Como são as perguntas do TOEFL ?

Em Dezembro nós escrevemos um post sobre o que é o exame TOEFL e hoje vamos dar dicas de como são as perguntas do TOEFL. As perguntas do TOEFL são divididas em 4 partes que testam  4 habilidades: Expressão oral, compreensão oral, escrita e leitura.  Hoje nós fizemos um post explicativo e com exemplos das secções de expressão oral e compreensão oral.

Compreensão Oral

A secção do exame de compreensão oral são mais ou menos 6 longas passagens com questões no formato de múltipla escolha. Nesta secção vai ser testada a habilidade de compreender conversações curtas e longas em Inglês e incluem:

• vocabulário e expressões comuns em Inglês
• construções gramáticais usadas em conversação

Na parte A, você vai ouvir apenas uma vez um pequena testamento e vai ter que escolher a resposta com o significado mais próximo. 

Exemplo:

Você vai ouvir:

"She was amazed by what the letter said"

a-) She couldn't see the letter well enough to read it

b-) She was amazed by what the letter said

c-) She was surprised to receive another letter

d-) She didn't realize she had read the letter before

Na parte B, você vai ouvir conversações mais longas. 

Exemplo:

A: You mentioned at the start of last class that you are a fan of live music. I guess I don't have to tell you about the concert at the campus pub on Saturday. It's supposed to be the best show of the year.
B: I know. I wish I could be there but I already promised professor Mathers that I'd have all of the quizzes graded by Monday. I'm afraid I'm going to be stuck in my dorm all weekend because I look after three tutorial classes including yours.
A: Why did you offer to do that? Did you forget about the concert, or do you really need the money?
B: Actually, I really need to concentrate on academics this year. If I want to get into the education program I have to prove that I am serious about being a tutorial leader. It's not about the money. We don't get paid much considering all of the hours we put in.
A: Have you applied at other schools besides this one. I've heard it's really hard to get into the Education program here, but my cousin got accepted at one in a different state, and her grades aren't that good.
B: That was my original plan, but Professor Mathers asked me to help her out this year and she also promised to write me a reference letter. I didn't think I could get into the program here, but now I do. My marks are higher than they have ever been and once I'm done my masters I hope to do my PHD.
A: Well, I can see that you are really dedicated. You're going to make an excellent teacher.
B: Professor you mean.
A: Right. Well, I'm sorry you're going to miss the band.
B: Me too. I can't help feeling a bit jealous. Sometimes I wish I was still in my first year of studies.
A: Well, I'll tell you all about it on Monday. Oh, and thanks for the homework tips.
B: Sure, anytime.

1. What are the speakers mainly discussing?

A) Their plans for next semester
B) Why the woman can't go to the concert
C) Their favorite band
D) Finding a tutor

2. What will the woman do on Saturday?

A) Teach a class.
B) Mark tests.
C) Visit her cousin.
D) Go to a concert.

Na secção C, você vai ouvir várias conversações.

Exemplo:

I'd like to tell you about an interesting TV program that'll be shown this coming Thursday. It'll be on from 9 to 10 p.m. on Channel 4. It's part of a series called "Mysteries of Human Biology." The subject of the program is the human brain — how it functions and how it can malfunction. Topics that will be covered are dreams, memory, and depression. These topics are illustrated with outstanding computer animation that makes the explanations easy to follow. Make an effort to see this show. Since we've been studying the nervous system in class, I know you'll find it very helpful.

1- What is the main purpose of the program?
In your test book, you will read:
A. To demonstrate the latest use of computer graphics.
B. To discuss the possibility of an economic depression.
C. To explain the workings of the brain.
D. To dramatize a famous mystery story.

2- Why does the speaker recommend watching the program?
In your test book, you will read:
A. It is required of all science majors.
B. It will never be shown again.
C. It can help viewers improve their memory skills.
D. It will help with course work.

Expressão Oral

A secção do exame de expressão oral são 6 questões para responder e comentar, e integra questões que exigem também a leitura e compreensão oral.

As primeiras 2 perguntas geralmente são sobre assuntos que você conhece. Exemplo:

1-What do you think your life will look like after retirement?

2-Would you prefer to study in a classroom or take an online course?

Nas perguntas 3 e 4 você vai ler uma pequena passaem e ouvir uma conversação sobre o mesmo tópico. As perguntas serão relacionadas a ambos.

Texto: Why isn't recycling mandatory on campus?

How does an Ivy League educational institute, such as U of C get away with being so nonchalant about recycling? After a recent search across campus, volunteers from the U of C Environmental Watch group counted only 10 recycling bins. In comparison, the students counted 30 vending machines, the majority of which carry plastics, cans, and glass bottles. Only one paper recycling bin was found. This means that almost all of the paper that is discarded on campus, including U of C residences, is being disposed of in the regular garbage. When asked why no recycling bins for paper have been placed on campus, U of C president, James Wicker, explained that the company the university employs to pick up recycling does not currently recycle paper. When asked why another company is not used, Wicker sited university finances as an obstacle.

