Page 5 - TEST BOOK

Introduction

Outline of the four sections of the TOEFL iBT

Reading Listening Speaking Writing

20 minutes per 2 or 3 listening parts, Each task is 45-60 50 minutes
reading passage 10 minutes for seconds.
answering questions Approximately 20
in each part (does minutes including
not include time for preparation time
listening)
3 or 5 reading Each part contains 1 2 independent 1 integrated writing
passages, 12-14 conversation and 2 speaking tasks, task,
questions per academic lectures, 4 integrated 1 independent
passage 17 questions per part speaking tasks writing task
30 points 30 points 30 points 30 points

Changes in the TOEFL iBT (Internet Based TOEFL)

The TOEFL iBT was first introduced in the United States in the fall of 2005, and in other
parts of the world starting in 2006. The TOEFL iBT reflects not only a change in the way the
test is administered, but also in the format of the test itself. Some of the major changes on
the test are listed below:
• Elimination of the grammar section – The TOEFL iBT contains no explicit testing of
grammar. Knowledge of grammar is, rather, tested through the test takers’ ability to
comprehend the reading and listening sections, and also by the range of grammar
structures they employ in the speaking and writing sections and the accuracy with which
they use those structures.
• Addition of a mandatory speaking section – Previous versions of the TOEFL had no
speaking evaluation; however, test takers could take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) as
a supplement to provide them with an evaluation in their speaking ability. Now, for the
first time, all TOEFL test takers will be evaluated on their speaking abilities.
• Inclusion of integrated tasks – The TOEFL iBT speaking and writing sections have
integrated tasks which require the test takers to first read and listen to material, and then
incorporate that material into their response. The objective is to more effectively duplicate the
type of speaking and writing that students will be required to do in a true academic setting.
• Lengthening of reading and listening tasks – The reading passages and the lectures
that appear on the TOEFL have both been lengthened. The reading passages are now
typically around 700 words, and the lectures typically last from 4-6 minutes.
• Changes in question types – There have been significant changes in the question types
that appear on the reading and listening sections. Questions now ask not only about basic
factual and inferred information, but also about the relationships between different ideas,
and the pragmatic purposes of discourse.

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