The Reading Section Question Types |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Question Type | Question Details | Question Explanation | Time Breakdown |
| Independent Speaking | Question 1Paired 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 prepare60 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 prepare60 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 prepare60 seconds to speak | |
The Writing Section Question Types |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
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