Understanding Facts and Details Questions in TOEFL Reading: A Step-by-Step Guide

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When taking the TOEFL Reading section, you may encounter various question types that assess your ability to comprehend and analyze written passages. One common question type is "Facts and Details," which requires you to locate specific information within the text. In this article, we will explore how to approach and answer this question type effectively.

What are Facts and Details Questions?

Facts and Details questions in TOEFL Reading assess your ability to identify and retrieve specific information directly from the passage. These questions typically require you to locate details such as dates, numbers, names, or specific events mentioned in the text. Mastering this question type is crucial as it demonstrates your reading comprehension skills and attention to detail.

Step-by-Step Approach to Answering Facts and Details Questions:

1. Read the question carefully: Begin by thoroughly reading the question and identifying the specific information you need to locate in the passage. Pay attention to keywords or phrases that can help you pinpoint the answer.
   

2. Skim the passage: Quickly skim through the relevant portion of the passage to get an overall understanding of the context and locate potential areas where the answer might be found. Look for keywords or synonyms related to the information you are seeking.
   

3. Read closely: Once you have identified a potential section, read it carefully to locate the specific information required. Focus on the details, paying attention to numbers, names, dates, or any other specific facts mentioned.
   

4. Compare and eliminate options: After finding the relevant information in the passage, compare it with the answer choices provided. Eliminate any options that do not match the retrieved information, narrowing down your choices.
   

5. Verify your answer: Double-check your chosen answer to ensure it accurately corresponds to the information in the passage. Make sure you have correctly interpreted the facts and details mentioned.

Example Facts and Details Question:

Passage:

"In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. This historic event took place during the Apollo 11 mission, which was launched by NASA. Armstrong's famous words, 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,' resonate to this day."

Question:

Who was the first person to walk on the moon?

Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Read the question carefully: The question asks for the name of the first person to walk on the moon.

2. 
   

3. Skim the passage: Skimming through the passage, we identify the sentence mentioning Neil Armstrong and his achievement.

4. 
   

5. Read closely: Reading the sentence carefully, we find that Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon.

6. 
   

7. Compare and eliminate options: Comparing the information with the answer choices, we can eliminate any options that do not mention Neil Armstrong.

8. 
   

9. Verify your answer: Finally, we confirm that Neil Armstrong is indeed the correct answer based on the information retrieved from the passage.

Sample Answer: Neil Armstrong

By following this step-by-step approach, you can effectively answer Facts and Details questions in the TOEFL Reading section. Remember to read the question carefully, skim the passage, read closely, compare and eliminate options, and verify your answer before finalizing your response. Practicing these strategies will enhance your ability to locate specific information within the text accurately.