TOEFL iBT - Book for Reading Comprehension

If you really want to maximize your TOEFL iBT score it is suggested that you must have TOEFL iBT Book for Reading Comprehension since this book is very useful because on the iBT exam, you will have to complete a reading comprehension test.

The TOEFL iBT reading section tests your capacity to read, analyze, and comprehend passages that are similar in content and format to those used in universities, colleges, and other educational intitutions in the United States.

The iBT reading passages follow the standard American academic English format. They contain a small introductory paragraph, a main body, and a concluding paragraph.

The questions on the reading section of the iBT evaluate:

(1) Your ability to comprehend high-level academic vocabulary, terms, and structures. This vocabulary-based group of questions accounts for 50 percent of your score for the reading portion of the iBT test.

(2) Your comprehension of specific details and main ideas from the texts. This group of questions accounts for approximately 25 to 30 percent of your score for the iBT reading test.

(3) Your capacity to draw inferences and summarize information from the passages. This category accounts for 20 to 25 percent of your reading test score.

Our "TOEFL iBT Book for Reading Comprehension" provides practice with all of these important skills for the iBT!

The E-Book contains fifteen chapters. It provides further practice with the vocabulary you have learned form our TOEFL iBT Word Power E-Book. This is crucial since 50 percent of the iBT reading test covers vocabulary skills. It also gives you practice with the other types of reading questions you will encounter on the iBT.

In addition, our TOEFL iBT practice reading tests are in the same format as the actual TOEFL iBT.

To see a FREE SAMPLE of our "TOEFL iBT E-Book for Reading Comprehension" please click on the link below.

more info : http://www.toeflibtcourse.com/toefl-ibt-book.htm

About the TOEFL® iBT

Toefl test is highly needed if you want to study abroad. Toefl test can measure your ability in English. Many universities use toefl score as the requirement to enter.

In fact, more institutions accept TOEFL test scores than any other test scores in the world — more than 6,000 colleges, universities and licensing agencies in 110 countries, to be exact. See University Directory (PDF).

And, with more than 4,000 test centers worldwide, taking the test is convenient and easy.

more info : www.ets.org

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST: Effective Test Taking Strategies

Sooner or later, most students are confronted with the necessity of taking some form of English examination. These tests include:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Cambridge Examinations (First Certificate, CAE, Proficiency)
University examinations
On the Job examinations
Examinations given by your teacher
As you have probably noticed, some students are more successful than others when taking such an examination. Often the more successful students are better prepared. However, sometimes students who do well have better test taking skills. These abilities really have nothing to do with understanding English better. They are strategic skills that make taking the test easier, and therefore provide better results.

Some General Guidelines

Here are some very important - and often ignored - guidelines to taking a test successfully.

Do not insist on completing each question before going to the next.
This is extremely important. If you spend a lot of time on one question that you don't understand there can be two negative outcomes:

Losing time
Remember one question may only be worth one point, if you are not able to answer questions later because you have lost time you could lose more points!

Becoming nervous
Becoming nervous can make you lose your concentration and that leads to worse results.

If possible, go through the entire test answering the questions you are sure you know.
This results in your being more relaxed and feeling more confident.

Go through the test a second time working out the answers to more difficult questions.
Now you will feel more confident and this will improve your test taking. However, remember to not waste too much time on any one question.

Once you have gone through the test twice, see if any of the questions asked can help you answer those really difficult questions.
This is a little used trick. Sometimes questions asked are answered in later questions asking for different things. This should not be tried until you have finished the test and have some time remaining to try the questions you have had problems with again.

If you have a strong feeling about a question when you first answer it, don't go back and change it later.
Usually (but not always) a strong first impulse means we know the answer and we don't really have to think about it too much. Going back to think about it usually makes you unsure and often causes an error. This is very common so be very careful!

Play the odds
If you don't know the answer, write something. If you are answering a 4 possibility multiple choice question you will still have a 25% chance of being correct!

Do not cheat!!!

