TOEFL Primary Step 2 Test #39 - Reading

You bought a book from the book shop. The book belongs to you. Other people cannot legally take it if you do not agree. You ___ the book.

It is something that you give someone, for example, to thank them or because you like them, especially on special occasions like their birthdays or Christmas. What is it?

People use this word to describe a question or an instruction that is easy to understand. People use this word to talk about the weather that is clean and fresh, without clouds or mist. This word can also describe eyes that are very pure in color. What is it?

People use this word to talk about a customer who never seems pleased or satisfied. You use this word to describe a math problem that is tough for you. What is it?

You are going to have an important examination and you feel very nervous. Your friend tells you to become relaxed in order to achieve the best result. Your friend tells you to _____.

This is made from fruit and you can put it on your bread with a knife. What is it?

These have pictures on them and you can write on the back and send them to friends when you’re on holiday. What are they?

Players in this game throw, catch and hit the ball on a sports field. What is the game?

This is a very dry place where there is usually sand on the ground. There are few plants living here. What is it?

Read the following email. Then answer the questions.

Dear Ken, 

Congratulations, Ken! You were one of our top picks for the Lincoln Tigers. From what we saw on the court Saturday, you seem to be quick on your feet. Our first team practice is this Monday, Nov. 9. It will start at 4:00 p.m and last about two hours, depending on the gym schedule. Our first basketball game is scheduled for Nov. 21. Get ready to work hard and have fun! 

If you have any questions, please stop by my office. I'm usually there in the afternoons. 

See you on Monday, 

Coach Park

(Adapted from Reading Starter 3 by John Thomas)

What is the main subject of this letter?

According to the reading, which is true?

Read the following email. Then answer the questions.

Attention all students on teams! 

Basketball season will start soon, so practices are beginning next week. Boys' practice begins next Monday in Gym A, while Girls' practice will start the following day in Gym B. Remember that all students must have a check-up before joining any sports team. You must be healthy to play! The check-up must be done by a doctor. 

Don't forget to bring proof of your check-up to your first practice. In addition, students will also need to bring $25 for the sports activity fee. This money will be used to pay for new uniforms, sports lockers, and meals when teams are traveling. Good luck and have a great season! Go Tigers!

(Adapted from Reading Starter 3 by John Thomas)

What is the main subject of this announcement?

What do students need to bring to practice?

Read the announcement and answer the questions.

There was a cookie-eating contest in the park on Saturday. Five students were in the contest. There were both girls and boys in the contest. They ate cookies for one minute. The winner got $25. Look at the graph. See how cookies each student ate. Who ate the most cookies? Who ate the fewest cookies? Who ate more than others?

(Adapted from Reading Starter 1)

What kind of contest was in the park?

Who got the twenty-five dollars?

What is the same about Amy and Mike?

Who ate fewer cookies than Ted?

Read the instruction and answer the questions.

Making a campfire

Ask an adult to help you. Together, look for flat dirt or sand.

Make a circle with rocks on that ground.

Find some wood for the fire. You need some very small sticks and some big sticks.

Find some dry leaves or grass. Put these inside the rock circle. Light them with a match

Put the small sticks on top of the burning grass. Wait for them to start burning.

Put the big sticks on top. Add more sticks to keep the campfire going. Remember, put out the fire before you leave!

(Adapted from Reading Starter 2)

What is this reading about?

What is the best place to make a fire?

What is important to do at the end?

Read the story. Then answer the questions.

The Johnson family was excited about their camping trip in the woods. They packed their tents, sleeping bags, and some marshmallows for roasting.

As they arrived at the campsite, the children helped set up the tents while their parents gathered firewood for the campfire.

"Look at the stars! They're so bright," said Tim, pointing up at the night sky.

"Yes, they are beautiful," said Mom, "Let's roast marshmallows and tell stories around the campfire."

They sat around the crackling fire, roasting marshmallows on sticks. Dad began telling a spooky ghost story that made everyone laugh and shiver.

The next morning, they went for a hike in the woods. Mom reminded them about camping safety and how important it is to respect nature.

"Remember to stay on the trails and not disturb the animals or plants," she said.

During their adventure, they spotted birds and squirrels and even saw some deer grazing in the distance.

"This is so much fun! I love being in nature," said Emma.

