Tofel Preparation

TOEFL PREPARATION 2

TOEFL = Test of English as a Foreign Language

1. TOEFL International (CBT)2. TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing

Program) = PBT3. TOEFL Prediction

Plan for Preparation• First, concentrate on Listening,

Structure, and Reading, instead of on vocabulary.

• Second, spend time preparing everyday for at least an hour.

• Finally, do not try to memorize questions from this or any other book.

TOEFL PREPARATION 2TOEFL PREPARATION 2

LISTENING LISTENING COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION

GENERAL STRATEGIES

Be familiar with the directions. Listen carefully to the conversations and

talks. Know where the easier and more difficult

questions are generally found. Never leave any questions blank on your

answer sheet. Use any remaining time to look ahead at

the answers to the questions that follow.

SHORT DIALOGUES

As you listen to each short conversation, focus on the second line of the conversation.

Keep in mind that the correct answer is probably a restatement of a key word or idea in the second line of the conversation.

Keep in mind that certain structures and expressions are tested regularly in the short dialogues.

Keep in mind that these questions generally progress from easy to difficult.

Read the answers and choose the best answer to each question. Remember to answer each question even if you are not sure of the correct response.

Even if you do not understand the complete conversation, you can find the correct answer.

Never choose an answer because it sounds like what you heard in the conversation.

STRATEGIES

SKILL 1: FOCUS ON THE LAST LINE

ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(man) Billy really made a big mistake this time.(woman) Yes, he forgot to turn in his research paper.(narrator) What does the woman say about Billy?

In your test book, you read:

(A) It was the first time he made a mistake.(B) He forgot to write his paper.(C) He turned in the paper in the wrong place.(D) He didn’t remember to submit his assignment.

STRATEGIES

SKILL 1: FOCUS ON THE LAST LINE

ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(man) Billy really made a big mistake this time.(woman) Yes, he forgot to turn in his research paper.(narrator) What does the woman say about Billy?


(A) It was the first time he made a mistake.(B) He forgot to write his paper.(C) He turned in the paper in the wrong place.(D) He didn’t remember to submit his assignment.

THE BEST STRATEGY:FOCUS ON THE LAST LINE

The last line of the dialogue probably contains the answer to the question.

Listen to the first line of the dialogue. If you understand it, that’s good. If you don’t understand it, don’t worry because it probably does not contain the answer.

Be ready to focus on the last line of the dialogue because it probably contains the answer. Repeat the last line in your mind as you read through the answers in the text.

SKILL 2: CHOOSE ANSWERS WITH SYNONYMS

ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(woman) Why is Barbara feeling so

happy?(man) She just started working in a

real estate agency.(narrator) What does the man say about Barbara?In your test book, you read:(A) She always liked her work in real

estate.(B) She began a new job.(C) She just bought some real estate.(D) She bought a real estate agency.

SKILL 2: CHOOSE ANSWERS WITH SYNONYMS

ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(woman) Why is Barbara feeling so happy?(man) She just started working in a real

estate agency.(narrator) What does the man say about Barbara?In your test book, you read:(A) She always liked her work in real estate.(B) She began a new job.(C) She just bought some real estate.(D) She bought a real estate agency.

CHOOSE ANSWERS WITH SYNONYMS

As you listen to the last line of the dialogue, focus on key words in that line.

If you see any synonyms for key words in a particular answer, then you have probably found the correct answer.

SKILL 3: AVOID SIMILAR SOUNDS ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(man) Why couldn’t Mark come with us?(woman) He was searching for a new apartment.(narrator) What does the woman say about Mark?


(A) He was in the department office.(B) He was looking for a place to live.(C) He was working on his research project.(D) He had an appointment at church.

AVOID SIMILAR SOUNDS

Identify key words in the last line of the dialogue. identify words in the answers that contain similar sounds, and do not choose these answers.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE

SKILL 4: DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHERE

Example

On the recording, you hear:

(woman) Can you tell me what assignments I missed when I was absent from your class?

(man) You missed one homework assignment and a quiz.

(narrator) Who is the man?


A newspaper editor A police officer A teacher A student

SKILL 4: DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHERE

ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(woman) Can you tell me what assignments I missed

when I was absent from your class?(man) You missed one homework assignment and

a quiz.(narrator) Who is the man?


