Master TOEFL - Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

UNDERSTANDING THE TOEFL:

Vocabulary and Reading

Comprehension Section

Developing a good English vocabulary is the most important way to prepare for the

vocabulary you will see on the TOEFL. In addition to developing a good English vocabulary, it is

very important to know the kind of vocabulary you will see on the TOEFL and to understand how it

is tested.

Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension make up Section 3 of the TOEFL. This section contains 30 vocabulary questions and 30 reading comprehension questions. Remember that your general vocabulary is tested in all sections of the TOEFL. However, it is in this section of the TOEFL where your knowledge of specific vocabulary is tested.

You will have 45 minutes to complete this section of the TOEFL. Many test takers report that they do not have enough time to complete the reading comprehension questions, so you should

work quickly in order to complete the vocabulary questions as soon as you can. If you follow the strategies in this book you will have more time to complete the Reading Comprehension section of

the TOEFL.

The Vocabulary Question

Vocabulary questions are written in a formal, academic style, typical of most college or university level texts and journals. The topics of these sentences are those that a first-year college student in North America would be likely to encounter. The topics come from such areas as the

natural sciences, business, liberal arts, and the social sciences. Many sentences contain references to

North American places and personalities. Others will refer to historical events and may include

dates. It is important for you to understand that your knowledge of these areas is never tested on the TOEFL. You do not have to be familiar with the content of the sentences to be successful on this section of the TOEFL.

Each TOEFL vocabulary question consists of a single sentence followed by four choices. These choices are marked by letters (A), (B), (C), (D). Most sentences have one word underlined, and less frequently, some sentences may have a phrase underlined. You must identify the word among the choices that has the same or similar meaning as the under-lined word or phrase in the question. These words are called synonyms. Let's examine a sample question.

Many organisms change their role in habitats from one season to another

(A)         diet (B)          size (C)         color

(D)         function

This question is typical of the Vocabulary section. The topic is from the natural sciences and

the sentence contains a single underlined word. The correct answer is (D) function. Function is a synonym for role. As in this example, the word you select is the one that best matches the meaning

of the underlined word. Note that all four of the choices make sense in the sentence. Vocabulary questions are written so that the con-text of the sentence seldom helps you to determine the meaning

of the word. Therefore, you must understand the vocabulary to select the correct choice

Strategies

Remember that your reading comprehension skills are not tested on this section of the test. Therefore you should not waste time reading the sentences. Simply look at the underlined word and

choose its synonym from among the four choices. This strategy will save you time and prevent

frustration.

You must choose the word that maintains the original meaning of the sentence. Be prepared

for unfamiliar vocabulary presented in unfamiliar contexts, but do not waste time reading the

sentences to determine the word's meaning. You will need this time for the Reading Comprehension section. If you do not know the word tested or can't determine its synonym, choose (B) or (C) as

your answer. On the TOEFL, (B) and (C) answers tend to be used slightly more than (A) and (D).

Also remember that answer choices that contain the same prefix or suffix or are pronounced like the underlined word are seldom the correct answers. Examine the following question.

Swallows are among the most agile passerine birds. (A)         Idle

(B)         swift (C)        fragile (D)         frail

Note that choices (A) and (C), idle and fragile, have sounds similar to agile. Such words are

not usually the correct choice. Such words are often used to distract you. Unless you are sure of the answer do not choose these words.

Let's see how to use our strategy with a sample item. Look at the sentence and look immediately to the underlined word. Do not read any other words in the sentence. Read the four choices and make your selection.

The spider wasp has a slender body with smokey or yellowish wings. (A)    tiny

(B)         long (C)          thin (D)         dark

The following is an illustration of how you should read the sentences.

+++ ++ +++ + ++++ +++ + slender ++++ ++++ ++++++ ++

+++++' +++ +++++ (A)          tiny

(B)         long (C)          thin (D)         dark

You should pay attention only to the underlined word and the choices that follow. If you

know the meaning of the word and recognize the synonym, there is no need to read the sentence. If you do not know the meaning of the underlined word, you must make an educated guess about its synonym. The context will not usually help you to determine the correct choice. All of the choices from this example fit into the sentence.

The spider wasp has a tiny body with smokey or yellowish wings. The spider wasp has a long body with smokey or yellowish wings. The spider wasp has a thin body with smokey or yellowish wings. The spider wasp has a dark body with smokey or yellowish wings.

These sentences show that the context does not help you determine the meaning of the underlined word. If you cannot decide on the answer, read the sentence. It may help you to remember any previous experience you have had with the word. If not, guess, and continue to the next question.

STRATEGIES TO REMEMBER

•             Do not waste time reading the sentences. Immediately look for the underlined word and

search for a synonym among the answer choices.

•             The sentence will not help you understand the meaning of the underlined word.

•             Analyze words quickly. Don't spend too much time studying word roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

•     Work quickly, but carefully. Conserve time for the second part of Section 3. Try to spend only 30 seconds on each question.

•     Words that contain similar sounds and spelling are usually not correct answers.

•     Always answer every question. If you must guess, choose (B) or (C) as your answer.

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