Practice TOEFL Reading: Format, Strategies & Free Resources

If you’re aiming to boost your TOEFL iBT test score, you’ve come to the right place. The Reading section forms the core of your comprehension, reasoning, and vocabulary skills, and with the right strategy, it can easily become your highest-scoring area.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to practice TOEFL Reading effectively using proven techniques, official sample questions, and free resources from ETS and other trusted platforms. We’ll also cover the latest TOEFL Reading format, question types, scoring tips, and practice plan to help you reach your target score with confidence.

Overview of the TOEFL Reading Section

The TOEFL iBT Reading section measures how well you can read and understand university-level academic texts, the kind you’ll encounter in lectures, assignments, and research material abroad. Here’s an overview of the section:

Note: Starting January 2026, ETS will implement a multistage adaptive format for Reading (and Listening) sections, meaning the number of questions and structure may change for future test-takers.

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TOEFL Reading Question Types

When you practice TOEFL Reading, one of the key steps is to become familiar with the types of questions you’ll face. Once you recognise the question type, you can apply the specific strategy that works best for it.

Below are the key question types you’ll encounter in the TOEFL iBT Reading section.

Factual Information Questions

• These ask for specific details that are directly stated in the passage.
• Example: “According to paragraph 4, what is the main reason for…”
• Strategy: Locate the key phrase in the passage and scan for supporting evidence.
• Practice Tip: Focus on TOEFL reading exercises that involve detail-based comprehension to build accuracy.

Negative Factual Information Questions

• These ask you to identify which statement is not true according to the passage.
• Strategy: Verify all options in the text and eliminate those that are clearly mentioned.
• Practice Tip: Use “True/False/Not Given”-style exercises to strengthen elimination skills.

Inference Questions

• These require you to draw conclusions not directly stated in the text.
• Strategy: Read between the lines to uncover implied meaning.
• Practice Tip: Include inference-based passages in your practice to develop analytical reasoning.

Rhetorical Purpose Questions

• Ask why the author included a specific sentence or detail.
• Strategy: Understand the author’s purpose: explanation, contrast, example, or cause.
• Practice Tip: Review academic paragraphs and identify purpose statements while doing TOEFL reading test practice.

Vocabulary Questions

• Test your understanding of words in context.
• Strategy: Use contextual clues rather than memorised meanings.
• Practice Tip: Regular reading exercises with synonym matching can help build vocabulary range.

Reference Questions

• Ask what a pronoun or reference word refers to (e.g., “they,” “this,” “it”).
• Strategy: Trace back to find the noun or subject that matches logically.
• Practice Tip: Use passages with dense pronoun use to enhance reference tracking.

Sentence Simplification Questions

• Ask which option best expresses the meaning of a highlighted sentence.
• Strategy: Identify the sentence’s core idea and compare it with each option.
• Practice Tip: Add sentence paraphrasing to your prep routine.

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How Scoring Works in TOEFL Reading

Understanding how the Reading section of the TOEFL iBT is scored is crucial when you practice TOEFL Reading and design your preparation plan. Here’s how the scoring works.

Quick Facts:

• Total Score Range: 0–30
• No negative marking: Attempt every question.
• Scaled scoring: Raw scores (correct answers) are converted to the scaled 0–30 range.
• Ideal target: Aim for 24+ (Advanced level) for strong university applications.

TOEFL Reading Exam Strategies

Scoring high in the TOEFL Reading section isn’t just about knowing English; it’s about strategy, time management, and regular TOEFL reading exercises. Follow these strategies and a structured study plan to steadily improve your reading performance.

• Skim First: Quickly skim the passage to grasp its topic and tone. This helps you locate answers faster.
• Spot Keywords: Watch for signal words like however, therefore, and in contrast to track the author’s logic.
• Answer as You Read: Read one paragraph and answer its related question before moving on.
• Eliminate Smartly: Remove options that are partly correct to improve accuracy while you practice TOEFL reading.
• Use Time Wisely: Spend about 18 minutes per passage; practise with a timer to mirror test conditions.
• Understand, Don’t Memorise: Focus on locating relevant details, not recalling the entire text.
• Review Mistakes: After each test, check which question types you missed and re-target them in your exercises.

Further reading: TOEFL Preparation Resources

4-Week Study Plan to Improve TOEFL Reading Score

TOEFL Reading Tips: Reading Section

Scoring well in the TOEFL Reading section takes a consistent strategy and smart preparation. Here are tips to help you refine these core habits and achieve higher scores.

