TOEFL iBT Best Overview

7/30/2019 TOEFL iBT Best Overview

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TOEFL iBT OverviewThe term TOEFL is an acronym, which means that each letter stands for something. In this

case,TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is created by anorganization called ETS (Educational Testing Service), a professional test developmentorganization, based in the USA.

The TOEFL is an English proficiency test for non-native speakers of English. Itmeasures a person's ability to read, write, speak, and understand English used in college oruniversity. This means it concentrates on the formal academic English used in lectures aswell as the informal English used in normal campus life by students, professors, and other

college or university employees.Most people take the TOEFL to get admission into colleges and universities where English isused or required. Some people take the TOEFL to fulfill the requirements of a government

department, licensing board, certification agency, or scholarship program. In fact, todaymore than 6000 colleges, universities, and licensing agencies in 110 countries accept TOEFLscores.

Some career-minded students take the exam to improve their professional prospects by

demonstrating their English language proficiency to future employers in their homecountries.

Although the TOEFL may seem like a difficult exam, preparing for it actually helps you toimprove your English in very powerful ways. That's because studying at an English

university is challenging you have to do lots of reading, complete many writtenassignments, papers, and projects, and also deliver oral presentations. So all of the skills

tested on the TOEFL iBT are real skills which you will need.

If you keep that perspective in mind, it will help you feel more positive about the wholeexperience and appreciate that these very skills will be essential for you in university andlater, on the job.

TOEFL iBT FormatThe TOEFL iBT is about 3 1/2 to 4 hours long, and is divided into four sections:1. The first section is READING, which lasts about 60-90 minutes.

2. The second section is LISTENING, which lasts from 60-90 minutes

!. Then you get lucky - you have a 10-minute break!!3. The third section is SPEAKING, which is the shortest, about 20 minutes4. The last section is WRITING, for which you have about 60 minutes.

We'll be examining each of these sections in greater depth as we go along.Though the exam itself covers the four main skill areas, its important to remember that toget a high score in the TOEFl iBT, you need to master quite a few other skills in

English. These include the secondary skills of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and

pronunciation, as well as general academic support skills such as note-taking, keyboarding,mind-mapping, summarizing, paraphrasing, skimming, and so on.

TOEFL iBT ReadingThe Reading section of the TOEFL measures your ability to read and understandpassages in English. This is a critical skill because students in North American universities

are expected to read (a lot!), and to understand, discuss, write about, paraphrase, andsummarize the ideas they have read.

The reading passages in the TOEFL iBT deal with subjects that students normally study inthe first and second years of university. These include the natural sciences, social sciences,business, and the arts. The language used in the reading passages is formal and academic.

Nevertheless, you don't need any specific subject knowledge to do well in the Readingsection. Of course, if your subject is economics, and there is a passage about economics,then no doubt you will feel more comfortable but you don't need to have specific knowledge

about economics to answer the questions.


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In fact, the exam is testing your ability to read about different types of subject areas and

still gain a basic, intelligent understanding of what has been written.

The purpose of the passages may be to describe something, to make an argument, toprovide historical information or to give a biography of someone's life.

TWO POSSIBLE VERSIONSThere are two possible versions of the TOEFL Reading Section:

The short version The long version

The reason for this difference is that ETS the makers of the TOEFL experiment withcertain passages for future tests and students are the ones they experiment on. That's how

it is.

So that means you may get three passages to read on your exam, or you might getfive. Also, you don't know which passages will be graded and which ones are experimental,

so you have to do all of them as well as you can.

So if you have the short format, you have three passages of 20 minutes each and 1214questions each. That means this whole section would be 3 x 20 minutes, or 60 minuteslong.

If you have the long format, you could get two additional passages which would mean that

this section would be 100 minutes in all.

TOEFL iBT ListeningThe Listening section of the TOEFL iBT measures your ability to understandconversations and lectures in English.

In this part of the TOEFL iBT, you will encounter two types of language:

Informal, Non-academic, and Conversational- in the form of typical campusconversations for example, between two students, a student and professor, etc.

Formal and Academic in the form of lectures from various fields of study such as

natural sciences, social sciences, the arts and business. Again, you don't need any special

knowledge to do well in this section.The entire listening section consists of 2-3 conversational passages and 4-6 lectures. This

takes about 4060 minutes to complete because you could get some extra experimental

listening passages. You hear the conversations and lectures only once but you are allowedto take notes. You will see the questions on the screen in addition to hearing them.

In general, the questions in the TOEFL iBT Listening section fall into threecategories:

Basic comprehension questions

Pragmatic understanding questions

Connecting and synthesizing questions

TOEFL iBT Speaking SkillsThe third section of the TOEFL iBT is the Speaking section. This part is made up of sixtasks: two independent and four integrated. You do not meet a live examiner, but speak

directly into a microphone. Your responses are recorded on the computer and then gradedby two qualified evaluators.

You are given from 4560 seconds to record your response. Because this time is relativelyshort, it is essential to practice extensively before appearing for the TOEFL.

Recording and then listening to yourself can be helpful. However, this is one part of the testwhere you can benefit the most by working with an ESL teacher or joining aTOEFL exam

preparation class because you need the objective feedback and advice.In general, speaking clearly, logically and simply are what matter most in the

speaking section. Many students think they must use complex sentence structures and high-level vocabulary to impress the examiner and then end up getting nervous and making


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mistakes. Communicating simply and correctly in an organized way will get you a

higher score every time.

Remember, in this section of the test, more than any other, you can do very well if youlearn how to implement the right strategies and conversely, you can lose points easily by

not understanding all that is asked of you.INDEPENDENT TASKS

The two independent tasks measure your ability to speak about a familiar topic. In otherwords, your own experience and ideas are the basis for your answer. You hear and see a

question, you have 15 seconds to prepare your answer and you speak for 45 seconds.The first independent task usually requires you to do two things:

1. Describe a person, place, object or event that you know.

2. Give reasons why you chose this example.An example of the first independent question is:

"Choose a teacher you admire and explain why you admire him or her. Please include

specific examples and details in your explanation."(ETS)The second independent task presents you with two actions, options, situations oropinions and asks you to choose. You must:

state which one you prefer

explain why

It doesn't matter which position you choose to support, but how clearly and how well you doso.