A newspaper editorA police officerA teacherA student

Man What do you think I should be doing

to improve my finances?

Woman You definitely need to put a higher percentage of your salary into a savings account and it would also be a good idea to invest more in a retirement fund.

Who is the woman most likely to be?

(A) A cashier

(B) A receptionist

(C) A financial advisor

(D) A business professor

Man What do you think I should be doing

to improve my finances?

Woman You definitely need to put a higher

percentage of your salary into a savings account and it would also be a good idea to invest more in a retirement fund.

Who is the woman most likely to be?

(A) A cashier

(B) A receptionist

(C) A financial advisor

(D) A business professor

Woman I haven’t been able to do the supplementary readings because the articles on reserve are always checked out.

Man Thanks for letting me know. I’ll ask the librarian to put some more copies on reserve. That should help.

Who is the man most likely to be?

(A)A librarian(B)A professor(C)A bookstore clerk(D)A student

Woman I haven’t been able to do the supplementary readings because the articles on reserve are always checked out.

Man Thanks for letting me know. I’ll ask the librarian to put some more copies on reserve. That should help.

Who is the man most likely to be?

(A)A librarian(B)A professor(C)A bookstore clerk(D)A student

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHERE

It is common for you to be asked to draw one of the following conclusions in the short dialogues: WHO is probably talking? WHAT will s/he probably do next? WHERE does the dialogue probably

take place?

SKILL 5: LISTEN FOR WHO AND WHAT IN PASSIVES ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(man) Did Sally go to the bank this morning?(woman) Yes, she did. She got a new checking

account.(narrator) What does the woman imply?


Sally wrote several checks. Sally wanted to check up on the bank. A new checking account was opened. Sally checked on the balance in her account.

SKILL 5: LISTEN FOR WHO AND WHAT IN PASSIVES

The passive –ing form is being done

etc.

Example

Active : I don’t like people telling me

what to do.

Passive : I don’t like being told what

to do.


Sometimes you can use get

instead of be in passive:

-There was a fight at the party but nobody got hurt. (= nobody was hurt)

- Did Ann get offered the job? (= was Ann offered the job?)


Passive:

My bicycle has disappeared. It must have been stolen.

Active

Somebody must have stolen my bicycle.


Present Continuous

Active: Somebody is cleaning the room at

the moment.

Passive: This room is being cleaned at the moment.

Look at those houses! They are being knocked down.


Present Perfect: have/has been + done

Active: The room look nice. Somebody has cleaned it.

Passive: The room look nice. It has been cleaned.

PASSIVE STATEMENTS

If the dialogue contains a passive statement, the answer to the question is often an active statement.

If the dialogue contains an active statement, the answer to the question is often a passive statement.

SKILL 6: LISTEN FOR WHO AND WHAT WITH MULTIPLE NOUNS

Example On the recording, you hear: (man) Do you know who is in the band now? (woman) I heard that Mara replaced Robert in the

band. (narrator) What does the woman say about the band? In your test book, you read: Robert became a new member of the band. Robert took Mara’s place in the band. Mara didn’t have a place in the band. Mara took Robert’s place in the band.


Some verbs can have two objects:offer ask tell givesend show teach payExampleThey didn’t offer Ann the job. (the two objects

are Ann and the job)So it is possible to make two different passive sentences: -Ann wasn’t offered the job. -The job wasn’t offered to Ann.


His colleagues gave him a present when he retired.


He was given a present by his colleagues when he retired

FUNCTION

LISTEN FOR EXPRESSION OF AGREEMENTSo do I. I’ll say. Isn’t he/ she/ it though! (Didn’t he/ Wasn’t

she/ Hasn’t it though!)Me, too. You can say that again. I couldn’t agree with you more. You bet!Who wouldn’t?Neither do I.I don’t either.

DISAGREEMENT

I don’t think soThat’s not what I thinkI can’t say I agreeI couldn’t agree with you lessI’m afraid I don’t agreeProbably notNot necessarilyNot reallyI’m not so sure

LISTEN FOR EXPRESSION OF AGREEMENTWoman The university should make it

easier for students to register for classes.

Man I couldn’t agree with you more!Narrator How does the man feel about the

woman’s idea?

(A) He completely disagrees with it.(B) He doesn’t believe the university will accept it.(C) He thinks it’s a good one.(D) He wants more information about it.

