Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
What is TOEFL?
Accepted by more than 6000 universities in 100 countries, TOEFL is an English language proficiency examination taken by non-native English speakers. There are two formats of the exam: TOEFL iBT (Internet based test) and TOEFL PBT (Paper based test). However, the latter is being phased out; TOEFL iBT is offered in India.
Time: 3.5 to 4 hours
Cost: US$165
Frequency: The exam is conducted more than 50 times in a year at various test centres located throughout the country
FORMAT
Reading:
36-70 questions (60-100 minutes)
Listening:
34-51 questions (60-90 minutes)
Speaking:
6 tasks (20 minutes)
Writing:
2 tasks (50 minutes)
MOCK TOEFL TEST
Section 1: Reading
I know some friends who went through exams debonair and cavalier, much to the unease of the competition (and won the gold medals too) but most of us lesser mortals still harbour nightmarish memories of the dreaded exams before, during and even after. The French say “The more things change, the more they remain the same!” Although systems, curricula, the scope of subjects change, as far as exams go, it’s only skimming the surface. Terror times they still are. The crowd heads towards the hallowed portals of institutes and there are impossible cut-off marks for engineering, the IITs, medical colleges, etc. There are whispered immensities of ‘capitation’ fees involved. The uncertainties a future outside – these make it seem to be a do or die thing. But is this what education was meant to be?
Indeed life is competitive and we grow up with paranoia and ‘performance stress’ but I’m sure if we looked at the bigger picture we’d be less consumed by fear. The fallout of that would be we’d actually perform better and more creatively in our exams. The bright side is that generation next is confident and adventurous. Even those with professional backgrounds think ‘entrepreneur’, big or small, and often out of the box. Options are not limited to ‘doctor-engineer-government services’ alone. Today the world is our oyster – starting a chain of hamburger kiosks and making a successful management case study of it. However education is still the best equipment for life, so it’s better to give it your best shot; this is an age of opportunities.
Little tips like study time-tables, study groups, etc make it more interesting and interactive. Field trips and actual situations where your knowledge is applied, meditation to help concentration, physical exercise at regular intervals to ensure better memory and less fatigue, mock tests to be better prepared and so on – these are some tricks and tips I offer to you to score and conquer the world! An education can certainly provide you with a living, but earning a living need not be the driving force for education. One could study to be well educated, informed, equipped with knowledge and then make a career foray into photography, special effects, film making, dancing… the options in our age are myriad and kaleidoscopic.
Q1. The word ‘crowd’ in the first paragraph refers to:
A. Professors
B. Students
C. Businessmen
D. Administrators
Section 2: Listening
Listen to the following clip and answer the following questions:
2.1 What is the discussion mainly about?
a) The Barbizon School
b) Theodore Rouseau
c) Realists
d) The Academic School
2.2 How does the professor introduce the discussion?
a) By stating the lecture is about French painters
b) By stating the lecture is about landscape artists
c) By indentifying the founder of the Barbizon School
d) By comparing the Barbizon School to the Academic painters
2.3 What is NOT true about Rousseau? (Choose 2 answers)
a) His work was welcomed by the Academics
b) He lived in a city when he was young
c) He liked nature
d) He had worked as a common laborer
2.4 According to the discussion, what did the Barbizon School think was wrong with the Academic School of painting?
a) It utilized strong colors
b) It utilized too much imagery
c) It included mythical characters
c) It was too realistic
2.5 What does the professor mean when she says this…
a) The salons were typing to make them conform
b) They were not well known painters
c) They were inferior painters
d) Their art was too realistic
Section 3: Writing
Integrated writing
Read the following passage. You will then listen to an audio clip on the same subject. Use these are guides to answer the question below.
The post-study work visa (PSW), available to international students with a British degree to work in the UK for two years, has been abolished. In May this year, the British government reported that there was a 62 per cent drop in the number of student visa applications for the 2012-13 academic year. But the new visa rules have not met with approval in all quarters. Universities UK, the representative organisation for the UK’s universities, said that the UK seemed to be “putting up barriers to entry…and telling the world that it doesn’t welcome international students”. British newspaper The Guardian reported that some MPs called the new rules “poorly planned and ill thought-out”. However, Migration Watch, an independent, non-political body that monitors migration flow to and from Britain, sums up (ironically) the prevalent political mood – their website says that international students are of value to the UK “provided that they intend to return at the end of their studies… If students stay on in the UK they add to our population growth and the pressure on our public services”.
Audio Clip (Transcript)
I want to make clear the attitude of the government. There is no limit on the number of legitimate students from overseas studying at British universities. They have to have the language skills and the academic training to benefit from Higher Education here. It is in everyone’s interest to maintain our high standards. The vast majority of international students are here legitimately, study hard, contribute to our economy and take nothing from us except a world class education. Where things are working at their best, they also make us more cosmopolitan, sustain links between our communities with heritage in other parts of the world and those places, and make the higher education offer more diverse than it otherwise would be. It is crucial that we sustain and develop these advantages.
Q 3. Summarise the points made in the audio clip and highlight how they contradict the claims made in the passage
Independent writing
Q4. According to you, what are the qualities of a good boss?
Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important. (300-350 words)
Section 4: Speaking
Q5. If given a choice, would you rather study in a classroom or take an online course? Use reasons and details to support your response.
ANSWERS:
Q1. B
2.1 : a
2.2: b
2.3: a, b
2.4: c
2.5: d
Q3. The main focus of your writing should be to summarise the audio clip using facts and information from the reading material to support your points.
Q4. Your essay should be organised and coherent with accurate word usage. Use examples and explanations to illustrate your argument.
Q5. Your response should be well-structured and grammatically correct. If you are unsure of the meaning or pronunciation of a word, avoid using it.
