ABCD English
3. Mock Exams • Level 3

TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Test

About This Test

Simulates the TOEFL iBT Reading section. This test includes 7 sections covering word completion, daily life notices, social media posts, emails, and academic passages. Practice essential reading skills for the TOEFL exam.
38 Questions • 36 Minutes

📋 Practice Questions

38 questions from this quiz — preview them here, then take the interactive quiz above. Your full answer review with explanations unlocks when you finish the test.

Section 1: Complete the Words

1. The water cycle describes the con______ movement of water.

Topic: The Water Cycle

The water cycle describes the con______ movement of wa___ on, above, and be___ the surface of the Earth. As the s__ heats the ocean, water evap_______ into the air as va___. When this vapor rises and co___, it forms clouds. Eventually, the water falls back to the gr___ as precipitation, such as rain or sn__. This process is vit__ for maintaining life on our pla___.

Instructions: Fill in the missing letters in the paragraph to complete the words.

2. The water cycle describes the continuous movement of wa___.
3. Water moves on, above, and be___ the surface of the Earth.
4. As the s__ heats the ocean, water evaporates.
5. Water evap_______ into the air as vapor.
6. Water evaporates into the air as va___.
7. When this vapor rises and co___, it forms clouds.
8. The water falls back to the gr___ as precipitation.
9. Precipitation includes rain or sn__.
10. This process is vit__ for maintaining life.
11. The water cycle maintains life on our pla___.

Section 2: Read in Daily Life (Notice)

1. What type of business issued this notice?

TechStream Internet Solutions

Service Interruption Notice

Dear Valued Customers,

Please be advised that there will be a scheduled maintenance outage in your area to upgrade our fiber-optic infrastructure.

Date: Tuesday, March 12th
Time: 1:00 AM – 5:00 AM

During this time, you will be unable to access the internet or use VoIP landline services. We apologize for the inconvenience. The upgrades will result in faster upload speeds and more stable connections. No action is required on your part; service will restore automatically.

  • A(A) A construction firm
  • B(B) An Internet service provider
  • C(C) A city council
  • D(D) A computer repair shop
2. What is the main benefit of the maintenance mentioned in the notice?
  • A(A) Lower monthly bills
  • B(B) Free installation of new routers
  • C(C) Faster and more stable connections
  • D(D) Access to new television channels

Section 3: Read a Social Media Post

3. What is the main purpose of the post?

Jake Eats World

Just stumbled upon the hidden gem of the city—"The Green Patio" on 4th Street! 🌮🌿

If you think vegan food is boring, this place will prove you wrong. Their jackfruit tacos are spicy, savory, and indistinguishable from pulled pork. The atmosphere is super chill with hanging plants everywhere and acoustic guitar playing in the background.

Pro tip: Go during lunch hours (11 AM - 2 PM) for the "Power Bowl" special. It's half-price! But be warned, the line gets long around 12:30, so try to arrive early.

Definitely adding this to my weekly rotation. Support local business! 🥙❤️

[Like] [Comment]

  • A(A) To complain about the long wait times at a restaurant
  • B(B) To share a recipe for jackfruit tacos
  • C(C) To recommend a restaurant and describe its atmosphere
  • D(D) To organize a musical event on 4th Street
4. Why does the author suggest visiting between 11 AM and 2 PM?
  • A(A) To meet the owner
  • B(B) To listen to the live music
  • C(C) To avoid the crowds
  • D(D) To get a discount on a specific dish
5. What can be inferred about "The Green Patio"?
  • A(A) It serves meat dishes.
  • B(B) It is a large chain restaurant.
  • C(C) It specializes in plant-based food.
  • D(D) It is open only for dinner.

Section 4: Read an Academic Passage

6. What is the passage mainly about?

Topic: The History of Glass

Glass is one of the most versatile materials in human history. While naturally occurring glass, such as obsidian, has been used by humans for Stone Age tools for thousands of years, the manufacturing of glass is a more recent innovation. Historians believe that glassmaking was first discovered in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE.

Early glass was extremely difficult to make and was considered a luxury item, as valuable as gemstones. The Romans were the first to develop glassblowing technology around the 1st century BCE. This breakthrough allowed glass to be produced more cheaply and in a wider variety of shapes. Consequently, glass items became common in ordinary households for the first time.

Today, glass is ubiquitous. However, a modern challenge is recycling. While glass is 100% recyclable and can be reused endlessly without loss in quality or purity, many types of glass (like heat-treated Pyrex or window glass) contain chemicals that make them difficult to recycle alongside standard bottles and jars.

  • A(A) The chemical composition of obsidian
  • B(B) The evolution and challenges of glass production
  • C(C) The trade routes of Mesopotamia
  • D(D) How to recycle different materials
7. The word "breakthrough" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to:
  • A(A) Accident
  • B(B) Advancement
  • C(C) Collapse
  • D(D) Mystery
8. According to the passage, why was early glass considered a luxury?
  • A(A) It was imported from distant lands.
  • B(B) It was difficult to manufacture.
  • C(C) It was used only for religious ceremonies.
  • D(D) It was made of precious gemstones.
9. Why does the author mention Pyrex and window glass?
  • A(A) To give examples of glass that is hard to recycle with bottles.
  • B(B) To show the superior quality of modern glass.
  • C(C) To explain how Roman glassblowing techniques are still used.
  • D(D) To suggest that all glass should be banned.

Section 5: Complete the Words

21. The solar system includes every th___ bound to it by gravity.

Topic: Astronomy

The solar system consists of the Sun and every th___ bound to it by grav___. This includes eight pla____, dozens of moons, and millions of asteroids, comets, and mete____. The four inner planets are rocky and sma__, while the four out__ planets are gas giants. Jupiter is the lar____ planet, containing more mass than all other planets comb____.