Woman The university should make it

easier for students to register for classes.

Man I couldn’t agree with you more!

Narrator How does the man feel about the woman’s idea?

(A) He completely disagrees with it.

(B) He doesn’t believe the university will accept it.

(C) He thinks it’s a good one.

(D) He wants more information about it.

Man I can’t understand why Arthur dropped his chemistry class. He was doing so well in it.

Woman Well, me neither, but he must have a good reason.

Narrator What does the woman mean?

(A) She thinks Arthur wasn’t doing well in the class.

(B) She’s not sure why Arthur dropped the class either.

(C) She believes Arthur dropped the class for no reason.

(D) She decided to drop the class too.

Man I can’t understand why Arthur dropped his chemistry class. He was doing so well in it.

Woman Well, me neither, but he must have a good reason.

Narrator What does the woman mean?

(A) She thinks Arthur wasn’t doing well in the class.

(B) She’s not sure why Arthur dropped the class either.

(C) She believes Arthur dropped the class for no reason.

(D) She decided to drop the class too.

Woman : I thought Cheryl’s photographs were the

best at the exhibit.

Man : I didn’t really see it that way

Narrator : What does the man mean?

A. He thought Cheryl’s photos were the best.

B. He didn’t look at Cheryl’s photos.

C. He thought other photos were better than Cheryl’s.

D. She didn’t go to the exhibit.

CONTRARY MEANINGS

SKILL 14: LISTEN FOR WISHES

On the recording, you hear:

(woman) It’s too bad that you have to stay here and work during the school break.(man) I really wish I could go with you and the others to Palm Springs.(narrator) What does the man mean?

In your test book, you read:(A) Maybe he will go with the others on the trip.(B) He is unable to go on the trip.(C) He’s happy to be going on the trip.(D) He’s going on the trip, but not with the others.

LISTEN FOR WISHESKEY INFORMATION ABOUT WISHES

POINT EXAMPLE MEANINGAn affirmative wish implies a negative reality.A negative wish implies an affirmative reality.

I wish I had tim e to help.

I wish I d id no t ha ve tim e to help.

= no time no help

= time to help

A past tense verb implies a present reality.

A past perfect tense verb implies a past

reality.

I wish he were at home*

I wish he had been at

home

= is not at home

= was not at home

(woman) : Did you enjoy the evening at the nightclub?(man) : I wish there had been a little more room on the dance floor.(narrator): What does the man mean?

A. There was too much room on the dance floor.

B. He enjoyed the room where they went dancing.

C. The dance floor was too crowded.D. The club needed more rooms for dancing.

(woman) : Did you enjoy the evening at the nightclub?(man) : I wish there had been a little more room on the dance floor.(narrator): What does the man mean?

A. There was too much room on the dance floor.

B. He enjoyed the room where they went dancing.

C. The dance floor was too crowded.D. The club needed more rooms for dancing.

SKILL 15: LISTEN FOR UNTRUE CONDITIONS ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(man) Do y o u think tha t y o u’ll be a ble to g o to

the p a rty ?

(woman) If I had time, I wo uld g o .(narrator) Wha t d o e s the wo m a n s a y a bo ut the

p a rty ?In your test book, you read: Maybe she’ll go. She has time, so she’ll go. She is going even if she doesn’t have time. It’s impossible to go.

LISTEN FOR UNTRUE CONDITIONSKEY INFORMATION ABOUT UNTRUE

CONDITIONS Point Example Meaning An affirmative wish implies a negative reality.A negative wish implies an affirmative reality.

If she were at home, she could do it.*

If she weren’t at

home, she could do it.

= not at home= at home

A past tense verb implies a present reality.

A past perfect tense verb

implies a past reality.

If I had money, I would buy it.

If I had had money, I would have bought it.

= do not have money= did not have money

Had can be used without if.

Had I had money, I would have bought

it.* *

= did not have money.

(woman) : Did you sleep well last night?(man) : If the alarm were not so loud, I would never have woken up.(narrator) : What does the man mean?

A. He did not sleep well.B. He never woke up this morning.C. The alarm failed to go off.D. He needed a loud alarm to wake up.

(woman) : Did you sleep well last night?(man) : If the alarm were not so loud, I would never have woken up.(narrator) : What does the man mean?

