This blog will explain the 2026 TOEFL Reading section AND offer materials to use as a practice test-- all free!
As you know, the TOEFL has totally changed. In case you missed it, here is an overview of the new TOEFL reading section.
When you start the reading section, there is a “routing module.” It’s called that because it “routes” you into either the EASY module or the HARD module. You can think of the routing module as a freeway, and you will get off on the EASY exit or the HARD exit.
If you get 60% or more of the questions correct, you will go to the HARD module. You should WANT to go to the hard module, as you will have the opportunity to get a better score. If you get fewer than 60% of the questions correct, you will be sent to the easy module.
You are able to move back and forth on questions WITHIN THE SAME MODULE ONLY. In other words, you cannot return to the routing module from either the easy or the hard module. NOTE: The routing module takes about ten to twelve minutes, and the second module takes about nine or ten minutes.
QUESTIONS: There are between 35 and 48 questions in total. Some will not be scored (this is similar to the old TOEFL when ETS used unscored questions.) Try your best on every question, as you will not know which are not scored.
The Routing Module
This is the first, and longest, module. You’ll get a mix of three tasks: “complete the words,” “reading in daily life” and “academic reading.”
COMPLETE THE WORDS
You will get ONE or TWO “complete the words” tasks. These are short paragraphs with missing letters. You must fill in the missing letters. These paragraphs are between 70-100 words. TEN words in total will have missing letters. This task counts as ten questions.
The first sentence will be intact. This will help you orient yourself to the task. After the first sentence, every other word will have half its letters missing. The missing letters will be the second half of the word. You will know by the number of spaces how many letters you need to fill in.
Showing by example is probably the best way for you to learn.
EXAMPLE ONE:
Neanderthals were an extinct group of humans who lived across Europe and parts of western Asia until about 40,000 years ago. Closely rela_ _ _ to modern hu_ _ _ _ , they adap_ _ _ to co_ _ Ice Age environ_ _ _ _ _ with stro_ _ , stocky bod_ _ _ _ and lar_ _ brains compar_ _ _ _ in si_ _ to our own. Archaeological evidence shows that Neanderthals were skilled toolmakers, creating stone tools and using fire for warmth and cooking.
EXAMPLE TWO:
The surface of Mars is a cold, dry landscape marked by striking geological features and a reddish color caused by iron oxide, or rust, in its soil. Much o_ the pla_ _ _ is cov_ _ _ _ in du_ _ and fi_ _ sand, sha_ _ _ over ti_ _ by str_ _ _ winds th_ _ created va_ _ plains. Mars is home to enormous landmarks, including Olympus Mons, which towers nearly three times higher than Mount Everest, and Valles Marineris, a canyon system stretching thousands of kilometers.
Answers:
Neanderthals were an extinct group of humans who lived across Europe and parts of western Asia until about 40,000 years ago. Closely related to modern humans, they adapted to cold Ice Age environments with strong, stocky bodies and large brains comparable in size to our own. Archaeological evidence shows that Neanderthals were skilled toolmakers, creating stone tools and using fire for warmth and cooking.
The surface of Mars is a cold, dry landscape marked by striking geological features and a reddish color caused by iron oxide, or rust, in its soil. Much of the planet is covered in dust and fine sand, shaped over time by strong winds that create vast plains. Mars is home to enormous landmarks, including Olympus Mons, which towers nearly three times higher than Mount Everest, and Valles Marineris, a canyon system stretching thousands of kilometers.
READING IN DAILY LIFE
The next part of this module is the “Reading in Daily Life” task. You will read something you might see on campus or elsewhere- an announcement, a text message, an advertisement, a pamphlet, and so on. There will be one or more of these tasks. Each reading will have two questions.
Here is an example:
Dear Dunder-Mifflin Team,
This is to inform you that our office building will be closed for pest fumigation from Monday, May 3 through Wednesday, May 5. During this time, employees and visitors will not be allowed to enter for safety reasons. The parking lot will be blocked off.
All staff are expected to work remotely on these days. Please take any necessary materials, laptops, or documents home with you before Thursday evening. If you have meetings scheduled, we encourage you to move them online or reschedule if needed.
