Ch2. TOEFL Reading & Listening — High-Score Strategies

Reading: Academic Passage Strategy

TOEFL Reading Overview

• 2 passages × ~700 words, 10 questions each
• Topics: Natural science, social science, humanities, history
• Time: 35 minutes total (~17 min per passage)
• Score: 0–30 points

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Reading Question Types

Type	Count	Strategy
Factual Information	3–4	Locate directly in the relevant paragraph
Negative Factual (NOT/EXCEPT)	1	Find 3 true answers; remainder is correct
Vocabulary	2–3	Use context to infer meaning
Reference	1	Find the antecedent of a pronoun or reference
Sentence Simplification	1	Keep core meaning; eliminate secondary details
Inference	1–2	What’s implied but not stated?
Rhetorical Purpose	1	Why does the author include this?
Insert a Sentence	1	Test each insertion point; check coherence
Prose Summary	1 (3 pts)	Identify 3 major points, exclude minor details

5-Step Speed Reading

1. Skim title and subheadings → predict topic
2. Read first paragraph carefully → identify thesis
3. Scan first sentence of each subsequent paragraph → map structure
4. Read questions → go directly to relevant paragraph
5. Save Prose Summary for last (requires whole-passage understanding)

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Vocabulary Question Strategy

Never give up on unknown words — context makes inference possible.

4-Step Inference:

1. Read the full sentence containing the word
2. Check the sentences before and after for contrast words or synonyms
3. Analyze roots, prefixes, or suffixes
4. Look for a definition or explanation in the same sentence

High-frequency academic vocabulary:

• subsequent (following), whereas (in contrast), attributed to (caused by), comprise (to consist of)

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Listening: Lecture Note-Taking System

TOEFL Listening Overview

• 3 lectures (4–5 min) + 2 conversations (2–3 min)
• Lectures: University-style academic content
• Conversations: Academic advising, library, administrative office
• Score: 0–30 points

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Efficient Note-Taking

Effective notes capture key information, not everything.

Personal Abbreviation System

Symbol	Meaning
→	leads to / causes
≠	different from / opposite
w/	with
b/c	because
ex	example
imp	important
↑↓	increase / decrease

Lecture Note Structure

TOPIC: ________________
Main point 1: 
  - Detail:
  - Example:
Main point 2:
  - Detail:
Signal words: "however," "in contrast," "for instance," "as a result"

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Listening Question Types

Type	Characteristic	Strategy
Main Idea	Core topic of the lecture	Capture in first 30 seconds
Detail	Specific factual content	Find in notes
Function	Why does the professor say X?	Focus on context and tone
Attitude	Speaker’s stance or feeling	Listen for hedges, emphasis, tone
Organization	How is the lecture structured?	Follow the overall flow
Inference	What can be inferred?	Reason from what’s stated

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