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST : How To Take TOEFL Tests

Do not insist on completing each question before going to the next. By insisting on completing each question, you loose time and become nervous.
If possible, go through the entire test answering the questions you are sure you know.
Go through the test a second time working out the answers to more difficult questions.
Once you have gone through the test twice, see if any of the questions asked can help you answer any really difficult questions
If you have a strong feeling about a question when you first answer it, don't go back and change it later.
Play the odds: If you don't know the answer, write something. In a 4 choice multiple choice question you have a 25% chance of being right.
Do not cheat! Taking a test is as much for you as it is for your teacher. If you cheat, you won't help yourself in the long run.
Do not translate from your mother tongue!
Don't block when listening.
Limit yourself to what you know.
Look for time signifiers when having to conjugate.
Throw out the ridiculous answers in a multiple choice question.
Don't try to be too funny or clever.

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST : BEFORE YOU TAKE THE TEST

It's important to prepare well for big tests - especially for exams like the TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge First Certificate (FCE). This guide will help you take steps towards doing your very best on the big day.
Know Your Test
First things first: Find out about the test! Reading test specific preparation materials will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses on specific topic areas covered in the test. Understanding which types of problems are easiest and which are most difficult will help you develop a study plan for the test. While developing your plan, take note of grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking and writing expectations. Also take note of specific exercise types on your exam.
Preparing for the TOEFL
Preparing for the First Certificate Exam
Preparing for the IELTS
Practice, Practice, Practice
Once you have established a study plan, you'll need to do lots of practice. Practice begins with understanding the subjects that will be included like reading, writing and listening. If you're not taking a course, using advanced level resources at this site can help you study up and practice grammar, build vocabulary, as well as improve writing techniques and listening skills.
Advanced Grammar Resources
Advanced Writing Resources
Advanced Vocabulary Resources

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST : ABOUT TOEFL CBT

Test of English as a Foreign Language
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is an exam developed by ETS that measures the ability of non-native English speakers to function in an academic setting. Many colleges and universities, especially in the United States, require ESL students to submit a TOEFL score before they can apply to a program. The test evaluates listening, grammar, reading, and writing skills. The TOEFL is not for beginner ESL students. It is designed for students who are ready to prove that they have the ability to live and study in an English environment. There are two versions of the TOEFL. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the test that you will be taking.

Paper-Based & Computer-Based TOEFL
In 1998, a computer version of the TOEFL was established. The computer-based test (CBT) is very similar to the original paper-based test. It is the more popular version of the TOEFL. In areas where the computer-based test is not available, the paper-based test is used. In the CBT you will use headphones for the listening sections instead of a tape. You will also have visual stimuli and be able to see how much time you have left for each question. You cannot change your answers in the first two sections of the CBT after you have confirmed them on the computer. There are more "types" of questions in the CBT, such as clicking on a phrase and looking at a diagram. Before you start the CBT you will take a tutorial which shows you how to answer the questions properly. The total time you will spend taking the paper-based test is 2.5 hours. The CBT takes approximately 4 hours (including tutorials).

Here is the format of the TOEFL, showing the differences between the paper-based and computer-based versions:

TOEFL Format
Section Paper Based Computer Based
1 Listening Comprehension
30 minutes
Part A: Short dialogues
Part B: Long conversations
Part C: Mini-lectures Adaptive Listening
60 minutes
Part A: Short dialogues
Part B: Conversations, Academic discussions, Mini-lectures
2 Structure & Written Expression
25 minutes
Sentence completion (15 questions)
Error recognition (25 questions) Adaptive Structure
15-20 minutes
Sentence completion (approx. 10 questions)
Error recognition (approx. 15 questions)
3 Reading Comprehension
55 minutes
(50 questions - approx. 5 passages) Reading Comprehension
70-90 minutes
( 60+ questions - approx. 6 passages)
4 -- Writing
30 minutes
(1 essay topic)

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST : TOEFL Test Content of Computer-Based TOEFL

Test of TOEFL is now giving you
The computer-based TOEFL test has four sections. The first two sections of the test - Listening and Structure - are computer-adaptive, meaning that you will receive test questions targeted to your performance level. In these two sections, your first question will be of average difficulty. The question you receive next will be one that best fits your performance and the design of the test. In the Listening and Structure sections, you will be able to change your answer as often as you like until you have made your final choice, confirmed your answer, and moved on to the next one. Once you move on to the next question, you will NOT be allowed to go back to a previous question. Your answer to each question presented on the screen helps determine the difficulty level of the next question you will be given.


