How to Pass the TOEFL Test
Posted: Monday, September 29, 2008
by William Sullivan
Cz-Training
The TOEFL iBT has four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Here are a few simple tips and tricks to help you improve in each:
READING
The most difficult part about the reading section is being able to understand the main points. To do this, there are two important things you have to look for:
Topic sentencesLISTENING
If the reading has four or more paragraphs, then the main points are often found in the first sentence of each paragraph. This sentence is called the topic sentence, and it tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. It most cases, this topic sentence will contain the main point or idea.
Transitional phrases
If the reading passage has only one or two big paragraphs, then you can usually find the main points by looking for transitional phrases. Look for phrases like first, second, third, next, another thing is, finally, etc. These phrases often signal a main point or a key idea.
Getting the main points from the listening is much more difficult than reading, especially if the professor is speaking quickly. Even so, there are some strategies that may help:
Listen for a thesis statementSPEAKING
Many times (not always!) the professor will express a thesis statement near the beginning of the lecture. This sentence is one of the few lines in the lecture, and it gives you information about the topic of the lecture.
Listen for transitional phrases
Listen for key words and phrases. This is the same as looking for transitional words and phrases in the reading--words like first, second, third, next, etc. These words often signal that the speaker will mention a main point or supporting idea.
Don't take too many notes
You should listen for main ideas, not details. Thus, don't write down everything you hear. If you begin writing down too many things, you won't be able to concentrate on the lecture and will fall behind.
This is the most difficult skill to improve. Here are some tips:
Speak with emotionWRITING
Stress, rhythm, and intonation are all very important qualities. Pretend that you are a Hollywood actor or actress, answering the questions as if you were auditioning for a new movie or TV program. This often makes your speech more natural-sounding.
Speak with phrases
Do not use individual words to make sentences. Use phrases. If you translate individual words from your own language into English, your speaking will sound very unnatural. Try to learn phrases that you can use in many situations.
Speak clearly
If you don't speak clearly, the assessor won't understand you. Even if you already speak English well, it is important that your speaking is clear and easy to understand. You may have to slow down in order to speak clearly. This is always better than speaking but unintelligibly.
Most important is essay organization. Your grammar and spelling may be perfect, but if your essay is not well-organized, it will not be very good. Here's how to organize your essays:
At the end of the day, there is absolutely no substitute for hard work and study, but knowing a few tips and tricks certainly won't hurt either!Independent Writing Essay
PARAGRAPH 1: Introduction (3 - 4 sentences)
PARAGRAPH 2: Topic sentence and supporting details
PARAGRAPH 3: Topic sentence and supporting details
PARAGRAPH 4: Topic sentence and supporting details
PARAGRAPH 5: Conclusion (3 4 sentences)
Integrated Writing Essay
PARAGRAPH 1: Introduction (2-3 sentences)PARAGRAPH 2: Main points from the reading
PARAGRAPH 3: Main points from the lecture
PARAGRAPH 4: Conclusion (2-3 sentences)
William Sullivan
http://www.cz-training.com/toefl/index.html
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)It says mostly everything that one should know and prepare for the TOEFL exam. Thank you!
I have written toefl 3 times but i didi not get my required score(61).The first time igot 58 then second 51 then third time 54. Now i am going to take the test again.Please help me if you can send me tips in thankyou
i wanna just to know wher did u get all this information becouse ur wrinting way is realy terible and full of mistgakes and how are u giving a lecture in wrinting paragraph and ur below text is full of mistackes so my on this try to mrmorise ur english skill in order to be understood clear enough. and i'm sorry about thati couldn't understand a word you said.. it's so funny
Saad, hmm, I think, you should really look in to you oun grammar ''mistakes'' before you accuse some one.
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