---
# System prepended metadata

title: TOEFL study

---

# TOEFL study
**:warning: disclaimer :warning:**
None of the material belongs to me, the purpose of this note is to take notes about the materials recommended to me and understand how TOEFL tests its test takers.

material source: https://www.edx.org/course/toefl-test-preparation-the-insiders-guide

## Outline
[toc]

---
## Test outline
![](https://i.imgur.com/3tnK1Fz.jpg)
1st section **Reading**.

- The Reading section has 3~4 passages of about 700 words each.
- For each passage, you will answer 10 multiple choice questions.
- You will have 54 to 72 minutes to complete the Reading section. During that time, you can return to previous questions to review or change your answers.

2nd section **Listening**

- For this section, you will wear a headset to hear the conversations and lectures.
- There are 2 or 3 conversations. Each is about 3 minutes long and has 5 multiple choice questions.
- There are 3 or 4 lectures, each of those about 3 to 5 minutes long and has 6 multiple choice questions.
- In the Listening section, you will only hear the conversations and lectures one time. Also, you must answer the questions in the order that they are presented. In this section, you can't go back to previous questions.
- You will have 41 to 57 minutes to complete the section.

**10 minute break**

3rd section **Speaking**
- The Speaking section has 4 tasks and takes about 17 minutes to complete.
- Some tasks require you to listen to part of a conversation or lecture, so you will continue to use your headset. Some also require you to read a short passage.
- For each task, you will be asked a question and will be given a short time to prepare your response. Then, you will speak into the microphone on your headset for 45 to 60 seconds, depending on the question.

4th section **Writing**
- You will complete two writing tasks in 50 minutes by typing your responses into the computer.
- In the first task, you will read a passage and listen to a short lecture, then write your response. You will have 20 minutes to write your response.
- In the second task, you will be asked your opinion on an issue and you will have 30 minutes to write your response.

> every section is scored out of 30 (full 120)

## READING
- Questions types
- Reading tips
- practice questions

---
### Questions types
**Academic texts**
- formal language
    - few contractions or abbreviations
    - specialized vocabulary
    - no idioms or slang expressions
    - formal grammer
- logical and objective
    - based on facts
    - impersonal tones
    - doesn't appeal to emotions
- conceptually complex
    - multidimentioanl ideals 
    - interconnected ideals(read between the lines)

**Appoaching reading passages**
- identify the topic
- skim the passage
- take notes/create an outline
- read the questions
- scan for key words
> intent of including information

**Factual/Negative Factual Questions**
- factual
    - major ideas
    - supporting details
    - definition
- negative factual
    - which is false

**Inference, rhetorical purpose**
- "infered"
- "to explain, illustrate, contrast, refute, note, support"

**vocabulary**
- academic vocabulary <-> specialized vocabulary(專有名詞)

**sentense simplification**
- "best express"
- cause/effect
- conclusion based on evidence

**insert text**
- insert a sentence in the paragraph
- flow logically
- know pronouns

**prose summary, table**
- 6 選 3
- not in particular order
- covers whole passage
![](https://i.imgur.com/PyaXj0I.png =400x300)

### How it's scored
- 4選1 or 2 -> 1 point
- 6選3 -> 2-3 points (partial credit is possible)
- raw score -> convert to scaled score 0-30

## LISTENING
**Things to keep in mind**
- questions are not avalible when listening to the conversation.
- you cannot go back to previous questions.
- conversations are 3 minutes long, and has 5 multiple-choice questions.
- lectures are 5 minutes lonf, and has 6 multiple-choice questions.
- ![](https://i.imgur.com/4PJRaaf.gif) This means you will hear, but not see, the question.


**listening types**
- conversation
- lecture
    - might be presented along with a visual
![](https://i.imgur.com/oMe85Xn.gif =200x200)
    - ==types==
        - one speaker
        - interactive lecutures
            - note the attitudes/opinions of two speakers

**approach**
- get oriented -> know the context
- identify important elements
    - main idea
    - key points
    - attitudes/opinions
- keep listening

### Question types
**main idea/purpose (often the first question)**

**detail**
- specific fact(important details)


**function**
- inference(intentions beneath the surface)


**attitude/feeling**
- "what I think",  "it seems to me"
- tone


**organization**
- show understanding of how a lecture is structured 
- listen for ==**INTRODUCTION**, **MAJOR IDEAS**, **EXAMPLES** and **CONCLUSION**==
- lsiten for signal words
     - First, next, then, second, finally (listing topic sentence in a supporting idea)
    - after, at last, before, during, now, since (signal chronology)
    - obviously, of course (concede?)
    - accordingly, as a result, because, for example, for instance (cause and effect)
    - in conclusion, to summerize (conclusion)

**connecting content**
- fill in a table or chart
- "What is the likely outcome"
- identify
    - steps in a process
    - cause/effect
    - classification
    - make a prediction
**inference**
- meaning of something when it's not direcly stated

