TOEFL Reading Selection: Strategies for Effective Preparation

By Prachi Published: 18 March, 2025 Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".gxefi-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-65.5px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Understand the TOEFL Reading Selection

Time: 35 minutes Passages: 2 passages Questions: 10 per passage Skills Tested: Understanding, summarising & inferring Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".nrfwa-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".jeuxx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 29px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".kqdwx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-101.5px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Understand Different Question Formats

Some common types of questions are: Inference, Vocabulary, Reference, Sentence Simplification Type, and Prose Summary Type Questions Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".mwkns-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".pxpgu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 29px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".adptt-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-88px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Skim Before Reading

Skim the passage before reading it in detail Focus on headings, first & last sentences Identify the main idea quickly Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".szozz-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".fjqzc-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 29px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".tntzj-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-84px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Identify & Highlight Key Terms

Questions often use synonyms of words in the passage Look for rephrased ideas, not exact words Improves accuracy in answering questions Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".lztkj-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".gzecn-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".kdgup-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-110px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Manage Your Time
Efficiently

Time given only 35 minutes for the whole reading section. Thus, make sure to practice reading within a set time frame to improve your ability to manage time effectively during the test. Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".jmxaw-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".lqdqc-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 29px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".rtpbb-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-112px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Expand Your Academic Vocabulary

Learn common TOEFL words (e.g., analyze, significant, evident) Read news articles & academic papers Use flashcards for daily revision Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".wtewm-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".xatnq-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 29px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".lujxq-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-101.5px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Break Down Complex Words

Learn to analyze unfamiliar words by understanding their roots, prefixes, and suffixes. This can help you infer meanings effectively. Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".ugetl-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".pqago-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".mnggl-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-73px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Read a Variety of Material

Practice with science, history & economics texts Read The New York Times, National Geographic, BBC Helps improve reading speed & comprehension Image: Unsplash [{ "selector": ".jxxza-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".cdjtn-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 29px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".eslmw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 29px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".eazfg-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-95.5px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }] Know More