Sincerely,
Management
Why did Management send this email?
A. To invite employees to an upcoming event
B. To warn about a change in office hours
C. To request a fumigation
D. To announce a temporary building closure
What does management want the team to do?
A. Park at another building
B. Work from another location
C. Bring safety equipment to the office
D. Move their laptops and materials to another part of the building
Answer key: D, B
READING IN DAILY LIFE (LONG)
In the next part of the routing module, you will get one or more Reading in Daily Life tasks, but these will be longer. They will be over 100 words, and you will have three questions for each one. They will also be announcements, emails, texts, and so on. In other words, they are simply longer than the previous task. Here is an example.
Dear Mr. Smith,
We are excited to invite you to a special pet adoption event at our store this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As one of our most loyal shoppers, we wanted to give you early access to this heartwarming opportunity to meet and adopt a new companion.
During the event, we will be partnering with local animal shelters to bring in a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, and small animals, all looking for loving homes. Our staff and volunteers will be available to provide educational pamphlets about pet care and answer any questions you may have about adoption.
In addition, we will be offering free pet care consultations, discounts on supplies for newly adopted pets, and complimentary starter kits for adopters. There will also be fun activities, such as pet training demonstrations and a raffle with exciting prizes.
We hope you will join us for this meaningful event and help give these animals a second chance. No appointment is necessary—just come by and bring your love for pets!
Warm regards,
Pet’s Mart
Who is Mr. Smith?
A. A volunteer at the animal shelter
B. An employee of the pet store
C. A customer of the pet store
D. A local business owner
Why is the pet store writing to Mr. Smith?
A. To offer him a discount on pet food
B. To invite him to an event
C. To encourage him to make an appointment for his pet
D. To ask for him to volunteer at an event
Which of the following is NOT taking place at the pet store?
A. A raffle
B. A training demonstration
C. The distribution of educational materials
D. An obedience class
Answer key: C, B, D
ACADEMIC READING
Next, you will get one (or two) Academic Reading tasks. If you took the TOEFL in 2025, this will be familiar to you. They are about 200 words and have five questions.
There are a few differences between this new Academic Reading task and the old TOEFL readings. First, the TOEFL no longer tells you which paragraph to look for information.
Second, ETS has removed the “Summary” questions. *phew*
The questions are similar to those found on the old TOEFL, with a few changes. The question types are: Factual, Negative Factual, Vocabulary, Purpose, Inference, Paragraph Relationships, and Important Idea.
Here’s an example.
Historical Games of Chance
Historians have traditionally treated dice and games of probability as Old-World innovations. However, a new study shows that that ancient Native American groups were purposefully making objects designed to produce random outcomes, and using those outcomes in structured games, thousands of years earlier than previously recognized. The earliest examples identified by scientists come from Folsom sites dating to roughly 12,800-12,200 years ago.
Unlike modern cubic dice, these were two-sided dice known as binary lots. They were carefully crafted from pieces of bone that were flat, sized to be held or tossed into groups and onto a playing surface. The two faces of these binary lots were distinguished by applied markings, surface treatments, coloration, or other visible modifications, much like heads or tails on a quarter.
The study also documents the remarkable breadth, as well as the persistence, of Native American dice games. From Paleoindian times through the Archaic and Late Prehistoric periods, dice appear at 57 archaeological sites across a 12-state region associated with a variety of different cultures and subsistence strategies. This breadth of use and endurance reflects their social importance. Games of chance and gambling created neutral, rule-governed spaces for ancient Native American tribes. They allowed people from different groups to interact, exchange goods and information, form alliances, and manage uncertainty. In that sense, they functioned as powerful social technologies.
What is the passage mainly about?
A. How archaeologists make new discoveries about the ancient world
B. Games of chance that were played by Native Americans
C. A new discovery that sheds light on Native American dice games
D. A study that proves Native Americans used games of chance to establish a social hierarchy
What does the author imply about games of chance?
A. They are complex games
B. They are older than previously thought
C. They are similar to modern dice games
D. They were games for strictly two players at a time
Why does the author mention a quarter?
