On the TOEFL iBT reading exam, you will have to complete a reading test. The TOEFL iBT reading course contains reading comprehension passages on many different academic topics.
Click here for information on the format of the TOEFL iBT reading test.
Most students do poorly on the TOEFL iBT reading test because of problems with the high-level academic vocabulary used on the TOEFL test.
Our reading course checks and reinforces the essential TOEFL words you need for the TOEFL iBT.
The TOEFL iBT reading course instantly downloadable PDF e-book is 67 pages long when printed.
It contains 15 reading comprehension chapters and a complete answer key.
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Here is a free sample from our TOEFL iBT Reading Course instant download.
Read the passage below, and answer the questions that follow. When you have finished the unit, check your work by clicking on the links for the answers.
THE STATE OF THE UNION
Vicissitudes in the political arena are predominant among the events reported by today's press. Stupendous scandals have been uncovered and covert operations foiled as a result of recent media investigations. This may occur after immense and assiduous research into the particular discrepancies among various stories told by politicians or may simply result from an investigative journalist following an instinctive hunch. Had many duplicitous politicians been aware of the menace posed by such journalists, they would have been much more careful in carrying out their subterfuge.
The methods utilized in various scandals and subsequent cover-ups may include bugging governmental offices, tapping telephone lines, classifying documents as "top secret" or purging relevant data from computer systems. Such perfidy towards the democratic process is considered tantamount to espionage or treason by many patriotic Americans.
Once the scandal is uncovered, the politician will be subjected to questioning at a public hearing. Most politicians do not respond with complete candor and servility during these proceedings. However, their testimony is irrevocable and cannot be taken back without committing the act of perjury, or lying under oath. Certain politicians may phlegmatically profess no knowledge of the matter under investigation, while others may coyly state that their recollection of the events is slightly blurry. However, most parties involved will attempt to reply to questioning deftly and resolutely with cogent arguments and apposite remarks.
Ultimately, the hearing is likely to have an adverse impact on the politician's career. During the hearing, the politician may be subjected to daily jeering from throngs of spectators assembled outside the hearing room. The politician may even be forced to relinquish his or her position as a consequence of a unanimous consensus at the hearing, and, thus, be banished from public office for the remainder of his or her career.
VOCABULARY - Look at the definitions given below, then find words or phrases with similar meanings in the reading comprehension passage.
a) changes for the worse
b) amazingly large
c) hidden
d) thwarted
e) with unceasing attention
f) intuition
g) threat
h) a trick to avoid blame
i) disloyalty
j) commensurate with
k) honesty
l) submissiveness
m) with equanimity
n) falsely shy
o) fuzzy
p) skillfully
q) completely determined
r) convincing
s) appropriate
t) mockery
u) crowds
v) give up
w) total agreement (2 answers)
x) exiled
READING COMPREHENSION - Choose the best answers to the following questions based solely on the information contained in the reading comprehension passage.
1) Political scandals
A) often come to light due to differences among various versions of stories told by politicians.
B) are equivalent to covert operations.
C) are rarely mentioned in the news.
D) show the magnanimity of politicians nowadays.
2) Disloyal politicians may attempt to
A) hide secret listening devices in offices and on telephones.
B) obtain sinecures to avoid responsibility.
C) exercise more caution in their affairs subsequent to giving up public office.
D) add irrelevant information to computer files.
3) During public hearings most politicians
A) answer questions frankly and with clarity.
B) hesitate slightly before responding.
C) recall events clearly.
D) try to reply with appropriate statements.
4) The public hearing
A) may result in the exile of the politician to another country.
B) may expose the politician to public ridicule.
C) is poorly attended by members of the public.
D) Both A & B.
5) Which statement is true according to the passage?
A) Most politicians are supercilious in this day and age.
B) The public hearing may result in the demise of the politician's career.
C) Testimony can be revised by witnesses as desired.
D) Most parties reply nervously and hesitantly to questions at the public hearing.
TOEFL iBT Reading Sample - Answers
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