Let’s see an example together:

Format

• Passage Length: ~200 words (down from 700+ words in old format)
• Questions per Passage: 5 multiple-choice questions
• Topics: Science, history, social studies, arts, technology
• Question Types: Main idea, Detail, Inference, Vocabulary, Purpose

Academic passages often follow a few common patterns:

1. Definition Passage

A definition passage explains what something is and describes its main characteristics.

Example Passage

Urban agriculture is the practice of growing food in cities and towns. It can take place in community gardens, on rooftops, or even inside buildings using special lighting systems. Urban agriculture has become more popular in recent years because it allows people to produce fresh food closer to where they live. In addition, it can help reduce transportation costs and provide educational opportunities for local communities.

Why This Is a Definition Passage

The main purpose is to explain:

• what urban agriculture is
• where it happens
• its key characteristics

The passage focuses on describing and defining a concept.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages Passage

These passages discuss both positive and negative aspects of a topic.

Example Passage

Many companies now allow employees to work remotely. One advantage of remote work is that employees often save time because they do not need to commute. In addition, some workers report higher job satisfaction because they have more flexibility in managing their schedules. However, remote work can also create challenges. Employees may feel isolated from their coworkers, and communication can sometimes be less effective than face-to-face discussions. As a result, some organizations use a combination of remote and in-office work.

Why This Is an Advantages and Disadvantages Passage

The passage presents:

Advantages

• less commuting
• greater flexibility

Disadvantages

• social isolation
• communication challenges

The author discusses both sides of the issue.

3. Problem and Solution Passage

These passages introduce a problem and then explain possible solutions.

Example Passage

Food waste has become a growing concern in many countries. Large amounts of edible food are discarded by restaurants, supermarkets, and households every year. This waste can increase environmental problems because food that ends up in landfills produces greenhouse gases. To address this issue, some cities have created food donation programs that connect businesses with local charities. Other communities have launched educational campaigns to teach consumers how to store food properly and reduce waste at home.

Why This Is a Problem and Solution Passage

Problem:

• large amounts of food are wasted

Solutions:

• food donation programs
• public education campaigns

The passage clearly moves from the problem to possible solutions.

4. Application or Benefit Passage

These passages explain a concept and then show how it can be used or why it is valuable.

Example Passage

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. These systems can analyze information, recognize patterns, and make predictions. One important application of AI is in healthcare. For example, some hospitals use AI programs to help doctors identify diseases from medical images. As a result, patients may receive diagnoses more quickly, allowing treatment to begin sooner.

Why This Is an Application or Benefit Passage

The passage first explains:

• what AI is

Then it shows:

• how AI is used in healthcare
• why that use is beneficial

The focus is on a practical application and its advantages.

The questions in this task are mostly similar to those on previous TOEFL exams. You may see:

Let’s take a closer look at each question type and how to answer them:

Factual Information

As the name says, these questions ask about facts that are clearly stated in the passage.

Example:

“Alex went to school.”
Question: “Who went to school?”
Easy! The answer is right there: Alex.

Negative Factual

• These questions want you to find something not mentioned or not correct according to the passage.
  
  
• Just like regular Factual questions, no guessing or deep thinking is needed—you simply check the text carefully.
  
  

Key Clues:

• The question often includes the words NOT or EXCEPT.
• Since you’re finding the wrong option, you have to check every answer carefully, which takes a bit more time.

Vocabulary

These questions ask about the meaning of a word as it is used in the passage.

Knowing lots of words is super helpful, but sometimes it’s not enough. TOEFL passages often include technical or academic words, so you’ll need smart strategies to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Why bother learning these strategies? Two big reasons:

1. Answering vocabulary questions:
   
   
2. If you know the word → easy peasy, pick the answer!
   
   
3. If not → strategies help you make a smart guess.
   
   
4. Understanding the passage with unknown words:
   
   
5. Throughout the TOEFL, you’ll see new words.
   
   
6. These techniques help you infer meaning from context.
   
   

Here is a nutty secret: These strategies don’t magically solve every word, and a strong vocabulary is still essential. Think of them as your trusty squirrel toolkit, helping your vocabulary skills go further!

