TOEFL TIPS

TIPS FOR THE TOEFL IBT

1.    Arrive prepared

If you arrive at the test centre with all of the things you need, you will feel calm and ready. When you are nervous, your memory does not work as well. Make sure you know exactly how to get to the test centre and where you can park. Bring the correct amount of money for parking. If you are writing the paper based test, you should have a number of pencils, a pencil sharpener and a few erasers that don't smudge. It is also important that your identification looks valid. If you have had problems with your ID before, make sure to bring a backup photo. Don't forget any paper work that ETS sends you to prove that you have registered.

2.    Pace yourself

Plan to arrive at the test centre at least 30 minutes ahead of time. Wear a watch. This is especially important if you are taking the paper based test. Some exam rooms do not have clocks. The iBT has a clock on the screen, however, you should still wear a watch to make sure that you arrive on time! During the exam, watch your time very closely. Many students do poorly on the TOEFL because they spend too much time on difficult questions. There is no break between the Reading and Listening section. You will get a ten minute break after the first half before the Speaking section. You will only have a short time to write the essay. Spend some time planning and checking your writing.

3.    Improve your typing skills

You will have to fill out your answers on the computer and type your essay. If you rely on a few fingers to type, consider improving your typing skills before taking the TOEFL. Make sure that you are confident typing on a QWERTY keyboard (English alphabet keyboard). If you aren't, search for typing practice drills online. Even if your typing skills are strong, try doing practice tests on other computers. Some students get so used to their own computer that they get nervous when they have to type on a new keyboard or use a different mouse on test day.

4.    Become an expert note taker

You will be able to take notes in each section as you take the TOEFL iBT. Note taking is allowed because it is an important skill you need for taking university or college courses. As you study, practise taking notes on the main idea of what you read and hear as well as on the main details. Do this throughout your day as you listen to news reports, read websites, and watch TV. Create your own shorthand for frequently used words and phrases.

5.    Answer every question

Never leave a question blank. Eliminate all of the answers you know are wrong and then make an educated guess. You have a 25% chance of getting the correct answer. When you finish a section or question, try to put it out of your mind. Whether you are reading, listening, or answering a question, put all of your concentration on the task at hand.

6.    Secrets for the Reading section

The iBT does not test grammar separately as previous TOEFL tests did. You will still need to prove that you have a strong grasp of grammar in the speaking and writing sections. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with key academic vocabulary. There are helpful textbooks for this purpose. Keep in mind that you don't need to know every word in a reading passage to answer the questions. Practise reading without a dictionary close by. When it comes to the questions, concentrate on the areas that the questions pertain to. Skim through the passage, read the questions, then read for more detail. The questions usually come in the order they appear in the passage. Anticipate the type of questions you will be asked in this section. Many of the readings have a main idea question. You will be asked at least two vocabulary questions from each reading. You will also be asked some detailed questions and some inference questions. You will not have time to reread a whole passage. Share your own secrets for the TOEFL Reading section here.

7.    Secrets for the Listening section

When you are practising for the listening sections, don't play the tape or CD more than once. On the real test you will only hear everything once. You have to train your ears to listen fully the first time. During the real exam, don't look back at a listening question after you have decided on an answer. You cannot change it. The clock will not start running until you start the answers. Learn to listen for main ideas, presentation (compare/contrast etc.), and key details. Share your own secrets for TOEFL listening section here.

8.    Secrets for the Speaking section

It is okay to hesitate for a moment or two when it is time to respond. However, it is best to fill as much of the time as possible with your response. If you have a few extra seconds you can sum things up in a short conclusion. You will lose marks for poor pronunciation, so don't try to use big words that you can't say properly. You will also lose marks for improper use of vocabulary and idioms. Make sure you know how to use an expression properly before you try to use it on the exam. Share your own secrets for the TOEFL Speaking section here.

9.    Secrets for the Writing section

Don't forget that you will have to make connections in the first part of the Writing section. Memorize phrases from practice tests that show you how to do this. The most important thing is to keep your writing simple and clear. You will not have access to a spell check function. Don't use vocabulary and punctuation that you are unsure of. Spend some time planning your essay before you write it. Your outline will save you time in the long run. When you practise for the essay, find a format that you are comfortable with. Use this format every time. For example, your thesis might always be in the third sentence of your introduction. You might always end your conclusion with a question. Make sure to use lots of examples to support your essay. Transitional words and phrases will make your writing easier to read. Memorize a list of these and practise typing them. Always leave time to review what you have written. Read your essay silently in your head as you check it. Share your own secrets for the TOEFL Writing section here.

