Check The Most Common and Classic TOEFL Reading Topics 2023

Check The Most Common and Classic TOEFL Reading Topics

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Updated on, Jul 3, 2025

byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad

TOEFL Reading Topics covers a wide range of academic subjects, including science, social science, humanities, and current events. While the exact reading topics for TOEFL can vary, common areas include astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, medicine, and physics. There are two TOEFL reading passage topics, each approximately 700 words long. You will be allocated 35 minutes to answer TOEFL reading topics. 

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TOEFL reading section is designed to evaluate the candidate’s ability to understand the passages. You can effectively prepare for TOEFL reading topics by taking coaching classes reading TOEFL books, and solving sample papers. Most of the books contain TOEFL reading samples with answers for effective preparation. You can join coaching centers for updated TOEFL reading questions and answers and for expert mentorship. 

TOEFL score ranges on a scale of 0 to 120 level, and 0 to 30 for each section. Achieving a score of 25+ is considered a good TOEFL reading score, and is accepted by most of the top-ranked universities worldwide. TOEFL topics reading passages are often academic, but they could contain current events relevant to the main topic. Regularly solving TOEFL reading passage topics helps you to understand the various types of questions. 

New Format of TOEFL Reading Section

Conducting body of TOEFL, ETS has updated the exam pattern of TOEFL this year. Previously each TOEFL topic reading passage included 10 -12 questions. In 2024, each passage of TOEFL reading topics consists of 9 -10 questions. TOEFL reading section will hold three reading passages. In case, the question states the fourth passage, it will get upgraded. The 10th question of TOEFL topics reading question will be “Fill in the table”. The conducting body has not noted any modifications in the length of TOEFL reading topics passages.

Things to Read for TOEFL Reading Topics

There are a variety of TOEFL reading topics represented in the passages. The emergence of the internet has led candidates to easily get business, environment, science, economy and daily life-related topics. Each of these online TOEFL reading topics will present an overview of questions that are important for TOEFL exam.

Ways for Practicing TOEFL Reading Topics

The candidates must do an active reading for nearly 20 minutes on a daily basis to get better TOEFL reading scores. The candidates must collect good reading pieces from articles, news, stories and books. The candidates must practice reading questions from those reading pieces. The candidates need to devote 1 minute 25 seconds to each question of TOEFL reading section. Vocabulary is important for all sections of TOEFL. The candidates must focus on learning academic word lists to increase their vocabulary. The candidates need to read the whole sentence attentively to understand its meaning.

Practice for Reading TOEFL Books

The best way to improve TOEFL score is to go through TOEFL books. There are several TOEFL preparation books that present effective study materials for the aspirants to practice. A book like “Official TOEFL IBT Tests” consists of nearly 15 official TOEFL Reading passages. The candidates can practice those passages from the book to strengthen their understanding and analyzing skills. Other books are “The Official Guide to TOEFL” and “The Propell Workshop Teacher’s Book”. There are other TOEFL topics reading practice test papers like “The free practice test on ETS.org” and “TOEFL PDF sets on ETS.org”. The candidates can go through the passages from these books and practice papers to enhance their reading skills.

Non-TOEFL Articles Reading Practice

TOEFL topics reading section mainly examines the candidates' efficiency with the English language. Candidates possessing experience in reading academic English passages in the past will perform well in TOEFL exam. Therefore, practicing TOEFL reading topics is as important as building agility in academic English. The candidates intending to get more than 90 TOEFL scores must practice more challenging study material. More practice will increase the speed and accuracy level of the candidates. It will enhance the basic understanding of the candidates. The practice of challenging TOEFL reading topics will enable the candidates to infer the author’s viewpoint in the passage with ease.

List of TOEFL Reading Topics

The best practice that candidates need to do is to read a variety of articles on various subjects. These passages are written not for any specialists in particular fields but for the general educated public. The passages of TOEFL reading topics are designed for candidates not having any knowledge about the subject. These TOEFL topics reading passages are based on broad concepts. The candidates need to understand the concept to grasp the subject matter of the passage. The candidates do not have to illustrate or know any specialized academic knowledge to attain the test. The candidates analyzing a passage from physics need not have to learn the subject and solve a problem. The candidates need to explain the ideas and concepts demonstrated in that passage. The conducting body of TOEFL, ETS offers the candidates every sort of detail. These details will help the candidates to answer the questions of the reading passage. The conducting body thus makes this TOEFL reading section an easier one for the candidates. Here, presenting a list of the independent reading TOEFL topics that are most common in TOEFL reading questions. It is also recommended to the candidates for practicing other TOEFL reading topics too.

Science Humanities Profession oriented Social Science
Physics History Marketing Psychology
Astronomy Art Public Relations Sociology
Chemistry Art History Architecture Anthropology
Biology Music Communication Political Science
Geology Literature Technology Economics
Meteorology Philosophy - -
Medicine North American Art - -
Anatomy World History - -
American Literature - - -
American History - - -

TOEFL Reading Topics Question: Types and Strategies

TOEFL reading topics question types test the understanding and reading abilities of the candidates. It is important for the aspirants to learn about the patterns of questions to solve them effectively. Effective TOEFL preparation under expert mentorship will help you to understand the different types of topics and related answers. TOEFL reading passage consists of 10 different types of questions. These are as follows:

  • Factual Information

This question type is the most important form of TOEFL Reading section. This question type asks the candidates to recognise the true points or facts described in the passage.

  • Negative Factual Information

This question type is just the opposite of the factual question type. To solve this question, the candidates need to identify the false facts about the passage. This question type may also ask the candidate to recognise the facts not stated in the passage.

  • Inference

This question type asks the candidates to determine the strong argument depicted in the passage.

