The Reading Section Question Types

Question Type Frequency
(per section)
Time to Answer Question Phrasing
1. vocabulary 3-6 60 seconds “The word _________ in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to…"
2. factual information 4-8 90 seconds “According to paragraph 4, what….”
“Which of the following…”
“It is stated in paragraph 4 that…”
3. negative factual information 2-4 120 seconds “All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 3 EXCEPT…”
“Which of the following is NOT mentioned....”
4. inference 2-4 90 seconds “What can be inferred from paragraph 5 about…”
“Paragraph 5 implies that…”
“Paragraph 5 suggests…”
5. rhetorical purpose 2-4 90 seconds “In paragraph 6, the author discusses ________ in order to…”
“Why does the author mention…”
6. sentence simplification 2-3 120 seconds “Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 4?”
7. insert text 2-3 120 seconds “In paragraph 2 there is a missing sentence. Where would the sentence best fit?”
8. reference 0-1 60 seconds “The word _________ in paragraph 1 refers to…”
9. prose summary 2-3 150 seconds “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."
10. organization 0-1 150 seconds “Complete the table below to summarize information about _________ in the passage."
"Match the appropriate statements to _________”

 

The Listening Section Question Types

Question Type Frequency
(per section)
Question Value Question Phrasing
1. gist - content 6 1 "What is the topic of the discussion?"
"What is the professor mainly discussing?"
2. gist - purpose 3-5 1 "Why does the student visit the professor?"
"Why does the professor mention...?"
3. detail 10-12 1-2 "What is stated in the passage about..."
"According to the speaker..."
4. understanding the speaker's attitude 3-5 1 "What is the professor's oppinion of...?"
"What can be inferred about the student?"
5. understanding the function 3-4 1 "What doest the speaker mean when he says..."
"Why does the professor say this..."
6. making inferences 5-6 1 "What can be inferred about...?"
"What does the speaker imply about..?"
7. understanding organization 4 1-3 "How does the professor organize the information about..."

 

The Speaking Section Question Types

Question Type Question Details Question Explanation Time Breakdown
Independent Speaking Question 1
Paired Choice
Asks about your general opinion on a wide range of possible issues. You usually have just two options. 15 seconds to prepare
45 seconds to speak
Integrated Speaking Question 2
Campus Announcement and Conversation
Report on the opinion of one of the speakers in the conversation and explain why he or she feels that way 50 seconds to read/take notes
60-120 seconds to listen/take notes
30 seconds to prepare
60 seconds to speak
Question 3
Academic Reading and Lecture
Explain the academic topic introduced in the reading and describe the main points about the topic described in the lecture. 50 seconds to read/take notes
60-120 seconds to listen/take notes
30 seconds to prepare
60 seconds to speak
Question 4
Academic Lecture
Sum up the topic and main points from the lecture. 120-180 seconds to listen/take notes
20 seconds to prepare
60 seconds to speak

 

The Writing Section Question Types

Question Type Question Explanation Time to Answer
Integrated Essay - Academic reading, listening and writing
(250-300 words)
Connect the topic of the reading with the academic lecture. Show how the main points in the reading are contrasted by the lecturer. Only report on the information you heard and read 3 minutes to read
2-3 minutes to listen
20 minutes to write
Independent Writing -Write your oppinion on a random topic
(400-500 words)
Write about your oppinion. Include supporting reasons and personal anecdotes 30 minutes to write

 

 

TOEFL iBT - Heads Up

For information on test dates, location, and other information, please click here.