A. To illustrate the appearance of Native American dice using an object most readers are familiar with
B. To contrast Native American dice games with modern games involving a quarter
C. To argue that Native Americans played games that were simpler than modern games
D. To show that games of chance are common across a wide breadth of cultures
Which of the following was NOT a benefit of games of chance for Native Americans?
A. They allowed opportunities for trade
B. They increased social contacts with other tribes
C. They increased the sense of stability
D. They decreased conflicts within tribes
The word “neutral” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to:
A. active
B. partisan
C. impartial
D. protected
Answer key: C, B, A, D, C
The Easy Module
If you get fewer than 60% correct on the routing module, you will be sent to the easy module. You will again begin with a “complete the words” task.
Here is an example:
Vampire bats have special adaptations to help them with the special way they feed. For insta_ _ _ , researchers disco_ _ _ _ _ that th_ _ _ flying mam_ _ _ _ can loc_ _ _ prey by sen_ _ _ _ the sou_ _ of a_ animal brea_ _ _ _ _ . These ba_ _ can even recognize the breathing patterns of one animal, like a cow, and return to feed from it night after night.
Answer:
Vampire bats have special adaptations to help them with the special way they feed. For instance, researchers discovered that the flying mammals can locate prey by sensing the sound of an animal breathing. These bats can even recognize the breathing patterns of one animal, like a cow, and return to feed from it night after night.
Then, you will have two or three “Reading in Daily Life” tasks. There is no academic reading on the easy module.
Here is an example:
Dear Library Members,
We are pleased to inform you that our library will soon begin an exciting renovation project aimed at improving your overall experience. The upgrades will include modern study spaces, updated computers, improved lighting, and expanded seating areas to better serve our community.
Renovation work will begin on June 10 and is expected to continue for approximately six weeks. During this time, certain sections of the library may be temporarily closed, and noise levels may be higher than usual. However, the main reading area and circulation desk will remain open with adjusted hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To minimize inconvenience, many of our services will continue online, including digital book access, research assistance, and account management. We also encourage you to return or borrow materials early if possible.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to create a more comfortable and modern library space for everyone.
Sincerely,
Library Administration
Why did the library administration send this email?
A. To warn about a change in library hours
B. To explain the reasons the library will be busier than usual
C. To illustrate how students can borrow digital copies of books
D. To notify library patrons about upcoming changes to the library
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as part of the renovations?
A. Updated areas to study
B. Faster Wifi connectivity
C. Better lighting in the building
D. Technological improvements
Answer key: D, B
The Hard Module
The hard module includes the same three task types as the routing module, but with greater emphasis on academic content and more complex reasoning. You will do complete the words tasks, Read in Daily Life, and Academic Reading.
Here is an example of a complete the words task (Hard Module):
Ocean currents are large, continuous movements of seawater that flow through the world’s oceans, playing a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate and supporting marine life. These curr_ _ _ _ are dri_ _ _ by fac_ _ _ _ such a_ wind, differ_ _ _ _ _ in wa_ _ _ temperature, a_ _ variations i_ salinity. Wa_ _ currents, wh_ _ _ move away from the equator, help raise temperatures in coastal regions, while cold currents, flowing from polar areas, can lower temperatures and influence weather patterns.
Here are the answers:
Ocean currents are large, continuous movements of seawater that flow through the world’s oceans, playing a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate and supporting marine life. These currents are driven by factors such as wind, differences in water temperature, and variations in salinity. Warm currents, which move away from the equator, help raise temperatures in coastal regions, while cold currents, flowing from polar areas, can lower temperatures and influence weather patterns.
Here is a long “Read in Daily Life” task (Hard Module)
From: Campus Housing Office
To: All Residents of Maple Hall
Subject: Temporary Closure of the First‑Floor Laundry Room
Dear Residents,
We want to inform you that the first‑floor laundry room in Maple Hall will be closed for three days, from March 12 to March 14, due to maintenance work. Several students recently reported that the washing machines were stopping mid‑cycle, and our technicians found that the main water pump needs to be replaced. Because the repair requires shutting off the water supply to that part of the building, the laundry room cannot remain open during this time.
