TOEFL Test Reading Comprehension 1

The TOEFL Reading Comprehension Test covers numerous reading passages

The reading comprehension section focuses on main idea recognition and supporting details. The passage will be preceded by a brief context review. Take the time to read the opening review of the passage before jumping into the passage on the TOEFL test. This will help give you the right framework for the passage. Consequently, the questions will make more sense about the passage.

The passage will have number out to the side identifying the lines on the passages. Moreover, the questions will ask you to review line (blank) or lines (blank) through (blank). Don’t try and reread the whole passage to answer the given question. The answer can be found within the lines indicated. So don’t waste time looking elsewhere for the answer on the TOEFL test..

You do have time to read the passage and not skim over the passage. Test questions distracters are set-up for skimmers. Even slow readers can complete the reading passages and have a good opportunity to answer the passage due to the fact they understand the passage.

Sample TOEFL Test Paragraph Comprehension

Frank Tower, have you ever heard of him? He is the questionable figure who supposedly survived three doomed ships in the 1900’s. Some consider him one of the luckiest men alive. He was touted to be a middle-aged fireman in the engine room. Some considered him an ordinary, hardworking person, but he had the ability to avoid dying in some of the most horrendous ocean liner accidents ever recorded.

He was said to have once been a crew member on the Titanic at the time that the ship hit the iceberg. Two years later, he was working on the Empress of Ireland when she collided with the Storstad. Over one thousand people died in that disaster. He was then employed in May of 1915 on the Lusitania when it was hit by a U-20 torpedo. He apparently lived through that without a scratch as well. If you are beginning to doubt this man’s existence, you are probably not to far from the truth. No records have been found ever listing a man by Frank Towers working on any of the three ships.

The legend of Frank Towers seems to be another case of an urban folk tale, humanity’s desire to see triumph over a tragic situation. Fact or fiction, Frank Towers is one of the multiple characters that help color the history books.

1. According to the article, the Lusitania is a?

A. Airplane

B. Torpedo Boat

C. Ship

D. Train

2. In this statement from the article, “He was touted to be a middle-aged fireman in the engine room.” Touted means?

A. Publicized

B. Demeaned

C. Set-up

D. Sighted

3. This passage sheds doubt on

A. The fact that three ships sank.

B. The thought that America was at war with other countries.

C. Frank Towers causing the ships to sink.

D. Urban folk tales are not always based on real people.

4. The title of this article could be

A. “Frank Towers, a Man of Mystery”

B. “Surviving the Impossible”

C. “The Legend of Frank Towers Debunked”

D. “How to Survive Doomed Ships”

5. According to this passage, which of the following phrases best captures the intent of the article.

A. A stitch in time saves nine.

B. Don’t believe everything you read.

C. Seeing is believing.

D. There are many layers of an onion.

6. The article states that urban folk tales are created because

A. They are fun to hear.

B. Humanity likes to see someone triumph over tragedy

C. They trick people into believing lies.

D. People do not remember details clearly.

TOEFL Test Answer Key Paragraph 1