Mastering the TOEFL Reading Section: Strategies That Work
Let’s be honest—the TOEFL reading section can feel like a sprint through a jungle of academic vocabulary, unfamiliar topics, and tricky questions. But don’t panic. With the right strategies, you can turn this section from “uh-oh” to “nailed it.”
TOEFL
Adi English
5/19/20251 min read
Mastering the TOEFL Reading Section: Strategies That Work
1. Understand the Format
You’ll typically face 3-4 passages, each around 700 words, with 10 questions per passage. That’s a lot of reading, so your time is precious. Knowing what to expect is already half the battle.
2. Skim First, Then Dive
Start by skimming the passage to get the main idea of each paragraph. Don’t try to read every word in detail—that’ll eat up your time. You’re looking for structure: What’s the topic? What’s the argument? Any examples or studies?
3. Know the Question Types
TOEFL doesn’t just ask “What does the author say?” You’ll face questions like:
Vocabulary in context
Reference questions (what “they” refers to)
Inference questions
Sentence insertion
Summary and organization
Learn to recognize these and train your brain to shift gears accordingly.
4. Use the Passage
The answers are always in the text. Always. Don’t rely on memory—go back to the passage and scan for clues. For example, if the question is about “the cause of climate variation,” hunt for that phrase or something close to it.
5. Time Management
You’ve got around 18 minutes per passage. Try this:
Skim: 2 minutes
Read questions + scan answers: 15 minutes
Final check: 1 minute
Don’t get stuck on one question. Move on and come back if needed.
6. Practice Like It’s Real
Take practice tests in timed conditions. Get used to the pressure so that test day feels familiar, not terrifying.
Final Tip:
Your goal isn’t to understand everything. It’s to understand enough to answer the questions accurately and efficiently. Stay calm, stay focused, and approach each passage like a puzzle waiting to be solved.