### How it's scored
- 4選1 or 2 -> 1 point
- 6選3 -> 2-3 points (partial credit is possible)
- raw score -> convert to scaled score 0-30

## SPEAKING
resource
- [TOEFL Speaking Question 1 (2021) - Sample Answers and Questions Included](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr5Cu1Sc3w0)
---
### Question tyes
- agree/disagree -> agree or diagree with a statement
- preference -> A or B, which do you support
- good idea -> given a idea, asked whether a good idea or not

### **Template**
- state main point (8 sec)
    - "I agree with the idea that..."
    - "I think it is better to..."
    - "I think it is a great/terrible idea to..."
- transition to the details (2 sec)
    - "I feel this way for several reasons"(geneeral guideline)
- support your point (35 sec)
    - "First..." + First reason + personal example
    - "Secondly..." + second reason

### **Template(one reason)**
- state main point (8 sec)
    - "I agree with the idea that..."
    - "I think it is better to..."
    - "I think it is a great/terrible idea to..."
- support your point (37 sec)
    - "This is because..." + reason
    - "For instance..." + personal example
    - "As a result..." + long term effect 

> - make trascript and type it into word
> - use about 120-130 words for a top score
> - avoid repeating words
> - use transition words like "as a result," "consequently," "moreover," and "therefore,"
> - use coordinating conjunctions to link ideas
> avoid "um" pauses & false starts
> one or two reasons are both valid

Q2
![](https://i.imgur.com/pomIyMq.png =500x300)
![](https://i.imgur.com/RC6mwmS.png =500x300)

Q3
![](https://i.imgur.com/gUY5W8D.png =500x300)
![](https://i.imgur.com/Yydb6NY.png =500x300)


Q4
![](https://i.imgur.com/QZkxkdM.png =500x300)


**How are you graded**
- Human
    - Delivery
        - do they need to use more energy to understand
        - intonation
    - Language use
        - grammar
        - vocabulary
    - Topic developement
        - supporting argument with appropriate example and details
        - connection between reason and examples
- Computer
    - Fluency
    - Pronounciation & Intonation
    - Grammar
    - Vocabulary

## WRITING
**source:**
- [integrated essay](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ifq4VNRsVM&t=1078s)
- [indepandent essay](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6cwm0Z7YvI)
### Intergrated essay
**structure**
- read article (3 min)
- listen to the lecture (same topic)
- write essay (20 min)

**articles (prompt types)**
- three reasons (most common)
- three solutions
- three problems (least common)

**the article**
- 3 min to read
- always 4 paragraph
- 250-300 word long
- all subjects
- you can see the article while writing

**the lecture**
- three reasons are wrong
- three solution won't work
- there are three solutions to the three problems
- 2-3 minutes
- always oppose to the reading
- mentions point in the same order
- any major english accent (american, english, australian)

**take notes**
![](https://i.imgur.com/VI5x0Wm.png =350x300)
>^(example) 
>P.S. also use both notes and memory



### **Template**
* Introduction
    * The article and the lecture are both about ____.
    * While the author of the article argues that____, the lecturer disputes the claim presented in the article.
    * His/Her(**lecturer**) position is that____.
* Body 1
    * According to the reading____.
    * The article mentions that____.
    * This specific argument is challenged by the lecturer.
    * He/She(lecturer) claims that____.
    * Additionally, she points out that____.
* Body 2
    * Secondly, the author suggests that____.
    * In the article, it is said that____.
    * The lecturer, however, asserts that____.
    * She goes on to say that____.
* Body 3
    * Finally, the author puts forth the idea that____.
    * The auther contends that____.
    * In contrast, the lecturer's stance is that____.
    * He/She notes that____.
> - emphasize the lecture
> - short introduction & no conclusion


### Independent essay
**Question styles**
- agree/disagree(60%)
- preference -> choose between two options (20%)
- multiple choice -> choose between 3-4 options (20%)
- good idea -> whether or not a good idea (1%)

### **Template**
- Introduction
    - ==broad generalization about the world== -> "Most people in the world think that..."
    - ==thesis== -> "personally, I believe..."
    - ==outline== ->"There are several reasons why I feel this way, which I will explore in the following essay." 
- Body 1
    - ==reason 1== -> "To begin with, ..."
    - ==One or two explanatory sentences(supporting idea)==
    - My personal experience is a compelling example of this(evidence)
    - a specific personal example from your life
- Body 2
    - ==reason 2== -> "Furthermore, ..."
    - ==one or two explanaatory sentences==
    - a specific personal example from your life -> "For instance, ..."
- Conclusion
    - In conclusion, I strongly feel that ==[paraphrase the thesis]==.
    - This is because ==[paraphrase reason1]==, and ==[paraphrase reason 2]==.

> copying the prompt word for word is a big no-no.
> 380-400 words