While the repairs are being completed, you may use the laundry rooms in Oak Hall or Pine Hall. Both buildings are located less than a five‑minute walk from Maple Hall, and your student ID will give you access. We recommend planning your laundry needs ahead of time, as there are only ten washers and dryers in these halls.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to improve the facilities.
Sincerely,
Campus Housing Office
What is the main purpose of the email?
A. To announce new laundry room policies
B. To inform residents about a temporary closure
C. To warn students about water shortages
D. To explain how to use laundry machines
2. Why is the laundry room closed?
A. The machines need to be cleaned
B. The building is undergoing renovations
C. A water pump must be replaced
D. Students requested new machines
What can be inferred about Oak Hall and Pine Hall?
A. They are farther from campus than Maple Hall
B. Their laundry rooms will likely be more crowded than usual
C. They require special permission to enter
D. They do not have working washing machines
According to the email, how can students access other laundry rooms?
A. By requesting a temporary key
B. By using their student ID
C. By signing up online
D. By paying an extra fee
What does the Housing Office suggest students do?
A. Avoid doing laundry until repairs are finished
B. Bring laundry to an off‑campus facility
C. Plan their laundry ahead of time
D. Report any problems with the machines
Answer key: B, C, B, B, C
Here is an academic passage (Hard Module):
Fire in Early Human Societies
Early humans used fire in several important ways. One major use was cooking, which made food like meat and fish easier to eat and safer by killing harmful bacteria. Fire also provided warmth, helping people survive in cooler conditions, and offered protection by keeping predators away. In addition, it created light, allowing activities to continue after dark, and may have been used to strengthen wooden tools. Gathering around fires likely encouraged social interaction, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge. But how do we know how early humans used fire?
Charcoal is rarely preserved at very early prehistoric sites, which makes the discoveries at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov especially valuable for understanding how early humans used fire. At many ancient locations, traces of burning are sparse or difficult to interpret, but this Acheulian site provides unusually clear evidence of repeated fire use over a very long period. Located along the edge of an ancient lake, it contains more than 20 layers of occupation, showing that generations of hunter-gatherers repeatedly returned to the same place.
The site reveals a lively environment where people made tools from flint, limestone, and basalt, processed animals, and gathered a wide range of plant foods such as fruits and nuts. In one notable layer, researchers found remains of a straight-tusked elephant alongside tools and plant material, suggesting large-scale hunting and butchering took place on-site. Fire played a central role in these activities and in daily life more broadly.
Scientists analyzed 266 charcoal fragments from a layer dated to around 780,000 years ago. Using microscopic methods, they identified a diverse mix of tree species, indicating that people likely collected wood from what was readily available, especially driftwood along the lakeshore. The overlap between charcoal and fish remains suggests that fire was also used for cooking. This insight points to a broader conclusion: access to firewood may have been a decisive factor in where these early humans chose to live. Altogether, the findings show that early humans effectively used their environment, relied on accessible resources, and organized their lives around controlled fire.
What is the reading mainly about?
A. Newly discovered evidence that shows how humans used fire
B. The importance of fire in cooking for early humans
C. How fire was used to increase the well-being of early humans
D. An ancient site that contains a lot of archaeological evidence
According to the passage, fire was used by early humans for all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Keeping predators at bay
B. Encouraging social cohesion
C. Increasing communication among people
D. Preserving food for later consumption
Why does the author mention a straight-tusked elephant?
A. To illustrate the dietary preferences of early humans
B. To provide evidence that fire helped ancient humans hunt large animals
C. To make a point by using an animal that is likely familiar to readers
D. To argue that fire made it easier for early humans to make use of available resources
The word “remains” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to:
A. remnants
B. tokens
C. reminders
D. renderings
What does the author imply about firewood?
A. It was a more important resource than access to fishing sites
B. It was available near most bodies of water
C. Its availability caused a greater social hierarchy within organized groups of early humans
D. It was crucial to determining where early humans would settle
Answer Key: A, D, C, D
………….AND THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!