10. Strengthen all 4 skills

Some people make the mistake of taking the test too soon. Perhaps your reading, listening, and writing skills are ready, but your speaking skills still need work. If you do very poorly on one section of the test, you will have to retake the entire test. You can't redo one section. Make sure that you are ready to take the whole test when you register.

11. Dress in comfortable clothing

Dress in comfortable layers on test day. You never know whether or not the test room will be cold or warm. Wear your favourite shirt. When you feel comfortable you perform better! Don't wear tight clothing. You have to sit in one place for a long time. Though you want to be comfortable, do take time to look your best on test day. In other words, dress for success.

12. Make sure to eat before the test

Four hours is a long time to go without a snack. You will not be allowed to bring any food or drinks into the test room with you. Eat a sensible meal before you take the test. Avoid too much caffeine as it will give you the shakes. Don't consume large amounts of sugar right before the test. You will get tired very quickly. Make sure that you have had plenty of water (but not too much as you will not want to waste time in the washroom).

Diagram of Tenses!!

English Tenses

Tense	Affirmative/Negative/Question	Use	Signal Words
Simple Present	A: He speaks. N: He does not speak. Q: Does he speak?	§  action in the present taking place once, never §  or  several   times: §  facts  actions taking place one after another §  action set by a timetable or schedule	always, every …, never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually if sentences type I (If I talk, …)
Present Progressive	A: He is speaking. N: He is not speaking. Q: Is he speaking?	§  action taking place in the moment of §  speaking §  action taking place only for a limited period of §  time  action arranged for the future	at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now
Simple Past	A: He spoke. N: He did not speak. Q: Did he speak?	§  action in the past taking place once, never or §  several  times  : §  actions taking place one after another §  action taking place in the middle of another §  action	yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday if sentence type II (If I talked, …)
Past Progressive	A: He was speaking. N: He was not speaking. Q: Was he speaking?	§  action going on at a certain time in the past §  actions taking place at the same time §  action in the past that is interrupted by another §  action	when, while, as long as
Present Perfect Simple	A: He has spoken. N: He has not spoken. Q: Has he spoken?	§  putting emphasis on the result §  action that is still going on §  action that stopped recently §  finished action that has an influence on the present §  action that has taken place once, never or §  several  times  before the moment of speaking	already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now
Present Perfect Progressive	A: He has been speaking. N: He has not been speaking. Q: Has he been speaking?	§  putting emphasis on the course or duration §  (not the  result) §  action that recently stopped or is still going on §  finished action that influenced the present	all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week
Past Perfect Simple	A: He had spoken. N: He had not spoken. Q: Had he spoken?	§  action taking place before a certain time in the §  past  sometimes interchangeable with past §  perfect  progressive §  putting emphasis only on the fact (not the §  duration)	already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day if sentence type III (If I had talked, …)
Past Perfect Progressive	A: He had been speaking. N: He had not been speaking. Q: Had he been speaking?	§  action taking place before a certain time in the §  past  sometimes interchangeable with past §  perfect  simple §  putting emphasis on the duration or course of §  an  action	for, since, the whole day, all day
Future I Simple	A: He will speak. N: He will not speak. Q: Will he speak?	§  action in the future that cannot be influenced §  spontaneous decision §  assumption with regard to the future	In a year, next …, tomorrow If- (If you ask her, she will help you.) assumption: I think, probably, we might …, perhaps
Future I Simple (going to)	A: He is going to speak. N: He is not going to speak. Q: Is he going to speak?	§  decision made for the future §  conclusion with regard to the future	in one year, next week, tomorrow
Future I Progressive	A: He will be speaking. N: He will not be speaking. Q: Will he be speaking?	§  action that is going on at a certain time in the §  future §  action that is sure to happen in the near future	in one year, next week, tomorrow
Future II Simple	A: He will have spoken. N: He will not have spoken. Q: Will he have spoken?	§  action that will be finished at a certain time in §  the  future	by Monday, in a week
Future II Progressive	A: He will have been speaking. N: He will not have been speaking. Q: Will he have been speaking?	§  action taking place before a certain time in the §  future §  putting emphasis on the course of an action	for …, the last couple of hours, all day long
Conditional I Simple	A: He would speak. N: He would not speak. Q: Would he speak?	§  action that might take place	If sentences type II (If I were you, I would go home.)
Conditional I Progressive	A: He would be speaking. N: He would not be speaking. Q: Would he be speaking?	§  action that might take place §  putting emphasis on the course / duration of §  the  action
Conditional II Simple	A: He would have spoken. N: He would not have spoken. Q: Would he have spoken?	§  action that might have taken place in the past	If sentences type III (If I had seen that, I would have helped.)
Conditional II Progressive	A: He would have been speaking. N: He would not have been speaking. Q: Would he have been speaking?	§  action that might have taken place in the past §  puts emphasis on the course / duration of the §  action

English Tenses and Examples!

