Legacy TOEFL Reading: Complete Guide

Overview of the TOEFL Reading Section

The TOEFL Reading section now includes 2 academic passages, each around 700 words long, with 10 questions per passage. You’ll have 36 minutes in total to complete this section. You can skip questions and return to them as long as everything is submitted before time runs out.

This shorter format was introduced by ETS on July 26, 2023, as part of a broader update to streamline the exam and reduce the total test time. Previously, the Reading section included 3 or 4 passages, but the current version is more focused while still testing the same core skills.

Passages are taken from introductory college-level textbooks or academic sources and are meant to reflect real university reading. Subjects can include science, history, art, culture, and more. You don’t need any outside knowledge. The answers are all in the text.

Each set contains one passage followed by 10 questions. These cover a range of tasks: identifying facts and details, interpreting vocabulary, recognizing relationships between ideas, understanding an author’s purpose, and drawing inferences. Some passages may present more than one perspective or point of view, so noticing contrast and structure is key.

Common organizational patterns include cause and effect, classification, comparison and contrast, and problem-solution. Being able to recognize these will help you follow the flow of the passage and locate key information more easily.

There are 9 question types in total, grouped into 3 categories:

• Basic Comprehension: Factual Information, Negative Factual Information, Vocabulary, Reference, Sentence Simplification
• Inference: Inference, Rhetorical Purpose, Insert Text
• Reading to Learn: Prose Summary

Some question types appear more often than others. Factual Information questions show up in every set, while Reference and Sentence Simplification may appear less frequently. This guide breaks down each type, explains how it’s scored, and offers strategies and practice to help you prepare. Let’s begin with a video covering the changes in the TOEFL 2024 update.

Video: All TOEFL Reading Question Types Explained

Complete List of TOEFL Reading Question Types (With Examples)

Factual Information Questions

Factual Information questions ask you to find specific facts or details clearly stated in the passage. These may focus on definitions, descriptions, or particular points the author mentions. Usually, the information needed is located in a small part of a paragraph rather than the entire passage. Every reading set typically includes at least two questions of this type, and sometimes as many as five.

These questions often look like this:

• According to paragraph X, which of the following is true about Y?
• According to paragraph X, what is the main reason for Y’s change?
• In paragraph X, which of the following is given as a benefit of Y?
• According to paragraph X, how does Y differ from Z?
• In paragraph X, which of the following supports the conclusion that…?

Tips for Answering Factual Information Questions:

• Refer back to the passage carefully to find exactly what it says about the question topic. You might need to reread part of the paragraph.
• Expect paraphrasing. Answer choices often reword the information from the passage rather than copying it directly.
• Do not choose an answer just because it is mentioned in the passage. The correct choice must directly answer the question asked.
• Do not make assumptions. The answer to these types of questions is stated explicitly.
• Do not use the previous and next paragraphs. Only use the paragraph that is mentioned in the question.

Sample Question

Example Passage Excerpt: Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. These reefs support a wide range of marine life, providing habitat and protection. Coral reefs also help protect coastlines by reducing wave energy, which decreases erosion and damage from storms. However, they are sensitive to changes in water temperature and acidity, making them vulnerable to climate change.

According to paragraph 3, which of the following is true about coral reefs?

1. Coral reefs are formed by fish building calcium carbonate structures.
2. They provide shelter for many kinds of marine animals.
3. They increase the impact of waves on the coastline.
4. They are unaffected by changes in water temperature.

Correct answer: B

The passage clearly states that coral reefs provide habitat and protection for a variety of marine life, which matches answer B.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: The passage says corals secrete calcium carbonate structures, not fish.
• C: The passage says reefs reduce wave energy, so they actually decrease, not increase, wave impact.
• D: The passage explains reefs are sensitive to water temperature and acidity changes, so they are affected by temperature changes.

Negative Factual Information Questions

Negative Factual Information questions ask you to determine which statement is NOT true or is not mentioned in the passage. These questions require careful checking of the passage to verify that three of the choices are true and one is false. Some sets may have none or one of these questions, while others have two.

These questions often include words like NOT or EXCEPT in capital letters, for example:

• According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about X?
• In paragraph X, the author lists all of the following characteristics of Y EXCEPT…

Tips for Answering Negative Factual Information Questions:

• You usually need to scan a larger part of the passage since relevant information may be spread across several sentences.
• The correct answer either contradicts the passage or introduces information not found in it.
• Double-check that you understand the task correctly, as it can be easy to confuse which option is false or missing.
• I highly recommend not reading the 4 choices given to you at first. Read the question, try to find 3 facts about it in the paragraph, and then find the options that match your understanding of what you just read.

