Internet-Based TOEFL
Tips and Strategies
Samar Aal
English Language Fellow
U.S. Embassy, Jakarta
TOEFL iBT
• Author and Publisher: ETS, Educational Testing Services:
http://www.ets.org/toefl
• Test Purpose: The TOEFL iBT “measures the ability to use
and understand English at the university level.”
Who Accepts the TOEFL?
ETS states that “More than 9,000 colleges, agencies and
other institutions in over 130 countries accept the TOEFL
scores.”
•Educational institutions for admission
•Immigration departments to issue visas
•Medical and licensing agencies
•Companies for hiring and promotion
Scores are valid for two years only.
TOEFL® Testing Location
The TOEFL iBT is $180 in Indonesia:
Jakarta
Pekanbaru
Semerang
Tangerang
Surabaya
Makassar
Batam
Medan
Denpasar
Malang
Bandung
Jogjakarta
TOEFL iBT Test Sections
Slide title
Taking the Test
•
•
•
•
•
All questions are obligatory
No question is be left unanswered
Note-taking is allowed
Certain strategies help tackle each section
Time management is key
The Reading Section
• 3 or 4 passages
12-14 Q/ 20 min. each
• Answer all the questions
• Do not worry if the reading topic is unfamiliar to you
– You do not need any background knowledge to answer the questions!
• Save time:
– Avoid reading the passage in depth
– Know the directions to each question
– Know the strategies that can help you answer each question
– Do not spend too much time on a question you are unsure of, you can
return if you have time
It is all about STRATEGIES!
The Reading Section – Cont.
There are Ten different skills:
1. Vocabulary
2. Referent
3. Summarizing
4. Logical sequence
5. Stated Details
6. Unstated Details
7. Inference
8. Purpose
9. and 10. Organizational Skills
What Will We Do Today?
Each Skill
•How to identify the
skill
•Strategies to help
answer it correctly
and quickly
•An example
• We will try to
answer
a question together
Skill 1: Vocabulary
Skill 1: Vocabulary Questions
WHERE TO FIND
THE ANSWER
Usually within the sentence that has the target word.
HOW TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION
1. Read one sentence only.
2. Look for clues carefully ( synonyms, punctuation marks, relative clause,
examples).
3. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers.
1.The meaning of a word is in the passage, you don’t need to know the word in prior.
2. Do not choose the obvious meaning of the word. You must determine the meaning
of the word in this situation.
3.Learn roots, suffixes, and affixes.
4. Learn about punctuation.
5. Sometimes the clue is Negative+ opposite word:
Parasitic plants are often found in umbrageous areas, not areas exposed to
sunlight.
Example
Try it Out!
Skill 2: Pronoun
Referent
Slide title
• Content
– More content
Skill 2: Pronoun Referent Questions
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER
The noun that the pronoun refers to is found before the
pronoun.
HOW TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION
1. Read only 2 sentences: the sentence with the pronoun
and the sentence BEFORE it.
2. Try each of the nouns in the context in place of the
pronoun. Look for grammatical clues.
1.
Referents: he, she, who , which, that, one of them, some,
where etc…
2. The correct answer is BEFORE the referent.
Example
Slide
title
• Content
– More content
Try it Out!
Skill 3: Simplifying the Meaning
Skill 3: Simplifying the Meaning Questions
Slide title
The target sentence is highlighted in the paragraph.
WHERE TO FIND THE
Skill 2:Questions about the Details
ANSWER
HOWTO
TO ANSWER
IDENTIFY THETHE What is the
in the passage?
1.stated/indicated/mentioned
Read only the highlighted
sentence.
HOW
QUESTION
According to the speaker, …..?
2. Simplify the sentence using your own words.
QUESTION
WHERE TO FIND THE
Information needed will be directly stated in the passage, take careful notes
ANSWER
HOW TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION
1. Listen carefully
to details.
You MUST
take notes:
2. Look for restates information
1.Identify
the
idea
ofanswers
the sentence.
3. Eliminate
the main
definetaly
wrong
2.Write down only key words.
3.Use abbreviation, numbers, symbols, arrows, etc…
4.Use Synonyms.
What are the tricks?
1.Choices that have the same words are wrong.
2.Choices that are true but are not the main idea of the sentence are wrong.
Example
Try it Out!