If you have any questions, I can be reached at [email protected]
As you know, the TOEFL has totally changed. In case you missed it, here is an overview of the new TOEFL reading section.
When you start the reading section, there is a “routing module.” It’s called that because it “routes” you into either the EASY module or the HARD module. You can think of the routing module as a freeway, and you will get off on the EASY exit or the HARD exit.
If you get 60% or more of the questions correct, you will go to the HARD module. You should WANT to go to the hard module, as you will have the opportunity to get a better score. If you get fewer than 60% of the questions correct, you will be sent to the easy module.
You are able to move back and forth on questions WITHIN THE SAME MODULE ONLY. In other words, you cannot return to the routing module from either the easy or the hard module. NOTE: The routing module takes about ten to twelve minutes, and the second module takes about nine or ten minutes.
QUESTIONS: There are between 35 and 48 questions in total. Some will not be scored (this is similar to the old TOEFL when ETS used unscored questions.) Try your best on every question, as you will not know which are not scored.
The Routing Module
This is the first, and longest, module. You’ll get a mix of three tasks: “complete the words,” “reading in daily life” and “academic reading.”
COMPLETE THE WORDS
You will get ONE or TWO “complete the words” tasks. These are short paragraphs with missing letters. You must fill in the missing letters. These paragraphs are between 70-100 words. TEN words in total will have missing letters. This task counts as ten questions.
The first sentence will be intact. This will help you orient yourself to the task. After the first sentence, every other word will have half its letters missing. The missing letters will be the second half of the word. You will know by the number of spaces how many letters you need to fill in.
Showing by example is probably the best way for you to learn.
EXAMPLE ONE:
Neanderthals were an extinct group of humans who lived across Europe and parts of western Asia until about 40,000 years ago. Closely rela_ _ _ to modern hu_ _ _ _ , they adap_ _ _ to co_ _ Ice Age environ_ _ _ _ _ with stro_ _ , stocky bod_ _ _ _ and lar_ _ brains compar_ _ _ _ in si_ _ to our own. Archaeological evidence shows that Neanderthals were skilled toolmakers, creating stone tools and using fire for warmth and cooking.
EXAMPLE TWO:
The surface of Mars is a cold, dry landscape marked by striking geological features and a reddish color caused by iron oxide, or rust, in its soil. Much o_ the pla_ _ _ is cov_ _ _ _ in du_ _ and fi_ _ sand, sha_ _ _ over ti_ _ by str_ _ _ winds th_ _ created va_ _ plains. Mars is home to enormous landmarks, including Olympus Mons, which towers nearly three times higher than Mount Everest, and Valles Marineris, a canyon system stretching thousands of kilometers.
Answers:
Neanderthals were an extinct group of humans who lived across Europe and parts of western Asia until about 40,000 years ago. Closely related to modern humans, they adapted to cold Ice Age environments with strong, stocky bodies and large brains comparable in size to our own. Archaeological evidence shows that Neanderthals were skilled toolmakers, creating stone tools and using fire for warmth and cooking.
The surface of Mars is a cold, dry landscape marked by striking geological features and a reddish color caused by iron oxide, or rust, in its soil. Much of the planet is covered in dust and fine sand, shaped over time by strong winds that create vast plains. Mars is home to enormous landmarks, including Olympus Mons, which towers nearly three times higher than Mount Everest, and Valles Marineris, a canyon system stretching thousands of kilometers.
READING IN DAILY LIFE
The next part of this module is the “Reading in Daily Life” task. You will read something you might see on campus or elsewhere- an announcement, a text message, an advertisement, a pamphlet, and so on. There will be one or more of these tasks. Each reading will have two questions.
Here is an example:
Dear Dunder-Mifflin Team,
This is to inform you that our office building will be closed for pest fumigation from Monday, May 3 through Wednesday, May 5. During this time, employees and visitors will not be allowed to enter for safety reasons. The parking lot will be blocked off.
All staff are expected to work remotely on these days. Please take any necessary materials, laptops, or documents home with you before Thursday evening. If you have meetings scheduled, we encourage you to move them online or reschedule if needed.
