Kaplan's English/TOEFL Edge
Kaplan English Programs
In this issue:
TOEFL Practice
TOEFL Vocabulary
The English/TOEFL Edge
Sponsored by www.kaplanenglish.com.
Test-Taking Tips and Strategies
Getting Organized (What to bring on Test Day!)
Given the high stakes of the TOEFL* iBT, the importance of having all required documents at hand when you appear for the test cannot be overstated. Here’s our prescription for preventing this all-too-common Test Day disaster.
Label a file folder or a large manila envelope with the words �TOEFL Test Day�, and add to it the following items:
* Your ETS registration confirmation
* Your primary and secondary forms of identification, as applicable. Be aware that ETS strictly requires original documents—copies are not accepted! For details, visit the test maker�s website (www.ets.org/toefl) or call 1-877-863-3546. Outside the United States, Canada, and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, call 1-609-771-7100.
* Door-to-door driving directions and/or detailed public transportation options.
Store this file in your home or office in a location where it is unlikely to be disturbed or misplaced. Place it in your briefcase the night before your exam—without its contents you will not only be refused admission, but you�ll forfeit your registration fee as well! As the saying goes:
“Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.”
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra , Spanish novelist and poet (1547-1616)
from the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha
TOEFL Practice
What does it means to infer, and how is this tested on the TOEFL iBT? Imagine that you are a student attending a university lecture in a political science class. Now consider this example of a question type frequently found on the listening section of the exam:
What does the professor mean when he says this?
�...and oh, by the way, I strongly suggest that you review the author�s discussion of the impact of the two-party political system on our modern-day form of government.�
A. The professor supports the author�s opinion of the two-party political system.
B. The professor is concerned that his students do not know enough about our present-day system of government.
C. The professor is likely to include this information on an upcoming test.
D. The professor expects that his students will be able to refute the author�s position.
TOEFL Vocabulary
It�s not unusual for international students of English to find themselves perplexed by the lexical subtleties of their second language. Check your understanding—can you correctly complete the sentences that follow?
complement or compliment
1. (verb form, simple past)
The soprano�s vocal range and the aria she sang ______________each other perfectly. Not surprisingly, many audience members _______________ her superb performance.
2. (singular noun form)
The wine steward�s recommendation was the perfect ________________ to an exquisite second course. The patrons paid him a well-deserved _______________ before leaving the restaurant .
Answers will appear in next month�s edition of the Edge—stay tuned!
Back to Top
The Correct Answer to the Question above is: (C):
The professor is likely to include this information on an upcoming test. Here�s a brief summary to help you deal more effectively with this question type:
* Recognize the prompt as your signal to look beyond the literal language of the speaker, in this case our professor of political science—it�s not about what he says, but why he says it!
* View each answer choice as a potential distractor. Although (A) and (B) may seem reasonable, beware! By repeating the speaker�s original language, they distract you from recognizing that neither is really a viable choice; the degree of inference that would be required is simply excessive.
* Be aware that there are effective ways of dealing with unfamiliar vocabulary. In the case of (D), if you didn�t know the meaning of the word �refute,� all is not lost! Try to approximate a definition from the context of the answer choice; if you had actually been assigned to refute the author�s position, what is your sense of this action—would it likely be positive or negative? Once you have arrived at a workable definition, it becomes obvious that the degree of inference required would be excessive here as well.
* If you found yourself contemplating the similarity between the words �refute� and �refuse,� pay yourself a well-deserved compliment!
Back to Top
Kaplan English Programs and your local Kaplan Center
join together to wish each of our July test-takers success on the TOEFL iBT!
Making Subscription Changes:
You are receiving this email newsletter from Kaplan because you are currently a subscriber. To modify or cancel your subscription to the Kaplan Edge, go to http://www.kaptest.com/subscription.jhtml.
If you need additional help, please visit kaptest.com/contactus.
*TOEFL® is a registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service.
Copyright © 2006 by Kaplan, Inc., 1440 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
All Rights Reserved. Kaplan is a registered trademark of Kaplan, Inc.