Skill 4: Logical Sequencing
Slide title
Skill 4: Logical Sequencing Questions
WHERE TO FIND THE
ANSWER
• Content
HOW TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION
Four places are marked in the passage
1. Read the given sentence carefully and look for key words.
– More content
2. Usually the sentence given contain a referent, try to find
it.
When you find the sentence in the passage that
you are looking for, insert the given sentence
AFTER it.
Example
Try it Out!
Skill 5: Stated Details
Skill 5: Stated Details Questions
WHERE TO FIND
THE ANSWER
HOW TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION
The answers will be stated in the passage, no background
knowledge needed!
1. Choose a key word in the question.
2. Read the choices before reading the paragraph to know
what information you are looking for.
3. Scan the appropriate part of the passage for the key word or
idea.
4. Read the sentence that contains the key word or idea carefully.
Do Not choose the answer that has the same words as the passage,
it is a trick.
The correct answer is the same idea, but using different words.
Example
• Content
– More content
Try it Out!
Skill 6: Unstated/Untrue Details
Skill 6: Unstated/Untrue Details Questions
WHERE TO FIND THE
ANSWER
The answer is NOT in the passage!
HOW TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION
1. Choose a key word in the question.
2. Read the choices before reading the paragraph to know
what information you are looking for.
3. Scan in the appropriate part of the passage.
4. Read carefully the sentence that contains the key word.
Be Careful:
Three answers will be true or mentioned in the passage.
DO NOT GET CONFUSED.
You must choose the answer that is not stated or not true.
…so three answers ARE true
Try it Out!
Skill 7: Inference
WHERE TO FIND THE
ANSWER
HOW TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION
Skill 7: Inferences Questions
The answers is indirectly understood.
1. Choose a key word in the question.
2. Read the choices before reading the paragraph to
know what information you are looking for.
3. Scan in the appropriate part of the passage.
4. Look for an answer that could be true, according to
that sentence.
You will not find the answer stated directly. The
answer is understood, concluded, deduced.
Try it Out!
Skill 8: Rhetorical Purpose
Skill 8: Rhetorical Purpose Questions
Slide title
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER
The targeted information is highlighted in the passage.
HOW TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION
1. Read carefully the sentence around the highlighted information.
2. Try to draw a conclusion about how the purpose of the highlighted
information.
• Content
– More content
1. This question asks the Purpose or the Function, NOT the meaning.
2. Study transition expressions
Possible answers:
•To explain/ indicate/show/demonstrate
•To differentiate/ refute/contradict/to oppose/provide alternate explanation
•To provide example
•To provide definition/ evidence/proof/statistics
Example
Slide
title
• Content
– More content
Try it Out!
Skill 9: Summary
Skill 9: Summary Questions
WHERE TO FIND
THE ANSWER
The answer is throughout the passage.
HOW TO
ANSWER THE
QUESTION1
1. Read the topic sentence in the chart carefully and determine its
MAIN IDEA.
2. Read each choices, focus on whether the sentence is
related/shares the same idea as the topic sentence given or not.
3. ELIMINATE choices that do not share the same ideas.
4. Read the remaining choices again and determine whether they are
true or false according to the passage.
This is the last question in the passage. You will
be already familiar with the whole passage.
Stay calm and try to determine if the choices
are related to the topic sentence or not.
Example
Try it Out!
Skill 10: Schematic Table
Skill 10: Schematic Table Questions
WHERE TO
FIND THE
ANSWER
The answer is throughout the passage.
HOW TO
ANSWER THE
QUESTION1
1. Read the information provided in the table.
2. Read each choices, focus on whether the sentences are true
or false according to the passage. Eliminate choices that are
not true or not mentioned.
3. Match the true choices to the correct category in the table.
This is the last question in the passage. You will be
already familiar with the whole passage.
Remember: Each paragraph has one idea. You can locate the
correct information easily if you know the main idea of each
paragraph.
The Listening Section
•
•
•
•
•
6 to 9 listening passages
Questions are seen only after the passage had been listened to
35 seconds to answer each question.
You CANNOT change your answer once you click NEXT!
There are two kinds of listening passages:
1. Classroom discussions and conversations.
2. Academic passages/lectures by a professor.
Students must take organized notes
Tips for Active Listening
• Focus of the Main Idea: do not get distracted by gap fillers and digressions
• Focus on the structure: look for examples, comparisons, cause and effect,
problem and solution etc…
• Try to anticipate what's next
• Listen for tone and attitude
• Pay attention to transitions
• Take Notes
Slide
title
Tips for
Note-Taking
•
•
•
•
Know what to ignore
Take down only the main words
Use abbreviations, symbols, signs, numbers, arrows, drawings
Try to identify the kind of passage and organize your notes
accordingly
• Do not worry about how your notes look like, no one will see them
• Look at the pictures if provided!
