Reading Comprehension Flashcards
6 cards from real TOEFL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Reading Comprehension flashcards as text
In TOEFL Reading, a 'SENTENCE SIMPLIFICATION' question asks you to:
Answer: Choose the answer that best preserves the essential meaning of a highlighted sentence
Sentence simplification questions present a highlighted complex sentence and ask which answer choice best captures its essential meaning — without changing the core information.
A TOEFL Reading passage discusses the water cycle. The passage states that 'transpiration from plants contributes significantly to atmospheric moisture.' What would an INFERENCE question based on this sentence most likely ask?
Answer: What can be concluded about the role of vegetation in local precipitation patterns?
An inference question would push beyond the stated fact to ask what logical conclusion can be drawn — here, that vegetation (which controls transpiration) likely influences rainfall.
In TOEFL Reading, what is the primary purpose of the INTRODUCTION paragraph of an academic passage?
Answer: To present background information and establish the topic and main claim of the passage
The introduction in academic writing establishes the topic, provides relevant context or background, and typically ends with the thesis or main claim of the passage.
When reading a TOEFL passage about a scientific controversy, the author writes: 'Although some researchers have endorsed the impact hypothesis, many geologists remain skeptical.' This sentence tells the reader that:
Answer: There is no scientific agreement on the impact hypothesis
The sentence presents two groups with opposing views — 'some researchers' who support it and 'many geologists' who are skeptical — indicating a lack of consensus.
When answering a TOEFL 'Insert a Sentence' question, which factor is MOST important for choosing the correct location?
Answer: Checking that the new sentence logically connects to both the sentence before it and after it
The correct insertion point is where the new sentence connects logically and grammatically to both its preceding and following sentences — checking both connections is the key strategy.
In TOEFL Reading, 'SCANNING' is best described as:
Answer: Quickly moving through text to locate a specific piece of information
Scanning is a speed-reading strategy for locating specific information (a name, date, number, or key phrase) without reading every word — the eye moves quickly until the target is found.