TOEFL Reading Sample Questions

To those who are in the phase of preparing for TOEFL reading test section, TOEFL reading sample questions will give a fair idea about the types of questions which will be asked in that section. The total time frame for internet based (iBT) reading test is 100 minutes while for a paper based reading test is 55 minutes. When they practice on the pattern of questions given below, it will become an easy task to complete the test within the given time frame.

Sample Questions for TOEFL Reading Syllabus

The real time reading section in TOEFL test (iBT) consists of 3-5 passages followed by 12 to 14 questions, per passage. And a paper based (PBT) reading section consists of 50 questions. The instructions on how to answer those questions are also explained along with the sample questions. The reading question types are generally divided into four categories namely main idea, vocabulary, relationship between important details, and cause and effect questions. . The passages and questions given below have been choosen keeping in mind all these four question categories so as to give you an idea of what those questions look like and how you should go ahead answering them.

Passage 1

The Henry Ford Museum was founded in 1929 in Dearborn, Michigan, about 12 miles west of downtown Detroit. This museum has redesigned its display of old cars to show the changes brought about by the automobile. One exhibit which shows the evolution of roadside services contrasts a 1940s diner with a 1960s fast-food restaurant. The "Getting Away From It All" exhibit presents an assortment of recreational vehicles dating from Packard's 1916 camp truck to today's mobile home. Changes in roadside objects such as billboards can be seen along the museum's roadway, where 108 cars are lined up as if traveling. For the car enthusiast, this museum should not be overlooked.

Reading Question Types 1

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A. The evolution of roadside services

B. Henry Ford's recreational vehicles

C. The exhibits at the Henry Ford Museum

D. A special exhibition for car enthusiasts

Ans: A

This question is a main idea question.

Here answer A is applicable because the question asked demands what the main idea of the author is. Even though the passage opens with Henry Ford exhibition, it emphasizes on how road side services were established and how they are related to exhibits of this kind in rest of the paragraph.

2. The word "evolution" in line 3 is closest in meaning to

A. Change

B. Progress

C. Expansion

D. Improvement

Ans: B

This question is a vocabulary question.

The correct meaning according to context in question number 2 is option B(progress) because here it briefs about the changes which were brought in roadside services during 1940s and 1960s.There is a comparison between the two in the following line,” One exhibit which shows the evolution of roadside services contrasts a 1940s diner with a 1960s fast-food restaurant”. It is obvious that the roadside services have undergone a lot of progression.

Passage 2

The Trojan War is one of the most famous wars in history. It is well known for the ten-year duration, for the heroism of a number of legendary characters, and for the Trojan horse. What may not be familiar, however, is the story of how the war began.

To take revenge on those who had slighted her, Eris decided to cause a skirmish. Into the middle of the banquet hall, she threw a golden apple marked “for the most beautiful.” All of the goddesses began to haggle over who should possess it. The gods and goddesses reached a stalemate when the choice was narrowed to Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Someone was needed to settle the controversy by picking a winner. The job eventually fell to Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, who was said to be a good judge of beauty.

Paris did not have an easy job. Each goddess, eager to win the golden apple, tried aggressively to bribe him.

“I'll grant you vast kingdoms to rule, “promised Hera. “Vast kingdoms are nothing in comparison with my gift,” contradicted Athena. “Choose me and I'll see that you win victory and fame in war.” Aphrodite outdid her adversaries, however. She won the golden apple by offering Helen, Zeus' daughter and the most beautiful mortal, to Paris. Paris, anxious to claim Helen, set off for Sparta in Greece.

Although Paris learned that Helen was married, he accepted the hospitality of her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta, anyway. Therefore, Menelaus was outraged for a number of reasons when Paris departed, taking Helen and much of the king's wealth back to Troy. Menelaus collected his loyal forces and set sail for Troy to begin the war to reclaim Helen.

Reading Question Types 2

1. Eris was known for ___both mortals and immortals.

A. scheming against

B. involving in conflict

C. feeling hostile toward

D. ignoring

E. comforting

Ans: B

This question is a question which questions the relationship between important details.

Here answer B is accurate because it serves as a relationship between Trojan war and the chaos that took place in the wedding of King of Thessaly and Thetis. The first and second line of 2^nd paragraph states that Eris was not invited to the wedding because Eris (she is Goddess of strife or disagreement) caused conflict between mortals and immortals. The last line of the 2^nd paragraph shows the relationship between Trojan war and conflict between other Goddesses, “She had been omitted from the guest list because her presence always embroiled mortals and immortals alike in conflict”.

2. Each goddess tried ___to bribe Paris.

A. boldly 

B. effectively 

C. secretly 

D. carefully 

E. answer not stated

Ans: A

This question is a cause and effect question.

Answer “A” suits well for this question because neither of the rest of four options serves the question. The task assigned to Paris is very tough. And in order of win the golden apple, which was the cause of the conflict Hera, Athena and Aphrodite tried to bribe him outrageously. In second line of the fourth paragraph it is stated, “Each goddess, eager to win the golden apple, tried aggressively to bribe him”. Among all other options the word “boldly” suits the word aggressively. Its only because of their adversaries, Paris ended up taking Helen, the wife of king Menelaus. This is known as cause and effect questions.

Practice regularly more such passages to get a hang of TOEFL reading questions. Only with a lot of practice can you score well.

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