• Listen for cues in speech
Notice Cues in Speech
Cues for Introduction:
Cues for moving to a next idea:
Today, we will discuss….
First of all,
Another point is,
Okay, let move on…
Cues for Definition
Is known as, is called, refers to , means..
Cues for Description & Examples
Consists of, namely, like, as, that is, for instance, kinds of, types of,
characteristics of, properties of…
Cues for Sequencing
First , second, third
Next, then , last
Before, after, at the same time, as soon as, eventually, later, meanwhile,
subsequently, finally
Cues for Comparison & Contrast
•Like, similar to , similarly, in the same way, as….. as
• But, although , compared with,, in contrast, whereas, despite, on the
other hand, on the contrary, instead, however, conversely
Cues for Result/Conclusion
So, therefore, as a result, because of this, since, as a consequence,
consequently, finally.
The listening Section
Skills on the Listening Section:
1. Gist/ Main ideas.
2. Detail.
3. Understanding the Function of What Is Said.
4. Understanding the speaker’s attitude.
5. Understanding the organization.
6. Making Inference.
Skill 1: Questions about the Gist
HOW TO IDENTIFY
THE QUESTION
Slide
title
What is the subject/topic / main idea of the passage?
What is the lecture mainly about?
• Content
What problem does the speaker have?
Why does the student visit the professor?
– MoreThecontent
WHERE TO FIND
answer may be directly stated at the beginning of the
THE ANSWER
passage
HOW TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION
1. Listen carefully for the beginning of the passage.
2. Eliminate choices that refer to details.
3. Choose the answer that is closest to describing the overall
theme.
Example 1
Example
Example
Example 2
Example 3
Slide title
Skill 2:Questions about the Details
HOW TO IDENTIFY
THE QUESTION
What is the stated/indicated/mentioned in the
• Content passage?
According to the speaker, …..?
– More content
WHERE TO FIND
Information needed will be directly stated in the
THE ANSWER
passage, take careful notes.
HOW TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION
1. Listen carefully to details.
2. Look for restates information
3. Eliminate the definitely wrong answers
Example
Example
Example
Example
Skill 3: Questions about Function
Slide title
HOW TO
Listen again to part of the passage.
IDENTIFY THE
QUESTION
WHERE TO FIND
The part of the passage we be replayed
THE ANSWER
– More content
• Content
HOW TO
ANSWER THE
QUESTION
to
you.
1. Listen carefully to the repeated part.
2. Try to make a conclusion about why the
speaker says it in that specific situation.
Example
Example
Example
Slide title
Skill 4: Questions about the Speaker’s Stance
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE
QUESTION
•
Listen again to part of the conversation.
Content What is the attitude/opinion/point of view of the speaker?
How does the speaker feel about?
– More content
What does the speaker mean?
WHERE TO FIND THE
ANSWER
The part of the passage we be replayed to you.
HOW TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION
1. Listen carefully to the repeated part.
2. Try to make a conclusion about why the speaker says it in
that specific situation.
Example
Example
Example
Skill 5: Questions
about
the Organization
Slide
title
HOW TO IDENTIFY
THE QUESTION
• Content
How is the information in the passage organized?
Click in the correct box/column…
WHERE TO FIND
The information will not be directly stated.
–
More
content
THE ANSWER
It is necessary to understand the main idea and the way the
HOW TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION
passage flows.
1. Consider how the points in the passage are related.
2. Looks for an answer that shows organization/relation
among main points in the passage.
Example 1
Example 2
Slide title
Skill6: Questions about Relationships
HOW TO IDENTIFY
THE QUESTION
What is most likely...?
• Content What is implied…?
What is inferred…?
– More content
WHERE TO FIND
The information will not be directly stated.
THE ANSWER
HOW TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION
You need to draw your own conclusion as
the answer is not stated.
Example
The Speaking Section
Question 1
Answer a question about a familiar topic. 45sec
Question 2
Answer a preference/argumentative question. 45 sec
Question3
Read a passage on a campus-related topic.
Listen to 2 people discussing the topic.
Answer a question.
60 sec
Question 4
Read a passage about an academic subject.
Listen to a lecture about the same topic.
Answer a question.
