Q. Do “computer-based” and “computer-adaptive” mean the same thing? A. No. The entire TOEFL exam is called “computer-based” because it’s given on the computer. Only two sections are computer-adaptive: Listening and Structure. Computer-adaptive means that every test taker is given a question of medium difficulty to begin each section. If you answer the first question correctly, you’re given a slightly harder second question, and if you answer the first question incorrectly, you’re given a slightly easier second question. This process continues throughout the exam. The level of question difficulty varies during the test according to whether you answer each question cor- rectly. Therefore, your score is based upon not only the number of correct answers, but also the level of difficulty. Q. Do I need computer skills to do well on the exam? A. No. Studies have shown that knowledge of computers has virtually no effect on how well a test taker performs. But you should completely familiarize yourself with the computer instructions before you take the test. Q. How can I prepare for the TOEFL test? A. Practice with as much information as possible. If at all possible, take the tutor- ial provided through the TOEFL tests’s Web site www.toefl.org/cbtutprq.html. Or, if you have time, purchase the PowerPrep software or TOEFL Sampler. Both of these packages include the tutorial, as well as practice tests and an- swers. These materials are superb for practice, although they don’t provide explanation, analysis, and hints on passing the exam like this book. Call 800-446-3319 or visit www.ets.org/store.html to order these materials. Q. Is the essay required on the computer-based test? A. Yes. Unlike the paper-based test, in which the essay is provided at only certain administrations, the essay is a required part of the CBT. It accounts for 50 percent of your Structure score. Q. Should I guess on the TOEFL test if I don’t know an answer? A. If you don’t know an answer in the Listening and Structure sections, take a guess. Because of the computer-adaptive nature of the test, you must answer a question so the system knows what question to give next. In the Reading sec- tion, you can skip questions, but I recommend that you answer every question. If you have time remaining after you’ve finished the last question, you can return to previous questions and look at them in more detail. Q. Is walk-in registration available? A. Yes. Walk-in registration is available, but I advise that you make an appointment. Q. Does scoring on the CBT differ from that of the PBT? A. The scoring for these two test types is totally different. The score on the PBT ranges from 310 to 677, while the score on the CBT ranges from 0 to 300. 10 Part I: Introduction to the TOEFL Computer-Based Test For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 11 COMPUTER BASICS FOR TAKING THE TOEFL TEST The computer program used for the TOEFL test is quite basic. Whereas you may use various computer keys to perform tasks in other programs, the program used on the TOEFL test is simplified. You perform most tasks on the TOEFL computer screen by clicking the left button on your mouse. Scrolling means moving upward or downward in a document. Whereas you might use the “page up” and “page down” keys on other word processing programs, you use the mouse to scroll the information on the TOEFL test screen. The items and icons that appear on the TOEFL computer screen are unique. For example, at the top left of each screen is a box that shows how many minutes you have left in a specific section of the test. If you don’t wish to see it, you can click the clock (which says Time) at the bottom left of your screen and hide it. But in order to pace yourself, it’s a good idea to have a general idea of how much time is left in a section. You probably won’t feel rushed if you work through the materials deliberately and methodically. At the top right of the TOEFL screen, you’ll see the number of the question you’re viewing and the total number of questions in the section. At the bottom right of the screen, you’ll see the icons to click when you’re finished with a sec- tion or area and ready to move on to a new section. In all the Listening and Structure sections, there’s an icon called Next, which you click when you’re finished with a question. There’s another icon to the left of Next called Confirm Answer, which you must also click before you can move to another question. The TOEFL test uses these icons because the Listening and Structure sections are computer-adaptive, meaning that your answer to one ques- tion leads you to a harder or easier question. In these two sections, you can’t return to questions you’ve already answered, and you can’t skip questions. In the Reading section, which is not computer-adaptive, you can skip questions and return to prior questions; thus, the Previous icon replaces the Confirm Answer icon in the Reading section. For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org To answer a question, you click the correct answer with the left mouse button. Sometimes you click an oval bubble, sometimes a square, and sometimes a word or phrase. Whichever you click darkens so you know what you’ve chosen. For the Writing section, the TOEFL test’s word processor is much more rudimen- tary than what you may be used to. You can hand-write your essay if you wish. If you choose to type it, however, you type just as you would with any other word processor. If you want to move text, use the Cut and Paste keys. If you make a mistake, click Undo. The Page Up and Page Down keys also work in this section. The tab button does not work. Press the space bar five times or so to indent a paragraph, if you wish. You should make every effort to experience the computer tutorial prior to taking the test. You don’t want to waste time or become nervous trying to become famil- iar with the software while you’re taking the actual test. You can obtain a copy of the TOEFL Sampler or purchase a copy of the PowerPrep program, both of which contain the tutorial (see the chapter on “Questions Commonly Asked about the TOEFL Test”), and practice at your leisure. 