"I agree. It's a great way to spend time together as a family," added Dad.

As they packed up to leave, the kids were already planning their next camping trip.

"We should come back soon. This was the best adventure ever," said Tim with a big smile.

The Johnson family drove home with wonderful memories of their camping trip and a newfound love for the great outdoors.

What didn't the Johnson family prepare for their trip?

What did the family do around the campfire?

What did Mom emphasize to the children during their hike?

How might the kids feel after the trip?

Read the story. Then answer the questions.

Mark and Emma, two best friends, were looking for a way to make a positive impact in their community. They decided to volunteer together at a local charity.

"We can help those in need," Mark said enthusiastically.

Emma nodded, "That's a great idea. Let's serve meals to the homeless or clean up a park."

The next day, they arrived at the charity and got to work. They served warm meals to homeless people and picked up litter at the park, making it a cleaner and safer place for everyone.

As they interacted with the people they helped, Mark and Emma learned about empathy and the struggles some faced.

"I never realized how much a small act of kindness could mean to someone," Emma said.

Mark agreed, "It feels good to give back to the community."

By the end of the day, they were tired but happy. They realized that even small gestures could make a big difference in the lives of others.

"I'm so glad we did this together," Mark said. Emma smiled, "Me too. Let's make volunteering a regular thing."

What motivated Mark and Emma to volunteer at a local charity?

What is NOT mentioned as Mark and Emma's tasks?

What did Mark and Emma realize from their volunteering experience?

What might they do in the future?

Read the story. Then answer the questions.

Sometimes I felt bored. Sometimes I felt restless. When I felt this way, I looked at the globe on my desk. I found North America, and then I found Nebraska. Finally, I found my hometown of Hastings. It wasn't exciting, that was where I lived.

I spun the globe around and looked at the other side. I wondered what life is like on the opposite side of the Earth. While I sleep, the people on the other side of the globe work and play. Kids like me go to school. What is their school like? What do they study? Do they learn reading, math, and science? Do they get bored as I do? Is their grass greener? Is their sky better?

I was going to find out. I found a shovel in my toy box, and I took it into the backyard. I dug and dug. I dug until I had a small hole. I kept digging.

Mom asked what I was doing. "I'm going to China," I told her. "That sounds like an adventure!" she said. I dug until the sunsets. My hole was still very small, and I was tired. I was about to give up. Clink! I hit something hard. Mom helped me dig it out. It was a big bone! 

"Maybe it's a dinosaur," she said. I asked if I could keep it, and she nodded. I had my very own dinosaur bone. When I lay in bed, I still thought about the other side of Earth. For now, I don't think my town is so boring.

(Adapted from The Globe on My Desk by Lauren Tunnel)

Why does the character decide to dig a hole?

What did the character find when he/she dug the hole?

Which word best describes the main character?

What is this story about?

Read the non-fiction passage. Then answer the questions.

Helen Keller was born in 1880. At a young age, Helen caught a fever. As a result, Helen became both deaf and blind. However, she went on to live an amazing life. After her fever, it was difficult for Helen. She didn't know how to communicate with people. She could only use smell and touch. A tutor, Anne Sullivan, started working with Helen. This changed Helen's life. Anne taught Helen how to read and Helen learned how to communicate. After that, there was no stopping Helen. She studied hard. She went on to Radcliffe College, a famous women's school. She even wrote The Story of My Life, a book about her life and adventures. Helen Keller taught people to respect the blind and deaf.

(Adapted from Reading Starter 3 by John Thomas)

Why is Helen Keller famous?

Which is false?

Read the non-fiction passage. Then answer the questions.

The life cycle of a frog begins with an egg. In the spring, a mother frog lays her eggs. She lays these eggs, sometimes up to 4,000, in ponds. After about 10 days, a tadpole comes out of each egg. Tadpoles have long tails and look a little like small fish. They swim around in the water and eat plants pond. But tadpoles don't look like fish for long. After about six weeks, they start growing back legs. Their tails get smaller and their legs get bigger. Then, front legs appear. The tadpoles slowly turn into adult frogs. This cycle finishes after about 14 weeks when the tadpole finally becomes a young frog.

(Adapted from Reading Starter 3 by John Thomas)

What is this reading about?

Which happens first?