60 sec
Question 5
Listen to a conversation about a problem/solution.
Answer a question.
60 sec
Question 6
Listen to an academic lecture.
Answer a question.
60 sec
Independent
skill
Integrated
skill
The Speaking Rubric
Delivery
Fluency
Clarity of speech
Pronunciation
Intonation
Language Use
Vocabulary
Grammar
Topic development
Organization of ideas
Development of ideas
Coherency of ideas
Minor lapses, pronunciation, intonation,
and grammar mistakes that do not affect
understanding are acceptable.
You do not have to be perfect.
Question 1
About a familiar topic:
What changes would you like to make to your
neighborhood?
Preparation time
15 sec
Response time
45 sec
Question 2
Preference or Argument:
• Would you prefer to live in a big city or in a small town?
Why?
• “ Knowledge is only found in books.”
Do you agree or disagree?
Preparation time
15 sec
Response time
45 sec
title
Tips for theSlide
Independent
Section
•
•
•
•
Write down key words
Organize your speech:
Introduction: one sentence
Body: preferably two main ideas with supporting details
Conclusion: one sentence
Do NOT correct any mistakes, just move on
Do NOT stop before the 45 sec are over
How to Practice for Independent Skill
•
•
•
•
Practice speaking about familiar topics (use flashcards)
Practice giving opinions and stating reasons
Practice making recommendations/ giving reasons
Practice using starters and transition expression: in my
opinion, although, furthermore...
• Record your own voice, re-listen, compare to the rubric
Practice Time
Preparation time
15 sec
Response time
45 sec
Practice Time
Preparation time
15 sec
Response time
45 sec
Slide title
Integrated
Section
•
•
•
•
Take notes for both the reading section and the listening section
Try to paraphrase when taking notes
Recognize the attitude/feeling/reaction of the speakers
When speaking:
- Provide a complete response (reading and listening sections)
- Organise your ideas
- Speak clearly
- Use time effectively
Slide title 3
Question
• Content
– More content
How do the students feel
about/react to?
Preparation time
30 sec
Response time
60 sec
Preparation time
30 sec
Response time
60 sec
Slide title 4
Question
• Content
– More content
How does the information in the reading passage
add/supplement to the information in the listening
passage?
How does the information in the reading passage
contradicts/cast doubt on the information in the
listening passage?
Preparation time
30 sec
Response time
60 sec
Preparation time
30 sec
Response time
60 sec
Slide title 5
Question
The students discuss two possible solutions to the problem. Describe the
problem. (Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and why).
Preparation time
20 sec
Response time
60 sec
Slide title
Preparation time
20 sec
Response time
60 sec
Slide title 6
Question
What does the professor say about…?
Preparation time
30 sec
Response time
60 sec
Slide title 6
Question
What does the professor describe Multiple Personality Disorder ?
Preparation time
30 sec
Response time
60 sec
How to Practice for the Integrated Skill
• Summarize short reading and listening passages
• Use your notes to orally summarize the materials
• Paraphrase what you read or head using your own words
• Record and time yourself
• Resources:
1. News papers/Radio/TV news
2. CNN : http://edition.cnn.com/studentnews/
3. Nat Geo http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/
The Writing Section
Slide
title1
Question
How
How does the information in the reading passage add to/cast
doubt on the reading passage?
Reading time
3 min
Prep. Time
1 min
Response time
20 min
Tips for the Integrated Skill
As you read:
• Scan the reading passage and take notes of the main idea
• Notice points that support the main idea (usually 3 points)
As you listen:
• Take notes: listen for information that supports OR that opposes the main
idea in the reading passage
As you write:
• Your answer should include the main points in the reading passage and the
related points support or oppose them in the listening passage
• Suggested length: 150 to 225 words
• Do NOT copy from the reading passage
The Writing Section
Question 2
Slide title
Response time
30 min
Tips for the Independent Skill
•
•
•
•
Write an outline
Organize your essay
Develop the essay by using reasons, examples, and details
Use effective linking words (transitional phrases) to connect
ideas
• Use grammar and vocabulary accurately; use idiomatic
expressions appropriately
• Follow the conventions of spelling, punctuation, and layout
General Tips
• You must work on improving your knowledge of the
English language skills that are covered on the test
• You must understand the test-taking strategies
• You must take practice tests with a focus on applying
the appropriate
language skills and
test-taking strategies
Thank You!
Samar.diamond@gmail.com
Resources
• Longman iBT by Deborah Phillips.
• www.ets.org