New Format of TOEFL Reading Section

As of 2024, ETS has updated the TOEFL exam pattern. Previously, the section consisted of 3 to 4 academic passages which were around 700 words long and contained 10 multiple-choice questions. The particular paragraphs were taken from university textbooks that cover a variety of subjects. At present, ETS has cut down the question number to 9 to 10 for every reading passage. If your set contains a fourth paragraph, the question number may increase. Generally, the tenth question of the topics contains a table that you need to fill up.

The section is designed to evaluate the ability of a candidate how he/she understand and interprets the different academic texts. The total score of TOEFL ranges between 0 to 120 points and individually the reading section points range between 0 to 30. If you get 25 + in this segment, it will be considered as a good score.

Sources for TOEFL Reading Topics

A diverse range of TOEFL reading topics is covered in passages, easily accessible online due to the internet. These topics include business, environment, science, economics, and everyday life, each presenting essential questions relevant to the TOEFL exam.

Methods for Enhancing TOEFL Reading Skills

Candidates should engage in active reading for approximately 20 minutes daily to improve TOEFL reading scores. They should gather reading material from articles, news, stories, and books, practicing reading comprehension questions based on these texts. Allocating about 1 minute and 25 seconds to each TOEFL reading question is advised. Developing a robust vocabulary, particularly focusing on academic word lists, is crucial for all TOEFL sections. Thoroughly reading entire sentences is essential for understanding their meaning.

Practicing with TOEFL Reading Books

Effective preparation involves utilizing TOEFL books containing comprehensive study materials. Books like “Official TOEFL iBT Tests” offer around 15 official TOEFL reading passages for practice. Candidates can strengthen their comprehension and analysis skills by practicing passages from such books. Other beneficial resources include “The Official Guide to TOEFL” and “The Propell Workshop Teacher’s Book,” along with TOEFL reading practice test papers available for free or as PDF sets on ETS.org. Practicing passages from these sources enhances reading proficiency.

Reading Non-TOEFL Articles for Practice

While TOEFL reading primarily assesses English language proficiency, candidates with prior experience in reading academic English passages tend to perform better. Thus, practicing TOEFL reading topics is essential, akin to developing proficiency in academic English. Candidates aiming for TOEFL scores above 90 should engage with challenging study materials to increase speed, accuracy, and comprehension. Such practice enables candidates to infer the author’s perspective in passages more adeptly.

Most Common & Classic TOEFL Reading Topics

TOEFL Reading encompasses a diverse array of academic subjects such as science, social science, humanities, and current events. Although specific topics may differ, typical areas include astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, medicine, and physics. Each TOEFL reading passage covers a topic and is around 700 words in length, with test-takers given 35 minutes to respond to the reading prompts.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Most Common and Classic TOEFL Reading Topics in detail.

Check The Most Common and Classic TOEFL Reading Topics