Sample Question

Example Passage Excerpt: The ancient Maya civilization, flourishing from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE, was known for its impressive architectural feats and complex calendar system. Maya cities were often built in dense jungle environments, showcasing grand pyramids, palaces, and plazas. The Maya also developed a sophisticated writing system using hieroglyphs, which has helped modern scholars understand their history and culture. Despite their achievements, the Maya declined due to environmental challenges and political unrest.

Question: According to the passage, all of the following are true about the ancient Maya EXCEPT:

1. Maya cities were constructed in jungle areas.
2. The Maya calendar system was simple and easy to understand.
3. The Maya had a writing system with hieroglyphs.
4. The decline of the Maya was influenced by environmental and political factors.

Explanation:

• Choice A is supported by the sentence: “Maya cities were often built in dense jungle environments.”
• Choice B is incorrect because the passage describes the calendar system as “complex,” so it was not simple or easy to understand.
• Choice C is confirmed by the mention of the “sophisticated writing system using hieroglyphs.”
• Choice D is supported by the statement that the Maya declined due to “environmental challenges and political unrest.”

Reference Questions

Reference questions ask you to identify what a word or phrase (usually a pronoun or demonstrative like “this” or “which”) refers to in the passage. These questions test your understanding of how ideas are connected grammatically. There may be one Reference question per set, though some sets have none.

How to recognize Reference questions:

• The word “X” in the passage refers to…

Tips for Reference questions:

• Make sure the word or phrase you choose agrees in number and meaning with the highlighted term.
• Try substituting the answer choice into the sentence in place of the highlighted word. If it makes grammatical and logical sense, it may be correct.
• Pay close attention to what was mentioned directly before the highlighted word. This often provides the clue.

Sample Question 1

Example passage excerpt: Many animals have evolved special strategies for surviving in desert climates. The fennec fox, for example, has oversized ears that help regulate its body temperature. Its fur also reflects sunlight and insulates against the cold desert nights. These adaptations allow it to thrive in extreme conditions.

The word “These” in the passage refers to:

1. desert climates
2. body temperature and sunlight
3. the fennec fox and its habitat
4. oversized ears and reflective fur

Explanation: “These adaptations” refers to the characteristics just mentioned — oversized ears and reflective fur — which help the fennec fox survive. Choice D correctly identifies the referent.

Sample Question 2

Example passage excerpt: The invention of the printing press dramatically increased the availability of books. As a result, literacy rates rose across Europe. This, in turn, led to greater demand for education and more widespread dissemination of ideas.

The word “This” in the passage refers to:

1. the invention of the printing press
2. the rise in literacy
3. the availability of books
4. education and ideas

Explanation: “This” refers to the increase in literacy, which is what caused a higher demand for education and more sharing of ideas. The correct answer is B.

Vocabulary Questions

Vocabulary questions ask you to identify the meanings of specific words or phrases as they are used in the passage. While many words have multiple meanings, only one meaning applies in the passage context. These words are important for understanding academic texts and are usually not technical terms. Specialized terms are often defined within the passage, but vocabulary words tested in these questions are not defined. Each test includes at least one Vocabulary question, sometimes two.

How to recognize Vocabulary questions:

• The word “X” in the passage most nearly means…
• The phrase “X” as used in the passage refers to…
• What does the author mean by “X” in the passage?

Tips for Vocabulary questions:

• Focus on the meaning of the word or phrase within the passage context, not its other possible meanings.
• Reread the sentence with the chosen meaning substituted to ensure it fits smoothly.

Sample Question 1

Example passage excerpt: Many desert animals survive by adapting behaviors that help them conserve water. One such behavior is estivation, a period of dormancy during hot or dry conditions…

Example Question: The word “estivation” in the passage most nearly means:

1. a type of migration
2. a hibernation-like rest
3. an aggressive defense
4. increased activity

Explanation: Estivation refers to a period of dormancy similar to hibernation but occurring during hot or dry times. This matches choice B.

Sample Question 2

Example passage excerpt: The author noted that the rapid expansion of urban areas has led to a fragmentation of natural habitats, disrupting wildlife corridors…

Example Question: In saying “fragmentation,” the author means:

1. breaking into smaller, isolated parts
2. combining different habitats
3. increasing biodiversity
4. restoring natural connections

Explanation: Fragmentation means breaking something into pieces. Here, it refers to natural habitats being divided into smaller sections, so the correct answer is A.

Sentence Simplification Questions

Sentence Simplification questions ask you to choose the sentence that best expresses the essential meaning of a highlighted sentence in the passage. The correct answer keeps all the key information while simplifying the structure. Incorrect options either change the meaning in an important way or leave out essential details. There is never more than one Sentence Simplification question per passage.

How to recognize Sentence Simplification questions:

• Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?

Tips for Sentence Simplification questions:

• The correct answer restates the original meaning using simpler wording.
• Wrong answers either leave out key ideas or change the meaning significantly.
• Check that your answer still fits logically and grammatically within the paragraph’s overall message.
• The correct answer may not include ALL the details from the highlighted sentence, but it should contain the highest amount of correct information compared to other good options.

Sample Question

Example passage excerpt: In ancient civilizations, water was not only essential for survival but also played a central role in cultural rituals and community gatherings. Aqueduct systems were built to transport water from distant sources to city centers, showcasing advanced engineering for the time. These systems helped reduce the risk of disease by limiting stagnant water in populated areas. Because of their benefits, they became critical to the growth of urban life across different regions.

Highlighted sentence: Aqueduct systems were built to transport water from distant sources to city centers, showcasing advanced engineering for the time.

Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?

1. Aqueduct systems were an impressive part of early city architecture but mostly symbolic in function.
2. Aqueduct systems reflected early technological skill by bringing water from faraway places to urban centers.
3. Ancient cities had advanced aqueduct systems for ceremonies and other non-essential uses.
4. The use of aqueduct systems helped eliminate stagnant water completely from early city centers.

Explanation: Choice B is correct. It clearly expresses both key points from the original sentence: that aqueducts transported water from distant sources and that this reflected a high level of engineering. Choice A changes the meaning, implying the aqueducts were symbolic. Choice C shifts the focus to ceremonial use, which wasn’t mentioned. Choice D exaggerates the impact, suggesting stagnant water was entirely eliminated, which was not stated in the passage.

Inference Questions

Inference questions test your ability to recognize ideas that are suggested but not directly stated in the passage. Skilled writers often leave certain ideas unstated, trusting the reader to understand them. In TOEFL Reading, you must use the information provided to infer logical conclusions. Each passage typically includes at least one question of this type.

These questions often use the words infer, suggest, or imply:

• Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph X about Y?
• Paragraph X suggests which of the following about Y?
• The author of the passage implies that Y…

Tips for Answering Inference Questions:

• Base your answer only on what the passage says or logically implies. Don’t rely on outside knowledge.
• The correct answer must be strongly supported by specific language in the text.
• Avoid answers that go too far beyond what’s stated or seem obviously true but are not tied to the passage.
• You should be able to point to one or two sentences that support your chosen answer.

Sample Question 1

Example passage excerpt: During the early 1800s, soap was a luxury in many households due to the time-consuming process required to make it. However, improvements in chemical production later that century made soap far more affordable and common. The introduction of synthetic perfumes and dyes not only gave soaps a more appealing scent and look, but also allowed manufacturers to market them as symbols of cleanliness and modern living.

Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about soap before the chemical production improvements?

1. It was commonly used as a decorative product.
2. It was not widely used in everyday households.
3. It was already scented and dyed for appeal.
4. It could only be made with synthetic ingredients.

Explanation: The passage states that soap was considered a luxury before improvements in production made it more affordable and widely available. This suggests that it was not common in most homes. Choice B is the correct answer. Choice A is unsupported by the passage. Choice C is incorrect because scented and dyed soap came later. Choice D is wrong because synthetic ingredients were introduced after the process improved—they were not required before.

Sample Question 2

Example passage excerpt: In the late 1800s, many urban centers faced overcrowding due to a surge in factory employment. As a result, housing was hastily constructed to accommodate new workers, often without regard for safety or sanitation. Tenement buildings in particular became notorious for their poor conditions, with multiple families living in a single room and sharing inadequate bathroom facilities. Reformers who visited these dwellings were appalled and began calling for change in housing laws.

What can be inferred from paragraph 1 about urban housing in the late 1800s?

1. It offered affordable and sanitary options for most workers.
2. It was carefully planned to support industrial growth.
3. It was constructed rapidly without proper planning.
4. It helped reformers maintain high standards of hygiene.

Explanation: The passage says that housing was built “hastily” and lacked safety and sanitation. This clearly supports the inference that the housing was not carefully planned. Choice C is correct. Choice A is the opposite of what the passage describes. Choice B is not supported. Choice D misunderstands the role of reformers, who were horrified by the conditions—not maintaining them.

Rhetorical Purpose Questions

Rhetorical Purpose questions test your ability to understand why the author included a specific detail, example, or sentence within a paragraph. Instead of asking what a sentence says, these questions ask why it was said — what function it serves in the passage. This might involve identifying whether a detail illustrates a point, contrasts with earlier information, supports a claim, or introduces a counterargument.

These questions typically look like this:

• Why does the author mention X?
• What is the purpose of paragraph X in the passage?
• The author includes the statement about X in order to…

Tips for Answering Rhetorical Purpose Questions:

• Pay attention to transition words like for example, however, to illustrate, or in contrast.
• Look at the sentences before and after the highlighted detail to see how it connects to the overall idea.
• Don’t choose an answer that simply restates content; focus on what role that content plays in the argument or structure.