Sincerely,
Management
Why did Management send this email?
A. To invite employees to an upcoming event
B. To warn about a change in office hours
C. To request a fumigation
D. To announce a temporary building closure
What does management want the team to do?
A. Park at another building
B. Work from another location
C. Bring safety equipment to the office
D. Move their laptops and materials to another part of the building
Answer key: D, B
READING IN DAILY LIFE (LONG)
In the next part of the routing module, you will get one or more Reading in Daily Life tasks, but these will be longer. They will be over 100 words, and you will have three questions for each one. They will also be announcements, emails, texts, and so on. In other words, they are simply longer than the previous task. Here is an example.
Dear Mr. Smith,
We are excited to invite you to a special pet adoption event at our store this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As one of our most loyal shoppers, we wanted to give you early access to this heartwarming opportunity to meet and adopt a new companion.
During the event, we will be partnering with local animal shelters to bring in a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, and small animals, all looking for loving homes. Our staff and volunteers will be available to provide educational pamphlets about pet care and answer any questions you may have about adoption.
In addition, we will be offering free pet care consultations, discounts on supplies for newly adopted pets, and complimentary starter kits for adopters. There will also be fun activities, such as pet training demonstrations and a raffle with exciting prizes.
We hope you will join us for this meaningful event and help give these animals a second chance. No appointment is necessary—just come by and bring your love for pets!
Warm regards,
Pet’s Mart
Who is Mr. Smith?
A. A volunteer at the animal shelter
B. An employee of the pet store
C. A customer of the pet store
D. A local business owner
Why is the pet store writing to Mr. Smith?
A. To offer him a discount on pet food
B. To invite him to an event
C. To encourage him to make an appointment for his pet
D. To ask for him to volunteer at an event
Which of the following is NOT taking place at the pet store?
A. A raffle
B. A training demonstration
C. The distribution of educational materials
D. An obedience class
Answer key: C, B, D
ACADEMIC READING
Next, you will get one (or two) Academic Reading tasks. If you took the TOEFL in 2025, this will be familiar to you. They are about 200 words and have five questions.
There are a few differences between this new Academic Reading task and the old TOEFL readings. First, the TOEFL no longer tells you which paragraph to look for information.
Second, ETS has removed the “Summary” questions. *phew*
The questions are similar to those found on the old TOEFL, with a few changes. The question types are: Factual, Negative Factual, Vocabulary, Purpose, Inference, Paragraph Relationships, and Important Idea.
Here’s an example.
Historical Games of Chance
Historians have traditionally treated dice and games of probability as Old-World innovations. However, a new study shows that that ancient Native American groups were purposefully making objects designed to produce random outcomes, and using those outcomes in structured games, thousands of years earlier than previously recognized. The earliest examples identified by scientists come from Folsom sites dating to roughly 12,800-12,200 years ago.
Unlike modern cubic dice, these were two-sided dice known as binary lots. They were carefully crafted from pieces of bone that were flat, sized to be held or tossed into groups and onto a playing surface. The two faces of these binary lots were distinguished by applied markings, surface treatments, coloration, or other visible modifications, much like heads or tails on a quarter.
The study also documents the remarkable breadth, as well as the persistence, of Native American dice games. From Paleoindian times through the Archaic and Late Prehistoric periods, dice appear at 57 archaeological sites across a 12-state region associated with a variety of different cultures and subsistence strategies. This breadth of use and endurance reflects their social importance. Games of chance and gambling created neutral, rule-governed spaces for ancient Native American tribes. They allowed people from different groups to interact, exchange goods and information, form alliances, and manage uncertainty. In that sense, they functioned as powerful social technologies.
What is the passage mainly about?
A. How archaeologists make new discoveries about the ancient world
B. Games of chance that were played by Native Americans
C. A new discovery that sheds light on Native American dice games
D. A study that proves Native Americans used games of chance to establish a social hierarchy
What does the author imply about games of chance?
A. They are complex games
B. They are older than previously thought
C. They are similar to modern dice games
D. They were games for strictly two players at a time
Why does the author mention a quarter?