An example of the second independent question type is:"Do you prefer to take essay exams or multiple choice exams? Use reasons to support yourresponse."(Longman)

TOEFL iBT WritingThe last section on the TOEFL iBT is Writing, for which you have a total of 50

minutes. This part measures your ability to communicate clearly in writing and compose

well-organized essays using correct grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and sentence structure.You are given two types of writing tasks:

Integrated

IndependentIn the integrated TOEFL writing section, you will be given a short reading passage and

listening passage on the same topic. You can take notes during this time. Then you will begiven 20 minutes to write an essay of about 150-225 words, explaining how the listening

passage either supports the reading passage or contradicts the reading.The second part of the TOEFL Writing section is the independent essay. You are

given one topic, and you have 30 minutes to write an essay of about 4-5 paragraphs, or300-350 words. For key transition words and essay strategies which can earn you a top

score in the independent essay, check theWriting Skillssection.

TOEFL iBT SkillsThe TOEFL exam tests four areas reading, listening, speaking, and writing butdemands many more secondary and support skills. These include grammar,

vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling, note-taking, summarizing, synthesizing, outlining,skimming, scanning and mind mapping.

TOEFL STUDY PLANSTo score highly in the TOEFL exam, it is best to develop a systematic study

plan. Guidebooks such asBarron's provide sample syllabus or study options you can follow.Their standard syllabus covers 80 hours in 16 weeks and their accelerated syllabus covers

80 hours in 8 weeks. They also provide an abbreviated syllabus for those who have limitedtime.Delta's Guidebook offers a 75-hour / 15-week preparation program. Aside from the

main TOEFL guidebooks, you will benefit from referring to a number of ESL books which
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focus on the development of specific skills such as skimming, scanning, note-taking, etc. By

doing so, you will succeed in building a strong foundation of language and academic skills

which will support you

TOEFL iBT - Primary SkillsTo get a high score on the TOEFL, you need to master a number of overlapping language

and academic skills. We have divided them here into primary, secondary and support skills.Theprimary skills correspond with the main sections of the TOEFL iBT exam -reading, listening, speaking and writing. These are also the main linguistic skillsimportant for effective communication, especially in an academic setting.

The unique feature of the TOEFL iBT is that the primary skills are tested throughindependent as well as integrated questions, to simulate the way English is used in real life.The chart below explains where you will encounter such questions on the exam.

Primary Skills for the TOEFL

Skill Independent Questions Integrated Questions

Reading Yes No

Listening Yes No

Speaking Yes Yes

Writing Yes Yes

For effective strategies you can use to develop each of the primary skills, continue here:

Reading Skills

Listening Skills Speaking Skills

Writing SkillsFor information on the remaining skill areas, continue here:

Secondary Skills Support Skills

TOEFL iBT Reading SkillsReading is the first section of the TOEFL iBT. It includes 3 to 5 reading

passages (about 700 words long) and 12-14 questions following each passage. You aregiven 60 -100 minutes to answer all the questions in the entire section.Do not be frightened if the subject of the TOEFL iBT Reading passage is unfamiliar

to you. All of the information you need to choose the right answer is given. In addition, you

will find the definition to some of the technical terms in the glossary that is available duringthe test.

Skim through the passage to get the main idea and organization of ideas in thepassage. Since you can reread the text while answering the questions, it's not necessary to

read the passage in depth. This technique will enable you to devote more time to thequestion and answer choices. Nevertheless, if you're running out of time, guess at an

answer, as it can only increase your score. On the TOEFL, there is no penalty for

incorrect answers.QUESTION TYPES

There are 10-12 different types of multiple choice TOEFL iBT reading questions. The way toget a high score is to become familiar with all types of questions. This will help you

to narrow down the options and select the right answer.

TOEFL iBT reading questions fall into three categories: basic information, inferencingskillsand reading to learn skills. These questions can be of different kinds:

understanding facts and details

identifying negative facts

locating referrents understanding vocabulary in context
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making inferences

determining purpose

paraphrasing

understanding coherence

identifying main ideas following logic

summarizing important pointsEach of the major TOEFL iBT guidebooks, such asETS,Delta,Barron's ,Longman,Kaplan,

andCambridge, provide you with lots of guidelines and practice in answering each of thesequestions. While completing their practice exercises and tests, it's helpful to keep track of

the type of questions you tend to get wrong, so you can identify what you need to work on.

TOEFL READING TIPSLearning and practicing certain reading and academic strategies can help you succeed on

the TOEFL and after the TOEFL. While preparing for the test, read on a variety of topics to

expand your vocabulary. You can read from textbooks, newspapers, magazines, scholarlyjournals and websites. Guess at the meaning of unfamiliar words and try to grasp the mainidea even when you don't know the meaning of each word.

Other skills worth developing include: pre-viewing, reading faster, using context, making

inferences, skimming, scanning, making connections, summarizing, taking notes, and

synthesizing.Improving each of these sub-skills will enable you to get a higher overall score in the

reading section.

TOEFL iBT Listening SkillsThe Listening section of the TOEFL, which lasts about 40-60 minutes, measures your abilityto understand the English spoken in academic settings in North America. There are 6-9listening tasks, which include the following:

A minimum of 2 questions between two people - such as two students or a student and a

professor, a librarian, a counsellor, etc; followed by questions

A minimum of 2 lectures, followed by questions

A minimum of 2 lectures, with student comments and questions interspersed, followed by

questionsYou will need headphones for this portion of the test. You can adjust the volume during the

test. You may also take notes at any time and use your notes to help you answer thequestions. Your notes will be destroyed before you leave the exam hall.

Each question in the TOEFL iBT Listening section must be answered before you cango on to the next question. You are not permitted to go back to previous questions once

you have left a question.TYPES OF TOEFL LISTENING QUESTIONS

TOEFL iBT listening questions fall into three different categories:

basic comprehension questions pragmatic understanding questions

connecting information question

There are 6-7 different types of questions, as shown below:

identifying the main idea determining the purpose

understanding detail

determining attitude understanding implication

making inferences

connecting contentLISTENING TOPICSMost of the academic lectures featured in the TOEFL listening section are at a first-year
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university level. Though the topics can cover a wide range of subjects, the typically fall into

four major categories: arts, life science, physical science, and social science.

