TOEFL Science Reading Practice: Top 6 Recommended Sites

TOEFL Science Reading Practice: In the TOEFL examination, Science topics are the backbone. ETS generally sets the reading segment based on the science-related topic. In the official ETS TOEFL books, there are almost 39 reading passages, and among them, 32 are from science-related topics. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the 6 Recommended Websites for TOEFL Science Reading Practice in detail.

The table below gives the list of TOEFL Science Reading Practice:

here are so many tabloids and newspapers you can follow for your TOEFL examination but today we go first in the Google search for whatever we need to know. For this reason, you need to follow some best science topics and resources which you will get free of cost and they will increase your knowledge and vocabulary as well. Let us give you some examples as mentioned below.

Mental Floss is a TOEFL-like science article resource that you can access online while you are preparing for the TOEFL reading examination. The resource contains so many science-related articles and also provides the science archives. The well-structured articles with clear information, Mental Floss helps to develop the comprehensive skills of a TOEFL candidate. Mental Floss is a newspaper that uses modern-day English with rich vocabulary, idioms, and phrases.

If you are a TOEFL candidate and a daily consumer of Mental Floss, you are doing great. The ETS TOEFL wants to know your vocabulary base and analytical skills with their different segments, in that case, Mental Floss is beneficial. So, follow the Mental Floss for more science articles to gain knowledge and learn more.

Smithsonian Magazine is a great resource for the TOEFL-like science passages. The magazine follows the North American English academic texts that resemble the TOEFL examination structure. Smithsonian Magazine’s website is sponsored by the U.S. Federal Government and the magazine is associated with the Smithsonian Museums. 

The magazine has a special section related to science and nature and it follows the biology-oriented approach. The diversity of the science content makes Smithsonian Magazine a good resource to prepare for the TOEFL reading sections. The Smithsonian Magazine follows the colloquial language and the expressions we use in daily life. This type of content specifically helps you to develop your reading skills. 

National Geographic is an American institution that is not a government-sponsored organization. National Geographic is also a print media that is a major source for educational photography and writing. In the 21st century, the National Geographic channel provides so much science-related content that can give you so much knowledge about TOEFL-like science topics. 

The content of National Geographic analyses the information properly with great conclusive ideas which is valuable for the reading sections. National Geographic’s high linguistic complexities enrich the TOEFL candidates with language proficiency and comprehension. 

Time Magazine is as similar to the National Geographic. It is a long-running print magazine that provides you with TOEFL-like science content. The magazines highlight the different scientific discoveries and also talk about the new scientific theories as well. There are some political pieces related to the climate and government policies related to global warming, which are equal to the TOEFL standards. 

The diversity of the science content makes Time Magazine a good resource to prepare for the TOEFL reading sections. This type of content specifically helps you to develop your reading skills.  

ScienceNews generally publishes articles related to the current science topics which can appear in the TOEFL examination. The ScienceNews article tones are as similar of National Geographic and Times. If you read the articles from ScienceNews, it will help you learn about the modern aspects of science which is almost related to the TOEFL articles. 

Let us take an example related to the TOEFL Science Reading and answer the questions related to it.

Read the text and answer the questions

1) Science plays a crucial role in identifying problems related to how natural systems function and deteriorate, particularly when they are affected by an external factor. In turn, scientific findings shape the policies introduced to protect such systems where necessary. Experts are frequently called upon by politicians to provide evidence which can be used to make scientifically sound, or at least scientifically justifiable policy decisions.

2) Issues arise as there are frequent disagreements between experts over the way data is gathered and interpreted. An example of the former is the first scientific evidence of a hole in the ozone layer by the British Antarctic Survey. (1) The findings were at first greeted by the scientific community with scepticism, as the British Antarctic Survey was not yet an established scientific community. (2) Moreover, it was generally believed that satellites would have picked up such ozone losses if they were indeed occurring. (3) It was not until the methodology of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center was reviewed that it became apparent that data had been overlooked. (4)

3) With regards to the latter, controversy between scientists may arise where data analysis appears to support one policy over another. In 1991, the World Resource Institute (WRI) published estimates of net emissions and sinks of greenhouse gases for a number of countries, including India. The report provoked criticisms among Indian scientists who argued that the figures had failed to take some significant factors into account, leading to overestimated emission values. The WRI was accused of blaming less economically developed countries for global warming; a stance which, if accepted, could impede industrialisation and sustain, even widen, the wealth gap.

4) Problems regarding the scientific method are well documented and it is widely accepted by the scientific community that, however consistent scientists are in their procedures, the results born under different circumstances can vary markedly. A number of factors influence research, among them the organisation of a laboratory, the influence of prevailing theories, financial constraints and the peer review process. Consequently, scientists tend to believe they are not in a position to bear universal truths but to reveal tendencies.