A. To illustrate the appearance of Native American dice using an object most readers are familiar with
B. To contrast Native American dice games with modern games involving a quarter
C. To argue that Native Americans played games that were simpler than modern games
D. To show that games of chance are common across a wide breadth of cultures
Which of the following was NOT a benefit of games of chance for Native Americans?
A. They allowed opportunities for trade
B. They increased social contacts with other tribes
C. They increased the sense of stability
D. They decreased conflicts within tribes
The word “neutral” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to:
A. active
B. partisan
C. impartial
D. protected
Answer key: C, B, A, D, C
The Easy Module
If you get fewer than 60% correct on the routing module, you will be sent to the easy module. You will again begin with a “complete the words” task.
Here is an example:
Vampire bats have special adaptations to help them with the special way they feed. For insta_ _ _ , researchers disco_ _ _ _ _ that th_ _ _ flying mam_ _ _ _ can loc_ _ _ prey by sen_ _ _ _ the sou_ _ of a_ animal brea_ _ _ _ _ . These ba_ _ can even recognize the breathing patterns of one animal, like a cow, and return to feed from it night after night.
Answer:
Vampire bats have special adaptations to help them with the special way they feed. For instance, researchers discovered that the flying mammals can locate prey by sensing the sound of an animal breathing. These bats can even recognize the breathing patterns of one animal, like a cow, and return to feed from it night after night.
Then, you will have two or three “Reading in Daily Life” tasks. There is no academic reading on the easy module.
Here is an example:
Dear Library Members,
We are pleased to inform you that our library will soon begin an exciting renovation project aimed at improving your overall experience. The upgrades will include modern study spaces, updated computers, improved lighting, and expanded seating areas to better serve our community.
Renovation work will begin on June 10 and is expected to continue for approximately six weeks. During this time, certain sections of the library may be temporarily closed, and noise levels may be higher than usual. However, the main reading area and circulation desk will remain open with adjusted hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To minimize inconvenience, many of our services will continue online, including digital book access, research assistance, and account management. We also encourage you to return or borrow materials early if possible.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to create a more comfortable and modern library space for everyone.
Sincerely,
Library Administration
Why did the library administration send this email?
A. To warn about a change in library hours
B. To explain the reasons the library will be busier than usual
C. To illustrate how students can borrow digital copies of books
D. To notify library patrons about upcoming changes to the library
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as part of the renovations?
A. Updated areas to study
B. Faster Wifi connectivity
C. Better lighting in the building
D. Technological improvements
Answer key: D, B
The Hard Module
The hard module includes the same three task types as the routing module, but with greater emphasis on academic content and more complex reasoning. You will do complete the words tasks, Read in Daily Life, and Academic Reading.
Here is an example of a complete the words task (Hard Module):
Ocean currents are large, continuous movements of seawater that flow through the world’s oceans, playing a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate and supporting marine life. These curr_ _ _ _ are dri_ _ _ by fac_ _ _ _ such a_ wind, differ_ _ _ _ _ in wa_ _ _ temperature, a_ _ variations i_ salinity. Wa_ _ currents, wh_ _ _ move away from the equator, help raise temperatures in coastal regions, while cold currents, flowing from polar areas, can lower temperatures and influence weather patterns.
Here are the answers:
Ocean currents are large, continuous movements of seawater that flow through the world’s oceans, playing a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate and supporting marine life. These currents are driven by factors such as wind, differences in water temperature, and variations in salinity. Warm currents, which move away from the equator, help raise temperatures in coastal regions, while cold currents, flowing from polar areas, can lower temperatures and influence weather patterns.
Here is a long “Read in Daily Life” task (Hard Module)
From: Campus Housing Office
To: All Residents of Maple Hall
Subject: Temporary Closure of the First‑Floor Laundry Room
Dear Residents,
We want to inform you that the first‑floor laundry room in Maple Hall will be closed for three days, from March 12 to March 14, due to maintenance work. Several students recently reported that the washing machines were stopping mid‑cycle, and our technicians found that the main water pump needs to be replaced. Because the repair requires shutting off the water supply to that part of the building, the laundry room cannot remain open during this time.
