TOEFL 2026 Reading • Chapter 1

TOEFL 2026 Reading

Vocabulary in context, practical texts, academic comprehension

3 Types
Task variety
~35 min
Total section
0-30
Score range
25+
Competitive
Start Practicing Now

What's New in TOEFL 2026

The old format tested one skill repeatedly: reading long academic passages. The 2026 format tests three different reading skills: recognizing words from partial letters and context (Task 1), extracting specific information from practical documents (Task 2), and understanding academic arguments (Task 3).

Old Format (Pre-2026)

  • ✕ 2-3 long passages (~54 minutes)
  • ✕ 700+ words per passage
  • ✕ 10 questions per passage
  • ✕ Only academic text type

New Format (2026)

  • ✓ 3 task types (~35 minutes)
  • ✓ Complete the Words (vocabulary, NEW)
  • ✓ Daily Life Reading (practical, NEW)
  • ✓ Academic Text (200-300 words, shorter)

The 3 Reading Tasks

Task 1: Complete the Words Vocabulary

2-3 paragraphs | 5-10 blanks each | ~60 sec per paragraph

What You'll Do

Read a short academic paragraph where some words have missing letters. You type in the complete word based on context clues and the letters shown. This is a brand new task type that tests vocabulary, spelling, and reading comprehension together.

Sample Paragraph:

We know from drawings that have been preserved in caves for over 10,000 years that early humans performed dances as a group activity. We mi___ think th__ prehistoric peo___ concentrated on__ on ba___ survival. How____, it is clear from the record that dancing was important to them.

Answers: might, that, people, only, basic, However

How Blanks Work

Easy

40-50% letters shown

mi___ = might

Medium

30-40% letters shown

pr____ss = process

Hard

20-30% letters shown

ph____non = phenomenon

How to Solve These (Step by Step)

  1. 1 Read the full sentence first. The word's meaning depends on context. "Mi___" could be "might," "mind," "minor," or "mixed." The sentence tells you which.
  2. 2 Identify what part of speech is needed. After "we," you need a verb. After "the," you need a noun or adjective. This eliminates wrong guesses.
  3. 3 Check verb tense and plural forms. If the sentence says "the results ___," you need a plural verb (need/were/are) not a singular one.
  4. 4 Type the full word, then check your spelling. "Occured" vs. "occurred" is the difference between 0 and 1 point. No partial credit.
Words that appear often: Transition words ("however," "therefore," "although," "despite," "furthermore") are frequently blanked because they signal logical relationships. Academic words from the AWL (Academic Word List) also appear often: "significant," "approach," "analysis," "evidence," "research," "theory." Study these word families before test day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
  • Spelling errors (you get no partial credit)
  • Ignoring context and guessing from letters alone
  • Forgetting plural forms or verb tenses
  • Rushing without reading the full sentence

Task 2: Daily Life Reading Practical

4-6 materials | 2-4 questions each | ~2-3 min per material

What You'll Do

Read practical, everyday materials like emails, campus notices, menus, event posters, and website pages. Then answer 2-4 multiple choice questions about each one. This is a brand new task type that tests real-world reading skills.

Material Types

Emails

Professor updates, classmate messages, admin notices

Notices

Building closures, policy updates, schedule changes

Menus

Restaurant menus with prices and descriptions

Event Posters

Workshop info, guest speakers, campus events

Websites

University service pages, FAQs, registration portals

Products

Textbook descriptions, equipment specs, supplies

Sample Email:

Sample Questions:

  • 1. What is the main purpose of this email? (Clarify deadlines)
  • 2. When is the bibliography due? (October 18th)
  • 3. How should students schedule meetings? (Online scheduling system)

Question Types

Main Purpose

"What is the main purpose of this email/notice?"

Details

"When/where/what is mentioned?"

Inference

"What can be inferred about...?"

Action

"What should students do if they want to...?"

Scanning strategy: Before reading everything, scan for: numbers (dates, times, prices, room numbers), proper nouns (names, places), and action words (submit, register, contact, attend). These are what questions ask about. Main purpose? Look at the subject line or first sentence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
  • Confusing similar dates or times mentioned in the text
  • Choosing a detail as the "main purpose"
  • Not reading conditional instructions ("if you want to...")
  • Missing information in headers (To, From, Subject lines)

Task 3: Academic Text Academic

3-5 passages | 200-300 words | 4-6 questions each

What You'll Do

Read short academic passages on topics like biology, history, psychology, and art. The big change: passages are now 200-300 words instead of 700+. You'll answer 4-6 questions per passage covering main idea, details, vocabulary, and inference.

Academic Topics

Natural Sciences

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science

Social Sciences

Psychology, Sociology, Economics

Humanities

History, Philosophy, Literature

Arts

Art History, Music, Architecture

Question Types

Main Idea (Always 1)

"What is the passage mainly about?"