Arts lectures may include architecture, music, literature, photography, urban planning,crafts, and indu

TOEFL iBT Speaking Skills

The third section of the TOEFL iBT is the Speaking section. This part is made up of sixtasks: two independent and four integrated. You do not meet a live examiner, but speakdirectly into a microphone. Your responses are recorded on the computer and then gradedby two qualified evaluators.

You are given from 4560 seconds to record your response. Because this time is relativelyshort, it is essential to practice extensively before appearing for the TOEFL.Recording and then listening to yourself can be helpful. However, this is one part of the test

where you can benefit the most by working with an ESL teacher or joining aTOEFL exampreparation class because you need the objective feedback and advice.In general, speaking clearly, logically and simply are what matter most in the

speaking section. Many students think they must use complex sentence structures and high-

level vocabulary to impress the examiner and then end up getting nervous and makingmistakes. Communicating simply and correctly in an organized way will get you a

higher score every time.Remember, in this section of the test, more than any other, you can do very well if you

learn how to implement the right strategies and conversely, you can lose points easily bynot understanding all that is asked of you.

INDEPENDENT TASKS

The two independent tasks measure your ability to speak about a familiar topic. In otherwords, your own experience and ideas are the basis for your answer. You hear and see aquestion, you have 15 seconds to prepare your answer and you speak for 45 seconds.

The first independent task usually requires you to do two things:

1. Describe a person, place, object or event that you know.2. Give reasons why you chose this example.

An example of the first independent question is:

"Choose a teacher you admire and explain why you admire him or her. Please includespecific examples and details in your explanation."(ETS)

The second independent task presents you with two actions, options, situations oropinions and asks you to choose. You must:

state which one you prefer

explain why

It doesn't matter which position you choose to support, but how clearly and how well you doso.

An example of the second independent question type is:

"Do you prefer to take essay exams or multiple choice exams? Use reasons to support yourresponse."(Longman)

INTEGRATED TASKS

These tasks test your ability to integrate information from different sources.

Two of the integrated tasks require you to read, listen, and speak. The other two integratedtasks ask you to only listen and speak.

In the third TOEFL speaking task, you are first given 4045 seconds to read a short

passage an announcement, a bulletin, a letter, etc. describinga campus-related issue.You then hear one or two students expressing their opinion about the issue. The question

then asks you to integrate what you have read and heard by synthesizing or summarizing

what the speaker said. It does not ask you for your opinion.


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In the fourth speaking task, you are given 40-45 seconds to read a short passage about

anacademic subject. You then listen to a professor lecturing briefly about the same

subject. Next, you are asked a question based on what you read and heard.In the fifth speaking task, you are not given a reading selection. You listen to a short

conversation about a campus-related situation and then answer a question about whatyou heard. Specifically, you are asked to:

describe the problem being discussed state which of the two solutions or options youprefer

explain why you chose that option.You can justify your choice based on what the speakers said or on your own experience.

The sixth speaking task is based on academiccontent. You listen to a brief excerpt from

a professors lecture and are then asked to explain a point, giving examples from thelecture. It will be important for you to take notes here so that you can speak easily,

confidently and comprehensively.

It is best to prepare for each of the TOEFL iBT speaking tasks separately by doing as manypractice sessions as possible, ideally with an experienced teacher at hand to give youvaluable feedback.

TOEFL Speaking TipsThese valuable tips will help you get a much higher score on the Speaking section of yourTOEFL exam. Use all of them, if you can, for a top score.

Everything you need to do well on the TOEFL is right here:What to do:

Structure your response as a mini essay.

Make sure your response has an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

Use transition words to guide your listener in a logical, organized way.

Use clear English in a confident, expressive way. Simplicity is powerful.

Give two or three reasons to develop your response and to avoid going round and round

only one point.

Use verbs rather than nouns. Verbs are more dynamic and make your English sound

more interesting.

Speak at an even pace. Its better to slow down and be completely understood, ratherthan rush and lose points because the examiner cannot understand your words.

Say the endings of words fully. For example, Spanish speakers tend to leave off theendings of words and this can make it difficult to catch the words. They might be saying,

custom but it sounds like custa. This can be confusing.

Pronounce the t in words. It makes it easier for native speakers to understand foreign

accents. An example is the word water. Say wah-ter. Avoid saying wadder or wah-er.

What not to do:

Dont waste time rephrasing the question. The examiner already knows what thequestion is. He or she wants to hear your response, right from the start.

Avoid using words which are difficult to pronounce. You will waste time in correcting

yourself if you cant say the words easily. For example, say chance instead of

opportunity. Dont use higher-level vocabulary unless youre 100% sure of the meaning. Its better to

present a response thats easily understandable rather than one thats vague and

unclear. Dont use idioms at all, unless you are 100% sure of their meaning, and can use them in

a grammatically correct way.

Dont state exactly how many reasons you will provide because you may not haveenough time to do so. Just say I like to dance for many reasons. or I prefer traveling


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alone for several reasons. Then include as many reasons as you have time for. Usually

this means two or three reasons.

Dont worry about your accent. Just speak as clearly as you can.

Dont go back and try to rephrase what you have said, unless you are correcting a

grammatical error. Generally, you dont have time to say the same thing twice.

Free TOEFL Speaking Samples An easy way to get a high score on the TOEFL independent speaking tasks is to thinkof your answer as a mini essay. Of course, you have only 45 seconds in total, soyour introduction and conclusion may be only one line each. Even so, by including

them, you provide a complete answer. INTRODUCTION: The introduction should immediately answer the question asked in

the task. State clearly what you are going to speak about or what you prefer. This is

like the thesis statement in an essay. BODY: The body is where you provide the reasons, details or examples to explain or

support your answer.

CONCLUSION: Your last sentence allows you to conclude in a logical, powerful and

convincing way.

Lets look at some sample TOEFL speaking tasks below. You can practice for your

exam by reading the answers aloud. In this way, youll have a better idea how tostructure your own answer on exam day.

FREE TOEFL SPEAKING SAMPLE 1 - TASK 1Describe something that you do to reduce stress. Explain why it is helpful.

Include details and examples to support your answer.

IntroductionReading books helps me to relieve stress like nothing else can.

Body

This is true for several reasons. First, when I read a book I mentally enter the world

of ideas. I can forget my day-to-day worries.

