TOEIC Reading Item-Writing Tasks/ p.1
About the TOEIC test
The TOEIC test, or the Test of English for International Communication, is an English
language proficiency test for people whose native language is not English. It measures the
everyday language skills of people working in international business, commerce and
industry. TOEIC test scores indicate how well people can communicate in English with
others in the global workplace. The test does not require specialized knowledge or
vocabulary; it measures only the kind of English used in everyday work activities.
TOEIC test questions (“items”) are developed from samples of spoken and written language
collected from various countries around the world where English is used in the workplace.
They incorporate many different settings and situations, such as:
• General business—contracts, negotiations, marketing, sales, business planning,
conferences
• Manufacturing—plant management, assembly lines, quality control
• Finance and budgeting—banking, investments, taxes, accounting, billing
• Corporate development—research, product development
• Offices—board meetings, committees, letters, memoranda, telephone, fax and e-mail
messages, office equipment and furniture, office procedures
• Personnel—recruiting, hiring, retiring, salaries, promotions, job applications and
advertisements
• Purchasing—shopping, ordering supplies, shipping, invoices
• Technical areas—electronics, technology, computers, laboratories and related equipment,
technical specifications
• Housing/corporate property—construction, specifications, buying and renting, electric
and gas services
• Travel—trains, airplanes, taxis, buses, ships, ferries, tickets, schedules, station and airport
announcements, car rentals, hotels, reservations, delays and cancellations
• Dining out—business and informal lunches, banquets, receptions, restaurant reservations
• Entertainment—cinema, theatre, music, art, media
• Health—medical insurance, visiting doctors, dentists, clinics, hospitals
The TOEIC Reading test
Participants in the Summer Institute will be writing items for the Reading portion of the
TOEIC test.
The Reading Comprehension section consists of 100 questions presented in written format in
the test booklet. Candidates read a variety of materials and respond at their own pace to
questions based on the item content.
You can find out more about the TOEIC test at our website: http://www.ets.org/toeic/overview.html
TOEIC Reading Item-Writing Tasks/ p.2
In the following pages, you will be asked to provide a work sample made up of three
item-writing tasks. All tasks are preceded by specific directions; additionally, Tasks 1 and
2 are preceded by examples. NO example has been provided for Task 3, since it
resembles Task 2 to some extent.
A glossary of terminology used in the directions follows:
Useful Terminology
Stem:
The part of an item in which the task is described. It may be a question, an
incomplete statement, or a complete statement that requires interpretation.
Key:
The correct answer.
Options:
All the choices in a multiple-choice item. There are four options in most
TOEIC items.
Distracters:
The incorrect options in an item. These should be attractive; that is, they
should have some appeal.
Stimulus:
A spoken or written text that sets up an item and options, e.g., a reading
passage or a short conversation.
Illustration
stem
Because the equipment is very delicate, it must be handled with --------.
key
distracters
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
care
caring
careful
carefully
options
TOEIC Reading Item-Writing Tasks/ p.3
TOEIC SUMMER ITEM WRITING INSTITUTE: Item-Writing Tasks
Format for submitting your work sample
Rename the document by using the following convention:
TOEIC_Reading_your last name_your first name.doc.
For example, TOEIC_Reading_Smith_Jane.doc.
Reading Section Item Type: Incomplete Sentence
In this item type, candidates are given an incomplete sentence. Four words or phrases
marked (A), (B), (C), (D) are given beneath each sentence. Candidates choose the one
word or phrase that best completes the sentence and mark it on their answer sheet.
Example:
Because the equipment is very delicate, it must be handled with
-------.
(A) comfort
(B) mind
(C) care
(D) safety
Item-Writing Task One: Incomplete Sentence option sets
Directions: Choose from the following sentences and create TWO grammar incompletesentence items and TWO vocabulary incomplete-sentence items. You may use the same
two sentences to create both the grammar and the vocabulary incomplete-sentences items
OR use a different sentence for each item, thus using four sentences all together.
Highlight the correct answers in bold. Write the item immediately under the sentence
of your choice.
1. Mr. Okada has been with the firm for less than two years and has already been
promoted to senior technical specialist.
2. Ms. Hassan will be in Singapore next week to take part in the negotiations for the
acquisition of the Chen Company property.
3. Cooper Foods, Inc., announced yesterday that the advertising campaign for their new
line of frozen vegetables will be created by Benton Media Group.
4. The date of the monthly sales meeting will have to be changed because the vice
president is not available to attend.
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5. New desk telephones will be installed this evening, so please clear a space on your
desk next to your current phone.
Reading Section Item Type: Reading Comprehension
The questions in this part of the test are based on a selection of reading materials, such as
notices, letters, forms, newspaper and magazine articles, and advertisements. Candidates
choose the one best answer, (A), (B), (C), (D), to each question and mark it on their
answer sheet.
Example: Questions 1 and 2 refer to the following card.
Welcome, Ms. Martelli , to the Star Plaza Hotel. We
hope you have a pleasant stay. Please present this card
when enjoying our restaurant, coffee shop, and sporting
facilities and when signing charges to your room account.
Check Out Date:
Room No.
635
10th December
P. Angelo
Desk Clerk
1. When did the guest receive this card?
(A) When making a room reservation
(B) When checking into the hotel
(C) When ordering a meal at a restaurant
(D) When paying the bill
Item-Writing Task Two: Reading Comprehension items
Directions: Create TWO multiple-choice questions with answer choices based on the
short article below. Highlight the correct answers in bold. Write the questions
immediately under the text provided.
Local Restaurant Celebrates Grand Opening
Adamsville—Stella’s Garden Café, located in the Turtle Bay Shopping Plaza, celebrated
its grand opening last Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free samples of many
of their menu items. A busy lunchtime crowd was present. The restaurant, located at the
far end of the plaza, offers both indoor and outdoor seating options and serves lunch and
dinner seven days a week. Stella’s menu includes freshly made soups, salads, and
TOEIC Reading Item-Writing Tasks/ p.5
sandwiches and emphasizes top-quality, locally produced ingredients. A full array of
bakery items and desserts, made daily on the premises, is also available. Adamsville
residents may recognize owner Stella Gorman, whose other ventures include the very
popular Nook restaurant on Carson Lane and Tulips at the Waterfront Inn. Call 555-9775
for hours and reservations, and visit Adamsville’s newest addition to the restaurant scene
today!
Reading Section Item-Writing Task Three: Reading Comprehension composition
Directions: Complete the article below, adding between 250 and 300 words. Then, create
THREE multiple-choice questions based on the article (answer choices are NOT
required). Add a blank line to separate your text from the one provided.
New Designs Mark Textile Firm’s Twenty-fifth Anniversary
HUNTSVILLE (June 19)—Franort Textiles, one of the area’s largest employers,
unveiled new collections of upholsteries and draperies yesterday during a reception held
to mark the company’s twenty-fifth anniversary. “These two collections—Oceans Alive
and Earthbound—capture the essence of Franort: sophisticated, nature-inspired designs
that offer high performance and low environmental impact,” said Franort’s general
manger, Selma Ortega.