TOEFL

TOEFL is an abbreviation of The Test of English as a Foreign Language.

It is held by ETS (Educational Testing Service) to test the English ability
of people who mother language is not English. Basically, TOEFL is very
similar to IELTS, but there are some differences.
Just like IELTS, TOEFL consists of four parts, which are Reading,
Listening, Speaking and Writing. Candidates need to finish all these four
parts of the exam and in China, all of them need to complete the test
based on the Internet, which means that they need to finish the test using
computer, including the speaking part. Typically, TOEFL tests take
candidates about four hours to complete and each part of question has a
limitation of time.
Reading
Reading section of TOEFL includes three passages if there is no any
additional test. Candidates need to complete 54 multiple choice questions
in 60 minutes. Each passage is about 1000 words or even longer and total
score of this section is 30.
Content of passages in TOEFL Reading is more academic. History issues,
science, art and music, politics etc. could all be parts of passages and
questions. This means that candidates have to know about some basic
knowledge in each area.
After 60 minutes, passages would disappear and candidates could not see
them and questions anymore. The system would change to listening test
automatically.
Listening
Questions of this part are multiple choices also. There are six pieces of
recording. There are some academic discussion, daily life issues and
some lectures. Candidates could not see any questions before they finish
listening each recording. This means that the ability of note taking is very
important. In addition to that, as there are some questions are about
academic discussion, candidates need to have some basic understanding
of some areas. Geology, archeology, architecture, biology, business
studies, economics and other subjects could be in part of the listening
section.
After candidates complete listening test, they would have a ten-minute
break. When they take their breaks, the time is about 12 oclock so it is
better to have some food and drink to refuel. Biscuits and chocolates are
not recommended because next section is speaking and these may make
candidates throats not comfortable. Actually, bananas could be a good
choice.

Speaking
Candidates need to give responds to six questions. First question is an
open question, e.g. describe the city you live in. Candidates need to give a
respond for about 40-45 seconds long.
The second one is asking candidates opinions about an argument, e.g. do
you agree or disagree students should spend more time on their study but
not extracurricular activities. The respond needs to be about 40-45
seconds long.
Questions 3-6 are integrated questions. Candidates need to read or listen
first, then give respond of questions based on their reading and listening.
Most questions are summary and opinion choosing.
Writing
TOEFL writing consists of two parts, integrated writing and independent
writing. For integrated writing, candidates need to read an article of an
issue, and then listen to the recording. The opinions of listening are
normally against ideas in the article. Candidates need to summarize those
ideas and type the writing in the computer (not write on the paper).
For independent writing, candidates would be asked to write an
argumentative essay usually. This needs candidates to build up their ideas
and give evidence to support the ideas.
Each part has 25 minutes for candidates to complete.