Second, from an emotional angle, reading is a solitary act. It enables me to spend

time alone, away from others. This helps me feel more peaceful.

Third, from a physical perspective, reading allows me to stop working and relax mybody. At home, I like to read while lying in bed or on the sofa.

ConclusionThe act of reading transports me to another world. Thats why books are good

friends and why reading is such an effective way of reducing my level ofstress.

FREE TOEFL SPEAKING SAMPLE 1 - ANALYSIS

The response above would get a high score for several reasons:

What

It answered the question fully.

How

It was grammatically correct. It used simple, clear vocabulary. Why

It spoke about the actual topic, and not some other topic.

It proceeded logically, from introduction to body to conclusion.

It used transition words, such as first, second and third.

It gave three reasons: mental, emotional and physical

It gave three details /examples: to forget worries, to feel more peaceful, to lie on

bed / sofa


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The conclusion reinforced the fact that the speaker had understood the task clearly.

Follow the links before for moresample TOEFL independent speaking samples:

Free TOEFL Independent Speaking Samples - Task 1



TASK 1 - SAMPLE 1What is the best quality of a good son or daughter? Why? Use specific reasons anddetails to support your choice.Introduction

I think the most important quality is kindness.BodyThis is because kindness automatically includes so many other qualities. First, kindness

implies that a son or daughter is helpful to the parents. This is critical no matter how old thechild is.Second, kindness means being respectful. There is nothing

that touches parentshearts more than being treated well by a child. Conversely,

nothing hurts parent more than when a child shouts at them.Last, kindness incorporates so many other positive traits such as thoughtfulness,

cooperation, caring, compassion, understanding and so on.Conclusion

In todays world, having loving parents is a blessing and children of all ages should honourthat through their kind actions.

TASK 1 - SAMPLE 2

What is your favourite day of the year? Use reasons to support your answer.IntroductionMy favourite day of the year is December 31.

Body

This is due to many reasons. Personally, December 31 is full of hope and promise for theyear ahead. Like others, I love to make resolutions to improve myself in the coming

year. December 31 makes everything seem possible.

Professionally, since I have my own business, December 31 enables me to take stock of mystrengths and weaknesses. It forces me to make better plans for the next year

Socially, Dec 31 shows me who means the most to me because you usually think ofthose people on this day. It is a lovely time when people from around the world are united

in joy.Conclusion

All days in life are special but December 31 makes me feel the most optimistic, hopeful andthankful of all.

TOEFL iBT Writing SkillsThe last section of the TOEFL is Writing, which lasts for about 50 minutes. It consists of two

parts: the integrated writing task (150-225 words) and the independent writing task (300-350 words).

If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of writing so much in such a short time, rememberthat writing is a skill that can be developed. Many TOEFL guidebooks, such asDelta

,Longman,Cambridge, andBarron's, present detailed strategies to help you organize andfocus your writing. They also provide sample essays and an analysis of high- and low-

scoring responses. In addition, you will need to work with an experienced TOEFLteacher or register in aTOEFL exam prep program so that you can receive corrections

and meaningful feeback on how to improve and strengthen your writing skills.INTEGRATED WRITING

The integrated writing task comes first and is organized in the following way:
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You read a passage - 3 minutes

You listen to a related lecture - 2 minutes

You write an essay - 20 minutesIn your response to the integrated question, you will be asked to summarize the points

made in the lecture andeither show how the lecture supports the points made in thereading passage orshow how the lecture casts doubt on the points made in the reading

passage.It is helpful to make notes of the main points as you read, though the reading passage

does reappear when it is time to write. More importantly,you must make notes whilelistening, as you have only one opportunity to hear the lecture. Listen carefully

for arguments, explanations andexamples which support or challenge the points made

in the reading. It is essential that you take detailed notes while listening or you wont haveenough material to write about.

Your essay may be set up as one long paragraph or three paragraphs. In terms of

organization, you have two ways in which you could structure your response: You couldcompare and contrast each point as you go along. For example, The reading passagestates that. , On the other hand, the lecture argues that . Alternatively, you could list

all of the points made in the reading passage in one paragraph and all the points made in

the lecture in the next paragraph.

The Princeton ReviewsCracking the TOEFL iBTgives a detailed essay structure you couldfollow in developing your integrated answer.

Bear in mind that for the integrated task, you are not being asked to give your opinion, butto relate what you have read and heard. Do only what the question asks you to do - nomore and no less.

INDEPENDENT WRITING

The second task in the Writing section is the independent essay. You have 30 minutes towrite a four or five paragraph essay (about 300-350 words) in response to a singlequestion.

The first thing you need to do is to identify the task clearly. The question may askyou to agree or disagree, make an argument, give an explanation or state a preference.Make sure you understand what you are being asked to do.

The next point is to take up to 5 minutes to plan your essay. Sometimes studentsavoid doing this because they feel it will take away from the limited time they have to writethe essay. However, by planning in advance, you focus first on whatto write and can thenconcentrate on howbest to express your ideas.

You will also be able to organize your essay more effectively by setting out the points andexamples in advance. Use concept maps, venn diagrams, mind maps or other brainstormingtools to help you conceptualize your essay. These planning techniques, along with practice

exercises, are explained at length in Barron'sHow to Prepare for the TOEFL Essay.

If, while planning, you discover that you cant think of enough reasons or examples to writea convincing essay, then you might consider adopting the opposite point of view. Theemphasis is on generating lots of ideas and examples to write a strong essay, even

if its not your true view on the subject. Having enough "meat" in your essay is moreimportant than choosing a particular point of view.

You then have 20 minutes to write your essay.After deciding on your approach, stateyour position clearly in the first line or at least in the first paragraph. The examiner should

not be left guessing where you stand on the given topic. After the introductory paragraph,you need to write two or three supporting paragraphs, which provide reasons and examples,

and last, the conclusion. Always begin your essay with a strong introduction and end

with a powerful conclusion so that the first impression and the last one are powerful andconvincing.
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Try to allot about 5 minutes at the end to review your essay and correct any obvious

spelling, grammatical or vocabulary errors. If you're running out of time, try to add at

least a one-line conclusion, so that your essay gives the impression of being complete.Practice writing essays within the 30-minute time limit so that you feel comfortable

doing so on the day of the test. Lastly, familiarize yourself with the full list of topicsgiven in the ETS guidebook,The Official Guide to the New TOEFL iBT, so that you know

the kind of topics to expect on your test.