Prepositions

PREPOSITIONS

Time

English	Usage	Example
On	days of the week	on Monday
In	months / seasons time of day year after a certain period of time (when?)	in August / in winter in the morning in 2006 in an hour
At	for night for weekend a certain point of time (when?)	at night at the weekend at half past nine
Since	from a certain point of time (past till now)	since 1980
For	over a certain period of time (past till now)	for 2 years
Ago	a certain time in the past	2 years ago
Before	earlier than a certain point of time	before 2004
To	telling the time	ten to six (5:50)
Past	telling the time	ten past six (6:10)
to / till / until	marking the beginning and end of a period of time	from Monday to/till Friday
till / until	in the sense of how long something is going to last	He is on holiday until Friday.
By	in the sense of at the latest up to a certain time	I will be back by 6 o’clock. By 11 o'clock, I had read five pages

Place (Position and Direction)

English	Usage	Example
in	room, building, street, town, country book, paper etc. car, taxi picture, world	in the kitchen, in London in the book in the car, in a taxi in the picture, in the world
at	meaning next to, by an object for table for events place where you are to do something typical (watch a film, study, work)	at the door, at the station at the table at a concert, at the party at the cinema, at school, at work
on	attached for a place with a river being on a surface for a certain side (left, right) for a floor in a house for public transport for television, radio	the picture on the wall London lies on the Thames. on the table on the left on the first floor on the bus, on a plane on TV, on the radio
by, next to, beside	left or right of somebody or something	Jane is standing by / next to / beside the car.
under	on the ground, lower than (or covered by) something else	the bag is under the table
below	lower than something else but above ground	the fish are below the surface
over	covered by something else meaning more than getting to the other side (also across) overcoming an obstacle	put a jacket over your shirt over 16 years of age walk over the bridge climb over the wall
above	higher than something else, but not directly over it	a path above the lake
across	getting to the other side (also over) getting to the other side	walk across the bridge swim across the lake
through	something with limits on top, bottom and the sides	drive through the tunnel
to	movement to person or building movement to a place or country for bed	go to the cinema go to London / Ireland go to bed
into	enter a room / a building	go into the kitchen / the house
towards	movement in the direction of something (but not directly to it)	go 5 steps towards the house
onto	movement to the top of something	jump onto the table
from	in the sense of where from	a flower from the garden

Other important Prepositions

English	Usage	Example
from	who gave it	a present from Jane
Of	who/what does it belong to what does it show	a page of the book the picture of a palace
By	who made it	a book by Mark Twain
On	walking or riding on horseback entering a public transport vehicle	on foot, on horseback get on the bus
In	entering a car  / Taxi	get in the car
Off	leaving a public transport vehicle	get off the train
out of	leaving a car  / Taxi	get out of the taxi
By	rise or fall of something travelling (other than walking or horse riding)	prices have risen by 10 percent by car, by bus
At	for age	she learned Russian at 45
about	for topics, meaning what about	we were talking about you

Exercise on Prepositions – Place

I. Complete the exercise according to the picture.

1.     ___________the picture, I can see a woman.  (In-On-At)

2.    The woman is sitting ________a table. (In-On-At)

3.    She is sitting _________a chair. (In-On-At)

4.    There is another chair _____________the woman. (In-On-At)

5.    Her feet are __________the table. (In-On-At)

6.    The woman is holding a cup _______________her hands. (In-On-At)

7.    __________the table are a laptop, a paper, a calculator, an appointment calendar, two pens and a muffin. (In-On-At)

8.    The woman is looking _________her laptop. (In-On-At)

9.    The woman's bag is _________the table. (In-On-At)

II. Exercise on Prepositions – Time. Fill in the correct prepositions.

1. Peter is playing tennis ________Sunday.
2. My brother's birthday is ________the 5th of November.
3. My birthday is ___________May.
4. We are going to see my parents _________the weekend.
5. ____________1666, a great fire broke out in London.
6. I don't like walking alone in the streets _________night.
7. What are you doing ________ the afternoon?
8. My friend has been living in Canada _______two years.
9. I have been waiting for you __________seven o'clock.
10. I will have finished this essay __________Friday.