Details (2-3)

"According to the passage, what...?"

Vocabulary (1)

"The word X is closest in meaning to..."

Inference (1-2)

"What can be inferred about...?"

Purpose (0-1)

"Why does the author mention...?"

EXCEPT (0-1)

"All are mentioned EXCEPT..."

Sample Passage (Excerpt):

The Mirror Test and Animal Self-Awareness

The mirror test, developed by psychologist Gordon Gallup in 1970, has become a standard method for determining whether animals possess self-awareness. In this test, researchers place a mark on an animal's body in a location it cannot see without a mirror. If the animal uses the mirror to inspect or touch the mark, this suggests it recognizes the reflection as itself rather than another animal...

Sample Questions:

  • 1. What is the main topic of the passage? (Methods for testing animal self-awareness)
  • 2. What indicates an animal has passed the test? (Touching the mark)
  • 3. The word "acute" is closest in meaning to: (Sharp)

Reading Strategy (How to Approach 200-300 Word Passages)

Short passages require a different approach than long ones:

Step 1: Read the first and last sentences (15 sec)
First sentence = topic introduction. Last sentence = main conclusion.
Now you know what the passage is about.

Step 2: Read the question (5 sec)
Know what you're looking for BEFORE reading the whole passage.
Is it main idea? A specific detail? Vocabulary?

Step 3: Scan for keywords from the question (20 sec)
If the question mentions "photosynthesis," scan for that word.
Read 2-3 sentences around it. The answer is there.

For vocabulary questions: The answer depends on context in THIS passage.
Don't pick the first synonym you know. Read the sentence and check which meaning fits.
Vocabulary trap: Many words have multiple meanings. "Acute" can mean "severe" (acute pain), "sharp" (acute angle), or "perceptive" (acute observation). The passage determines which. Substitute each answer choice into the sentence. Only one will make sense in context.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
  • Choosing an answer that's true but not the MAIN idea
  • Bringing in outside knowledge instead of using the passage
  • For EXCEPT questions, picking something that IS mentioned
  • Spending too long on one question (move on and come back)

Your 3-Week Practice Plan

The new format rewards variety. Master each task type, then build speed with full sections.

Week 1: Master the New Tasks

Goal: Get comfortable with Complete the Words and Daily Life Reading

  • Days 1-2: Complete the Words practice (10-15 paragraphs), focus on context clues
  • Days 3-4: Daily Life Reading (8-10 materials), practice scanning for details
  • Days 5-6: Mixed practice—alternate between both new task types
  • Day 7: Review mistakes, note vocabulary patterns

Focus: Spelling accuracy and practical detail extraction.

Week 2: Academic Reading Mastery

Goal: Handle shorter academic passages efficiently

  • Days 1-2: Main idea practice (10-12 passages), identify thesis in 30 seconds
  • Days 3-4: Detail and vocabulary questions (focus on context)
  • Days 5-6: Inference and purpose questions (deeper comprehension)
  • Day 7: Timed practice—3-4 minutes per passage max

Focus: Speed without sacrificing accuracy. Trust your first instinct.

Week 3: Full Section Practice

Goal: Build stamina for complete reading sections

  • Days 1, 3, 5: Complete reading sections (all 3 task types, ~35 minutes)
  • Days 2, 4: Focus on your weakest task type
  • Day 6: Final full simulation under test conditions
  • Day 7: Light review, build confidence

Focus: Consistency across all three tasks. Pace yourself!

Ready to Start?

Our TOEFL 2026 reading practice includes all three task types with instant feedback.

Begin Week 1 Today

Test Day Essentials

Do This

  • ✓ For Complete the Words: read full sentence before typing
  • ✓ For Daily Life: scan headers and key details first
  • ✓ For Academic: skim paragraph 1 for the main idea
  • ✓ Use process of elimination on hard questions
  • ✓ Check your spelling before moving on
  • ✓ Pace yourself: don't spend 5 min on one question

Avoid This

  • ✕ Don't guess letters without reading context
  • ✕ Don't choose answers based on outside knowledge
  • ✕ Don't skip the subject line in emails
  • ✕ Don't confuse "main purpose" with "a detail mentioned"
  • ✕ Don't change answers without a good reason
  • ✕ Don't panic if you see an unfamiliar topic
The scoring principle:

Shorter passages mean faster decisions. You can't re-read everything three times. The new tasks test whether you can extract information efficiently: spelling a word from context, finding a deadline in an email, understanding an argument in 200 words. Practice the format until it feels automatic.

Start Practicing

Weak at spelling? Start with Complete the Words. Slow at finding details? Start with Daily Life Reading.

Complete the Words Daily Life Reading Academic Text