TOEFL iBT - Secondary SkillsSecondary skills, such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling, are not

tested in separate sections of the TOEFL, but are tested indirectly throughout the exam.Here are some examples of where and how these secondary skills may prove relevant:TOEFL Speaking: The six tasks require you to not only understand the question and

respond logically, but also to enunciate clearly (pronunciation), use correct sentencestructure (grammar) and express your opinions through a rich variety of words andexpressions (vocabulary).TOEFL Writing: The mechanics of writing - grammar, spelling and punctuation are taken

into account when awarding your cumulative writing score.TOEFL Reading & TOEFL Listening: Your command of vocabulary will assist you in

responding to the reading and listening questions. Your knowledge of grammar may becritical to understanding exactly what is being stated.

TOEFL GrammarGrammar is no longer tested directly on the TOEFL iBt. However, it is still important

for you to be comfortable using a wide range of grammatical structures, which will be

evaluated indirectly in the speaking and writing sections of the test.For example, in each of the six tasks in the speaking section, you have only one minute inwhich to express your ideas on a given topic. In that short time, you want to be able to

speak confidently and clearly, without obvious grammatical errors, which could distort your

meaning. According to the speaking rubrics, published by ETS, a respondent should"demonstrate effective use of grammar" and "exhibit a high degree of automaticity, with

good control of basic and complex structures."

Similarly, in the writing section of the TOEFL iBT, a level 5 essay is one which "displaysconsistent facility in the use of the language, demonstrating syntactic variety, appropriateword choice, and idomaticity, though it may have minor lexical or grammatical errors."

There are many excellent grammar books on the market which you can use to perfect yourgrammar. Some favourites among ESL teachers are shown below.

Author Book Level Publisher

Azar, Betty Basic English Grammar Beg Longman

Understanding and Using English GrammarUnderstanding

and Using English Grammar

Inter

Fundamentals of English Grammar Adv

Murphy,

Raymond

Essential Grammar in Use Beg-

Inter

Cambridge

English Grammar In Use Inter-

Adv

In addition, various older TOEFL PBT and TOEFL CBT guidebooks review grammar

points quite effectively, though perhaps in excessive detail. These include Barron's,

Delta, Princeton Review, Cambridge and Kaplan. If you are looking for more focusedgrammar study, you may want to use Peterson'sPeterson's Toefl Grammar Flash by Milada

Broukal, which has short lessons to help you master essential grammar.
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VOCABULARY BY EMAIL

There are also various companies which will send a word a day to your e-mail address, or

even your cell phone, for free. These includeMeriam Webster Online andWordsmith.VOCABULARY GAMES

In addition, many ESL websites offer a huge variety of vocabulary building games for alllevels, which can provide you with additional pract

TOEFL iBT PronunciationOn the speaking section of the TOEFL iBt, you will need to speak clearly enoughthat a native speaking examiner can understand what you are saying. You are not

being asked to imitate an American or British accent. You are being judged on whether yourspeech is intelligible.For people to understand what you're saying,it is essential that you improve your

pronunciation. Of course, everyone who speaks English has an accent, and all nativespeakers do as well. For example, the British sound different from the Americans, Indians,South Africans, Canadians, and Australians. You will, no doubt, have noticed this when

you've watched television and movies.

NATIVE-LANGUAGE INFLUENCENevertheless, when you, as a second-language learner speak English, you face special

difficulties based on the influence of your native language. In some cases, theseinterferences can be so strong that English words sound like other words (rice can sound

like lice, for example) and the meaning is lost or confused.According to the Speaking Rubrics developed by ETS, your speech will be assessed on

whether it is well-paced, clear, and articulate, with effective intonation and

rhythm, which does not obscure the message.TOEFL PRONUNCIATION RECOMMENDATIONSThe best way to improve your pronunciation is in a pronunciation class or with a private

teacher. Develop your ear by listening carefully to newscasts on CNN or BBC. You can also

benefit greatly from using some of the English pronunciation programs on the market today,which will enable you to practice at home, while driving, etc.

TOEFL iBT - Support SkillsIn addition to the primary and secondary skills, a wide variety ofacademicskills support your ability to ace the TOEFL. These include notetaking, summarizing,paraphrasing, outlining, mind-mapping, synthesizing, skimming, and scanning.

The chart below shows you the many times you will need to utilize these support skillsthroughout the exam.

Support Skills for the TOEFL iBT

Support Skills Reading Listening Speaking Writing

Note-taking Yes Yes No Yes

Summarizing No Yes Yes Yes

Paraphrasing Yes No Yes Yes

Outlining No Yes Yes Yes

Mind-mapping No Yes Yes Yes

Synthesizing Yes Yes Yes Yes

Skimming Yes No No No

Scanning Yes No No No

So make sure your TOEFL study plan covers each of these academic skills or you won'tunderstand why you keep getting a low score on your practice tests. As in real academic

life, all of these skills work together in an integrated way, to make you a more effectiveEnglish student and communicator.
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TOEFL iBT Skills - Note-takingEffective note-taking is an essential skill, not only on the TOEFL, but also in

academic life.Remember, just because you understand something, doesn't mean you willremember it. You need to write it down, especially when the information being given isextensive or complex.

In colleges and universities, professors expand orally on the written material provided intextbooks and expect you to record and remember that information, for the sake ofknowledge and future tests. Since this key skill is needed each day in the lecture room, it'sbest to develop effective strategies early on, while preparing for the TOEFL.

All sections of the TOEFL require some degree of note-taking: 1. listening and writing to a greater extent

2. reading and speaking to a lesser extent

Without learning how to note down and organize the information you are receiving, you willnot be able to give an effective response or choose the correct answer. However, once youmaster this skill, you will discover how easy it becomes to answer questions correctly and/or

comprehensively.

NOTE-TAKING CHALLENGESAs a second language learner, there are a number of special challenges you face when

taking notes.First, you must understand what the professor is talking about. This covers three points:

being able to hear, to understand his / her accent and to keep up with the pace of thelecture. Luckily, in spoken English, there tends to be more repetition and review than in

writing. This gives you time and opportunity to note down the key points, even if you don't

know the meaning of every word.Second, you must have an effective note-taking system which enables you to identify,record, and organize the main ideas and facts presented in the lecture. You will also need to

know how to anticipate purpose, notice verbal cues, use abbreviations and symbols, connect

relationships, compare and contrast, cause and effect. There are many such systems, whichwill be explained below. You will also need to learn or develop your own shorthand for

commonly used expressions, to save time.

