TOEFL Exam sample paper

TOEFL Exam Essentials

1. If you do not have a sound basic knowledge of English, it is best to take English language courses before taking a TOEFL preparation course. TOEFL exam preparation materials are designed to prepare you for the test. They are not designed to teach you English.
2. Begin your studies as soon as you decide to take the exam. It will not be useful to try to learn everything the week before the exam date.
3. Thoroughly learning a small amount of information daily is better than insufficiently or inaccurately learning a large amount of information at one sitting.
4. Listening to a movie or radio program in English is good for building your listening comprehension skills. Systematically add new words to your vocabulary. Even though these activities are not directly related to the TOEFL test, they will help you.
5. Work carefully through the exercise in preparation for the TOEFL Test. It is better to concentrate the most effort on your weak areas.

Sample Paper

SECTION 1: LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Time - approximately 35 minutes

(including the reading of the directions for each part)

In the Listening Comprehension section of the TOEFL test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand conversations and talks in English. Answer all the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied by the speakers you hear. Do not take notes or write in your book at any time. Do not turn the pages until you are told to do so.

Part A

Directions: In Part A you will hear short conversations between two people. After each conversation, you will hear a question about the conversation. The conversations and questions will not be repeated. After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your book/Computer and choose/click the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Listen to an example.

On the recording, you will hear:

(man) I think I'll have the jewellery changed.

(woman) They are a bit old.

(narrator) What does the women mean ?

In your book/computer, you will read:

Sample Question

1. She thinks every bit of change is important.

• She wants to wear them.
• She thinks they've been worn enough.
• She thinks they're in bad condition.

Part B

Directions: In this part of the test, you will hear longer conversations. After each conversation, you will hear several questions. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your book/computer and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Remember, you should not take notes or write in your book.

Now we will begin Part B with the first conversation.

Sample Question

1. A well-known painting.
• A painting that artists favor.
• A popular painting among the public.
• The most valuable painting in the museum.

Part C

Directions: In this part of the test, you will hear several talks. After each talk, you will hear some questions. The talks and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Here is an example.

On the recording, you will hear:

(narrator)

(man) Listening to a talk about an artificial rock-climbing wall.

The largest artificial rock-climbing wall in the United States is located on the campus of Cornell University. This thirty-foot-high climbing wall is made of natural rock that's embedded into concrete blocks, and is sculpted to imitate a variety of elements found on real cliffs. Cornell recently hosted the nation's largest intercollegiate rock-climbing event. Nearly one hundred students from fifteen universities participated in the two-day festival, sponsored by Cornell's Outdoor Education Department.

Now listen to a sample question.

(narrator) Why is Cornell a good place for climbing ?

In your book, you will read:

Sample Question

1. The wall is designed with elements of real cliffs.
• The natural rocks are embedded into the cliffs.
• The sculpted concrete blocks are varied.
• The cliffs are challenging.

Now listen to another sample question.

(narrator) What recently happened at Cornell University ?

In your book, you will read:

1. A wall was constructed.
• A festival took place.
• An outdoor education course was offered.
• A variety of cliff elements were found.

SECTION 2: STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

Time - 25 minutes

(including the reading of the directions)

Structure

Directions: Questions 1-15 are incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence you will see four words or phrases, marked (A), (b), (b) and (b). Choose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Sample Question

John Le Carre............ for his novels concerning espionage.

1. famous
• has fame
• is famous
• famed for

Written Expression

Directions: In questions 16-40 each sentence has four underlined words or phrases. The four underlined parts of the sentence are marked A, B, C, and D. Identify the one underlined word or phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be correct. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

SECTION 3: READING COMPREHENSION

Time - 55 minutes

(including the reading of the direction)

Directions: In the Reading Comprehension section, you will read several passages. Each one is followed by a number of questions about it. For questions 1-50, you are to choose the one best answer. (A), (b), (b), or (b) to each question. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Answer all questions about the information in a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage.

This section is also included in the other sections of GMAT, GRE and UGC for further practice.

Read the following passage:

The Henry Ford Museum was founded in 1929 in Dearborn, Michigan, about 12 miles west of downtown Detroit. This museum has redesigned its display of old cars to show the changes brought about by the automobile. One exhibit which shows the evolution of roadside services contrasts a 1940s diner with a 1960s fast-food restaurant. The "Getting Away From It All" exhibit presents an assortment of recreational vehicles dating from Packard's 1916 camp truck to today's mobile home. Changes in roadside objects such as billboards can be seen along the museum's roadway, where 108 cars are lined up as if traveling. For the car enthusiast, this museum should not be overlooked.

Sample Question 1

What is the passage mainly about ?

1. The evolution of roadside services
• Henry Ford's recreational vehicles
• The exhibits at the Henry Ford Museum
• A special exhibition for car enthusiasts

Sample Question 2

The word "evolution" in line 3 is closest in meaning to

1. change
• progress
• expansion
• improvement

SECTION 4: TEST OF WRITTEN ENGLISH

Time - 30 minutes

(including the reading of the direction)

Directions: Topics in the following list may appear in your actual test. You should become familiar with this before you take the TOEFL test. Remember that when you take the test you will not have a choice of topics. You must write only on the topic that is assigned to you.

Sample Writing Topics

Do you feel wearing helmets is necessary in adventourous sport events? Give specific reasons for your answer supporting your point of view.

Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbors? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount of money to their students' sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.