TOEFL Practice Test #3 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A TOEFL Reading passage about glaciology states: "The retreat of glaciers over the past century has been attributed to rising global temperatures, accelerated by industrialization." The passage structure here is:
- Problem–solution
- Cause and effect (Correct answer)
- Comparison and contrast
- Chronological narrative
Correct answer: Cause and effect
The passage identifies causes (rising global temperatures, industrialization) and an effect (glacier retreat). This is a classic cause-and-effect structure, which is common in TOEFL science passages. Recognizing text structure helps locate answers to rhetorical purpose and summary questions.
Question 2: In a TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing task, a professor asks: "Should universities prioritize STEM education over humanities?" Student A argues for STEM. Student B argues for a balanced curriculum. Which approach to the writing task is most appropriate?
- Ignore both students and write only about historical education policy.
- Simply agree with one student using the same reasons they gave without adding new content.
- Contribute an original argument with specific reasoning, engaging meaningfully with the discussion. (Correct answer)
- List three reasons for and three reasons against without taking a clear position.
Correct answer: Contribute an original argument with specific reasoning, engaging meaningfully with the discussion.
The Academic Discussion task rewards responses that add something original to the conversation. Students should state a clear position, support it with specific reasons or examples, and engage with the thread—not just repeat a classmate's argument or refuse to take a stance.
Question 3: A TOEFL Listening section features a professor discussing the "prisoner's dilemma" in game theory. The professor uses two business executives deciding whether to betray each other as an example. What is the professor's rhetorical purpose in using this example?
- To prove that cooperation is always rational
- To make an abstract concept concrete and understandable for students (Correct answer)
- To argue that self-interest always dominates cooperative behavior
- To describe a real historical event in the business world
Correct answer: To make an abstract concept concrete and understandable for students
Professors use concrete, relatable examples to make abstract academic concepts accessible. The business executive scenario translates the abstract game theory concept into a familiar context, helping students grasp the dilemma's logic. This is a standard "rhetorical purpose of example" question in TOEFL Listening.
Question 4: The sentence: "Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, which is stored as glucose." This sentence contains which grammatical structure?
- A compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction
- A complex sentence with a relative clause modifying "chemical energy" (Correct answer)
- A simple sentence with a compound predicate
- A passive voice construction with a relative clause
Correct answer: A complex sentence with a relative clause modifying "chemical energy"
The sentence is complex: it has a main clause ("Photosynthesis is the process") with an embedded relative clause ("by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy") and another relative clause ("which is stored as glucose") modifying "chemical energy." This is a compound relative clause structure.
Question 5: What score range does the TOEFL iBT use?
- 0–100
- 200–800
- 0–120 (Correct answer)
- 1–9
Correct answer: 0–120
The TOEFL iBT uses a total score range of 0–120, with each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) scored from 0–30. The total is the sum of all four section scores. Many universities require a minimum total score of 80–100 for admission.
Question 6: In a TOEFL Reading passage about social psychology, the author discusses conformity experiments. The sentence "Participants altered their responses when in the presence of a unanimous but incorrect majority" best illustrates which concept?
- Cognitive dissonance
- Social conformity pressure (Correct answer)
- Attribution error
- Bystander effect
Correct answer: Social conformity pressure
The scenario—changing correct answers in response to group pressure—is the classic finding of Asch's conformity experiments. Social conformity pressure describes how individuals alter their behavior or responses to match group norms, even when they know the group is wrong.
TOEFL Practice Test #3 3
A TOEFL Reading passage about glaciology states: "The retreat of glaciers over the past century has been attributed to rising global temperatures, accelerated by industrialization." The passage structure here is: