TOFEL Reading Question Subtypes

Why does the author mention X?

Type 4: Rhetorical Purpose Questions -Why? -how one paragraph relates to/supports another -why does an author say/use a quote -Important words: definition, example, to illustrate, to explain, to contrast, to refute, to note, to criticize, function of -Not about overall organization, but specific links between sentences and paragraphs

Complete the table below to summarize information about the two types of art discussed in the passage. Match the appropriate statements to the types of art with which they are associated. This question is worth 3 points.

Type 10: Fill in a Table Questions -partially completed table, 2-3 columns/rows, 5 or 7 answer choices -always more choices than correct answers -each answer can only be used once -must choose at least three correct answers (5 choices) or four correct answers (7 choices) to earn any points -click and drag answers to table -about major ideas -How are the ideas organized? -Passage will have more than one point of view -Answers may not be explicitly stated in passage -incorrect answers may not be mentioned in passage, may be an incorrect generalization/conclusion, or may not be related to the table -Will have a type 10 or a type 9 question in a test, never both

According to the paragraph, X did Y because . . .

Type 1: Factual Information Question -Information is explicitly stated in the passage. -Answer is about facts, details, definitions, or other information presented by the author. -Located in a specific part of the passage (normally 1-2 sentences long).

According to the paragraph, X occurred because . . .

Type 1: Factual Information Question -Information is explicitly stated in the passage. -Answer is about facts, details, definitions, or other information presented by the author. -Located in a specific part of the passage (normally 1-2 sentences long).

According to the paragraph, which of the following is true of X?

Type 1: Factual Information Question -Information is explicitly stated in the passage. -Answer is about facts, details, definitions, or other information presented by the author. -Located in a specific part of the passage (normally 1-2 sentences long).

According to the paragraph, why did X do Y?

Type 1: Factual Information Question -Information is explicitly stated in the passage. -Answer is about facts, details, definitions, or other information presented by the author. -Located in a specific part of the passage (normally 1-2 sentences long).

The author's description of X mentions which of the following?

Type 1: Factual Information Question -Information is explicitly stated in the passage. -Answer is about facts, details, definitions, or other information presented by the author. -Located in a specific part of the passage (normally 1-2 sentences long).

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true of X?

Type 2: Negative Factual Information Questions -Information is explicitly stated in the passage. -Use elimination to find the right answer -Answer could contradict information in passage or not be there -May need to check the whole passage

The author's description of X mentions all of the following EXCEPT

Type 2: Negative Factual Information Questions -Information is explicitly stated in the passage. -Use elimination to find the right answer -Answer could contradict information in passage or not be there -May need to check the whole passage

The author of the passage implies that X . . .

Type 3: Inference Question -The answer is implied, but not explicitly stated -Think about what the author says but also the author's unstated meaning, results, or cause (e.g. the author mentions an effect, what is the cause?)

Which of the following can be inferred about X?

Type 3: Inference Question -The answer is implied, but not explicitly stated -Think about what the author says but also the author's unstated meaning, results, or cause (e.g. the author mentions an effect, what is the cause?)

Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about X?

Type 3: Inference Question -The answer is implied, but not explicitly stated -Think about what the author says but also the author's unstated meaning, results, or cause (e.g. the author mentions an effect, what is the cause?)

The author discusses X in paragraph 2 in order to . . .

Type 4: Rhetorical Purpose Questions -Why? -how one paragraph relates to/supports another -why does an author say/use a quote -Important words: definition, example, to illustrate, to explain, to contrast, to refute, to note, to criticize, function of -Not about overall organization, but specific links between sentences and paragraphs

The author uses X as an example of . . .

Type 4: Rhetorical Purpose Questions -Why? -how one paragraph relates to/supports another -why does an author say/use a quote -Important words: definition, example, to illustrate, to explain, to contrast, to refute, to note, to criticize, function of -Not about overall organization, but specific links between sentences and paragraphs

In stating X, the author means that

Type 5: Vocabulary Questions -about words that are important to understanding the passage -not words that are defined for you on the test -the meaning of the word as it is used in the passage -substitute possible meanings/words in the passage to help figure out the answer

The word X in the passage is closest in meaning to

Type 5: Vocabulary Questions -about words that are important to understanding the passage -not words that are defined for you on the test -the meaning of the word as it is used in the passage -substitute possible meanings/words in the passage to help figure out the answer -look for the highlighted word in the question

The word X in the passage refers to

Type 6: Reference Questions -look for the highlighted word in the question -normally about a pronoun and the word it refers to -answer choices are words/phrases from passage

Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

Type 7: Sentence Simplification Questions -new sentence, same meaning as sentence in the passage -No more than one of these in a set; sometimes this type is not used -Look for the highlighted sentence

Look at the four squares that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. [You will see a sentence in bold.] Where would the sentence best fit?

Type 8: Insert Text Questions -putting a new sentence in the passage -No more than one of these in a set; sometimes this type is not used -Look for squares next to the paragraphs -You can place and replace each possible sentence as many times as you want -pay attention to the sentence structure -Frequently used connecting words:On the other hand, For example, On the contrary, As a result, Further, Furthermore, Therefore, In other words, Similarly, In contrast, Finally -Answer will make sense with the sentence before it and after it -Answer will have the pronouns and subjects agree

An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

Type 9: Prose Summary Questions -understand and recognize major ideas in passage -answer is a synthesis of major ideas -must read the whole passage -How are the ideas organized? -6 answer choices, pick three -must choose at least two correct answers to earn any points -Will have a type 10 or a type 9 question in a test, never both