While the repairs are being completed, you may use the laundry rooms in Oak Hall or Pine Hall. Both buildings are located less than a five‑minute walk from Maple Hall, and your student ID will give you access. We recommend planning your laundry needs ahead of time, as there are only ten washers and dryers in these halls.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to improve the facilities.
Sincerely,
Campus Housing Office
What is the main purpose of the email?
A. To announce new laundry room policies
B. To inform residents about a temporary closure
C. To warn students about water shortages
D. To explain how to use laundry machines
2. Why is the laundry room closed?
A. The machines need to be cleaned
B. The building is undergoing renovations
C. A water pump must be replaced
D. Students requested new machines
What can be inferred about Oak Hall and Pine Hall?
A. They are farther from campus than Maple Hall
B. Their laundry rooms will likely be more crowded than usual
C. They require special permission to enter
D. They do not have working washing machines
According to the email, how can students access other laundry rooms?
A. By requesting a temporary key
B. By using their student ID
C. By signing up online
D. By paying an extra fee
What does the Housing Office suggest students do?
A. Avoid doing laundry until repairs are finished
B. Bring laundry to an off‑campus facility
C. Plan their laundry ahead of time
D. Report any problems with the machines
Answer key: B, C, B, B, C
Here is an academic passage (Hard Module):
Fire in Early Human Societies
Early humans used fire in several important ways. One major use was cooking, which made food like meat and fish easier to eat and safer by killing harmful bacteria. Fire also provided warmth, helping people survive in cooler conditions, and offered protection by keeping predators away. In addition, it created light, allowing activities to continue after dark, and may have been used to strengthen wooden tools. Gathering around fires likely encouraged social interaction, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge. But how do we know how early humans used fire?
Charcoal is rarely preserved at very early prehistoric sites, which makes the discoveries at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov especially valuable for understanding how early humans used fire. At many ancient locations, traces of burning are sparse or difficult to interpret, but this Acheulian site provides unusually clear evidence of repeated fire use over a very long period. Located along the edge of an ancient lake, it contains more than 20 layers of occupation, showing that generations of hunter-gatherers repeatedly returned to the same place.
The site reveals a lively environment where people made tools from flint, limestone, and basalt, processed animals, and gathered a wide range of plant foods such as fruits and nuts. In one notable layer, researchers found remains of a straight-tusked elephant alongside tools and plant material, suggesting large-scale hunting and butchering took place on-site. Fire played a central role in these activities and in daily life more broadly.
Scientists analyzed 266 charcoal fragments from a layer dated to around 780,000 years ago. Using microscopic methods, they identified a diverse mix of tree species, indicating that people likely collected wood from what was readily available, especially driftwood along the lakeshore. The overlap between charcoal and fish remains suggests that fire was also used for cooking. This insight points to a broader conclusion: access to firewood may have been a decisive factor in where these early humans chose to live. Altogether, the findings show that early humans effectively used their environment, relied on accessible resources, and organized their lives around controlled fire.
What is the reading mainly about?
A. Newly discovered evidence that shows how humans used fire
B. The importance of fire in cooking for early humans
C. How fire was used to increase the well-being of early humans
D. An ancient site that contains a lot of archaeological evidence
According to the passage, fire was used by early humans for all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Keeping predators at bay
B. Encouraging social cohesion
C. Increasing communication among people
D. Preserving food for later consumption
Why does the author mention a straight-tusked elephant?
A. To illustrate the dietary preferences of early humans
B. To provide evidence that fire helped ancient humans hunt large animals
C. To make a point by using an animal that is likely familiar to readers
D. To argue that fire made it easier for early humans to make use of available resources
The word “remains” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to:
A. remnants
B. tokens
C. reminders
D. renderings
What does the author imply about firewood?
A. It was a more important resource than access to fishing sites
B. It was available near most bodies of water
C. Its availability caused a greater social hierarchy within organized groups of early humans
D. It was crucial to determining where early humans would settle
Answer Key: A, D, C, D
………….AND THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!
If you have any questions, I can be reached at [email protected]