READING
The reading section measures your ability to read and understand passages in English. You will be tested on your comprehension of major ideas, important information, vocabulary, and relationships among ideas in the passage.

Time: 60 minutes
Question types: -Facts and Details -Inference
-Negative Facts -Purpose
-Reference -Recognizing Paraphrase


Note: Students are allowed to go back and change answers if working on the same reading passage.


LISTENING
The listening section measures your ability to understand conversations and lectures in English. You will be tested on your comprehension of general ideas and supporting details of the conversations and lectures. You will also be asked to identify a speaker’s purpose in making a particular statement, and a speaker’s attitude toward a particular topic.
There are two conversations and four lectures in this section of the test.

Time: 40-50 minutes
Question types: - Identifying the Topic
and Main Idea - Listening for Details
- Determining Attitude
and Purpose - Making Inferences and Predictions
- Categorizing Information - Summarizing a Process

Note: Students are allowed to takes notes and use those notes to answer questions.


SPEAKING
The speaking section measures your ability to speak in English about a variety of topics. There are six questions in this section. All of he questions are about topics that are appropriate for international students.
You do not need any special knowledge of any subject to respond to the question.

Time: 20 minutes
Question types: Independent Task Integrated Task
- Talk about a familiar topic - 45 seconds reading
- 60 seconds to respond
- 15 seconds to prepare - 1-2 minutes listening
- 45 seconds to respond - 30 seconds to prepare


WRITING
The writing section measures your ability to plan and write responses to questions in essay format. You must be able to select and convey relevant information, organize and support ideas, and demonstrate that you can use English effectively.

Time: 50 minutes
Question types: Integrated Task Independent Tasks
- 3 minutes reading - 30 minutes writing
- 2-3 minutes listening
20 minutes writing


Note: You make take notes, and you may use your notes to help you respond to the tasks. However, at the end of the test you must give all your notes to the test supervisor. Your notes will not be scored. Only what you say during the recording time will be scored.



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On the day of the test, you will be given a topic and will have 30 minutes to write an essay on that topic. Before the topic is presented, you must choose whether to type your essay on the computer or to hand write your essay on the answer sheet provided.

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST : Computer-Based TOEFL

The TOEFL test was introduced as a computer-based test (CBT) in July 1998 in many parts of the world. In 2006, it was replaced by the Internet-based Test (iBT). The iBT is now widely used around the world.

The CBT combined many of the same question types as the traditional paper-based test with new question types that can be offered only on the computer. At the time, there were several advantages to taking the computer-based TOEFL test:

testing at more than 300 test centers around the world
convenient scheduling
comfortable testing environment
fewer test questions than on the paper-based test
questions that are tailored to your ability level
immediate viewing of scores on screen
opportunity to choose up to four score recipients after seeing your scores
official score reports mailed approximately 14 days after testing
Students at VEC were exposed to various sample tests in our computer labs, to ensure that they could take computer-based tests confidently. VEC had the latest software for students to learn and practice with. At VEC, students are able to use the computer labs seven days a week.

TOEFL Internet-Based Test
During 2005 and 2006, the TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) replaced the TOEFL Computer-based Test in most countries. In Canada, the use of the iBT started in October 2005. The TOEFL iBT tests speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We now offer preparation courses for TOEFL iBT.

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST : TOEFL Test Tips

To be comfortable with all sections of the test, spend as much time as you need with the tutorial for each timed section.

To use the allotted time for each section wisely, familiarize yourself with how to use the computer and the types of materials, questions, and directions that are in the test. Become familiar with the formats and requirements of each section of the test as described in the tutorials.

The directions at the beginning of each section will tell you the total number of questions in the section and time allowed for the section. Read the directions carefully. They explain exactly what is required to answer each question type and can be reviewed as needed.

Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Before answering a question, determine exactly what is being asked. Always read and understand all possible answers. If you do not, you may miss important information.

Pace yourself so that you have enough time to answer every question. Pay attention to the number of questions and the amount of time remaining during your testing session. Do not spend too much time on a single question.

Answer every question in each section. This will allow you to get your best possible score.