Third, you need to utilize your notes to reconstruct the message of the lecture. Thismay include being able to write an essay based on your notes, answer multiple-choice

questions, or deliver a short spoken response.NOTE-TAKING SKILLS

Today, most universities and study skill centres recommend that you move away from thepassive idea of taking notes to the more active perspective ofmaking notes. A number of

sub-skills are involved here: intellectual and graphic.Intellectual note-making skills include the following: to anticipate purpose, notice verbal

cues, use abbreviations and symbols, connect relationships, compare and contrast, identify

cause and effect, find the problem and solution, classify groups, define terms, and recordsequence.

Graphics note-making skills refer to the specific format or style you decide to adopt. This

may vary depending on your learning style, your purpose, and your habits. Some options

are: column form, Cornell method, paragraph form, concept map, mind map, Venn diagram,outline form and many others. An excellent book which explains how to make effective

notes in almost any subject is Tools for Thoughtby Jim Burke. The ideas covered in his

book will help you to organize your material, remember more easily and think moreeffectively - well beyond the TOEFL exam - into your academic and professional life.

Some note-taking techniques are also explained in various TOEFL preparation guidebooks.

For example,Barron's TOEFL iBTdevotes an entire section to a number of academic skillsrequired on the exam, including note taking, and also paraphrasing, summarizing andsynthesizing. Other books, such asLearn to Listen - Listen to Learnby Roni S.
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Lebauerprovide extensive and focused practice on listening and note-taking throughout the

book. This resource is highly recommended for those students who find themselves

struggling and lost due to weak listening skills.Of course, the best way to know which method to use is to experiment with various styles

and see what is easiest and most comfortable for you. You can practice even while listeningto the daily news.

TOEFL iBT Skills - SummarizingSummarizing means condensing or expressing in short something you have reador heard. A summary should include the main points or ideas, key words or phrases, and

crucial details. The objective is to write just enough not too much and not too little.Summarizing differs from paraphrasing in that paraphrasing involves restating all theinformation in your own words, while summarizing includes only the key ideas.

SUMMARIZING ON THE TOEFLThe Reading section of the TOEFL iBT usually includes a question asking for themain idea of the passage. It is important for you to know how to identify the answer

which best expresses the core ideas, without going either off topic or too much in detail.

Similarly, in the integrated writing section of the TOEFL iBT, you are usually asked tosummarize what you have heard and read. You must explain how the reading passage

either supports or differs from the spoken lecture. You have only 20 minutes to completethis task, which implies clearly that you will need to summarize.

On the integrated speaking section of the TOEFL, two tasks require effectivesummarizing skills. In one task, you hear a conversation between two people and then

are asked to describe what was discussed. In the other, you read a short passage, hear a

short lecture and then have to summarize both, by comparing and contrasting them,restating the main points or something similar.SUMMARIZING STRATEGIES

You will need the feedback of an experienced TOEFL teacher to know whether you are

summarizing effectively, in speech and writing. It is difficult to do this on your own, as thereis usually a fair amount of fine-tuning involved before the student gets it just right. That's

because summarizing is not only a matter of using fewer words to sum up what you have

heard or read. Its a matter of expressing the main ideas in fewer words.Barron's TOEFL iBTprovides helpful techniques and practice exercises to learn how to

summarize effectively. The related chapter shows you how to combine sentences, identifythe topic sentence, find the major and minor points, and organize the information, while

retaining the original emphasis. Similarly, Longman's NorthStar seriesBuilding Skills for theTOEFL iBTprovides lots of practice, while addressing a wide range of subject areas.

TOEFL iBT Skills - ParaphrasingParaphrasing means restating what you have heard or read in your own words.The objective is to use different words to express the same ideas. You must resistthe temptation to copy entire lines or long phrases from the original passage, or learn

acceptable ways in which to do so. Copying the words of others is called plagiarism, and islooked upon very strictly in academic and professional environments. It's best to develop

effective paraphrasing strategies today, which you can use confidently all your life.PARAPHRASING TECHNIQUES

You will need to recognize a paraphrase or produce a paraphrase in all sections ofthe TOEFL.Barron's TOEFL iBT provides step-by-step techniques, which help you learn how

to paraphrase in a number of ways. Their methods include substituting synonyms, usingalternative grammatical forms, avoiding common paraphrasing difficulties, and citing

expressions and ideas. Many other ESL writing books include similar sections on developingparaphrasing skills.

TOEFL iBT Skills - Outlining
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Outlining is a linear method of developing, classifying and organizing thoughts,

ideas and information. It enables you to plan anything by creating a hierarchy of

information based on importance and relevance. Points are arranged in sections, and thensubsections, moving from abstract to concrete.

You can use outlining techniques in the Listening, Speaking, and Writing sectionsof the TOEFL iBT. For example, while listening to a conversation or lecture, you can keep

track of the main points, sub-points, and examples. If your outline is accurate, you will beable to go back and find the answers to your questions.

In the speaking section, when you have just 15 to 30 seconds to plan your response, youmay also wish to use a quick outline to plan your response.

The same is true while designing a plan for your essays in the independent and integrated

tasks of the writing section.DEVELOPING OUTLINING SKILLS

You can practice outlining skills by working from all kinds of materials textbooks,

newspapers, and magazines. You can also listen to newscasts or audio books and jot downpoints in this way. By developing the outline, you will be able to reconstruct the structure ofthe written or spoken information.

RESOURCES

Most ESL writing textbooks should have exercises related to outlining. In addition, textbooks

designed to improve English writing and study skills should include sections on developingoutlining skills.

TOEFL iBT Skills - Mind-mappingMind-mapping is a type of creative graphic organizing technique, developed by British

educationist and author Tony Buzan. It enables users to represent, integrate and connectlarge amounts of information around a central idea. Because it is holistic rather than linear,it enables you to utilize both sides of your brain and thus, unlock your brains potential.

You can create mind maps to summarize the contents of a single lecture, or an entire year-

long course. Therefore, mind maps can be used effectively to study, summarize, organize,think, brainstorm, make decisions or solve problems, in personal, academic or professional

life.

