Season 1: Foundations of TOEFL Reading
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Goal: Introduce the format, basic strategies, and question types. Focus on easier texts and common TOEFL vocabulary.
Episode 1: Overview of the Reading Section
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Simple text: A short narrative or expository passage.
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Focus: Identifying main ideas and basic details.
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Episode 2: Vocabulary in Context
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Text: Academic-focused article (e.g., biology basics).
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Focus: Questions on word meaning and synonyms.
Episode 3: Sentence Simplification
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Text: Historical or scientific topic.
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Focus: Identifying key details and eliminating redundancies.
Episode 4: Recognizing Main Ideas and Themes
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Text: Short essay or opinion piece.
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Focus: Locating main ideas and supporting details.
Episode 5: Inference Questions
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Text: Descriptive narrative.
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Focus: Making logical inferences based on the passage.
Episode 1: Overview of the Reading Section
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Introduction:
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Welcome to Episode 1 of "Foundations of TOEFL Reading." In this episode, we’ll explore how the TOEFL Reading Section works and practice identifying main ideas and basic details from a short passage. Let’s get started!
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Reading:
The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," plays a vital role in maintaining the planet’s climate and biodiversity. Covering approximately 5.5 million square kilometers, this vast tropical forest spans nine countries in South America, with the majority located in Brazil. The rainforest is home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees, representing around 16,000 species.
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Beyond its remarkable biodiversity, the Amazon also provides essential ecosystem services. It absorbs massive amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the global climate. Additionally, it releases oxygen into the atmosphere, supporting life on Earth. The forest’s complex network of rivers, including the Amazon River, sustains local communities and countless species of wildlife.
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However, the Amazon faces significant threats from deforestation and climate change. Large areas are cleared annually for agriculture, logging, and urban development, leading to habitat loss and reduced carbon absorption capacity. Protecting the Amazon is not only crucial for the region but also for the health of the entire planet.
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Questions:
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1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
(A) To explain the causes of deforestation in the Amazon.
(B) To highlight the importance of the Amazon Rainforest.
(C) To describe the biodiversity of South America.
(D) To discuss the Amazon River’s role in local communities.
*Answer: (B)
2. According to the passage, which statement about the Amazon Rainforest is true?
(A) It covers over 10 million square kilometers.
(B) It is entirely located in Brazil.
(C) It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
(D) It has fewer than 10,000 tree species.
*Answer: (C)
3. What does the passage imply about the Amazon’s role in the global climate?
(A) It has no significant effect on the climate.
(B) It contributes to rising carbon dioxide levels.
(C) It helps regulate the Earth’s climate.
(D) It causes climate change.
*Answer: (C)
4. Why is deforestation in the Amazon a concern?
(A) It increases the oxygen levels in the atmosphere.
(B) It leads to habitat loss and reduced carbon absorption.
(C) It supports agriculture and urban development.
(D) It decreases biodiversity in South America.
*Answer: (B)
5. The author describes the Amazon Rainforest as the "lungs of the Earth" because:
(A) It produces oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide.
(B) It contains a complex network of rivers.
(C) It is home to a wide variety of tree species.
(D) It spans nine countries in South America.
*Answer: (A)
Great work! You’ve completed Episode 1, where we focused on identifying main ideas and basic details. Remember, understanding the central purpose of a passage and pinpointing key facts are essential skills for success in the TOEFL Reading Section. See you in the next episode!