A. He did not sleep well.B. He never woke up this morning.C. The alarm failed to go off.D. He needed a loud alarm to wake up.

(man) : Do you take the bus to work everyday?(woman) : If I didn’t take the bus, I don’t know how I would get there.(narrator): What does the woman mean?

A. She never took the bus to work.B. She regularly takes the bus.C. She doesn’t know how to get to work.D. She gets lost on the bus.

(man) : Do you take the bus to work every day?(woman) : If I didn’t take the bus, I don’t know how I would get there.(narrator): What does the woman mean?

A. She never took the bus to work.B. She regularly takes the bus.C. She doesn’t know how to get to work.D. She gets lost on the bus.

IDIOMATIC LANGUAGE

TWO-AND THREE-PART VERBS (man) Did you have your history exam

today?(woman) No, the professor put it off for

another week.What does the woman say about the exam?She would like to put it out of her mind.The professor canceled it.It was moved to another location.It was delayed.

TWO-AND THREE-PART VERBS

drop off - decline gradually The hill dropped off near the river.

drop out - cease to participate After two laps, the runner dropped out.


Separable The particles can be separated from the verb so that a noun and pronoun can be inserted

add up (meaning: to add)

Correct: She added up the total on her calculator.

Correct: She added it up on her calculator.


InseparableThe particles can't be separated from the

verb.

get around (meaning: to evade)

Correct: She always gets around the rules.

Incorrect: She always gets the rules around (This construction makes no sense in English.)


We have enough money to get by for a few

months; we won’t have a lot of extras, but

we will survive.

A. decrease it

B. manage

C. advance

D. throw away


She was sick for several weeks, but now she has

started to get over it.A. recover fromB. get revenge againstC. stop itD. imply


He read the untrue stories about himself in

the newspaper, but he tried not to react. He

just tried to brush it off.

A. investigate

B. not let it have an effect

C. take care of

D. come and get


The brother always used to pick on his younger sister. His favorite tricks were to

pull her hair, tease her, or scare her.A. take care ofB. chooseC. come and getD. bother

(man) : The new neighbors have just

moved in.

(woman) : Maybe we should call on them.

(narrator): According to the woman, what

should they do?

A. Phone their neighbors

B. Call to their neighbors over the fence

C. Help the neighbors move in

D. Visit their neighbors.

(man) : The new neighbors have just

moved in.

(woman) : Maybe we should call on them.

(narrator): According to the woman, what

should they do?

A. Phone their neighbors

B. Call to their neighbors over the fence

C. Help the neighbors move in

D. Visit their neighbors.

IDIOMS

(woman) : Do you want to work on the

biology experiment together?

(man) : Two heads are better than one.

(narrator) : What does the man mean?

A. The woman’s work is all in her head.

B. The woman has to do two experiments rather than one.

C. It’s a good idea to work together.

D. The biology experiment concerns two-headed animals.

IDIOMS

(woman) : Do you want to work on the

biology experiment together?

(man) : Two heads are better than one.

(narrator) : What does the man mean?

A. The woman’s work is all in her head.

B. The woman has to do two experiments rather than one.

C. It’s a good idea to work together.

D. The biology experiment concerns two-headed animals.

LONG CONVERSATIONSSTRATEGIES FOR THE LONG CONVERSATIONS

If you have time, preview the answers to the questions.

Listen carefully to the first line of the conversation.

As you listen to the conversation, draw conclusions about the situation of the conversation: who is talking, where the conversation takes place, or when it takes place.

As you listen to the conversation, follow along with the answers in your test book and try to determine the correct answers.

You should guess even if you are not sure. Use any remaining time to look ahead at the

answers to the questions that follow.

BEFORE LISTENING

SKILL 18: ANTICIPATE THE TOPICS

- Look briefly at the answers in the test book, before you actually hear the conversations on the recording.

- Try to determine the topics of the conversations that you will hear.

BEFORE LISTENING

SKILL 19: ANTICIPATE THE QUESTIONS ExampleIn your test book, you read:

(A) In the airport (B) In the library (C) In the dormitory (D) In the travel agent’s office

You try to anticipate the question:Whe re d o e s the c o nve rs a tio n p ro ba bly ta ke p la c e ?