Instructions: Fill in the missing letters in the paragraph.

22. Objects are bound to the Sun by grav___.
23. The solar system includes eight pla____.
24. The solar system includes asteroids, comets, and mete____.
25. The four inner planets are rocky and sma__.
26. The four out__ planets are gas giants.
27. Jupiter is the lar____ planet in our solar system.
28. Jupiter contains more mass than all other planets comb____.

Section 6: Read an Email

10. When is the interview taking place?

To: sarah.jenkins@email.com
From: hiring@apexmarketing.com
Date: 10/24/2025
Subject: Interview Confirmation: Graphic Design Role

Dear Ms. Jenkins,

We are pleased to confirm your interview for the Graphic Design position at Apex Marketing.

Your interview is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29th, at 2:00 PM. You will be meeting with our Creative Director, Mr. Silas Thorne.

Please remember to bring a digital copy of your portfolio on a tablet or laptop, as we will be reviewing your past projects in detail. There is no need to bring a printed resume, as we have your file on hand.

Please arrive 10 minutes early to complete a security check at the front desk.

Best regards,
Elena Ross
HR Coordinator

  • A(A) October 24th
  • B(B) October 29th
  • C(C) November 1st
  • D(D) Wednesday morning
11. What is Ms. Jenkins instructed to bring?
  • A(A) A printed copy of her resume
  • B(B) Identification for security
  • C(C) A digital portfolio of her work
  • D(D) A letter of recommendation
12. What is the main purpose of the email?
  • A(A) To offer Ms. Jenkins a job
  • B(B) To ask Ms. Jenkins to reschedule her appointment
  • C(C) To confirm the details of an upcoming meeting
  • D(D) To request more documents for an application
13. What implies that Ms. Jenkins has already applied for the job?
  • A(A) The email mentions they already have her resume on file.
  • B(B) She is meeting the Creative Director.
  • C(C) The interview is in the afternoon.
  • D(D) She needs to pass a security check.

Section 7: Read an Academic Passage

14. Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

Topic: The Placebo Effect

In medical research, the "placebo effect" is a fascinating psychological phenomenon where a patient's condition improves after receiving a treatment that has no therapeutic value, simply because the patient believes it will work. For example, a patient suffering from a headache might take a sugar pill—thinking it is medicine—and report that their pain has vanished.

The placebo effect highlights the powerful connection between the mind and the body. It suggests that expectations can trigger physiological changes, such as the release of endorphins (natural pain-relieving chemicals) in the brain.

However, the placebo effect complicates clinical trials. When testing a new drug, scientists must prove that the drug is more effective than a placebo. To do this, they conduct "double-blind" studies. In these studies, neither the patients nor the doctors know who is receiving the real medication and who is receiving the sugar pill. This ensures that the results are due to the chemical properties of the drug, not just the power of suggestion.

  • A(A) Sugar pills are an effective cure for migraines.
  • B(B) The connection between mind and body is a myth.
  • C(C) The placebo effect shows how belief can influence health and complicates drug testing.
  • D(D) Double-blind studies are unethical and should be stopped.
15. According to the passage, what is a "double-blind" study?
  • A(A) A study where patients are blindfolded.
  • B(B) A study where only the doctor knows who gets the real medicine.
  • C(C) A study where participants know they are taking a sugar pill.
  • D(D) A study where neither the researchers nor the participants know who has the active drug.
16. Why does the author mention endorphins?
  • A(A) To explain the chemical makeup of sugar pills.
  • B(B) To provide a biological explanation for why placebos might work.
  • C(C) To show that placebos are dangerous.
  • D(D) To describe a new type of pain medication.
17. The word "vanished" in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to:
  • A(A) Disappeared
  • B(B) Increased
  • C(C) Returned
  • D(D) Worsened
18. What can be inferred about the role of expectations in medical treatment?
  • A(A) They have no impact on physical symptoms.
  • B(B) They can sometimes cause the brain to produce its own pain-relief chemicals.
  • C(C) They are the only factor that matters in curing diseases.
  • D(D) They prevent real medicine from working effectively.
19. The word "therapeutic" in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to:
  • A(A) Psychological
  • B(B) Healing
  • C(C) Dangerous
  • D(D) Expensive

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is in the TOEFL iBT Reading section?

The TOEFL iBT Reading section asks you to read academic passages and answer questions about main ideas, details, vocabulary, inference and sentence insertion. This free practice test simulates the section with 38 questions across 7 parts, including word completion, notices, emails, social media posts and academic passages.

Is this TOEFL reading practice test free?

Yes. The test is completely free — no registration required. You get instant scoring, the correct answers and an explanation for every question.

How is the TOEFL Reading section scored?

TOEFL iBT Reading is scored 0–30 and counts toward your total 0–120 score. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores, so you can miss a question and still score 30. Practice tests help you learn the timing: roughly 36–73 minutes depending on the exam format.

What score do I need on TOEFL Reading?

Most universities look for 20+ (out of 30) in Reading. Competitive programs often expect 22–26. Use this mock test to benchmark your current level before you register for the real exam.

How can I improve my TOEFL Reading score fast?

Practice daily with timed tests, learn to skim for structure before reading in detail, build academic vocabulary (especially word completion/affixes), and always review the explanations for the questions you miss.

🔗 Keep Practicing

Comprehensive English Level Test→IELTS General Training Practice Test 1→IELTS General Training Practice Test 2→Logic: Cause vs. Effect→Reading: Context→Logic: Fact vs. Opinion→