  • Reference

Reference questions require the candidate to recognise the relationship between two different words by comprehending the passage.

  • Rhetorical Purpose

In this question type, the candidates need to determine the effect that the author of the passage tries to express to the reader.

  • Reading Vocabulary

Vocabulary in TOEFL reading section questions the candidates to describe a word. The candidates must understand the meaning of the term by analyzing the passage.

  • Paraphrasing

This question type asks the candidates to select the option depicting the meaning of the highlighted sentence of the passage.

  • Insert Text

Insert text question asks the candidates to select the logical and grammatically correct site in the passage to insert a statement.

  • Summary

Here, the candidates have to select the options that define the content of the passage perfectly.

  • Fill in the Table

The question type asks the candidates to fill in the blank by analyzing the detailed information cited in the passage.

TOEFL Topics Reading Practice Resources

There are several free TOEFL topics reading practice tests available online. The candidates can go through those tests to improve their reading and interpreting skills. TOEFL Practice paper is a sort of collection of practice tests for the candidates. There are also TOEFL reading topics practice sets on the official website of ETS. The candidates can gain an idea of the difficulty level of the question type from the website.

Time-Management Tips for TOEFL Reading Topics

The candidates must create a plan of action before attaining TOEFL exam. The TOEFL reading section needs a systematic strategy to manage the time of the exam. This will enable the candidates to give answers to every question swiftly within the allotted time. The candidates must focus on certain tips to answer TOEFL reading topics question timely:

  • Candidates must not read the entire passage.
  • Instead, they should go through the first line of the paragraphs of the passage.
  • Candidates must look over the questions section.
  • Candidates must respond to the question first that can be answered without reading the passage. These questions are vocabulary or definition-related questions.
  • Candidates then can go through the other detailed questions.
  • Candidates must predict the paragraph holding the specific answer by remembering the first lines of each paragraph.
  • Candidates must read that paragraph to get the answer.

Certain strategies the candidates can follow if they are unable to figure out the answer:

  • Candidates must go to the next question rather than spending much time on one question.
  • Candidate must focus to answer the other questions that are easier.
  • Difficult question needs to be focused on at the end.
  • Candidates must attempt to sort all the questions appropriately.
  • To solve it easily, the candidates can look for references from the reading passage.

Furthermore, there are many videos and PDFs of TOEFL reading topics strategies available over the internet to assist the aspirants in creating their study plans.

Hence, candidates must focus on improving their English reading and analyzing skills in order to get better scores in TOEFL Reading section. The list of independent reading TOEFL topics can help the candidates to plan accordingly. It has been analyzed that speed and time management skills are important for performance enhancement purposes. The candidates will be able to take good preparation by taking a glance at question patterns and types. The aspirants can follow the practice sets or books to improve their vocab.

FAQs

Ques: What are the main topics covered in the TOEFL Reading section?

Ans: TOEFL Reading topics cover a wide range of academic subjects, including science, social science, humanities, and current events. 

Ques: How many passages are there in TOEFL reading section?

Ans: There are two TOEFL reading passages, each approximately 700 words long. Each of the passages of TOEFL reading contains 10 questions.

Ques: How much time is allotted for TOEFL reading section?

Ans: You'll be allocated 35 minutes to complete TOEFL reading section. Regularly solving TOEFL reading samples with answers will help you improve your time management skills.

Ques: What types of questions are asked in TOEFL Reading section?

Ans: TOEFL Reading section includes various question types, such as vocabulary in context, reference, inference, purpose, factual information essential information, and summarizing the passage. 

Ques: Are there any specific science TOEFL reading topics I should focus on?

Ans: While the exact TOEFL reading topics can vary, common areas include astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, medicine, and physics.

Ques: Should I expect social science topics in TOEFL reading?

Ans: You might encounter TOEFL reading passages related to anthropology, economics, psychology, political science, and sociology.

Ques: What kind of TOEFL reading topics of humanities might I see on the test?

Ans: You can also find TOEFL reading topics of art, history, literature, music, and philosophy. Solving TOEFL reading sample papers regularly will help you to understand the different types of reading topics.

Ques: How can I improve my vocabulary for the TOEFL Reading section?

Ans: You can improve TOEFL reading strategies by using flashcards, practicing with sample tests, and reading widely on academic subjects.

Ques: What are some good strategies for TOEFL reading comprehension?

Ans: Preview the passage by skimming the title, introduction, and headings. Focus on key points while reading, and focus on understanding the main idea and supporting details.

Ques: How can I identify the main idea of TOEFL reading passage?**

Ans: To identify TOEFL reading passages look for central themes or arguments mentioned throughout the passage. The introduction and conclusion most of the time contain key points.

Ques: How can I approach vocabulary in context questions in TOEFL reading?

Ans: To answer vocabulary questions in TOEFL reading, pay attention to surrounding words and phrases to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Ques: Should I manage my time between the two TOEFL reading passages?

Ans: Allocate roughly equal time to each passage and its corresponding questions to answer the reading passages on TOEFL.

Ques: Where can I find practice tests for the TOEFL Reading section?

Ans: The official ETS website offers practice tests and resources. Many test prep websites and organizations also provide effective practice materials for TOEFL reading topics.

Ques: What are some good resources for improving my TOEFL reading comprehension skills?

Ans: To improve TOEFL reading comprehension skills, read academic articles, news publications, and educational websites on various topics.

Ques: How is the TOEFL Reading section scored?

Ans: TOEFL score ranges on a scale of 0 to 120 level, and 0 to 30 for each section. Achieving a score of 25+ is considered a good TOEFL reading score, and is accepted by most of the top-ranked universities worldwide.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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