Conversação:

M: Hey Lisa, you and your roommate have a recycling bin in your dormitory room, don't you? I'm sure I've thrown a water bottle in a bin at your place before.
W: Sure. Why do you ask Mark? Are you wondering where to go to pick one up. I think they have them available in the housing office.
M: No, it's not that. My roommate and I have one too, and we put it out with our garbage each week. It's just that I read this article in the campus paper today that suggests that none of the dormitories on campus are recycling.
W: Oh, I read that article too. I agree that the writer obviously didn't check her facts. But, she had a point about the lack of bins for recycling paper. I mean, what type of institution goes through more paper than a university?
M: True. And, like anything, the budget is always to blame.
W: What I don't get is how they can charge us student dues for things like live entertainment, which many people don't even use, but they can't charge us for something like a recycling program.
M: Maybe you should write a letter to the editor about that. I for one wouldn't have a problem throwing in a few dollars each year to do my part for the environment and save a few trees.
W: Maybe, but I'm not sure how many other students would share your enthusiasm.

3- Why does the woman approve of the article? State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

Texto 2: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to experience obsessive thoughts and to react to these with compulsive behavior or rituals. The obsessions are typically described by OCD sufferers as persistent thoughts or impulses that cause a great amount of stress. These differ from those stressors that the average person suffers from in daily life, such as work or financial problems, in that they are a product of the imagination. While most OCD sufferers admit to knowing that their concerns are not real, they cannot control the thoughts from recurring, and they compensate by performing certain repetitive actions. In addition to these symptoms and responses, a true OCD sufferer spends a large part of the day battling this disease. The debate continues over whether the disease should be classified as a psychological or biological disorder.

Conversação 2:

Professor: The terms "obsessed" and "addicted" are used so loosely these days, that one of the most serious mental diseases in America is often not taken seriously even by medical professionals. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is in fact one of the most debilitating psychological diseases, though it only affects about 4% of the population. Now, when I say debilitating, I mean, in terms of quality of life. While very few people die from the symptoms and responses to OCD, if they don't seek any help, which most don't, they become severely depressed and isolated. Holding down a job or maintaining social relationships are virtually impossible for many OCD sufferers. The term obsession has to be defined properly when making a proper diagnosis. A true obsession for OCD sufferers is something that is considered abnormal even by the patient himself. So, we're not talking about a passion for golf, or a love of game shows here. To an OCD sufferer, an obsession is generally a persisting thought with no merit, such as the feeling that one is going to throw oneself into traffic. The rituals and behavior that OCD sufferers engage in, such as repetitive hand washing or excessive checking are usually unrelated to the obsessive thoughts. In other words, someone who can't get the image of a tree falling on their house out of their mind might engage in an unrelated ritual such as flipping constantly through pages of a certain book.

4- Explain how the professor's description of OCD expands upon the reading.

Nas questões 5 e 6 você vai ouvir uma conversação e uma aula, você vai responder uma pergunta sobre cada.

Conversação:

S: Hi professor Jones. Thanks for agreeing to see me on such short notice. I just realized that the deadline for dropping classes is at the end of this week.
P: I have to assume you are considering dropping my class. I had a quick look at your last two quiz marks. You failed the first and just passed the second one. What is it that is causing you the most trouble?
S: Well, to be honest, I'm only taking statistics because it is a prerequisite for a psychology class I want to take. I really am not very good with numbers.
P: Have you been to all of my classes?
S: Yes, every one of them. But to be honest you speak a little bit too quickly for me. I find it difficult to get detailed notes.
Professor: Well, perhaps you should think about bringing in a tape recorder. That way if you miss something you can listen to it again when you're studying at home.
S: I guess I could try that. I'm not sure if I can afford a tape recorder right now. My student loan hasn't come in yet.
P: Another option is to get a tutor. If you're interested I can recommend someone. She's a tutorial assistant for one of my other classes, but she does private tutoring on the side. She doesn't charge much because she's really looking for the teaching experience. She wants to be a professor.
S: So you don't think I should just drop the class?
P: Well, I guess that depends how important the psychology class is. Sometimes professors make exceptions too. You could always contact the psych professor and ask if it's possible to get in without my course. I'd be willing to sign something to prove that you've at least made a valid attempt.

5-In the conversation, the student has a problem. Describe the problem. What options does the professor suggest to help the student? Which of the options do you prefer? Why?

Aula de Geografia:

While most icebergs appear white like snow, some have a blue tint. Icebergs that are white are made up of snow that is filled with air pockets. As the light hits the snow, the icebergs reflect back most of the light as white light. As icebergs get older, compression occurs and the ice becomes more solid. With less air bubbles, the light cannot penetrate the surface and very little light is reflected back. To understand why they appear blue it is necessary to review the different wavelengths of light, or to simply recall the colors of a rainbow or prism. At one end of the spectrum are the weak wavelengths that appear red, and at the other end are the high energy blue ones. In a very dense iceberg the weak wavelengths of light are filtered out and only those with high energy can reflect back out.

6-What can we learn about identifying the age of icebergs from the professor's discussion?