Barron's TOEFL iBT Superpack: Sharpe Ph.D., Pamela J.: 9781438076618: Amazon.com: Books
Barron's TOEFL iBT: A Comprehensive Guide for Test Takers
If you are planning to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based Test (iBT), you might be wondering how to prepare for it effectively. The TOEFL iBT is a standardized test that measures your ability to use and understand English in academic settings. It is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and institutions in over 150 countries as a proof of English proficiency.
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Preparing for the TOEFL iBT can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the test format, content, and expectations. You need to develop your academic and language skills, learn the test strategies, and practice with realistic materials. That's why you need a comprehensive guide that can help you achieve your goals.
One of the best guides available for the TOEFL iBT is Barron's TOEFL iBT book. This book is written by Dr. Pamela Sharpe, an internationally known expert on test preparation. It has been fully updated to reflect the new TOEFL format and provides flexible study options and key skills review to help you study what you need to know for the test.
In this article, we will give you an overview of Barron's TOEFL iBT book and how it can help you ace the test. We will cover the following topics:
Overview of Barron's TOEFL iBT Book
Review of TOEFL iBT Sections
Academic Skills
Usage and Style for the TOEFL iBT
One-Hour TOEFL iBT Practice Tests
Progress Tests for the TOEFL iBT
Score Estimates
Resources
Conclusion
FAQs
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what Barron's TOEFL iBT book offers and how you can use it to boost your score. So, let's get started!
Overview of Barron's TOEFL iBT Book
Barron's TOEFL iBT book is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know for the test. It includes:
Eight full-length TOEFL iBT practice tests with answer explanations in both the book and online. These tests simulate the actual test experience and provide you with feedback on your performance.
Eight one-hour practice tests that focus on specific skills and sections of the test. These tests help you practice under time pressure and identify your areas of improvement.
A review of required academic and language skills with four video lessons and a grammar review that support the speaking and writing sections. These skills include note-taking, paraphrasing, summarizing, synthesizing, etc.
An online pronunciation guide that features over 200 campus flashcards with vocabulary terms and example sentences. This guide helps you improve your pronunciation and intonation for the speaking section.
MP3 audio files online for all prompts. These files allow you to listen to authentic conversations and lectures for the listening section and practice your speaking responses.
A general overview of the TOEFL iBT. This overview gives you an introduction to the test format, content, scoring, registration, etc.
PowerPoint review presentations with handouts and resources for tutors and teachers. These presentations help you review the main points and tips for each section of the test.
Barron's TOEFL iBT book is designed to help you study according to your needs and preferences. You can choose from three study modes:
The Quick Prep Mode: This mode allows you to take a pretest, review your skills, take a progress test, and estimate your score in a short time.
The General Training Mode: This mode allows you to study all the sections and skills in depth, take one-hour practice tests, review your usage and style, and take progress tests.
The Supplementary Training Mode: This mode allows you to focus on specific sections or skills that you need more practice on, use additional resources, and take more practice tests.
Barron's TOEFL iBT book is a complete package that provides you with everything you need to prepare for the test. It helps you improve your academic and language skills, learn the test strategies, and practice with realistic materials.
Review of TOEFL iBT Sections
The TOEFL iBT consists of four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Each section has a different format, content, and scoring system. In this section, we will review each section briefly and provide some tips and strategies for each one.
Reading Section
Listening Section
The listening section measures your ability to understand spoken English in academic settings. It consists of 28-39 questions based on six audio clips. The audio clips include two conversations between students and four lectures by professors. Each audio clip is 3-5 minutes long and is played only once. You can take notes while listening to the audio clips.
The questions in the listening section are either multiple-choice or drag-and-drop. The multiple-choice questions have four answer choices and you have to select one or more correct answers. The drag-and-drop questions require you to match items or put them in order.
Some tips and strategies for the listening section are:
Before listening, read the introduction and the questions carefully. This will help you get an idea of the topic, speakers, and main points of the audio clip.
While listening, use your notes to keep track of the main ideas, details, examples, opinions, etc. Try to identify the speaker's purpose, tone, and attitude.
After listening, answer the questions as quickly and accurately as possible. Use your notes and memory to recall the information from the audio clip. Eliminate any incorrect or irrelevant answer choices.