You must answer each question in the Listening and Structure sections (the computer-adaptive sections) before you can go on to the next one. If you do not know the answer to a question, eliminate any answer choices that are obviously incorrect.

In Listening and Structure, confirm your answer only when you are certain you are ready to move on to the next question. You cannot omit questions or go back and change answers. In Reading, you will be allowed to go back and change your answers.

To prepare for the Writing section of the test, practice by using the Writing topics found in the TOEFL Information Bulletin. You will have 30 minutes to compose your assigned essay. You may either hand write your essay or type it on the computer.

TOEFL PRACTICE TEST : High demand causes 'Toefl crisis' in South Korea

SEOUL: Thailand has its attractions for foreign visitors: its famed temples, seaside resorts, tom yum soup. But what drew Oh Sun Yee to Bangkok recently for a three-day stay was something considerably less recreational. Like an increasing number of South Koreans, she had gone abroad to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or Toefl.

"It would have been easier for a camel to pass through a eye of a needle than to sit for the Toefl in Korea," said Oh, 31, who spent two days cramming for the test in her Bangkok hotel room, took it on the third day, and then caught the six-hour redeye back to Seoul.

Forget the North Korean nuclear crisis. What has many South Koreans in an uproar these days is the "Toefl crisis." With demand for the test far outstripping available slots, and scalpers demanding exorbitant prices, desperate South Koreans have been hunting for possible test sites from Japan to Southeast Asia, even Australia. Travel agencies have begun offering "Toefl tours" that include test preparation courses, a guaranteed test slot and sometimes even a bit of tourism on the side. One test preparation school estimates that about 500 Koreans a month travel to other countries to take the test.

With South Koreans making up one of the largest foreign student communities in the United States - about 93,000 students in 2006, according to the U.S. immigration authorities - it is hardly surprising that demand for the test would be high. American colleges and graduate schools typically require foreign students to submit Toefl scores with their applications.

But in recent years, Toefl scores have also become a necessity even for South Koreans with no intention of leaving the country. Many people, from teenagers applying to selective secondary schools to adults applying for jobs - even jobs with no obvious need for fluency in English - must submit Toefl scores. Dozens of universities require Toefl for graduation. Governmental offices and quasi-governmental agencies - city councils, jails, the Korea Racing Association - ask applicants for scores.

"I think English ability is a basic criterion now," said Kim Jae Yoon, the human resources director of Chongga Kimchi, a major producer of the traditional Korean condiment. The company had recently hired an accountant and an operational manager after factoring in their Toefl results.

The number of people taking the test in South Korea jumped from 50,311 in 2001 to about 130,000 in 2006, according to Educational Testing Service, the Princeton, New Jersey-based company that administers the test.

The crisis erupted last year, when ETS changed testing methods. In September, partly in an effort to tighten security and discourage cheating, ETS switched to a new Internet-based test that would be given simultaneously throughout the region, about four times a month, and then discarded. Previously, the test was given as many as 50 times a month, as local demand warranted, from a bank of questions.

But the abrupt reduction in the number of times the test would be given meant that, from September to December 2006, only about 20,000 South Koreans could take the test. ETS had initially expected that it would be able to allocate 64,000 test slots for South Korea in all of 2007. This was so far below demand that, in April, the senior vice president of ETS, Paul Ramsey, told reporters in Seoul that another 70,000 slots would be created for Korea in 2007.

But it is unclear whether even this will be enough, with some private cram schools anticipating a demand of 200,000 this year. As an indication of the fierce competition for the available slots, the ETS Web site recorded 32 million hits in one day from South Korea when it opened online registration for the July test; available seats were gobbled up "within moments."

It is this disparity between supply and demand that sends so many South Koreans abroad.

Oh, who wants to study marketing at an American graduate school, organized her Toefl trip to Bangkok on her own.

But travel agencies offer two- to three-day Toefl tours to other Asian countries and territories, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines. The packages typically include registration, crash courses and Korean breakfasts for those unwilling to risk indigestion on the important day.

"You don't know when you'll ever be able to sign up for the test in Korea, and if you go overseas, you can also enjoy some travel!" says the advertisement for an agency called "English-Up."

Agencies say that these tours, which typically cost about $850 to $1,000, flight tickets included, are almost fully booked for the next few months.