Read for Speed: 5 TOEFL Reading Tips and Test-taking Strategies for Total Success

“Okay,” you may say, “I get it, I get it! Studying for the reading section of TOEFL is vital. But how does one do it?”

Glad you asked!

There are multiple study strategies and areas of improvement that you may consider to get a higher score on the reading section of the test.

1. Improve Your Reading Speed

Time is of the essence when it comes to the TOEFL. In fact, all other things being equal, good timing and the ability to pace yourself can make or break your TOEFL score.

In other sections, time is specifically called out. For example, when you are speaking, you will have 15 seconds to prepare an answer and 45 seconds to record it. In the Listening section, you can only hear the dialogue when it is played out to you.

The Reading section is where a sense of time and pace will need to come from you and you alone. You need to judge how much time you have left to complete the readings and give your answers.

This is trickier than it seems, because you will be faced by not one difficult-to-understand text, but several (three or four).

The Reading section can have up to 56 questions for 3 or 4 passages, and the maximum time given for the section is 80 minutes. That means you will have only 5 minutes to read each text and about 1 minute to answer each question in the Reading section.

If you want to have more time to answer the questions, you will need read each passage in just 3 or 4 minutes—and you’re probably going to want to read each passage more than once. That’s tough!

To succeed, you’ll need start improving your reading speed.

Time yourself when you study for the test and note how long it takes you to go through a given passage. You will likely notice that you slow down when your level of comprehension drops down, and that’s normal! When you understand less, you need to slow down and read more carefully.

Everyone reads at a different pace. Your task is to make your reading pace slightly faster for the very specific test-taking situation, so you can switch gears and go into full-speed mode if you need to.

Apart from studying TOEFL-style academic passages, be sure to read other English language material as well. Read English literature, newspapers andmagazines—reading a variety of English writing styles will help improve your reading speed.

2. Work on Your Comprehension Speed

Once you have worked on your reading speed and are comfortable gulping down a complex English passage in less time (in under 4 minutes, to be precise), you are ready for the next step.

Now you need to teach yourself to remain calm and avoid stressing out when you encounter an unfamiliar word. The reading section will be full of challenging words you have not seen before. They put in challenging words that you probably do not know on purpose. 

The reading section will ask you to deduce meaning and infer informationfrom words you do not understand.

This is what the reading section is actually testing. Not your ability to memorize a thesaurus before the test, but your skill at dealing with vocabulary words that you do not know. Not knowing a word is not only normal, but it is expected from speakers of English as a foreign language.

When you stumble across a word you do not understand, your first reaction might be to check Google Translate or consult a dictionary. When these tools are not available, you may panic and get hung up on trying to understand the word, wasting time that is extremely valuable for you during the TOEFL.

Well, relax.

Force yourself to skip that unknown word and continue reading. Often, you will find that the meaning of the whole text is easy to understand, even if you did not understand a few words. Cool, right?

3. Learn Specific Vocabulary

Even though you will encounter unknown words, developing a nice and wide vocabulary never hurt anyone. When you study for the Reading section of the TOEFL, whether you are at home or in class, go ahead and look up words you don’t understand!

Since you are practicing for the Reading section of the TOEFL, try to read every text completely without looking up any words. After you have read the whole text and tried to understand everything on your own, then you may look up words. This is very similar to the actual testing situation.

Make a list of unfamiliar words and translate them using an English-to-English dictionary. This is important! You must avoid the temptation to use a dictionary which translates words from English to your native language. Don’t give in!

The English-to-English dictionary will be very helpful to you. Not only will you read a clear English explanation for the word you do not understand, you will also familiarize yourself with synonyms (similar words) and antonyms (opposite words). Hint, hint! This is hugely useful and very much applicable to TOEFL.

Your vocabulary will grow and so will your confidence. By the time you get to your test day, you will have a much larger English vocabulary to help you out.

4. Keep Moving

Timing is everything in TOEFL.

When it comes to the Reading section, remember that you will not have more than 4 minutes per passage, so do not get hung up on every passage. Try not to stop! Keep moving no matter what.

There are multiple passages on the test, and you are guaranteed to feel more comfortable with one or another. Some will seem harder and some will seem easier. Skim the passage, note key words in sentences, leave unfamiliar terms behind and keep in mind that TOEFL passages may contain words that even native speakers don’t typically know.

Keep in mind that the TOEFL is highly specific.

You may see a question like: “The word X on line Y is closest in meaning to…” with four choices of words following. Rest assured—most of the choices will sound similar or have very similar meanings, so you will need to read the text carefully to identify the correct answer.

5. Use the Line Numbering

The TOEFL quirk of numbering every fifth line in the passage is meant to help you navigate to the words or sentences referred to in the questions. Practice locating specific lines by the numbers provided—you might be surprised by how much time you can actually waste looking for line 29 or 47!