Speaking Section
The speaking section measures your ability to speak English effectively in academic settings. It consists of four tasks: two independent and two integrated. The independent tasks require you to express your opinion on a familiar topic or personal experience. The integrated tasks require you to combine information from a reading passage and a listening clip.
The speaking section is delivered via a microphone on your computer. You will have 15-30 seconds to prepare your response and 45-60 seconds to speak your response. Your responses will be recorded and scored by human raters based on your delivery, language use, and topic development.
Some tips and strategies for the speaking section are:
Before speaking, read or listen to the prompt carefully. Identify the task type, topic, and question. Plan your response using notes or an outline. Think of some main points, examples, reasons, etc. to support your response.
While speaking, use clear and natural pronunciation, intonation, and pace. Use appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and connectors. Stay on topic and avoid repetition or hesitation.
After speaking, review your response if possible. Check for any errors or omissions. Try to improve your response for the next task.
Writing Section
The writing section measures your ability to write in English in academic settings. It consists of two tasks: one integrated and one independent. The integrated task requires you to write an essay based on a reading passage and a listening clip. The independent task requires you to write an essay based on your opinion on a given topic.
The writing section is delivered via a keyboard on your computer. You will have 20 minutes to write your response for the integrated task and 30 minutes to write your response for the independent task. Your responses will be scored by human raters based on your task fulfillment, organization, language use, and development.
Some tips and strategies for the writing section are:
Before writing, read or listen to the prompt carefully. Identify the task type, topic, and question. Plan your response using notes or an outline. Think of some main points, examples, reasons, etc. to support your response.
While writing, use clear and coherent paragraphs, sentences, and words. Use appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and connectors. Address the question fully and accurately.
After writing, review your response if possible. Check for any errors or omissions. Try to improve your response for the next task.
Academic Skills
The TOEFL iBT is not only a test of your English language skills but also a test of your academic skills. Academic skills are the skills that you need to succeed in academic settings such as universities and colleges. They include skills such as note-taking, paraphrasing, summarizing, synthesizing, etc.
Barron's TOEFL iBT book helps you develop your academic skills by providing you with four video lessons and a grammar review that support the speaking and writing sections. The video lessons cover the following topics:
Note-Taking: This lesson teaches you how to take effective notes from reading passages and listening clips. It shows you how to use symbols, abbreviations, and keywords to capture the main ideas and details.
Paraphrasing: This lesson teaches you how to paraphrase information from reading passages and listening clips. It shows you how to use synonyms, change word forms, and modify sentence structures to express the same meaning in different words.
Summarizing: This lesson teaches you how to summarize information from reading passages and listening clips. It shows you how to identify the main points, omit the minor details, and use transition words to connect the ideas.
Synthesizing: This lesson teaches you how to synthesize information from reading passages and listening clips. It shows you how to compare and contrast, find similarities and differences, and draw conclusions from multiple sources.
The grammar review covers the following topics:
Nouns: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and agreements of nouns.
Pronouns: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and agreements of pronouns.
Verbs: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and agreements of verbs.
Adjectives and Adverbs: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and comparisons of adjectives and adverbs.
Prepositions: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and combinations of prepositions.
Conjunctions: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and relationships of conjunctions.
Articles: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and rules of articles.
Modals: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and meanings of modals.
Conditionals: This topic reviews the types, forms, functions, and meanings of conditionals.
Passive Voice: This topic reviews the forms, functions, and uses of passive voice.
Gerunds and Infinitives: This topic reviews the forms, functions, and uses of gerunds and infinitives.
Noun Clauses: This topic reviews the forms, functions, and uses of noun clauses.
Adjective Clauses: This topic reviews the forms, functions, and uses of adjective clauses.
Usage and Style for the TOEFL iBT
The TOEFL iBT is not only a test of your academic skills but also a test of your usage and style. Usage and style are the rules and conventions that govern the use of English language in written and spoken communication. They include rules and conventions such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and punctuation.
Barron's TOEFL iBT book helps you master your usage and style by providing you with a review and practice for each section of the test. The review covers the common errors and pitfalls that test takers make in each section. The practice consists of exercises and quizzes that test your knowledge and application of usage and style rules.
Some examples of usage and style rules for each section are:
Reading Section: This section tests your ability to understand written English in academic texts. Some usage and style rules for this section are:
Identify the main idea, supporting details, examples, opinions, etc. in a passage.