9 of 20 Help Answer Confirm Next The title bar shows the Title Bar • time remaining • test or section title • question number Time 00:14 TOEFL The TOEFL Screens This is question 9 out of a total of 20 questions in this section. This shows there are 14 minutes left. See More 12 Part I: Introduction to the TOEFL Computer-Based Test For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 13 TAKING THE TOEFL TEST: A SUCCESSFUL OVERALL APPROACH To score well on the TOEFL test, you must know English well and be able to apply what you know. You must also use your time wisely during the exam. Although your test results are important, don’t let your nerves overwhelm you. If you don’t achieve the score that you want or need the first time you take the test, you can always take it again. Try to relax as much as possible when you take the test. Preparing for the Test Absorb English by surrounding yourself with it as much as possible. Listen, read, write, and do everything that you can to learn English. Read magazines, news- papers, books, and anything else you can find. Pay attention to idiomatic expres- sions (sometimes called idioms) that you aren’t familiar with and grammatical structures that you haven’t seen before. (An idiomatic expression is a combination of two or more words that has a different meaning than the individual words would indicate. For example, look up can mean to “research,” whereas look and up separately do not have meanings relating to research.) Make the most of your preparation time. Complete the tables in the “How to Use This Book” section and plan your studies accordingly. Follow through in the order that this book suggests. Become familiar with the test directions, techniques, and tutorials. To do so, use this book and review the TOEFL Bulletin, which you can order by calling 609-771-7100 or visiting www.toefl.org/infobull.html. The Day of the Test On the day of the test, follow the same routine that you would on any other day. Eat the same amount, get the same amount of sleep, and make the test day as normal as possible. Don’t try to cram last-minute study time immediately before the test. Be sure you know how to get to the test center, and arrive in plenty of time so you won’t be rushed. Bring your required identification and proof of admission. For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org During the Test Use your time as wisely as possible during the test. One time-saving technique is to avoid reading the directions for the different sections. In order to accomplish this, you must become very familiar with the directions prior to taking the exam, and this book helps you do so. Another way to save some time is to familiarize yourself with the computer tutorials prior to taking the exam. You cannot avoid the tutorials altogether on the day of the test, but you can skip through them quickly if you’re already familiar with them. See the “General Description of the TOEFL Test” chapter for information on ordering a copy of the tutorials. As you encounter questions, remember the techniques that you learn in this book and apply them methodically. Here are a few hints to get you started: ■ Keep in mind that you cannot skip questions in the Listening and Structure sections. In those sections, make your best effort on each question, apply- ing the knowledge that you have obtained, and then go on to the next question. Don’t dwell on any one question too long or become concerned that you answered a previous question incorrectly. ■ In the Reading section, answer all questions by applying the techniques that I give you in this book, but keep track of any questions that you may want to return to if you have enough time. ■ For the Writing section, decide before you take the test whether you’re going to write the essay by hand or on the computer. Write the essay using the techniques that I include in this book. The most important thing to do is remember that you have prepared adequately and that you know English quite well. Relax and do the best you can. 14 Part I: Introduction to the TOEFL Computer-Based Test For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org ANAL ANAL Y Y S S I I S O S O F F EX EX AM AM AR AR EA EA S S PART I I For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 17 LISTENING SECTION The first part of the TOEFL test that you take is the Listening section, and it con- sists of two parts, which I describe in this chapter. The Listening section tests your ability to understand and interpret spoken American English. The Listening section contains between 30 and 50 questions and lasts from 40 to 60 minutes, not including the time that you spend on the tutorial. You will find out when you start working on this section how many questions you will receive. The time you are allotted for the section will depend on the number of questions you are given. On the computer-based test, you have your own headphones and the ability to control the volume, so the quality of what you