Support Skills Tips

As well the primary & secondary skills, you can support your ability to pass the TOEFL exam. By the following:-
Synthesizing, Paraphrasing, Outlining, Mind-mapping, Note-taking, Summarizing, Skimming, and Scanning.

Note-Taking

• Means writing something down, especially when the topic being given is complex and diversified.

• And, it includes the following: to expect purpose, employ abbreviations and symbols, define terms, connect relationships, compare, contrast and find the difference, find the problem and solution, classify groups, record causes, and observe verbal cues.

Summarizing

• Means condensing or diminishing in short something you have read or heard.

• In the Reading section of the TOEFL usually includes a query asking about the major idea of the passage. And also, in the integrated writing section of the TOEFL, you are asked to summarize what you have heard and read. On the integrated speaking section of the TOEFL, two tasks require effective summarizing skills. So it's very important Skill

Paraphrasing

• Means reformulating what you have heard or read in your own words. And you'll need paraphrasing in all TOEFL sections.

• We can do that by substituting synonyms, using alternative grammatical forms, avoiding common paraphrasing difficulties, and citing expressions and ideas, etc.

Outlining

• Means developing, classifying and organizing thoughts and ideas. It enables you to plan anything by creating a hierarchy of information based on importance and relevance. Points are arranged in sections, then subsections. So, you can use outlining techniques in the Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections of the TOEFL iBT.

• You can practice outlining skills by working from all kinds of materials – textbooks, newspapers, and magazines. You can also listen to newscasts or audio books. By developing the outline, you will be able to reconstruct the structure of the written or spoken information. 

Mind-Mapping

• It is a type of creative graphic organizing technique. It enables users to represent, integrate and connect large amounts of information around a central idea. It enables you to unlock your brain’s potential.

• Mind maps can be used effectively to study, arrange, think, brainstorm, take decisions or solve problems, in personal, academic or professional life. And you can also use this technique to make effective notes when listening is involved.

Synthesizing

• Means creating something new by combining two or more sources. What emerges as a result of synthesis is a new perspective, meaning, or idea. 

• You will need to synthesize on the writing and speaking sections of the TOEFL iBT. First, on the integrated writing question, you may be asked to read a short passage, listen to a short lecture and then write your response. This may necessitate comparing, contrasting, and giving your view on a topic. At times you are not asked for your opinion, so make sure you read the directions carefully. On the other hand, in the speaking section, you may listen to two parties discussing a topic and then be asked to synthesize and add your opinion. Again, concentrate only on the exact wording of the question and do only what is asked of you exactly.

Skimming

• It's a reading technique that enables you to read information quickly to get the essence of a passage. You are simply trying to get a general idea of what is written. Means also, you will probably read quickly all the way through to the end to collect all the original ideas.

• On the TOEFL iBT, you will need to use skimming techniques in the Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections of the exam. For example, in the reading section, you may be given 3 to 5 passages, each of which is approximately 600-700 words in length, followed by 8 to 12 questions. The best way you can complete the tasks effectively is by skimming through the passage first and then going back to locate the specific information you need to answer.

Scanning

• It involves reading quickly to determine specific information. you may not read the whole text and will most likely stop reading as soon as you locate what you are looking for in the text. We can do it when looking up a name in, a word in a dictionary, a phone directory or a job in the classified advertisements.

• Scanning is similar to skimming in that it involves rapid reading. However, while skimming, we read through the entire passage or text to get the main ideas. In scanning, we usually read only until we find the information we are looking for.