid
food too early.
• Jawab: (B) They should have a carefully
restricted diet as infants.
Keyword: many of these allergies will not
develop. If these foods are not fed to an
infant until
Pembahasan: Simpulan tentang bayi adalah
mereka harus memiliki pola makanan yang
dibatasi dengan hati-hati (They should have
a carefully restricted diet as infants).
• 46. The word “hyperactive” is closest in
meaning to …
• (A) overly active
(B) unusually low activity
(C) excited
(D) inquisitive
• Jawab: (A) overly active
Keyword: children who are
hyperactive
Pembahasan: Kata “hiperaktif” mirip
dengan overly active (terlalu aktif)
• overly active = terlalu aktif
• unusually low activity = aktivitas
luar biasa rendah
• excited = bersemangat
• inquisitive = ingin tahu

35. • 47. The author states that the reason that
infants need to avoid certain foods related to
allergies has to do with the infants…
• (A) lack of teeth
(B) poor metabolism
(C) underdeveloped intestinal tract
(D) inability to swallow solid foods
• Jawab: (C) underdeveloped intestinal tract
Keyword: until her or his intestines mature
Pembahasan: Dinyatakan dalam bacaan
bahwa alasan bahwa bayi perlu
menghindari makanan tertentu yang
berhubungan dengan alergi karena saluran
pencernaan yang belum berkembang baik.

36. Reading Comprehension Passage 7
A curfew is a specific type of law instituted by those In power. It is one that requires
citizens to be off the streets and out of public places at specified hours.
There are active curfew laws in some communities in the United States today;
these laws are currently functioning. The existing curfew laws generally refer to
minors. These laws usually indicate the hour when the children must be off the
streets and out of public unless they are with their parents.
Curfew laws have a long tradition. William of Normandy introduced the custom to
the British Isles after his invasion there in 1066. At curfew time, a bell was rung. The
pealing of the bell indicated that citizens should extinguish any burning fires and clear
the streets for the night. The word curfew actually developed at this time from the
Norman French expression couvre-feu or cover the fire.

37. • 48. The word “minors” in paragraph
2 could be best replaced by …
• (A) children
(B) communities
(C) public
(D) citizens
• Jawab: (A) children
Keyword: generally refer to minors
Pembahasan: Minors = belum
dewasa
• children = anak-anak
• communities = komunitas
• public = publik
• citizens = warga
• 49. Look at the word “pealing” in
paragraph 3. This word is closest in
meaning to which of the following?
• (A) ringing
(B) uncovering
(C) breaking
(D) burning
• Jawab: (A) ringing
Keyword: a bell was rung
Pembahasan: Pealing = bunyi
• ringing = dering
• uncovering = mengungkap
• breaking = pemecahan
• burning = pembakaran

38. • 50. Citizens should extinguish any burning
fires, (paragraph 3). Word extinguish is
closest in meaning to…
• (A) put in
(B) put on
(C) put off
(D) put out
• Jawab: (D) put out
Keyword: should extinguish any burning
fire
Pembahasan: Extinguish = padam
• put in =memasukkan
• put on = memakai
• put off =menunda
• put out = memadamkan

39. REFERENCES
http://www.geniustoefl.com/artikel-ilmu-kunci-toefl/artikel/reading-comprehension/contoh-soal-pembahasan-reading-
comprehension-tes-toefl
http://www.geniustoefl.com/artikel-ilmu-kunci-toefl/artikel/reading-comprehension/tip-trik-menjawab-soal-toefl-reading
https://www.pustakabahasainggris.com/50-contoh-soal-toefl-reading-comprehension-lengkap-dengan-kunci-jawaban-
dan-pembahasan-part-a/
https://www.pustakabahasainggris.com/50-contoh-soal-toefl-reading-comprehension-lengkap-dengan-kunci-jawaban-
dan-pembahasan-part-b/