Infer the meaning of unfamiliar words from context clues.
Recognize the organization, structure, and transitions of a passage.
Distinguish between facts and opinions, literal and figurative language, etc. in a passage.
Listening Section: This section tests your ability to understand spoken English in academic settings. Some usage and style rules for this section are:
Identify the main idea, supporting details, examples, opinions, etc. in an audio clip.
Infer the meaning of unfamiliar words from context clues.
Recognize the organization, structure, and transitions of an audio clip.
Distinguish between facts and opinions, literal and figurative language, etc. in an audio clip.
Speaking Section: This section tests your ability to speak English effectively in academic settings. Some usage and style rules for this section are:
Use clear and natural pronunciation, intonation, and pace.
Use appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and connectors.
Stay on topic and avoid repetition or hesitation.
Address the question fully and accurately.
Writing Section: This section tests your ability to write in English in academic settings. Some usage and style rules for this section are:
Use clear and coherent paragraphs, sentences, and words.
Use appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and connectors.
Address the question fully and accurately.
Avoid plagiarism by citing sources properly.
Barron's TOEFL iBT book helps you improve your usage and style by providing you with feedback and explanations for each exercise and quiz. It also provides you with model responses for the speaking and writing sections that demonstrate good usage and style.
One-Hour TOEFL iBT Practice Tests
Barron's TOEFL iBT book helps you practice for the test by providing you with eight one-hour practice tests. These tests are shorter versions of the full-length practice tests that focus on specific skills and sections of the test. They help you practice under time pressure and identify your areas of improvement.
The one-hour practice tests are structured as follows:
Skill/SectionNumber of Questions/TasksTime Limit
Reading Skill14 questions based on two passages20 minutes
Listening Skill17 questions based on two conversations and two lectures20 minutes
Speaking SkillTwo independent tasks and two integrated tasks20 minutes
Writing SkillOne integrated task and one independent task50 minutes
Total33 questions/tasks110 minutes
The one-hour practice tests are included in both the book and online. You can take them online to get instant scoring and feedback. You can also take them in the book and check your answers and explanations online.
The one-hour practice tests help you assess your strengths and weaknesses in each skill and section of the test. They also help you familiarize yourself with the test format, content, and expectations.
Progress Tests for the TOEFL iBT
Barron's TOEFL iBT book helps you measure your improvement and readiness for the test by providing you with eight full-length progress tests. These tests are realistic simulations of the actual test experience and provide you with comprehensive feedback on your performance.
The progress tests are structured as follows:
SectionNumber of Questions/TasksTime Limit
Reading Section30-40 questions based on three or four passages54-72 minutes
Listening Section28-39 questions based on six audio clips41-57 minutes
Speaking SectionFour tasks: two independent and two integrated17 minutes
Writing SectionTwo tasks: one integrated and one independent50 minutes
Total64-83 questions/tasks162-196 minutes
The progress tests are included in both the book and online. You can take them online to get instant scoring and feedback. You can also take them in the book and check your answers and explanations online.
The progress tests help you measure your improvement and readiness for the test by providing you with score estimates, answer explanations, model responses, and score reports. They also help you familiarize yourself with the test format, content, and expectations.
Score Estimates
Barron's TOEFL iBT book helps you estimate your scores for the test based on your performance on the practice tests. The score estimates are based on the official scoring rubrics and conversion tables of the TOEFL iBT.
The score ranges and levels for the TOEFL iBT are as follows:
Section/Total Score RangeLevel
0-30 (per section)
0-14 (per section)Low
15-21 (per section)Intermediate
22-30 (per section)High
0-120 (total)
0-31 (total)Low
66-94 (total)Working Proficiency
95-120 (total)Professional Proficiency
The score estimates help you set your goals and plan your study schedule according to your desired score and level. They also help you identify your areas of improvement and focus your study accordingly.
Resources
Barron's TOEFL iBT book helps you prepare for the test by providing you with additional resources that can supplement your study. These resources include online platforms, websites, apps, books, podcasts, videos, etc. that can help you improve your skills and knowledge for the test.
Some examples of resources for each section are:
Reading Section: This section tests your ability to understand written English in academic texts. Some resources for this section are:
TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Sets: These are official practice sets from ETS that provide you with authentic reading passages and questions.
The New York Times: This is a reputable newspaper that covers a variety of topics and genres in English.
NPR<