Typical prompts:

• “The word ‘X’ in the passage is closest in meaning to …”
  
  
• “In stating ‘X,’ the author means that …”
  
  
• “The phrase ‘X’ in the passage is closest in meaning to …”
  
  

Take a look at this Vocabulary question example:

Inference 

Inference = drawing a conclusion from clues.
You read the passage, spot the hints, and then find your way to the answer.

Example 1:

“Sara stared at her phone for hours, but no message arrived.”

Inference: Sara was waiting for an important message and probably felt disappointed.

Example 2:

“After seeing his grade, Ali closed his notebook and left the classroom without saying goodbye.”

Inference: Ali was unhappy with his grade.

How to Spot Inference Questions 

Look for sneaky words in the question like:

• infer
  
  
• suggest
  
  
• imply
  
  

Typical examples:

• Which of the following can be inferred about X?
  
  
• The author implies that X…
  

Purpose Questions

Purpose questions ask things like:

• Why did the author include this detail?
  
  
• Why did the author give this example?
  
  
• Why did the author make this comparison?
  
  

So remember: it’s about why, not just what.

Unlike Factual or Negative Factual questions, where the answer is right in the text, Purpose questions make you think a little more. You need to understand the author’s hidden intent among the words, just like finding the biggest nut hidden under the leaves. 🍂

How Purpose Questions Look 

These questions often use phrases like:

• Why does the author mention (x)?
  
  
• The author mentions (x) in order to…
  
  
• The author uses (x) as an example of…
  
  
• Why does the author compare (x) to (y)?
  
  
• What is the author’s purpose in mentioning…?
  
  

If you see “the author” in a question, your squirrel senses should tingle!  That’s usually a Purpose question.

Insert Sentence

These questions give you a sentence and ask: “Where does this sentence belong in the passage?”
You’ll usually see the passage divided into four boxes. Your job is to figure out which box fits the sentence most naturally and logically.

Example:

Where does the sentence “and has earned a bachelor’s degree” fit best?

Text:

Ali has graduated. He is currently preparing for the TOEFL so that he can achieve his desired score when he takes the test in the near future.

The sentence fits best in the first box, right after “Ali has graduated.” 

To learn about the Sentence Insertion questions more, let’s take a look at the following example.

Paragraph Relationships Questions

These questions ask how two paragraphs are connected.

Important Idea Questions

These questions ask about the most important point in a passage or paragraph.

Quickly Skim the Passage First

Before answering the questions, spend a short time looking through the passage.

You do not need to read every detail immediately. Just try to understand:

• the topic
• the main idea
• how the passage is organized

Be Careful with Matching Words

A common TOEFL trap is choosing an answer simply because it contains words that also appear in the passage.

The correct answer must match the meaning, not just the vocabulary.

🐿️ Ask yourself:

• Does the passage actually say this?
• Or does the answer only repeat words from the text?

Give Extra Time to Negative Factual Questions

Questions that ask which choice is NOT mentioned or NOT true usually take longer.

You must check all four answer choices carefully, so do not rush through these questions.

Answer Vocabulary Questions Efficiently

Vocabulary questions are often faster than other question types.

Focus on the surrounding sentence and determine which meaning fits the context best.

Pay Attention to Paragraph Relationships

Some questions ask how different paragraphs connect.

For example:

• One paragraph may define a concept.
• The next paragraph may provide examples.
• One paragraph may present a problem.
• The next paragraph may discuss solutions.

Understanding these connections can help you answer several question types more easily.

Build Your Academic Vocabulary

Many passages contain common academic words.

Learning academic vocabulary can make passages easier to understand and help you answer questions more confidently.

🐿️ The more academic words you know, the fewer reading acorns you will lose on test day! 

Well done, little squirrels! 🐿️

We went through everything you need to know about Reading Task 3!

But we’re not finished yet. You need to practice every day and try to improve little by little.

I’ll be here with you, so feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions. I’ll jump in to help as soon as I finish cracking my nut! 🌰