hear on the test should be perfect. Basic Skills Necessary To score well in the Listening section, you must have a thorough knowledge of English and a strong ability to interpret what you hear. However, you can’t develop these skills overnight. To constantly practice your listening abilities, you must listen to English and pay attention to idioms, grammatical structures, and vocabulary words that aren’t familiar to you. What to Expect During the test, you will see pictures of each speaker or speakers, but these draw- ings do not provide any useful information. In the questions that you encounter in Part B (explained later in this section), you may also see drawings, figures, or charts that illustrate what is being said. The appropriate drawing, figure, or chart will automatically appear onscreen when the speaker mentions it. After the speaker has spoken, you will hear and see the questions you must answer. Using the left button on your mouse, click the correct answer that appears onscreen. Part A consists of dialogues between two people. Sometimes a speaker will speak more than once, and sometimes each speaker talks only once. Most topics are school-related. That is, they are discussions about classes, homework, lectures, and exams. Only one question is asked about each dialogue. Part B consists of longer conversations or talks. Usually, you will hear six such talks or conversations. Some of the talks or conversations may be followed by only two questions. Others may be followed by several questions. The talks may be about a famous person, a scientific process, or any other topic that would be appropriate for a lecture. For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org To succeed on this section of the test, you must be able to listen carefully. Try to grasp the overall concepts being discussed even if you are not familiar with the specific words or phrases being used. The directions provided in this book are not direct quotations of the TOEFL test directions, but they contain the same information that you will see on the test. This is true of the practice test directions as well. You should not need to read the test directions on the day of the test. Part A Directions: In this part, you will hear short conversations between two people, who each may speak only once or more than once. After the conversation, you will be asked a question. Choose the answer that most accurately answers the question based on what the speakers state or imply in their conversation. Sample Man: I am trying to find a book by author Sterling Watson. Do you know where I should look? Woman: He’s a fiction writer, isn’t he? Log on to this computer. Click on fiction, and then search by author name. See? Oh, he has written quite a few books, although I’ve never heard of him. Man: His books were never in the top ten, but I like his style. I took a class from him at the University of Florida. Q. What does the man say about Sterling Watson? A. He is required to read one of his books but does not like his writing. B. He has never read any of his works previously. C. He appreciates his writing style. D. He learned about his books from a computer. The answer is C, “He appreciates his writing style.” Common question types heard in Part A are: ■ What does the (man/woman) mean? ■ What will the (man/woman) probably do (next)? ■ What will the speakers do? ■ What is the (man/woman) going to do? 18 Part II: Analysis of Exam Areas For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org ■ What does the (man/woman) plan to do? ■ What does the (man/woman) imply about . . . ? ■ What is the (man’s/woman’s) problem? ■ What problem does the (man/woman) think the (man/woman) has? ■ What are the speakers talking about? ■ What does the (man/woman) suggest that the (man/woman) do? ■ What does the (man/woman) say about . . . ? ■ What does the (man/woman) think about . . . ? ■ What had the (man/woman) assumed about . . .? Part B Directions: In this part, you will hear several conversations and talks. You will hear each conversation or talk only once, and then you will hear several questions. Answer the questions based on what the speakers state or imply in their conversa- tions. Choose the best answer from the choices provided. Conversations in Part B generally involve academic matters or student life. A man and woman will each speak several times, and then questions will be asked about the conversation. Sample Man: I can’t believe we have to read this entire book by Monday. Woman: Some teachers think you have nothing else to do besides prepare for their class. Man: Well, my boss thinks the same thing about my job — that it’s the only thing I have to do. Woman: Oh, I didn’t know you were working. What do you do? Man: I do bookkeeping work for a small company on Saturdays. This weekend, I have to prepare end of the quarter reports to give to the accoun- tant on Monday. Woman: You’d better start reading soon. 1. What does the man imply about the assignment? A. It is too much to read in such a short time. B. He has already read the material. C. He can read at work. D. The teacher knows that he has a job. 19 Listening Section For more material and information, please visit TaiLieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org . 00: 14 TOEFL The TOEFL Screens This is question 9 out of a total of 20 questions in this section. This shows there are 14 minutes left. See More 12 Part. provide explanation, analysis, and hints on passing the exam like this book. Call 800 -44 6-3319 or visit www.ets.org/store.html to order these materials. Q.