That being said, when starting your actual TOEFL, take a deep breath and do not let the Reading section tire you out.

You have practiced and studied enough, and it is now time to demonstrate your excellent English reading skills!

referensi : http://www.fluentu.com/toefl/blog/toefl-reading-tips/

Tips And Strategi TOEFL Listening

The first session of the TOEFL test is Listening Comprehension. This session generally consists of 50 questions. You will hear the recording in English and you have to respond or answer questions related to the tape. You should hear the tape as much as possible, because the tape was played once and the recording material is not written in the test book. There are three sessions in the listening test: PART A consisting of 30 short conversations, every conversation was followed by a question, PART B which consists of 2 long conversations and followed by several questions (usually 4 questions per conversation), and PART C which consists of  3 talk (like a teacher is explaining a particular topic) followed by several questions (usually 4 per talk). This is the hardest part of Listening session.

General strategies that should be known in every session in the TOEFL listening test:

ü  Make sure yourself familiar with the clue.

Each TOEFL Test relatively has the same instructions. So, the first thing or strategy that you need to take off this session is to understand the first clues about the way to aswer the questions.

ü  Listen to any conversation with your full attention.

Concentration is the key to success. Remember, the conversation will be read once. So, when you miss just one conversation, then you will lose the opportunity to answer it. So, focusing attention on what was being said, this is a hearing test.

ü  Find out about the levels.

It must be known that in listening tests ,the level of difficulty of questions is continuing to increase .therefore, try as much as possible to answer the questions earlier.

ü  NO empty answer.

When you are unsure of your answer, choose  and answer the possible correct answer among the choices available immediately. Remember, there is no penalty or reduction in value against the wrong answer.

ü  Use the remaining time to check the previous answer.

When you have finished answering a question, there are usually about a few seconds to start the next question. Take advantage of this time to check the answer to the previous question.

The first part of the TOEFL test is a listening comprehension where participants will listen to a few short dialogue, the dialogue length, and the long speech followed by a question answer choices in the test paper.

For most people, listeing part is the most difficult part. Because people that speaking in a conversation or speech are native speakers, it’s very different than the Indonesian ways to deliver the word that we often hear in schools or courses. They talk fast and sometimes participants do not understand what is recited.

some strategies how to TOEFL listening answering questions that you can try.

PART A : Short Conversation

-        focuising to hearing at the second conversation.

-      Do not panic if they do not understand the word-for-word in a conversation, we only need to capture the ideas and content of the conversation

-   Understand the functional forms of expression (agreement, suggestion, suprice, etc.), idiomatic expressions and situations when the conversation is done

-    Finding common ground or a synonym of the main conversation itself. Your options include: restate (restatement), negative statement and a positive response or vice versa, the suggestions, passive sentences , who and where, and agreement.

PART B : Long Conversation

-     When the narrator discuss the direction part B , we should read the answer choices at a glance and then record it and predict what the theme will be discussed

-      When listening to the conversation, you must know the theme / topic being discussed

-     In the long dialogue, we are not only required to understand the main idea of ​​the conversation, but also must be able to recall the details of things that exist in the conversation

-    The main requirement  to answer questions of this type easier is the ability to hear (listening skills) in advanced levels and very good reminding skills.

-        Observe the conditions and situations that occur during a conversation that involves the time and place of conversation, what and who discussed

PART C : TALK

-        If you have time, take a look at the answer choices listed in a booklet and find the key word

-        notice the talks in first sentence,  usually this is the topic for the next sentences

-      Note that the question is certainly in accordance with the order issued by the information that we listen to.

-        Focus on listen to things related to 5-WH questions (What, Why, Who, When, Where) and How

-        Draw conclusions on the situation that occurs when the conversation is done.

TOEFL Listening answering tricks

A. Concluding Statement Through Context

Pay attention to what is conveyed by both the speaker, and the linkages between phrases and other keywords that can deliver the right conclusion. It usually occurs in corversation, we must focus on the second man without having to forgot the first statement. Model of question that often asked is:

What does the man mean?

What does the woman mean?

Sample TOEFL listening and tricks about TOEFL answer:

 (woman) : Why is Bobby felling so happy?

(man) : She just started working in a real estate company.

(narrator) : What does the man say about Bobby?

A.    He always liked his word in real estate.

B.     He began a new job.

C.     He just bought some real estate.

D.    He bought a real estate agency.

From the example above, we have to consider the statement of the second (man) without having to forgot the first question (woman).the Correct answer is (b).

B. Determine Who, What and Where

In TOEFL, the test questions makers are often ask participants to determine and conclude WHO, What and WHERE  which is referred to in the conversation. The  question that frequently asked is:

Who is probably talking?

What are the speakers discussing?