5) However, this is countered by two factors. Firstly, certain scientific institutions wish to maintain a degree of status as ‘bearers of truth’. Further, policy makers uphold this understanding by requesting scientific certainties in order to legitimise their policy decisions. According to a number of authors who have documented this process, decision makers do not necessarily try to obtain all the information which is or could be made available regarding an issue. Rather, they select that information which is necessary to fulfil their goals, information termed as ‘half-knowledge’. Attempts to underplay transboundary issues such as water provision and pollution are cases in point. Politicians clearly cannot pretend that certain data do not exist if they are well-known in scientific communities or national borders, but some discretion is evident, especially where there is controversy and uncertainty.

6) It is important to note that policies regarding scientific issues are influenced in no small part by societal factors. These include the relative importance of certain environmental issues, the degree of trust in the institutions conducting the research, and not least the social standing of those affected by the issue. In other words, environmental problems are in many ways socially constructed according to the prevailing cultural, economic and political conditions within a society. It has been suggested, for example, that contemporary ‘post-materialist’ Western societies pay greater attention to ‘quality’ – including environmental quality – than ‘quantity’. This theory does not necessarily assume that people of low-income countries have no interest in environmental protection, as the example of the Chipko movement in India clearly demonstrates, but demonstrates that the way a resource is valued varies widely among different communities.

7) Finally, it cannot be denied that the ‘issue of the day’ changes constantly. One issue becomes more or less urgent than another, based on current events. Concurrently, new issues enter the political agenda. It has been noted that it often takes a ‘policy entrepreneur’, someone who dedicates time, energy and financial resources to a certain issue, to raise its profile. Furthermore, whether an issue is taken up by political, environmental or media groups, depends very much on the degree to which it suits their particular agenda, not to mention budget.

Solutions

1 With reference to paragraph 1, which of the following pieces of research would be NOT be relevant to this article?

• the effect of climate change on weather patterns in Africa
• whether or not low level radiation increases the risk of cancer
• how acid rain impacts species within a lake ecosystem
• a comparison of the species present in two areas of woodland

Answer: a comparison of the species present in two areas of woodland

2 What is the purpose of the example of ozone data given in paragraph 2?

• to show that NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center used unreliable methods of gathering scientific data
• to show how data gathering methods and the status of scientists may affect the way data is regarded
• to prove that it is wrong to dismiss evidence which comes from a non-established source
• to show how NASA and the British Antarctic Survey disagreed over the correct way to gather ozone data.

Answer: to show how data gathering methods and the status of scientists may affect the way data is regarded

3 Where in paragraph 2 does this sentence best fit?

This was because of the way their computers had been programmed to discard any readings which appeared anomalous.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Answer: 4

4 Paragraph 3 gives an example of a dispute over.

• which country was most responsible for producing greenhouse gases
• the pollution caused by multinational companies in India.
• how statistics were interpreted and presented.
• erroneous data which resulted from a poorly-funded experiment.

Answer: how statistics were interpreted and presented

5 In paragraph 5, ‘this’ refers to…

• the scientific method and its inherent problems.
• the belief that scientists cannot reveal universal truths.
• the variation in scientific results under different circumstances.
• the list of factors which influence scientific research.

Answer: the belief that scientists cannot reveal universal truths.

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Is TOEFL a difficult exam?

The TOEFL Test is generally considered a difficult exam, even for near-native speakers. However, understanding the test format and question types has a real impact on getting a good score. The average test score is 81 in the TOEFL exam. It varies between 85 and 95.

What is the Passing Score for TOEFL?

Analysis of TOEFL passing scores for the different universities has showed that the average score for the TOEFL iBT is about 74.2 for students and 82.6 for graduate students. Speaking about TOEFL PBT test results, the highest passing score is 630, while the lowest one is around 450 points.

What is the most common TOEFL score?

The average total TOEFL iBT score for undergraduate programs is approximately at 84, and 88 for all graduate programs. TOEFL PBT test takers are too few to indicate a percentile score.

What is the most difficult part in TOEFL?

For students in high school, reading is the hardest section, with a mean score of 18.0. For undergraduates reading is also the hardest section, with a mean score of 20.1. For graduate students not applying to business schools, speaking is the hardest, with a mean score of 21.1.

Is 23 a good reading score in TOEFL?

The study goal is to get between 22 – 30 points for TOEFL reading section scoring. This particular score range will help give you a high level of the TOEFL reading section.

Is 92 a bad TOEFL score?

Having a score between 90-100 in TOEFL exam is pretty decent with a variety of college options to explore. These requirements differ from university to university, from course to course, and occasionally even from section to section.

Is TOEFL hard for Indian students?

The TOEFL reading section evaluates students’ knowledge and abilities in reading comprehension. The TOEFL exam is challenging for students from India as well as Americans. This is due to the fact that academic vocabulary and the exam’s topic matter differ from what Americans typically encounter.

Which TOEFL is the easiest?

On the other hand, the TOEFL Essentials tests your English in general and academic settings. It’s 50-50. Due to this, TOEFL Essential is shorter and may feel easier for some students.