TOEFL

 Introduction

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is administered by the world’s largest non-profit educational testing and measurement organization: ETS- Educational Testing Service. It assesses the proficiency of English language of a person in an academic setting. Various institutions, scholarship programs require this test as a trusted and valid indicator of a person’s ability to communicate in English.
TOEFL is available in CBT-Computer based Technology, PBT-Paper based Technology and iBT-Internet based Test formats to assess the proficiency of English Language. iBT TOEFL is a four hours test comprises of sections namely Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. In areas where internet based test is not available, a paper-based test (PBT) is given. PBT is a 3 hours long test comprises of four sections: Listening, Structure and Written Expression, Reading Comprehension and Writing.

Function

1. Listenning Skill

2. Reading Skill

3. Writting and Grammar

 

Test of Toefl

Section 1 : Listening Comprehension

The Listening Comprehension section is always first in the examination and it is in three parts. it typically lasts 30 to 35 minuter and contains 50 questions.

 

 Ability Tested

This section tests your ability to understand and interpret spoken English

 

Basic Skills Necessary

It is necessary to have a good "ear" for English, which can only be obtained with a great deal of practice. you must be able to distinguish between words that sound similiar and be able to comprehend entire sentences, not just single words or phrases.

Section 2: Structure and Written Expression

The structure and written expression section includes two question types, Part A, Structure and Part B, Written Expression. This section typically lasts 25 minutes and contains approximately 40 questions.

 

Ability Tested

The grammar section of the Toefl tests your ability to recogniz formal written English. Many things that are acceptable in spoken English are not acceptable in formal written English.You must choose the most economical, mature, and correct way of stating sentence in this section.

 

Basic Skills Necessary

You need to know correct grammar well enough that an error will be immediately evident.

Section 3 : Reading Comprehension

This section contains reading passages followed by questions based on the reading. The section contains approximately 50 questions, and you will have 55 minutes to comlete it.

 

Ability Tested

The Reading Comprehension section tests your ability to understand, interpret and analyze reading passages on a veriety of topics. The Toefl stresses reading passages that are typical of those you will read in colleges and universities. this section also tests your knowledge of English vocabulary. You must find synonyms for selected words from the passage among the four answer choices that you are given.

 

Basic Skills Necessary

You must be able to read a passage containing rather complicated constructions and vocabulary and answer questions based on what you have read. This section requires a strong college-level vocabulary. A strong vocabulary cannot be developed instantly. It grows over a long period of time spent reading widely and learning new words. Knowing the meanings of prefixes, and roots will help you to derive word meanings on the test.

 

The Test of Written English

The Test of Written English is available on some administrations of the Toefl. If you take the Toefl at an administration where the writing test is offered, you must take that portion of the test as well. the writing test is scored by two separate readers on a scale of 1 to 6, with 1 being the poorest score and 6 being the best. If the scores given by the two readers differ by more than one point, a third reader  also reviews the paper. The scores are based upon the essay as a whole; such items as vocabulary, grammar, use of examples, and organization are not scored separately. the score is reported as a separate number on the Toefl score report.

 

Ability Tested

The writing test analyzes your ability to respond to an essay question under time constraints. A topic will be presented, and the student must use proper organization, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling and must provide sufficient examples.

 

Basic Skills Necessary

You must be able to organize and write an effective essay, using correct grammar and spelling.