The Complete Guide To The TOEFL Test IBT Edition

This program is designed to prepare students with the strategies and practice needed to improve scores on the Test of English As a Foreign Language.

This edition of The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test. iBT edition, like TOEFL iBT itself. have been completely updated. It reflects the changes made in the format, the items, and the basic philosophy of the revised exam. On the TOEFL iBT, the first section of the test, Reading, features longer readings and new question types. In the first section of this book, Guide to Reading, you’ll work with extended readings similar to those on the test and learn about new item types. One new type of question, for example, asks you to complete an outline or summary of the reading. These questions require you to have a “ global” ( general) understanding of readings rather than an understanding of individual facts in the reading. There are questions that ask you why author wrote some part of the passage or how author communicates ideas.

There are questions that ask you to recognize paraphrases of complex sentences. In the first section of the book, you will find explanations and exercises tat help you develop the skills you need to answer these new question types. In the Listening Section of the test, the lectures and conversations have gotten longer and more involved as well. However, note taking is now permitted. There are also some new question types in Listening. The second section of the book, Guide to Listening, offers tips and help with note taking as well as experience with answering all types of questions about the lectures. Another new feature of the test is the “ authentic language” used by the speakers. On past forms of the test, the speakers sounded like actors reading from a book. On the TOEFL iBT, the speakers sound more natural, like real professors giving classroom lectures or real students discussing campus situations. The new Audio Program for this Guide reflects these changes, and the lectures and conversations have the same feel as those used on the actual test. The Speaking Section of the TOEFL iBT is all new, and so is the guide to Speaking in this book.

There are two types of Speaking Tasks on the exam. Independent Speaking Tasks ask the test – taker to use his or her own knowledge and background as the topic of two short responses. The four Integrated Speaking Tasks require the test – taker to listen to information from a lecture or conversation and ( for two of the Tasks) from a reading. Many test - taker find the Speaking Section – Especially the Integrated Tasks – the most challenging section of the test. On reason is simply that test – takers have little experience with this type of task. The new Guide to Speaking in this book provides extensive practice and hints for scoring well on this section. The Writing section, like the Speaking Section, has an “independent” and an “integrated” component.

The Independent Task is similar to the essay section on previous versions of the test. It draws upon the test – taker’s own experiences and background knowledge. The new Integrated Task is based on a lecture and a reading with contrasting ideas.

The Guide to Writing in this book has been expanded and a new section on the Integrated Task has been added to prepare you for this part of the test. Another new feature of this text is the Communicative Activities provided at the end of each section to give you and your classmates more speaking and writing practice.