• Build Academic Reading Habits: Read university-level articles daily to boost comprehension and learn vocabulary in real academic contexts.
• Practise Active Reading: While you practice TOEFL reading, highlight main ideas, transitions, and examples to understand paragraph flow.
• Expand Vocabulary Through Context: Learn meanings through sentences instead of memorising lists; keep a notebook of new words.
• Simulate Real Test Conditions: Practise with a timer, about 18 minutes per passage, using full-length passages for a real exam feel.
• Review & Reflect: Don’t just check answers, analyse mistakes and note weak question types for targeted re-practice.
• Combine Reading with Listening: Pair reading with academic podcasts or lectures to strengthen comprehension and retention.
• Prioritise Quality Over Quantity: Focus on two well-analysed passages instead of many rushed ones for deeper understanding.

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Sample TOEFL Reading Test Questions

Reading Passage 1: Examining the Problem of Bycatch

(Excerpt from the official ETS Free Practice Test)

Paragraph 1
A topic of increasing relevance to the conservation of marine life is bycatch, which refers to fish and other animals unintentionally caught while fishing for a targeted population. Bycatch is common in longline fishing, which uses long baited lines, and trawling, which drags nets along the ocean floor or mid-water. Few fisheries use gear that catches only one species. Dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds are often trapped in nets meant for tuna and billfish. Because bycatch often goes unreported, it isn’t easy to estimate its true extent, though available data indicate that discarded biomass amounts to 25–30% of total catch, roughly 30 million metric tons annually.

Paragraph 2
The problem is especially severe in shrimp fishing, where trawl nets with small mesh sizes capture large amounts of juvenile or non-marketable fish. Even larger meshes fail to solve the issue because once nets fill up, small fish caught later remain trapped. Most bycatch is thrown overboard dead or dying, contributing to waste and ecological imbalance.

Paragraph 3
Bycatch has both economic and environmental costs. For shrimp fishers, it clogs nets, increases drag and fuel costs, and reduces shrimp quality due to delayed sorting. Ecologically, high mortality among juvenile fish leads to population declines in species like red snapper and weakfish. Since shrimp trawling occurs in nursery grounds, its long-term effects on marine biodiversity can be severe.

Sample Questions

1. Why does the author mention that “discarded biomass amounts to 25–30 per cent of official catch”?
   A. To disprove the claim that it’s difficult to estimate bycatch
   B. To show how effective modern fishing methods are
   C. To confirm that even with limited data, bycatch remains a major issue ✅
   D. To indicate that data exist only for certain types of fisheries
2. According to paragraph 1, which statement is true about fishing methods?
   A. Most fishing methods capture unwanted species along with target fish. ✅
   B. Switching from trawling to longline fishing eliminates bycatch.
   C. Longline fishing only affects seabirds and turtles.
   D. Trawling produces less bycatch than other methods.
3. The word “acute” in the passage is closest in meaning to:
   A. Common
   B. Severe ✅
   C. Complicated
   D. Noticeable
4. Why have larger mesh sizes not solved the bycatch problem?
   A. Larger holes damage nets.
   B. They release shrimp along with unwanted fish.
   C. Fish get stuck halfway through the mesh.
   D. When nets fill, fish are still trapped inside. ✅

💡 What You Learn from This Example

This set covers factual, vocabulary, inference, and purpose-based questions — exactly what you’ll encounter in the real TOEFL exam. Try answering under a 10-minute timer to simulate actual exam pacing.

Reading Passage 2: The Importance of Wetlands

Paragraph
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rainforests and coral reefs. They purify water, store floodwaters, and provide habitats for diverse species. Acting as natural sponges, they absorb and slowly release water, helping stabilise levels and prevent floods or droughts. Wetlands also store carbon, reducing the impact of climate change. However, these ecosystems face increasing threats from urbanisation, pollution, and global warming, making conservation vital for future generations.

Sample Questions

1. Factual Information Question
   What role do wetlands play in the ecosystem?
   A. They only provide plant habitats.
   B. They purify water and store floodwaters. ✅
   C. They don’t absorb carbon.
   D. They are less productive than rainforests.
2. Inference Question
   What can be inferred about the importance of conserving wetlands?
   A. Wetlands have little effect on climate.
   B. They are vital for maintaining ecological balance and reducing climate change. ✅
   C. Urbanisation benefits wetlands.
   D. Pollution is their only threat.
3. Vocabulary Question
   The word “sequestering” in the passage is closest in meaning to:
   A. Releasing
   B. Absorbing ✅
   C. Producing
   D. Destroying

Explore these topics:

• TOEFL Writing Tips
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Final Thoughts

Success in the TOEFL Reading section comes from smart preparation and steady practice. When you practice TOEFL reading regularly with authentic materials, you build speed, comprehension, and confidence.

Focus on understanding, not memorising. Use timed practice sessions, review your mistakes, and target weaker question types. With the right approach and consistent effort, achieving your dream TOEFL Reading score is entirely possible.