TOEFL APPLICATIONSYou can use mind mapping techniques to help you brainstorm ideas in the independent

writing section of the TOEFL. Since you have only five minutes to plan your essay, you mayfind this technique faster and easier than traditional outlining methods. Creating a mind

map will allow you to add ideas as they crop up, rather than in any particular order. You canthen decide which position you wish to adopt and quickly check whether you have sufficient

supporting ideas to develop your chosen viewpoint.You can also use this technique to make effective notes whenever listening is involved.

RESOURCES

The best way to learn mind mapping techniques is to read one of the many books on thesubject by Tony Buzan himself, or others. These include:

The Mind Map Book - by Tony Buzan

How to Mind Map- by Tony Buzan

Mind Mapping: How to Liberate Your Natural Genius - by Michael Gelb Understanding Mind Maps in a Week - by Steve Morris & Jane Smith

Mind Maps for Kids

Mind Maps for Kids: Rev Up for Revision

TOEFL iBT Skills - SynthesizingThe TOEFL iBT presents not only independent skill questions, but also integratedones. These questions demand synthesizing skills, which involve creating something
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new by combining two or more sources. What emerges as a result of synthesis is a new

perspective, meaning, or idea.

You will need to synthesize on the writing and speaking sections of the TOEFL iBT.For example, on the integrated writing question, you may be asked to read a short

passage, listen to a short lecture and then write your response. This may necessitatecomparing, contrasting, and giving your view on a topic. At times you are not asked for your

opinion, so make sure you read the directions carefully. Similarly, in the speaking section,you may listen to two parties discussing a topic and then be asked to synthesize and add

your opinion. Again, pay close attention to the exact wording of the question and do onlywhat is asked of you.

TOEFL iBT WRITING - SYNTHESIZING RESOURCES

Barron's TOEFL iBTdevotes 17 pages to the subject of synthesizing alone. You are givenstrategies to help you identify themes and connections, to decide which information to

select from the two sources and to show you how to follow a plan so you complete the task

within the given time limit.You can learn more about synthesizing by referring to TOEFL writing books and generalEnglish writing textbooks and workbooks.

TOEFL iBT - SkimmingSkimming is a reading technique that enables you to read information quickly toget the gist of an article or passage. You are simply trying to get a general idea of what

is written. Based on your skimming, you may decide whether the information is relevant toyour needs at the time. This is what we all do when we look over the newspaper, for

example.

Sometimes skimming is confused with scanning. Although scanning also involvesreading quickly, the objective is different to look for specific information. While scanning,you may not read the whole text and will most likely stop reading as soon as you locate

what you are looking for in the text. On the other hand, while skimming, you will probably

read quickly all the way through to the end to gather all the main ideas.TOEFL iBT APPLICATIONS

On the TOEFL iBT, you will need to use scanning techniques in the Reading,

Writing, and Speaking sections of the exam. For example, in the reading section, youmay be given anywhere from 3 to 5 passages, each of which is approximately 600-700

words in length, followed by 8 to 12 questions. The only way you can complete thetasks effectively is by skimming through the passage first and then going back to

scan or locate the specific information you need to answer the questions.TOEFL iBT - SKIMMING RESOURCES

All general ESL reading textbooks have exercises related to skimming. In addition, generalEnglish reading textbooks also devote chapters to developing this important skill, which

everyone uses in every language.

For specific resources, checkour Amazon bookshop. All general ESL reading textbooks haveexercises related to skimming. In addition, general English reading textbooks also devote

chapters to developing this important skill, which everyone uses in every language.

TOEFL iBT - ScanningScanning involves reading quickly to locate specific information. We all use thistechnique when looking up a name in a phone directory, a word in a dictionary, or a job inthe classified advertisements. We also scan while browsing through timetables, schedules,

and programs.On the TOEFL, you will need to use scanning techniques throughout your

exam. Whenever you have to go through a reading passage to locate a specific piece ofinformation, check the meaning of a word or find a particular fact, you should use scanning

techniques.
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Scanning is similar to skimming in that it involves rapid reading. However, while skimming,

we read through the entire passage or text to get the main ideas. In scanning, we

usually read only until we find the information we are looking for.TOEFL iBT - SCANNING RESOURCES

Most ESL reading textbooks contain exercises related to scanning. In addition, generalEnglish textbooks designed to improve reading skills should include sections devoted to

developing scanning skills.For specific resources,check our bookshop.

TOEFL iBT ResourcesOne thing is for sure you are not alone in studying for the TOEFL iBT!There is an entire industry built up around the subject of test preparation, and many typesof resources are available to you. In the beginning, it might all seem confusing, but

essentially, you can look at three different methods to help you build up your skillsfor the TOEFL iBT:

Independent Learning with Books & Software

In-Class or Online Training

A Combination of the AboveINDEPENDENT TOEFL iBT LEARNING

Independent learning means buying a TOEFL iBT guidebook and / or software and studyingby yourself or with a partner. This is recommended for those who can study better alone

and who are self-motivated. It is not recommended for those who tend to be sociallearners. However, all students will need to buy at least one or two good TOEFL

guidebooks and work independently to build up their skills at home, in any case.

IN-CLASS TOEFL TRAININGAt some point, either in the beginning or along the way, most students choose to attenda TOEFL preparation class. This is a good decision and investment, as you can learn a lot

from an experienced teacher and also from other students who may have appeared for the

exam before. The classroom environment provides a support structure and sense ofcamaraderie, so you dont feel that you are only one who is being punished by having to

appear for the exam!

Additionally, certain skill areas, such as speaking and writing require the feedback of anexperienced ESL teacher, as you cannot grade yourself or judge the quality of your answers.

ONLINE TOEFL TRAININGToday, a variety of websites offer TOEFL preparation services online, which can be helpful if

you are in a remote location, need the flexibility of studying at awkward hours and times, orare simply looking for additional practice.

COMBINED LEARNINGThe preferred way to study for the TOEFL is a combination of the above studying

independently at home, attending a live TOEFL class and perhaps receiving

additional support through programs and exercises online.More than anyone else, you know yourself your strengths and your weaknesses in English

and only you can put together the perfect mix of learning options to suit your budget,

boost your confidence and develop your language and exam taking skills.