In this issue:
TOEFL Practice
TOEFL Vocabulary
The English/TOEFL Edge
Sponsored by www.kaplanenglish.com.
Test-Taking Tips and Strategies
Getting Organized (What to bring on Test Day!)
Given the high stakes of the TOEFL* iBT, the importance of having all required documents at hand when you appear for the test cannot be overstated. Here’s our prescription for preventing this all-too-common Test Day disaster.
Label a file folder or a large manila envelope with the words �TOEFL Test Day�, and add to it the following items:
* Your ETS registration confirmation
* Your primary and secondary forms of identification, as applicable. Be aware that ETS strictly requires original documents—copies are not accepted! For details, visit the test maker�s website (www.ets.org/toefl) or call 1-877-863-3546. Outside the United States, Canada, and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, call 1-609-771-7100.
* Door-to-door driving directions and/or detailed public transportation options.
Store this file in your home or office in a location where it is unlikely to be disturbed or misplaced. Place it in your briefcase the night before your exam—without its contents you will not only be refused admission, but you�ll forfeit your registration fee as well! As the saying goes:
“Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.”
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra , Spanish novelist and poet (1547-1616)
from the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha
TOEFL Practice
What does it means to infer, and how is this tested on the TOEFL iBT? Imagine that you are a student attending a university lecture in a political science class. Now consider this example of a question type frequently found on the listening section of the exam:
What does the professor mean when he says this?
�...and oh, by the way, I strongly suggest that you review the author�s discussion of the impact of the two-party political system on our modern-day form of government.�
A. The professor supports the author�s opinion of the two-party political system.
B. The professor is concerned that his students do not know enough about our present-day system of government.
C. The professor is likely to include this information on an upcoming test.
D. The professor expects that his students will be able to refute the author�s position.
TOEFL Vocabulary
It�s not unusual for international students of English to find themselves perplexed by the lexical subtleties of their second language. Check your understanding—can you correctly complete the sentences that follow?
complement or compliment
1. (verb form, simple past)
The soprano�s vocal range and the aria she sang ______________each other perfectly. Not surprisingly, many audience members _______________ her superb performance.
2. (singular noun form)
The wine steward�s recommendation was the perfect ________________ to an exquisite second course. The patrons paid him a well-deserved _______________ before leaving the restaurant .
Answers will appear in next month�s edition of the Edge—stay tuned!
Back to Top
The Correct Answer to the Question above is: (C):
The professor is likely to include this information on an upcoming test. Here�s a brief summary to help you deal more effectively with this question type:
* Recognize the prompt as your signal to look beyond the literal language of the speaker, in this case our professor of political science—it�s not about what he says, but why he says it!
* View each answer choice as a potential distractor. Although (A) and (B) may seem reasonable, beware! By repeating the speaker�s original language, they distract you from recognizing that neither is really a viable choice; the degree of inference that would be required is simply excessive.
* Be aware that there are effective ways of dealing with unfamiliar vocabulary. In the case of (D), if you didn�t know the meaning of the word �refute,� all is not lost! Try to approximate a definition from the context of the answer choice; if you had actually been assigned to refute the author�s position, what is your sense of this action—would it likely be positive or negative? Once you have arrived at a workable definition, it becomes obvious that the degree of inference required would be excessive here as well.
* If you found yourself contemplating the similarity between the words �refute� and �refuse,� pay yourself a well-deserved compliment!
Back to Top
Kaplan English Programs and your local Kaplan Center
join together to wish each of our July test-takers success on the TOEFL iBT!
Making Subscription Changes:
You are receiving this email newsletter from Kaplan because you are currently a subscriber. To modify or cancel your subscription to the Kaplan Edge, go to http://www.kaptest.com/subscription.jhtml.
If you need additional help, please visit kaptest.com/contactus.
*TOEFL® is a registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service.
Copyright © 2006 by Kaplan, Inc., 1440 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
All Rights Reserved. Kaplan is a registered trademark of Kaplan, Inc.
posted by yjc.gooogle at
7/26/2006 10:15:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home