Where does the dialog/conversation probably take place?

Note the key words , the first and second linkage talks in conversation to determine who, what and where.

Contoh soal listening TOEFL dan trik menjawab soal TOEFL:

(woman) : Did you get the bread, eggs and milk?

(man) : Now we need to stand in line at the checkout counter.

(narrator) : Where does this conversation probably take place?

A.    In a restaurant.

B.     At a bakery.

C.     On a farm.

D.    In a market.

From the example above, we have to consider  the First question (Woman) without having to forgot the second statement (Man). The Correct answer is (b).

C. Understanding the Negative Declaration

Determine the answer of an expression and a negative statement in a conversation with a positive statement that has a close meaning to the phrase and the negative statement.

Example of question and the tricks to answer TOEFL test :

(woman) : I can’t seem to get the door unlocked.

(man) : That isn’t the right key for the door.

(narrator) : What does the woman mean?

A.    The key in the drawer is on the right.

B.     The should write the message on the door.

C.     The man has the wrong key.

D.    The right key isn’t in the drawer.

In the above matter, the negative statement “is not the right key” who is meant by the second (man) has the same meaning with the answers (c) “The man has the wrong key”. The phrase “is not the right key” in the negative expressions have the same meaning as a positive statement “has the wrong key”.

Listening Test Example

Part A: Short Conversation 

Merry : Hi Bob, do you bring my English book? I need to finish my homework tonight. 

Bob : Oh, sorry. I forget to bring it. 

Narrator: What does the man (Bob) mean? 

A.    The man forgets to bring the book. 

B.     The man does not know about the book. 

C.     The man brings Merry’s book. 

D.    The man does not remember to bring the book. 

The correct answer is D (The man does not remember to bring the book). Key words in the answer to  2 is forget. Then you have to look for another answer which means the same as the word forget . and the word is “does not remember”.

Part B: Long Conversation  

Directions

Woman: I hear that Paul Schmidt has written a new novel. 

Man: Yes, it’s a science fiction piece called martian Renaissance. 

Woman: Sounds intriguing. What’s the plot like? 

Man: It deals with a five-man, one-woman crew on a three-year mission to Mars. 

Woman: Is their mission successful? 

Man: Erll, in some respect it is.They have a series of incredible adventures once they land. 

Woman: Do they meet any real Martians? 

Man: You’ll have to read the book to find out. 

1.      What is the name of Paul Schmidt’s new book? 

A.    The incredible Adventures of the Martians.

B.     Mission to Mars. 

C.     Martian Renaissance. 

D.    Captivating tales of Mars. 

The correct answer is (C), as described by the man in the following conversation: "Yes, it's a science fiction piece called martian Renaissance". Answer choice (d) is clearly wrong, while the answer choices (a) and (b) have the same meaning, but the option is not present in the conversation.

2.      What type of bookisit ? 

A.    Science fiction 

B.     Adventure 

C.     Biography 

D.    Documentary 

The correct answer is (A), as described by the man in the following conversation: "Yes, it's a science fiction piece called martian Renaissance". option (c) is clearly wrong, while the answer choices (b) and (c) have the same meaning, but the option is not present in the conversation.

Part C: TALK 

(narrator) Listen to an instructor talk to his class about painting. 

(man) Artist Grant Wood was a guiding force in the school of painting known as American regionalist, a style reflecting the distinctive characteristics of art from rural areas of the United States. Wood began drawing animals on the family farm at the age of three, and when he was thirty-eight one of his paintings received a remarkable amount of public notice and acclaim. This painting, called "American Gothic," is a starkly simple depiction of a serious couple staring directly out at the viewer. 

Now listen to a sample question. 

1.      (narrator) What style of painting is known as American regionalist?

A.    Art from America's inner cities 

B.     Art from the central region of the United States 

C.     Art from various urban areas in the United States 

D.    Art from rural sections of America 

The answer of question, "What style of painting is known as American regionalist?" is (D), "Art from rural sections of America."

2.       (narrator) What is the name of Wood's most successful painting? 

A.    "American Regionalist" 

B.     "The Family Farm in Iowa" 

C.     "American Gothic" 

D.    "A Serious Couple" 

The answer of question, "What is the name of Wood's most successful painting?" is (C), "American Gothic."

Sumber :

Kasmini, M., & Siwi, K. (2014). 99% Sukses Menghadapi TOEFL, Jakarta Selatan: Penerbit Cmedia Imprint KawanPustaka
 Hinkel, Eli. 2004. TOEFL Test Strategies: Barron’s Educational Series.
 http://bahasainggris-jepang.blogspot.com/2013/11/strategi-cara-menjawab-soal-listening.html

http://iqbalparabi.com/tips-dan-trik-menjawab-soal-toefl/

http://idtoefl.com/2-listening-section.html