TOEFL iBT BooksLuckily, you don't need to prepare for the TOEFL in the dark!You have plenty of excellent guidebooks, produced by the world's leading educational

publishing companies, which will help prepare you each step of the way. You will need tohave regular access to a good general guidebook to do well on your exam, so it might be a

good idea to purchase one or two. We provide you with recommendations on this website -pick the one that you feel most confortable with.
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Below, you will find a list of the most popular and important TOEFL preparation

books.

GENERAL TOEFL GUIDEBOOKS

ETS TheOfficial Guide to

the New TOEFLiBT

Our Review

Delta's Key to the NextGeneration TOEFL Test

Our Review

Barron's

TOEFL iBTInternet-

Based Testwith CD-

ROM

Our

Review

Cambridge

Preparation forthe TOEFL Test

Longman Preparation

Course for the TOEFLTest: Next Generation

(iBT) with CD-ROM

Our Review

KaplanTOEFL iBT

with CD-ROM

TOEFL iBT Book Review:

ETS - The Official Guide to the New TOEFL iBT

The Official Guide to the New TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM is the main guidebook published by the creators

of the TOEFL test, Educational Testing Services. So presumably, it provides you withthe most authentic

information about the test and also, lots of good advice about how to succeed in the TOEFL.

Generally, the level of the exercises in the book is quite high, so it enables you to judge the language

level you will need to attain. After looking through it, if you feel intimidated, go off and study using one

of the easier guidebooks such as Longmans, Barron's, or even Delta. Then, you can return to this book

again when you have raised your language level.

The most important advantage of this book is the insight it gives you into how the test is scored,

particularly in the speaking and writing sections. The accompanying audio CD provides listening

passages and sample speaking responses, which can be very helpful to students.

The book itself is divided into 6 sections: test information, reading, listening, speaking, writing and a

writers handbook.

TEST INFORMATION

The introductory section tells you about the main features of the TOEFL, how the iBT is different from

previous tests, registration information, some general tips and faqs.

TOEFL READING

The reading section sets out the ten types of reading questions and gives you ideas on how to best

answer each one. There are several practice reading tests with answers and explanations. In general, the

level of the reading passages is quite high, so again, you might want to try these exercises closer to the

date of your exam, to get a realistic idea of the level of the test.
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TOEFL LISTENING

The Listening section sets out the nine types of listening questions you will encounter on your test, and

gives you strategies to raise your score. It provides a useful, extensive list of subjects areas covered in

the listening passages, along with several practice tests.

TOEFL SPEAKINGThis section explains the format of the six TOEFL iBT speaking questions, provides sample responses and

rater evaluations. The many practice exercises in this section are at a level anyone can try to get a feel

for whats involved.

TOEFL WRITING

The Writing section includes the official Scoring Rubric used by raters when they check your writing

tasks. There are also sample scored responsesalong with raters comments.These are extremely

beneficial as they will give you an understanding of the various elements you must keep in mind to

produce a high-scoring answer.

Here, you will also find over sixteen pages of writing topics, used in previous versions of the TOEFL.

Since the topics on the TOEFL iBT are very similar to these, you should definitely read through this list

and practice writing essays on these subjects. At the least, you should make outlines of how you

would answer some of these questions.

WRITER'S HANDBOOK

The last section of the book provides you with a review of grammar, mechanics, usage, style,

organization and development. Common errors in grammar, sentence structure and word choice are

analyzed. Additionally, the handbook gives you examples of different types of essays and guidelines for

revision, editing and proofreading.

So, overall, our advice is to use this book while preparing for your testand refer to it often to see

where you stand.

TOEFL iBT Book Review:Deltas Key to the Next Generation TOEFL TestDeltas Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Testis one of the most popular TOEFLguidebooks on the market. Many ESL schools rely on this book to form the core of theirtest preparation curriculum, because it is socomprehensive.

One of the reasons for Delta's popularity among ESL teachers is the fact that each of the

four main sections of the book isorganized very systematically, with a steady build-up of

the academic and language skills required to do well on the test. The book is extremelyuser-friendly and is also ideal for self-study.In terms of level, though the book claims to be advanced, in reality, most students who are

considering doing this exam can deal with the moderately challenging exercises, withoutfeeling overwhelmed. The layout of the book is also easy on the eye, and students don't feel

hemmed in with too much material on a single page.

The book also provides hundreds of tips and strategies to help students cope with eachsection of the exam. Four full-length exams are included, along with hundreds of

practice units.


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According to the publisher, the book provides enough material to cover about 15 weeks of

study. A detailed study plan for 75 hours of learning is included, which can assist students

working on their own as well as teachers. The only disadvantage is that the ten audio CDswhich go with the book usually need to be bought separately.

Online TOEFL iBT Training

Today, a wide variety of online TOEFL training options exist for ESL / EFL students. This ishelpful to those in remote locations, those who need to study at awkward hours, those whoenjoy online learning and those who are simply looking for something more.Generally, online TOEFL training sites offer options to:

complete practice TOEFL iBT tests rehearse TOEFL iBT Speaking questions

submit practice TOEFL iBT Writing samples

develop your vocabulary strengthen your grammarIn general, studying TOEFL online is an effective, additional way to bolster your English

language skills. Of course, as in all online transactions, you should exercise caution before

paying for such services, and try to find out as much as possible about the company beforemaking any payments.

You can also watch free lessons online.engVidprovides free English lesson videos, and alsoallows you to interact with the teachers. They have a number of specific TOEFL videos.

TOEFL AttitudeTo do well on the TOEFL iBT, you should try to develop an attitude of relaxed

confidence.

Of course, this doesn't arise by itself. It grows within you as you take specific and positiveactions to prepare yourself in all ways academically, mentally, physically, andpsychologically. You are the one in charge of your attitude! Do whatever you need to do to

help yourself, just as you would advise your best friend or younger brother or sister.

If you have been a good student in the past, draw upon these positive memories to boostyour self-confidence. Similarly, if you have not done well until now, remind yourself that at

any moment, your life can change for the better, once you decide to make it so. Read

through and implement the extensive test preparation and test anxiety reduction techniquesincluded on this website to help you achieve your goals.As the famous saying goes,

Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're usually right.Make sure you prove the best about yourself, to yourself, today and always.
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TOEFL iBT Best Overview