Sample Question

Example passage excerpt: Some desert animals have developed remarkable adaptations for dealing with extreme heat. The fennec fox, for instance, has unusually large ears that help release body heat. These oversized ears have a dense network of blood vessels close to the skin’s surface, allowing excess heat to dissipate quickly into the air.

Why does the author mention the ears of the fennec fox?

• A. To explain how desert animals manage internal body temperature
• B. To suggest that fennec foxes are more sensitive to heat than other animals
• C. To show how blood vessels function in all mammals
• D. To argue that body shape is determined mainly by environmental factors

Explanation: The passage uses the fennec fox as an example to show how desert animals adapt to heat. The focus is on the function of the fox’s ears in releasing body heat, which directly supports answer A. Option B is incorrect because sensitivity to heat is not discussed. C is too general — the passage is not about all mammals — and D adds an argument about evolution that isn’t present in the excerpt.

Insert Sentence Questions

Insert Text questions ask you to decide where a new sentence should be placed in a reading passage. You will see four black squares in the paragraph, each representing a possible spot to insert the sentence. Your job is to find the place where the sentence fits best, based on meaning, logic, and grammar.

These questions look like this:

• Look at the four squares [■] that show possible places for the following sentence:
• [Sentence in bold appears here]
• Where would the sentence best fit in the paragraph?

Tips for Answering Insert Text Questions:

• Try placing the sentence in each square and reading it in context. See where it makes the most sense.
• Pay attention to transition words and pronouns in the sentence you’re inserting. These are strong clues about placement.
• The sentence should flow smoothly with what comes before and after. Don’t choose a place where it feels awkward or repetitive.
• Pay close attention to transition words and references.

Sample Question

Example passage excerpt: Throughout history, different cultures have devised calendars to organize time. [■][1] The most familiar one today is the Gregorian calendar, used by most countries around the world. [■][2] Other calendars, like the Islamic or Hebrew ones, are still followed by religious communities. [■][3] Calendars were developed not only for practical purposes like farming but also for religious and ceremonial reasons. [■][4] Over time, they became important tools for coordinating social and political life.

Sentence to insert:This calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, was designed to fix inaccuracies in the older Julian calendar.

Where would the sentence best fit?

• A. Choice 1
• B. Choice 2
• C. Choice 3
• D. Choice 4

Explanation: The sentence being inserted adds specific information about the Gregorian calendar—its origin and purpose. This means it should come right after the sentence that first introduces the Gregorian calendar. That sentence is found at point A: “The most familiar one today is the Gregorian calendar…” So the correct choice is 2, as it directly follows the mention of the calendar and adds relevant historical detail.

Insert Sentence Questions Quiz

For a much more detailed explanation and an in-depth guide of insert sentence questions, visit this page. Here is a free quiz with 40+ authentic sentence insert questions based on the TOEFL exam.

Report a question

Prose Summary Questions

Prose Summary questions test whether you understand the passage as a whole. You are asked to select three sentences that best summarize the key ideas. This means you need to recognize the most important points, ignore the details, and identify how everything fits together logically. Each reading passage will include one Prose Summary question.

To answer correctly, you must:

• Understand the structure and purpose of the passage
• Identify which points are central and which are minor
• Recognize how different ideas relate (for example, through cause-effect or comparison)

Each Prose Summary question gives you six answer choices. You must pick the three that best represent the main ideas. The correct options won’t match exact sentences in the passage. Instead, they combine and summarize the most important information.

How TOEFL Prose Summary Questions Are Scored:

• 3 correct choices = 2 points
• 2 correct choices = 1 point
• 0 or 1 correct choice(s) = 0 points

My personal strategy: I usually give my students this three-part filter to help them choose summary sentences. Using this method, they should be able to select answers with high accuracy, even without reading the entire passage. This exercise is a regular part of many of my classes. I ask students to answer question 10, which is a prose summary question, without prior knowledge of the passage. With some guidance from me, mainly to verify whether information is true or false by cross-referencing the passage, students can identify the correct options. It is important not to reread the whole passage, as this almost always causes test takers to run out of time.

• Is the option true based on the passage?
• Is the idea general, not a specific example or detail?
• Is it connected to the “introductory sentence” that the question provides?

Sample Question

Choose any of the practice tests provided below and skip to question 10 for examples of this type of question.

TOEFL Reading Practice Tests [With Quizzes, Explanations, & Answers]

OUR TOEFL SHOP

TOEFL Preparation

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Vocabulary

Basic

Prefixes

Roots

Suffixes