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1. What is Read an Academic Passage?
Read an Academic Passage is the third task in the updated TOEFL reading section. In this task you read a short expository text, similar to a paragraph from a textbook or an introductory section of a lecture handout, and then answer several multiple-choice questions.
Quick facts
- Task type: Read an Academic Passage (short expository text).
- Passage length: about 200 words.
- Questions per passage: up to 5 questions.
- Question style: single-answer multiple choice (4 options).
2. Task details & timing
How the task works
- You see one short academic passage on the screen.
- Below it, you answer up to five questions, one at a time.
- You cannot skip questions, but you can usually move back within the same task while time remains.
Pacing suggestions
- The full reading section (all tasks) takes about 18–27 minutes, depending on the adaptive path.
- A good personal target is 4–5 minutes per academic passage.
- That equals roughly 1 minute per question plus 1–2 minutes to skim and scan the text.
What you may be asked
- Main idea / primary purpose of the passage.
- Specific details and supporting examples.
- Vocabulary in context and word meaning.
- Simple inferences and connections between sentences.
3. What Reading Task 3 tests
According to ETS lesson plans, the updated reading section focuses on three core skills: identifying main ideas, scanning for specific information, and guessing the meanings of words in context. All three are central to Read an Academic Passage.
Identifying main ideas
- Recognize the central point the author wants you to learn.
- Pay attention to the title, first sentence, and concluding sentence.
Scanning for specific information
- Locate dates, names, numbers, and key terms quickly.
- Use your eyes like a scanner: move quickly until you see important words from the question.
Guessing vocabulary from context
- Use surrounding sentences to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- Look for examples, contrasts, and explanations that define the word indirectly.
4. Core strategies for Read an Academic Passage
Preview the passage in 20–30 seconds
Before reading every word, quickly look at the title, first sentence of each paragraph, and any bold or italic terms. This gives you a "map" of the text and makes the questions easier to understand.
- Ask yourself: "What topic is this about?" and "What seems to be the author's goal?"
- Expect 1 question about the main idea or purpose.
Use question-first reading
After a quick preview, look at the first question before re-reading the relevant part of the passage.
- Underline the keywords in the question (names, years, technical terms).
- Scan the passage for those words or synonyms, then read the surrounding sentences carefully.
- Repeat for each question so you always read with a clear goal.
Match ideas, not just words
Wrong options often copy words from the passage but change the meaning. Focus on the idea, not only on vocabulary.
- Check whether the option fully matches what the passage says, not just part of it.
- Beware of answers that are too general, too specific, or opposite to the text.
Handle vocabulary questions logically
When asked what a word "is closest in meaning to," read one sentence before and after that word.
- Decide if the unknown word is positive/negative, an action/thing, etc.
- Eliminate choices that don't fit the sentence grammar or tone.
- Choose the option that could replace the word without changing the message.
Use smart timing & guessing
Aim for about one minute per question. If time is almost finished:
- Answer any main-idea questions first—they usually affect your overall understanding.
- For difficult questions, remove two clearly wrong options and guess between the remaining two.
- Never leave a question blank; there is no penalty for guessing.
5. Example academic passage & questions
Many academic passages in TOEFL 2026 come from topics like psychology, biology, history, or technology. An example used in several preparation resources is a passage about "The Mirror Test", which explains how scientists check whether animals can recognize themselves in a mirror.
Sample passage (original, shortened)
Title: The Mirror Test
Researchers sometimes use a simple mirror to study animal cognition. In a typical experiment, an animal is allowed to become familiar with a mirror placed in its enclosure. Later, when the animal is asleep or distracted, the researchers place a colored mark on a part of its body that it cannot normally see, such as its forehead. If the animal later uses the mirror to touch or investigate the mark on its own body, scientists say it has passed the "mirror test." This reaction suggests that the animal can connect the reflection in the glass with itself, rather than with another individual.
Question 1. What is the main purpose of the passage?
- A) To list different tools used in animal research
- B) To describe an experiment that measures self-recognition
- C) To argue that animals are as intelligent as humans
- D) To criticize the use of mirrors in animal cages
Correct answer: B) To describe an experiment that measures self-recognition.
Question 2. According to the passage, why do researchers place a mark on the animal?
- A) To identify which animal belongs to the group
- B) To reward the animal for good behavior
- C) To see whether the animal connects the reflection with its own body
- D) To test the animal's reaction to bright colors
Correct answer: C) To see whether the animal connects the reflection with its own body.
Question 3. The word cognition in line 1 is closest in meaning to:
- A) movement
- B) learning
- C) breathing
- D) reproduction
Possible correct answer: B) learning.
Explanation: The whole passage describes how animals think about themselves. The main idea is the experimental method for testing self-recognition, and each detail (such as the colored mark) supports that purpose. Vocabulary can be solved by thinking about the overall topic of mental abilities.
6. Practice routine for Reading Task 3
Step 1 – Read short textbook paragraphs
- Choose 150–250 word paragraphs from science, history, or social studies textbooks.
- Summarize each one in 1–2 sentences to train your main-idea skill.
Step 2 – Create your own TOEFL-style questions
- Write five questions per passage:
- 1 main idea / purpose
- 2 detail questions
- 1 inference question
- 1 vocabulary-in-context question
Step 3 – Use timed drills
- Give yourself 4–5 minutes per passage, just like the real test.
- Practise answering each question in about 60 seconds or less.
Step 4 – Review and adjust
- Check which question types you miss most often: main idea, detail, inference, or vocab.
- Focus extra practice on that weakness, using ETS-style tasks where possible.
7. Frequently asked questions
Where to practice Read an Academic Passage?
More than 100+ Read an Academic Passage samples with scoring and explanations you can find on testsucceed.com.
Are the academic passages very long and difficult?
No. In the new format, each Read an Academic Passage task uses a text of around 200 words, much shorter than the old TOEFL readings.
Do I need specialized knowledge of the topics?
You don't need prior content knowledge. All questions can be answered using information in the passage itself. Background knowledge may help you feel comfortable, but you should rely on what you read, not outside facts.
What kinds of academic subjects appear?
Topics are typical of expository texts from high school or university: psychology, biology, history, archaeology, environmental science, and similar fields.
Which is more important: speed or accuracy?
You need both, but accuracy comes first. Start by practising without a timer to build understanding, then gradually move to the recommended pacing of about one minute per question so you can finish within the adaptive section time.
How does Reading Task 3 fit with the other reading tasks?
The TOEFL 2026 reading section includes three task types: Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, and Read an Academic Passage. Academic passages are where you show that you can learn from short texts similar to school reading assignments.
