TOEFL Reading Comprehension 2

Question 1

In TOEFL Reading, a 'REFERENCE' question asks you to identify:

Accepted Answer

What a pronoun or noun phrase in the passage refers to

Answer

The author's main argument in the passage

Answer

The definition of an underlined word

Answer

The purpose of a specific paragraph

Question 2

A TOEFL Reading passage states: 'The study confirmed what had long been suspected: that sleep deprivation significantly impairs working memory.' Which question type does this sentence most directly answer?

Accepted Answer

A detail question asking what the study found

Answer

A vocabulary question about 'impairs'

Answer

An inference question about the relationship between sleep and health

Answer

A sentence insertion question

Question 3

The author writes: 'It would be an oversimplification to claim that deforestation is the SOLE cause of declining biodiversity.' What does the author imply?

Accepted Answer

Deforestation is one of several factors contributing to biodiversity loss

Answer

Deforestation has no effect on biodiversity

Answer

Biodiversity is not actually declining

Answer

Only scientists can understand the causes of deforestation

Question 4

In a TOEFL Reading passage, the author uses RHETORICAL QUESTIONS primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Engage the reader and introduce a topic or argument without expecting an answer

Answer

Request information from the reader

Answer

Test the reader's knowledge of the subject

Answer

Indicate uncertainty about the topic

Question 5

What is the purpose of a PROSE SUMMARY question in TOEFL Reading?

Accepted Answer

To test your ability to identify the three major ideas that best summarize the passage

Answer

To ask about the meaning of one specific sentence

Answer

To ask you to rewrite the passage in your own words

Answer

To ask about the author's tone and attitude

Question 6

A TOEFL Reading passage has this sentence: 'The migration patterns of monarch butterflies have been studied extensively; HOWEVER, the precise navigation mechanism remains poorly understood.' What does 'however' signal here?

Accepted Answer

The second clause introduces a contrasting or contradictory idea

Answer

The second clause provides additional support for the first

Answer

The second clause gives the reason for the first

Answer

The second clause defines a term used in the first