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TOEFL iBT 2023 notes

Disclaimer!! Those are the notes I made for my TOEFL iBT 2023 exam. They are not official.

UPDATE: I got a 113/120 points in just two months by using these notes :)

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Reading Section
  3. Writing Section
  4. Listening Section
  5. Speaking Section

Introduction

Here you will find every note I made during my preparation for the TOEFL iBT test which took place the 2nd December 2023.

You will find templates, tips and notes for each section. Everything that it is written here has been used for my own preparation. Remember that it is always better to practice in an academy or with a private teacher. Therefore, I would recommend to use my notes as a support for your study.

Feel free to fork it and use it for your benefit.

Good luck with your exam! :)

Reading Section

Content:

  • 2 passages (About 700 words each), 10 questions each

Time:

  • Reading & Answering: 36 minutes

Types of questions

In the reading section you will face different kind of questions. Those are the following:

  1. Factual Information Questions
  2. Negative Factual Information Questions
  3. Inference Questions
  4. Rhetorical Purpose Questions
  5. Vocabulary Questions
  6. Reference Questions
  7. Sentence Simplification Questions
  8. Insert Text Questions
  9. Prose Summary Questions

I have summarized in the following chart all the necessary information per each type of question:

Question Type Frequency Example Tips Score
Factual Information Questions 3-5 According to the paragraph, which of the following is true of X? Eliminate choices that contradict the question. Do not select an answer because it is mentioned in the passage. 1
Negative Factual Information Questions 0-2 According to the paragraph, which of the following is NOT true of X? The choices may be spread across several paragraphs. The correct answer either contradicts one or more statements or is not mentioned in the passage at all 1
Inference Questions 1-2 Which of the following can be inferred about X? Don't choose answers just because they seem important. It has to be inferable from information in the passage 1
Rhetorical Purpose Questions 1-2 What is the author's intention in mentioning X? Words that can be used are "to contrast", "to explain", "to illustrate", "to note" ... Focus on the logical links between sentences/paragraphs 1
Vocabulary Questions 3-4 What does the word X most likely mean in this context? Consider the surrounding text to deduce the word's meaning. 1
Reference Questions 0-2 What does "it" refer to in line X? Check if the word you selected violates grammar rules or does not make sense. 1
Sentence Simplification Questions 0-1 Which option presents the information in a clearer way? An answer is incorrect if it contradicts something in the highlighted sentence or leaves out something important 1
Insert Text Questions 1 Where would the sentence best fit in the paragraph? Contextually analyze the flow of information to determine the sentence placement. 1
Prose Summary Questions 1 What is the main idea or summary of the paragraph? Summarize the essence of the passage or paragraph without adding new information. 2

Writing Section

Content:

  1. Integrated task (Reading & Listening & Writing)
    • 3 minutes reading
    • 1-2 minutes listening
    • 15 minutes writing
  2. Discussion task
    • 10 minutes reading the question & writing answer

Integrated writing task tips

  • Aim for 180-220 words

  • Instead of using The writer/reading says or the lecturer says use words such as:

    • Claim
    • Argue
    • Point out
    • Manifest
    • Indicates
    • Express

  • For pointing out the rejection of ideas use:

    • Reject
    • Oppose
    • Challenge
    • Whereas
    • On the other hand...

  • Use while structure:

    • While the author of the reading thinks that ... the lecturer rejects the author's claims.

Integrated task template

  1. Introduction
    1. Both the reading and the lecture encompass about ___
    2. While the author of the article argues that ___, the lecturer opposes the claims presented in the article
    3. His position is ___
  2. First paragraph
    1. To begin with, according to the reading __
    2. This argument is challenged by the lecturer.
    3. He manifests __
  3. Second paragraph
    1. Moreover, the author indicates
    2. The teacher, however, asserts __.
    3. He points out
  4. Third paragraph
    1. Finally, the author puts forth the idea that _____.
    2. On the other hand, the lecturer’s stance is _____.
    3. He argues that _____.

Discussion writing task tips

  • A good way to start is to say that you agree/disagree with your colleagues.
  • Aim for +100 words

Discussion writing template

  1. Introduction
    1. I totally agree with X opinion whereas I respectfully disagree with Y thinking. // I wholeheartedly agree with both X and Y.
    2. I hold the view that ___
  2. First argument
    1. An essential argument perhaps is ____ + reason why you think that + 1 example justifying it
  3. Second argument
    1. Moreover, ___ + reason why + 1 example

Listening Section

Content:

  • 3 Lectures (3-5 minutes long), 6 questions each.
  • 2 conversations (each 3 minutes long), 5 questions per conversation

IMPORTANT you can't go back after moving to a new question.

Time:

  • Total Time 36 minutes

Speaking Section

Part 1: Independent Speaking

Content:

Two situations or opinions. You will have to give your point of view on the subject and explain your reasoning with examples and arguments

Time:

  • Preparation: 15 seconds
  • Speaking: 45 seconds

Template

  • I hold the view that X
  • An essential argument perhaps is X
  • Moreover X

Part 2: Integrated Speaking (Campus)

Content:

You will read a short text related to university life, then you will listen to a conversation about the same subject. You will have to summarize the information from both documents.

Time:

  • Reading: 45 seconds
  • Listening: 1-2 minutes
  • Preparation: 30 seconds
  • Speaking: 1 minute

Template

  • The man/woman expresses his/her disagreement towards X
  • To begin with he/she manifests X
  • Moreover he/she indicates X

Part 3: Integrated Speaking (Academic)

Content:

You will read a short text related to an academic topic, then you will listen to a lecture about the same subject. You will have to summarize the information from both.

Time:

  • Reading: 45 seconds
  • Listening: 1-2 minutes
  • Preparation: 30 seconds
  • Speaking: 1 minute

Template

  • Both the reading and the lecture encompass about X
  • To begin with the teacher exemplifies X. He gives X examples.
  • Moreover the professor illustrates X.

Part 4: Lecture

Content:

You will listen to a two- or three-minute recording of a lecture. You will then have to explain the concept or main idea of the extract.

Time:

  • Listening: 2-3 minutes
  • Preparation: 20 seconds
  • Speaking: 1 minute

Template

  • The teacher gives an explanation about X by giving X examples
  • Initially, the teacher exemplifies the concept X by saying Y.
  • Moreover the professor illustrates X.

Interesting links

Two study plan Sudy eBook