WHILE LISTENING SKILL 20: DETERMINE THE TOPIC

Example:On the recording, you hear:(narrator) Listen to the conversation between two

students.(man) You can’t believe what I just got!(woman) I bet you got that new car you’ve always

wanted.(man) Now, how in the world did you figure

that out?

You think:The topic of conversation is the new car that the man just

got.

WHILE LISTENINGSKILL 21: DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

Who is talking?When does the conversation probably take

place?Where does the conversation probably take

place?What is the source of information for the

conversation?

SKILL 21: DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

ExampleOn the recording, you hear:(man) Why do you have so many books?(woman) I need them for my paper on George

Washington. Do you know how I can check them out?

(man) Yes, you should go downstairs to the circulation desk and fill out a card for each book.

You think:Who is probably talking? (two students)Where are they? (in the library)What course are they discussing? (American History)

WHILE LISTENING

SKILL 22: LISTEN FOR ANSWERS IN ORDER

You can just listen to the conversation (and ignore the answers)

You can follow along with the answers while you listen.

LONG TALKS STRATEGIES FOR THE LONG TALKS

If you have time, preview the answers to the questions.

Listen carefully to the first line of the talk.

As you listen to the talk, draw conclusions about the situation of the talk: who is talking, where or when the talk takes place, which course this lecture might be given in.

You should guess even if you are not sure.

Use any remaining time to look ahead at the answers to the questions that follow.

BEFORE LISTENING SKILL 23: ANTICIPATE THE TOPICS (A) During a biology laboratory session(B) In a biology study group(C) On the first day of class(D) Just before the final exam

(A) Once a week(B) Two times a week(C) Three times a week(D) For fifteen hours

(A) To do the first laboratory assignment(B) To take the first exam(C) To study the laboratory manual(D) To read one chapter of the text

(A) Room assignments(B) Exam topics(C) Reading assignments(D) The first lecture

(A) Exams and lab work(B) Reading and writing assignments(C) Class participation and grades on examinations(D) Lecture and laboratory attendance

BEFORE LISTENING SKILL 24: ANTICIPATE THE QUESTIONS ExampleIn your test book, you read: For three weeks For three days For three months For three hoursYou try to anticipate the question:Ho w lo ng d o e s (s o m e thing ) la s t?

BEFORE LISTENING SKILL 24: ANTICIPATE THE QUESTIONS

Question: ___________(A)What caused the Ring of Fire(B)The volcanoes of the Ring of Fire(C)Hawaiian volcanoes(D)Different types of volcanoes

WHILE LISTENING SKILL 25: DETERMINE THE TOPIC

Example:On the recording, you hear:(man) The m a jo r e a rthq ua ke tha t

o c c urre d e a s t o f Lo s Ang e le s in 1 9 7 1 is s till a ffe c ting the e c o no m y o f the a re a to d a y.

You think:The topic of the talk is the effect of the

1971 earthquake on Los Angeles today.

WHILE LISTENINGSKILL 26: DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

Who is ta lking ?

When d o e s the ta lk p ro ba bly ta ke p la c e ?

Where d o e s the ta lk p ro ba bly ta ke p la c e ?

What c o urs e is the ta lk c o nc e rne d with?

What is the s o urc e o f info rm a tio n fo r the ta lk?

(narrator) Listen to the beginning of Talk 1, and try to imagine the situation.

(woman) Welcome to Biology 101. I’m Professor Martin, and this is your laboratory assistant, Peter Smith. This course meets twice a week for lecture

and once a week for laboratory assignment.

1. WHO IS PROBABLY TALKING?2. WHERE DOES THE TALK PROBABLY TAKE PLACE?3. WHEN DOES THE TALK PROBABLY TAKE PLACE?4. WHAT COURSE IS BEING DISCUSSED?

WHILE LISTENING SKILL 27: LISTEN FOR ANSWERS IN ORDER There are two possible methods to use

while you listen to the talks.

Yo u c a n jus t lis te n to the ta lk (a nd ig no re the a ns we rs ).

Yo u c a n fo llo w a lo ng with the a ns we rs while y o u lis te n.

References

Phillips, Deborah. 2001. Longman Complete Course for the TOEFL Test. New York: Addison-Wesley Longman, Inc.

and

Any sources from the internet and books

.

Education

Tofel Preparation