Tips for TOEFL ibt To do well on the TOEFL, it is essential to learn how to skim and scan.

When you skim a text, you are reading quickly to understand the general meaning, the gist. When you scan a text, you are reading quickly to find specific information, such as facts, names, and dates. Skimming tips Go back to the text and reread it quickly. Read the first and last sentences of paragraphs. Scanning tips It is not necessary to read each word. Look at the text quickly to find key word(s).

To do well on the TOEFL, it is essential to learn how to read, write, and speak paraphrased information. When you are reading, you have to recognize when phrase and sentences have the same meaning as another phrase or sentence. When you are writing or speaking, you need to restate ideas from another source in your own words, without changing the meaning. An effective paraphrase: Contains the same information as the original statement. Is expressed in difficult words. May leave out less important details.

Recognizing paraphrased information When you are answering multiple-choice questions about the main idea or details of a test, you can often get the correct answer by choosing the best paraphrase of the information in the text. Using paraphrasing in speaking or writing When you write or speak about ideas in a text, you need to paraphrase the idea you heard or read. In writing, if you dont paraphrase, you must use quotaion marks to show theat you are quoting the same language as the original text. Otherwise, you may be committing plagiarismtaking words from someone elses work and pretending they are your own-an act the is prohibited in colleges and universities. Example: The law protects people with disabilities form employment discrimination. Quote: The law protects people with disabilities from employment discrimination

Paraphrase: The ADA stops employers from discriminating against disabled people.

To do well on the TOEFL, it is essential to identify and use main ideas and details. Main ideas When you read or listen to a text, first identify the topic. Ask yourself: who or what is this text about? Then try to determine what the authors or speakers most important point about the topic is. This will help you identify the main idea. Details Detail questions can focus on specific examples, facts, explanations, or reasons. They often ask wh-question ( who, what, when, when, why, how?). When you read or listen to a text, you must distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information. Ask yourself, is this detail important? Does it support the main idea?not all details in a text or segment of speech are equally important. Some TOEFL questions about details also ask you to eliminate something that is not mentioned in the text: All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 2 EXCEPT Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2?

To do well on the TOEFL, you have to think about more than the word-for-word meaning of a text. There are several comprehension question in the listening and reading sections that are not literal; these are called inference questions. Inference questions ask you to make guesses or predictions, or draw conclusions about information that is not stated directly in a listening or reading passage. There are several different types of information you can infer from a text. Here are three main types: 1. 2. 3. Factual information not stated directly What information can you guess based on what you have heard or read? What conclusion can you draw? The speaker/authors purpose Why is the speaker/author making this statement? What does the speaker/author want the listener/reader to do? The speaker/authors attitudes or beliefs How does the speaker/author feel about the situation? Does the speaker/author believe something is true or false? How certain is the speaker/author?

To make inference, pay attention to: Context (who the people are, where they are, and what is happening)

Word choice ( which words the speaker/author chooses to use) (listening only) intonation and tone of voice ( how a speaker says somethings)

Listening and Reading Pay attention to the examples used in the texts and write the examples in your notes. Then think about how the examples are being used in the text: What points are the examples being used to illustrate? How do the examples help explain each point?

Writing and speaking Including detailed examples in your responses to the writing and speaking tasks has two purposes: to help explain your ideas clearly, and to hold the readers or listeners interest. 1. Use example to support your main points. General Statement: Ecocities are environmentally friendly. Example: public transportation sustainable energy green space ecological building materials. 2. Include specific details such as place, people, dates, times, and numbers to explain your examples. 3. Use signal words to show that you are introducing an example: For example for instance such as including

4. Follow the direction for the specific TOEFL Task. In the TOEFL Integrated Speaking/Writing Task, use example from the readings and listening. In the Independent Speaking/ Writing Task, use examples from your own experience. Summary To understand, write, or present a summary, learn its important features: The main idea or topic of the text The important supporting details of the text. ( a supporting detail is a fact or example that helps explain the main idea.) Any definitions of important words Information that is not summary writers opinion Length that is approximately one-fourth the length of the text

To do well o the TOEFL, you need to be able to understand and use cohesive devices such as signal words in speaking and writhing. Effective speakers use signal words to help the listener follow what is being said. Good writers also use signal words to help the reader understand connections between the ideas presented in a text. Listening and Reading Signal words can help you understand how information in a lecture or written text is organized and show the relationship between ideas. Pay attention to signal words. Listen and look for the important information that signal words introduce. Use signal words to help organize your note taking.

Speaking and Writing Plan and organize your ideas before you speak or wite, making note of places where you should include signal words. Use signal words to show how you are organizing your ideas. Use signal words to connect ideas and make them easy to follow.

Common signal words show how information is organized First Id like to talk about Finally.. There are three reasons for this.. introduce examples For example One example is.. highlight important information Remember that. The most important point is.. introduce comparison and contrast on the other hand similarly introduce conclusion or summary to summarize.. this means that..