TOEFL Reading and Listening section
1. Reading Section
Content: This section consists of 3-4 passages from academic texts, each followed by 10 questions.
Skills Tested: Reading comprehension, including the ability to understand and analyze academic texts, infer meanings, and identify main ideas and details.
Time: 54-72 minutes.
Question Types: Multiple-choice questions, including those that ask about the purpose of the passage, vocabulary in context, and reference questions.
2. Listening Section
Content: This section includes 3-4 lectures (3-5 minutes each) and 2-3 conversations (3 minutes each).
Skills Tested: Listening comprehension, including understanding the main idea, details, function, stance, and the relationship between ideas.
Time: 41-57 minutes.
Question Types: Multiple-choice questions, some of which may ask about the purpose of the conversation or lecture, details mentioned, or the speaker’s attitude.
3. Speaking Section: Tricks
General Tips
Time Management: Be aware of the time limits for each section and practice pacing yourself to complete all questions within the allotted time.
Note-taking: You are allowed to take notes during the test, especially useful for the Listening and Speaking sections.
Familiarity with Question Types: Understanding the different types of questions you may encounter will help you know what to expect and how to approach them.
Grammar Practice
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers a comprehensive set of grammar lessons and practice exercises that are interactive and easy to follow.
EnglishPage.com
Advanced English Grammar
This site provides detailed explanations of advanced grammar topics and offers interactive exercises for practice.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Grammar
The OWL offers extensive resources on grammar rules and exercises to reinforce learning.
Listening Practice
TED Talks
TED Talks
Use TED Talks for listening practice. Choose talks on topics that interest your student, and follow up with comprehension questions and discussions.
ESL Lab
This site offers a wide range of listening exercises at different levels, complete with quizzes and vocabulary lessons.
BBC Learning English
BBC Learning English
BBC Learning English provides news stories, dramas, and interactive exercises to improve listening skills.
Integrated Grammar and Listening Activities
VOA Learning English
VOA Learning English
VOA offers news stories and lessons that combine listening with vocabulary and grammar exercises.
Breaking News English
This site offers news articles at different levels with accompanying audio files. Each lesson includes vocabulary, comprehension questions, and grammar exercises.
Interactive and Entertaining Resources
Duolingo – alternative https://www.voscreen.com
Duolingo offers gamified language learning, which can be a fun way to practice grammar and listening.
Quizlet
Create or use existing sets of flashcards for TOEFL vocabulary, grammar rules, and listening comprehension.
Kahoot!
Use Kahoot! to create interactive quizzes and games that review TOEFL grammar and listening skills.
Class Structure Ideas
Class 1-5: Focus on fundamental grammar rules and practice with interactive exercises (Khan Academy, EnglishPage, Purdue OWL). Supplement with TED Talks or VOA Learning English for listening practice.
Class 6-10: Introduce more complex grammar topics and integrate them with listening exercises from Randall's ESL Lab or BBC Learning English.
Class 11-15: Use Breaking News English for comprehensive practice sessions, combining listening with grammar and vocabulary exercises. Incorporate Duolingo and Quizlet for fun and interactive review sessions.
MORE RESOURCES
https://www.ets.org/pdfs/toefl/toefl-ibt-free-practice-test.pdf
https://www.bestmytest.com/toefl/practice-test - Listen and Reading - Good one! only the first test - Register
Reading Passage 1
The Impact of the Printing Press
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century had a profound impact on the world. Before its invention, books were copied by hand, which was a time-consuming and expensive process. The printing press allowed for the mass production of books, making them more accessible and affordable to a broader audience.
One of the immediate effects of the printing press was the rapid spread of knowledge. Scientific discoveries, literature, and new ideas could be shared quickly and efficiently across Europe. This helped fuel the Renaissance, a period of great cultural and intellectual growth.
Moreover, the printing press played a crucial role in the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, which criticized the Catholic Church, were printed and distributed widely, leading to a significant religious upheaval.
The printing press also contributed to the standardization of languages. With printed books, spelling and grammar became more consistent, laying the foundation for modern languages. Overall, the invention of the printing press marked the beginning of a new era in human history.
Reading Passage 2
The Role of Bees in Agriculture
Bees play a crucial role in agriculture through the process of pollination. Pollination occurs when bees transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, allowing plants to reproduce. Without bees, many crops would fail to produce fruit and seeds.
Approximately one-third of the food we eat depends on pollination by bees. Crops such as apples, almonds, and strawberries rely heavily on bee pollination. The decline in bee populations due to pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change poses a serious threat to global food security.
To combat this decline, many farmers are adopting bee-friendly practices. These include planting wildflowers around fields to provide bees with additional food sources and reducing the use of harmful pesticides. By supporting bee populations, farmers can ensure the sustainability of their crops and the environment.