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/toef
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

Tangerang
Makassar

Semerang

Medan

Surabaya
Batam
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

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 dont 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:

Example

Try it Out!

Skill 2: Pronoun
Slide
title
Referent
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

WHERE TO FIND THE
paragraph.
ANSWER
Skill 2:Questions about the Details
1. Read only the highlighted sentence.
HOW
TO ANSWER THE
HOW TO IDENTIFY
What is the stated/indicated/mentioned in the passage?
2. to
Simplify
the..?
sentence using your own
THE QUESTION
According
the speaker,
QUESTION
WHERE TO FIND THE
ANSWER

Information words.
needed will be directly stated in the passage, take careful
notes

You MUST take notes:

HOW TO ANSWER
1. Listen carefully to details.
1.Identify
the
of the sentence.
THE QUESTION
2. Look
for main
restates idea
information
3.
Eliminate
the definetaly
wrong
answers
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

Four places are marked in the passage

Content

HOW TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION

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

The answers will be stated in the passage, no background

knowledge needed!

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 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
true

three answers ARE

Try it Out!

Skill 7: Inference

Skill 7: Inferences Questions

WHERE TO FIND
The answers is indirectly understood.
THE ANSWER
HOW TO ANSWER 1. Choose a key word in the question.
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

WHERE TO
FIND THE
ANSWER
HOW TO
ANSWER
THE
QUESTION1

Skill 10: Schematic Table Questions

The answer is throughout the passage.
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 speakers 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?
What problem does the speaker have?
More
content
Why
does the student visit the professor?

Content

WHERE TO
FIND THE
ANSWER

The answer may be directly stated at the beginning

of the 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

Skill 2:Questions about the Details

HOW TO
What is the
IDENTIFY THE
QUESTION
Contentstated/indicated/mentioned in the
passage?
More content
According to the speaker, ..?

Slide title

WHERE TO
FIND THE
ANSWER
HOW TO
ANSWER THE
QUESTION

Information needed will be directly

stated in the passage, take careful
notes.
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

HOW TO
Slide
title
Listen
again
to
part of the passage.
IDENTIFY
THE
QUESTION

Content

WHERE TO
part of the passage
MoreThe
content
FIND
THE
replayed to you.
ANSWER
HOW TO
ANSWER
THE
QUESTION

we be

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 Speakers Stance

HOW TO IDENTIFY
THE QUESTION

Listen again to part of the conversation.

What is the attitude/opinion/point of view of
the speaker?
content
How does the speaker feel about?
What does the speaker mean?

Content
More

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

How is the information in the passage

organized?
Click in the correct box/column

Content

WHERETO
FIND content
The information will not be directly stated.
More
THE ANSWER
It is necessary to understand the main idea and

the way the passage fows.

HOW TO
ANSWER THE
QUESTION

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

Skill6: Questions about Relationships

HOW TO
IDENTIFY THE
QUESTION

Slide title

What is most likely...?

What is implied?
Content
is inferred?
More What
content
WHERE TO FIND
The information will not be directly
THE ANSWER
stated.
HOW TO
You need to draw your own
ANSWER THE
conclusion as the answer is not
QUESTION
stated.

Example

Question 1

The Speaking
Section
Answer a question about a familiar topic. 45sec
Independe

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

nt skill

Integrat
ed skill

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

The Speaking
Rubric
Delivery

Language Use

Fluency
Vocabulary
Clarity of speech Grammar
Pronunciation
Intonation

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

Tips forSlide
the Independent
title
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
Reading time
3 min
passage?
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@gma
il.com

Resources
Longman iBT by Deborah Phillips.
www.ets.org