The TOEFL involves mastering four sections: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. In this blog post, we will dive into the intricacies of the reading and listening segments. If you're curious about unraveling the mysteries of the speaking and writing sections as well, check out our article here. 

Discover Similarities in Reading and Listening

Much like the parallel features of the writing and speaking sections, the reading and writing components share noteworthy resemblances. Both sections present discourse—whether written or spoken—followed by questions to gauge your comprehension. These sections assess your ability to examine information on a deeper level, decipher implicit content, and grasp the author's rhetorical intent. You must be able to decode the nuances in order to succeed. 

Unlocking Non-Explicit Information and Rhetorical Purpose

Non-explicit information refers to aspects of a text, conversation, or lecture where the author or speaker leaves certain thoughts unexpressed. Despite this, readers or listeners can infer these implicit details. For instance, if someone responds with, "I didn't plan on going to the party, but if you insist...," the explicit statement is the lack of intent to attend, but the implied intention to go can be inferred. The TOEFL exam tests your ability to grasp these nuances in a foreign language, specifically English. Although challenging, this skill mirrors our everyday language experiences and can become instinctual through practice.

Effective Practices for Non-Explicit Information

To hone your skills in deciphering non-explicit information, immerse yourself in English through extensive reading and listening. Exposure to the language enhances your understanding of expressions and tones beyond surface indications. Familiarity with the social culture of English speakers further aids in grasping implicit elements.

Another valuable method involves critically reading articles (editorials, reports, scientific journals, etc), questioning the author's opinion, and assessing if it's explicitly stated or implied through certain passages. You may utilize AI tools like ChatGPT to search for articles and generate TOEFL-style questions related to rhetorical purpose and the author's objectives in specific sentences or paragraphs.

Watching TV series with conversation scenes contributes significantly. Pause and analyze the main topic, the conclusion, and the meaning behind characters' expressions or tones. Consider if there's undisclosed information that could impact the context. This multifaceted approach ensures a well-rounded understanding of non-explicit information and rhetorical purpose in English. Additionally, another tool that many people do not think about is watching/listening to lectures, you can find many on YouTube for free by searching for lectures from specific universities or even watching TedTalks. You can then ask yourself the same questions. 

Growing Your Skills: Consistent Practice

Engaging in the aforementioned practices will undoubtedly lead to a noticeable improvement in your ability to recognize and infer non-explicit information across various discourses. As you consistently apply these techniques, you'll develop diverse strategies for deciphering implicit details, and over time, this skill will become second nature.

Explore Further with Unbounded Education

For additional support and a deeper understanding of TOEFL preparation techniques, consider Unbounded Education. Our private classes are tailored to your specific needs for TOEFL preparation. Moreover, starting December 4th, we're launching our TOEFL online prep course. This self-paced program includes a comprehensive list of modules designed to enhance your TOEFL skills. Each module provides an opportunity to learn and practice the essential skills required for the TOEFL exam. Elevate your preparation with Unbounded Education!