Reading skills o f Toefl

Reading comprehension skills

Skill 1: Answer main idea questions correctly

Main idea questions

How to identify the question
What is the topic of the passage?
What is the subject of the passage?
What is the main idea of the passage?
What is the author’s main point in the passage?
With what is the author primarily concerned?
Which of the following would be the best title?

Where to find the answer
The answer to this type of question can generally be determined by looking at the first sentence of each paragraph.

How to answer the question
Reading the first line of each paragraph
Look for a common theme or idea in the first lines
Pass your eyes quickly over the rest of the passage to check that you really have found the topic sentence(s)
Eliminate any definitely wrong answers and choose the best answer from the remaining choices


Skill 2: Recognize the organization of ideas

Organization of ideas

How to identify the question
How is the information in the passage organized?
How is the information in the second paragraph related to the information in the first paragraph?

Where to find the answer
The answer to this type of question can generally be determined by looking the first sentence of the appropriate paragraphs.

How to answer the question

1. Reading the first line of each paragraph.
Look for words that show the relationship between the paragraphs.
Choose the answer that best expresses the relationship.